January–FebruaryChitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late January to late February (about 3–4 weeks)
2027: Jan 30 – Feb 23
CTS → Sapporo Station
New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station
🚃 Train🚌 Bus
The JR Rapid Airport is the fastest way to Sapporo Station, with no transfers. If you want to go to your hotel's door or have a lot of luggage, the airport bus, which stops in front of major hotels in the city, is also convenient.
Compare
Compare your options
JR Rapid Airport
- Travel time
- Rapid: fastest approx. 37 min; Special Rapid: fastest approx. 33 min
- Fare
- Base fare ¥1,230. u-Seat (reserved seat) requires an extra seat reservation fee of ¥1,000, or ¥800 ticketless (as of October 2026)
- Transfers
- None
Airport Bus (Hokkaido Chuo Bus / Hokuto Kotsu)
- Travel time
- Approx. 75 min from the Domestic Terminal to Sapporo Station (example from the summer 2026 timetable)
- Fare
- ¥1,500 for adults / ¥750 for children (as of October 2026)
- Transfers
- None
| Compare your options | Travel time | Fare | Transfers |
|---|---|---|---|
| JR Rapid Airport | Rapid: fastest approx. 37 min; Special Rapid: fastest approx. 33 min | Base fare ¥1,230. u-Seat (reserved seat) requires an extra seat reservation fee of ¥1,000, or ¥800 ticketless (as of October 2026) | None |
| Airport Bus (Hokkaido Chuo Bus / Hokuto Kotsu) | Approx. 75 min from the Domestic Terminal to Sapporo Station (example from the summer 2026 timetable) | ¥1,500 for adults / ¥750 for children (as of October 2026) | None |
Fares and times are as of the date shown. Fares and timetables change, so check the operator’s official website before you travel.
Recommended
Best option for…
Fastest option
→ JR Rapid Airport
Get off at your hotel / lots of luggage
→ Airport Bus (Hokkaido Chuo Bus / Hokuto Kotsu)
How to Ride
New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station
Train
JR Rapid Airport
- Board at
- New Chitose Airport Station (Domestic Terminal B1F)
- Arrive at
- Sapporo Station
- Travel time
- Rapid: fastest approx. 37 min; Special Rapid: fastest approx. 33 min
- Fare
- Base fare ¥1,230. u-Seat (reserved seat) requires an extra seat reservation fee of ¥1,000, or ¥800 ticketless (as of October 2026)
- Frequency
- 6 trains per hour during the day (9:00–16:59)
- Transfers
- None
- Tickets
- Station ticket machines and JR ticket offices (cash and credit cards). You can also ride with transportation IC cards such as Kitaca, Suica, ICOCA and PASMO. u-Seat can also be reserved via JR-EAST Train Reservation (Ekinet)
- Large luggage
- Large luggage storage area (anyone can use it if space is available)
- Note
- Reserved u-Seat is in Car 4 (reservation required). Non-reserved seats require only the base fare
Bus
Airport Bus (Hokkaido Chuo Bus / Hokuto Kotsu)
- Board at
- Bus stops at the Domestic and International Terminals (stop numbers vary by destination and company)
- Arrive at
- Sapporo Station and major hotels in the city
- Travel time
- Approx. 75 min from the Domestic Terminal to Sapporo Station (example from the summer 2026 timetable)
- Fare
- ¥1,500 for adults / ¥750 for children (as of October 2026)
- Transfers
- None
- Tickets
- No reservation needed (board in order of the queue). Hokkaido Chuo Bus accepts cash, transportation IC cards (SAPICA, etc.) and contactless credit card payment; Hokuto Kotsu accepts cash, contactless credit card payment and PayPay (transportation IC cards not accepted)
- Large luggage
- Suitcases go in the trunk under the bus (Hokuto Kotsu: up to 1 per person)
- Note
- Routes and stops vary by bus. Delays may occur depending on road conditions
Tips
Tips for travelers
- ✓The Airport train runs 6 times an hour during the day. There are Special Rapid, Rapid and Section Rapid services, with different travel times
- ✓The u-Seat reservation fee is ¥800 when booked ticketless (Ekinet)
- ✓Accepted payment methods on airport buses vary by company (Hokuto Kotsu does not accept transportation IC cards)
Tickets & transfers you can book in advancePR
PRKlookJR Hokkaido Rail Pass (All Lines, Sapporo-Furano Area, Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area)Choose from 5/7/10-day passes for all of Hokkaido or two 4-day area passes. Exchange the QR code for a physical pass at a designated counter in JapanView on Klook- PRKlookSapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass (4 days)Unlimited JR rides for 4 days in the New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru and Noboribetsu area. Exchange and reserve seats at New Chitose Airport Station and elsewhereView on Klook
PRKlookNew Chitose Airport Private Transfer (Sapporo, Susukino, Niseko and more)Private transfer from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station, Susukino, Niseko, Tomamu and elsewhere. Includes flight tracking. Choose from vehicles seating 4 up to 22-seat buses; child seats can be addedView on Klook
Map
Map
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Sapporo StationPR
PR9.0すすきの グランベルホテル
★★★★Check rates on Agoda16,390 reviews1.6 km from center
PR9.2ベッセルホテルカンパーナすすきの
★★★★Check rates on Agoda13,076 reviews1.6 km from center
PR9.1ラ ジェント ステイ札幌大通 北海道
★★★★Check rates on Agoda14,113 reviews1.2 km from center
PR9.1ベッセルイン札幌中島公園
★★★Check rates on Agoda13,623 reviews2.1 km from center
PR9.2からくさホテル札幌
★★★★Check rates on Agoda11,989 reviews1.3 km from center
PR9.3JR東日本ホテルメッツ プレミア 札幌
★★★Check rates on Agoda8,117 reviews0.2 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Other Destinations
Other destinations from New Chitose Airport
✈ CTS →Odori / SusukinoTo Odori and Susukino, the airport bus that stops at Susukino and Odori Park gets you there with no transfers. For a more predictable travel time, take the JR Rapid Airport to Sapporo Station and transfer to the Namboku Subway Line.🚌 Bus🚃 Train
✈ CTS →Otaru StationTo Otaru, the Rapid Airport trains running through to Otaru are fast, frequent and convenient. The direct bus to Otaru Station runs only 3 times a day, but you can ride seated with no transfers.🚃 Train🚌 Bus
✈ CTS →Noboribetsu OnsenThe Donan Bus Noboribetsu Onsen Airport Express is a convenient way to Noboribetsu Onsen with no transfers. It requires reservations and runs only 3 times a day, so if the times do not suit you, take a JR limited express to Noboribetsu Station and transfer to a local bus.🚌 Bus🚃 Train
✈ CTS →Niseko (Hirafu)Direct buses from the airport are a convenient way to Niseko, taking about 3 hours. In winter there are many reservation-only resort buses; in the green season, service is limited.🚌 Bus🚃 Train
Events
Events & festivals in Sapporo
January–February
FebruarySapporo Snow Festival
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually early February (about one week)
2027 (77th): Feb 4 (Thu) – Feb 11 (Thu, holiday), 8 days
MaySapporo Lilac Festival
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually mid- to late May (about 10 days at the Odori Site, and 2 days on the final weekend at the Kawashimo Site)
JuneYOSAKOI Soran Festival
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually Wednesday to Sunday (5 days) in early to mid-June
2027 (36th): Jun 9 (Wed) – Jun 13 (Sun), 5 days
JuneHokkaido Jingu Festival (Sapporo Matsuri)
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually June 14–16 (14th: eve festival, 15th: main festival, 16th: mikoshi procession)
July–AugustSapporo Summer Festival
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
Usually late July to mid-August (the beer gardens run for about 4 weeks; Hokkai Bon Odori is held during Obon, and the Susukino Festival for 3 days in early August)
Attractions
Attractions in Sapporo
ZooSapporo Maruyama Zoo
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Maruyama
Opened in 1951, this is Hokkaido's oldest zoo and is run by the City of Sapporo. Set next to Maruyama Park, its grounds cover about 22 hectares and are home to around 140 species of animals.
AquariumAOAO SAPPORO
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo / Tanukikoji
An urban aquarium on the 4th to 6th floors of moyuk SAPPORO, a shopping complex facing the Tanukikoji shopping arcade. Built around the concept "The Wonder of Life: Seeing the Unseen," it serves as a gateway to nature in the middle of the city and stays open until 22:00.
☂ Mostly indoors · rain-friendly
ExperienceShiroi Koibito Park
Hokkaido ・ Sapporo
A confectionery theme park attached to the factory of Ishiya, the maker of Shiroi Koibito, a classic Hokkaido souvenir. It offers production line tours, sweets-making experiences, cafés, and shops, and the shops and rose garden can be used without an admission ticket. It's about a 5-minute walk from Miyanosawa Station on the Tozai subway line, making it easy to reach from central Sapporo.
ExperienceHOKKAIDO BALLPARK F VILLAGE
Hokkaido ・ Kitahiroshima
A ballpark centered on ES CON FIELD HOKKAIDO, home of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, open 365 days a year. On non-game days, you can enter the stadium's outfield area for free and enjoy stadium tours, hot springs, kids' facilities, and restaurants. It's about 17 minutes from Sapporo Station to Kitahiroshima Station on the JR Rapid Airport, then about 5 minutes by shuttle bus from the station.
Travel times, fares and boarding points are based on official airport, rail and bus company information. Fares and timetables can change, so check the official websites before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-06