The U-turn rush of people returning from visiting their hometowns and other places during the New Year holidays peaked on the 3rd. The JR Sapporo Station in central Sapporo and the nearby intercity bus terminals were crowded from the morning with people carrying suitcases and souvenir bags.
JR Sapporo Station
JR Sapporo Station is the main railway hub of Hokkaido’s capital, opening in 1880 as part of Japan’s northern expansion. The current modern station building, featuring the iconic “Ekimo” shopping complex, was largely redeveloped in 2003 and serves as the central gateway for the Shinkansen, local trains, and the city’s extensive underground pedestrian network.
