Japan Guide
Hokkaidō
Arrival
New Chitose airport ( 
0123/23-0111, 
www.new-chitose-airport.jp ), 40km southeast of Sapporo, is the main gateway into Hokkaidō and the connecting point for flights to other destinations on the island. From here, the fastest way to Sapporo is on the frequent JR train (35min; ¥1040), which runs from the station in the basement of the airport to Sapporo Station. The bus is cheaper (¥1000) but takes at least twice as long. There are also a few flights from Tokyo and Sendai to Okadama airport ( 011/781-4161, www.okadama-airport.co.jp ), 8km northeast of Sapporo, but it's mainly for services within Hokkaidō; a regular bus (30min; ¥400) runs from here to opposite the Chūō Bus Terminal.
Arriving by train, you'll pull in at busy Sapporo Station, six blocks north of Ōdōri-kōen, the park that bisects Sapporo from east to west. Long-distance buses terminate at Chūō Bus Terminal just northeast of Ōdōri-kōen and Sapporo Station Bus Terminal on the south side of the train station beneath the Esta shopping complex. The closest port to Sapporo is Otaru, 40km to the northwest, which is served by ferries from Honshū.