TL;DR
United Airlines has announced two new nonstop routes to Japan launching this northern autumn. A year-round Chicago to Tokyo Narita service starts October 24, with a seasonal San Francisco to Sapporo's New Chitose Airport route running December to March three times a week. Both airports serve as primary gateways to Japan's most popular ski regions - Nagano and Hokkaido respectively.
United Airlines has announced two new nonstop routes to Japan, with both airports serving as primary gateways to the country's most popular ski regions.
The carrier confirmed the new services on 21 May. A year-round daily flight from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to Tokyo Narita (NRT) launches on 24 October, operated on a Boeing 787-8. A seasonal service from San Francisco (SFO) to Sapporo's New Chitose Airport (CTS) will run three times a week from December through March on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
Chicago to Tokyo Narita - the Nagano gateway
Tokyo Narita is the more useful airport for skiers heading to the mountains of Nagano Prefecture. It sits on the eastern side of greater Tokyo and connects directly into Japan's Shinkansen network, making resorts like Hakuba Valley accessible without an overnight in the city.
The new Chicago-Narita route complements United's existing Chicago to Tokyo Haneda (HND) service. Haneda is the more convenient option for travellers staying in central Tokyo; Narita is the better choice for anyone heading straight to the snow.
San Francisco to Sapporo - direct to Hokkaido
The San Francisco to New Chitose Airport route is the more significant announcement for ski-focused travellers. Hokkaido - Japan's northernmost main island - is home to Niseko, Rusutsu, and Furano, and has built a substantial international following on the back of its consistent powder snowfall and relatively uncrowded slopes compared to the main island's more accessible resorts.
