Travel by local train from Tokyo to Hokkaido (Sapporo)? You can try this 2-day itinerary with the Seishun 18 Kippu, if you don’t use Japan Rail Pass. The one Seishun 18 Kippu can be used by one-person or two people.
⚫︎ Last updated: March 2024. Timetables, business hours and prices are subject to change. Check the latest information.
✔️Checklist
⚫︎ Purchase the Seishun 18 Kippu (available in spring, summer or winter) and the Seishun 18 Kippu Hokkaido Shinkansen Optional Ticket at the JR Station’s ticket window.
⚫︎ At least book a hotel in Central Aomori, as well as Sapporo.
⚫︎ Check online for the train status information.
DAY 1
Tokyo (Ueno)
→Aomori
DISTANCE: 789km
From Tokyo (Ueno Station), heading to Aomori, the northernmost prefectural capital of Honshu.
From Niigata, heading north along the Sea of Japan. Try local cuisine in Murakami and Akita. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Tohoku.
d. 5:13
Take the local train for Takasaki on the JR Takasaki Line. If you purchase the Green Car ticket at the train station, you can use the Green Car (1st class) seats.
a. 6:55 / d. 7:11
The transport hub of Gunma Prefecture. Take the local train for Minakami on the JR Joetsu Line.
a. 8:18 / d. 8:28
Take the local train for Nagaoka. Enjoy the gorgeous mountain views.
a. 10:18 / d. 10:29
Take the rapid train for Niigata on the JR Shin’etsu Line.
a. 11:29 / d. 11:44
Take the local train for Murakami on the JR Hakushin Line.
a. 12:56 / d. 13:42
This castle town (in Niigata Prefecture) is famous for its sake and salmon. Have lunch at the restaurant around the train station. There is also a convenience store.
Take the local train for Sakata on the JR Uetsu Line. The train follows the scenic coastline.
a. 16:16 / d. 16:30
Sakata is Yamagata Prefecture’s third-largest city.
Take the local train for Akita. If the weather is good, you can admire the views of the sunset and mount Chokai.
a. 18:23 / d. 19:23
Have dinner at the station’s shopping mall Topico. Akita is best known for its Kiritanpo (きりたんぽ) and Inaniwa Udon (稲庭うどん) noodles.
Take the rapid train for Aomori on the JR Ou Line. Read some book…?
a. 22:18
Thank you for your hard work on the long journey. Aomori, Aomori desu…
Grab a late night snack and breakfast at the convenience store in front of the station, then head to your hotel. Good night!
Photo: Jalan.net
SPONSORED
Hotel Mystays Aomori-ekimae
ホテルマイステイズ青森駅前
MIDRANGE ⚫︎ CONVENIENCE
▶︎ 3min walk from Aomori Station
This business hotel is just a 3-minute walk from Aomori Station east gate along the main street. There is also a 24-hour convenience store nearby.
DAY 2
Aomori
→Sapporo
DISTANCE: 480km
On the second day, use the Seishun 18 Ticket Hokkaido Shinkansen Optional Ticket to go through the Seikan Tunnel. You can explore the morning market in front of Hakodate Station.
From Oshamanbe, you can choose the train via Higashi-Muroran or Otaru. This itinerary goes via Higashi-Muroran.
d. 6:16
Good morning! Take the local train for Kanita on the JR Tsugaru Line. The train follows the scenic Mutsu Bay.
a. 6:58 / d. 7:07
Take the train substitute bus for Minmaya (三厩). The Seishun 18 Kippu is available.
a. 7:37
Walk to Okutsugaru-Imabetsu Station on the Hokkaido Shinkansen adjoining Tsugaru-Futamata Station.
d. 8:12
Purchase the Seishun 18 Kippu Hokkaido Shinkansen Optional Ticket (青春18きっぷ北海道新幹線オプション券) at the train station. Take the Hayate 93 for Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto on the Hokkaido Shinkansen. Pass through the Seikan Tunnel and head to your dream destination, Hokkaido.
a. 8:45 / d. 9:12
Show your Seishun 18 Kippu Hokkaido Shinkansen Optional Ticket and take the local train for Hakodate on the South Hokkaido Railway (道南いさりび鉄道). Enjoy the fantastic views of the Hakodate Bay and the Tsugaru Strait.
a. 10:12 / d. 12:35
The next train will be in about 2 hours. Take a stroll around Hakodate Morning Market and have seafood lunch! Otherwise, check out the burger shop Lucky Pierrot or Seikan Ferry Memorial Ship Mashu-maru.
Take the local train for Oshamanbe on the JR Hakodate Line. You can expect the views of the double-peaked Koma-ga-take and the Funka-wan (Volcano Bay).
a. 14:56 / d. 15:30
The bayside town Oshamanbe is nationally-famous for its kanimeshi (かにめし: crab meat on rice). Get the kanimeshi ekiben (boxed lunch) at Kanaya (かなや) in front of the train station.
Take the local train for Higashi-Muroran on the JR Muroran Line. Don’t miss the hidden Koboro Station (小幌駅) sandwiched between the tunnels, as well as the volcanoes of Usu-zan and Showa-shinzan.
a. 16:54 / d. 17:05
Take the local train for Tomakomai. You can stopover at Shiraoi and explore the National Ainu Museum Upopoy, if the museum is open at night. The last local train for Tomakomai is at 21:43 (you can continue travel to Sapporo).
a. 18:23 / d. 18:41
Take the local train for Sapporo on the JR Chitose Line.
a. 19:25 / d. 19:27
Kitahiroshima is the nearest station of Hokkaido Ball Park and you can explore the baseball stadium at night (if you like). The last local train for Sapporo is at 23:29.
From the next platform, take the rapid train Airport 157 for Sapporo.
a. 19:45
Congratulations! Finally you arrived at Sapporo Station. Would you like to drink beer or coffee on the JR Tower Observation Deck T38 or the legendary nightlife district Susukino?
Photo: Jalan.net
SPONSORED
JR East Hotel Mets Sapporo
JR東日本ホテルメッツ札幌
MIDRANGE ⚫︎ CONVENIENCE ⚫︎ SIMPLE
▶︎ 2min walk from Sapporo Station north gate east concourse
This contemporary hotel is a 2-minute walk from Sapporo Station north gate east concourse. There is also a 24-hour convenience store nearby.
Budget Rail Passes