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
- Train connection between Tokyo and Hakodate by the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen and the rapid train Hakodate Liner
- 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
- Timetable
Train connection between Tokyo and Sapporo by the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen and the limited express Super Hokuto
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 Dep | Tokyo |
| The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 1 | |
| 10:53 Arr / 11:09 Dep | Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto |
| The limited express Super Hokuto 9 | |
| 14:41 Arr | Sapporo |
The earliest connection from Sapporo to Tokyo
| 06:00 Dep | Sapporo |
| The limited express Super Hokuto 2 | |
| 09:14 Arr / 09:35 Dep | Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto |
| The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 16 | |
| 14:04 Arr | Tokyo |
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
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 Dep | Tokyo |
| The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 1 | |
| 10:53 Arr / 11:10 Dep | Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto |
| The rapid train Hakodate Liner | |
| 11:25 Arr | Hakodate |
The earliest connection from Hakodate to Tokyo
| 06:07 Dep | Hakodate |
| The rapid train Hakodate Liner | |
| 06:29 Arr / 06:39 Dep | Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto |
| The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 10 | |
| 11:04 Arr | Tokyo |
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.
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 Dep | Shin-Osaka |
| 06:23 Dep | Kyoto |
| 07:18 Dep | Nagoya |
| The Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 504 | |
| 09:10 Arr / 09:36 Dep | Tokyo |
| The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 11 | |
| 13:34 Arr / 14:11 Dep | Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto |
| The limited express Super Hokuto 13 | |
| 17:41 Arr | Sapporo |
The earliest connection from Sapporo to Nagoya, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka
| 06:00 Dep | Sapporo |
| The limited express Super Hokuto 2 | |
| 09:14 Arr / 09:35 Dep | Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto |
| The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 16 | |
| 14:04 Arr / 14:33 Dep | Tokyo |
| The Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 517 | |
| 16:17 Arr | Nagoya |
| 17:13 Arr | Kyoto |
| 17:26 Arr | Shin-Osaka |
The earliest connection from Shin-Osaka/Kyoto to Hakodate
| 06:08 Dep | Shin-Osaka |
| 06:23 Dep | Kyoto |
| 07:18 Dep | Nagoya |
| The Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 504 | |
| 09:10 Arr / 09:36 Dep | Tokyo |
| The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 11 | |
| 13:34 Arr / 13:47 Dep | Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto |
| The rapid train Hakodate Liner | |
| 14:02 Arr | Hakodate |
The earliest connection from Hakodate to Kyoto/Shin-Osaka
| 06:07 Dep | Hakodate |
| The rapid train Hakodate Liner | |
| 06:29 Arr / 06:39 Dep | Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto |
| The Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 10 | |
| 11:04 Arr / 11:33 Dep | Tokyo |
| The Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari 511 | |
| 13:17 Arr | Nagoya |
| 14:13 Arr | Kyoto |
| 14:26 Arr | Shin-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
hye mr. takashi,
i wanted to go sapporo on march 2017. at the same time, we are planning to go tokyo as well. how long the journey will take by train and how much it cost per person?are u suggest us to go tokyo or hokkaido more better?we will like tp spent there about 9-10 days.
Hi anissa.az,
Please read the post above again. You will find the trip time.
The fare is almost same as the price of JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/jr-east-south-hokkaido-rail-pass-user-guide-perfect-deal-for-the-travelers-who-visit-tokyo-and-sapporo-by-train.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi. I’m planning to travel from Tokyo – hokkaido – Osaka – Tokyo. Can u help me with the JR lines?
Hi Shaa,
As you read the post above, this is common way to get Hokkaido. But Hokkaido is a big area. You may find the route map to get other part of Hokkaido in the link below:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I’ll be going, Tokyo (narita) – sapporo – hakodate – Osaka – Tokyo (fly back to my Country). Thanks for ur tips. The train map and timings are useful.
No worries, Shaa.
You also can find the timetable at hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello, I will like to travel from New Chitose Airport or Sapporo by train to Hakodate (just one way as we then plan to drive back). Can you advise on which option is faster and easier? I am travelling with my 1 year old daughter, will she need a ticket?
Hi Sue,
You may take Limited Express Hokuto. You may find the timetable and the fare at Hyperida.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Only single fare is your choice. Unfortunately there is no deals available for just one way trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Sir/Madam
I will be arriving Osaka(Kansai) airport at Osaka time 4pm on 4 June16 . I am proceeding to Hokkaido after that.
I will be at Hokkaido for about 6 days and after that proceed to Osaka to visit nearby places like Kyoto and my last day of trip will be 16 June 2016. I now wan to weigh the pros and cons of taking JRRail to Hokkaido or taking domestic flight. I understand with March 2016 , there is a JPL Rail pass to Hokkaido. If I am not wrong, it stops at Sapporo, Hakkodate and Chitose, correct me if I am wrong? If I opt to take JPRail, what is the fastest route I can take and how many hours of train ride will that be? Does the train have a cabin for sleeping or shower and will that come with extra cost? how do we reserve the seat?
Is there a need for me to rent a car at Hokkaido since most of parts of Hokkaido is covered by JPRail? Can I have your advice
Hi Eunice,
Hokkaido is quite far from Osaka. I think you mean Hokkaido Shinkansen will open on March 26, 2016. But it’s still far.
Tokyo 06:32 Dep
(Tohoku Shinkansen Hayabusa 1)
Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto 10:58 Arr
Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto 11:09 Dep
(Limited Express Super Hokuto 9)
Sapporo 14:41 Arr
This is the sample itinerary to get Hakodate (Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto) and Sapporo. This is shown in the post above. Reverse itinerary is also shown in the post above. If you start from Osaka, you need to add 3 more hours. So I usually recommend to stay at least one night at some points on the way to Hokkaido. Otherwise it’s quite far.
Overnight train used to run but not any more. All overnight trains to Hokkaido were/will be discontinued by March.
This is the reality if you use JR pass.
Most of popular places in Hokkaido can be reached by trains. I think rent a car is more convenient but I’m not familiar with it so I cannot compare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Where can I find the new timetable for Hokkaido Shinkansen?
I am travelling from Narita Airport to Hakodate on 4 May 2016.
Hi Alvin,
Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-hokkaido/hakodate-shin-hakodate-hokuto/direct-access-to-hokkaido-from-tokyo-hokkaido-shinkansen-bullet-train.html#Timetable
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, If I want to go to Hakodate from Sapporo, which way is the easier and cheaper? And from Hakodate, is there any train to Otaru?
Hi Masyita,
You may find Hokkaido train timetable at the link below:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi
Arrive to New Chitose Airport, Depart from Sapporo Airport to Nagoya. Can I just stay at Sapporo, day trip to Furano, Hakodate, Otaru, Noboribetsu? Should I just get a 3 days pass.?
Hi Nmy,
Round trip fare to Hakodate from Sapporo is more expensive than Hokkaido Rail Pass 3 days. So if you intend to visit all places in 3 days, you can use Hokkaido Rail Pass 3 days.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi! We wanted to go to Sapporo and will be coming from Nagoya on last week of January next year. Can you please advise what’s the easiest and fastest way to get there?
Hi gorjus_danyce,
Nagoya is located in the middle of Osaka and Tokyo. So just follow the sample itinerary between Osaka/Kyoto and Sapporo. You can take Shinkansen from Nagoya to Tokyo too.
If you really want to travel faster to Sapporo, I think domestic flight is available from Chubu airport to Sapporo. But flight info is out of topic in this site.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, I would like to know any train or Shinkansen can be directly from Sapporo/Hirafu Village to Tokyo Station?
Hi Nicoleso,
As you read the post above, there is no way to get Tokyo directly from Sapporo. You have to transfer a few times.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
We are planning to arrive at Narita in February 2016 for the Sapporo snow festival and take the Shinkansen. We are worried that there will not be reserved seats to get to Sapporo for the 4 adults. Do you know how busy the train will be at that time since it is your busy season?
Hi Matsunaga,
Actually I have never taken JR trains during snow festival in Hokkaido. But limited express trains in Hokkaido are very demanded in even regular week days. Especially train to Sapporo on Friday and Saturday, and train from Sapporo on Sunday are busy. I think Shinkansen and Super Hakucho (Shin Aomori to Hakodate) are okay. But it may be hard to get the seat for Hokuto (Hakodate – Sapporo). There is nothing we can do before arrival. Try to book as soon as possible after you arrive in Narita.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for your prompt response. We will try to go to the Snow Festival in 2017 when the new rail system is running.
Hi Matsunaga,
Yes. Hokkaido Shinkansen will start running in spring, 2016. It will be much easier to get Hokkaido.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com