The Hokkaido Shinkansen is set to open in less than 100 days. It will connect Tokyo to Hakodate in about four hours, passing through Tohoku and Aomori.
This truly marks the beginning of a new era for Hokkaido.

However, many people may be wondering whether the Shinkansen is the best option for traveling between Hakodate and Aomori.

For those who are unsure of the best way to get there, this article will introduce transportation options and fares between Aomori and Hakodate.
I'll tell you about various ways to enjoy both Aomori and Hakodate, including by ferry and train.

<Contents>
1. We will present the comparison in a table!
2. Ferry from Aomori to Hakodate
3. After the opening of conventional lines and Shinkansen lines

First, we will present a table comparing the various modes of transportation between Aomori and Hakodate.

*1: Round-trip discount (1% discount on the return fare)
*2: Internet booking discount (1% off)
*3: Hokkaido Advance Online Ticket (reservations accepted online only, up to 14 days in advance)
*4: Seikan Commuter Ticket (6 tickets per booklet, price per ticket)

The conventional railway lines are scheduled to be discontinued on March 26, 2016, with the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen.

Accordingly, the current line will be renamed the Donan Isaribi Railway. Also, the ferry journey time will vary slightly depending on the vessel used.

Similarly, even on current JR conventional lines, the travel time varies depending on the stations the train stops at.

Ferry fares do not include vehicle fares. JR fares are the sum of the basic fare and the limited express reserved seat fee.
Please check each website for details regarding fees.

All prices vary depending on the season. The prices in the table are for the most common time of year.

2. Ferry from Aomori to Hakodate

Photo by Flickr: Aomori ferry terminal in the early morning - Aomori ferry terminal / hogeasdf

The greatest appeal of a cruise lies in the relaxed and enriching way you can spend your time.

Unlike the Sea of ​​Japan and the Pacific Ocean in winter, the Tsugaru Strait is a sea where the currents are strong but the conditions are rarely rough.
A ship sailing gracefully across a calm sea.

Leaving a white wake behind you, this sea voyage along the ancient transportation hub connecting the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of ​​Japan is sure to heighten your anticipation for the Hokkaido journey that is about to begin.

If you take a later flight, you might even get to see the fishing lights of squid anglers in the summer.
If you take an early flight, you can see the rising sun illuminating the sea route and the horizon shimmering in its light.
During the daytime, you might be able to see seabirds, including black-tailed gulls, gliding smoothly across the blue sky, or dolphins leaping out of the sea.

This scenery truly makes you feel like you're standing at the entrance to the vast wilderness of Hokkaido.

Photo by Flickr: The return ferry is huge! We arrived way too early, as planned. Three hours on this ship. / mersy

The ferry services operating on this route are Tsugaru Strait Ferry and Seikan Ferry.
The Tsugaru Strait Ferry is relatively large and spacious for a ferry operating on a short route.

The entrance has the feel of an ocean-going ferry, and the ship is well-equipped with amenities such as a kids' space, shower rooms, and an automated restaurant to keep children entertained.
There are many features designed to ensure you have a fulfilling cruise.

They own several ships, many of which are equipped with private cabins.
Privacy is also taken into consideration.

Furthermore, the port of Oma, famous for its tuna fishing, is connected to Hakodate in just 90 minutes, allowing you to enjoy a leisurely drive along Mutsu Bay, fully experience Aomori, and then head to Hakodate.

On the other hand, the Seikan Ferry's hull is a little smaller and has a cute appearance.
The biggest attraction is the low price.

For a family of four, the combined cost of transporting a car and the ferry can be about 20,000 yen cheaper than taking the Tsugaru Strait Ferry. (This varies depending on the season.)
This is a very welcome option for those who want to keep fares down and have plenty of fun in Hakodate and Aomori.

Just because it's inexpensive doesn't mean it's inferior in terms of safety or facilities. It's compactly packed with everything you need.

Photo by Flickr: Higashinihon ferry / tsuda

The main difference from JR lines is that you can travel by car or motorcycle.

If you want to enjoy Hokkaido, owning your own car or renting one is definitely the way to go.
In terms of the freedom it offers during travel, it's something irreplaceable.

On the other hand, for those who want to get around quickly, it's not as fast as JR, so I wouldn't particularly recommend it.
For those with plenty of time and a desire to explore Hokkaido by car or motorcycle, this is arguably the best choice without a doubt.

Photo by Flickr : ferry "VAYU" / tsuda

3. After the opening of conventional lines and Shinkansen lines

Planning for the Seikan Tunnel began before the war, and it was completed in the 1980s after overcoming unprecedented construction challenges, becoming the world's longest undersea tunnel.

This meant that the Japanese archipelago was connected by a single railway line.
The shorter travel time compared to the Aomori-Hakodate Ferry greatly increased the freedom of travel.

The time was reduced by half.
The difference is about 4 hours in round-trip time. That's enough time to visit more than two tourist spots.

Its greatest appeal is its speed, but its convenience doesn't stop there.

The best thing about it is being able to move around easily and lightly with just a single bag, and the station is a transportation hub, offering far more options to your next destination than buses, rental cars, JR train transfers, trams, and ferry terminals.

Furthermore, in Hakodate, various tourist attractions and gourmet spots are concentrated around the station.
So, the question is, how much time will be saved? And how much will it cost?

About fees

As far as we know, the Shinkansen limited express fare from Shin-Aomori to Kikonai is 3320 yen, and the limited express fare from Shin-Aomori to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto is 4450 yen, so the difference in limited express fares alone is 1130 yen.
Including the fare, the total cost from Aomori to Kikonai is 5480 yen.

Also, the fare from Shin-Aomori to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto will be 7260 yen, so the difference will widen to 1780 yen.
If we consider the conventional railway lines, the section between Kikonai and Hakodate will be operated by the third-sector company, the Donan Isaribi Railway.

Based on the information available so far, the fare from Kikonai to Goryokaku is expected to be 970 yen. The fare to Hakodate, including transfer discounts, is expected to be 1110 yen.
In terms of cost, it's cheaper to transfer to a local train at Kikonai.

Furthermore, taking into account the discounted fares for the Hokkaido Shinkansen announced on January 5, 2016, the fares would be as follows:

*Shinkansen Advance Online Ticket: Reservations must be made online by 11:00 PM, 14 days prior to the desired date.
*Shinkansen Net Ticket: Reservations must be made online by 11 PM the day before.

As you can see from this table,
If you can make a reservation up to 14 days in advance, the price difference between Kikonai and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto is small (a difference of 330 yen).
- If you buy a ticket on the day of travel, there is a significant price difference between Kikonai and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto (a difference of 1,040 yen).
I think you can understand that.

Travel time

In terms of travel time, the journey from Kikonai to Hakodate takes approximately one hour. On the other hand, the Shinkansen (bullet train) journey from Kikonai to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, a distance of 35.1 km, is expected to take about 15 minutes.

Adding the 17-minute Hakodate Liner connecting Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and Hakodate, the total travel time is expected to be around 30 minutes, so the time difference due to transferring at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and Kikonai is 30 minutes.

Photo by Flickr: Hokuto and Super Hokucho (172/365/538) / Christopher Hsia

I want to get to Hakodate as soon as possible.
Alternatively, if you're on a time limit, transferring at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, where connections are expected to be smoother, would be a good option. On the other hand, if you want to enjoy the tranquil scenery of the fishing villages in southern Hokkaido and savor various local delicacies, then transferring at Kikonai would be the way to go.

Since the transfer situation at Kikonai is not yet fully clear, it will be necessary to continue monitoring the situation.
Either way, you're sure to thoroughly enjoy your trip, appreciating the nostalgia and filming locations of the southern Hokkaido region.

Final thoughts

So, what do you think? It's impossible to say whether trains or ferries are better for enjoying a trip.

You need to decide which option to choose depending on the purpose and style of your trip. Each offers a different kind of travel experience.

If you want to enjoy the charm of southern Hokkaido, the train is overwhelmingly the best option, but if you want to feel the wind blowing across the Tsugaru Strait and fill your heart with anticipation for the journey that will begin in Hokkaido, then the ferry is truly wonderful.

Price and time are also important factors.
We hope you will consider all factors and choose the best mode of transportation for you.

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