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What's the best way to travel from Sapporo to Noboribetsu? A detailed guide to travel times, fares, and ticket purchasing tips
Noboribetsu is a city with a variety of tourist attractions, including Noboribetsu Onsen, which was created by volcanic activity and abundant nature. There are several ways to travel from Sapporo to Noboribetsu, including JR trains, buses, and rental cars. We will introduce the details of each option, including travel times and fares.
JR: The standard for transportation - special discount tickets available
The standard way to travel from Sapporo to Noboribetsu is by JR. Travel time between Sapporo and Noboribetsu using JR is about 1 hour and 10 minutes on the "Hokuto" and "Suzuran" Limited Express trains. All seats on the "Hokuto" and "Suzuran" Limited Express trains are reserved seats, and the fare is 4,780 yen for a reserved seat and 7,050 yen for a green seat.
You can also take the "Airport Rapid" from Sapporo Station to Minami-Chitose Station, change once at Minami-Chitose Station to the "JR Chitose Line, bound for Tomakomai," then change a second time at Tomakomai Station to the "JR Muroran Main Line, bound for Muroran," and go to Noboribetsu Station. The travel time will vary depending on the wait time, but it will take about two hours. The fare is 2,420 yen (if you do not use the 840 yen reserved seat on the Airport Rapid).
Get 45% off when you book in advance online with "Tokkyu Tokudawari"
If you reserve your JR ticket through the website "Ekinet," you can purchase a reserved seat ticket at up to 45% off the regular price. If you know the time you will be boarding in advance, we recommend making a reservation through Ekinet. The set prices for "Limited Express Tokudane" on Ekinet (set price of one-way "board ticket + reserved seat limited express ticket" / unit: yen) are as follows.■ Limited Express Tokuda Value 14 Up to 30% off on the Hokuto Express "Lily of the Valley Express" up to 45% off Application deadline: 23:50 14 days before the boarding date
■ Limited Express Tokuda Value 1 Up to 15% off on the Hokuto Express "Lily of the Valley Express" up to 35% off Application deadline: 23:50 on the day before the trip *The release price will vary within the set price range depending on the predicted occupancy rate and the timing of application.
If you're looking for cheap fares, choose the intercity express bus
There are three intercity express buses operating from Sapporo to Noboribetsu: the "Expressway Onsen direct bus (reservation required)", the "Expressway Shiratori bus", and the "Expressway Muroran bus".
1. "Express Onsen Bus Direct Bus" requires a reservation
To board the "Expressway Onsen Direct Bus" operated by Dounan Bus, walk about 5 minutes from JR Sapporo Station to the "Temporary Bus Stop No. 7" located on the east side of the Nippon Life Insurance Building Sapporo (Ekimae-dori side). The ride takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes, and the one-way fare is 2,500 yen. To board the bus, you must make a reservation and make a payment online at least 2 hours before the departure of the first bus.
■Stops ・Sapporo side (boarding only): Sapporo Station No. 7, Shiroishi Hondori 2-chome, Shiroishi Hondori 8-chome, Nango 18-chome, Oyachi Bus Terminal, Watatsu Expressway, Eniwa Expressway ・Noboribetsu side (get off only): Takeura Expressway, Tsutsujibashi, Noboribetsu Onsen, Noboribetsu Onsen Chuo, Daiichi Takimoto, Park Hotel, Footbath Entrance ■About reservations ・Contact information: Sapporo Sales Office 011-865-5511 ・Internet reservations: via the Dounan Bus online reservation site
2. Donan Bus "Express Shiratori"
This bus is also operated by Dounan Bus, and to board the "Kosoku Hakucho-go", walk about 5 minutes from JR Sapporo Station, and go to "Temporary Bus Stop No. 7" located on the east side of the Nippon Life Insurance Building Sapporo (Ekimae-dori side). The ride takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes, and the one-way fare is 2,500 yen. Generally, you can board the bus without a reservation, but if you are boarding from the "Kosoku Watatsu" or "Kosoku Eniwa" bus stops, you will need to make a reservation with the Sapporo Office (011-865-5511).
■Stops ・Sapporo side (boarding only): Sapporo Station No. 7, Chuo Bus Sapporo Terminal, Sapporo Factory, Shiroishi Hondori 2-chome, Shiroishi Hondori 8-chome, Nango 18-chome, Oyachi Bus Terminal, Watatsu Expressway, Eniwa Expressway ・Noboribetsu side (getting off only): Takeura Expressway, Noboribetsu Station, Noboribetsu, Horobetsu Honmachi, Togishi, Hamanasu Danchi, Washibetsu ■About reservations from "Expressway Watatsu" and "Expressway Eniwa" ・Contact information: Sapporo Sales Office 011-865-5511
3. Chuo Bus "Express Muroran"
To board the "Expressway Muroran" bus operated by Chuo Bus, walk about 5 minutes from JR Sapporo Station to the "Temporary Bus Stop No. 7" located on the east side of the Nippon Life Insurance Building Sapporo (Ekimae-dori side). The ride takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes, and the one-way fare is 2,500 yen. (*The fare may be cheaper than the listed price depending on the stop you get off at.)
Generally, you can board the bus without making a reservation, but if you are boarding from the "Expressway Watatsu", "Expressway Eniwa", or "Expressway Takeura" bus stops, you will need to make a reservation with the Chuo Bus Sapporo Kita Office (011-751-2637) at least two hours in advance.
■Stops ・Boarding only: Sapporo Station No. 7, Chuo Bus Sapporo Terminal, Sapporo Factory, Shiroishi Hondori 2-chome, Shiroishi Hondori 8-chome, Nango 18-chome ・Passports available: Oyachi Bus Terminal, Watatsu Expressway, Eniwa Expressway, Takeura Expressway ・Only get off at: Noboribetsu Station, Noboribetsu, Horobetsu Honcho, Togishi, Hamanasu Danchi, Washibetsu *If you board between Sapporo Factory and Nango 18-chome Station, you cannot get off at Oyachi Station. *If you board at Takeura Expressway, you cannot get off at Tomigishi or Hamanasu Danchi. ■About reservations For inquiries, please contact Chuo Bus Sapporo Kita Office: 011-751-2637 *If you are boarding from the "Expressway Watatsu", "Expressway Eniwa", or "Expressway Takeura" stops, you must make a reservation at least two hours in advance.
Drive to your destination with "Car/Rental Car"
If you are traveling from central Sapporo to Noboribetsu on the expressway, enter the Do-o Expressway at Kitago IC and exit at Noboribetsu Muroran IC. The distance is about 120 km, and the travel time is about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The expressway toll is 3,350 yen. However, although driving is convenient as it allows you to go directly to your destination, you should be careful of road conditions in winter. If you are not confident in your driving skills, don't push yourself, but use public transportation such as JR trains and buses, and enjoy your trip with safety as your number one priority.
Enjoy your trip with the transportation that suits you best
Noboribetsu is an area filled with a variety of attractions, including hot springs, the Noboribetsu Bear Ranch, the Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura, and the aquarium Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe. Why not plan a trip that's perfect for your travel style and budget?
