How to Go to Hokkaido from Tokyo: Fly or Shinkansen?

From quick flights to the well-connected Shinkansen network, relaxing ferry cruise to a car drive road trip, there are many ways to get from Tokyo to Hokkaido, the lovely northernmost island that will surprise your Japan tour. Follow this guide, which includes a fee and time comparison, to find the best way to go to Hokkaido from Tokyo.

What is the Best Way to Travel to Hokkaido

How to go to Hokkaido? There are four main ways to travel from Tokyo to Hokkaido: by air, Shinkansen (bullet train), ferry, or car. As for the best way, the fast flights and convenient Shinkansen are the top recommendations.

There is quite a long distance between Tokyo and Hokkaido - about 830 km (515 miles), similar to the stretch from New York to Chicago, from Paris to Milan, making the quick ride a more popular tourist option. As for which one to choose between the fly and the Shinkansen:

• For your fast and full Hokkaido experience, pick the direct flight to the northern island
• With a more flexible schedule and wanting to explore Hakodate first, board the Shinkansen for a scenic ride

Transport	Duration	Cost	Comfort
Plane	1.5 to 2 hours	6,500 to 48,000 JPY (about 44 to 322 USD)	Comfortable
Train	4 to 5 hours	23,500 JPY (about 158 USD)	Standard
Ferry	18 hours	13,000 JPY (about 88 USD)	Comfortable
Car	17 hours	more than 60,000 JPY (over 405 USD)	Standard

By Plane - Fast & Most Convenient Option

• Duration: about 1.5 to 2 hours
• Cost: from 6,500 to 48,000 JPY (about 44 to 322 USD)
• Best for: quick journey, seniors, tight schedule visitors

Getting from Tokyo to Hokkaido by plane is the top choice, with daily flights offering quick and direct access from the southern Hakodate to the central Sapporo City (New Chitose Airport), as well as a further exploration of the inner Hokkaido. Though the relatively higher and changing prices are the biggest disappointment, there are some budget flights (Jetstar Japan & Vanilla Air) from Tokyo to Hokkaido that you may take advantage of.

Note:

• The baggage allowance policies may be more restrictive at the low-cost carriers; take checks in advance.
• Book early to secure the ideal rate.

Flights to Hokkaido

Airports in Tokyo

Narita International Airport (NRT): with cheaper flight prices and low-cost carriers to Hokkaido; however, with a distance to reach from central Tokyo (1-hour drive/train ride).

Haneda Airport (HND): a closer option (30-minute drive/train ride ) and easy to access, with more flight numbers to fit your schedule, yet at a higher price.

Airports in Hokkaido

New Chitose Airport (CTS): about a 30-minute train ride from Sapporo, is the main airport and the popular gateway of Hokkaido. It is well-connected to the Honshu mainland by its abundant flights, as well as plenty of regular planes to discover Hakodate, Kushiro, Memambetsu, Wakkanai, and Nakashibetsu.

Hakodate Airport (HKD): about a 20-minute drive from Hakodate, is another option if you want to explore southern Hokkaido first. Since there is still a distance to Sapporo, it is better for a northward journey along the Uchiura Bay with Lake Toya and Noboribetsu.

By Shinkansen - Scenic Bullet Train Trip

• Duration: about 4.5 to 5 hours (to Hakodate)
• Cost: about 23,500 JPY in Standard Class (about 158 USD)
• Best for: family, scenic view, smooth journey, bento experience
• Route: Tokyo Station - Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station

Though it is the northernmost island of Japan, Hokkaido is also linked by the Shinkansen network. While going to Hokkaido from Tokyo, simply boarding the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Line at Tokyo Station is also a handy option - with more than 15 daily schedules, just pick your favorite bento box and enjoy a smooth, peaceful train trip, paired with scenic coastal and village beauty alongside the window.

However, it needs to be noted that the Shinkansen high-speed train only sends you to Hakodate (the Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station) in southern Hokkaido. If Sapporo is your final destination, transfer to the Limited Express Hokuto, and the train will take you to Sapporo Station in 3 to 4 hours.

Note: Shinkansen from Hakodate to Sapporo will be operated in 2030.

Shinkansen Bullet Train

By Ferry - Slow, Relaxing & Budget Choice

• Duration: about 18 hours
• Cost: ferry ticket about 12,000 JPY (about 81 USD)
• Best for: slow journey, low budget, sunset and sunrise viewing, ocean experience
• Route: Tokyo - Oarai Port (Ibaraki) - Tomakomai Port (Hokkaido) - Sapporo

From Tokyo to Hokkaido by ferry is a long journey, best for visitors with a flexible schedule and those who really enjoy slow travel. It almost takes one day to complete the whole route, starting from Oarai Port in Ibaraki (about a 2-hour drive or train ride from Tokyo), to Tomakomai Port (about a 1-hour drive to Sapporo).

The ferry ride can also be the most economical choice if you are not in a hurry - with two daily sailings, both are nighttime cruises offering rooms (with different types, including the luxury suite) for your sound sleep. The onboard restaurant and shop are also available after catching the sunrise, as well as the open-air hot spring with an ocean view to soak in.

Below is the Sunflower Ferry sailing schedule for your reference:

Ferry	Departure	Arrival
Evening Ferry	19:45	Next day 13:30
Night Ferry	01:45	19:45

Cheer with Sunset on the Cruise to Hokkaido

By Car - Flexible Road Trip Around Hokkaido

• Duration: about 17 to 22 hours (nonstop)
• Cost: more than 60,000 JPY (including highway tolls, fuel, ferry, car rental, and more)
• Best for: slow journey, road trip, experienced visitors

For road trip lovers, driving to Hokkaido from Tokyo is a true adventure. It will take about 17 hours (without stops) to reach Sapporo, but with each of your stops, it will become a bonus trip to the Tohoku region, whether the rural landscape or the lively downtown.

Here is a recommended driving route from Tokyo to Hokkaido for your reference: Tokyo - Sendai - Morioka - Aomori - Hakodate - Toyako - Noboribetsu - Sapporo. However, there are still some tasks to know about this long drive.

• A rental car pick-up in Tokyo and drop-off in Sapporo is not a common occurrence.
• Since the Seikan Tunnel (which connects Honshu and Hokkaido) does not accommodate cars, an extra fee for the ferry transfer is necessary.

Meanwhile, there is no doubt that self-driving may be one of the best ways to travel around the wide roads of Hokkaido, especially in the summer season when traveling through Furano and Biei's blooming flowers. If you are planning a driving road trip to Hokkaido from Tokyo, consider this:

• Prepare an extra itinerary for the Tohoku region (please feel free to contact us)
• Drop off the car at the Aomori Ferry Terminal. After crossing the strait, pick up another one at Hakodate Ferry Terminal for your Hokkaido exploration.

How to Go to Hokkaido From Other Cities

Go to Hokkaido From Osaka

Flights: fly from Kansai International Airport (KIX) or Itami (ITM) to Hokkaido: about 2 hours

Train: take the Tokaido-Hokkaido Shinkansen at Osaka Station, about 7 to 8 hours to Hakodate; anyway, it needs to transfer to Tokyo first.

Ferry: both are 20-hour cruises and require a 2-hour drive to reach the port

• From Tsuruga to Tomakomai
• From Maizuru to Otaru

Go to Hokkaido From Aomori

Flights: fly from Hakodate Airport (HKD) to New Chitose Airport (CTS): about 1 hour

Train: take the Hokkaido Shinkansen at Shin-Aomori, about 1 hour to Hakodate

Ferry:

• From Aomori to Hakodate: about 3.5 hours
• From Oma to Hakodate: about 1.5 hours
• From Aomori to Muroran: about 7 hours