The airport serving the Sapporo area is New Chitose Airport. The largest airport on the island of Hokkaido, it is one of the most convenient ways to reach Sapporo.
Sapporo is not yet serviced by the Shinkansen (bullet train), though there are plans for future Shinkansen connections. The Hokkaido Shinkansen is currently under construction, with the extended line to Sapporo scheduled to open in 2030. Once completed, the travel time from Tokyo to Sapporo will be reduced to under 5 hours, significantly improving access. In the meantime, travel by train from Tokyo to Sapporo takes over 7 hours, including a passage through the world’s longest and deepest railway tunnel, the Seikan Tunnel. Prior to the first stage of the Shinkansen extension to Hokkaido, travel to Sapporo was generally an overnight trip.
Despite the Shinkansen’s future potential, New Chitose Airport remains a popular option, with a flight time of around 90 minutes from Tokyo.
The airport opened in 1991 to replace the old Chitose Airport, which is now used as an air force base. It operates 24 hours a day and services all major airports in Japan, along with international routes to China, Hong Kong, Australia, Taiwan, Guam, and Honolulu.
The easiest way to get from the airport to Sapporo is by train. The JR Chitose Line connects directly to the airport, taking around 36 minutes to Sapporo Station for a fare of just over 1,000 yen.
While there are bus services to Sapporo, they take over an hour, making them less convenient than the train. Taxis are also available, but they are expensive due to the long journey.
Official Website:
https://www.hokkaido-airports.com/en/new-chitose/
