Travel to Hokkaido from Tokyo

We are planning our honeymoon (abt 8 days) to Hokkaido from Singapore. We plan to fly to Tokyo then transfer to Hokkaido. Just like to know what is the most economic way, by domestic flight or JR train? I've read that train is cheaper but sometimes i come across flight rates comparable to train rates.
Also any attractions to recommend for couples? Thanks.

If you plan to go by train,you may want to consider the JR Cassiopaedia since it is your honeymoon. Unless I am wrong it is an overnight train and your room in the last carriage has a huge windo so you get a wonderful view.

Didn't you ever think about flying into Sapporo on an international flight?

http://www.airfares.com.sg/airfares/cities/city_japan.htm

EVA (BR) via Taipei: SGD 1,010
China Airlines (CI) via Taipei: SGD 1,140
Cathay Pacific (CX) via Hong Kong: SGD 1,523

All the quotations are before taxes and charges.
SQ doesn't directly fly into Sapporo.

Airpasses in Japan.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2364.html
They have decided to sell the passes continuously from this April, though the prices have yet to be announced except that the JAL one world pass is officially announced to sell for 10,000 yen, or SGD 133 per sector.

LCC in Japan:
http://www.skymark.co.jp/en/index.html

Full service airline, ANA, a member of Star Alliance like SQ:
http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/

These two companies start to sell domestic tickets two months before departure, when you can very likely find super cheap tickets from 10,000 yen, or SGD 133 each way.

Trains are alternative means of transport, though it takes at least 10 hours with two changes en route from Tokyo to Sapporo. There are one or two direct overnight sleeper train(s), but it takes much more time and is more expensive than the former way. A JR pass would work out than individual tickets.
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en003.html

Congrats on your marriage.

Thanks optimistk

was thinking going to hokkaido via tokyo would save us some money, also, if time permits we wold like to take a look at tokyo b4 we return (i've been to tokyo once, whereas my hubby haven't been there b4).

looking at the options available, we might consider going to hokkiado by air... then buying the JR Hokkaido railway pass. Would it be better?

Thanks optimistk

My pleasure :-)

was thinking going to hokkaido via tokyo would save us some money, also, if time permits we wold like to take a look at tokyo b4 we return (i've been to tokyo once, whereas my hubby haven't been there b4). looking at the options available, we might consider going to hokkiado by air... then buying the JR Hokkaido railway pass. Would it be better?

I might suggest you to ask Misa Travel, or other travel agency in Shingapore to arrange an open-jaw ticket on EVA as follows:

SIN--Taipei (transit or stopover)--Sapporo--surface--Narita--Taipei--SIN

This routing allows you to fly into Sapporo and out of Tokyo Narita, and also you can enjoy stopover in Taipei. Your husband-to-be will be happy with being able to travel to Tokyo.

My sister flew with EVA between Narita and Taipei recently and was very happy with them. You might want to enroll for the 'One Pass' program with Continental. She got 5k bonus airmiles and the actual flown ones. No expiry.

To get around Hokkaido and get to Tokyo afterwards, I would suggest you buy a 7 day Japan Railpass for 28,300 yen, or SGD 377.

In case the open-jaw ticket mentioned above is more expensive than the SIN--Narita return ticket plus Tokyo--Sapporo return one, you might consider an alternative.

Search the better deals through the airline website links I posted.

If you have more specific questions, please don't hesitate to ask me.

Have a nice day!

To get around Hokkaido and get to Tokyo afterwards, I would suggest you buy a 7 day Japan Railpass for 28,300 yen, or SGD 377.

In order to travel around Hokkaido, is it advisable to get a JR Hokkaido cos Japan Railpass only ends at Hachinohe.

I think you may be mistaken. As far as I understand, the JR Pass is valid in Hokkaido. There may be a part of the route from Tokyo to Hokkaido which is run on tracks of a different railway company. If this is the case, you'd have to pay for the fare of that section.

More information is here:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html

Your options for travel between Tokyo and Sapporo:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5306.html

Corrections of typos.

In the first reply:
A JR pass would work out cheaper than individual tickets. (in the last part)

In the second reply:
Singapore, not Shingapore.

I'm sorry.

BTW, with a JR pass you can not only get around in Hokkaido by train but also work down to Tokyo by train.

Thanks for the clarification, so the JR Hokkaido is actually a subset of the Japan Rail pass =)

Thanks for the clarification, so the JR Hokkaido is actually a subset of the Japan Rail pass =)

Yes, you could word it so. It functions the same, but is restricted to trains and local buses operated by JR Hokkaido:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_01.html

Hi Patricia, Optimistk is right, transiting in Tokyo MAY work out cheaper depending on when you depart and your flight combinations, but chances are you have to depart from Haneda airport, which is seperate from Narita airport. (1.5hrs by train?)

If I recall correctly, ANA does have some flights from Narita, but that will restrict your flight combinations.

Therefore, IMHO, unless you would like to visit Tokyo on your way into Hokkaido and/or out of it, it might be easier to go in via TPE or HKG.

To the last part of your 1st question, where in Hokkaido to go would depend very much on when you want to go there. Hope you enjoy your honeymoon!