Sapporo to Otaru: JR Pass & Reserved Seats Guide (2026)

For your independent trip to Sapporo,

the JR Rapid train is the fastest and most comfortable way

to get from Sapporo to Otaru.

From Sapporo Station to Otaru, it takes about 30-40 minutes,

and the one-way fare is around 800 yen, so it's quite affordable.

A reserved seat (U-seat), which guarantees you a spot,

usually costs an additional 1,000 yen,

but if you have a JR Pass, you can ride without any extra fees.

However, reservations for pass-holder reserved seats

must be made at Sapporo Station, not online.

Even though I had a JR Pass, making my reserved seat free,

I dragged my feet, and guess what happened?

The reserved seats from Sapporo Station to Otaru were sold out,

so I ended up standing by the door in the unreserved car all the way to Otaru.

If you're traveling independently by train, make sure to book in advance!

As of October 20, 2026,

ticket machines that read passports

have been installed at Sapporo Station and Shin-Chitose Airport Station.

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If you have an NTA (Nippon Travel Agency) e-ticket exchange voucher issued after October 20,

you can exchange it for a physical pass directly at the ticket machine

without needing to queue at the counter.

However, you will need the passports of all members of your group,

and paper exchange vouchers or JTRweb e-tickets

still need to be exchanged at the counter, as before.

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Ticket Machine Operating Hours

Sapporo Station: 5:30 AM ~ 11:50 PM,

Shin-Chitose Airport Station: 7:00 AM ~ 10:00 PM

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1. How to Get from Sapporo to Otaru: JR vs. Bus

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There are primarily two ways to get from Sapporo Station to Otaru:

by JR train or by express bus.

You can also opt for a tour package for a hassle-free journey.

JR trains run along the Hakodate Main Line,

with the Rapid Airport train, which departs from Shin-Chitose Airport,

passing through Sapporo Station and continuing directly to Otaru.

So, when traveling directly from the airport to Otaru,

you can take the same train.

We departed Sapporo Station at 10:30 AM

and arrived at Minami-Otaru Station at 11:00 AM.

It took exactly 30 minutes, much closer than we expected!

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The express bus is slightly cheaper than JR at 730 yen,

but it takes over an hour and can be delayed on snowy roads.

If your accommodation is in the Odori or Susukino area,

and getting to Sapporo Station is more of a hassle,

the bus might be a better option.

You'll have to sacrifice the romance of a train journey, though...^^

If you're staying at a hotel near Sapporo Station?

Without a doubt, taking the JR train to Otaru is the best choice!

On your way to Otaru, the sea unfolds on your right as you go,

and on your return to Sapporo, it'll be on your left!

Since my reserved seat for the return trip was on the left,

I got to gaze at the ocean views all the way back.

2. How to Reserve Seats for Your JR Pass at Sapporo Station

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I opted for a JR Area Pass, which gave me unlimited travel for 4 days.

The reason I chose an Area Pass instead of a full JR regional pass was simple:

I planned to take the train to Asahikawa, pick up a rental car there,

and then drive myself to Asahiyama Zoo and Biei!

If you purchase your JR Pass in advance

through JR-EAST Train Reservation before your departure,

it's 1,000 JPY cheaper than buying it at the local station.

You'll need to register for an account on their website first.

Besides the official website,

you can also purchase through

[ WAUG ] for convenience and a good price.

You can also buy from [ Klook ],

but keep in mind that sales might be temporarily suspended at times,

so be sure to check!

The seat reservation process can be a bit confusing.

Online seat reservations on the official website are only available for

Shinkansen and limited express trains.

For reserved seats (U-Seats) on the Rapid Airport train to Otaru,

you'll need to book them at a reserved seat ticket machine or counter at Sapporo Station.

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The exact location for making seat reservations is

detailed on the [WAUG sales page].

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I made sure to get my reserved seat in advance before heading to Asahikawa,

but for Otaru, I got a bit lazy and went on the morning of my trip.

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I showed up at the Sapporo Station information center at 10:10 AM,

only to find that all reserved seats for trains from Sapporo to Otaru were already sold out! 🥲

Luckily, I managed to secure a reserved seat for the return journey!

In the end, I had to take a non-reserved seat on the train to Otaru,

but the queue on the platform was incredibly long, so I couldn't even get a seat

and ended up standing by the door the entire way.

The non-reserved cars have a subway-like layout with long benches along the sides,

which can be quite inconvenient if you're traveling with a lot of luggage.

So, as soon as you arrive at Sapporo Station,

make sure to book your reserved seats for both your outbound and return journeys at the same time!

Especially during weekends or the peak winter season, they sell out quickly in the morning!

Let's also calculate the break-even point for the JR Pass.

If you only take round trips between New Chitose Airport (1,230 JPY × 2) and

Otaru (800 JPY × 2), it's

4,060 JPY for non-reserved seats,

or 8,060 JPY even if you use all reserved seats.

If you're only planning to travel these two specific routes,

it's actually cheaper to buy individual tickets as you go, rather than purchasing a JR Pass.

The JR Pass definitely becomes worthwhile when you add an extra day to visit farther destinations

like Noboribetsu or Biei.

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Actually, there's one more great reason to buy the Hokkaido JR Pass!

Inside Sapporo Station, past the JR Pass QR gate,

there are so many amazing restaurants, LOL!

It was super convenient to freely go in and out of the station, shops, and the shopping mall.

Here's a spot inside Sapporo Station that you absolutely must check out.

It's within the JR station premises!

3. Minami-Otaru Station vs. Otaru Station: Your Walk to Otaru Canal

The **Rapid service to Otaru**

stops at Minami-Otaru Station first,

and then continues to Otaru Station, which is the final stop.

While you can get off at either station,

your itinerary will look completely different depending on where you alight!

I chose to get off at Minami-Otaru Station

and followed the crowd towards the Music Box Museum.

No need to worry, just follow where everyone else is going!

The downhill path made for an easy walk,

but it was a rainy day, so the ground was quite slippery.

In winter, anti-slip shoes are an absolute must.

(I even wore hiking boots!)

After about an 8-minute walk from the station,

I found the Otaru Steam Clock, which spouts steam every 15 minutes,

and right in front of it were the Otaru Music Box Museum and the LeTAO Main Store.

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From here,

if you follow Sakaimachi Street downhill,

you'll reach the **Otaru Canal**, and

it's about a 10-minute walk from the canal to Otaru Station.

The walking distance from Minami-Otaru Station to Otaru Station

is about 2 km, so

it's perfect for a leisurely stroll while enjoying the sights.

To avoid uphill climbs,

the perfect plan is to alight at Minami-Otaru Station when you arrive

and board your train from Otaru Station when you leave.

In winter, the Otaru Canal is most beautiful at dusk

when the gas lamps illuminate.

The **Otaru Canal Cruise** also operates in winter, and

You’ll cruise for about 40 minutes on a boat with a roof and seat heaters.

I'll cover the full Otaru day trip itinerary, which walks you through everything from LeTAO's main store desserts and the Music Box Museum to Miffy Port Town and street ramen, in the next post.

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4. How to Get from Sapporo to Otaru: Q&A

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Q.

Where do I board the JR train from Sapporo Station to Otaru?

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A.

You'll board it from the platform inside the JR ticket gate at Sapporo Station.

Just check the electronic display board for trains heading to Otaru (小樽) and head up to the indicated platform. The train we took was on Platform 4, but it can vary, so always check the display board.

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Q.

Is there a way to use the Otaru JR Rapid train cheaply?

A.

If you're only visiting Otaru, a one-way unreserved seat ticket for 800 yen is the cheapest option.

A JR Pass is beneficial if you plan to travel further than just the airport and Otaru for an additional day. If you want to get an unreserved seat, you'll want to queue up on the platform 15-20 minutes before departure.

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Q.

How many hours are enough for a day trip to Otaru?

A.

To comfortably see Otaru Canal, you'll want to set aside at least 4 hours.

I arrived at 11 AM and returned on the 1:53 PM train, but after waiting at LeTAO and exploring the Music Box Museum, I barely had time to visit the canal. In the end, I skipped the canal and headed back to the station.

So, why didn't I stay in Otaru until the evening, and why did I return so quickly?

It's because there was a massive downpour that day.

The heavy rain made it difficult to walk around, and I felt it would be tough to stay until evening, so I decided to return to Sapporo Station and enjoy some delicious food instead!

For your return reserved seat, book it for the evening to allow plenty of time~

However, if planning a day trip to Otaru feels too troublesome, a one-day bus tour is also a great option.

The key to getting from Sapporo to Otaru smoothly is to book your round-trip reserved seats to Otaru as soon as you arrive at Sapporo Station.

Go to Minami-Otaru Station, return from Otaru Station. Just remembering this will make your visit to Otaru Canal much easier.

Also, check out accommodations near Sapporo Station that are convenient for Otaru, and a 3-night, 4-day Sapporo itinerary.

Japan Sapporo 3-Night, 4-Day Travel Itinerary, Including Biei and Otaru (Winter Sapporo Flight Discounts)blog.naver.com

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