Sapporo and Otaru are the most famous tourist destinations in Hokkaido. Sapporo and Otaru are surprisingly close, about 40 kilometers apart, and many people make it a point to visit both cities on their itineraries. There are several ways to get to Sapporo and Otaru: JR, bus, and rental car. The following is a detailed description of travel time and fees for each.

"JR" is the standard method of travel between Sapporo and Otaru.

JR is the standard way to travel from Sapporo to Otaru. 30 minutes by "Rapid Airport" and 46 minutes by local train. The fare is 750 yen. The "Rapid Airport" connects New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, and Otaru, so you can also travel directly from New Chitose Airport to Otaru via Sapporo. The fastest travel time is approximately 73 minutes. The fare is 1,910 yen.

"Buses" with low fares and stops along the way

To travel from Sapporo to Otaru by bus, the Chuo Bus "Kosoku Otaru-go" operates from the temporary bus stop #1 on the west side of Nippon Seimei Building Sapporo, about 5 minutes walk from JR Sapporo Station. The trip takes about one hour, and there are basically no breaks along the way. （The fare is 730 yen one way or 1,360 yen round trip.

There are three routes of "Highway Otaru-go": via Hokudai, via Maruyama, and via Mochiyo-dai. Please note that the route via Hokudai and via Maruyama goes to Otaru Station, while the route via Mochiyo-dai terminates at Otaru Chikko Station and does not stop at Otaru Station.

Long straight and leisurely drive "Car/Rental" Car

If you are traveling by expressway from central Sapporo, take the Sapporo Kita IC to the Otaru IC on the Otaru Expressway. It takes about 10 minutes from the Otaru IC to the center of Otaru where Otaru Station and the Otaru Canal are located. The total travel time is about 42 minutes, and the expressway toll from the Sapporo Kita IC to the Otaru IC is 1,240 yen. If you take the open road, use Route 5, and the travel time is approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes. Paid parking is recommended when parking near the Otaru Canal.

Round trip is possible for one night or two nights or three days!

Of the large cities in Hokkaido, Sapporo and Otaru are relatively easy to get to and from, making it possible to visit Otaru while sightseeing in Sapporo, or vice versa. In Otaru, you can enjoy the nostalgic history of the Otaru Canal and other streetscapes, as well as enjoy the local delicacies such as sushi, seafood rice bowls, and local delicacies such as ankake yakisoba (fried noodles with starchy sauce), which are unique to this port town. Please consider planning a wonderful stay in Otaru.