Hokkaido Rail PassHOKKAIDO RAIL PASS holders may ride all JR Hokkaido trains (except Hokkaido Shinkansen) within the valid period.
Validity
HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS holders can ride all JR Hokkaido trains (except Hokkaido Shinkansen)and some designated JR buses within Hokkaido. This pass allows you to ride buses and trains without having to buy tickets each time, and you don't have to worry about language barriers.
*There is an extra charge for the sleeping car and carpet car.
*The JR Hokkaido bus routes available to pass holders are limited
*HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS CANNOT be used on lines of other companies such as South Hokkaido Railway, Sapporo Municipal Subway, etc.
[Updated: as of Oct 2023. The validity and rules may change without notice.]
Valid Period
*The 5-Day and 7-Day pass allows you to choose the starting date and can be used for either 5 or 7 consecutive days from the starting date.
*The validity period of rail passes is based on the date of exchange. e.g. If the starting date of a 5-day Hokkaido Rail Pass is May 1 and the pass is exchanged on May 1 at 15:00, it will be valid until May 5.
Eligibility for use
Only a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing, under the entry status of "temporary visitor." Japanese passport holders or Japanese residents cannot be used.
How to turn in an Exchange Order to receive a Pass
After arriving in Japan, please exchange your Exchange Order for the Hokkaido Rail Pass at the designated counters in Hokkaido.
Exchange Orders cannot be exchanged at the designated JR EAST counters outside Hokkaido.
Please present your passport with the "Temporary Visitor" stamp/sticker. (You cannot use a copy of your passport etc.)
*The counters can be very crowded during tourist season. Please leave extra time for receiving the rail pass.
*Business days and hours are subject to change during the New Year holidays etc.