Stevie Wong: Japan

[TRAVEL]: Our Smooth Ride from Sapporo City to New Chitose Airport

Hokkaido Friday, April 18, 2025

How we got there comfortably, stress-free, and on time

Travel days can feel chaotic, especially when you're heading to the airport in a foreign country. But our journey from Sapporo's Susukino area to New Chitose Airport turned out to be surprisingly smooth with a little surprise and we owe it all to one comfy, on-time airport limousine bus.

If you're staying around Susukino, here’s exactly how we got to the airport without dragging luggage across train stations or dealing with transfers. Plus, I’ve included some helpful airport tips at the end to make your departure even easier!

The Airport Bus from Susukino: A Hidden Gem

Instead of taking the train (which often requires a transfer and a lot of walking with luggage), we opted for either the Chuo Bus or Hokuto Koutsu Bus airport limousine service, highly recommended for travelers who value ease and comfort. Check this for bus schedules.

Here's how it works:

• Departure Point: Find Susukino Station– It’s centrally located & super easy to find.
• Bus Name: Airport Limousine Bus / Chuo Bus
• Cost: Around ¥1,300 per person , payment is available in cash or credit cards
• Travel Time: About 70–90 minutes, depending on traffic
• Tickets: Can be purchased by on the spot
• Luggage: The driver stores large suitcases underneath

The bus was clean, warm, and quiet such a peaceful goodbye to snowy Sapporo.

Hot tip: Get to the bus stop at least 30–40 minutes early, especially during peak travel seasons the queue can get tremendously long. You wouldn’t want to gamble on missing flights right?

Why We Loved the Bus over the Train

• No stairs, transfers, or ticket machines

• Door-to-door convenience if your hotel is nearby

• Scenic ride through the countryside before reaching the airport

• No stress about missing the train schedule

If you’ve got luggage, trust me this is the smoothest way to go.

Verdict

Our decision to take the airport limousine bus from Susukino to New Chitose Airport was such a win. It was warm, direct, and effortless, especially after a chilly Sapporo stay.

If you're planning your return from Hokkaido, I highly recommend ditching the train stress and just hopping on the bus. It gave us one last relaxing moment to soak in the snowy views—and honestly, that’s the kind of travel energy we love ✨

Our smooth ride to the airport 🚌❄️

Instead of dragging our luggage through stations, we took the comfy airport limousine bus from Susukino straight to New Chitose Airport. So, easy, warm, and stress-free!

Saved us time and our energy 😌

📍Tip: If you’re flying out from Sapporo, this bus is a game changer.

Love, Stevie

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[TRAVEL]: Sapporo Streetcar (札幌市電 tram) Service - Things you need to know for first timer

Hokkaido Wednesday, March 26, 2025

The Sapporo Streetcar 札幌市電, also known as the "shiden," is a convenient and scenic way to explore Sapporo, Hokkaido. This tram system forms a loop around the city's central and western districts, making it an accessible mode of transportation for both tourists and locals. With its retro charm and modern convenience, the streetcar allows passengers to experience Sapporo from a unique perspective while offering easy access to various touristy attractions, shopping areas, and local eateries.

Navigating the Sapporo Streetcar is fairly simple, especially if you have a map or a navigation app to guide you. The trams operate at regular intervals, ensuring that passengers don’t have to wait too long for their ride. While they can get crowded, particularly during rush hours and peak tourist seasons, the Japanese are well-accustomed to packed public transport. If you find yourself in a full tram, simply squeeze in and follow the unspoken etiquette of making space for others. However if you're lucky you can also get an empty tram like mine and you can get seats right by the window to enjoy the view throughout the ride.

The tram gives off a retro vibe

Fares and Passes

As of 2025, a single ride on the streetcar costs ¥230 for adults and ¥120 for children. For unlimited rides within a 24-hour period, consider purchasing the One-Day Streetcar Pass, priced at ¥500 for adults and ¥250 for children. You can even pay for Sapporo’s tram with cash but you’ll need to pay upon disembarkation and there are no change machines on the tram, so ensure you have the exact fare.

The SAPICA card, a prepaid IC card, is also accepted on the streetcar, subway, and local buses. The card costs ¥2,000, with ¥1,500 available for fare use and a refundable ¥500 deposit. SAPICA cards can be purchased at subway stations, commuter pass sales offices, and bus terminals.

Areas Covered and Tourist Information

The streetcar's loop encompasses 21 stops, connecting key areas such as:

• Nishi 4 Chome: Located near the Odori Shopping District, it's a hub for shopping and dining.

• Ropeway Iriguchi: This stop provides access to the Mount Moiwa Ropeway, offering panoramic city views.

• Chuo Toshokan Mae: Adjacent to the Sapporo Chuo Library, ideal for those interested in local literature and architecture.

• Nakajima Koen Dori: Close to Nakajima Park, a serene spot featuring a Japanese garden, pond, and the historic Hoheikan building.

• Susukino: Sapporo's entertainment district, renowned for its vibrant nightlife, restaurants, and the famous Ramen Alley.

Tips for First-Time Visitors to Sapporo

1. Utilize Public Transportation: Sapporo's public transit, including the streetcar and subway, is efficient and tourist-friendly. Consider getting a prepaid IC card like SAPICA for seamless travel.

2. Explore Seasonal Attractions: If visiting in winter, don't miss the Sapporo Snow Festival, showcasing massive snow sculptures. In warmer months, festivals and events highlight local culture and cuisine.

3. Experience Local Cuisine: Indulge in Sapporo's culinary delights, such as miso ramen, fresh seafood, and jingisukan (grilled mutton). Visiting the Nijo Market offers a taste of local seafood delicacies.

4. Visit Historical Sites: Explore landmarks like the Former Hokkaido Government Office and the Sapporo Clock Tower to delve into the city's history.

5. Enjoy Natural Landscapes: Take advantage of Sapporo's parks and nearby mountains. The Mount Moiwa Ropeway offers stunning city views, especially at night.

Don't forget to ring the bell to get off the tram, to notify the driver that you're hopping off on the next stop

Operation Hours and Frequency

Trams operate daily from around 6:00 AM to approximately 11:00 PM.

During daytime hours, services run at intervals of roughly 7 to 8 minutes, with increased frequency during weekday peak periods.

Hop on the Sapporo Streetcar for a ride that blends historical charm with modern convenience, making it a delightful way to explore the city while experiencing local daily life. Sapporo is a compact and walkable city, with bright, clean underground passageways that offer decent shopping, so the tram isn’t a necessity for getting around.

However, if you’ve got time to spare, why not take a scenic ride to the end of the line and back to Susukino? Incorporating the streetcar into your travel plans allows for a relaxed and enjoyable way to soak in the city’s diverse attractions while adding a touch of nostalgia to your journey.

Love, Stevie

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[Travel]: Moreru Mignon - PINK INSTAGRAMMABLE PIKURA in TOKYO

INSTAGRAMMABLE PIKURA Tuesday, April 09, 2019

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[Travel to Tokyo]: Centurion Hotel Grand Akasaka Stay Review

His Travel Saturday, January 19, 2019

Hello loves, I'm back with a new post and this time I'll be sharing another part of my travel to Tokyo. After transportation in Tokyo which I've already shared on my previous post now is time for another big question where to stay? Especially for those who haven't visited Tokyo or Japan before you might be wondering where is the best place to stay. I've actually questioned myself which location I should choose to stay during my last visit, having very little information regarding the place since its my first time I did my research and read various reviews before finally deciding to stay at Centurion Hotel Grand Akasaka which is located at Akasaka Mitsuke.
At first I was hesitant because I'm not sure whether I should stay at a hotel or Airbnb but considering the price, convenient and location I decided to go for hotel instead of Airbnb. Here's my trick to pick a hotel is their location which should be close by to train stations because then you don't have to worry about traveling back and forth to be a hassle. Especially when its your first time having a place to stay close by the station is the best decision because then you won't get lost cause all you need to do is find the station and you can easily get home.
Where to stay in Tokyo, well I'm no expert cause my last visit was my first time to Tokyo, Japan but I can already tell I'm in love with the city! I don't regret my decision staying at Centurion Hotel Grand Akasaka because the location is super close to Akasaka Mitsuke station, it only takes 2 min walk and there's a lot of convenient stores around the neighborhood. The neighborhood is also very lively and you can easily find souvenir and restaurants everywhere.

I booked my hotel through Agoda and since I was with my parents I gotta pick a room that accommodate to three people thus at that time I booked the Double Room - Annex. The room is quite spacious actually although not much room for luggage but its okay for us. Overall my stay was pleasant but they only allow check in after 3 pm so it was quite inconvenient especially if your landing time is early in the morning. You'll need to get ready to stroll around the city before you can check into the hotel. There's a few options in Tokyo for you who land on early morning flights you can actually drop off your luggage at the airport and use the delivery service where they will deliver you luggage directly to your respective hotels or you can go drop off your own luggage at your hotel then head out. I would suggest going with the second option because the first one will charge you a lot more but if you don't mind then it would be much easier since you can go straight the your destination without a detour to your hotel first.

Okay now let's talk about the room, since there's going to be three of us the room has one double bed and one sofa bed. The room has all the basic amities like soap, shampoo, conditioner, hairdryer etc. They even provide a handy phone in each room which allows you to go on google maps when you travel. this handy mobile phone is complimentary to use when you stay at their hotel. Although I already have a portable wifi but this handy really does come in handy because they also provide information like places to visit, where to eat etc...

Below is a glimpse of our room.

What I love most in Japan's toilet!! Their warm toilet and bidet, We got one at our hotel. Basically you'll always find clean toilet with a similar feature everywhere across Tokyo even in Subway stations.

Bed

Toilet

There's a bath tub too

Actually around the area you can find a lot of other hotels too but my stay at hotel is pleasant and will definitely recommend it. The staffs are also very kind and are willing to assist. There's one time when I asked to borrow a laptop and they allow me to use the one which is at the lobby which I believe is a laptop prepared for the guest. Thank you for reading I hope you find this post useful.

Centurion Hotel Grand Akasaka Mitsuke Station

Address 3-19-3 Akasaka, 港区 Tokyo 107-0052, Japan
Telephone: +81 3-6435-5226

Love, Stevie

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