What to do and see in Hokkaido, Japan: The Best Mass Transportation Systems

March 27, 2022 Leonardo Torrence

Hokkaido (北海道, Hokkaidō, literally "Northern Sea Circuit") (Japanese: [hokkaꜜidoː] ( listen)), formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is the second largest island of Japan, and the largest and northernmost prefecture. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu. The two islands are connected by the undersea railway Seikan Tunnel. The largest city on Hokkaido is its capital, Sapporo, which is also its only ordinance-designated city. About 43 km north of Hokkaido lies Sakhalin Island, Russia, whereas to its east and north-east are the disputed Kuril Islands.
Restaurants in Hokkaido

1. Kushiro Shitsugen Norroko-go

Kushiro Station - Toro / Kawayu Onsen Station, 085-0015 Hokkaido +81 154-24-3176 http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/travel/kushironorokko/
Excellent
24%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 146 reviews

Kushiro Shitsugen Norroko-go

Reviewed By PeterthePauper - Ulsan, South Korea

The Kushiro Shitsugen (literally Kushiro Marsh) Norroko runs on JR Hokkaido's Senmo main Line from Kushiro to Toro through Japan's largest marsh wetlands from late April until September. For a few weekend days from late January thru' February each year, however, a special steam hauled train (SL Fuyu-No-Shitsugen) runs on the same route from Kushiro to Shibecha. As a near 70-year old solo traveller, I feel privileged to have obtained seats on the first steam train of the 2020 Season, as the SL marked its' 20th year of operation. Apart from the sheer nostalgia of travelling on a retro steam hauled train (reminiscent of my childhood in the 1950's & 1960's), the 1hr 40min journey to Shibecha was memorable for a number of other reasons; - the party-like atmosphere on the train with people gathered around the pot belly stove in each car, roasting dried squid and sharing Sake, - sightings of wild deer (more obvious against the snowy background) and also the evidence of other wildlife thru' the many tracks in the snow, - the compliant Japanese Cranes seemingly posing for photographs at Kunayama Station, and - rarely have I travelled on a packed (5-car) train where the passengers onboard were truly outnumbered by the spectators waiting trackside for a fleeting glimpse or photograph of the SL passing through the Kushiro Shitsugen!

2. Sapporo City Transportation (Tram)

Sapporo 060-0042 Hokkaido +81 11-551-3944 http://www.city.sapporo.jp/st/shiden/sidenromen.html
Excellent
26%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
26%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 528 reviews

Sapporo City Transportation (Tram)

Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia

The streetcar - tram -- is a great way to travel, as long as you are not in a hurry. The are are two loops, inner and outer. The tram will take you to the ropeway and Mt Moiwa. Just look for the 'inner' or 'outer' sign on the streetcar. You can also take the streetcar to the tram museum. You can get a discounted ticket for the combined streetcar and subway. By the way, if it's raining, the tram will lend you an umbrella. I've never heard of this before. The tram doesn't go as fast as a New Orleans streetcar, but it doesn't wobble as much, either.

3. Shintoku Town Community Bus Sobakuru (Hokkaido Takushoku Bus)

Shintoku-cho, Kamikawa-gun 081-0008 Hokkaido +81 155-31-8811 http://www.shintoku-town.jp/kurashi/sumai_kotsu_snow/community_bus/
Excellent
25%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
50%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 4 reviews

Shintoku Town Community Bus Sobakuru (Hokkaido Takushoku Bus)

4. Akan Bus

Kushiro 085-0015 Hokkaido +81 154-37-2221 http://www.akanbus.co.jp/index.html
Excellent
32%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
30%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 71 reviews

Akan Bus

5. Tsugaru Kaikyo Ferry

Hakodate 041-0821 Hokkaido +81 138-43-4545 http://www.tsugarukaikyo.co.jp/
Excellent
25%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
2%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 100 reviews

Tsugaru Kaikyo Ferry

Reviewed By Joraku354 - Urayasu, Japan

フェリーを使って北海道に行ってきました。青森た函館間はビューシートを利用。スタンダードより僅か数百円の差額でこの快適さは絶対お勧め! 飛行機で言えばビジネスクラスのシートで、ゆったり倒して快眠出来るのはもちろん、最前列なので景色も180度全開、最高です。バイクでの旅だったので、帰りは疲れで爆睡しました。 Went to Hokkaido with my lovely partner Harley Havidson. Bought an upgrade seat of View Seat at sir charge only at a few hundred JP yen. It was like a business class of flat reclining chair over viewing ahead with 180 degree. After a long trip by bike I fell in sleep when coming back to Aomori.

6. Hakodate Teisan Bus

Hakodate 040-0022 Hokkaido +81 138-55-1111 [email protected] http://www.hakotaxi.co.jp/shuttlebus/
Excellent
19%
Good
54%
Satisfactory
22%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 54 reviews

Hakodate Teisan Bus

The Hakodate Teisan Bus operates a shuttle bus from Hakodate Airport to Hakodate city . Especially、The bus between Hakodate Airport and JR Hakodate Station is convenient. It runs at intervals of approximately 15 to 20 minutes to connect to the flight departure and arrival time Fare is 450 yen between Hakodate Airport and JR Hakodate Station.(As of July 2018) The bus departs from Hakodate Airport and goes through Yunokawa hot spring. Pass through Hakodate Station,The bus goes to the Hakodate bay area.

7. Hokkaido Takushoku Bus

Obihiro 080-0351 Hokkaido +81 155-31-8811 http://www.takubus.com/
Excellent
32%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
0%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 19 reviews

Hokkaido Takushoku Bus

8. Hokkaido Chuo Bus

Sapporo 060-0041 Hokkaido +81 11-221-5161 http://www.chuo-bus.co.jp/bus/
Excellent
14%
Good
56%
Satisfactory
27%
Poor
0%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 71 reviews

Hokkaido Chuo Bus

Reviewed By 588phis - Bangkok, Thailand

We took the bus from the airport to Sapparo and then back. The bus was very clean and comfortable. They were very punctual, so do be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the scheduled time.

9. South Hokkaido Railway

531 Honcho, Kikonai-cho, Kamiiso-gun 049-0422 Hokkaido +81 138-83-1977 http://www.shr-isaribi.jp/
Excellent
46%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
25%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 28 reviews

South Hokkaido Railway

10. Sapporo City Subway

Sapporo Hokkaido +81 11-232-2277 http://www.city.sapporo.jp/st/
Excellent
19%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
30%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 230 reviews

Sapporo City Subway

Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia

The Sapporo Subway is clean and efficient. You can buy a day pass from the vending machines, which have an English option. That will allow you to get most places you need to go at a fixed cost. Get a map, it's hard to go wrong, even if you do, it won't cost you anything extra. By the way, check the operating hours if you are an early bird or a night owl.

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