From Tokyo/Osaka, fly to New Chitose Airport
- New Chitose Airport is the main and largest airport in the area.
- The airport is 1 hour away to Hokkaido's gateway city, Sapporo, by train or car.
- From Tokyo or Osaka, domestic flights are faster and usually cheaper than taking a bullet train (shinkansen).
How to Get Hokkaido:
- YES: International Flight
- YES: Domestic Flight
- NO: Bullet Train (Shinkansen)
1. International Flight
Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong all have direct flights to New Chitose Airport every day.
2. Domestic Flight
Hokkaido has over 10 airports, but New Chitose Airport is the main hub and by far the largest, with domestic flights from Tokyo and Osaka operating every hour.
From Tokyo to New Chitose Airport
- Flight time: ~1.5 hours
- Daily frequency:
- Haneda Airport: 50+ flights
- Narita Airport: 10+ flights
- Cost: ¥10,000-30,000 one-way
From Osaka to New Chitose Airport
- Flight time: ~2 hours
- Daily frequency:
- Kansai Airport: 10+ flights
- Itami Airport: 10+ flights
- Kobe Airport: 5+ flights
- Cost: ¥15,000-40,000 one-way
3. Bullet Train (Not Recommended)
Flights are faster and often cheaper
Hokkaido is accessible from Tokyo by bullet train (shinkansen), but it is not recommended. While a flight takes only 1.5 hours, the bullet train takes over 4.5 hours, and the cost is often the same, or even cheaper, by plane.
Why shouldn’t I take a bullet train?
- The bullet train connects Tokyo and Osaka in just 2.5 hours, but the route to Hokkaido takes more than 4 hours due to sub-sea tunnels and slow speed sections.
- The bullet train only reaches Hakodate, a southern town, rather than the gateway city, Sapporo.
- The bullet train station is 20 km from Hakodate's city center, requiring a transfer to a local train, and then a 30 minute ride to reach Hakodate Station.
How can I get to Hokkaido?
From Tokyo/Osaka, fly to New Chitose Airport
- New Chitose Airport is the main and largest airport in the area.
- The airport is 1 hour away to Hokkaido's gateway city, Sapporo, by train or car.
- From Tokyo or Osaka, domestic flights are faster and usually cheaper than taking a bullet train (shinkansen).
How to get to Hokkaido
- 1.YES: International Flight
- 2.YES: Domestic Flight
- 3.NO: Bullet Train (Shinkansen)
1. International Flight
Taiwan, South Korea, and Hong Kong all have direct flights to New Chitose Airport every day.
2. Domestic Flight
Hokkaido has over 10 airports, but New Chitose Airport is the main hub and by far the largest, with domestic flights from Tokyo and Osaka operating every hour.
From Tokyo to New Chitose Airport
- Flight time: ~1.5 hours
- Daily frequency:
- Haneda Airport: 50+ flights
- Narita Airport: 10+ flights
- Cost: ¥10,000-30,000 one-way
From Osaka to New Chitose Airport
- Flight time: ~2 hours
- Daily frequency:
- Kansai Airport: 10+ flights
- Itami Airport: 10+ flights
- Kobe Airport: 5+ flights
- Cost: ¥15,000-40,000 one-way
3. Bullet Train (Not Recommended)
Flights are faster and often cheaper
Hokkaido is accessible from Tokyo by bullet train (shinkansen), but it is not recommended. The bullet train takes over 4.5 hours, and the cost is often the same, or even cheaper, by plane.
From Tokyo Station to Hakodate Station
- Ride time: ~4.5+ hours
- Daily frequency: 10 departures
- Cost: ~¥24,000 one-way
Why shouldn't I take a bullet train?
- The bullet train connects Tokyo and Osaka in just 2.5 hours, but the route to Hokkaido takes more than 4 hours due to sub-sea tunnels and slow speed sections.
- The bullet train only reaches Hakodate, a southern town, rather than the gateway city, Sapporo
- The bullet train station is 20 km from Hakodate's city center, requiring a transfer to a local train, and then a 30 minute ride to reach Hakodate Station