Hokkaido, Japan's second-largest island, has a completely different impression than other places of Japan with its majestic landscape and excellent ski slopes, local cuisine, and so on. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the country. Hokkaido is a long way from Tokyo. What's the best way to get to Hokkaido?
Hokkaido is connected to the northernmost Aomori Prefecture of Honshu by the Seikan Tunnel. Currently, the most convenient way from Tokyo to Sapporo is by plane or train.
Currently, there are no direct trains between these two cities. But with the opening of Hokkaido Shinkansen, the travel time from Tokyo to Sapporo by train has been shortened.
First, take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo Station to Shin-Aomori Station. Then Take Hokkaido Shinkansen from Shin-Aomori Station to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, which is a train station at the city of Hokuto in southern Hokkaido. From Hokuto to Sapporo, you can take a limited express or express train. Both sections of railways are operated by JR company.
The travel time from Tokyo Station to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station by shinkansen is about 4 hours. From Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station to Sapporo is about 3.5 hours.
The ticket fare from Tokyo to Hakodate by shinkansen is 18,500 yen per person. The ticket fare from Hakodate to Sapporo by limited express is 5,400 yen per person. The total fare is 239,00 yen per person.
As rail fares in Japan are expensive it may be worth buying a 7-day Japan Rail Pass can be cheaper that just one round trip at full price between Tokyo and Sapporo.
Tokyo Station is one of the largest and busiest train stations in Japan. Over 3,000 trains stop at this station per day.
Trains in Japan offer three classes of seat: ordinary seat, green car seat and gran class seat.
If you plan to take trains in Japan, JR Pass is an incredibly good value for money and can save you a lot of hassle.
