New Chitose Airport to Upopoy takes about 50 minutes by car. Suitcases aren't allowed in the paid area and winter closing is 5pm, so plan your arrival day first.
Upopoy, the National Ainu Museum and Park in Shiraoi, is a popular first stop after landing at New Chitose, because it sits on the way to Noboribetsu, Lake Toya and Niseko. The real question isn't how far it is, but whether you can visit straight off the plane with suitcases. Short answer: it's about 50 minutes by car, suitcases aren't allowed in the paid area, and in winter the park closes at 5pm, so the day needs a little planning.
New Chitose to Shiraoi: drive or train
Upopoy's access page gives about 40 minutes by car from the airport to Shiraoi IC, plus about 10 minutes to the park, so roughly 50 minutes (longer on snowy roads). By train, the site says Upopoy is about a 10-minute walk (around 500 m) from the north exit of JR Shiraoi Station; see JR Hokkaido for timetables.
The trade-off with the train is luggage: you change trains on the way, then walk with your cases, and then meet the park's luggage rule at the gate. A private transfer takes you from the arrivals hall to the park in one go, so the bags are loaded only once.
Suitcases are the real obstacle
According to the park's services page, suitcases are not permitted in the paid area. Your options are:
- 20 large coin lockers at the Entrance Center, about 360 x 650 x 850 mm inside, cash only;
- 210 small lockers in the museum (about 375 x 430 x 300 mm), too small for a suitcase;
- leaving larger items with staff at the Entrance Center information desk.
Whether two big check-in cases fit a large locker depends on their actual size, and lockers can run out on busy days. If you have a lot of luggage, tell us when booking so our team can confirm how to arrange the stop.
Will you have enough time on arrival day?
The official hours for April 2026 to March 2027:
- 1 April-31 October: 9:00-18:00
- 1 November-31 March: 9:00-17:00
- Closed: Mondays (next business day if Monday is a public holiday), 28 December-4 January, 27 February-8 March
- Last entry: one hour before closing for the park, 30 minutes before for the museum; parking opens from 8:30
In winter that means last park entry at 16:00 and museum entry at 16:30. A flight landing at 13:00 typically clears immigration and baggage by about 14:00; add the 50-minute drive and you reach the gate around 15:00, leaving roughly an hour. A morning arrival, or visiting the next day, gives a far better visit. Also check the day isn't a Monday or in a closure period.
Parking on busy days
The park says Car Parking 1 has 246 spaces, and on busy days such as Golden Week staff may direct cars to a temporary lot about 0.5 km away. Staff on site manage these arrangements, so we don't promise a specific drop-off point; give us your date when booking and our team will confirm the plan.
Where to go next
Upopoy is on the road towards Noboribetsu and Lake Toya, so it usually works as a stop. See New Chitose to Otaru, Noboribetsu and Toya, New Chitose to Sapporo or New Chitose to Niseko in winter. Shiraoi isn't on our price list, so please ask for a quote.
When you know your flight and next hotel, send them through the booking page and we will confirm the vehicle and price.
FAQ
- How long is the drive from New Chitose Airport to Upopoy?
- Upopoy's official site gives about 40 minutes by car to Shiraoi IC, then about 10 minutes from the IC to Upopoy, roughly 50 minutes in total. Actual time depends on traffic and weather.
- Can I take a suitcase into Upopoy?
- The official services page says suitcases are not permitted in the paid area. The Entrance Center has 20 large coin lockers (inside about 360 mm wide x 650 mm deep x 850 mm high), and items that don't fit can be left with staff at the Entrance Center information desk. Check the official site for the latest rules.
- What time does Upopoy close in winter, and which days is it closed?
- From 1 November 2026 to 31 March 2027 it is open 9:00-17:00 (9:00-18:00 from April to October). It closes on Mondays (the following business day if Monday is a public holiday), 28 December-4 January and 27 February-8 March. Last entry is one hour before closing; the museum's is 30 minutes before.
- How do I get a quote for a private transfer from New Chitose to Upopoy?
- Shiraoi isn't on our public price list, so please ask our team for a quote. Include your flight arrival time, party size, luggage count and your next stop (Noboribetsu, Lake Toya, Niseko or Sapporo), and we will confirm the vehicle and arrangements.
- Is the train a good way to reach Upopoy from the airport?
- The official site says Upopoy is about a 10-minute walk (roughly 500 m) from the north exit of JR Shiraoi Station. With suitcases you have a transfer on the way plus that walk; check JR Hokkaido for timetables.