For those who do not drive but want to take an easy one-day trip from Sapporo, JR Hokkaido's "One-Day Walking Ticket" is recommended. This "divine ticket" allows unlimited rides on all JR rapid and local trains in the central Hokkaido area on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from spring through fall for 2,540 yen for adults until November 12, 2023. So, how far do you have to go from Sapporo to get the full benefit? We actually checked.

Basic Information on "One-Day Walking Ticket

To get the money back with the One-Day Walking Ticket, you need to make a round trip from Sapporo Station to a place that costs at least ¥1,270, which is half of the ¥2,540 price. Let's check three patterns based on Sapporo Station: Chitose/Tomakomai, Otaru/Yoichi, and Iwamizawa/Takikawa. First, let's check the basic information of the one-day walking ticket.

Train sections and trains that can be boarded

Unlimited unlimited boarding and unlimited stopovers on ordinary and rapid trains in the section shown in the image (excerpt from JR Hokkaido website).
*For the Shin-Yubari-Shintoku section of the Ishikatsu Line, unlimited rides and unlimited stopovers on limited express trains are allowed only when both the boarding and alighting stations are within the Shin-Yubari-Shintoku section.

Image source: JR Hokkaido

Period of sale and available dates (for 2023)

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

Place of sale

Ticket vending machines at the following stations (except some stations)
Hakodate Main Line between Otaru, Sapporo and Iwamizawa
Chitose Line Shiroishi - Chitose
Kuwazono to Tobetsu on the Gakuentoshi Line

If you go from Sapporo to Shiraoi and back, you can even save money on lunch!

Let's start from Chitose/Tomakomai area. The busiest route, Sapporo→New Chitose Airport, costs 1,150 yen one-way, which is only a few more yen than the original price. In the Tomakomai direction, the next stop after Minami Chitose is 1,290 yen one-way to Uenae, so Tomakomai, Shiraoi, Noboribetsu, Muroran, and other areas beyond Uenae are good value areas where you can get your money back.

Sapporo to Shiraoi is 2,100 yen, so a round trip alone saves 1,560 yen. Thanks to the one-day walking ticket, you may even be able to make up the cost of lunch. It is recommended along with a visit to Upopoi, a few minutes' walk from the station.

Yoichi is a great deal! Wine tasting at the station.

Next, let's move on to Otaru and Yoichi. As it turns out, Yoichi is clear! Sapporo→Yoichi is 1,290 yen one-way, so you save only 40 yen round-trip. Even if it is only 40 yen, you can make a stopover in Otaru and other places. Kutchan and Niseko, which are further away, are also areas where you can save money.

Yoichi is famous for its wine. You can enjoy wine tasting at the station for a fee! There are several brands, so you can compare them.

Yoichi is a perfect destination for a train trip because there are many restaurants and stores within walking distance from the station, including the Nikka Whisky Yoichi Distillery right outside the station! The ability to enjoy alcoholic beverages on a day trip is one of the best parts of traveling by train instead of by car.