Tokyo to Rusutsu

Overview

Tokyo is the primary gateway in and out of Japan. To the outsider, Tokyo's myriad sights and sounds are as compelling as they are exotic.

The contrast of its preserved past found in the Imperial Palace & its gardens, the Asakusa district & Ueno park with its techno future in Akihabara (the electric city) and the neon lights of Shibuya and Shinjuku, make it one of life's glorious contradictions.

The scale and the pace of life can be a little disorientating at first but the buzz quickly gets under the skin. It's a city to return to again and again and experience something new every time.

The transfer time from Tokyo to Rusutsu is between 7 and 9 hours depending on your choice of transfer.

Trains or flight & overland transfer are both possible options for transport from Tokyo to Rusutsu.

Getting Around Tokyo

Getting around Tokyo by rail is usually the quickest and best-priced option regardless of where you are staying in the city.

Taxis in Japan are usually significantly more expensive than taking the train.

The majority of the Tokyo transit system is made up of 2x rail networks - the overground state-run Japan Rail (JR) system and the underground metro system.

Taking them together, these networks are one of the most extensive urban rail networks in the world. There is nothing you would want to see in Tokyo that you can't get to by using these rail networks.

In addition, there are a number of privately owned rail lines that have their own lines and stations. These can be useful to take for certain routes but are almost never the only transit option and are not covered by the JR Rail Pass.

Looking at the maps, the system can be pretty intimidating at first glance but the system is very well run and the staff at stations are super helpful.

Tokyo JR Rail Map

Tokyo Metro Map

Flight to Chitose Airport & overland transfer to Rusutsu

• Price: Varies
• Transfer Time: Approx 7 to 8.5 hours (0.5 to 1 hour to Haneda Airport or Narita Airport + 1.5 hours flight + 2 to 3 hours overland transfer + 2.5 to 3 hours total waiting time)

There is no shortage of domestic flights from either Tokyo Narita Airport or Tokyo Haneda Airport up to Chitose Airport.

Haneda is a smaller airport than Narita but is located much closer to the center of the city.

Stage 1A: Tokyo to Haneda Airport

Tokyo Haneda Airport Terminals 1 and 2 have a shared Train Station located between the terminal buildings internally connected to each terminal building. Terminal 3 has its own train station.

There are two route options from central Tokyo to Haneda Airport:

• Option 1: Tokyo Monorail: Hamamatsucho Station -> Haneda Airport Terminal 1-2 Station OR Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station (17 to 24 minutes)
• Option 2: Keikyu Line from Shinagawa Station -> Haneda Airport Terminal 1-2 Station OR Haneda Airport Terminal 3 Station (15 minutes)

Both options take about the same amount of time but the Keikyu line has not been integrated into the JR Network and so the JR Rail Pass is not valid on this service.

Tickets can be purchased on the day of travel at the train station from ticket machines or the staffed sales counter.

Tokyo to Haneda Airport Map

Tokyo Monorail Map

Stage 1B: Tokyo to Narita Airport

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.

There are two rail options from central Tokyo to Haneda Airport:

• Option 1: Narita Express (JR Rail system) from Tokyo -> Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station OR Narita Airport Terminal Station 2-3 (54 minutes)
• Option 2: Keikyu Skyliner from Nippori -> Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station OR Narita Airport Terminal 2-3 Station (37 minutes)

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.

Tickets can be purchased on the day of travel at the train station from ticket machines or the staffed sales counter.

Tokyo to Narita Airport Map

Stage 2: Narita Airport or Haneda Airport to Chitose Airport

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 is 1.5 hours

Stage 3: Chitose Airport to Rusutsu

Sapporo Chitose Airport (CTS) is Hokkaido’s largest airport.

The transfer time from Chitose to Rusutsu is between 2 and 3 hours depending on your choice of transfer.

Chitose Airport to Rusutsu

Train from Tokyo to Rusutsu

• Price: Approximately ¥26,000 per person
• Transfer Time: Approx 9 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 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 Station is centrally located and is easy to get to regardless of where you are staying in the city.

The simplest route from Tokyo Station to Niseko Station by train takes place in 3x stages:

• Stage 1: Shinkansen Hayabusa Express: Tokyo Station -> Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station (4.25 hours)
• Stage 2: Limited Express Hokuto Line: Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station -> Oshamambe Station (68 minutes)
• Stage 3: JR Hakodate Line: Oshamambe Station -> Niseko Station (81 minutes)

Tickets can be purchased on the day of travel at the train station from ticket machines or the staffed sales counter.

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.

• Look up winter season train timetables on JR East and JR Hokkaido OR Search Japan's train schedules using the Japan Transit Planner.

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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.

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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.

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