By train, it takes around eight hours from Tokyo. Take the JR Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, then transfer to the Hokuto limited express to Sapporo. There are also some inexpensive long-distance ferries from Honshu to ports outside of Sapporo.

Getting from Hokkaido to the rest of Japan is most commonly and efficiently done by air, with New Chitose Airport (near Sapporo) serving as a major hub for dozens of daily flights to Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka. The flight to Tokyo takes only about 90 minutes and is often cheaper than the train if booked in advance with low-cost carriers like Peach or Jetstar. For those who prefer a scenic land route, the Hokkaido Shinkansen (bullet train) connects Hakodate in the south of Hokkaido to Aomori and eventually Tokyo through the Seikan Tunnel, the world's longest undersea tunnel. While the train journey from Sapporo to Tokyo takes about 8 to 9 hours (including a transfer), it is a favorite for JR Pass holders who want to see the changing landscape of northern Japan. A third, more adventurous option is the long-distance ferry; several routes connect Hokkaido ports like Otaru and Tomakomai to cities on the main island of Honshu, such as Niigata, Nagoya, and even near Tokyo. These ferries are essentially "mini-cruises" with baths and restaurants, taking anywhere from 15 to 20 hours and offering a unique, slow-travel perspective of the Japanese coastline.