Rail Passes & Tickets
How to Use JR Hokkaido
Changing Unused Tickets
- A valid unused ticket can be changed only once to a different t icket of the same category (excluding Commuter passes, Books of tickets, Discount tickets, etc.) without any handling charges (but there are some exceptions). In this case, any difference in the fare will be collected, and when there is a balance left over, this will be repaid to you.
- If a second change is necessary, please request a refund at a JR Ticket Office in stations or travel agencies, and then purchas e your new desired ticket.
- A reserved seat ticket can only be changed before the departure of the train on which the original seat was reserved. The ticket is not valid after the train's departure.
- Changes for reserved-seat tickets can be made at any JR Ticket Counter (Midori-no-madoguchi) during business hours.
- Changes for tickets purchased by credit card at travel agencies and so on can only be made at the same original place of purchase.
Changes after the Start of Your Trip
- Tickets can be changed after the start of a trip ̶ any fare ba lances and surcharges required must be paid, but previously pai d fares or charges will not be refunded except for ordinary basic fare tickets with an unused segment of at least 101 km.
Refunds
- Any unused, valid ticket can be refunded after deduction of the cancellation charge specified below.
| Type of Ticket | Conditions for Refunding Tickets | Cancellation Charge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic fare ticket Book of tickets Express ticket Non-reserved seat limited express ticket Special limited express ticket Non-reserved seat green car ticket |
Within period of validity before use | 220 yen | |
| Reserved tickets | Standing limited express ticket | Prior to time of departure | 220 yen |
| Vacant seat only ticket | Within period of validity before use | 340 yen | |
| Reserved seat limited express ticket Reserved seat green car ticket Berth ticket Reserved seat ticket |
Two days prior to train's departure | 340 yen | |
| From the day before departure until time of departure | 30% 340 yen being the lowest charge amount |
||
| Discount Tickets | Conditions vary depending on ticket — please consult with JR staff. | ||
- Tickets purchased using a credit card can only be refunded at the JR Ticket Counter, etc. where originally purchased.
If you lose your ticket
- If you lose your ticket, please inform the staff at the JR Ticket Counter or the train crew. You will need to repurchase the same ticket as your lost ticket. (The ticket will be marked as “紛失再 reissued due to loss”.) For reserved seat tickets, you will need to repurchase a reserved seat ticket for the same train.
*A rail pass cannot be reissued if it is lost (or stolen).
- Please get a “再収受証明 proof of re-receipt” on the repurchased ticket from the staff at your arrival station and take it home with you.
- If the “lost ticket” is found within one year, please bring both the repurchased ticket and the original ticket (“lost ticket”) to the station. A refund will be made for the repurchased ticket after deducting a handling fee of 220 yen (340 yen for reserved seat tickets).
- The stolen tickets will be handled in the same way.