With the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen on March 26th approaching, Hokkaido and Hakodate are attracting a lot of attention. With its beautiful night views, rich history, delicious seafood, and hot springs, it's a place you'll definitely want to visit.

By the way, when traveling from Tokyo to Hakodate, the main question is probably whether to take the Shinkansen (bullet train) or an airplane, right?

So, in this article, we'll compare the advantages and disadvantages of the Shinkansen (bullet train) and airplanes from the perspective of which is actually better.

Table of contents
1. I compared them in a table.
2. Travel from Tokyo to Hakodate by Shinkansen (bullet train).
3. Travel from Tokyo to Hakodate by plane.
4. I considered other modes of transportation.
5. How to get there cheaply
XNUMX.Summary

The comparison items are: 1) number of flights, 2) travel time (boarding time), 3) travel time from Tokyo Station to Hakodate Station, 4) regular fare, and 5) discounted fare (cheapest price).

The reason there is variation in Shinkansen boarding times is due to the number of stops, and according to the current timetable, the first train of the day seems to take longer due to the number of stops it makes.

The discounted fares apply when using the "Super Mobile Suica Limited Express Ticket".
There is an annual membership fee of 1030 yen, but the discount rate is 31%, making it cheaper than any other fare.

It takes about 40 minutes to get from Tokyo Station to Haneda Airport by monorail.
It takes about 20 minutes by shuttle bus from Hakodate Airport.

Regarding discounted fares, some flights are now offering discounts of up to 70%.
While the number of flights and time slots are limited, it's highly recommended if your travel dates are already set.

First, let me introduce the Hokkaido Shinkansen, which we are all eagerly awaiting the opening of.

(Photo: H12 series train during test run in December 2014 / Hakodate Tourism Image Library)

Benefits

The biggest advantage of taking a spontaneous trip by Shinkansen is this:
As long as you have a reserved seat, it's fine even if you arrive just one minute before departure.

After that, you can relax and enjoy the local specialties of the places you pass through at your own pace.
The Shinkansen (bullet train) is the best way to enjoy your travel itinerary.

It's amazing how convenient things have become, being able to travel from Tokyo Station to Hokkaido without changing trains!

Also, enjoying the scenery of Japan is another pleasure.
From the vast Kanto region, which practically screams "Japan, Tokyo," to Tohoku, the clothing of people walking through the winter streets changes to thicker clothes, and the landscape gradually becomes covered in deeper snow.
Even houses are changing, from tiled roofs to corrugated iron roofs.

A Shinkansen (bullet train) journey reveals the profound depth and richness of Japan as a nation.
This is where you truly feel the joy of travel.

Drawbacks

However, the main obstacle is still time.

If you want to fully enjoy Hokkaido itself, it's a race against time.
Another drawback is that the sense of freedom is somewhat lacking compared to flying.

That's because, in order to maintain high speeds, the proportion of tunnels is a bit higher than usual, including the Seikan Tunnel, which is one of the longest in the world.
The lack of views and the long travel time might be a bit of a struggle for young children.

It's a shame that adult relaxation doesn't necessarily translate into family fun.
It might be essential to incorporate features that keep kids entertained.

Number of flights and times

According to the timetable as of December last year, the first train departs from Tokyo at 6:32 AM.

We will arrive at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station at 10:58. From Hakodate Station, it's expected to take about 15 minutes on the Hakodate Liner, so the famous Hakodate Morning Market will likely be something to look forward to tomorrow morning.

Since we'll arrive around 11 AM, we have plenty of time to choose from various lunch options, such as salt ramen near the station, a Chinese chicken burger from Lucky Pierrot (aka Rappi), or even a conveyor belt sushi restaurant that's known for its high quality.

The plan is to grab a bite to eat and then start sightseeing in Hakodate in the afternoon.
The last train departs at 18:36 and arrives in Tokyo at 23:04. Savoring the feeling of travel from the dark train window, I enjoyed a yakitori bento from Hasegawa Store as a substitute for a station bento, savored a Hokkaido-only Sapporo Classic beer, and took a short nap before arriving in Tokyo.

Please note that after this flight, the train will not go all the way to Tokyo, but will terminate at Morioka or Shin-Aomori.
Flights between Tokyo and Hakodate run approximately every one to two hours, so you can plan a relaxed itinerary.

Next, let's look at the option of flying from Haneda Airport.

Benefits

The biggest advantage is definitely time.
The actual time spent on the plane is less than one-third.
By combining this with renting a car, you can use that time for sightseeing.

Hakodate Airport is close to Yunokawa, an area with many accommodations, making it easy to plan a trip where you drop off your luggage and then go sightseeing in Hakodate city.
From Yunokawa Onsen, you can see the blue sea of ​​the Tsugaru Strait along the coastline, and on a clear day, you can even see Aomori in the distance.

Yunokawa Onsen image

With plenty of transportation options including streetcars, buses, taxis, and rental cars, you can minimize wasted time.

Another advantage is that, depending on the season, the discount rate far exceeds that of JR (Japan Railways).
In some cases, you can get a great deal on travel on routes that are designed with the Hokkaido Shinkansen in mind.

Even under normal circumstances, tickets would cost around 17000 yen at ticket shops, so you can use it quite affordably without having to pay an annual membership fee.

Drawbacks

Ultimately, the reliability of the Shinkansen will have to be surpassed.
During the winter months, you should be prepared for a certain degree of delays in equipment arrival or cancellations due to inclement weather.

Flights arriving in Hokkaido, including Hakodate, tend to be turbulent due to air currents, so those prone to motion sickness should take note of this.
Also, although the flight time itself is short, you will need time for checking in your luggage and going through the boarding procedures, so you should allow a reasonable amount of extra time.

Even after arriving, you still have to receive your package, so as a result, the biggest advantage, time savings, may not be fully realized.
Shopping at airports like Haneda and Hakodate is also enjoyable.

Hakodate Airport image

Number of flights and times

The first train departs from Haneda at 6:50 AM.
Since you'll arrive in Hakodate at 8:10, if you collect your luggage and hop on the shuttle bus, you'll arrive in front of Hakodate Station sometime in the 9 o'clock hour.

It's time for the morning market, a major tourist attraction, to come alive.
If you haven't had breakfast yet, you can enjoy seafood rice bowls or squid sashimi at the shops in front of the station or at the morning market.

Being able to eat the squid's liver, the "goro," as sashimi is something only possible at a morning market.
Please give it a try! You can enjoy the sweet and bitter flavors—the bounty of the sea. In the morning, you can also stroll around the Kanemori Warehouse District and Motomachi.

This travel itinerary is only possible because of the speed and efficiency of air travel.

Meanwhile, the last flight departs Hakodate Airport at 19:30 and arrives at Haneda Airport at 21:00.
Although it's about an hour later than the Shinkansen, considering the approximately 20-minute bus ride from Hakodate Station and the time needed for boarding procedures, it looks like I'll be leaving Hakodate Station sometime in the 5 PM hour.
We might not have much leeway.

★Check out Hokkaido Lab's special feature on Hakodate sightseeing!★

Method 1: Travel cheaply by express bus + Seikan Ferry

Overnight buses to Aomori depart from various locations within Tokyo.
In addition to Shinjuku Station and Tokyo Station, there are also departures from Ueno and Hamamatsucho.

(image)

Prices range from around 3,000 yen (depending on the date and booking time) to the Tsugaru-go Azumashito (10500 yen *during peak season), where each seat feels like a private room. Departures from Tokyo are between 9 PM and 21 PM, and arrivals in Aomori are between 8 AM and 22 AM.

By combining this with the Tsugaru Strait Ferry, the total cost to Hakodate ranges from 3190 yen to 2220 yen (standard second class). Even with the 200 yen shuttle bus fare, the cheapest option is 5320 yen.
However, you should be prepared for the time and physical fatigue involved.

For those who find it inconvenient to get from Aomori to the ferry terminal, there is also the Konan Bus Tokyo-Hakodate Ticket (8500 to 11000 yen), which allows you to board the ferry with the bus.

For those who want to enjoy a leisurely and relaxed trip without spending a lot of money, or for those who absolutely want to cross the Tsugaru Strait by boat, this might be the most delightful course.
The fares and timetables are as of January 2016. Please check the websites of each bus company for the most up-to-date information.

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

Part 2: LCC (Narita → Chitose) + Intercity Bus

Did you know that there are low-cost carriers (LCCs) that offer flights from New Chitose to Narita for as low as 4580 yen (Vanilla Air)?
This route is cheaper than the overnight bus, so I have no choice but to use it.

DSC_3864 / rail02000

First, I'll head to Narita. There are also LCCs from Haneda to Sapporo, but they're a bit more expensive at 7,800 yen.
A shuttle bus from Tokyo to Narita costs 900 yen. The monorail from Tokyo to Haneda costs 650 yen, so the difference is only 250 yen. Even considering the cost of transportation to the airport, it's cheaper to go from Narita.

The problem arises after arriving at New Chitose Airport. There are no express buses from New Chitose to Hakodate.
First, we'll head to Sapporo. The shuttle bus fare is 1030 yen. After that, we'll take the express bus to Hakodate (4600 yen to 4810 yen). It's even more economical if you can use a multi-ride ticket.

The total was 11110 yen. This is the price even when using an airplane.
It takes time, but it's much more economical than traveling directly.

Since you can also enjoy snacks at various tourist spots in between bus journeys, I think it's well worth the price.
If you have plenty of time and want to fully enjoy the scenery of Hokkaido, you should definitely give it a try.

Sapporo is a major part of the area, as are Mount Usu, one of Japan's most active volcanoes, and Funka Bay, famous for its scallop farming and hairy crabs.
Enjoy the scenic views of the majestic Mt. Komagatake and Lake Onuma as you leisurely make your way to Hakodate.
A luxurious way to spend your time. You're sure to enjoy a truly refreshing experience.

So far, I've introduced methods for booking bullet trains, airplanes, and buses individually, but there's also the option of purchasing them as part of a package tour.

Regarding package tours handled by travel agencies,
"Travelko"
"Travel.jp"
You can compare tours from different companies on websites like these.

Also, depending on the time of year, there are tours available that include round-trip flights from Tokyo and two nights' accommodation starting from 23,800 yen.

While package tours using round-trip Shinkansen tickets will likely become more common in the future, in terms of cost-effectiveness, tours using airplanes are still the best value!

The following are some of the disadvantages of using a tour:
- Airplane seats are limited (fewer than usual).
・Reservations must be made at least one week in advance.
Cancellation fees apply from three weeks prior to departure.

While you can't buy a tour package by saying "I want to go tomorrow or the day after," if you can decide on your dates to some extent in advance, it's definitely recommended.

The cherry blossoms at Goryokaku are usually at their best around Golden Week.

What do you think? For adult travel, nothing beats the comfort and ease of the Shinkansen (bullet train).

You'll feel that even more strongly if you use services like Gran Class.
Leave the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind until you board the bullet train, and from there, focus solely on enjoying the journey to Hakodate.

You can enjoy the local specialties and scenery along the way, making the journey to Hokkaido enjoyable as well.
Naturally, it's also recommended for couples who want to enjoy plenty of time together.

Airplanes are recommended for families and groups.
Since each activity doesn't take much time, children won't get bored, and best of all, you can save time and leisurely visit the tourist spots.

One advantage is that it's easy to use the standard Hokkaido option of renting a car from the airport.
Taking the bus is a way to save money, and is best suited for young people who are confident in their physical abilities.

Saving on accommodation costs, hopping on a train after work, and heading to romantic Hakodate—this plan is perfect for those who like to take action.
Using a low-cost carrier (LCC) might seem unconventional at first glance, but it allows you to enjoy all of Hokkaido to the fullest extent, for as long as your energy lasts.

Since the bus journey is long, you can use it to recover your energy. Choose your mode of transport wisely according to your purpose and budget, and enjoy Hakodate to the fullest.

[Check these out too!]
・Lots of delicious food and fun! A casual stroll around Hakodate Morning Market♪
・First time traveling to Hakodate! 7 must-see popular tourist spots
Recommended hot spring spots in Hakodate and southern Hokkaido [from famous hot springs to hidden gems]!
・Spectacular Views! Everything You Need to Know and Hidden Gems to Enjoy Hakodate's Night View to the Fullest

Please also check out these related articles.

• 

  The kitchen of Hakodate citizens! Enjoy insider shopping at Nakajima Renbai Market♪

• 

  For those who want to fully enjoy Hokkaido's drift ice! A summary of drift ice information and how to enjoy it!

• 

  Let's go to Moerenuma Park, a park in the suburbs of Sapporo where you can enjoy nature and art!

• 

  Sapporo Okurayama Ski Jump Stadium | The best spot for a panoramic view of the city!

• 

  Experience it at the Kitami Peppermint Museum! Customize your own rich Japanese peppermint cream♪

• 

  Winter events galore! A roundup of must-see sights for a February trip to Hokkaido!

• 

  A breathtaking sea of ​​clouds spreads over Lake Kussharo, Japan's largest caldera [Tsubetsu Pass, Bihoro Pass, Lake Mashu Observatory, Mt. Mokoto]

• 

  Let's go to Asahiyama Zoo by bus! Includes a comparison chart of tours departing from Sapporo that you can see at a glance.

Introducing our sister site (please check it out if you're interested)