Sapporo Metro: General Information
The Sapporo Subway (Sapporo-shi-Chikatetsu) is the fourth Japanese subway and it was naugurated in 1971, in time for the Winter Olympics 1972. It was the first metro in the world to use a central rail guide wheels with neumatic system that makes it the most silent and clean underground in the world. It is operated by the Sapporo City Bureau.
Currently the system has three metro lines, Namboku, Tozai and Toho, with a length of 48 kms and 49 stations and an influx of about 210 millions travelers per year. Sapporo public transport also counts with a tram line 8.5 km long serving southwest of the city and crosses the Susukino subway and a bus line.
Sapporo Metro Lines
The Sapporo Metro network consists of 3 lines with 48 km long and 49 stations.
- Namboku Line or Green Line, was inaugurated in 1971, runs from Makomanai to Asabu, north to south of the city. It has a length of 14.3 km and 16 stations. Its stations carry the letter N followed by a number.
- Tozai Line Orange Line, was inaugurated in 1976 with the passage from Shin Sapporo until Miyanosawa, from east to west. It has 20.1 km and 19 stations. The stations are represented by the letter T followed by a number.
- Toho Line, Blue Line, was inaugurated in 1988, with a north to south route. After successive extensions were reached currents 13.6 Km of length and 14 stations. It runs from Sakaemachi to Fukuzumi Station and this line runs parallel to Nanboku Line in the center of the city.
At the moment there are no plans for new lines or extensions.
Most important stations:
The subway Central Station is the Odori.
In Odori and Susukino stations there is tram connection from outside.
Opening Hours
The metro is open from 06:15 a.m until 24:00 hours.
Frequency Step
Trains run every 3-4 minutes during the morning rush hour, every 5 minutes during the evening rush hours and every 5-7 minutes during the rest othe day.
Fares and Tickets
The single ticket prices vary from ¥ 200 to ¥ 360, depending on the distance traveled. The day passes and discounted passes can be purchased at vending machines.
- "With You Card" is a prepaid card that can be used for routes within the city by metro, tram and bus offered by JR Hokkaido Bus, Chuo Bus and Jotetsu Bus. There are five options: ¥ 1,000, from ¥ 3,000, for ¥ 5,000 and 10,000 yen for adults and ¥ 1,000 for children. All cards can be purchased at vending machines.
- 1 Day Card offers unlimited travel on the metro, tram and bus regular city routes operated by Chuo Bus, JR Hokkaido and Jotetsu Bus companies on the day of purchase. The price is ¥ 1000 yen for adults and ¥ 500 for children. There is also a card only for one day on the subway and costs ¥ 800 for adults and ¥ 400 for children. The cards can be purchased at ticket machines and station offices.
- Donichika-Ticket is the same as the One day card for metro but only for use on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. It costs ¥ 500 for adults and ¥ 250 for children, and can be purchased at the ticket machines and station offices.
Airport
New Chitose International Airport serves the Sapporo metropolitan area and is located five kilometers from the city of Chitose.
New Chitose International Airport can be reached by JR Hokkaido Chitose line. Fast trains operate to and from Sapporo Station (Sapporo Station is the starting and ending point for the express JR Hokkaido) and the journey takes between 36-39 minutes and costs ¥ 1040.
