Rail Passes & Tickets
Rail Passes
Sapporo-
Noboribetsu Area Pass
Allows the unlimited rides in the designated area and convenient for travel between New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru and Noboribetsu!
Price:
| Price | Adult | Child (Age 6-11) |
|---|---|---|
| Sales outside Japan* | ￥9,000 | ￥4,500 |
| Sales in Japan | ￥10,000 | ￥5,000 |
* For online purchase (JR-EAST Train Reservation), the price for “Sales outside Japan”applies.
- Eligibility for Use
- This rail pass is available only for foreign visitors who enter Japan with a non-Japanese passport under the entry status of “Temporary Visitor”.
- Validity period
- 4-day
*The rail pass can be used for 4 consecutive days from the starting date you choose. - Sales period
- Throughout the year
- Valid area
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- ・You can take an ordinary car reserved seat and a non-reserved seat on the limited express, rapid and local trains in the valid area.
- ・All seats on the Ltd. Exp. Hokuto and Ltd. Exp. Suzuran are reserved. There are no non-reserved seats on the trains above. Please make sure to receive a reserved seat ticket before boarding. (Seat reservation cannot be made on the train.) If you have not decided the boarding time, you can use a vacant seat in ordinary cars only with your rail pass. (Except the Green Car) However, if a passenger with a reserved seat ticket for that seat comes, please move to another seat. (You need to stand if seats are full.)
- ・If you get off outside of the valid area, you must pay the normal basic fare and charge for the additional section.
- ・The rail pass cannot be used for JR Hokkaido Bus, the streetcar and the subway in Sapporo.
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Sapporo-
Furano Area Pass
Allows the unlimited rides in the designated area and convenient for travel between New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Otaru, Furano, Biei and Asahikawa!
Price:
| Price | Adult | Child (Age 6-11) |
|---|---|---|
| Sales outside Japan* | ￥10,000 | ￥5,000 |
| Sales in Japan | ￥11,000 | ￥5,500 |
* For online purchase (JR-EAST Train Reservation), the price for “Sales outside Japan” applies
- Eligibility for Use
- This rail pass is available only for foreign visitors who enter Japan with a non-Japanese passport under the entry status of “Temporary Visitor”.
- Validity period
- 4-day
*The rail pass can be used for 4 consecutive days from the starting date you choose. - Sales period
- Throughout the year
- Valid area
-
- ・You can take an ordinary car reserved seat and a non-reserved seat on the limited express, rapid and local trains in the valid area.
- ・If you get off outside of the valid area, you must pay the normal basic fare and charge for the additional section.
- ・The rail pass cannot be used for JR Hokkaido Bus, the streetcar and the subway in Sapporo.
-
Hokkaido Rail Pass
Enjoy travelling around Hokkaido! Allows the unlimited rides within validity period!
Price and type:
* For online purchase (JR-EAST Train Reservation), the price for “Sales outside Japan” applies.
- Eligibility for Use
- This rail pass is available only for foreign visitors who enter Japan with a non-Japanese passport under the entry status of “Temporary Visitor”.
- Validity period
- 5-day, 7-day or 10-day
*The rail pass can be used for 5, 7 or 10 consecutive days from the starting date you choose. - Sales period
- Throughout the year
- Valid area
- The rail pass allows the unlimited rides on all JR Hokkaido Lines (except Hokkaido Shinkansen) within validity period.
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- ・Reserved and non-reserved seats in ordinary car of limited express trains on JR Hokkaido Line
- ・All seats on the Ltd. Exp. Hokuto, Ltd. Exp. Suzuran, Ltd. Exp. Ozora, and Ltd. Exp. Tokachi are reserved. There are no non-reserved seats on the trains above. Please make sure to receive a reserved seat ticket before boarding. (Seat reservation cannot be made on the train.) If you have not decided the boarding time, you can use a vacant seat in ordinary cars only with your rail pass. (Except the Green Car) However, if a passenger with a reserved seat ticket for that seat comes, please move to another seat. (You need to stand if seats are full.)
- ・Reserved and non-reserved seats of special rapid and rapid trains on JR Hokkaido Line
- ・Local trains on JR Hokkaido Line
- ・Reserved and non-reserved seats of temporary trains (limited express/rapid/local) on JR Hokkaido Line (*If you wish to take the SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train, please purchase a reserved seat ticket.)
*The rail pass can be used for some JR Hokkaido buses. Please see here for details.
*The rail pass cannot be used for the Hokkaido Shinkansen, the South Hokkaido Railway, the streetcar and the subway.
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Reserved Seats
Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass, Sapporo-Furano Area Pass, Hokkaido Rail Pass: You can use reserved seats in ordinary car. Advance seat reservation is available. (Except for some trains) You feel safe even during peak season.
*When the number of reserved seats for rail pass users is limited, you may not be able to use a reserved seat depending on the train and section even if it is not occupied.
*Hokkaido Rail Pass users only: The additional reserved seat charge is required for taking SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train.
*All seats on the Ltd. Exp. Hokuto, Ltd. Exp. Suzuran, Ltd. Exp. Ozora, and Ltd. Exp. Tokachi are reserved. There are no non-reserved seats on the trains above. Please make sure to receive a reserved seat ticket before boarding.
How to reserve seats
How to reserve seatsPlease make sure to receive reserved seat tickets before boarding if you plan to use a reserved seat. (Seats cannot be reserved on the train.)
*If you wish to change your train after receiving a reserved seat ticket, please change your ticket at the ticket counter.
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①Online reservation
JR-EAST Train Reservation*Some trains such as local trains, sightseeing trains and temporary trains cannot be reserved.
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②Apply at a station
・JR Information Desk
・JR Ticket Counter (Midori-no-madoguchi)
・Reserved seat ticket vending machine in the major JR Hokkaido stations
You can issue reserved seat tickets by yourself using a reserved seat ticket vending machine.
See here for how to use reserved seat ticket vending machine.
Reserved seat ticket arrangements during peak season
The rail pass exchange/purchase counters are very busy during peak season, and you may have to wait for a long time.
Please note that we may limit the number of reserved seat tickets issued at one time to reduce the waiting time for customers.
Thank you for your understanding.
Eligibility for Use
- ・The rail pass is available only for foreign visitors who enter Japan with a non-Japanese passport under the entry status of “Temporary Visitor”.
- ・When you exchange or purchase a rail pass at the designated station in Japan, you need to show your passport with a “Temporary Visitor” stamp/sticker (or the “registered user card” of the Trusted Traveler Program that the “Temporary Visitor” is printed).
- ・According to the Japanese Immigration Law, you are allowed to stay in Japan for 15 days or 90 days under the entry status of “Temporary Visitor” with the purpose of sightseeing etc. If you apply for a stay with the purpose of sightseeing etc. when entering Japan, an immigration officer will put a “Temporary Visitor” stamp/sticker on your passport. Only visitors with this stamp/sticker (or visitors who have the “Temporary Visitor” printed on a “registered user card” of the Trusted Traveler Program) can use the rail pass.
*You cannot purchase a rail pass if you enter Japan under the entry status other than “Temporary Visitor” such as “Training”, “Entertainer”, or “Re-entry” etc.
*The entry status of “Temporary Visitor” includes sightseeing, recreation, sports, visiting relatives, inspection tours, attending lectures or meetings, business liaison or other similar activities.
*If you use an automated gate, the “Temporary Visitor” stamp/sticker will not be put on your passport. Please use a manned automated gate or ask an immigration officer how you can get the stamp or the sticker.
An example of “Temporary Visitor” stamp/sticke
How to Purchase
1. At a travel agent outside Japan
Please purchase an Exchange Order at the travel agents before coming to Japan.
*An e-ticket Exchange Order (QR Code) can also be purchased.
After arriving in Japan, please exchange your Exchange Order for the pass at the designated counters in Hokkaido.
Notes
- ・When you purchase an Exchange Order, please check that your name written on the Exchange Order is completely the same as the one on your passport.
- ・The price of the Exchange Order may fluctuate depending on the exchange rate.
- ・An Exchange Order is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. (An E-ticket exchange order is valid for 90 days.)
2. JR-EAST Train Reservation
Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass, Sapporo-Furano Area Pass and Hokkaido Rail Pass can be purchased by JR-EAST Train Reservation.You can also reserve seats.
After arriving in Japan, please receive your rail pass at the designated counters.
3. In Japan
You can purchase the rail pass directly at the designated counters below by cash (Japanese yen only) or credit card.
Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass: Available for purchase only at New Chitose Airport, Sapporo and Noboribetsu Stations
Sapporo-Furano Area Pass: Available for purchase only at New Chitose Airport, Sapporo and Asahikawa Stations
Rail pass exchange/
purchase counters in Japan
- ・The exchange and purchase can only be made during office hours (hours for handling rail passes).
- ・It may take time to issue a rail pass. Please give yourself plenty of time to spare when receiving the rail pass.
- ・Please show your passport with a “Temporary Visitor” stamp/sticker (or the “registered user card” of the Trusted Traveler Program that the “Temporary Visitor” is printed). (A copy of the passport etc. is not acceptable.)
- ・There is an application form to fill out the designated items.
★The stations for exchange and purchase differ depending on the type of the rail pass.
*Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass can be exchanged or purchased only at New Chitose Airport, Sapporo and Noboribetsu Stations.
*Sapporo-Furano Area Pass can be exchanged or purchased only at New Chitose Airport, Sapporo and Asahikawa Stations.
How to Use
Please insert only your rail pass into the automatic ticket gate. Please make sure to pick up your rail pass after passing through the gate. The rail pass cannot be reissued even if it is lost or stolen etc.
*Reserved seat tickets cannot be used to go through the gate.
Please show your rail pass to the staff at the station without automatic ticket gates.
Other
- ・The rail pass cannot be given to others.
- ・Please make sure to carry your passport while traveling. If you are asked to show your passport by the staff when showing the rail pass, please show it with your rail pass.
- ・You can take the JR Hokkaido buses only with the Hokkaido Rail Pass (except intercity buses and temporary buses). For an express bus between Sapporo and Otaru, you can only take the bus which is operated by JR Hokkaido Bus. When you get on the JR Hokkaido Bus, please take a numbered ticket. When you get off the bus, please give the numbered ticket and show your Hokkaido Rail Pass to a bus driver. The rail pass cannot be used for other companies’ bus and subway.
*Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass and Sapporo-Furano Area Pass cannot be used for JR Hokkaido Bus.
- ・If you wish to use a first-class car (Green car) on the limited express train, please pay the limited express charge in addition to Green car charge.
- ・If you wish to take a reserved seat, please receive a reserved seat ticket before boarding the train. You cannot change to a reserved seat on the train.
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・
All seats on the Ltd. Exp. Hokuto, Ltd. Exp. Suzuran, Ltd. Exp. Ozora, and Ltd. Exp. Tokachi are reserved. There are no non-reserved seats on the trains above. Please make sure to receive a reserved seat ticket before boarding.
If you have not decided the boarding time, you can use a vacant seat in ordinary cars only with your rail pass. (Except the Green Car) However, if a passenger with a reserved seat ticket for that seat comes, please move to another seat. (You need to stand if seats are full.) - ・The rail pass is valid only within the validity period.
- ・The rail pass you have cannot be changed to a different type of rail pass or ticket. Also, the starting date of the validity period cannot be changed.
- ・The rail pass will not be reissued even if it is lost (or stolen).
- ・Other conditions are in compliance with the passenger transportation regulations of JR Hokkaido and Japanese laws.
- ・If you violate the conditions and the passenger transportation regulations of JR Hokkaido, the rail pass will be invalid and collected. In addition, you must pay the triple fares and charges for all the section you took a train.
- ・If there is any doubt about the transportation conditions stated in English, the Japanese version is regarded as original.
Refunds
- ・Please ask the travel agent that you purchased the Exchange Order whether the Exchange Order you did not use can be refunded or not. The handling fee will be based on the rules of the place you purchased the Exchange Order.
- ・Refunds for the rail pass after exchange can be made only before the starting date of the validity period as a general rule at the designated purchase/exchange counters for the rail pass. In this case, 10% of the sales price (Japanese yen) will be charged as the handling fee (560 yen will be charged as the handling fee for rail pass purchased by JR-EAST Train Reservation.) and the balance will be refunded.
- ・It is not possible to extend the validity period of the rail pass or receive a refund after the starting date for any reasons including the cancellation and delay of trains. Also, we do not take any responsibility for additional costs for transportation and accommodation due to the itinerary changes.
Click here for details.
Pamphlet
Click here for English version.
Click here for Thai version.
Special Offer
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