Home > Blog > Shinkansen, Subway, and Train Lines in Sapporo, Japan

Shinkansen, Subway, and Train Lines in Sapporo, Japan

As part of our guide for travelers visiting Sapporo, Japan, below is an overview of the main train lines serving the city, including the high-speed Shinkansen train service, JR lines, the Sapporo Subway, and the trams/streetcars that run above ground.

Types of Trains in Sapporo, Japan

There are three types of train systems in Sapporo City:

Japan Railways (JR Lines)
Sapporo Municipal Subway
Sapporo Tram and Streetcar

Below we will describe each of these train systems, and their major lines.

Japan Railways (JR Lines)

The Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) provides train service throughout Hokkaido, with major service in Sapporo City, and connecting to other cities across the island. The JR lines are important to visitors to Sapporo, as they provides service to and from New Chitose Airport and Sapporo Station. Beyond Sapporo, some cities that JR provides service to includes Otaru, Asahikawa, Hakodate, Obihiro, Kushiro, and Wakkanai.

Chitose Line (千歳線) / Airport link

The Chitose Line connects Sapporo with the Chitose and Minami-Chitose areas, extending to New Chitose Airport, Hokkaido’s main international airport. It is one of JR Hokkaido’s busiest lines, providing rapid and local train services that make travel between the airport and downtown Sapporo quick and convenient. This line is also part of the route for limited express trains heading toward southern Hokkaido, serving both business travelers and tourists arriving in the region.

Hakodate Main Line (函館本線)

The Hakodate Main Line is one of JR Hokkaido’s most important railway routes, connecting Hakodate in southern Hokkaido with Sapporo, and Asahikawa in the north. Spanning approximately 423 kilometers, it serves as a vital link between major cities and scenic destinations across the island. From Sapporo, the line runs west toward Otaru and Niseko (famous for its ski resorts) and north toward Asahikawa, while the southern route leads to Hakodate via Oshamambe. The line offers a mix of express and local services, making it convenient for both daily commuters and travelers exploring Hokkaido’s diverse landscapes.

Sassho Line (札沼線／学園都市線)

Also known as the Gakuentoshi Line, the Sasshō Line runs north from Sapporo toward the town of Tobetsu. It mainly serves as a commuter line for residents of suburban areas and students traveling to universities in northern Sapporo. The line is fully electrified and offers smooth, quiet service with frequent trains during rush hours. Although not a major sightseeing route, it provides a comfortable way to experience Sapporo’s suburban scenery.

Muroran Main Line (室蘭本線)

The Muroran Main Line links the Sapporo area with the coastal city of Muroran and other towns along Hokkaido’s southern coast. It connects key industrial and port areas while also offering access to smaller seaside communities. This route is used by several limited express services that travel between Sapporo, Noboribetsu, and Hakodate. The line offers a pleasant coastal journey with beautiful sea views, particularly between Higashi-Muroran and Oshamambe.

Sekisho Line (石勝線)

The Sekisho Line connects Minami-Chitose with Shintoku and serves as an important rail corridor linking central and eastern Hokkaido. It passes through mountainous and forested regions, making it a scenic but less populated route. The line is used by limited express trains such as the “Ozora” and “Tokachi,” which connect Sapporo with major eastern cities like Obihiro and Kushiro. It’s ideal for travelers heading toward eastern Hokkaido’s national parks and hot spring areas.

Hidaka Main Line (日高本線)

The Hidaka Main Line runs along the Pacific coast from Tomakomai toward the Hidaka region, known for its horse-breeding farms and seaside scenery. Once a full coastal route, parts of the line have been suspended due to storm damage, but sections remain open for local service. It offers a quiet, scenic ride through rural landscapes and coastal towns, ideal for those who want to experience the slower pace of Hokkaido’s countryside.

Soya Main Line (宗谷本線)

Stretching from Asahikawa to Wakkanai, Japan’s northernmost city, the Soya Main Line is the country’s northernmost railway route. It travels through vast snowy plains and remote farming communities, offering a glimpse of Hokkaido’s untouched nature. While service frequency is limited, the line is popular among adventurous travelers heading toward Cape Soya, the northern tip of Japan. It provides one of the most unique rail journeys in the country.

Nemuro Main Line (根室本線)

The Nemuro Main Line connects central Hokkaido (Takikawa and Shintoku) with eastern Hokkaido and the city of Nemuro. It passes through Obihiro, one of the region’s major hubs, and offers a mix of farmland, forests, and open plains along the way. This long-distance route is important for both residents and tourists traveling across the island, and it’s especially scenic during winter when the landscape is blanketed in snow.

Furano Line (富良野線)

Running between Asahikawa and Furano, the Furano Line is one of the most popular scenic routes in Hokkaido. It takes passengers through beautiful countryside, flower fields, and rural villages, particularly famous for the lavender farms of Furano and the picturesque hills of Biei. The line is slower and more relaxed, perfect for travelers who want to enjoy Hokkaido’s natural beauty at a leisurely pace.

High-speed Shinkansen Service in Sapporo

While Sapporo is not yet directly connected to the mainland by the shinkansen, shinkansen service in Hokkaido currently runs from Shin-Aomori to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, with future extensions planned to reach Sapporo sometime after 2035. The proposed route of the shinkansen from Honshu to Hokkaido will pass through the existing service in Hakodate, then to Niseko, then Otaru, and terminate in the city of Sapporo.

Subway: Sapporo Municipal Subway (札幌市営地下鉄)

Operated by the Sapporo City Transportation Bureau, the Sapporo Municipal Subway is the main rapid transit system within central Sapporo. It offers fast, safe, and comfortable transportation for both locals and tourists, connecting key areas of the city including Odori, Susukino, and Sapporo Station.

Uniquely, the subway runs on rubber tires, making the ride smoother and quieter compared to conventional steel-wheeled trains. The system consists of three color-coded lines: Namboku (Green), Tozai (Orange), and Toho (Blue), with convenient transfers at central stations like Odori and Sapporo.

Namboku Line (南北線) – Green Line

The Namboku Line runs north to south through central Sapporo, connecting Asabu Station in the north to Makomanai Station in the south. It passes through major downtown areas such as Odori, Susukino, and Sapporo Station, making it one of the most frequently used lines by commuters and visitors.

This line provides easy access to key attractions like Nakajima Park, Hokkaido University, and Sapporo City Hall.

Tozai Line (東西線) – Orange Line

The Tozai Line runs east to west, linking Miyanosawa Station in the west to Shin-Sapporo Station in the east. It serves residential, shopping, and cultural districts, connecting travelers to places such as Maruyama Park, Odori Park, and the Sapporo Community Dome.

At Shin-Sapporo Station, passengers can easily transfer to the JR Chitose Line, providing direct access to New Chitose Airport.

Toho Line (東豊線) – Blue Line

The Toho Line runs in a northeast-south direction, with Sakaemachi Station as its northern terminal and Fukuzumi Station in the south. It serves the eastern side of Sapporo, passing through important spots such as Sapporo Dome, Higashi-Kuyakusho-Mae Station (Sapporo Ward Office), and Sapporo Station.

This line is especially convenient for visitors heading to Sapporo Dome, home to concerts and major sports events.

Sapporo Tram and Streetcar (札幌市電)

The Sapporo Streetcar, also known as the Sapporo Tram, is a charming and convenient way to explore central Sapporo. Operated by the Sapporo City Transportation Bureau, it runs in a loop system around the city’s downtown area, connecting major spots like Susukino, Odori, Nakajima Park, and the Mt. Moiwa Ropeway entrance. The entire loop covers about 8.9 kilometers and takes roughly 50 minutes to complete.

The tram is especially popular among visitors who wish to enjoy a local, nostalgic atmosphere while traveling between Sapporo’s key attractions. The system uses modern low-floor trams as well as older classic cars, blending new convenience with old-fashioned charm.

Inner Circle (内回り)

The Inner Circle route travels clockwise around the tram loop. It starts from Susukino, heading toward Nishi-jugo-chome (West 15-Chome) and continuing through Ropeway Iriguchi (Mt. Moiwa Ropeway entrance), Nishi-juhatchome, and back to Susukino. This route is often used by locals and visitors heading to Mt. Moiwa, Nakajima Park, or the local hot spring area around Nishi-jugo-chome.

Outer Circle (外回り)

The Outer Circle runs counterclockwise, beginning from Susukino and heading toward Yamahana-kujo, Nakajima-Koen-Dori, and Ropeway Iriguchi, before looping back through Nishi-jugo-chome to Susukino. This direction is great for travelers who want to hop off at Odori Park, Shiroishi River, or Susukino’s nightlife area, enjoying the city sights along the way.