Getting Around Kitami
Kitami is the largest city and commercial center of the Okhotsk Subprefecture, and it grew out of the merger of several former towns that now exist as autonomous districts. That history matters for a visitor: the main urban area is compact enough to explore on foot, but the wider city stretches out toward surrounding districts, so a mix of walking, trains, buses, and taxis will serve you best depending on where you're headed.
Arriving by Train
The JR Sekihoku Main Line runs through the city from Sapporo toward Abashiri, and Kitami Station sits in the center of the main urban area. The Limited Express Okhotsk stops at Kitami Station, so if you're coming from Sapporo this is the fastest rail option. Local trains also run along the line, so you can use the same route to reach other stations within the city.
- Kitami Station — the central stop, served by the Limited Express and located in the heart of the city.
- Rubeshibe Station — also served by the Limited Express, and the center of the Rubeshibe area.
- Other local stations along the line within the city include Nishirubeshibe, Ainonai, Higashiainonai, Nishikitami, Hakuyō, Itoshino, Tanno, and Hiushinai.
Local trains run at intervals of roughly one to two hours, so it's worth checking the timetable before you set out if you plan to rely on the train for a particular trip.
Buses Within the City
Hokkaido Kitami Bus operates several routes around Kitami, making it the main public transport option for getting between parts of the city that the rail line doesn't conveniently serve. In the Tokoro area, Abashiri Bus services several areas instead. If you're staying in the central city and want to reach outlying districts, the local bus network is your most practical choice.
Taxis and Rental Cars
Taxis are readily available, including at the airport, where they offer a direct but considerably more expensive alternative to the airport bus. For visitors who want to explore the wider city and surrounding sights at their own pace, rental cars are an option — several providers have offices in Kitami, including Eki, Nippon, Orix, Times, and Toyota.
Walkability
The main urban area of Kitami is the commercial heart of the region and is laid out around Kitami Station, which makes the center reasonably walkable for everyday needs like dining, shopping, and reaching your accommodation. Beyond the central area, however, the city spreads across a large area that includes former town districts, so walking alone won't cover everything — plan to combine walking in the center with buses, trains, or a car for anything farther out.
Getting Into the City from the Airport
Memambetsu Airport serves Kitami, with JAL and Air Do operating flights from Tokyo and Sapporo, and ANA operating flights from Nagoya. From the airport, the most straightforward option into central Kitami is the airport bus run by Hokkaido Kitami Bus, which is timed to connect with arriving flights. The ride takes about 42 minutes and costs ¥1000 per person.
Taxis are also available from the airport as a faster, more private alternative, but they cost approximately ¥7500 per car — a significant difference if you're traveling alone or as a couple.
Intercity Buses
If you're arriving from elsewhere in Hokkaido rather than by train or plane, Hokkaido Kitami Bus also operates intercity services that stop in Kitami:
- Dreamint Okhotsk — co-operated with Abashiri Bus, running between Sapporo and Abashiri via Kitami, with several round trips daily. The journey from Sapporo to Kitami takes about 4 hours 30 minutes and costs ¥5190.
- Express Sekihoku — runs from Kitami to Asahikawa via Onneyu Onsen and Sounkyo Onsen, with several round trips daily. The trip takes about 4 hours 30 minutes and costs ¥3500 to Asahikawa.
- Express Senboku — co-operated with Kushiro Bus, running from Kitami to Kushiro via Lake Akan, with a couple of round trips daily. The trip takes about 3 hours and costs ¥3300 to Kushiro.
Arriving by Car
If you're driving, the Doto Expressway reaches Kitami from Obihiro in the south, while National Route 39 passes through the city from Sapporo and Asahikawa in the west on its way to Abashiri in the east.
Practical Summary
For most visitors, the practical pattern is this: arrive at Kitami Station by Limited Express or local train, or take the airport bus from Memambetsu Airport into the center. Once in the city, walk the central area, use Hokkaido Kitami Bus for local routes, and consider a taxi or rental car if you want to reach the outlying districts or explore at your own pace. For longer trips around Hokkaido, the intercity buses and the Sekihoku Main Line give you solid connections to Sapporo, Abashiri, Asahikawa, and Kushiro.