New Chitose Airport to Sapporo, Otaru and Furano
You land in Hokkaido tired, and the onward route should be the easy part.
Trains, roads and flights
Tokyo to Sapporo: flight or Shinkansen
You are weighing a short flight against a long rail day to reach Sapporo from Tokyo.
Fly if time and luggage matter most, and take the train if you want to see Hakodate on the way or prefer rail. The flight from Tokyo to New Chitose takes about 90 minutes 1. The train takes around eight hours, because the Shinkansen stops at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and you transfer to a limited express 2.
Does the Shinkansen reach Sapporo?
No. The Hokkaido Shinkansen runs from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, and travellers transfer to the Hokuto limited express to Sapporo 2. The full journey from Tokyo to Sapporo by train takes around eight hours 2.
Plan it as most of a day. Do not book anything tight on the same evening.
What does the flight offer?
Flights from Tokyo to New Chitose Airport take about 90 minutes 1. JR Hokkaido links New Chitose Airport with Sapporo by airport train 3, so the flight is the faster door-to-door choice for most travellers.
Check baggage rules before you book. See domestic flight baggage versus international allowance and airport to Sapporo from New Chitose.
How do they compare?
Use the table.
| Question | Flight | Shinkansen and train |
|---|---|---|
| Journey time | About 90 minutes in the air. | Around eight hours. |
| Changes | Airport transfers at both ends. | Transfer at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. |
| Luggage | Check airline limits. | Bags travel with you. |
| Best for | Short trips, tight schedules. | Rail fans, Hakodate stops. |
What does Hakodate add?
Because the Shinkansen ends near Hakodate, you can stop for a night and then continue to Sapporo. That turns the rail route into a trip of its own.
Read the Hakodate add-on plan and Otaru or Hakodate: which extension.
What about winter?
Snow can affect both. Leave a buffer in either case and avoid a tight connection on the day you must reach a hotel or tour. See winter flight cancellation buffers.
What should Malaysian travellers prepare?
Choose by priority: time, luggage or experience. If you fly into one Hokkaido airport and leave from another, read fly-in and fly-out at different airports.
Do not assume every Hokkaido place has rail access; see Hokkaido without assuming rail access. For the city, see Sapporo and Hokkaido. Check current fares and timetables on the operator’s page before booking.
If you are choosing between flying and the Hokkaido Shinkansen, send us your dates, group and whether Hakodate interests you. We compare the two for your trip and plan the connections.
Keep planning
Sapporo, planned around your family
Hokkaido's big city feels far from home, and you want the first visit to feel easy.
Winter flight buffers in Hokkaido
Snow can slow a flight, and you want your trip home to stay calm.
Fly into one Hokkaido airport, out of another
You are tired of the idea of driving the same long roads twice.
Hokkaido without assuming a train to every stop
You picture Hokkaido by train, and you want to know which places that picture really covers.
Adding Hakodate to a Hokkaido plan
Your Hokkaido plan is taking shape, and Hakodate sits a long way from Sapporo.
Questions travellers ask
Does the Shinkansen go all the way to Sapporo?
No. The Hokkaido Shinkansen runs from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. From there you transfer to the Hokuto limited express to reach Sapporo. The full journey by train takes around eight hours, according to JNTO, so plan it as most of a day.
How long is the flight from Tokyo to Sapporo?
About 90 minutes from Tokyo to New Chitose Airport, per JNTO. Add time for airport transfers on both ends. From New Chitose, an airport train from JR Hokkaido runs to Sapporo, so the flight is the faster door-to-door choice for most travellers.
Who should take the train?
Rail fans, travellers who want to see Hakodate on the way, and groups that prefer not to fly. The route suits a trip that includes Hakodate as a stop. If your priority is time, the flight is shorter.
Which is better in winter?
Both can be affected by snow. Leave a buffer in either case and avoid tight connections on the day you must reach a hotel or tour. Our guide on domestic flight cancellations in winter explains buffers.
Can I add Hakodate on the way?
Yes. Because the Shinkansen reaches Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, you can stop near Hakodate for a night, then continue to Sapporo by limited express. This makes the rail route a trip in itself, not just a transfer.
Sources
Figures are checked against these sources and dated so you can see how current they are.
- Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), Hokkaidoaccessed 2026-10-20
- JNTO, Hokkaidoaccessed 2026-10-20
- JR Hokkaido, English siteaccessed 2026-10-20
Ready to shape your Japan trip?
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and what you hope to see. We will reply with ideas and a tailored quote.