Located near the center of Hokkaido, Asahikawa is the prefecture's second-most populous city after Sapporo. Easily accessible from Sapporo, you can travel there by JR train, bus, or rental car. Here's a detailed guide to the travel times and costs for each option.

The Classic Choice: JR Trains (All Reserved Seating from March 2026)

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

Get up to 45% Off with Online Advance Booking: "Tokkyu Toku-da-ne"

When you book 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

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

Booking JR Tickets Early is Recommended

The "Limited Express Lilac" (6 cars) and "Limited Express Kamui" (5 cars) that connect 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, these discounted seats are limited. You may only be able to purchase tickets at the regular price, even when booking in advance. If your plans are set, it's best to book on Ekinet as early as possible.

No Advance Booking Needed & Cheaper Fares: The Highway Bus

The Chuo Bus "Highway Asahikawa-go" departs from bus stop number 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 Drive and Service Areas: Car / Rental Car

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

Along the way, we recommend taking a break at the Iwamizawa SA or Sunagawa SA for a meal or some shopping. The "Sunagawa Highway Oasis," accessible from the Sunagawa SA, offers Hokkaido gourmet food, soft-serve ice cream, local vegetables, and more.

Choose the Best Way to Travel for Your Trip

In Asahikawa, you can enjoy famous attractions like the Asahiyama Zoo and delicious food such as Asahikawa ramen, as well as stunning scenery. It's also a great base for accessing Biei and Furano. If you're coming to Asahikawa from outside Hokkaido, flying directly into "Asahikawa Airport" from airports like Haneda is another option. Choose the travel method that best suits your schedule and budget, and enjoy your trip!

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