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Getting There & Away in Sapporo

How do you get to Sapporo?

Getting There7.3/10Easier to reach than about 70% of cities
Main airport
New Chitose Airport (CTS)

Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: japan-guide.com, sapporo.travel

Good to know

Good to Know

  • Weather conditions—especially between December and March—can affect road travel times, making rail transport particularly reliable during winter.
  • Public transportation is sufficient for reaching each destination, but except for Otaru, using a rental car makes travel between sightseeing spots smoother.
  • JR is the fastest means of transportation to Sapporo City. The Rapid Airport to Sapporo runs approximately every 12 minutes and takes just 37 minutes.
  • Underground connections at Sapporo Station are especially helpful during snow, cold weather, and icy street conditions.

Airport

Name
New Chitose Airport (CTS)
Location
Located about 50 kilometers south-east of the city center.

Airport To City Transport

  • Cost
    ¥1,230
    Frequency
    Runs approximately every 12 minutes (except early morning and late night) from after 8:00 to after 22:00.
    Duration Minutes
    37
    Seat Reservation
    ¥840
    Notes
    Covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Hokkaido Rail Pass. Arrives at Sapporo Station.
  • Depart every 10–15 minutes.
    Cost
    ¥1,100
    Duration Minutes
    70
    Notes
    Takes approximately 70 minutes to arrive in central Sapporo. Many buses serve designated Sapporo hotels directly.
  • Cost With Toll
    ¥18,000
    Duration Minutes
    60
    Cost Without Toll
    ¥15,000
    Notes
    Most people would consider taking a taxi far too expensive. Cost without toll roads around 15,000 yen (taking ~2 hours); with toll roads around 18,000 yen (taking ~1 hour).

Day Trip Access

  • Otaru
    Highlights
    Known for nostalgic streetscapes and beautiful night views. Center visit around Otaru Canal and explore shops and restaurants serving local specialties.
    Distance Time
    Less than 1 hour from Sapporo by train.
  • Jozankei Onsen
    Highlights
    Hokkaido's largest hot spring town. Most ryokans and hotels offer day-use onsen plans (typically ¥1,000–2,000) so an overnight stay is not necessary.
    Distance Time
    Can be accessed by car or bus from Sapporo station in around one hour.
  • Noboribetsu Onsen & Hell Valley
    Highlights
    Explore the striking volcanic landscape of Jigokudani (Hell Valley) created by steaming vents and sulfurous streams.
    Distance Time
    JR Suzuran Limited Express from Sapporo Station to Noboribetsu Station. Journey typically takes around 80 minutes.
  • Furano & Biei (Flower Fields)
    Highlights
    Vibrant hues of Furano with blooming flower fields. Visit the famous Farm Tomita and the enchanting Ningle Terrace. During lavender blooming (June–September), JR operates the Furano Lavender Express directly from Sapporo to Furano in 2 hours with no transfer needed.
    Distance Time
    Furano flower fields can be visited in a day trip from Sapporo, but be prepared to spend around 3-4 hours travelling one way on public transport.
  • Asahikawa & Asahiyama Zoo
    Highlights
    Zoo has animals native to Hokkaido. Glass tunnel through the penguin pool lets visitors get up close with penguins.
    Distance Time
    Located in Asahikawa, just about two hours away from Hokkaido's capital.
  • Lake Shikotsu & Shikotsu-Toya National Park
    Highlights
    Located within Shikotsu-Toya National Park with gorges and forests. In spring enjoy foliage and cherry blossoms; in summer water activities such as canoeing and SUP; in autumn fall colors; in winter snowy scenery and skiing.
    Distance Time
    30–50 minutes by train to Lake Shikotsu area.
  • Maruyama Primeval Forest
    Highlights
    Just minutes from downtown Sapporo. Peaceful escape with sunlight filtering through tall trees. Boardwalk trail perfect for a refreshing walk.
    Distance Time
    Minutes from downtown Sapporo.

Rail Connections

  • Tokyo (Shinkansen + Limited Express)
    Travel time
    7.5 hours
    Notes
    First leg (Shinkansen) takes around 4 to 4.5 hours. From Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, transfer to the Limited Express Hokuto, which takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes. Total trip roughly 7.5 to 8 hours. No direct shinkansen to Sapporo yet — that's coming in 2030.
  • Otaru
    Duration Minutes
    30
    Notes
    30 minutes away from Sapporo by train. Otaru is one of the easiest day trips from the city.
  • Asahikawa
    Duration Minutes
    90
    Notes
    Limited express trains connecting Sapporo and Asahikawa in 1 hour and 25 minutes the quickest. Over 20 round trips operate per day.
  • Noboribetsu (Onsen/Hot Spring)
    Duration Minutes
    80
    Notes
    JR Suzuran Limited Express from Sapporo Station to Noboribetsu Station. Journey typically takes around 80 minutes.
  • Furano (Lavender Fields)
    Travel time
    2 hours
    Notes
    Take the JR Limited Express Lilac or Kamui to Asahikawa Station before transferring to a local train for Biei and Furano. During the lavender blooming months of June to September, JR operates the Furano Lavender Express that brings you directly from Sapporo to Furano in 2 hours with no transfer needed.

Ferry Connections

  • MOL Sunflower
    Route
    Tokyo (Oarai) to Hokkaido (Tomakomai)
    Frequency
    Two sailings (evening/night ferry) depart from each port every day.
    Travel time
    18 hours
    Notes
    The evening ferry departs in the evening and arrives in the early afternoon of the following day. The night ferry departs around midnight and arrives in the evening of the same day. From Tomakomai, a direct Express Tomakomai-go bus into Sapporo takes about two hours and costs 1,450 yen, but the bus only runs that route four times a day.

    Cost Examples

    Cheapest Class
    ¥11,000
  • Seikan Ferry & Others
    Route
    Maizuru (Kyoto) to Otaru (Hokkaido)
    Travel time
    21 hours
    Cost Without Car
    ¥9,970
    Cost With Car Min
    ¥38,540
    Notes
    Ferry services run between Maizuru Port in Kyoto Prefecture and Otaru Port in Hokkaido. Ferry trip lasts around 21 hours. Without a car costs between 9,970 and 54,400 yen. With a car costs between 38,540 and 103,540 yen. Otaru is ~1 hour by car/train to Sapporo.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

  1. 1.japan-guide.com
  2. 2.sapporo.travel
  3. 3.sapporostation.com
  4. 4.japanfortravelers.com
  5. 5.welcomepickups.com
  6. 6.hokkaido-airports.com
  7. 7.sapporostation.com
  8. 8.rome2rio.com
  9. 9.rome2rio.com
  10. 10.sapporostation.com
  11. 11.jrailpass.com
  12. 12.japan-experience.com
  13. 13.japan-guide.com
  14. 14.klook.com
  15. 15.sunflower.co.jp
  16. 16.4corners7seas.com
  17. 17.en.japantravel.com
  18. 18.sunflower.co.jp
  19. 19.osakastation.com
  20. 20.hyperjapan.co.uk
  21. 21.awalkintheworld.com
  22. 22.getlostinjapan.com
  23. 23.klook.com
  24. 24.japanstartshere.com
  25. 25.sillysuitcase.com
  26. 26.tripadvisor.com
  27. 27.lisaeatstheworld.com
  28. 28.gltjp.com
  29. 29.pelago.com

More About Sapporo

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.