JR Shinkansen VS Airplane VS Ferry. A Complete Guide to Transportation from Tokyo to Hokkaido

Among the 47 prefectures, Hokkaido has the largest area. Due to its vast land, not only the travel across various areas within the prefecture, but also the travel time and means of transportation greatly vary depending on the destination.

In this article, we thoroughly research the efficiency and great deal transportation methods from Tokyo to Hokkaido! We compare the features, merits, and demerits of three means of transportation: JR Shinkansen, airplanes, and ferries. Please use this article as a reference when considering how to get to your destination!

※The information and prices (including tax) appearing in this article are all as of October 2023. Please check the official website, etc. for the latest information.

What are the main means of transportation from Tokyo to Hokkaido?

The main modes of transportation from Tokyo to Hokkaido include the JR Shinkansen, airplanes, and ferries. Depending on whether you prioritize efficiency or want to enjoy the scenery and the atmosphere of the vehicle, the best choice may vary. Find the method that best suits your travel style.

JR Shinkansen VS Airplane VS Ferry. A thorough comparison of transportation methods from Tokyo to Hokkaido

From here, we will explain the merits and demerits of each method.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of going from Tokyo to Hokkaido by JR Shinkansen?

The Hokkaido Shinkansen, which operates direct services from Tokyo Station to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station (Hokkaido) via the Tohoku Shinkansen. The biggest attraction is that if you purchase a ticket, you can board the train just by going through the Shinkansen ticket gate at Tokyo Station or Ueno Station in Tokyo. In addition to having very few delays, it operates accurately according to the timetable, so you can move according to your travel plan.

However, as of 2023, the Hokkaido Shinkansen only has two stations in Hokkaido, Kikonai Station and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, so you will need to transfer to another train or bus to go to other areas. It may not be suitable for tourists who aim for North Hokkaido (Biei, Furano) or East Hokkaido (Obihiro, Kushiro).

Also, the travel time from the first station to the last station is about 4 hours, so there is a risk of feeling tired from long-distance travel.

Official website: https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/index.html

If you are traveling between Tokyo and Hokkaido by Shinkansen or train, the "JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass" is a great deal!

If you use a reserved seat between Tokyo Station and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, the regular fare is about 23,430 yen one way. If you want to tour multiple areas along the line, including Hokkaido, without getting off in the middle, we recommend the "JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass" for travelers who have come to Japan under short-term stay conditions.

Selling price: 35,000 yen for adults (half price for children)

How to purchase:

1. Online reservation site "JR-EAST Train Reservation"
2. Domestic counters (such as "JR EAST Travel Service Center" at Shinjuku Station, Shibuya Station, Tokyo Station, etc.)
3. Overseas travel agencies

This is a convenient round-trip pass that allows unlimited rides on trains and Shinkansen in the target areas such as Haneda Airport, Narita International Airport, Tokyo Station, and the suburbs of Tokyo, and the Tohoku region for 6 consecutive days. You can get your money's worth just by making a round trip between Tokyo and Hokkaido!

💡Tourism TIPS:

Areas other than Hakodate, Otaru, and Sapporo are not eligible for use, so if you plan to tour Biei, Furano, Kushiro, etc. by train, you will need to purchase a separate ticket or another rail pass.

• Official website: https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pass/easthokkaido.html
• JR Hokkaido Global Site: https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/index.html

What are the advantages and disadvantages of flying to Hokkaido from Tokyo?

If you want to travel from Tokyo to various places in Hokkaido in the shortest time, we recommend domestic flights.

Centered on Sapporo and New Chitose Airport, there are currently direct flights from Tokyo to 9 regional airports in Hokkaido. You can access areas such as Asahikawa, Kushiro, and Wakkanai, where the Hokkaido Shinkansen does not pass, in about 1.5 to 2 hours. Furthermore, LCCs are operating at 6 airports including New Chitose Airport, Hakodate Airport, Asahikawa Airport, and Tancho Kushiro Airport, which is a nice point to keep travel expenses down.

The disadvantage is that the flight schedule is easily affected by the weather. Due to the effects of snow, it is expected that flights will be particularly cancelled during winter trips to Hokkaido. Also, the flight time is short, and in addition to the time for domestic flight boarding procedures, you must consider the travel time from each airport to the nearby city area.

Travel time from Tokyo to major airports in Hokkaido by plane

The most frequent flights connecting Tokyo and Hokkaido are at New Chitose Airport, with about 40 flights daily. However, there are also airports like Kushiro Airport and Wakkanai Airport that only have one or a few flights per day. If you're traveling to a destination with fewer flights, you can also consider flying into Hokkaido via New Chitose Airport and then transferring to a flight to your destination.

💡Tourism TIPS:

If you are departing from the center of Tokyo, it is recommended to use Haneda Airport, which is relatively close to the city and has many flights to and from cities in Hokkaido. On the other hand, Narita International Airport also operates routes to New Chitose Airport, Asahikawa Airport, and Tancho Kushiro Airport. If you are going directly to Hokkaido from the airport, Narita, which has many international flights, can also be considered as an option.

If you are traveling from Tokyo to Sapporo by plane, discounted domestic flight tickets for foreign tourists are a great deal!

If you are using the domestic flight between Haneda Airport and New Chitose Airport, there are also discounted flight tickets targeting foreign tourists.

In addition to the above, it's also important to check out the early bird services offered by each airline. These services allow you to book and pay for your flight tickets in advance, enabling you to purchase them at a discounted price compared to the regular ticket price. The discount rate varies depending on the airline and the reservation date, such as 75 days, 55 days, or 45 days before the scheduled boarding date.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking a ferry from Tokyo to Ibaraki to Hokkaido?

The "Sunflower", operated by "Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Sunflower", is a large ferry that departs from Oarai Port in Ibaraki Prefecture, about 90 minutes away from Tokyo, and docks at Tomakomai Port in Hokkaido about 18 hours later. It operates two services, an evening service and a late-night service, and offers a variety of onboard services including a restaurant serving buffet-style meals, an observation bath, a sauna, a kids' land, and a game corner. You can enjoy a sea vacation at your own pace, gazing at the Pacific Ocean from your private room or looking at the starry sky from the deck.

This is particularly recommended for tourists who use rental cars, as cars can be loaded onto the ferry. After driving around the suburbs of Tokyo from the airport or the city, board the ferry with your rental car. After arriving at Tomakomai Port, you can leave the port directly from the ship by car and head to stopover spots such as "Umi no Eki Puratto Port Market", which is full of seafood, and "Northern Horse Park", where you can interact with horses. It takes about 60 minutes and 90 minutes to drive to Noboribetsu and Sapporo city respectively, so it's easy to plan a driving course to the surrounding areas.

However, since the travel time by ship is very long, it can be said that it is a means of transportation limited to those who have a flexible schedule.

• Boarding location:
  【Oarai Port Ferry Terminal】2 Minato Chuo, Oarai-machi, Higashiibaraki-gun, Ibaraki Prefecture
  【Tomakomai West Port Ferry Terminal】1-2-34 Irifune-cho, Tomakomai-shi, Hokkaido
• Official website: https://www.sunflower.co.jp/

Find the best way to travel from Tokyo to Hokkaido that suits you

If you're looking to travel from Tokyo to Hokkaido, the JR Shinkansen is recommended for flexibility, airplanes for speed, and large ferries for an extraordinary vacation experience.

Additionally, you could also consider traversing from Honshu to Hokkaido at your own pace by renting a car. Why not consider a different mode of transportation that suits your travel style and needs?

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