How to get to Japow

Let’s be honest here, The Proclaimers may be happy to walk 500 miles, but most of us are not (unless we’re touring, of course). So when you touch down to Narita, Haneda or New Chitose Airport and you’re trying to find the best way to get to JaPow’s mountain ranges, we don’t expect you to get to your resort of choice via ‘the shoelace express‘.

Instead, why not explore one of the many different transport options available? All of Japan’s major ski resorts offer up a wealth of different transport options to suit all kinds of travellers, budgets and timelines.

So if you’re unsure about the best way to get to the resort, soak up some of these tips:

Getting To Niseko 

A lot of people don’t realise that Japan is a collection of islands – over 6,800 to be precise. So if you’ve never ventured across to Niseko before, you will need to catch a connecting flight once you arrive in Tokyo. Not to worry, the journey from Tokyo to Niseko couldn’t be easier.

If you are coming over for the first time, the most common route to Niseko involves flying into New Chitose Airport, located near Sapporo. From there, you have a stack of options:

Private Transfers

Duration: 2.5 Hours

Seeking privacy, the ability to stop for a toilet break whenever you want, and the chance to scout all the best touring spots between Niseko and Chitose? A private transfer’s the option for you. Ideal for families and groups seeking privacy, comfort and convenience–or those with a huge amount of luggage.

Pro tip: You can enjoy a private transport from Chitose Airport directly to your accommodation in Niseko when booking a custom trip with Rhythm Rides! 

Train 

Duration: 2 Hours

After a long international flight, the last thing you want to do is go through the rigmarole of getting to a different location for your connecting transfer. Save the hassle – the train offers a  scenic and reliable option that you can get straight from New Chitose Airport to Kutchan Station, the nearest station in Niseko. 

Pro Tip: If there are no direct trains from the airport to Kutchan, you can get on a train to Otaru, Kutchan’s neighbouring city, and then get a connecting train from there!

Bus

Duration: 3 Hours

Not keen on the changeover in Otaru? Regular bus services are available from New Chitose Airport directly to Niseko, offering a convenient and cost-effective way to reach each resort. The best part? Several companies offer services during the ski season, so you’ll never be short of options!

Car Rental

Duration: 2.5 Hours

Prefer a bit more flexibility, the option to duck to the supermarket whenever you want, and the ability to go explore all the region’s best onsen? Hiring a car and going on a leisurely drive through Hokkaido’s stunning valleys may be the best bet for you.

Please be comfortable driving in icy conditions if hiring a car!

Getting To Furano

The closest major airport to Furano is New Chitose Airport near Sapporo. From New Chitose Airport, you have several options which depend on your preferences, budget, and the type of traveller you are.

Private Transfers

Duration: 2.5 Hours

Seeking privacy, the ability to stop for a toilet break whenever you want and maybe even a couple of cheeky road bev’s? A private transfer’s the option for you. Ideal for families and groups seeking privacy, comfort and convenience–or those with a huge amount of luggage.

Bus Services

Duration: 3 Hours

Being driven by a professional driver in a ¥47,651,850 vehicle? That’s luxury at its finest – even if you need to share it with other travellers…

Not only are buses economical and reliable, but various companies operate bus services directly from New Chitose airport straight to Furano. Making them a cost-effective and comfortable option suitable for solo travellers, couples, or small groups not wanting to drive in snowy conditions.

Rental Car

Duration: 2.5 Hours

Keen on Hokkaido road trips and checking out as many onsen as you can? If you’re comfortable driving in winter conditions, renting a car allows for a more adventurous trip, with the freedom to explore the region at your own pace.

Please note: Japan has a strict zero tolerance on drink-driving, so if you are jumping behind the wheel please ensure you are 0.0! 

Train

Duration: 3 – 4 Hours

Want to get the most scenic views and photo ops all while you’re chilling stationary? The train. A cost-effective, efficient and easy option for all travellers.

Travel Route: From New Chitose Airport, take a train to Sapporo Station, and then transfer to a train bound for Furano.Train travel is ideal for those who enjoy scenic routes and a more relaxed journey. It’s also a good option for eco-conscious travellers.

Getting To Hakuba

Now, before you jump the gun and get on the road to Hakuba, please realise that Hakuba is broken up into 10 different resorts, so depending on where you are staying you may be a decent distance from the hub of Happo-One. The good news? You’ll be able to get to any of Hakuba’s resorts or suburbs via the main Happo-One bus terminal, so for the purpose of this blog, we will be offering directions to there from Tokyo!

Private Transfer

Duration: 4 – 5 Hours

Just because Hakuba is on the same main island as Tokyo doesn’t mean it’s a stone’s throw away! By car, the journey from Tokyo to Hakuba will take about just under 5 hours, offering you an awesome opportunity to see rural Japan up close and personal, while also providing the option to stop and enjoy as many pit-stops as you’d ever need – an awesome option for those who stop for a toilet break every 15 minutes.

Airport Shuttle Buses

Duration: 5 Hours

Whether you’re heading to Hakuba from Tokyo’s Narita Airport, or Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, you will have two primary options for airport shuttle providers – Nagano Snow Shuttle and Alpico Bus Lines.

Bullet Train

Duration: 3 Hours (2 hours Shinkansen, 1 hour bus)

Not keen on the five hour journey that you’d have on an Airport Transfer shuttle? The Bullet Train (Shinkansen) from Tokyo is one of the quickest ways to get to Hakuba, although as there is no direct line to the resort, the best route will be to catch the Hokurkiro Shinkansen to Nagano and then a highway bus from Nagano to Hakuba.

Highway Bus

Duration: 5 Hours

‘Don’t wanna close my eyes, don’t wanna fall asleep’ – if you, like Aerosmith, ‘Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing,’ the highway bus gives you an awesome opportunity to soak up all the sights of rural Japan as you leave the cityscape and see the neon lights turn into fields of picturesque mountainous landscapes. There are many bus companies that offer this service, most of which are available from the Shinjuku Expressway bus terminal. 

Local Train

Keen to save a few bucks? The local train is a great option for penny-pinchers looking to save all their extra cash for chu-hai’s when they get to town. If this is sounding more your style, the Azusa Limited Express is the only direct train to Hakuba and departs from Shinjuku station.