Overview
Tokyo Narita Airport is one of two international airports serving the Greater Tokyo Area, the other one being Haneda Airport, which together forms the main gateway in and out of Japan.
Located 60 kilometers east of central Tokyo, Narita Airport was built to meet the increasing demands of flight traffic placed on Haneda Airport, which did not have enough physical space to expand.
Narita is a larger airport than Haneda and is located further away from the center of the city but is well connected to the city via rapid train services.
The transfer time from Tokyo Narita Airport to Rusutsu is between 6.5 and 10.5 hours depending on your chosen method of travel
Trains or flight & overland transfer are both possible options for transport from Tokyo Narita Airport to Rusutsu.
Flights to Tokyo Narita Airport
Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) handles a mix of international flights from all over the world and domestic flights from within Japan.
If you plan to arrive at Narita Airport later than 19:30, you will need to stay at a hotel close to the airport and travel the next morning. There is one basic capsule hotel in the Terminal building called First Cabin.
Many additional hotel options can be found just in the area adjacent to the airport, each offering free shuttle bus services from the terminal building.
Travel between Tokyo Narita Airport and Tokyo Haneda Airport
These days there are usually enough flight options that you shouldn't need to transfer between Narita and Haneda airports. However, if you do have to, you can do this using the "Limousine" Bus Service (a bus, not an actual Limousine...) (80 mins) or by train:
- Stage 1: Keisei Skyliner: Narita Airport Terminal Station -> Nippori Station Station (37 minutes)
- Stage 2: JR Yamanote Line: Nippori Station to Hamamatsucho Station (16 mins)
- Stage 3: Tokyo Monorail Express: Hamamatsucho Station to Haneda Airport Station (22 mins)
The bus service is arguably more convenient and takes roughly the same amount of time.
Flight to Chitose Airport & overland transfer to Rusutsu
- Price: Varies
- Transfer Time: Approx 6.5 to 7.5 hours (1.5 hours flight + 2 to 3 hours overland transfer + 2.5 to 3 hours total waiting time)
When flying into Narita Airport from your home country, there is no shortage of domestic flights up to Chitose Airport.
The combined Narita Airport and Haneda Airport to Chitose Airport routes actually offer the most flight departures of any route in Japan!
Flight time from Narita Airport to Chitose Airport is 1.5 hours and the transfer time from Chitose Airport to Rusutsu is between 2.5 and 3 hours depending on your choice of transfer.
Train, bus, private taxi transfer and self-drive are all possible options for transport from Chitose Airport to Rusutsu.
Pros
- Fastest option
- Usually lowest priced
- Dozens of flight departures each day
Cons
- Not as comfortable as the Shinkansen
- Can't use JR Rail Pass
Train from Tokyo Narita Airport to Rusutsu
- Price: Approximately ¥28,500 per person
- Transfer Time: Approx 10.5 hours (including waiting time between trains)
If you don't like to fly or really want to experience the Shinkansen (bullet train), you can get all the way from Tokyo Narita Airport to Rusutsu by train.
Niseko Train Station is the closest train station to Rusutsu ski resort but is a 30 minutes drive, so is not an ideal option.
Tokyo Narita Airport Terminals 2 and 3 have a shared Train Station located at Terminal 2. Terminal buildings 2 and 3 are internally connected. Terminal 1 has its own train station.
Tickets can be purchased on the day of travel from ticket machines or a sales counter.
There are two main rail options for getting from Tokyo Narita Airport into Tokyo:
- Skyliner - a Keisei Private Rail Train
- Narita Express (NEX) - part of the JR Rail Network
The Skyliner is the faster option but is not part of the JR Rail Network and so the JR Rail Pass is not valid on this service.
Narita Airport to Tokyo Map
The route from Tokyo Narita Airport to Rusutsu differs, depending on whether you prefer to start with the Skyliner or the Narita Express:
Option 1: Skyliner + Shinkansen
The route takes place in five stages:
- Stage 1: Keisei Skyliner: Narita Airport Terminal Station -> Nippori Station (37 minutes)
- Stage 2: JR Yamanote Line: Nippori Station -> Ueno Station Station (4 minutes)
- Stage 3: Shinkansen Hakutaka: Ueno Station -> Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station (4.25 hours)
- Stage 4: Limited Express Hokuto Line: Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station -> Oshamambe Station (68 minutes)
- Stage 5: JR Hakodate Line: Oshamambe Station -> Niseko Station (81 minutes)
Option 2: Narita Express + Shinkansen
The route takes place in four stages:
- Stage 1: Narita Express: Narita Airport Terminal Station -> Tokyo (65 minutes)
- Stage 2: Shinkansen Hayabusa Express: Tokyo Station -> Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station (4.25 hours)
- Stage 3: Limited Express Hokuto Line: Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station -> Oshamambe Station (68 minutes)
- Stage 4: JR Hakodate Line: Oshamambe Station -> Niseko Station (81 minutes)
Some Train Services will allow you to complete all three stages without changing trains. More commonly a change of trains at Otaru Station or Sapporo Station is required. This change is pretty straightforward at Otaru Station, which is a small station with just a few platforms. Most often this entails disembarking from your train, crossing the platform to the opposite track and boarding the train shortly after arriving at that platform.
Niseko Station to Rusutsu Ski Resort (30 mins)
Donan Bus Company operates a bus service departing from Niseko Train Station and dropping off at Rusutsu ski resort with several departures daily.
Alternatively, you can take a local taxi from the taxi rank at Niseko Station, which will likely cost at least ¥5,000. Please ensure you have your destination written out in Japanese as most taxi drivers in Japan do not speak conversational level English.
Japan Rail Pass: For guests visiting Rusutsu as part of a longer itinerary of travel elsewhere in Japan, either side of their ski experience, a Japan Rail Pass can be a fantastic investment, allowing unlimited train travel on most Japan Rail trains, for periods of 7, 14 or 21 days to suit your travel schedule.
- Look up winter season train timetables on JR East and JR Hokkaido OR Search Japan's train schedules using the Japan Transit Planner.
Pros
- Free if you hold a JR Rail Pass
- More comfortable than flying
Cons
- A complex trip requiring multiple changes of train
- Not ideal for passengers with ski / snowboard bags
- Longer total transfer time than flying
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Rusutsu Transfers
Whether you are coming from New Chitose Airport, Sapporo City, Otaru City or one of the other Hokkaido Ski Resorts, there are numerous options for the transfer to Rusutsu.
Book now through our Pre-Trip Concierge Service
Available for guests that have booked accommodation with us.
Rusutsu Accommodation
Rusutsu Resort is well serviced by two ski in / ski out resort hotels with plenty of restaurants and facilities.
Ideal for groups and families wanting an all in ski holiday experience.
All information is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of writing.