Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture's capital city, is a popular stop on trips to Japan, with lots of beautiful outdoor parks and nature to see, mountains for skiing in the winter, incredible food, and the world-famous Sapporo beer.
To get from Tokyo to Sapporo, we recommend taking a flight if you don't have a huge amount of time, or taking the Shinkansen train if you are interested in enjoying the beautiful scenes along the route and seeing more of Japan's countryside.
There is also the option to take a ferry, which takes longer but is a nice way to travel if you are not in a rush. Read on to find out more about the top 3 ways to get from Tokyo to Sapporo.
1. Fly from Tokyo to Sapporo: the Most Convenient and Quickest Way
Tokyo and Sapporo are about 832 km (517 mi) from each other, making flying the fastest way. It is a very well-served flight path, with lots of different options to get you up to the north of Japan in just 1½ hours.
Which Airport to Fly From
Flights go from Tokyo's airports (Haneda and Narita), both of which you can get to easily from Tokyo Station, and arrive at Sapporo's New Chitose Airport.
While Haneda Airport is often a little pricier to fly from, it's important to remember that this is the airport that is also closer to the city of Tokyo and cheaper to get to.
Sapporo's New Chitose Airport is around an hour from Sapporo city center, and is best reached by train on the Japan Rail Chitose Line. It goes directly into Sapporo Station, and you do not need to leave the airport to get onto it. Trains depart every 15 minutes between 7am and 11pm, and tickets cost just under US$10 each way. This train is also covered on the Japan Rail Pass.
Airplane Tickets and Pricing
Tickets start at around US$60 one way on Jetstar Japan from Narita Airport, and you can pay approximately US$130 for a one-way ticket on Japan Airlines from Haneda Airport.
Booking your ticket in advance is recommended, particularly during busier tourist seasons (the spring and fall months), to avoid higher prices for flights. More last-minute flights during busy seasons can cost upwards of US$350 for a return, but you can get a better deal in advance.
Prices do of course also depend on the airline you take, with Jetstar Japan and Peach Airlines being a more budget friendly option, and Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways being the larger common premium airlines.
2. Get the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Sapporo: The Scenic Route
Shinkansen trains in Japan are punctual, comfortable, and a great way to travel, particularly if you're thinking of purchasing the Japan Rail Pass, a multi-use rail ticket popular for tourists in Japan.
There are Shinkansen trains that go from Tokyo all the way to Sapporo, with a transfer at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station.
This is definitely the best option if you have the time to enjoy the ride, want to see the picturesque scenery along the way, and if you've already purchased a Japan Rail Pass (since the trains to Sapporo are included in this).
A direct Shinkansen train from Tokyo to Sapporo is currently still under construction, and is expected to be fully operational by 2030.
Shinkansen Lines, JapanWhich Shinkansen Train to Take and Train Schedules
To get from Tokyo to Sapporo, you need to take two Shinkansen trains, first the Hayabusa and then the Hokuto.
Each train requires a separate ticket, or a separate reservation if you're traveling on the Japan Rail Pass, and you will have to transfer at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station.
| Shinkansen Trains: | Hayabusa | Hokuto |
|---|---|---|
| Embarking station | Tokyo Station | Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto |
| Disembarking station | Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto | Sapporo |
| Journey Time (approx.) | 4½ hours | 3½ hours |
| Reserved Price (approx.) | US$165 | US$78 |
| Japan Rail Pass | Permitted | Permitted |
| Train Frequency (approx.) | One every 90 minutes | One every 90 minutes |
To check the times of the trains in advance, we suggest using Japan Transit Planner, which is a popular website for train scheduling. Tickets get released around 2–3 months ahead of time, and we do recommend booking ahead since there are limited trains between Tokyo and Sapporo, and because there is a transit in your journey.
If you have the time, we can also recommend stopping off in Hakodate before continuing on your journey, because it is one of the most important port cities of Japan. There are delicious seafood restaurants, a famous hot spring, and a military fort — Fort Goryokaku.
How to Buy Your Shinkansen Tickets?
To find out more information with regards to purchasing Shinkansen train tickets in Japan, we suggest reading our piece about the 4 best ways to get from Tokyo to Kyoto. Tips for booking tickets between Tokyo and Sapporo are the same as for other Shinkansen bullet trains, although because your journey is longer and there are fewer trains, we recommend planning ahead, particularly during peak tourist season (March to May, and October to mid-December).
The only difference is that it is necessary to reserve your seats on both the Hayabusa and Hokuto Shinkansen trains, where there are no non-reserved seating carriages (unlike some other bullet trains in Japan).
Even if you are traveling on a Japan Rail Pass, you still need to make your reservations ahead of time, which can be done either online or through the station's ticket offices. Don't forget to reserve a seat with luggage storage if you're taking multiple bags, which you can read more about further down.
Which Station to Use in Tokyo
The Hayabusa Shinkansen train departs from Tokyo Station, which is a bustling station full of shops, restaurants, and things to see. We recommend getting there with plenty of time, because navigating it isn't always straight forward, especially if you're not used to Japan's busy rail network.
There are signs that display train departure times and platforms, but it is also easy to find someone to ask for help at an information desk. The staff will be more than happy to help!
To get onto the platform and into your train, when the train is ready to be boarded the barriers will open when you insert the tickets (if you have physical tickets). Don't forget to collect the tickets on the other side of the barrier. If you have a QR code ticket, there's also a scanner for digital tickets with QR codes.
Train Luggage Allowance and Japan's Amazing Luggage Forwarding Service
A Japanese Shinkansen ticket includes two pieces of luggage for each ticketed passenger. Each suitcase or bag's combined length, width, and height cannot exceed 250 cm (or 98 inches) as well as 30 kilograms (66 pounds) either.
While it is possible to take your luggage with you, and reserve a seat next to the luggage space, you can also make use of Japan's popular luggage shipping service to send your luggage ahead of you. Costs for this (it's called takuhaibin) are around US$20 for a big piece of luggage from Tokyo to Sapporo, and it takes two days to get there.
We recommend considering using the takuhaibin service, because this way you won't have to transit between trains with heavy suitcases, and you could just take two days worth of luggage with you on the train instead, making the journey smoother.
3. Take the Sunflower Ferry from Tokyo to Sapporo
Given that there is water in between Tokyo and Sapporo, because they're on two different islands, it is also possible to schedule your journey via the ferry. This is definitely the longer way to travel, but if you have the time it is a beautiful route.
The boat leaves twice a day, once at 7.45pm, arriving at 1.30pm the next day, and once at 1.45am, arriving at 7.30pm the next day, taking 17 hours 45 minutes.
The ferry is called the Sunflower Ferry, and it departs from Oarai in Ibaraki, and arrives in Tomakomai in Hokkaido.
The complete journey takes approximately 22 hours with port journeys, boarding, etc., and prices depend on whether you are happy with a budget room or want a more luxurious suite. There are also differences in price depending on what time of the year you travel, but tickets range between US$60 for an off-peak budget room, to US$150 for an ocean-view room in peak season, or US$400 for a luxury suite during peak season.
From Tokyo to Oarai Port Ferry Terminal
To get to the Oarai Port Ferry Terminal from Tokyo, you need to take the Joban train from Tokyo's Shinagawa Station to Mito Station, and the Kashima Rink Tetsudo train to Oarai Station from Mito Station. The entire journey takes around an hour and 45 minutes, will set you back approximately US$30, and from Oarai Station there is a shuttle bus that takes around 5 minutes to the Oarai Port Ferry Terminal.
There is also an option to take a bus, but this takes almost 3 hours, and you also need to stop off at Mito Station. It's a long journey and costs around the same as the train, making the train the better option.
From Tomakomai West Port Ferry Terminal to Sapporo
On the other side, after disembarking from the Sunflower Ferry, the journey from Tomakomai to Sapporo is approximately 60 minutes by taxi, or you can take a bus from Tomakomai Station to Sapporo Station. The bus takes around 1½ hours, and tickets cost around US$10.
Visiting Sapporo and Japan with Asia Highlights
Apart from tips on how to get to Sapporo, our experts at Asia Highlights are also able to help you plan your time there and in the rest of Japan. From transportation, accommodation, and curated experiences, our itineraries covering Japan can be uniquely tailored to you, creating memories that will last forever.
Recommended tours including Sapporo:
- 9-Day Best of Japan's Winter – Hokkaido Private Tour
- 8-Day Hokkaido Summer Vacation — Nature & Traditions
To find out more about traveling to Japan with Asia Highlights, contact us today with details of what you'd like to see, how long you are hoping to stay, and what your needs and requirements are.
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