Hokkaido's Airports: Travel Gateway To Japan's Northern Island Paradise

is there an airport in hokkaido

Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, is home to 13 airports, including six major ones that serve the cities, ski slopes, and national parks. The three largest and most trafficked airports in the area are New Chitose Airport, Hakodate Airport, and Asahikawa Airport. New Chitose Airport, the largest airport in Hokkaido, is often considered the gateway to the island and frequently connects to smaller airports.

Characteristics Values
Number of airports 13
Major airports New Chitose Airport, Hakodate Airport, Asahikawa Airport
New Chitose Airport location Chitose region of Hokkaido
New Chitose Airport area served Sapporo metropolitan area
New Chitose Airport flight destinations Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Hakodate, Kushiro, Rishiri, Nemuro Nakashibetsu, Wakkanai Airport
New Chitose Airport facilities Shopping, dining, entertainment, relaxation (onsen, lounges, hotels, massage), foreign exchange, international tour desks, Disney store, Gundam Base Annex store, Gunpla and Gundam goods store, Itoya stationery store
Asahikawa Airport location Asahikawa City, central Hokkaido
Asahikawa Airport flight destinations Tokyo (Haneda), Nagoya (Centrair), Osaka (Kansai and Itami), Korea (Incheon), China (Beijing and Shanghai), Taiwan
Asahikawa Airport facilities Currency exchange, duty-free store, prayer room, restaurants with Japanese and Western dishes, nursing room, baby changing stations
Hakodate Airport location Hakodate City, southern Hokkaido
Hakodate Airport flight destinations Tokyo (Haneda), Osaka (Itami), Nagoya (Chubu), Sapporo (New Chitose)
Hakodate Airport facilities Foreign currency exchange, information counter, kids corner, game area, restaurants with seafood, Japanese, Chinese, and Western-style dishes

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Hokkaido has 13 airports, including 6 major ones

Hokkaido, Japan's second-largest island, is well-connected to the rest of the country and international destinations through its extensive network of airports. In total, there are 13 airports scattered across Hokkaido, each serving a unique role in facilitating travel to and from this picturesque island known for its natural beauty and outdoor attractions.

Among these airports, six stand out as the major gateways to Hokkaido:

  • New Chitose Airport (CTS): Located in the city of Chitose, this airport is the primary hub for air travel in Hokkaido. Serving both domestic and international flights, it connects Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, and offers convenient access to popular tourist destinations like Lake Toya and Noboribetsu Onsen. New Chitose Airport is a bustling transportation center, featuring three terminals, including an international terminal with duty-free shops and restaurants. It is also known for its unique architecture, showcasing a distinct blend of modern and traditional Japanese design elements.
  • Asahikawa Airport (AKJ): Asahikawa Airport is situated in Asahikawa, the second-largest city in Hokkaido. It primarily handles domestic flights, offering convenient connections to major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Sapporo. Asahikawa Airport is strategically important due to its proximity to various tourist attractions, including the Asahiyama Zoo, one of the most popular zoos in Japan, and the beautiful Furano and Biei regions, renowned for their stunning flower fields and natural landscapes.

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New Chitose Airport is the largest airport in Hokkaido

Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, is home to 13 airports, including New Chitose Airport (CTS), which is the largest by both traffic and land area. New Chitose Airport is located in the Chitose region and serves the Sapporo metropolitan area. It is the primary gateway to Hokkaido, with several direct international flights, and it frequently connects to smaller airports on the island, such as Hakodate, Kushiro, Rishiri, Nemuro Nakashibetsu, and Wakkanai.

New Chitose Airport offers a range of facilities and amenities for travellers. The airport is known for its shopping, dining, and entertainment options, including theatres, play areas, onsen (hot springs), lounges, hotels, and massage services. It is also accessible for disabled visitors and caters to those travelling with small children, providing a nursery and stroller rental service. Foreign exchange and international tour desks are conveniently located throughout the airport.

The airport also serves as a great starting point for sightseeing in Hokkaido. From the airport, travellers can easily access bus and railway services to explore the region's nature, history, and culture. The city of Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city, is just a 40-minute flight away from New Chitose Airport. Sapporo is known for its ski slopes, and the airport provides easy access to these winter attractions.

In addition to its role as a transportation hub, New Chitose Airport boasts a variety of shops and entertainment venues. Travellers can explore stores like "THE GUNDAM BASE ANNEX," the Disney Flagship Tokyo pop-up store, and the long-established stationery shop Itoya from Ginza, Tokyo. The airport reflects the unique blend of Japanese and Western influences found in Hokkaido, making it a fascinating gateway to the island's diverse attractions.

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Asahikawa Airport is located in the centre of Hokkaido

Asahikawa Airport first began operating seasonal scheduled flights to Haneda Airport via Okadama Airport in 1966. However, it wasn't until 1970 that year-round flights to Tokyo commenced. The airport has since undergone multiple expansions, including the extension and widening of its main runway, which now accommodates jet service with widebody aircraft.

The airport provides several amenities catering to international travellers, including a currency exchange machine, a duty-free store, and a prayer room. Additionally, there is a nursing room and baby changing stations located throughout the terminals for travelling parents. Asahikawa Airport also boasts a variety of dining options, serving both Japanese and Western dishes, with some restaurants offering halal-friendly choices.

Asahikawa Airport is easily accessible by bus from Asahikawa Station, Asahiyama Zoo, and Furano Station. It serves as an important aviation gateway to Hokkaido, achieving an impressive 99.5% in-service rate in 2017. The airport is committed to ensuring that customers don't miss their important appointments or flights, even during the brutal winters the region experiences.

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Hakodate Airport is in the harbour city of the same name in southern Hokkaido

Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, is home to 13 airports, including six major ones. One of these is Hakodate Airport (HKD), which is located in the harbour city of the same name in southern Hokkaido. Hakodate is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful night views, delicious seafood, and unique townscape that blends Japanese and Western architecture. The city offers a range of attractions, such as Fort Goryokaku, the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse in the port district, and Mount Hakodate, which provides a panoramic view of the city.

Hakodate Airport is easily accessible, with direct flights from Tokyo (Haneda), Osaka (Itami), and Nagoya (Chubu) taking approximately 90 to 100 minutes. Flights from Sapporo (New Chitose) are even more convenient, with a travel time of about 40 minutes. The airport is well-connected to the city, with a bus service available to Hakodate City and other nearby destinations such as Esashi and Matsumae.

The airport itself provides a range of amenities and services for travellers. It offers foreign currency exchange and an information counter where visitors can obtain detailed information on flight schedules, sightseeing spots, local accommodation, and transport options. For those travelling with children, there is a dedicated kids' corner on the third floor of the Domestic Passenger Terminal Building, equipped with play areas for sliding, climbing, and crawling. Older kids can enjoy the game area with UFO catchers, taiko drums, and purikura photo booths.

In addition to its practical amenities, Hakodate Airport also boasts a variety of dining options, including local seafood specialties, Japanese, Chinese, and Western-style dishes. Restaurant Pollux and Onjiki, a specialist in Hakodate-style ramen, are among the recommended dining choices. For coffee lovers, there is a branch of Misuzu Coffee, Hakodate's oldest coffee establishment. With its convenient location, useful facilities, and culinary delights, Hakodate Airport serves as a gateway to the southern part of Hokkaido, providing visitors with a memorable start to their journey through this captivating island.

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Hokkaido's airports offer foreign exchange, dining, entertainment and shopping

Hokkaido is home to 13 airports, three of which are the largest and most-trafficked: New Chitose Airport, Hakodate Airport, and Asahikawa Airport. These airports offer a range of services and amenities to travellers, including foreign exchange, dining, entertainment, and shopping options.

When it comes to foreign exchange, Asahikawa Airport is equipped with a currency exchange machine, while New Chitose Airport provides detailed currency exchange services. At Hakodate Airport, travellers can obtain information on flight schedules, sightseeing spots, local accommodation, and transport at the information counter.

Dining options at these airports offer a variety of cuisines to suit different tastes. Asahikawa Airport features a mix of Japanese and Western dishes, with "Tiffany" providing halal-friendly options. Hakodate Airport, known for its fresh seafood, offers local seafood dishes, Japanese, Chinese, and Western-style meals. Restaurants like Pollux, Onjiki (specialising in Hakodate-style ramen), and Misuzu Coffee, the city's oldest coffee store, are recommended. New Chitose Airport also showcases the flavours of Hokkaido, with seafood and sweets available at Shopping World.

Entertainment options vary across these airports. Hakodate Airport provides a kids' corner with play areas and a game area with UFO catchers, taiko drums, and photo booths. Asahikawa Airport has a prayer room, catering to the diverse religious needs of travellers. New Chitose Airport, as Hokkaido's gateway, offers easy connections to smaller airports and provides theatre options for those seeking entertainment.

Shopping is also a prominent feature at these airports. Asahikawa Airport includes a duty-free store, allowing travellers to take advantage of tax-free shopping. New Chitose Airport's Shopping World offers a diverse range of products, from seafood and sweets to novelties, providing travellers with memorable souvenirs and gifts.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, there are 13 airports in Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island.

New Chitose Airport (CTS) is the largest airport in Hokkaido by both traffic and land area.

Other major airports in Hokkaido include Hakodate Airport (HKD) and Asahikawa Airport (AKJ).

Hakodate City, where the airport is located, is known for its beautiful night views, delicious seafood, and unique townscape that blends Japanese and Western architecture. Some attractions include Fort Goryokaku, the Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse, and Mount Hakodate.

Asahikawa Airport offers several amenities for travelers, including a currency exchange machine, a duty-free store, a prayer room, and a variety of dining options serving Japanese and Western dishes. The airport also has a nursing room and baby changing stations.

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