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What's the best way to travel from Sapporo to Tomamu? A detailed guide to travel times, fares, and ticket purchasing tips
JR: The standard for transportation - special discount tickets available
The standard way to travel from Sapporo to Tomamu is by JR. The travel time between Sapporo and Tomamu using JR is about 1 hour and 45 minutes on the "Ozora Limited Express" and "Tokachi Limited Express". All cars on the "Ozora Limited Express" and "Tokachi Limited Express" are reserved seats, and the fare is 5,550 yen for a reserved seat and 7,820 yen for a green seat.
Get 55% off by booking your ticket online to Shintoku Station in advance with the "Limited Express Tokudawari" service
If you reserve a JR ticket to Shintoku Station, next to Tomamu Station, through the website "Ekinet," you can purchase a reserved seat ticket at up to 55% off the regular fare. You cannot use the "Limited Express Tokudane" discount to Tomamu Station, but you can buy a ticket to Shintoku Station at a discount and get off at Tomamu Station, just before, to save more than the regular fare. If you know in advance when you will be boarding, we recommend reserving your ticket through Ekinet.
The set prices for "Limited Express Tokudane" on Ekinet (set price of one-way "board ticket + reserved seat express ticket" / unit: yen) are as follows.
■ Limited Express Tokuda Value 14 Up to 40% off on the "Ozora Express" Up to 55% off on the Tokachi Express Application deadline: 23:50 14 days before the boarding date
■ Limited Express Tokuda Value 1 Up to 25% off on the "Ozora Express" Up to 40% off on the Tokachi Express Application deadline: 23:50 on the day before the trip *The sales price will fluctuate within a set price range depending on the predicted occupancy rate and the timing of your application, so be sure to check that it is cheaper than the regular price of 5,550 yen for a reserved seat and 7,820 yen for a green seat before purchasing.
"Express bus" that can travel directly from Sapporo city
*Photo is for illustrative purposes only.
The winter season ski bus from Sapporo city to Tomamu is the "Tomamu Departure Bus Liner" which can be booked through the Hokkaido Access Network. To board the "Tomamu Departure Bus Liner", gather at the reserved boarding location and board the bus. The ride from Sapporo city to Tomamu takes about 3 hours and 30 minutes, and the one-way fare is 6,500 yen. To board the bus, you must make a reservation and make a payment in advance by phone or online.
■Stops ・Sapporo side (boarding only): OMO3 Sapporo Susukino, Hotel WBF Sapporo Chuo, New Otani Inn Sapporo ・Break: Yuni PA ・Noboribetsu side (getting off only): Tomamu Resort Center, Tomamu The Tower, RISONARE Tomamu ■About reservations Reservations and inquiries by phone: Hokkaido Access Network Reservation Center 011-219-4411 9:00-18:00 ■ Online reservations: Click here ■Notes ・Meeting time: 10 minutes before the bus departure time *If you are not there when the departure time comes, you will be treated as a "no show no participant" and will depart, so make sure to arrive early. *Reservations are required and the bus will not stop at any boarding or disembarking locations that have not been reserved, so please make sure to decide where you will board and disembark before making a reservation. (Click here for a list of boarding and disembarking locations)
Be careful when driving on winter roads "Cars/Rental Cars"
If you are traveling to Tomamu from central Sapporo on the expressway, enter the Do-o Expressway at Kitago IC, take the Doto Expressway at Chitose-Eniwa JCT, and get off at Tomamu IC. The distance is about 145 km, the travel time is about 2 hours, and the expressway toll is 3,800 yen. There are no gas stations open all the time in the Tomamu area, and there is only one gas station on the Doto Expressway, so if you are heading there by car, it is best to make sure you have enough fuel and fill up before entering the Doto Expressway, or fill up near Obihiro, Furano, or Yubari.
Also, although driving is convenient as it allows you to go directly to your destination, you need to be careful on winter roads. If you are not used to driving on winter roads, 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
In winter, Tomamu is a resort area where you can enjoy not only winter sports, but also delicious gourmet food and snowy scenery. Whether you want to be active or relax, you can find a way to enjoy it that suits you. Why not plan a trip that's perfect for you based on your travel style and budget?
