How to get to Hakodate and Sapporo in Hokkaido by train

sapporo clock towerHokkaido Area
2010.03.14
Sapporo in winter time is so beautiful.
Sapporo shows very beautiful scenery in winter time.

Hokkaido is very popular destination in these days. Especially Sapporo is very well known because it is the biggest city in Hokkaido and it holds the biggest winter festival in the world. Hakodate is located in southend of Hokkaido. This small city is also very popular among tourists. It is also the gate city of Hokkaido if you take a train or a ferry.

If you have JR Pass, JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass, the train trip to Hakodate or Hokkaido is fully covered. Actually we can get Sapporo in same day from Tokyo and even Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya by the Shinkansen and the limited express trains. However it is such a long long trip. I would like to show you the sample trip plan. You will find the trip time to reach Hokkaido from Tokyo, Nagoya Kyoto and Osaka.

Train connection between Tokyo and Sapporo by the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen and the limited express Super Hokuto

The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa requires a seat booking. You cannot take this train without a seat booking.

The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen runs between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto is the gateway station of Hokkaido and the Shinkansen terminal station near Hakodate. The limited express Super Hokuto runs between Hakodate, Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and Sapporo.

The earliest connection from Tokyo to Sapporo

06:32 DepTokyo
The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 1
10:53 Arr / 11:09 DepShin-Hakodate-Hokuto
The limited express Super Hokuto 9
14:41 ArrSapporo

The earliest connection from Sapporo to Tokyo

06:00 DepSapporo
The limited express Super Hokuto 2
09:14 Arr / 09:35 DepShin-Hakodate-Hokuto
The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 16
14:04 ArrTokyo

As you saw, the trip time between Tokyo and Sapporo is more than 8 hours.

Train connection between Tokyo and Hakodate by the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen and the rapid train Hakodate Liner

Hakodate Liner at platform #1 in Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto station. Hakodate Liner is a sort of the commute trains. You cannot book a seat on this train.

The Shinkansen terminal station, Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto is 15-25 minutes away from the center of Hakodate. The rapid train, Hakodate Liner connects Hakodate and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. The transfer time at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto is 10 to 20 minutes. You may feel 10 minutes is tight to change the trains. But this is on purpose. You can make it in 10 minutes.

The earliest connection from Tokyo to Hakodate

If you go to Hakodate, the rapid train, “Hakodate Liner” takes you to Hakodate from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto in 15 to 25 minutes.

06:32 DepTokyo
The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 1
10:53 Arr / 11:10 DepShin-Hakodate-Hokuto
The rapid train Hakodate Liner
11:25 ArrHakodate

The earliest connection from Hakodate to Tokyo

06:07 DepHakodate
The rapid train Hakodate Liner
06:29 Arr / 06:39 DepShin-Hakodate-Hokuto
The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 10
11:04 ArrTokyo

The trip time between Hakodate and Tokyo is just less than 5 hours

Please refer the post below to learn more about Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto station and Hakodate station.

Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto station guide. How to change between the Hokkaido Shinkansen and the conventional train to Sapporo and Hakodate
Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto station is the Shinkansen terminal station in Hakodate. But it is a bit away from the city of Hakodate. And this station is also the transfer point of the train to Sapporo. You can find how to change the trains in this post.
jprail.com
2017.04.04
Hakodate station guide. How to change the train, Super Hakucho, Super Hokuto and other local trains.
On March 26, 2016, Hokkaido Shinkansen was opened and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto station was opened. Hakodate is not trans...
jprail.com
2012.06.30

Train connection between Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Sapporo, Hakodate by the Tokaido Shinkansen, Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen and the limited express Super Hokuto or Hakodate Liner

There are many Shinkansen trains running between Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Tokyo. But I think most of you use JR Pass. Therefore I would like to show you the trains connection that is covered by JR pass fully. The train route is same between Tokyo and Hokkaido. I just add the train connection between Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Tokyo

The earliest connection from Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya to Sapporo

06:08 DepShin-Osaka
06:23 DepKyoto
07:18 DepNagoya
The Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 504
09:10 Arr / 09:36 DepTokyo
The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 11
13:34 Arr / 14:11 DepShin-Hakodate-Hokuto
The limited express Super Hokuto 13
17:41 ArrSapporo

The earliest connection from Sapporo to Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka

06:00 DepSapporo
The limited express Super Hokuto 2
09:14 Arr / 09:35 DepShin-Hakodate-Hokuto
The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 16
14:04 Arr / 14:33 DepTokyo
The Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 517
16:17 ArrNagoya
17:13 ArrKyoto
17:26 ArrShin-Osaka

The earliest connection from Shin-Osaka/Kyoto to Hakodate

06:08 DepShin-Osaka
06:23 DepKyoto
07:18 DepNagoya
The Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 504
09:10 Arr / 09:36 DepTokyo
The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 11
13:34 Arr / 13:47 DepShin-Hakodate-Hokuto
The rapid train Hakodate Liner
14:02 ArrHakodate

The earliest connection from Hakodate to Kyoto/Shin-Osaka

06:07 DepHakodate
The rapid train Hakodate Liner
06:29 Arr / 06:39 DepShin-Hakodate-Hokuto
The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 10
11:04 Arr / 11:33 DepTokyo
The Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 511
13:17 ArrNagoya
14:13 ArrKyoto
14:26 ArrShin-Osaka

You can make a trip between Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Hokkaido. But please keep it in your mind that you will spend one whole day in the trains if you go to Sapporo.

Timetable

You may find the timetables in the links below.

The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen (between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto)

JR East official site – the timetable

The limited express Super Hokuto (between Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and Sapporo)

Due to COVID-19, it may be operated on a schedule different from the normal timetable. Check the train schedule on Hyperdia.
Hyperdia perfect guide, train timetable and route search engine

The Tokaido Shinkansen (between Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka)

JR Central official site – The Tokaido and the Sanyo Shinkansen timetable

I hope this post will help you to build your trip to Hokkaido.

Comments

  1. Mel says:
    October 19, 2015 at 12:57 am

    hi takeshi,

    we plan to go to sapporo from tokyo on december 31, 2015 using JR Pass. Would you know if JR Trains to Sapporo [from Tokyo] are available on the said date? If so, what is your recommendation as to the trains that we will take? Thank you so much!

  2. BIW says:
    September 17, 2015 at 11:51 pm

    Hi Takeshi san…

    i find your web is the easiest and has thorough information for tourists. thank you so much for your great effort.

    i hope you can help me with my itin too.. im planning to go to japan 16-24 oct. my group of 8 adults and 1 toddler (3years old) first plan was:

    tokyo 2 nights, kyoto 3 nights then sapporo 2 nights then back to tokyo 1 nights.

    will all my city hopping plan be covered by the 7days JR pass?

    thanks in advance 🙂

  3. Darwin says:
    September 11, 2015 at 4:16 am

    Hi Takeshi ,
    I am traveling to Tokyo from 24 Dec till 3 Jan. We are on 4 traveling with 1 toddler and 1 young children.
    I am planning to stay at Tokyo for the 1st night then go to Hakodate for 1 night then go to Sapporo for 4 nights then go back to Hakodate for 1 night then go back to Tokyo. I take a night in Hakodate cause i afraid i cannot catch the train due i am traveling with 21/2 years old toddler
    I just wanna ask yours advise about my itinerary and maybe you can give me some suggestions or effective / comfortable itinerary or some must go places during winter along Tokyo to Sapporo.

    Thank you

  4. MEI EE says:
    September 10, 2015 at 1:23 am

    Hi Takeshi
    We are a family of 4 going to Japan in early Dec. Our journey start from
    Tokyo – Nikko – Sendai – Hakodate – Sapporo – Tokyo
    My question is
    1. Can this whole journey cover by the JR rail pass?
    2. My worries from getting back from Sapporo to Tokyo. Can I easily get a seat from the carpet car when I make my reservation in Japan? I dare not book my hotel as there too much confusion on the getting back portion.
    Thanks
    Mei Ee

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      September 10, 2015 at 12:45 pm

      Hi Mei,

      1. Yes. It’s fully covered.
      2. Forget about Hamanasu carpet car. This train will be discontinued in next spring. Many train fans try to get a seat. All seats are booked out very quickly. There is no online booking and no chance to book it after you arrive in Japan.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. Dale says:
    May 27, 2015 at 7:14 am

    Hello Takeshi,

    Thank you for the informative post! I was sad to find out that the hamanasu train will be discontinued. No wonder I couldn’t get the trip details for hamanasu for October.

    I’m thinking of going on a 14 day trip in mid-October to Japan on the following itinerary:
    1. Fly in to Tokyo narita and travel to Sapporo for 3 days
    2. Move from Sapporo to Toyama for 1 day for alpine route
    3. Travel from Toyama to Kyoto for 3 days
    4. Move from Kyoto to Mt. Fuji or nearby places for 1 day
    5. Get from My Fuji to Tokyo for 3 days
    6. Maybe another spot if time permits

    Do you think the 14 day JR pass will be worth it?

    Thank you! 🙂
    Dale

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      May 27, 2015 at 4:32 pm

      Hi Dale,

      As long as you will take a train for all part of your trip, 14 days pass will give you a huge saving.
      At this point, no official announcement was not placed yet about Hamanasu. It may run in mid October. I will update info right after I get it.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  6. Vivien says:
    May 18, 2015 at 5:36 pm

    Are there train service from Kyoto to Sapporo?If yes, do i need to make bookings in advance?

  7. Rosie says:
    May 11, 2015 at 8:59 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am planning to go to Tokyo and stay for 2 days and head up to Sapporo for skiing for about 3 days. I wish to take a train from Tokyo to Sapporo. Is this possible? Then I plan on going from Sapporo to Osaka for Universal Studio for about 3 days and head back to Tokyo. Would you recommend taking the train or domestic flight from Sapporo to Osaka? We are a family with 1 toddler, I am keen on taking the train for the scenic view but worry it will take too long.

    Thanks!

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      May 11, 2015 at 11:05 pm

      Hi Rosie,

      As you see the sample schedule above, trip to Sapporo from Tokyo by train is quite long. It takes about 9 hours and more. It you are okay with it, you can make a trip by train. When you go back to Osaka, you have to add another 2.5 hours on top of 9 hours trip. I don’t think it’s feasible. Domestic flight is much better idea.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  8. Monica says:
    March 28, 2015 at 4:25 am

    Dear Takeshi,
    I’m already in Japan and tried to book tickets from Kyoto to Sapporo. The problem is I couldn’t get hamanasu at all, all seats are booked, and I’ve reserved a hotel in sapporo! I will try to get on the non-reserved car, but I understand there are only 2 cars, and very worried we won’t be able to. Can you give us options on how to reach Sapporo from Aomori? I’ll get there to shin-aomori at 20:40. Your quick reply would be greatly appreciated as we leave in 3 days. Thank you

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      March 28, 2015 at 11:20 am

      Hi Monica,

      You will be able to take Hamanasu anyway. Non reserved seat car can take passengers even if all seat are full. In peak season, there are lots of passengers on isle or passengers deck. So you will be able to go to Sapporo anyway.

      But you will be Aomori more than one hour prior to departure time. I think if you wait for the train 30 minutes prior to departure time, you will be able to get a seat.

      And keep trying to book until train depart. I could booked many trains in last minutes. Many passengers cancel in last minutes. Keep trying to book whenever you see Midori no Madoguchi. You may be able to book a seat and make you be more comfortable.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Monica says:
        May 11, 2015 at 11:21 pm

        Hi Takeshi!
        Sorry it’s taking me this long to update, I tried posting a few times when in Japan but for some reason always couldn’t.
        Anyway, thank you for your suggestion; we tried again to book Hamanasu at the next Midori office we found and 2 seats were available!
        Couldn’t get Carpet car no matter how many times we tried, but Dream car was also quite comfortable (except I think there was a heater under my seat so my butt felt quite toasty hahah)

        We thoroughly enjoyed also this trip, and hope we can go back again someday 🙂

  9. JP says:
    February 25, 2015 at 10:45 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Good day.
    I am planning my trip to Tokyo and Sapporo on Feb. 2016, primary purpose of the trip is to see the winter festival. I am planning to use 7 days Japan rail pass.
    1. Arrive in Tokyo via plane
    2. Train going to Sapporo (overnight)
    3. stay for 2 nights to explore
    4. in going back to Tokyo, I want to visit Nagasaki, Hiroshima (do you recommend other places in between Sapporo to Tokyo to use up around 3 days
    5. Go back to Tokyo then stay for 2 days then leave Tokyo via plane.

  10. Janene says:
    February 9, 2015 at 4:12 pm

    Hello Takeshi,

    I would appreciate your opinion on whether or not a 14 day JR pass will be our best option, travelling from the 12th of March.
    We fly in New Chitose and have 2 nights in Grand Hirafu, then 3 nights in Sapporo.
    Fly to Osaka, then 3 nights Kyoto, 3 nights Osaka with the possibility of two day trips to Hiroshima and Kobe from either Kyoto or Osaka.
    Our last 3 nights are in Tokyo, fly out of Narita.
    We plan on using the rail system for our travels and may need subway passes in each location as well?
    Thank you for your very informative website, it has given me easy access to relative information. I didn’t know the subway wasn’t included in the JR pass until viewing your site.

    Many thanks
    Janene

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