Access to Annupuri Lodge in Niseko
In the heart of Hokkaido ski country
By Air
Sapporo-Chitose Airport is the nearest airport to Niseko.
For domestic flights from Tokyo, Skymark Airlines generally offer the cheapest flights. Other airlines offering domestic flights are JAL, ANA, and Airdo.
For international flights, it is recommended to fly directly to Sapporo-Chitose Airport unless you are planning to spend time in Tokyo first.
Flying time to Sapporo-Chitose Airport
From Tokyo-Haneda Airport - 90min
From Osaka-Itami Airport - 120min
By Bus, Train or Car
Bus fares from the Airport to Niseko
4,600 yen round-trip
2,300 yen one way
Bus service is the best way to get to Niseko from the airport. There are three main Bus companies that service the airport to Niseko route. Chuo, Donan and Goodsports Whiteliner. Goodsports Whiteliner always have English speaking staff at their counter at the airport and are the only bus company that service the Wednesday and Saturday evening arrivals from Australia.
If you are booked on the Whiteliner they won't leave the airport until you are on the bus! Let us know your flight info and we can make a reservation for you. Payment can be made at the counter in the airport. Bus counters are located 20 meters from the domestic JAL arrivals counter on the ground floor. The trip takes about 2.5 hours and there is a restroom and refreshment stop halfway. When you arrive in Annupuri we will be waiting to take you to the lodge a couple of minutes away.
You can also take the bus from Sapporo to Niseko. They depart from Sapporo Station between 7:20 and 17:20.
For timetables and booking form please click the button below.
Train fares from the Airport to Niseko
2,830yen (one way)
Because of often requiring a transfer at Sapporo or Otaru and there not being guaranteed a seat, we don't recommend taking the train to Niseko from the airport. However if you plan on checking out Sapporo before you come to Niseko then the train is the best option. They have JR (Japan Rail) trains leaving from directly below the airport to Sapporo every 15 minutes. The train ride is 40 minutes, has announcements in English and is only 1040yen. Bookings are not necessary. They have coin lockers at the north side of Sapporo Station which fit skis, snowboards and large suitcases. If you wish to stay in Sapporo overnight we would like to recommend Sapporo Station Hotel. Located 50 meters from the station and rates per-room starting at 6090yen per-night. For more details on Sapporo Station hotel, see hotel rates in Sapporo.
Driving to Niseko
This is the least desirable option to get to Niseko as the roads in Hokkaido during winter are always icy and visibility very poor, making it very tough to know where you are going. In addition, daily rates are around 15,000yen.
If you really want to drive, Hertz, Budget, Nissan and Toyota rental car companies have counters at Chitose (Sapporo) airport. International driver's license is required, 4WD is a must. Reservations are recommended but not necessary. Most vehicles have navigation but the trick is how to use them as they are all in Japanese. From the airport you take route 276 all the way via Lake Shikotsuko and Bifue pass to get to Kutchan. From Sapporo you take route 230 via Nakayama pass and Kimobetsu town. After Kimobetsu turn right at the crossing of route 276 toward Kutchan.
If you just want use of a vehicle in Niseko, a local Canadian-owned rental car company has a cheap fleet of 4WD vans and SUV'S starting at 6,000yen per-day. Please inform us regarding reservations.
Useful links
Chuo Bus
http://www.niseko-bus.cbbs.co.jp/teikan/sap_chitose.html
Whiteliner
http://www.goodsports.co.jp/eng/bus/bus-cts.html#niseko
Door-to-door shuttle
http://www.skybus-jp.com/index.html