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TOKYO-HOKKAIDO-SAPPORO

fitdotcom
fitdotcom
over 7 years ago
2 responses

I am visiting Japan this October for 2 weeks and I would like to spend 2 days in Sapporo but I am confused regarding the travel time from tokyo to sapporo. I am interested on the sleeper train to save time but I can not look for any clear information about it. I have recently read about HOKKAIDO SHINKANSEN which was opened since March 2016. Link is here https://www.sapporostation.com/hokkaido-shinkansen-traveling-from-tokyo-to-sapporo/

Could anyone help me regarding this route, schedule and if sleeper train going to Sapporo is possible. Thank you! Arigatu!

By the way I will be having a 14-DAY JR PASS.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 7 years ago
Expert

Hello there,

There is no sleeper train any more from Tokyo - Sapporo, or even part of the route. These days you can use the Hokkaido Shinkansen instead.

Hope this answers your question.
Daniel

fitdotcom
fitdotcom
2 posts
over 7 years ago

Thank you Daniel. :) I have read some of your comments and replies too regarding this topic. Now it is clear to me that there are no sleeper trains to Hokkaido. So I only have the Hokkaido Shinkansen option which is not bad as well. I was able to figure out what's wrong. I wasn't able to tick the NOZOMI/MIZUHO/HAYABUSA on Hyperdia wherein JR pass covers Hayabusa train going to Hokkaido.

I have a follow up question if you don't mind. My main reason of visiting Sapporo is for the Autumn foliage. I will be arriving in Sapporo on Oct 18-20. Is it worth it? I know the colors in Sapporo during mid October is probably at peak compared to other cities. I will be in Japan until Oct. 25. Thank you again Daniel.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 7 years ago
Expert

Hi again,

Its hard to answer, because whether it is worth it or not depends on your own personal experience. That said, I do think Sapporo is in the top 5 of best cities to visit in Japan at any time, there are also great stops on the way there if you don't want to make the journey in one go. Think of Matsushima, Sendai, Yamadera. Hakodate and so on. Especially Yamadera is nice to walk around at and has some beautiful foliage too, it could even be a replacement visit to Sapporo, as 3 days to make the return trip is not a lot of time.


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