How to travel between Sapporo and Tokyo
By air
Tokyo-Sapporo is the world's busiest air route with dozens of flights per day, operated by JAL, ANA, Air Do, Skymark, Jetstar Japan and Air Asia Japan. The majority of flights use Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Sapporo's New Chitose Airport, but some flights also use Tokyo's Narita Airport.
Flight duration is about 90 minutes. The regular one way fares by the conventional airlines are as high as around 36,000 yen, but thanks to a wide range of discount offers, one way fares of around or under 10,000 yen are often available. Skymark, Jetstar Japan and Air Asia Japan tend to have the lowest fares (sometimes under 5000 yen), especially to/from Narita.
By daytime train
Take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori Station (3.5 hours). Then, take the JR Hakucho limited express to Hakodate (2 hours) and finally the JR Hokuto limited express to Sapporo (3.5 hours). The entire one way trip costs around 23,000 yen and takes around ten hours. It is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Note that seat reservations are mandatory on Hayate and Hayabusa trains between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori.
By night train
One or two night trains operate daily between Tokyo's Ueno Station and Sapporo in each direction. Travel time is 16-17 hours. One way fares start around 27,000 yen for the most basic type of berth. Note that Japan Rail Pass holders have to pay a surcharge of at least 14,500 yen to ride a night train between Tokyo and Sapporo. View our night train information page for more details.
By ferry
There are long distance ferries between various ports in Honshu and Hokkaido, providing leisurely and inexpensive access to Hokkaido. Some of the ports with ferries to Hokkaido are Niigata, Oarai (Ibaraki Prefecture), Sendai, Nagoya, Maizuru (Kyoto Prefecture) and Tsuruga (Fukui Prefecture). Most ferries arrive either in Otaru, 30 train minutes west of Sapporo or Tomakomai, 45-60 train minutes south of Sapporo. View our ferry information page for more details.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current Yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
No major city in Japan is easier to navigate than Sapporo with its rectangular street layout and simple addressing system: City blocks are named and numbered according to the point of compass, with the apex at the eastern end of Odori Park. The Sapporo Beer Museum, for example, is located in city block "North 7, East 9", i.e. in the 7th block north and 9th block east of the apex.
Three subway lines, a tram line and many bus companies (JR Hokkaido Bus, Hokkaido Chuo Bus and Jotetsu Bus) provide Sapporo with an efficient network of public transportation. The Japan Rail Pass, Hokkaido Rail Pass and Hokkaido Free Pass are valid on local buses operated by JR Hokkaido Bus.
Sapporo has two airports. The main airport, New Chitose Airport, is reached in a 35 minute train ride hour south from the city center and handles most of the city's domestic and international air traffic. The much smaller Okadama Airport is more centrally located, but has only a small number of flights other cities in Hokkaido.
Signs found at intersections
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A JR Hokkaido city bus
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Special Tickets
The following one day passes are available for Sapporo:
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Subway 1-Day Card (800 yen)
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Unlimited use of Sapporo's three subway lines on one calendar day. Note that a discounted pass is available on weekends (see below).
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Donichi Subway Ticket (500 yen)
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Unlimited use of Sapporo's three subway lines on one calendar day. To be used on weekends and public holidays only.
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Combination One Day Pass (1000 yen)
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Unlimited use of the subways, trams and buses of JR Hokkaido Bus, Hokkaido Chuo Bus and Jotetsu Bus on one calendar day.
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Sapporo-Otaru Welcome Pass (1500 yen)
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Unlimited use of JR trains between Sapporo and Otaru and Sapporo's three subway lines on one calendar day. Note that a round trip Sapporo-Otaru by regular tickets costs 1240 yen alone. Available to foreign tourists only at JR desks in Sapporo Station and Shin-Chitose Airport.
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Prepaid cards make the process of taking subways and buses easier, as you do not always need to buy a new ticket for each ride. Some of them also give small discounts. Prepaid cards can be purchased at vending machines.
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Kitaca
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Kitaca is the rechargeable prepaid IC card by JR Hokkaido. It can be used on JR trains in Greater Sapporo, including Otaru and Shin-Chitose Airport, and in several other cities of Japan. Nine other IC cards from other major cities of Japan, including Suica, can also be used instead of Kitaca. The initial purchase of a card costs 2000 yen (500 yen refundable deposit and 1500 yen fare balance). From June 22, 2013, the cards will also become valid on the subways, buses and the tram in Sapporo.
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SAPICA
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SAPICA is the rechargeable prepaid IC card which can be used on Sapporo's three subway lines. The initial purchase costs 2000 yen (500 yen refundable deposit and 1500 yen fare balance). Unlike many other IC cards, SAPICA is accumulating 10% points with each use, and accumulated points are used towards the purchase of future trips. From June 22, 2013, SAPICA will also become valid on buses and the tram in Sapporo.
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With You Card (500, 1000, 3000, 5000 and 10000 yen)
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The With You Card is the older, non-rechargeable prepaid card for Sapporo. It can be used on subways, trams and buses (JR Hokkaido Bus, Hokkaido Chuo Bus and Jotetsu Bus) within the city of Sapporo. With the exception of the 500 yen card, the With You Cards give you a 10% to 15% discount over regular tickets.
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