How to get there
Travel to Hokkaido
Flights to Hokkaido
The most common way for international tourists to travel to Hokkaido is to fly into
New Chitose Airport (Sapporo). This is the closest airport to the very popular
Niseko ski resort.
If you want to go to the ski resorts further north such as
Kamui Links,
Furano or
Asahidake, the ideal access point is Asahikawa airport.
Another gateway airport is Obihiro airport, which provides easy access to
Tomamu and Sahoro ski resorts.
Use one of our
flight search engines to compare different airlines and routes to find a flight that most suits you. CheapOAir is good for US and Canada travellers, whilst Zugi is great for visitors from elsewhere.
Flying Into Sapporo
Commonly you’ll need to fly into Sapporo (New Chitose) on a domestic flight from Tokyo or Osaka. This can be somewhat inconvenient from Tokyo as Haneda airport (commonly used for domestic flights) is an hour plus bus ride across town from Narita (commonly used for international flights). This process can take quite a few hours, and has the added hassle of having to handle your luggage, re-check bags and await the connecting flight. For some flight schedules you’ll need to stay overnight in Tokyo.
That being said, it is possible to get a domestic flight into or out of Narita, or international flights in and out of Haneda, but this is not the most common scenario. When searching for flight routes, double check which Tokyo airports are involved in the itinerary.
Other options for flights to Sapporo are via Hong Kong, Seoul or Taipei.
Flying Into Asahikawa
You’ll need to fly into Asahikawa on a domestic flight from Tokyo or Osaka, or from Seoul. If flying via Tokyo, the same problems as outlined above will potentially be experienced in transferring between the airports.
Getting to Hokkaido from Australia
Getting to Hokkaido isn’t as simple as it used to be. There used to be some direct flights from Australia into Sapporo, but these no longer exist. Airlines to get to Sapporo include Qantas (via Tokyo), Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Singapore Airlines (via Tokyo), Japan Airlines (via Tokyo), Korean Airlines (via Seoul) and China Airlines (via Taipei). Flying times via Hong Kong are sometimes the fastest or similar to some flights via Tokyo.
Cheap Domestic Airfares
(as at 2011)
Domestic flights in Japan are quite expensive. You can save a significant amount (up to 70%) on domestic flights through one of the following "Discount Fares":
1.
OneWorld – these must be associated with international flights in and out on a OneWorld carrier (ie both ways)
- Minimum of one segment (domestic flight) and up to 5
- Book through the carrier you are flying with
2.
Welcome to Japan Fare – these are contingent on having booked international flights in and out of Japan and can be associated with any international carrier
- Must be booked through JAL by phone. In Australia use Sydney JAL reservations Phone:1800 802 228 Email: syd.ticketing@jal.com
- Minimum of 2 segments (domestic flights) must be booked (and up to 5)
- Non-connecting domestic flights e.g. not within 24 hours of international flights are charged 650Yen consumption tax.
- A booking fee applies for each ticket booked through JAL. This varies depending on JAL ticketing in your region.E.g. $60 per ticket (not per segment) in Australia.
- You also need to quote details of your international flights, email your itinerary for the international flights, and provide a scanned copy of your passport ID page.
- Bookings are via credit card& tickets are emailed to you.
Further information on cheap airfare conditions
The "
One World Pass" is a better deal as there should be no extra booking fees and you can book just a single domestic flight if you please. The rates are also cheaper and the booking process easier given that you are dealing with your carrier.
We have used the "Welcome to Japan Fare" and found that after paying the booking fees and consumption tax, there was a saving of about 30%. Should we have qualified for the One World ticket, we would have saved about 70%.
Travel to Hokkaido By TrainAnother way to get to Hokkaido from Tokyo is by train. A tunnel runs under the ocean between the main island of Honshu and Hokkaido making the entire journey by train possible. The train network in Japan is extensive, fast and efficient (and relatively inexpensive).
The route is
Tokyo to Aomori (about 4 hours) and then
Aomori to Sapporo (about 5 hours). You can
check timetables here.
If you have the time and you would like to experience some ski areas in Honshu en-route to Hokkaido, you pass several well know ski areas such as
Zao Onsen,
Appi Kogen and
Hakkoda.
Should you decide to take a few days to get to Hokkaido, you can purchase a
JR Rail National Pass (only available to international visitors) in the form of 7, 14 and 21 consecutive days. Alternatively, you could purchase a
JR East Pass which will get you to Aomori where you can then fly to Sapporo (as this ticket doesn't include the leg under the sea to Hokkaido, or travel within Hokkaido). The JR East pass available as 4 days in a month or 5 and 10 consecutive days.
Key Transport Operators
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Hokkaido Resort Liner - Bus Transfers
The most economical & efficient way to get to and from Sapporo/Airport to Hokkaido resorts including Niseko, Rusutsu, Furano, Kiroro, Kokusai, Sahoro & Tomamu.
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International Rail - JR Rail Passes
International rail is a specialist rail travel company. Buy JR Rail Passes online. 5 or 10 consecutive days or 4 days in a 30 day period. Non-Japanese residents only. Must be purchased outside of Japan.
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