For those who don't drive but want to take an easy day trip from Sapporo, JR Hokkaido's "Ichinichi Sanpo Kippu" (One-Day Stroll Ticket) is highly recommended. This amazing ticket, which allows unlimited one-day rides on rapid and local JR trains in the central Hokkaido area, is available for 2,540 yen for adults on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from spring to autumn, until November 12, 2023. So, how far from Sapporo do you need to go to make it worth the price? We did the research to find out.

Basic Information about the "Ichinichi Sanpo Kippu"

To get your money's worth with the Ichinichi Sanpo Kippu, you need to make a round trip to a destination that costs more than half of 2,540 yen, which is 1,270 yen one way from Sapporo Station. We'll check three routes from Sapporo Station: the Chitose/Tomakomai direction, the Otaru/Yoichi direction, and the Iwamizawa/Takikawa direction. But first, let's review the basic information about the ticket.

Valid Sections and Trains

You can get on and off freely in the unreserved seats of local and rapid trains within the section shown in the image (excerpt from the JR Hokkaido website).
*On the Sekisho Line between Shin-Yubari and Shintoku, you can use the unreserved seats of limited express trains only if both your departure and arrival stations are within the Shin-Yubari to Shintoku section.

Image source: JR Hokkaido

Sales Period and Availability (for 2023)

Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from April 29, 2023, to November 12, 2023.
*Sold only on the day of use.

Where to Buy

At ticket machines at stations between the following sections (excluding some stations):
・Hakodate Main Line: between Otaru, Sapporo, and Iwamizawa
・Chitose Line: between Shiroishi and Chitose
・Gakuen-Toshi Line: between Soen and Tobetsu

A Round Trip from Sapporo to Shiraoi Might Even Cover Your Lunch!

First, let's look at the Chitose/Tomakomai direction. A one-way trip from Sapporo to New Chitose Airport, a popular route, costs 1,150 yen, so you're just short of breaking even. In the Tomakomai direction, Uenae, the station after Minami-Chitose, is 1,290 yen one way. This means destinations beyond Uenae, such as Tomakomai, Shiraoi, Noboribetsu, and Muroran, are where you start saving money.

A one-way trip from Sapporo to Shiraoi is 2,100 yen, so a round trip saves you 1,560 yen. Thanks to the Ichinichi Sanpo Kippu, your lunch money might be covered! We recommend visiting Upopoy (the National Ainu Museum and Park), which is just a few minutes' walk from the station.

Yoichi is a Great Deal! Enjoy Wine Tasting at the Station

Next is the Otaru/Yoichi direction. To cut to the chase, Yoichi is the break-even point! A one-way trip from Sapporo to Yoichi costs 1,290 yen, making a round trip a mere 40 yen cheaper. While 40 yen might not seem like much, the ability to make stopovers in places like Otaru is a huge plus. Destinations further on, like Kutchan and Niseko, are also in the money-saving zone.

Yoichi is famous for wine. You can even enjoy paid wine tasting right inside the station! There are multiple brands available, so you can compare them.

Yoichi is a perfect destination for a train trip, with the Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery right outside the station and many restaurants within walking distance. Enjoying a drink on a day trip is a special treat that's only possible when traveling by train, not by car.