How to travel from Sapporo to Nikko, Japan
The distance between Sapporo and Nikko is around 821km (510 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 3h 50m.
9 routes found
We've found 9 different ways to get from Sapporo to Nikko by train, bus, ferry, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.
👋 Also check out Nikko → Sapporo if you're planning a return trip.
Train to New Chitose Airport, plane
Take the train to New Chitose Airport then fly from New Chitose (CTS) to Fukushima (FKS) then take the train to Utsunomiya and then to Nikko.
- Duration3h 50m
- Flight time1h 35m
- Typical cost¥48,325($355)
Multiple operators
5 similiar routes
We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.
Train
Take the train to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, Sendai(Miyagi/Jr) then Utsunomiya and then to Nikko.
- Duration7h 60m
- Departs4 times a day
- Typical cost¥35,870($260)
Multiple train operators
Bus, Ferry and Train
Take the bus to Tomakomai Ferry Terminal then take a ferry to Port of Sendai Ferry Terminal then take the train to Utsunomiya and then to Nikko.
- Duration19h 35m
- Departsonce daily
- Typical cost¥29,160($215)
Multiple operators
Car and Ferry
Drive to Hakodate then take a ferry to Oma then drive to Nikkō.
- Duration13h 45m
- Departstwice daily
- Typical cost¥16,975($125)
Multiple operators
Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Sapporo and Nikko
Popular questions
There are several options for getting from Sapporo to Nikko by train, bus, ferry, car and plane. The cheapest option is to drive and then take a ferry which costs around ¥16,975 ($125) and will take around 13h 45m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 3h 50m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ¥48,325 ($355).
The distance between Sapporo and Nikko is around 821km (510 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 719km (447 miles)
It takes around 7h 60m to get from Sapporo and Nikko by train.
The quickest way to get from Sapporo to Nikko is to take the train and then fly which takes around 3h 50m and will set you back approx ¥48,325 ($355).
The cheapest way to travel between Sapporo and Nikko is to drive and then take a ferry which will typically cost around ¥16,975 ($125) for a standard one-way ticket.
Train travel
Yes there is a train service that runs between Sapporo and Nikko. It typically takes around 7h 60m and departs 4 times a day.
There are no direct train services that runs from Sapporo to Nikko. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, Sendai(Miyagi/Jr) and Utsunomiya. These services run 4 times a day and will take a minimum of 7h 60m.
Japan Railways Limited Express, Japan Railways Shinkansen and Japan Railways (JR) run train services between Sapporo and Nikko. Trains depart 4 times a day and will take around 7h 60m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.
Bus travel
Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Sapporo and Nikko. We recommend that you take the train to New Chitose Airport then fly from New Chitose (CTS) to Fukushima (FKS) then take the train to Utsunomiya and then to Nikko. instead which will take 3h 50m.
Flights and Airlines
It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Sapporo to Nikko. We recommend that you take the train to New Chitose Airport then fly from New Chitose (CTS) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) then take the train to Tobu-Nikko. instead which will take 4h 40m.
The closest major airport to Nikko is Fukushima Airport (FKS) (FKS) which is approximately 86km (54 miles) from Nikko. Narita International Airport (NRT) (NRT) and Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) (HND) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.
Drive yourself
No, its not really possible or feasible to drive from Sapporo to Nikko. We recommend that you take the train to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, Sendai(Miyagi/Jr) then Utsunomiya and then to Nikko. instead which will take 7h 60m.
If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Sapporo to Nikko is to take the train which takes, on average, 7h 60m and will usually cost around ¥35,870 ($260).
Compare travel optionsbetween Sapporo and Nikko
| Transport option | Duration | Cost | Frequency | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Train to New Chitose Airport, plane + 5 similar | 3h 50m | ¥48,325($355) | hourly | 848km (527 miles) |
| Train to New Chitose Airport, plane | 4h 20m | ¥21,220($155) | hourly | 841km (523 miles) |
| Train to New Chitose Airport, plane | 4h 30m | ¥27,925($205) | hourly | 933km (580 miles) |
| Train to New Chitose Airport, plane | 4h 40m | ¥50,655($370) | every 4 hours | 821km (510 miles) |
| Train and Plane | 4h 40m | ¥28,340($205) | hourly | 1,025km (637 miles) |
| Train to New Chitose Airport, plane | 4h 40m | ¥19,305($140) | hourly | 1,029km (639 miles) |
Train | 7h 60m | ¥35,870($260) | 4 times a day | 1,051km (653 miles) |
Bus, Ferry and Train | 19h 35m | ¥29,160($215) | once daily | 987km (613 miles) |
Car and Ferry | 13h 45m | ¥16,975($125) | twice daily | 980km (609 miles) |
Top Carriersoperating between Sapporo and Nikko
Airlines
Skymark Airlines
AIRDO
Spring Airlines Japan
Train operators
Tobu Railway
Keisei Skyliner
Keisei Railways
Ferry operators
Taiheiyo ferry
Tsugaru Kaikyo Ferry
Bus companies
Hokkaido Chuo Bus
Airports near Nikko
The following major airports near Nikko offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Japan and internationally.
Fukushima Airport (FKS)
- Distance
- 86km (54 miles) from Nikko
Narita International Airport (NRT)
- Distance
- 122km (76 miles) from Nikko
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
- Distance
- 130km (81 miles) from Nikko