Located in the Okhotsk area of eastern Hokkaido, Kitami is a city known for its vast nature, rich culture, and delicious cuisine, including its famous yakiniku (grilled meat). There are several ways to travel from Sapporo to Kitami, such as by JR train, bus, rental car, or airplane. Here's a detailed guide to the travel times and costs for each option.

The JR train is the classic way to travel from Sapporo to Kitami. The journey on the "Limited Express Okhotsk" takes about 4 hours and 32 minutes. Currently, all seats on the Limited Express Okhotsk and Taisetsu trains are reserved seats; there are no non-reserved cars. The fare for a reserved seat is 10,870 yen.

Alternatively, you can take the "Limited Express Lilac," "Limited Express Kamui," or "Limited Express Soya" from Sapporo Station to Asahikawa Station and transfer there to a train bound for Kitami Station. The total travel time is about 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours, depending on the connection time. The fare for a reserved seat is also 10,870 yen.

Get 35% to 55% Off with "Toku-da-ne" Special Discount Tickets Booked Online

By booking your JR tickets in advance on the "Ekinet" website, you can purchase reserved seat tickets for up to 55% off the regular price. If you know your travel time in advance, booking through Ekinet is highly recommended. The "Toku-da-ne Special Discount Ticket" prices (one-way set price for a basic fare ticket + reserved seat limited express ticket, in yen) on Ekinet are as follows:

Another option for traveling from Sapporo to Kitami is by highway bus. Two services, the "Dreamint Okhotsk" and the "Kitami Express New Star," are available. Choose the one that best fits your schedule and destination for a great value trip.

Reservation-Only "Dreamint Okhotsk"

The "Dreamint Okhotsk" is a reservation-only service jointly operated by Hokkaido Chuo Bus, Hokkaido Kitami Bus, and Abashiri Bus. From Sapporo, you can board at "Bus Stop No. 3" located on the west side of the Nippon Life Sapporo Building (Kita 3 Nishi 4), about a 5-minute walk from JR Sapporo Station. The travel time is approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes in summer and 5 hours in winter. You can also board this bus at the Chuo Bus Sapporo Terminal (Odori Higashi 1-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo).

Hokkaido Bus Co., Ltd. "Kitami Express New Star"

To take the "Kitami Express New Star" operated by Hokkaido Bus Co., Ltd., head to the Sapporo Ekimae bus stop (Platform 33) at Kita 3 Nishi 3, about a 5-minute walk from Sapporo Station's south exit. The journey takes approximately 5 hours and 15 minutes, including a 15-minute break.

If speed is your priority, you can fly from Sapporo Okadama Airport or New Chitose Airport to Memanbetsu Airport in the Okhotsk region. The flight itself takes only about 45 minutes. From the airport, you can take the "Memanbetsu Airport Line" bus operated by Kitami Bus, which will get you to downtown Kitami in about 40 minutes (Fare: 1,200 yen for adults). It's also possible to fly directly to Memanbetsu Airport from Tokyo's Haneda Airport.

To drive from central Sapporo to Kitami using the expressway, enter the Doo Expressway at Sapporo IC and head towards Asahikawa. Then, take the Asahikawa-Monbetsu Expressway and exit at Engaru IC. From there, follow Route 333 to Kitami city. The distance is approximately 305 kilometers, the drive takes about 4 hours and 15 minutes, and the expressway toll is 4,320 yen (for a standard car, regular fare from Sapporo IC to Pippu JCT).

Enjoy Your Trip with the Best Transport for You!

As Japan's top onion producer, Kitami is also famous as the home base of the Olympic curling team "Loco Solare." The city hosts lively events, including the unique "Kitami Mid-Winter Yakiniku Festival," which attracts many tourists. With its harmonious blend of nature, sports, hot springs, and food culture, Kitami is a charming region that everyone should visit. Why not plan the perfect trip that suits your travel style and budget?

*All prices include tax.
*All information is current as of April 2026. Information may change, so please check official websites for the latest details.