Tour Overview
The JR Hokkaido Rail Pass 10-Day, 5-Day, and 7-Day Passes officially go on sale on October 1, 2023. Unlike previous passes, they offer designated seats! Also available are the JR Sapporo-Furano Area Pass 4-Day and the JR Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass 4-Day, saving an average of 65% on transportation costs. The more days you purchase, the better the deal! During the purchase period, unlimited travel on ordinary carriages on the following JR lines: limited express, local, rapid, and temporary trains (limited express, rapid, and local), as well as JR Hokkaido buses.
・Reserved and non-reserved seats on JR Hokkaido Line limited express trains
・Reserved and non-reserved seats on JR Hokkaido Line limited rapid and rapid trains
・Large trains on JR Hokkaido Lines
・Reserved and non-reserved seats on JR Hokkaido Line special trains (limited express, rapid, and local) (※A separate reserved seat ticket is required to ride the SL Winter Shitsugen train.)
※Valid on some JR Hokkaido bus routes.
※Not valid on the Hokkaido Shinkansen, the Hokkaido Ibari Railway, trams, or subways.
This pass is only valid for foreign tourists visiting Japan for a short period of time and meeting the following conditions.
- Holders of non-Japanese passports
Visit Japan for sightseeing purposes and obtain a short-term residence permit for up to 90 days upon entry
Terms of Use
1. Valid for unlimited rides on ordinary cars on the following eligible JR lines within the purchase period: Limited Express, Local, Rapid, and Special (Limited Express, Rapid, and Local) trains.
2. Valid for buses within the purchase period: JR Hokkaido Bus
This pass does not cover:
South Hokkaido ISARIBI Railway
Hokkaido Shinkansen
Sapporo Municipal Subway
Hokkaido Chuo Bus
Hokkaido Tramways
*Actual availability is subject to official announcement by JR Hokkaido.
Travel Notes
- When purchasing an exchange voucher, please ensure that the name on the voucher is exactly the same as on your passport.
- The price of the exchange voucher is subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
- This is an electronic voucher, sent via email, and must be redeemed within the ticket's validity period.
- Ticket validity period: 90 days from the ticket issue date.
- To redeem your voucher, please bring your passport and exchange voucher to a designated green ticket machine or JR green ticket window at a designated station.
※Passports with an IC chip are required for redemption at the ticket machine.
※If the ticket machine is malfunctioning or your passport does not have an IC chip, please redeem your voucher at a designated station window.
- Valid for unlimited consecutive rides starting from the designated travel date, based on the number of days purchased.
- One passport can only be redeemed for one type of pass per route.
- To travel on limited express or express trains other than the green cars and reserved seats in ordinary cars covered by the voucher, you will need to purchase a separate reserved or express ticket.
- When traveling outside the designated travel area, you will need to pay the fare and fees for that section separately.
- Children 5 years and under travel free of charge without occupying a seat, and each adult can bring up to two children free of charge. (Please refer to the ticket purchase date.)
- The Hokkaido Rail Pass includes reserved seats in ordinary cars (excluding the SL Winter Shitsugen train). Advance reservations are available (with some exceptions), providing peace of mind even during peak season.
- Some trains and sections have a maximum number of reserved seats, so you may not be able to board even if reserved seats are available.
- A separate reserved seat ticket is required to board the SL Winter Shitsugen train.
- Holders of the Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass, the Sapporo-Furano Area Pass, and the 10-Day Hokkaido Rail Pass will be able to travel in reserved seats in ordinary cars by purchasing tickets (at the new price) starting October 1, 2023.
Hokkaido Railway Tourist Map - Recommended
https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/pdf/tw-AccessMap.pdf
Hokkaido Railway Route Map
https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/pdf/route_map.pdf
Tour Pricing
The cost includes:
- JR Hokkaido Rail Pass | 5/7/10-day electronic voucher (depending on the number of days purchased)
The cost does not include:
- JR Hokkaido Rail Pass | Expenses not listed in the itinerary, including transportation, meals, sightseeing tickets, personal expenses (telephone calls, dry cleaning, drinks, etc.), and optional tours.
