EDITORIALS
What is the most convenient way to travel from Sapporo to Kushiro? Learn more about travel time, fares, and how to purchase a discount ticket.
Kushiro, located in the east of Hokkaido, is popular for its rich nature, as represented by the Kushiro Marsh, and for its gourmet cuisine unique to a port town. Kushiro can be reached by JR, bus, or rental car. The following is a detailed description of travel time and fees for each of these modes.
JR" is the standard method of travel between Sapporo and Kushiro.
JR is the standard way to travel from Sapporo to Kushiro, and it takes about 4 hours and 25 minutes by "Limited Express Oozora". All "Limited Express Oozora" trains have reserved seats, and the fare is 9,990 yen for a reserved seat and 13,650 yen for a green seat.
40% discount for advance reservations via the Internet "Tokkyu Tokuda Value".
If you make a reservation for a JR ticket through the website "Ekinet", you can purchase a reserved-seat ticket at a discount of up to 40% off the regular fare. If you know the time you will board the train in advance, it is recommended to make a reservation through Ekinet.
The set price of "Tokkyu Tokudate" on Ekinet (set price of one-way "boarding ticket + reserved seat express ticket"/unit: yen) is as follows.
Limited Express Ozora" up to 40% discount
Application deadline: 23:50 14 days prior to boarding date
Tokyu Tokyu Tokuda Value 1
Limited Express Oozora" up to 25% off
Application deadline: 23:50 on the day before the boarding date
Prices may change within the set price range depending on the estimated boarding rate and timing of your application.
Low fare "Inter-city Express Bus
Intercity Express Buses from Sapporo to Kushiro are operated by "Starlight Kushiro" and "Kushiro Express New Star". Choose the one that best suits your travel schedule and destination.
1. "Starlite Kushiro-go (reservation required)" operated by three companies
The Starlite Kushiro bus is operated jointly by Hokkaido Chuo Bus, Kushiro Bus, and Akan Bus from the temporary bus stop No. 3 on the west side of Nippon Seimei Building Sapporo, a 5-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station. The trip takes about 5 hours and 35 minutes including a break at the Tokachi Hirabara Service Area.
(*A, B, and C fares are available depending on the boarding date.)
Early-bird one-way: 4,630 yen to 5,400 yen
(*A, B, and C fares are available depending on the boarding date. For the early bird discount, reservations and payments must be made at least 30 days in advance for A- and B-fares, and 21 days in advance for C-fare).
2. Hokkaido Bus Company Transportation "Kushiro Express New Star
Kushiro Express New Star" operated by Hokkaido Bus Co. The trip takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes with a 15-minute break in between.
The bus stop No. 33 will be relocated to Kita 3 West 3 on August 1, 2024.
Net Discount: 4,770 yen *Flight change is not available for Net Discount.
Advance payment 5,300 yen
Payment for boarding: 5,800 yen
Enjoyable and relaxing drive "Cars & Rental Cars
To travel to Kushiro from central Sapporo via expressway, enter the Hokkaido Expressway at the Hokugo IC, proceed to the Doto Expressway at the Chitose Eniwa JCT, and exit at the Akan IC. The distance is about 300 km, the time required is about 4 hours and 20 minutes, and the expressway toll is 6,010 yen.
Enjoy your trip with the means of transportation that suits you best!
Kushiro City is famous for Kushiro Marshlands National Park, the largest marshland in Japan and home to diverse flora and fauna. The city is also home to Shoimai Bridge, famous for its beautiful seasonal scenery and sunsets, Lake Akan, known as a hot spring resort, and Washo Market, famous for its "katte-don," where you can choose your favorite seafood and have it served on top of a bowl of rice. Kushiro's hearty spaghetti is another Kushiro delicacy that you should try at least once.
If you want to enjoy sightseeing in Kushiro as soon as possible, air travel is also recommended. From Sapporo Okadama Airport or New Chitose Airport, it takes about 45 minutes to land at Tancho Kushiro Airport. If you are coming to Kushiro from outside Hokkaido, you can also go directly to Tancho Kushiro Airport from Haneda Airport in about 1 hour and 40 minutes. Please enjoy your trip in the way that best suits your time and financial situation.
*All prices include tax.
