Before your first subway ride in Sapporo, work out which line and direction you need, then decide how to pay. At stations served by more than one line, the station name alone is not enough. Include your destination station and the street exit you will use in your plan, especially if you are traveling with luggage or children.
Which line do you need?
The subway has three lines, and all of them meet at Odori. The official route map is a good place to start, and the city’s tourism site also explains the transportation network. JR trains and the streetcar are separate services, not additional subway lines.
| Line | Color | Key downtown stations |
|---|---|---|
| Namboku | Green | Sapporo, Odori, Susukino |
| Tozai | Orange | Odori |
| Toho | Blue | Sapporo, Odori, Hosui-Susukino |
Susukino and Hosui-Susukino are two different stations. In the same way, reaching the JR Sapporo concourse does not mean you are at the right subway gate. Follow the full line name and the direction shown on the platform, not just the word “Sapporo” in English.
Paper tickets: keep yours after entering
The Transportation Bureau’s usage guide explains how to use the ticket machines and gates. Select English on the screen, choose the right fare or ticket type, and take your ticket and change. If you cannot work out the fare to your destination, ask station staff.
Insert your single-ride ticket at the entrance gate and take it back when it comes out. You will need it again at your destination, so keep it somewhere easy to reach, not mixed in with receipts. If the gate rejects your ticket, step aside and ask staff rather than following another passenger through.
Is a subway day pass worth buying?
According to the city’s current ticket page, the subway-only one-day pass costs ¥830 for adults and ¥420 for children. On Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays and from December 29 to January 3, the Donichika pass costs ¥520 for adults and ¥260 for children. These paper passes must be bought with cash.
Compare the price of the pass with the total cost of the subway rides you actually plan to take. A day spent walking around downtown is very different from a day with several round trips. Neither paper pass covers JR trains, buses or the streetcar, so leave those trips out when working out whether you will save money.
Can you tap a bank card instead?
Yes. You can use eligible contactless bank cards and devices at designated card readers. The city’s contactless payment guide lists the supported card brands and explains the daily cap on adult fares: ¥830 on weekdays and ¥520 on days when the Donichika pass is valid. Each fare day runs from 3:00 a.m. to 2:59 a.m. the following morning.
Use the same physical card or device all day. Rides on a plastic card and on a phone linked to that card are not combined toward the cap. Each passenger needs their own card or device. This service charges adult fares only, with no child fares or transfer discounts. Ask staff which ticket is right for a child, and have a backup in case your bank card does not work.
Paying with a transit IC card such as Suica is different from tapping a bank card. Read our Hokkaido IC card guide to understand the difference. Do not assume the bank card fare cap applies to rides paid with an IC card.
Take care when transferring at Sapporo
The official transfer instructions for Sapporo Station explain how to change between the Namboku and Toho lines: you exit and then re-enter within 30 minutes. If you have a paper ticket, use the yellow transfer gate when exiting and take your ticket back. At the start of your trip, enter through the gate for the line you plan to ride.
Treat the transfer as a transfer, not a chance to stop and shop. If you are not sure which gate to use, ask before you exit. That is much easier than trying to get back a ticket that a regular exit gate has kept.
The final exit matters in winter
If stairs are difficult for you, look for a route with elevators, then check how far you will need to walk at street level. Our underground walkway guide and winter walking guide cover the parts of your journey that a subway map cannot show. On the train, keep doors and aisles clear, and let passengers get off before you board.
Information checked on October 9, 2026. Fares and payment options may change, so check with the Transportation Bureau before you travel.
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