Types of Tickets

• A basic fare ticket is required for boarding.
• All seats are reserved on all JR Hokkaido’s limited express trains. For boarding, a “reserved seat limited express ticket” or “vacant seat only ticket” is required in addition to a basic fare ticket (※1).
  (※1) IC cards can be used as a basic fare ticket only when both the departure and arrival stations are within the same IC card area. Click here for details.
• Sightseeing trains with all seats reserved (Furano Biei Norokko Train, Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train, SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train): A “reserved seat ticket” is required in addition to a basic fare ticket. IC cards cannot be used.
• Rapid Airport, Ryuhyo Monogatari Train: For reserved seats, a “reserved seat ticket” is required in addition to a basic fare ticket (※2).
  (※2) IC cards can be used as a basic fare ticket only on the Rapid Airport.

Ticket Types

Train Types in Hokkaido	Stops	Car & Seat Type	Ticket(s) Required
Local train	Every station	All seats non-reserved (Except sightseeing trains)
Rapid train	Skips some stations
Rapid Airport (Semi-Rapid/Special Rapid)	Skips some stations	Non-reserved (Cars No. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6)
		Reserved (Only Car No. 4)	+
Limited express train	Major stations	Ordinary car (All seats reserved)	+ or + ★Vacant seat only ticket
		Green car (*1)	+ +
Shinkansen	Shinkansen stations	Ordinary car (All seats reserved)	+
		Green car (All seats reserved)	+ +
		Gran Class (All seats reserved)

*1 Green cars are available only on the Soya, Sarobetsu, Hokuto, Tokachi, Ozora, and Lilac services. They may not be available if there are car changes.

★Vacant seat only ticket : You need to decide the boarding date and section but not train and seat number. Any vacant seats (only in ordinary cars) on your desired train can be used temporarily. If a passenger with a reserved seat ticket for that seat comes, you must move to another seat.
The price of the vacant seat only ticket is the same as that of the reserved seat limited express ticket. If you decide the boarding time before boarding, you can reserve a seat without additional charge by reserved seat ticket vending machine etc. (Only if there are vacant seats)
You may need to stand if seats are full. (Refunds cannot be made for the reason that seats are full)

Car Formation (Example)

Long Distance (Sapporo - Kushiro, etc.) Limited Express Train

Short Distance (Sapporo - Asahikawa, etc.) Limited Express Train

Local/Rapid Train (Some trains have reserved seats)

Car Types of Limited Express Train

There are two types of car: Ordinary and Green.

The difference between Ordinary and Green cars is…

Green cars have wider seats for a more comfortable and relaxing trip.

Reserved Seat

Because the date, train, departure time, arrival time, and seat number are determined, a seat is guaranteed.

Non-reserved Seat

Available on local and rapid trains. You can travel without selecting a specific train or seat.

Passenger Classification