When you decide to go to eastern Hokkaido for sightseeing or business, you might wonder what kind of transportation you should use.

JR train? Airplane? Or maybe a rental car? And so on.

When traveling to eastern Hokkaido using public transportation, the option with the most variety is actually intercity buses.

There are actually a great many routes connecting Sapporo and New Chitose Airport with various locations in eastern Hokkaido, totaling 11 routes.

So, in this article, I'll introduce a comprehensive list of buses to eastern Hokkaido that are incredibly useful to know about.

1: From Sapporo/New Chitose Airport to Obihiro/Tokachi area
　　(Bound for Obihiro, Tokachigawa Onsen, Ashoro, and Hiroo)
2: From Sapporo/New Chitose Airport to Kushiro/Nemuro area
　　(Bound for Kushiro, Lake Akan, Nakashibetsu, and Nemuro)
3. From Sapporo to Shiretoko, Abashiri, and the Okhotsk region.
　　(Bound for Abashiri, Kitami, Shiretoko, Monbetsu, and Engaru)

1-1: Sapporo - Obihiro [Potato Liner]

Name: Potato Liner
Route: Sapporo - Obihiro Station
Travel time: Minimum 3 hours 25 minutes (Sapporo Station - Obihiro Station)
Number of flights: 10 round trips per day
Fare: 3,770 yen one way, 7,130 yen round trip
Seating: 4 rows
Operating companies: Joint operation by Hokkaido Chuo Bus, Hokuto Kotsu, Tokachi Bus, JR Hokkaido Bus, and Hokkaido Takushoku Bus.
[Bus details and reservations provided by Kosoku Bus.com]
Sapporo → Obihiro　Obihiro → Sapporo

First, let me introduce the "Potato Liner," an intercity bus service connecting Sapporo and Obihiro.

From Sapporo Station, the Chuo Bus Sapporo Terminal, and the Ooyachi Subway Station to Obihiro Station.

With 10 departures per day, the fare is a reasonable 3,770 yen one way, which is nearly 3,000 yen cheaper than the regular JR fare (6,700 yen for a basic ticket plus an unreserved express ticket).

Please note that there are three routes for buses stopping near Obihiro: via Shimizu, via Otofuke, and direct (via Tokachi Bus Headquarters). If you wish to get off before Obihiro, please check the schedule before making a reservation.

1-2: New Chitose Airport - Obihiro/Tokachigawa Onsen [Tokachi Milky Liner]

Name: Tokachi Milky Liner
Route: New Chitose Airport - Obihiro/Tokachigawa Onsen
Travel time: Minimum 3 hours 25 minutes (New Chitose Airport - Tokachigawa Onsen)
Number of flights: 5 round trips per day (some operate between New Chitose Airport and Obihiro)
Fare: 3,900 yen one way, 7,400 yen round trip (New Chitose Airport - Tokachigawa Onsen)
Seating: 3-row independent seats
Operating companies: Joint operation by Hokuto Kotsu and Obiun Kanko
For more informationCLICK HEREから

The "Tokachi Milky Liner" connects New Chitose Airport and Minami-Chitose Station with Obihiro Station and Tokachigawa Onsen.

For travelers with large luggage, the ability to reach Obihiro or Tokachigawa Onsen directly by bus from New Chitose Airport, accessible from various parts of Japan and overseas, is very convenient (a transfer at Minami-Chitose Station is required if using JR).

From New Chitose Airport, take a bus straight to Tokachigawa Onsen. Upon arrival, relax in the high-quality moor hot springs. It's wonderful!

1-3: Sapporo/New Chitose Airport - Tokachigawa Onsen/Ashoro [Marimo Express Sapporo]

Name: Marimo Express Sapporo
Route: Sapporo/New Chitose Airport - Obihiro/Tokachigawa Onsen/Ashoro/Lake Akan
Duration: 4 hours 25 minutes (Sapporo - Tokachigawa Onsen)
Number of flights: 1 round trip per day
Fare: 4,000 yen one way (Sapporo/New Chitose Airport - Tokachigawa Onsen)
Seating: 4 rows of seats (no toilet)
Operating company: Abashiri Kanko Kotsu
[Bus details and reservations provided by Kosoku Bus.com]
Sapporo New Chitose Airport → Tokachigawa Onsen　Tokachigawa Onsen → Sapporo/New Chitose Airport

The "Marimo Express" originally began operating as a bus service for guests staying at inns in the Akan Lake hot spring area. Since 2017, it has become even more convenient, allowing passengers who board in Sapporo or New Chitose Airport to disembark at Tokachigawa Onsen or Ashoro.

However, there is only one service per day. If the timing works for you, why not give it a try?

Please note that the boarding location in Sapporo is the Century Royal Hotel, near Sapporo Station, so be careful not to go to the Sapporo Station bus terminal by mistake.

Image of "Sairinka," a winter tradition of Tokachi.

1-4: Sapporo - Urakawa/Hiroo [High-Speed ​​Hiroo Santa Bus]

Name: High-speed Hiroo Santa
Section: Sapporo - Urakawa/Hiroo
Travel time: 4 hours 35 minutes (Sapporo Station - Hiroo Station)
Number of flights: 1 round trip per day
Fare: 4,630 yen one way, 8,230 yen round trip (Sapporo - various bus stops within Hiroo town)
Seating: 3-row independent seats
Operating company: JR Hokkaido Bus
For more informationCLICK HEREから

The "Hiroo Santa Express" is the only bus connecting Sapporo to Hiroo Town in southern Tokachi. Unlike other buses that run along the Doto Expressway, you can enjoy the scenery along the Hidaka coastline from the window!

There is only one flight per day, departing Sapporo at 16:40 PM, so you will need to plan your itinerary around Hiroo.

2-1: Sapporo - Kushiro [Starlight Kushiro]

Name: Starlight Kushiro
Route: Sapporo - Kushiro
Travel time: Minimum 5 hours 15 minutes (Sapporo Station - Kushiro Station)
Number of services: 5 round trips per day, one of which is an overnight bus.
Fare: 5,770 yen one way, 10,490 yen round trip (Sapporo Station - Kushiro Station)
Seating: 3-row independent seats
Operating companies: Joint operation by Hokkaido Chuo Bus, Akan Bus, and Kushiro Bus.
[Bus details and reservations provided by Kosoku Bus.com]
Sapporo → Kushiro　Kushiro → Sapporo

There are currently two types of express buses operating between Sapporo and Kushiro City. One of them is the "Starlight Kushiro" bus.

With departures from early morning to late night, and even one overnight service, there's plenty of variety to choose from. The travel time has also been shortened thanks to the extension of the Doto Expressway to the Akan Interchange, arriving in just 5 hours and 15 minutes. It's become even more convenient.

The fare is 5,770 yen, which is about 3,000 yen cheaper than the regular JR fare (8,850 yen for a basic ticket plus an unreserved express ticket), making it an attractive option for casual use.

2-2: Sapporo - Kushiro [Kushiro Limited Express New Star]

Name: Kushiro Limited Express New Star
Route: Sapporo - Kushiro
Travel time: Minimum 5 hours 6 minutes (Sapporo Station - Kushiro Station)
Number of services: 4 round trips per day, one of which is an overnight bus.
Fare: 5,600 yen one way, 10,100 yen round trip (Sapporo Station - Kushiro Station)
Seating: 3-row independent seats
Operating company: Hokkaido Bus [Bus details and reservations provided by Kosoku Bus.com]
Sapporo → Kushiro　Kushiro → Sapporo

Another type of express bus connecting Sapporo and Kushiro is the "Kushiro Express New Star." This service operates four times a day, one less than the "Starlight Kushiro."

The advantages of this option include that it stops at the Kushiro Fisherman's Wharf MOO shopping complex in Kushiro, and it's slightly cheaper at 5,600 yen than the Starlight Kushiro bus.

However, there isn't much difference in price, so you can choose which bus to take depending on the time of day.

2-3: Sapporo/New Chitose Airport - Obihiro - Lake Akan [Marimo Express Sapporo]

Name: Marimo Express Sapporo
Route: Sapporo/New Chitose Airport - Obihiro/Tokachigawa Onsen/Ashoro - Lake Akan
Duration: 6 hours 35 minutes (Sapporo - Akan Lake Onsen)
Number of flights: 1 round trip per day
Fare: 6,000 yen one way (Sapporo New Chitose Airport - Lake Akan)　
One-way fare: 2,000 yen (Obihiro/Tokachigawa Onsen - Lake Akan)
Seating: 4 rows of seats (no toilet)
Operating company: Abashiri Kanko Kotsu
[Bus details and reservations provided by Kosoku Bus.com]
Sapporo New Chitose Airport → Tokachigawa Onsen　Tokachigawa Onsen → Sapporo/New Chitose Airport

The "Marimo Express," which started as a shuttle bus for guests staying at Lake Akan from Sapporo, is characterized by its marimo (moss ball) color scheme.

This bus route, which provides direct access to Lake Akan in the mountainous region, is popular mainly with tourists. It can also be boarded from Obihiro and Tokachigawa Onsen, making it a recommended option for individual sightseeing trips.

Since the bus doesn't have a toilet, taking breaks along the way makes it feel more like a typical tour bus trip!

Especially during the winter months when driving can be difficult, why not take a bus trip to Lake Akan, where the frozen surface of the lake is stunning?

Lake Akan (
image)

2-4: Sapporo - Nakashibetsu/Nemuro [Aurora Express]

Name: Aurora
Route: Sapporo - Nakashibetsu, Betsukai, Atsutoko, Nemuro
Duration: 8 hours 30 minutes (Sapporo to Nemuro)
Number of flights: 1 round trip per day (weekdays), 2 round trips on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and the day before public holidays.
Fare: One-way 7,400 yen (Sapporo - Nemuro), Round-trip 13,400 yen
Seating: 3-row independent seats
Operating companies: Hokuto Kotsu and Nemuro Bus (joint operation)
For more informationCLICK HEREから

The "Aurora" is an intercity bus that connects Sapporo to Nemuro City, the easternmost city in Japan.

This service operates daily, stopping at various locations between Sapporo and Nemuro (Nakashibetsu and Betsukai), while the buses that run only on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays, and the day before public holidays operate as direct services that do not pass through Nakashibetsu and Betsukai.

This convenient intercity bus service allows you to travel directly to Nakashibetsu and Betsukai, destinations inaccessible by JR train, and also to Nemuro, which requires further transfers from Kushiro.

3-1: Sapporo - Kitami/Abashiri [Dreamint Okhotsk]

Name: Dreamint Okhotsk
Route: Sapporo - Kitami, Bihoro, Abashiri
Duration: 5 hours 55 minutes (Sapporo - Abashiri)
Number of flights: 10 round trips per day (including one overnight flight and one flight departing from/arriving in Kitami)
Fare: One-way 6,390 yen (Sapporo - Nemuro), Round-trip 12,040 yen
Seating: 3-row independent seats
Operating companies: Hokkaido Chuo Bus, Hokkaido Kitami Bus, and Abashiri Bus (joint operation)
[Bus details and reservations provided by Kosoku Bus.com]
Sapporo → Kitami, Bihoro, Abashiri　Kitami, Bihoro, Abashiri → Sapporo

The "Dreamint Okhotsk" is an intercity bus that connects Sapporo to Kitami and Abashiri, the central cities of the Okhotsk region.

The bus covers a long distance of approximately 350 km in just under 6 hours. With 10 departures per day, it's an essential and convenient mode of transportation for traveling to Kitami and Abashiri.

Incidentally, Kitami is a production area for mint. You can't help but feel the attention to detail, from the fact that the bus name includes "mint" to the fact that the hand towels provided on the bus are mint-flavored.

Kitami Pearson Memorial Hall (image)

3-2: Sapporo - Shiretoko [Eagle Liner]

Name: Eagle Liner
Section: Sapporo - Saroma, Higashimokoto, Kiyosato, Shari, Utoro
Duration: 6 hours 55 minutes (Utoro → Sapporo)
Number of flights: One round trip per day (Sapporo to Shiretoko is an overnight flight, Shiretoko to Sapporo is a daytime flight)
Fare: One-way 8,230 yen (Sapporo - Nemuro), Round-trip 15,430 yen
Seating: 3-row independent seats
Operating company: Shari Bus
[Bus details and reservations provided by Kosoku Bus.com]
Sapporo → Shiretoko Utoro　Shiretoko Utoro → Sapporo

The Eagle Liner is a bus that provides direct service from Sapporo to Shiretoko Utoro, a World Natural Heritage site. Since the Sapporo departure is an overnight service, it's especially recommended for those who want to travel to Shiretoko while keeping accommodation costs down.

Incidentally, some hotels offer a plan that includes a hot spring bath and breakfast upon arrival in Shiretoko Utoro (for details, see below).CLICK HEREfrom).

How about planning a trip with Eagle Liner, arriving in Shiretoko early in the morning (arriving at Utoro Bus Terminal at 06:30 AM), refreshing yourself in a hot spring, and then trekking around the Shiretoko Five Lakes?

Shiretoko Utoro (image)

3-3: Sapporo - Monbetsu [Drift Ice Monbetsu Express]

Name: Drift Ice Monbetsu
Route: Sapporo - Takinoue/Monbetsu
Duration: 4 hours 20 minutes (Sapporo - Monbetsu)
Number of flights: 4 round trips per day (one of which goes via Asahikawa)
Fare: One-way 4,930 yen (Sapporo - Nemuro), Round-trip 9,230 yen
Seating: 4 rows
Operating companies: Joint operation by Hokkaido Chuo Bus, JR Hokkaido Bus, Dohoku Bus, and Hokumon Bus.
[Bus details and reservations provided by Kosoku Bus.com]
Sapporo → Monbetsu　Monbetsu → Sapporo

The Ryuhyo Monbetsu-go is an intercity bus connecting Sapporo to Monbetsu, a town known for its drift ice. It is the only public transportation that goes directly to Monbetsu (Monbetsu Airport only has flights to Haneda, not Chitose).

There are four departures per day, and you can choose your departure time from morning to evening. Why not take a trip to enjoy delicious seafood, not just during the drift ice season?

3-4: Sapporo - Engaru [Limited Express Engaru]

Name: Limited Express Engaru
Route: Sapporo - Engaru
Duration: 3 hours 52 minutes (Sapporo - Engaru)
Number of flights: 2 round trips per day
Fare: One-way 3,980 yen (Sapporo - Nemuro), Round-trip 7,540 yen
Seating: 4 rows
Operating companies: Joint operation by Hokkaido Chuo Bus, Dohoku Bus, and Hokkaido Kitami Bus.
[Bus details and reservations provided by Kosoku Bus.com]
Sapporo → Engaru　Engaru → Sapporo

This intercity bus connects Sapporo to Engaru, a town of 20,000 people near Lake Saroma. There are two departures per day, and the journey takes approximately 4 hours.

Engaru Park offers attractions that vary by season, such as the moss phlox in spring, which is at its best, and the cosmos garden, which blooms from summer to autumn.

Final thoughts

This concludes our introduction to all 11 types of intercity bus routes connecting Sapporo/New Chitose Airport with various locations in eastern Hokkaido.

Information on intercity buses is presented separately by each bus company, so it's actually quite difficult to keep track of all the different types of buses available.

In addition to the buses introduced here, there are also sightseeing buses that are planned to operate for a limited time, and we will introduce them as soon as they are announced (around mid-June).

Take a trip from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport to eastern Hokkaido using the affordable and convenient buses!

*The information for each bus is current as of May 2017. Please note that seating arrangements may change due to additional services or other factors.

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