Transportation
To Hokkaido
From the world
From
TO： New Chitose Airport
Required time :
3h30min
Airlines with Direct Flights
The following airline companies offer direct flights to Hokkaido.
- South Korea
- Korean Airline
- Jin Air
- Asiana Airlines
- Air Busan
- Passport and Visa
- Entering the Country
/ Customs House
Passport is necessary to enter Japan. Visa may be necessary depending on the country and applied regulations. It's not necessary if you stay only for a certain period for the purpose of travel or business.
"Visa Information" , Japan National Tourism OrganizationWhen entering into Japan, you first go through the immigration procedures and customs control at the airport. The immigration procedure is carried out at the counter of the arrival airport. Counters are divided into “Japanese” and “foreigners”, so please stand in a raw for foreigners. When your turn comes, please submit your passport, the embarkation card, the customs declaration to the examiner. You may be asked the length and the purpose of your stay, so please prepare to answer those questions. This process is completed unless there is any problem. For a longer stay, you may be asked about the returning ticket, your money, your staying place. As the immigration procedure is completed, you’ll go on to the customs declaration. Please present the customs declaration form and your passport. Your bag may be inspected. You’ll be cleared if there is no problem.
“Customs” , Japan National Tourism OrganizationTo Hokkaido
From Japan
Airplane
Japan Rail Pass
This is a ticket designed exclusively for travelers visiting from overseas. Within the duration specified on a ticket, you can enjoy unlimited rides on JR trains throughout Japan. You need to apply for the pass at a distributor outside of Japan, and are unable to purchase it inside Japan.
Railway
Shin-Aomori – Aomori – Hakodate
(Change trains from/to the Tohoku Shinkansen)
-
Name
Ltd. Exp. Super Hakucho,
Ltd. Exp. Hakucho -
Time
2 hrs. 20 min. from Shin-Aomori,
approx. 2 hrs. from Aomori -
For further information visit
"JR Hokkaido’s official website"
Ferry to Hokkaido
Hakodate←→Aomori
-
Time
Aomori→Hakodate/3 hours and 50 minutes
Hakodate→Aomori/3 hours and 40 minutes -
Frequency
8-9 round trips a day
(It is subject to change from time to time.)
-
Inquiries
Tsugaru Kaikyo Ferry
Seikan Ferry
Hakodate←→Oma
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Time
1 hour and 40 minutes
-
Frequency
2 round trips a day
-
Inquiries
Tsugaru Kaikyo Ferry
Otaru←→Maizuru
-
Time
Maizuru→Otaru/20 hours and 15 minutes
Otaru→Maizuru/21 hours and 30 minutes -
Frequency
1 round trip a day
-
Inquiries
Shin Nihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd.
Otaru←→Tsuruga
-
Time
Tsuruga→Otaru/19 hours and 15 minutes
Otaru→Tsuruga/For 21 hours -
Frequency
Specific days
-
Inquiries
Shin Nihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd.
Otaru←→Niigata
-
Time
Niigata→Otaru/For 18 hours
Otaru→Niigata/19 hours and 30 minutes to 20 hours -
Frequency
1 round trip a day (Except Monday)
-
Inquiries
Shin Nihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd.
Tomakomai Higashi←→Tsuruga
-
Time
Tsuruga→Tomakomai Higashi/19 hours and 15 minutes
Tomakomai Higashi→Tsuruga/20 hours and 50 minutes -
Frequency
1 round trip a day
-
Inquiries
Shin Nihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd.
Tomakomai Higashi←→Akita
-
Time
Akita→Tomakomai Higashi/12 hours and 20 minutes
Tomakomai Higashi→Akita/12 hours and 15 minutes -
Frequency
Specific days
-
Inquiries
Shin Nihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd.
Tomakomai Higashi←→Maizuru
-
Time
Maizuru→Tomakomai Higashi/20 hours
Tomakomai Higashi→Maizuru/21 hours and 20 minutes -
Frequency
Specific days
-
Inquiries
Shin Nihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd.
Tomakomai←→Hachinohe
-
Time
Hachinohe→Tomakomai/7 hours and 15 minutes - 9 hours
Tomakomai→Hachinohe/7 hours and 30 minutes - 9 hours
(* It is different according to the ship used)
-
Frequency
4 round trips a day
-
Inquiries
Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen Kaisha
Tomakomai←→Oarai
-
Time
Oarai→Tomakomai/For 18-19 hours.
Tomakomai→Oarai/19 hours and 15 minutes from 18 hours and 15 minutes
-
Frequency
2 round trips a day
-
Inquiries
MOL Ferry
Tomakomai←→Sendai
-
Time
Sendai→Tomakomai/15 hours and 20 minutes
Tomakomai→Sendai/For 15 hours
-
Frequency
1 round trip a day
-
Inquiries
Taiheiyo Ferry
Tomakomai←(by way of Sendai)→Nagoya
-
Time
Nagoya→Tomakomai/For 40 hours.
Tomakomai→Nagoya/39 hours and 30 minutes
-
Frequency
1 round trip every 2 days
-
Inquiries
Taiheiyo Ferry
Getting Around
Hokkaido
-
Airplane
-
Car
-
Train
* As of January 2021, the Hidaka Main Line between Mukawa-Shizunai-Samani is transported by bus due to high wave damage.
Higashi-Shikagoe-Ochiai-Shintoku on the Nemuro Main Line is transported by bus due to typhoon damage.
Railway
Major Lines in Hokkaido and Trains
-
New Chitose Airport – Sapporo – Asahikawa
-
Name
Rapid Airport
-
Time
37 min. to Sapporo, approx. 2 hrs. to Asahikawa
-
-
New Chitose Airport – Sapporo – Otaru
(Change here for trains bound for Niseko)
-
Name
Rapid Airport
-
Time
approx. 70–80 min. to Otaru
-
-
Sapporo – Obihiro – Kushiro
(bound for Tokachi and Kushiro)
-
Name
Ltd. Exp. Super Ozora, Ltd. Exp. Super Tokachi
-
Time
approx. 2 hrs. 40 min. to Obihiro
approx. 4 hrs. 10min. to Kushiro
-
-
Sapporo – Higashi Muroran – Hakodate
(bound for Toya and Noboribetsu)
-
Name
Ltd. Exp. Super Hokuto, Ltd. Exp. Hokuto,
Ltd. Exp. Suzuran, Exp. Hamanasu -
Time
approx. 70 min. to Noboribetsu
approx. 110 min. to Toya
-
-
Sapporo – Asahikawa
-
Name
Ltd. Exp. Super Kamui, Ltd. Exp. Okhotsk,
Ltd. Exp. Super Soya, Ltd. Exp. Sarobetsu,
Ltd. Exp. Asahiyama Zoo Train -
Time
approx. 90 min.
-
-
Takikawa – Furano – Shintoku
-
Name
Rapid train, Local train
-
Time
In order to go to/from Takikawa, take a train bound for Asahikawa. (approx. 50 min.)
At Shintoku Station, you can change to a local train bound for Obihiro. (Note: the frequency of local train services is limited.)
approx. 70 min. between Takikawa and Furano,
approx. 90 min. between Furano and Shintoku
-
-
Asahikawa – Biei – Furano, Furano Line
-
Name
Local train
-
Time
approx. 40 min. to Biei,
approx. 90 min. to Furano
-
-
Sapporo or Asahikawa – Abashiri
(bound for Abashiri)
-
Name
Ltd. Exp. Okhotsk
-
Time
2 hrs. 20 min. to Kamikawa
from where you should take a bus bound for Sounkyo, approx. 5 hrs. 30 min. to Abashiri
-
-
Abashiri – Shiretoko-Shari – Kushiro
-
Name
Local train
-
Time
approx. 40 min. from Abashiri to Shiretoko-Shari, from where you should take a bus bound for Utoro,
approx. 2 hrs. 20 min. from Shiretoko-Shari to Kushiro
-
-
Sapporo or Asahikawa – Wakkanai
-
Name
Ltd. Exp. Super Soya, Ltd. Exp. Sarobetsu
-
Time
approx. 90 min. to Asahikawa,
approx. 4 hrs. between Asahikawa and Wakkanai
-
Economical Tickets
Hokkaido Rail Pass
This is a ticket designed exclusively for travelers visiting from overseas. Within the duration specified on a ticket, you can enjoy unlimited rides on the lines on which JR Hokkaido offers services. You can apply for the pass at a distributor outside of Japan, or purchase one at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Tokyo Station or major JR stations inside Hokkaido.
Intercity Bus
Area and Bus Company
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For the suburbs of Sapporo, Otaru, Niseko, Takikawa and Hidaka
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For Noboribetsu, Toya and southern Hokkaido
-
For Tokachi
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For Kushiro and Nemuro
-
For Abashiri, Shiretoko and Okhotsk
-
For Asahikawa, Sounkyo and Furano
-
For Rumoi and Wakkanai
Rent-a-Car
Driver’s License
If you have the following documents, you may drive a car for up to one year from the date of entry into Japan; international driving permit issued by a country that is a party to the Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva Convention) and a passport, or a foreign driver’s license issued in Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium or Taiwan, a passport, and a certified Japanese translation issued by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), or by the embassy or consulate of your country in Japan. *You are not allowed to drive a car in Japan if you only have an international driving permit obtained in accordance with the Paris Convention of 1926, the Washington Convention of 1943, or the Vienna Convention of 1968, since they were issued based on different practices.
Rent a Car Agents
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Honda Rent a Car
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JR Rent-A-Car Hokkaido
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Nippon Rent-A-Car Hokkaido
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Nissan Rent a Car
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OTS Rent a Car
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Times Car Rental
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TOYOTA Rent a Car SAPPORO
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Toyota Rent-A-Lease Shin Sapporo
Camping car
Hokkaido by camping car
Various plans available, including 3-day and 4-day rentals to suit your travel route and schedule. Why not enjoy the freedom - unavailable with train, bus and hotel travel - of a driving trip by camping car.
Camping car agent
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SMILE CAMPER
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FUJI CARS JAPAN
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Hokkaido Nomad Car Rental
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JAPAN Campingcar rental center NEW CHITOSE Sales Office Hokkaido
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OTS RENT-A-CAR
Taxi
Hokkaido’s Taxi
General Taxi
Taxies are available in cities like Sapporo, Asahikawa, Hakodate and Obihiro. You can easily catch a taxi at the airport, stations, and shopping centers. In small towns, a very little number of taxies are running on the street, so call for a one at the station or the convenience store.
Chartered Taxi (Jumbo Taxi)
Chartered taxi is the best option if you travel in a small group. If you go in a group, a jumbo taxi of minivan type is recommended, and the fare is reasonable. It might be good when you have big luggage. The chartered taxi is the best to enjoy sightseeing. It is also possible to take a fixed course or to customize it on your own. The fare may vary depending on the time and the course, so check it in advance. It must be nice to use a jumbo taxi to go sightseeing with your companion and to make a fantastic memory.
Taxi companies with foreign language websites
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Yohtei Taxi
(CONTACT PAGE English)Course :It mainly operates within Niseko ,Rusutsu,and also provides pick up services from/to New Chitose Airport or major ski resorts.
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Akan Kanko Hire
(English)Course :It operates around the Kushiro and Akan areas.
Ferry to Isolated Islands
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Esashi←→Okushiri Island
-
Time
2 hours and 20 minutes
-
Frequency
2 round trips a day (4/21-11/30)
1 round trip a day (12/1-4/20) -
Operation company
-
-
Wakkanai←→Rishiri Island
-
Time
1 hour and 50 minutes
-
Frequency
2-4 round trips
(It is different depending on the season.) -
Operation company
-
-
Wakkanai←→Rebun Island
-
Time
1 hour and 55 minutes
-
Frequency
2-5 round trips a day
(It is subject to change from time to time.) -
Operation company
-
-
Haboro←→Teuri Island/Yagishiri Island
-
Time
1hour (Yagishiri Island)
1 hour and 50 minutes (Teuri Island) -
Frequency
1-6 round trips a day
(It is different depending on the season.) -
Operation company
-
Subway
Sapporo City Subway
Sapporo City Subway operates from 6:00 to 24:00. Many convenient services are available, including, a “One-Day Card” (1,000 yen) for unlimited one-day use on subways, buses and streetcars within Sapporo City and SAPICA IC Card for the subway that is used after it is loaded with money.
Namboku Line
It is a route connecting from Asabu station to Makomanai station. It is the oldest line made for the 11th Olympic Games in Sapporo in 1972. There are Sapporo (JR Sapporo Station), Odori and Susukino stations on this line, and so many people use it.
Tozai Line
It is a route connecting from Sin-Sapporo station to Miyanosawa station. Hokkaido Jingu (Hokkaido Shrine) and Maruyama Park, both of which are famous for cherry blossoms, are on this line.
Toho Line
This is the newest one among the 3 lines. It is used to go to Sapporo Dome. You can change trains for Namboku line at Sapporo and Odori station and for Tozai line at Odori station.