Where should I spend the middle day of a three-day trip?

Day 1 · Clock Tower and Odori Park after arrival

Visit the Clock Tower for a glimpse of Sapporo’s past, then walk through Odori Park. Visit Otaru Canal on day 2; leave the TV Tower until the final day only if there’s time before the airport journey.

1. New Chitose Airport arrivals → JR signs in the domestic terminal

   After international immigration and luggage collection, take the Level 2 passage to the domestic terminal. For domestic arrivals, start by following the terminal’s JR signs.

   Official New Chitose Airport floor map · as at 17 September 20262026-10-09

2. Domestic terminal → New Chitose Airport Station on Basement 1

   Follow JR signs down to New Chitose Airport Station on Basement 1. Terminal transfers and train waits are outside the time on board.

   Airport access by JR2026-10-08

3. New Chitose Airport Station → JR Sapporo Station

   Take an Airport train towards Sapporo and get off there. Reserved seating adds a seat charge to the unreserved fare.

   Official JR access and timetables2026-10-08Standard JR fares2026-10-09

4. Sapporo Station → Makomanai-bound Namboku Line → Odori

   Take the Namboku Line towards Makomanai and get off one stop later at Odori. From Odori accommodation, walk from the station area to the Clock Tower.

   Subway map2026-10-08

5. Odori Station, City Hall side exit → Clock Tower → park and dinner

   Walk about 5 minutes from the City Hall side exit and visit the Clock Tower interior first. If you miss the regular 17:00 last entry, see the exterior and skip the indoor visit. Walk through the park’s eastern end and eat in the city centre. Check official notices separately for night-opening hours and areas accessible.

   Station exits and facility access2026-10-08Official Clock Tower admission, hours and last entry2026-10-09Sapporo tourism guide2026-10-08Admission and opening hours2026-10-09Official Sapporo Clock Tower evening-opening notice2026-10-09

6. Odori Station → Asabu-bound Namboku Line → Sapporo accommodation

   For accommodation near Sapporo Station, take an Asabu-bound Namboku Line train from Odori.

   Subway map2026-10-08

Day 2 · Otaru Canal walk → return to Sapporo

1. Sapporo Station → JR Otaru Station → canal

   Take a JR train towards Otaru. The canal is about a 10-minute walk from Otaru Station.

   Official Hokkaido tourism guide2026-10-08Trains and operations for your date2026-10-08

2. Otaru Canal and station area → Walk, lunch and return train planning

   Walk by the canal and choose lunch around the canal or station. If you stay into the evening, check restaurant hours and JR trains back to Sapporo together.

   Official Hokkaido tourism guide2026-10-08Trains and operations for your date2026-10-08

3. Otaru Station → JR Sapporo Station → accommodation

   Take a Sapporo-bound train from Otaru for the return journey. A paid canal cruise is not included.

   Trains and operations for your date2026-10-08Official Hokkaido tourism guide2026-10-08

Day 3 · TV Tower → New Chitose Airport

Look over the city from the TV Tower, then head to New Chitose Airport.

1. From accommodation near Sapporo Station → Namboku Line Sapporo Station

   Use your accommodation’s recommended exit and walking route to reach the Namboku Line station. Distinguish the subway station from JR Sapporo Station.

   Confirm with your booked accommodation near Sapporo Station: walking directions to the Namboku Line station.

2. Namboku Line Sapporo Station → Makomanai-bound train → Odori

   Take a train towards Makomanai and get off one stop later at Odori. Continue with the directions to the tower below.

   Subway map2026-10-08

3. From Odori accommodation → Odori Station and Aurora Town

   Use a nearby entrance and head towards Odori Station and Aurora Town.

   Confirm with your booked accommodation in Odori: walking directions to Odori Station and Aurora Town.

4. Odori Station and Aurora Town → Tickets on TV Tower Level 3

   Leave via entrance 27, enter the nearby tower and go to the Level 3 ticket counter. Show the combination ticket bought on day 1, or buy an individual adult ticket for JPY 1,200.

   Directions2026-10-08Admission and opening hours2026-10-09

5. TV Tower Level 3 → Observation deck → Odori Station

   See the city and park from the deck, then return downstairs towards entrance 27. Finish in time for your airport-bound JR train.

   Admission and opening hours2026-10-09Directions2026-10-08

6. TV Tower and Odori → Same accommodation and JR Sapporo Station

   Take the Asabu-bound Namboku Line one stop from Odori to Sapporo, then walk to JR. Collect luggage at Odori accommodation before boarding the subway, or at Sapporo accommodation after getting off. Include the luggage-collection detour in your airport travel time.

   Subway map2026-10-08

7. JR Sapporo Station → Airport train → New Chitose Airport Station

   Take the airport-bound train checked for your date and get off at the terminus. The reference adult unreserved one-way fare is JPY 1,230; check the official fare for your date or the displayed fare. Reserved seating in Airport train car 4 costs extra.

   Official JR access and timetables2026-10-08Standard JR fares2026-10-09

8. New Chitose Airport Station, Basement 1 → Domestic-terminal Level 2

   Follow airport signs up to domestic-terminal Level 2. For a domestic flight, follow the domestic procedure step below; for international departures, continue through the Level 2 passage.

   Airport access by JR2026-10-08Official New Chitose Airport floor map · as at 17 September 20262026-10-09

9. Domestic-terminal Level 2, for a domestic flight → Airline counter and security

   Go to your airline’s counter. Follow its guidance for your date on check-in, bag drop, security and gate-arrival deadlines.

   Confirm with your booked airline: domestic departure counter and procedure deadlines.

10. Domestic-terminal Level 2, for an international flight → Level 2 passage → international terminal

    Follow the international-terminal passage on Level 2. Allow time to walk between terminals after leaving the airport station.

    Official New Chitose Airport floor map · as at 17 September 20262026-10-09

11. International-terminal Level 2 → Level 3 departures

    Follow departure signs up to Level 3. Check your airline counter’s location in the airport guide for your date.

    Official New Chitose Airport floor map · as at 17 September 20262026-10-09

12. International-terminal Level 3 → Airline counter and departure procedures

    Go to your airline’s counter. Follow its guidance for your date on time needed for check-in, bag drop, security, immigration and reaching the gate.

    Confirm with your booked airline: international departure counter and procedure deadlines.

Day 1 · Arrive in Hakodate and see the night view

See Hakodate’s night view and Goryokaku’s star-shaped fort on different days. Plan the first day’s summit visit around ropeway operating dates and your arrival time.

1. Hakodate Airport arrivals → Airport bus stop 2

   After luggage collection, use the exit near arrivals and go to stop 2. Check the station-bound fast route 8 timetable for your date.

   Hakodate Bus airport-to-station guide2026-10-08Official airport stop timetable2026-10-08

2. Airport stop 2 → Hakodate Station

   Take fast route 8 to Hakodate Station. The direct ride is about 25 minutes and JPY 500 for adults; waiting and road delays are extra.

   Hakodate Bus airport-to-station guide2026-10-08Airport guide2026-10-08

3. Hakodate Station → Tram to Jujigai

   Take a tram towards Yachigashira or Hakodate-Dock-mae from outside the station and get off at Jujigai.

   Tram guide2026-10-08

4. Jujigai stop → Ropeway lower station

   Walk uphill for roughly 10 minutes to the lower station. On suspension days, choose a harbour walk instead of going uphill.

   Access map2026-10-08Official suspension notice2026-10-08

5. Lower station Level 1 → Level 3 boarding lobby

   Buy a return ticket on Level 1 and go to the Level 3 boarding lobby. The adult return fare is JPY 1,800, excluding ticketing and boarding waits.

   Lower station floor guide2026-10-08Fares and opening hours2026-10-08

6. Lower station Level 3 → Summit observation deck

   Take the ropeway to the summit and look over the city and sea from the deck. The ride takes roughly 3 minutes. Finish in time for the last descent and return tram.

   Fares and opening hours2026-10-08Access map2026-10-08Tram guide2026-10-08

7. Summit station → Lower station

   Take the ropeway down, allowing for queues rather than staying until just before the last descent.

   Fares and opening hours2026-10-08

8. Lower station → Jujigai stop

   Walk back down the hill along the way you came to Jujigai.

   Access map2026-10-08

9. Jujigai stop → Hakodate Station and same accommodation

   Take a tram towards Yunokawa and get off at Hakodate Station to return to your accommodation. Use the same tram direction after a harbour walk on ropeway suspension days.

   Tram guide2026-10-08

Day 2 · Goryokaku, lunch and a park walk

1. Hakodate Station → Tram to Goryokaku-Koen-mae → tower Level 1 tickets

   Take a Yunokawa-bound tram to Goryokaku-Koen-mae. Walk about 10 minutes to the tower and buy a ticket at the Level 1 counter.

   Tram guide2026-10-08Getting there2026-10-08Admission and opening hours2026-10-08

2. Goryokaku Tower → Lunch and park walk

   After the view from the tower, walk towards Goryokaku Park and eat nearby. Return to the Goryokaku-Koen-mae tram stop where you arrived. If you take longer over lunch and walking, recheck the return tram time.

   Admission and opening hours2026-10-08Getting there2026-10-08

3. Goryokaku-Koen-mae stop → Tram to Hakodate Station → accommodation

   Take a tram towards Yachigashira or Hakodate-Dock-mae from the same stop. This is a different place from JR Goryokaku Station. Get off at Hakodate Station and return to your accommodation.

   Tram guide2026-10-08Getting there2026-10-08

Day 3 · Warehouses if time allows → airport

If there’s time before your flight, explore the harbour warehouses before travelling to Hakodate Airport.

1. Hakodate Station → Tram to Jujigai → warehouse walks and shopping

   Take a tram towards Yachigashira or Hakodate-Dock-mae, get off at Jujigai and walk about 5 minutes towards the coast. Warehouse shops open from 09:30. Visit after that time and fit shopping or a meal around the airport journey.

   Tram guide2026-10-08Hakodate City tourism guide2026-10-08Official Kanemori partial closures in November 20262026-10-08

2. Jujigai stop → Yunokawa-bound tram → Hakodate Station

   Return to Jujigai, take a tram towards Yunokawa and get off at Hakodate Station. Collect any luggage from your accommodation, then go to airport-bound stop 3 outside the station.

   Tram guide2026-10-08

3. Hakodate Station stop 3 → Fast route 8 → Hakodate Airport

   Take your chosen airport-bound fast route 8 service. The direct journey is roughly 25 minutes and JPY 500 for adults. Waiting, road delays and airline procedures require extra time.

   Hakodate Bus station-to-airport guide2026-10-08Official station forecourt stop timetable2026-10-08

4. After arriving at Hakodate Airport → Your airline’s departure counter

   Follow airport departure signs to your airline’s counter. Use its guidance for your date on check-in, bag drop, security and international departure immigration deadlines.

   Confirm with your booked airline: airport counter and departure-procedure deadlines.