Sapporo to Tokyo Station train

If you’re visiting Tokyo, the train ride from Sapporo to Tokyo is an exciting adventure that’ll take you through northern Japan’s scenic beauty! Convenient connection routes are available from Sapporo to Tokyo, offering a seamless travel experience that pairs scenic limited express railways with the lightning-fast bullet train. The train journey from Sapporo to Tokyo takes about 7 hours and 40 minutes on the fast Limited Express Hokuto and Shinkansen trains, which gives you beautiful views of the Japanese countryside and coastal bays. The distance from Sapporo to Tokyo by train is approximately 1,035 kilometers (643 miles). You’ll begin your journey at the vibrant Sapporo station and get off directly at the bustling Tokyo station.

Once you arrive at the massive Tokyo station, you’re just minutes away from exploring Tokyo in the historic Asakusa district, and the panoramic Tokyo Skytree. You can also visit the stunning Imperial Palace and walk through the vibrant Shibuya Crossing landmark to be part of your enjoyable journey.

So pack your bags, book your Sapporo to Tokyo train tickets today, and enjoy the convenience of purchasing an e-ticket online, which you can use for boarding. Enjoy the ride to one of Japan’s most captivating cities!

Sapporo Station

The main station for Sapporo, centrally located in the city and connected to the Sapporo subway network. All Limited Express Hokuto services to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto depart from here. The station has large coin lockers, English information, and direct access to the Sapporo underground shopping network.

Tokyo Station

The Hokkaido Shinkansen terminus in Tokyo. From Tokyo Station, the Yamanote Line, Chuo Line, and multiple subway lines give you direct access to all parts of the city.

Board the Limited Express Hokuto or Super Hokuto at Sapporo Station. This service runs south along the Hokkaido coastline and through Hakodate to the Shinkansen terminus at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. Travel time is approximately 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes. The Hokuto runs a limited number of departures per day — check the timetable carefully and reserve your seat in advance. This first leg is required before transferring to the Hayabusa bullet train for the onward trip to Tokyo.

At Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, transfer to the Hokkaido Shinkansen route on Hayabusa trains bound for Tokyo, with the Tokyo-to-Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto segment taking about 4 hours and total travel time to Tokyo Station approximately 4 hours to 4 hours 10 minutes. As one of Japan’s major shinkansen lines, this service runs through the Seikan Tunnel under the Tsugaru Strait, making it one of the most geographically remarkable Shinkansen journeys in Japan. Hayabusa trains on this route have operated since March 26, 2016.

With a JR Pass, take the train without question — it is one of the single highest-value uses of the pass, covering a journey that would otherwise cost around ¥23,000 to ¥28,000 in individual tickets. The journey is also a genuine rail experience with coastal and mountain scenery through Hokkaido.

Without a JR Pass, flying is usually the fastest and most practical choice for most travelers going from Sapporo to Tokyo. Most flights leave from New Chitose Airport and arrive at Haneda Airport or Narita Airport in Tokyo. Tokyo has two main airports, Tokyo Haneda and Narita International Airport, and Haneda is closer to central Tokyo while fares there are often about ¥2,000 higher than Narita. Budget airlines including Air Do, Peach, and Jetstar Japan regularly offer cheap flights on this route when booked in advance. These domestic flights are often the easiest way to save money without giving up much time. The flight itself takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, and when you factor in airport transit time, the total door-to-door time by air is still roughly 3 to 4 hours versus 8 hours by rail. If the scenic rail experience matters to you or you plan to stop in Hakodate, take the train. If you simply need to get between the two cities efficiently, compare sapporo flights before booking. This is also one of Japan’s busiest air routes, with around 80 daily flight options operated by different airlines.

Covers the full route — Limited Express Hokuto from Sapporo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and Hayabusa Shinkansen to Tokyo. Hayabusa seat reservations are required and included with the JR Pass. Book as early as possible during peak periods as capacity is limited and the Hayabusa fills up quickly.

Book both legs separately on Klook. The Hokuto limited express and Hayabusa Shinkansen can be booked as sequential tickets. Seat reservations are mandatory on the Hayabusa.