The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps
The reason for our Japan trip was to ski in Niseko, Hokkaido! We could have bought the return air tickets from Singapore to Hokkaido. However, it turns out that the “direct” flight from Singapore to Hokkaido is not that direct. We will still need to …
The reason for our Japan trip was to ski in Niseko, Hokkaido! We could have bought the return air tickets from Singapore to Hokkaido. However, it turns out that the “direct” flight from Singapore to Hokkaido is not that direct. We will still need to …
When we were in Japan end-Feb, early-Mar, Hokkaido Shinkansen (Bullet Train) has not opened. But we did see a huge countdown clock at JR Sapporo for the Shinkansen’s opening on 26 March 2016. It sounded like a big deal! Of course, Hokkaido Shinkansen is only one of the few options to travel from Tokyo to Hokkaido. Will be writing more about the other options soon. For now, here’s some useful information you need to know about Hokkaido Shinkansen!
If you have the time to take the scenic route and appreciate all that Japan’s nature has to offer, take the train! There used to be two sleeper trains from Tokyo to Sapporo. However they have been discontinued: Hokutosei in August 2015 and Cassiopeia in March 2016.
Image Credit: www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018_hokkaido.html
Currently for trains, there’s only the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to bring you directly from Tokyo to Southern Hokkaido:
Although they are 2 different lines, Hokkaido Shinkansen is really like an extension of Tohoku Shinkansen. There’s no need to change train at Aomori as most trains operate directly between Tokyo and Hokuto (Hokkaido).
The fastest train travels one way from Tokyo to Hokkaido in about four hours.
A reserved-seat ticket between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station in Hokkaido will cost ¥22,690 one way. You must reserve seats. There is no non-reserved seating. Standing tickets can be purchased once the train is fully booked.
Even when you have reached Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto station in Hokkaido, the journey is not over yet. Hokkaido Shinkansen only brings you to southern Hokkaido.
If you are going to Hakodate, take access train “Hakodate Liner” from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto station at ¥360. It takes only about 15 to 20 minutes. All Shinkansen trains will connect to a Hakodate Liner, hence you wouldn’t need to wait for too long.
If you are going to Sapporo, it will take about another 3.5 hours and ¥8,000 one way to reach Sapporo JR. You can get discounted round trip at ¥15,000: www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/pticket/pdf/direction01.pdf).
Tip: If you are going to other parts of Hokkaido, use Hyperdia.com to search for that route. It is an awesome tool for you to plan your train journey in Japan. It has good train timetables and fare and other information.
There are several rail passes to help you save money:
Related Posts: Overview Itinerary: Hokkaido and Tokyo (Winter/Spring 2016) Pocket Wifi or Prepaid SIM Card in Japan? Richmond Hotel Sapporo Ekimae: Review
Travelled in February/March 2016
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Japan is a country full of oishiii food! So I did some research online before going to sieve out the best from the good. We had very limited time in Sapporo, so I made sure we get to eat some of the food you must …
So what are the things to do in New Chitose Airport Sapporo? Firstly, EAT! We arrived at New Chitose Airport in time for dinner! It was a long flight from Singapore, with a transfer at Narita Airport. There are many things to do at the …
Scroll down for the various options to travel from Haneda Airport to Tokyo:
Price:
Duration: Every 3 to 5 mins; 14 minutes from Haneda Airport to Hamamatsu Cho JR station, 38 minutes to Shinjuku
Website: www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/english
Tokyo Monorail Haneda Airport Line (東京モノレール羽田空港線) runs between Haneda Airport and JR Hamamatsucho Station and has three types of train: local, rapid and express – with different number of stops in between.
Operation runs from 5:00 am to midnight.
Where to purchase: From Tokyo Monorail ticket machines at Haneda airport.
At JR Hamamatsucho Station, transfer to JR Yamanote line if you are going to Shinjuku or Shibuya, travel time is about 18 and 25 minutes respectively.
Check out the 500 yen value fare if you are taking the JR Yamanote line: www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/english/tickets/value/yamanote.html
Don’t forget to take your ticket from the ticket gate when you go through Monorail Hamamatsucho Station to JR Hamamatsucho.
Price: 410 yen (one way) from Haneda Airport to JR Shinagawa; another 200 yen to Shinjuku (Route/Fare Search)
Duration: 11 minutes from Haneda Airport to Shinagawa JR station; 30 minutes to Shinjuku
Website: www.haneda-tokyo-access.com/en
Keikyu Line is also a good option, especially for those who wants to stop at Shinagawa JR or a station along the Toei Asakusa Line. If not, there are still many other lines at Shinagawa station to transfer to, such as Tokaido Shinkansen, Keihin-Tohoku line, Tokaido Main Line, Yamanote line, and Yokosuka line.
But the Keikyu Line is not as frequent as the Tokyo Monorail, especially in the early morning and midnight. you may have to wait long time at the platform (information on first and last trains). In this case, you might want to check out Keikyu Bus early morning/late night bus information.
How to purchase: To travel to the Tokyo area, press the ticketing machine’s “都営線 (Toei Line)” or “JR線品川乗換 (Transfer to JR Lines)” button and buy your ticket.
Price: From 900 yen (one way), depending on where you are going. Check the fare for your route at www.limousinebus.co.jp/en
Duration: Every 30 to 60 minutes, 22 minutes to Shinjuku
This is a convenient option, you can purchase the ticket and hop on the bus at the arrival lobby. However, the journey can be significantly longer during rush hour traffic.
It is cheaper to take a taxi from Haneda to Tokyo than from Narita, but it is still expensive, with fares from ¥10,000, depending on where you are going in the city.
It might be a good transportation option for travelers arriving in Japan late in the night as most other means into Tokyo stop operations after 1am.
Related Posts: Overview Japan Itinerary: Hokkaido and Tokyo (Winter/Spring 2016) Airbnb In Tokyo Shinjuku: Our Experience Pocket Wifi or Prepaid SIM Card in Japan?
Travelled in March 2016
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in April 2016 and a few links have been updated for accuracy. Three options to travel from Narita Airport to Tokyo. N’EX (Narita Express) Fast and convenient, but not cheap Price: 4,000 yen, ~S$50 (round trip); from 3,020 …
Accommodation Review of Richmond Hotel Sapporo Ekimae Double Room (Non-Smoking): sapporo-ekimae.richmondhotel.jp; booked via booking.com Price: ¥7,000 per night (~S$88) Duration: 1 night in March 2016 (Friday night) Saving Tip: We saved quite a bit by using Shopback (booking.com) to book our accommodation. We got a 6% …