JR Hokkaido rail passes

All JR Hokkaido passes are valid for Ordinary Class travel only and all can be bought in Hokkaido or at some JR East Travel Service Centers on Honshu; alternatively through some authorised agents before arrival in Japan; for details see pp36-9 in Japan by Rail.

For more details see JR Hokkaidos website. See p46 in Japan by Rail for itinerary suggestions and p45 for details of the rail pass shared with JR East.

Children aged 5 and under travel free providing they do not occupy a seat; those aged 6-11 pay half the adult rate. Prices are fixed in yen, but the charge is payable in local currency.

Hokkaido Rail Pass

The Hokkaido Rail Pass (5- and 7-days) is valid on all JR Hokkaido trains (and seat reservations are free) other than the Hokkaido shinkansen and therefore not for the journey from Honshu to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. The pass can be bought in Hokkaido or at JR East Travel Service Centers.

      5-/7-day                                          ¥19,000 (£125/$164) / ¥25,000 (£165/$216)

(The exchange rates quoted are those relevant at the time of research for the 5th edition of Japan by Rail and are given as a guideline only.)