▷ What This Article Helps You Solve
If you’re landing at Wakkanai Airport (WKJ) or Memanbetsu Airport (MMB) and wondering:
“How do I get to the city center without a car?”
You’re not alone. Despite being entry points to scenic regions of northern Hokkaido, public transport access from these airports is often unclear, especially for foreign travelers.
This guide covers:
- Exact bus routes from both airports to town
- Schedules, payment methods, and signage
- Seasonal exceptions and hidden pitfalls
- Real traveler experiences
🛬 Wakkanai Airport → Wakkanai City (Downtown)
✅ Step-by-Step: Taking the Airport Bus
- Bus Operator: Sōya Bus Co.
- Route: Wakkanai Airport → Wakkanai Station → Minami-Wakkanai Station
- Duration: ~30–35 minutes
- Fare: ¥800
- Payment: Cash or PayPay only (no IC cards like Suica or Pasmo)
- Timetable: Synchronized with flight arrivals (may cancel if flights are canceled)
📌 No reservation needed, but note that the bus doesn’t wait if flights are delayed.
🧭 Additional Tips
- Bus departs just outside the terminal—signs are minimal.
- Service is not timed to ferry or train departures, so connection planning is essential.
- No taxis typically wait at the airport—calling one may require Japanese language skills.
🛬 Memanbetsu Airport → Abashiri or Kitami
✅ Airport Bus Options
- Route 1: To Abashiri Station
- Duration: ~35–40 minutes
- Fare: ¥920
- Runs frequently with flights (no reservation required)
- Route 2: To Kitami Station
- Duration: ~45–55 minutes
- Fare: ¥1,600
- Lower frequency than Abashiri
- Operator: Abashiri Bus Co.
🚌 Bonus: Buses often wait right outside the terminal and leave within 10 minutes of passenger arrival.
🏞 Seasonal Shuttle: Memanbetsu → Shiretoko (Utoro)
✅ Shiretoko Airport Liner (Seasonal)
- Route: Memanbetsu → Abashiri → Shari → Utoro (Shiretoko National Park)
- Duration: ~2 hours 15 minutes
- Fare: ¥3,300
- Seasons: Summer (June–October), Winter (January–March)
- Reservation: Strongly recommended during peak months
🧳 This is the only direct connection to Utoro without transfers and is ideal for travelers heading to the Shiretoko Peninsula.
📖 Real Traveler Stories
▶ Case 1: Wakkanai Airport Bus with No Change
One traveler reported taking the Sōya Bus from Wakkanai Airport with only a ¥10,000 bill.
“The driver couldn’t make change easily. Another passenger had to help me split the fare.”
No IC card acceptance, no onboard change machines—cash in small bills is a must.
✅ Tip: Bring coins or ¥1,000 notes.
▶ Case 2: Memanbetsu Bus Waiting on Arrival
A visitor wrote that a bus to Abashiri was already waiting when their plane landed.
“It was easy—no booking needed. But I was surprised how cold it was the moment I stepped out. No heated shelter at the stop.”
Even though convenient, cold exposure and minimal signage made them feel disoriented.
✅ Tip: Dress for the weather and move quickly toward the bus zone.
▶ Case 3: Missed Connection to Ferry from Wakkanai
Another traveler planned to reach the Wakkanai Ferry Terminal after arriving at the airport.
“The airport bus dropped me off late, and I missed the ferry. I thought the schedule was aligned—it wasn’t.”
✅ Tip: Leave at least 90 minutes between airport and ferry transfers—schedules are not coordinated.
📅 Seasonal Notes & Planning Cautions
| Factor | Wakkanai Airport | Memanbetsu Airport |
|---|---|---|
| Bus frequency | 1–3/day (per flight) | 3–6/day |
| Weather risks | Snow, wind delays | Ice, fog |
| IC card support | ❌ Not supported | ❌ Not supported |
| On-demand taxis | ❌ Rare | ⚠️ Unreliable |
| Shelter & signage | Limited | Functional, but basic |
💬 Reflection: Is Airport Access in Northern Hokkaido Tourist-Ready?
Despite improvements in infrastructure, airport access in northern Hokkaido remains:
- Functional, but not frictionless
- Reliable, but not intuitive
- Sufficient, but not tourist-optimized
For domestic travelers used to Japan’s efficient urban transport, these rural airports may feel rough around the edges.
But for international visitors with no Japanese skills and no car rental plans, the lack of clear signage, English support, and schedule syncing can turn a simple 30-minute ride into a stressful ordeal.
That said, these bus systems are remarkably punctual and well-maintained—just built for locals, not tourists.
So with a bit of preparation (offline maps, printed timetables, cash), even first-timers can navigate them confidently.
Hokkaido rewards those who prepare. Knowing the transport quirks in advance is part of traveling responsibly.
🎯 Final Tips
- Print or screenshot all bus timetables in advance.
- Have exact fare or small change—no IC cards accepted.
- Allow for missed connections—don’t plan tight transfers.
- Don’t rely on taxis showing up—they often don’t.
- Use winter gear—especially in Wakkanai or Memanbetsu from October–April.
