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What is the most convenient way to travel from Sapporo to Asahikawa? Learn more about travel time, fares, and how to purchase a discount ticket.
Asahikawa is located almost in the middle of Hokkaido and is the second most populous city after Sapporo. Asahikawa is easily accessible from Sapporo by JR, bus, or rental car. Details on travel time and fees for each of these modes are provided below.
"JR" is the standard method of transportation. Special discount tickets are also available.
JR is the standard way to travel from Sapporo to Asahikawa. There are two types of express trains, "Limited Express Kamui" and "Limited Express Lilac," and the journey time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The regular fare for a one-way trip is 4,690 yen for a nonreserved seat and 5,220 yen for a reserved seat. Special tickets are available for an even lower fare.
45% discount for "Tokyu Tokudate Value 1" if you make a reservation in advance via the Internet.
If you make a reservation for a JR ticket through the website "Ekinet", you can purchase a reserved-seat ticket at a 45% discount from the regular fare. If you know the time you will board the train in advance, it is recommended to make a reservation through Ekinet.
One way Reserved seat: 2,860 yen (45% discount)
*Apply online by 23:50 on the day before the boarding date.
Round-trip discount "S Ticket" available at ticket machines
S-tickets can be purchased at ticket vending machines at stations before boarding the train.
Round trip unreserved seat: 5,550 yen / valid for 6 days
Should I buy a reserved seat for JR trains?
Only one car of the six-car train of the "Limited Express Lilac" connecting Sapporo and Asahikawa has non-reserved seats, and two cars of the five-car train of the "Limited Express Kamui" have reserved seats. For those who want to be sure of a seat, it is recommended to purchase a reserved-seat ticket. The "S Ticket" is a round-trip ticket for unreserved seats, but you can select your seat by paying 530 yen (one-way) at a ticket machine or at the Midori-no-madoguchi (ticket window).
(1) Select "Otokunaki Ticket" at a reserved-seat ticket machine.
Seat reservation can be made for S-tickets already purchased with "Seat reservation for coupon tickets and discount tickets".
The "orange" S-tickets purchased from a ticket machine are eligible for seat reservation. If you have a "green" S Ticket, please purchase a reserved seat at the Midori-no Madoguchi.
Low fare "Express Bus"
Chuo Bus's "Highway Bus "runs from the temporary bus stop No. 2 on the west side of Nippon Seimei Building Sapporo, a 5-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station. The trip takes about 2 hours in summer schedule and about 2 hours and 30 minutes in winter schedule.
One-way ticket: 2,500 yen / Round-trip ticket: 4,700 yen
Round-trip ticket has no expiration date.
Round-trip tickets can be purchased at the ticket booth at the rear of the bus stop.
Enjoy driving while enjoying the SAs along the way "Car/Rent-a-car"
If you are traveling by expressway from central Sapporo, take the Sapporo Kita IC to the Sapporo Tataru Expressway and get off at the Asahikawa Takasu IC. The trip takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the expressway toll is 3,380 yen.
It is recommended to take a rest stop at Iwamizawa SA or Sunagawa SA on the way to enjoy food and shopping. At Sunagawa Highway Oasis Kan, accessible from Sunagawa SA, you can enjoy Hokkaido's gourmet food, soft-serve ice cream, local vegetables, etc.
Enjoy your trip with the means of transportation that suits you best!
In Asahikawa, you can enjoy attractive scenery and gourmet food, including the classic Asahiyama Zoo and Asahikawa Ramen. It is also a great place to visit with easy access to Biei and Furano. If you are coming to Asahikawa from outside of Hokkaido, another option is to land directly at "Asahikawa Airport" from Haneda Airport or other airports. Please enjoy your trip in a way that suits your time and financial situation.
