hokkaido tourist train

Hokkaido Rail Pass

The Hokkaido Rail Pass is a rail pass for exclusive use by foreign visitors to Japan, providing unlimited travel on JR trains (except the Hokkaido Shinkansen ) and most JR buses in Hokkaido on five, seven or ten consecutive days.

• A green car version is not available; reduced rates (50% off) apply to children aged 6-11.

Below is a map of major train lines that can be used with the Hokkaido Rail Pass:

• Unlimited use of JR trains in Hokkaido except the Hokkaido Shinkansen .
• Unlimited use of JR Hokkaido Bus lines, except the lines from Sapporo to Asahikawa, Monbetsu, Obihiro, Hiroo and Erimo and the line from Tomakomai to Erimo.
• Seat reservations can be made for free.
• The passes are valid on consecutive calendar days (midnight to midnight).
• Only foreign visitors to Japan ( temporary visitors ) can use the Hokkaido Rail Pass. It cannot be used by residents of Japan.

Points of sale

The Hokkaido Rail Pass can be purchased through various websites on the internet , through travel agencies outside of Japan and at major JR railway stations in Hokkaido , including Sapporo, New Chitose Airport and Hakodate stations. When purchasing the pass outside of Japan or online, the actual pass has to be picked up at a major station in Hokkaido before use.

This pass only makes sense, if you plan on traveling long distances. The table below shows approximate regular fares for one-way limited express tickets between selected major cities. Use it to compare the cost of regular tickets with the cost of a Hokkaido Rail Pass:

Alternative tickets

The Hokkaido Free Pass has the same coverage area as the Hokkaido Rail Pass, but it is also available to residents of Japan. It is a little bit more expensive, is only available as a 7-day version and cannot be used during peak travel seasons.

Questions? Ask in our forum .

Links and Resources

JR HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS

• Adult tickets

Who can buy the Pass? * Prices are subject to change without notice * Child 5 years of age and under not requiring a seat is free of charge.

Important Notices  **Please read below instructions carefully**

Please make sure to enter names in your order matching EXACTLY as passport name appears including full middle name, suffix, or prefix.

Failure to do so will result in starting over your entire order.

※日本のパスポートをお持ちで、グリーンカードを確認書類として使用する場合はグリーンカード上の名前でオーダーを作成してください。

If your departure to Japan is less than 20 days , select "Overnight Shipping" as the delivery method.

Please double check name matches passport and address is accurate for shipping before submitting your order.

After submission, you will receive email from JTB, please make sure again your order name is exactly same on your passport and reply immediately.

Otherwise, your order will NOT be processed until we confirm all information.

Due to the high volume of orders, if your departure date to japan is within 10 days, we might not able to process depends on the situation. Please contact us immediately before placing your order. Please make sure to place an order with your name matching with your passport. You must enter full name with full middle name. After you place an order, we will email you to send us passport picture to confirm your name, validity and nationality. Please do not cut off the customer and exchange part of the JR Pass voucher that will be sent to you. (Please note that if the customer or exchange part on the voucher is cut off, it cannot be exchanged in Japan.) * Frequently Asked Questions * Q. What is “Start to use pass from” in the order? A. The date you want to start using the pass from. This can be changed at the time of exchange the voucher in Japan. You can select tentative date as long as it is within 3 months from today. Q. How much is shipping fee? A. Overnight shipping: $30 ($35 for Hawaii/Alaska) and 2 days shipping: $20 ($25 for Hawaii/Alaska) Please select overnight shipping if you are departing within 20 days from today. Q. What is the process? A. After JR pass order submission, you will receive an email from JTB. Please reply with mentioned documents. Once documents are confirmed, your order will be processed. Currently, we ship out on Monday, Friday at 10am(PT) only. If your departure date within 10 days, please contact us immediately. Confirmed orders after 10am on shipping day will be shipped on next shipping day. Please note that it may take longer time to process and ship out due to high volume of orders. If you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected]

• http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/about_jrp.html

What is the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass? Who can buy?

The JR Hokkaido Pass is the most convenient, efficient, and economical way to travel in Hokkaido. Travelers visiting Japan from foreign countries for sightseeing can purchase.

The JR Hokkaido Pass is a special pass, only available to travelers visiting Japan from foreign countries for sightseeing. You must hold a passport issued by a foreign government and enter Japan as a “Temporary Visitor”, which is a status of residence defined under Japanese immigration law. "Temporary visitor" entry status, according to Japanese Immigration Law, allows a stay in Japan of 15 days or 90 days for "sight-seeing, etc.". If you apply for a "stay for sight-seeing" when you enter Japan, entry personnel will stamp your passport "temporary visitor". Only persons who have a passport bearing this stamp can use a JR Hokkaido Pass. * Japanese citizens living abroad can not use this pass. * If you hold both a Japanese passport and a passport of another country (Dual Citizenship), please be sure to enter Japan with the non-Japanese passport and obtain the "temporary visitor" stamp to be eligible to exchange.

Caution: Even if you visit Japan with an Exchange Order, to be turned in for a JR Hokkaido Rail Pass, the exchange cannot be made unless you have "temporary visitor" status; if you enter Japan under any other official status, such as "trainee" or "entertainer", you can not change the Exchange Order for a JR Hokkaido Rail Pass. Please note that according to strict interpretation of the Japanese Immigration Law, "temporary visitor" status differs even from other types of stays that are also for only short time periods. When you exchange to JR Hokkaido Rail Pass, you must submit the original Exchange Order. A copy is not acceptable.

How to obtain? How to use?

Purchase an Exchange Order before you leave for Japan and exchange the voucher in Japan. You are able to purchase the voucher through the JTB USA website.

1. Purchase an Exchange Order before you come to Japan You need to purchase a JR Hokkaido Rail Pass Exchange Order from an authorized sales agent in the US prior to your arrival in Japan. JTB USA is one of a few authorized sales agents for Japan's National Railway Group and offers a full selection of rail pass options.

2. Present your Exchange Order and obtain your JR Hokkaido Rail Pass after you arrive in Japan Upon arrival in Japan, you need to turn in the Exchange Order to receive your JR Hokkaido Rail Pass at an applicable JAPAN RAIL station that has a JR Hokkaido Rail Pass exchange office.

JR Hokkaido Pass Validity

Transportation Services & Accommodations & Valid Period

The JR Hokkaido Pass is valid for all the train lines offered by Hokkaido Railway Co. and bus lines of JR Hokkaido Bus (excluding Sapporo - Asahikawa / Sapporo - Monbetsu / Sapporo - Obihiro / Sapporo - Kiroro lines and irregular lines).

With an Ordinary-type JR Hokkaido Pass, you can use reserved ordinary car seats of trains operated by Hokkaido Railway Co. If you use a sleeping car, you must pay the limited express charge and berth charge.

Many JR HOKKAIDO trains have Green cars (First class); all have ordinary cars. You can use ordinary cars with an PASS, without paying additional charges.Refer to the following table for details:

You must exchange your Exchange Order for JR Hokkaido Pass within three months from the date of issue. At that time, you must specify the date that you want to start using the PASS. It can be any date within one month from the date the PASS is received.

Once the PASS has a starting date written on it, the date connot be changed.

After commencing travel with the PASS beyond the valid period, it can be used until the day following its expiration date if no stops are made. If the trains you board on that day have accommodations requiring limited express or express charges, you must pay the applicable charges.

* Flexible 4-Day Pass The date of use cannot be selected with the Flexible 4-Day Ticket. It is effective the day you exchange it, that being day one, and continues to be effective for ten days in which it can be used any four days either consecutive or not? EX: If you purchase or exchange a Flexible 4-Day ticket the 1st of July, it is effective until July 10th, and can be used any four days within the ten day period.

How to make a reservatioin

Seat reservations can be made without additional payment.

Seat reservations can be made without additional payment. To make a reservation, apply at any major station or Travel Service Center (Twinkle Plaza) or a reservation office (midori-no-madoguchi) at a JR HOKKAIDO station. There, present your PASS, and obtain your reserved-seat ticket before boarding.

A non-reserved seat can be used simply by presenting your JR Hokkaido Pass.

Seat reservations cannot be made before you receive the PASS in Japan.

Note: When seats are fully reserved, you should use a non-reserved seat. In this case, no refund can be made of the price difference between a reserved seat and a non-reserved seat.

Other Usage conditions

A JR Hokkaido Pass is strictly limited to the designated individual.

A JR Hokkaido Pass is strictly limited to the designated individual; it is not transferable from one person to another.

You should carry your passport during travel, and be prepared to present it if requested.

Neither an Exchange Order nor a JR Hokkaido Pass can be reissued if lost or stolen.

These and other usage conditions follow the Hokkaido Railway Group passenger transportation regulations and Japanese laws. The validity of an Exchange Order during the period before it is submitted for a HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS, however, shall follow the stipulations and regulations of the company that issued the Exchange Order.

Please take a number ticket upon boarding bus.

Other conditions are in compliance with the Hokkaido Railway Co. Rules and Japanese laws. For rules concerning the exchange vouchers they will depend on the rules and regulations of the travel agency at which you purchased the voucher.

Note: A JR Hokkaido Pass cannot be used in an automatic ticket-reading gate. Please present the PASS at a manned gate.

More Information about the JR Pass

If you have questions, please contact your local JTB branch or call the phone number below. JTB Reservation Center : (800)223-6104 Office hour : 9:00 - 20:30 Eastern Time (Mon-Fri) E-mail : [email protected]

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