Located almost in the center of Hokkaido, Asahikawa is the second most populous city after Sapporo. Easily accessible from Sapporo, you can get there by JR train, bus, or rental car. Here's a detailed guide on travel times, fares, and more for each option.

The Standard Choice, JR: All Seats Reserved from March 2026

The JR train is the classic way to travel from Sapporo to Asahikawa. Two types of limited express trains, the "Kamui" and the "Lilac," operate on this route, with a journey time of about 1 hour and 30 minutes. A standard reserved seat ticket costs 5,440 yen. You can get a cheaper fare by booking in advance online.

Get 45% Off with "Tokkyu Toku-da-ne" by Booking Online in Advance

By booking your JR tickets through the "Ekinet" website, you can purchase reserved seat tickets at a 20% to 55% discount off the regular price. If you know your travel time in advance, booking through Ekinet is highly recommended.

[Discontinued March 2026] "S-Kippu" Round-Trip Discount Ticket from Vending Machines

The "S-Kippu," a discounted round-trip ticket for travel between Sapporo and Asahikawa, was discontinued in March 2026.

Booking Your JR Tickets Early is Recommended

The "Limited Express Lilac" (6 cars) and "Limited Express Kamui" (5 cars) connecting Sapporo and Asahikawa have eliminated non-reserved seating, making all cars reserved seating only. While the "Ekinet" website offers discount tickets for bookings made up to the day before, the number of discounted seats is limited, and you may only be able to purchase tickets at the regular price even if you book in advance. If your plans are set, it's best to book on Ekinet as early as possible.

No Advance Booking Needed! The Affordable "Highway Bus"

The Chuo Bus "Highway Asahikawa-go" departs from bus stop No. 2, located on the west side of the Nippon Life Sapporo Building, about a 5-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station. The journey takes about 2 hours on the summer schedule and about 2 hours and 30 minutes on the winter schedule.

Round-trip tickets can be purchased at the ticket office behind the bus stop.

Enjoy the Service Areas on a Drive by Car or Rental Car

If you're driving from central Sapporo via the expressway, take the Sasson Expressway from Sapporo-kita IC and get off at Asahikawa-takasu IC. The drive takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and the expressway toll is 3,800 yen.

We recommend taking a break along the way to enjoy meals and shopping at service areas like Iwamizawa SA and Sunagawa SA. The "Sunagawa Highway Oasis," accessible from Sunagawa SA, offers Hokkaido gourmet food, soft-serve ice cream, local vegetables, and more.

Enjoy Your Trip with the Best Transportation for You

In Asahikawa, you can enjoy popular attractions like the Asahiyama Zoo and delicious local cuisine such as Asahikawa ramen, as well as stunning scenery. Another great advantage is its convenient access to Biei and Furano. If you're coming to Asahikawa from outside Hokkaido, flying directly into "Asahikawa Airport" from airports like Haneda is also an option. Choose the method that best suits your schedule and budget, and enjoy your trip!

*All information is current as of April 2026.
*All information is subject to change. Please check official websites for the latest details.