Everything You Need to Know About Sapporo Airport |
How to Get from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station |
JR Unreserved Seats, THE LOUNGE App Dining, and Airport Shopping Guide
Written by
Jigu Byeol Sigol Jwi, a book-loving travel lifestyle blogger and YouTuber
[New Chitose Airport Review Summary]
Getting from New Chitose Airport into central Sapporo usually comes down to two main options:the JR Rapid Airport train and the airport limousine bus. If your hotel is near Sapporo Station, the JR is the easiest choice and takes about 33 to 40 minutes. If you’re staying around Susukino or Odori, the limousine bus can be more convenient since it gets you there without a transfer. The same logic applies on the way back to the airport too.
When you’re flying out, this airport has way more than just a few restaurants and souvenir shops. With great food, dessert stores, shopping streets, an onsen, and even a movie theater, New Chitose Airport felt like a world-class airport where arriving 4 to 5 hours early still wouldn’t feel like wasted time.
Common Questions About the Airport
Q. What’s the fastest way from New Chitose Airport to Sapporo Station?
The fastest option is the JR Special Rapid / Rapid Airport train.It runs directly from New Chitose Airport Station to Sapporo Station in about 33 to 40 minutes, with departures roughly every 10 to 15 minutes during the day.
The unreserved seat fare is 1,230 yenand a reserved U Seat currently costs 2,230 yen totalwhen purchased at the station.
If you line up a little early before departure, it’s usually very possible to get a seat even in the unreserved cars, and since the ride isn’t that long, I personally recommend the unreserved seat option for the best value.That said, on weekends, during peak travel seasons, or if you’re hauling a large suitcase, a reserved seat may be worth the extra peace of mind.
Q. If I’m staying in Susukino, should I take the JR or the bus?
If your hotel is near Susukino Station or Odori Station, the airport limousine busmight actually be the easier option. If you take the train, you still have to go two more stops from Sapporo Station and transfer, so the total cost ends up being pretty similar anyway.
(Limousine bus fare: 1,500 yen for adults, 750 yen for children)
Travel time is about 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes.
It’s slower than the JR and traffic can affect the trip, but being able to stash your heavy suitcase underneath and ride straight through without transferring is a real plus.
How to Find JR New Chitose Airport Station from the International Terminal
The JR train platform is located on Basement Level 1 of the Domestic Terminal.If you arrive at the international terminal, just follow the JR Train signs through the connecting passage toward the domestic terminal. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes on foot, and there are moving walkways, so it’s easy enough even with a suitcase.
In other words, the domestic and international terminals at Sapporo New Chitose Airport are connected as one complex.
Also, ticket machines at both Sapporo Station and New Chitose Airport Station support Korean, so you don’t need to know Japanese to use them.
Unreserved tickets are simple one-time tickets with no time selection required, and you can also tap in directly with IC cards like Suica, ICOCA, or Kitaca.
On the train, Car 4 is the reserved U Seat car,while the other cars are unreserved. Travel times vary slightly depending on whether you board the Special Rapid, Rapid, or Semi-Rapid service, but the difference isn’t huge.
On the flip side, getting from Sapporo Station to New Chitose Airport works the same way.Just check the departure board at Sapporo Station for trains bound for New Chitose Airport or 新千歳空港, then line up in advance at the unreserved boarding area.
During rush hour or on weekends, more passengers get on from intermediate stops, so I’d recommend waiting 10 to 15 minutes before departure. I was able to get seats in the unreserved cars both ways without any trouble. (And yes, my parents did too.)
Airport Limousine Bus to Susukino
The airport bus bound for central Sapporo departs from Domestic Terminal stops 14 and 22, and International Terminal stop 84.You can board from the international terminal too, but during peak season the seats may already be full from the domestic terminal. Honestly, in the absolute busiest travel periods, taking the train from Sapporo Station can be the safer bet.
Bye, Nikka~
You can pay with cash and some IC cards or credit cards, but accepted payment methods may vary depending on the bus company and the vehicle, so keep that in mind. That’s exactly why I always carry emergency cash when I travel abroad.
Using Royal Host and Miso Kitchen with the THE LOUNGE App
At New Chitose Airport, instead of a typical lounge, there are partner restaurants where you can redeem a meal through the THE LOUNGE app,which is worth knowing in advance.
I use a credit card that includes unlimited global lounge access through the THE LOUNGE app, so I’m sharing this based on the app partnership benefits.
Both places are on the 3rd floor of the terminal.
The two spots I confirmed were in the public area on the 3rd floor of the domestic terminal: Royal Host and Miso Kitchen.Since both are outside security, they’re easy to use either right after arrival or before heading through departure procedures, whether you’re flying international or domestic.
One important tip: if you’re using the THE LOUNGE app, tell the staff “DragonPass,” not “THE LOUNGE,” and have them scan the QR code that way. (There’s a separate terminal for Priority Pass users, and many staff members don’t actually recognize THE LOUNGE by name.)
It seems THE LOUNGE and DragonPass are linked for Sapporo Airport partner access.
Also, when ordering through the lounge app, the menu is fixed at both restaurants.
You’ll be given a preset set menu.
It’s not a system where you freely choose anything you want, and the exact set may change depending on timing and store conditions, so keep that in mind.
1. Royal Host
I absolutely recommend this one.
At Royal Host, I got a set that included soup, rice or bread, and a hearty plate with hamburger steak, fried shrimp, and croquettes.
It felt like a meal worth around 3,000 yen if you were paying regular airport restaurant prices, and honestly, I think most people would find it much more satisfying than the food in the Royal Lounge over in the international terminal, where there’s barely anything else.
Also, judging from other reviews, a lot of Korean travelers don’t seem to realize this, but lounge app users here get unlimited drinks too.
From drip coffee to soft drinks, you can enjoy it all during the full 2-hour usage window, so take your time and make the most of it. 🙂
My personal favorite drink was Calpis Soda,
and for coffee, the cappuccino.
2. Miso Kitchen
This one is more of a backup if Royal Host is full.
The Miso Kitchen set came with katsudon and a little salmon. The katsudon sauce tasted rich and could come off a bit salty, while the salmon was decent enough.
That’s the general vibe here. Drinks are not included in this set meal.
Since partner restaurants and menu offerings can change at any time, be sure to check the THE LOUNGE app again on the day of your visit for available facilities and operating hours at New Chitose Airport.Seriously, do not skip that step.
This Feels Less Like an Airport and More Like a Hokkaido Food Department Store
The second you step into the domestic terminal at New Chitose Airport, you immediately understand why people say to come early. It’s honestly wild. This place is packed with things to eat, buy, and do.
You’ll find Hokkaido’s greatest hits all in one place: Shiroi Koibito, Mifuyu, Rokkatei Marusei Butter Sandwich, Jaga Pokkuru, Royce Nama Chocolate, Sapporo Agricultural College cookies, Yakitoukibi, and Hori corn chocolate.
In my case, I had visited the Hokkaido University Museum on departure day, so seeing theSapporo Agricultural College cookies
made me even happier. They look simple, but they’re rich with buttery aroma and a deep nutty flavor, which explains why they’re so popular. For gifts, I think Shiroi Koibito and Mifuyu are the safest beautifully packaged picks, while for personal taste, LeTAO from Otaru is hard to beat.
Big thumbs-up in front of LeTAO!
It was ridiculously good. It just melts in your mouth.
If you’re lucky, you might even catch a tasting sample.
Yay.
Hokkaido milk soft serve is delicious pretty much everywhere here. The dairy is excellent and the technique is solid, so honestly, it’s hard to go wrong.
Prices are pretty similar whether you buy it in the city or at the airport, so yes, absolutely grab an ice cream before your flight. 🙂
Why It’s Worth Spending Half a Day Here Before Departure
This isn’t just a place to catch a flight. Along with restaurant areas serving Hokkaido ramen, seafood, soup curry, and desserts, it also has Royce’ Chocolate World, New Chitose Airport Onsen, a movie theater, an observation deck, and even a Gundam shop.It really has all of that.
An onsen at the airport? Completely insane in the best way.
Please check the photo below for the admission price.
And yes, you can even order food at the onsen.
Next to the onsen, there’s also a massage shop.
The prices are… pretty expensive.
But there are plenty of rich people in Korea,
so I’ll save my massages for Southeast Asia.
There is just so much to do,
and so much to enjoy here.
If it were me, instead of cramming in one last rushed city itinerary on departure day, I’d head to the airport early, have lunch, buy souvenirs, and then relax at the onsen or in a café.
As for the cinema, I’d only recommend it if you understand Japanese.
I’ve forgotten so much Japanese myself by now that I probably couldn’t follow it either.
At this point, I should probably hand back my Japanese teaching certificate.
Be sure to check the movie theater pricing too.
And one more genuinely useful tip:
once you go through international security, there is basically not much to do at all.
So when you arrive at New Chitose Airport, spend as much time as you want in the domestic terminal area first, then move over to the international side later.
(The domestic and international terminals are about a 5-minute walk apart, including moving walkways.)
For reference, on the international side, most restaurants close by 6 p.m. except for the duty-free shopping area, and they even dim a lot of the lights, so it can feel surprisingly empty.
Still, there is one saving grace: the Royal Lounge.
That said, it still can’t compete with the quality of the domestic terminal dining area,
and that wraps up my review.
New Chitose Airport in Sapporo was the kind of place where you can keep enjoying the flavors and shopping of Hokkaido right up to the very last moment, and half a day there never feels too long.
I’ve traveled all over the world, and this was honestly one of my top five airports. I hope you make the absolute most of your final hours in Sapporo here. 🙂
[Standard] Hokkaido Route 1 Biei Furano Bus Tour, Hokkaido Wakuwaku Bus
Tourvis Store
naver.me
And if you’re traveling to Sapporo, definitely consider a bus tour.
Unless you’re renting a car, a bus tour is honestly the best answer.
I highly recommend Yeohaeng Han Geureut and Wakuwaku. 🙂
I’ll be posting a detailed review soon too!
[Travel Han Geureut] Bus Tour from Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan to Hill of the Buddha, Otaru, and Shakotan, plus free photo shoots
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Written by
Jigu Byeol Sigol Jwi, a travel lifestyle blogger/YouTuber who loves books
Thank you.
I’ll keep uploading my travel videos on YouTube, so until then, happy travels everyone.
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