Hokkaido Rail Pass. The best deal for rail trip in Hokkaido for oversea visitors.

noboribetsuHokkaido Area
World famous Sapporo Snow Festival (C) Yasufumi Nishi / (C) JNTO
World famous Sapporo Snow Festival (C) Yasufumi Nishi / (C) JNTO

If you will travel in Hokkaido only, Hokkaido Rail Pass is the best choice for you. But if you travel in other cities and areas, even just staying in Tokyo, you may consider about other passes. You should compare and find which one is more suitable for you.

In this post, I show you the details about Hokkaido Rail Pass. And I will compare Hokkaido Rail Pass and Japan Rail Pass

Covered area by Hokkaido Rail Pass

Hokkaido Rail Pass cover all JR conventional lines in Hokkaido. The Hokkaido Shinkansen is not covered even though a part of the Hokkaido Shinkansen runs in Hokkaido.

Valid trains and bus lines

The rule of Hokkaido Rail Pass is similar to Japan Rail Pass. The only difference is the coverage area. All daytime trains in Hokkaido are covered by this pass. You can book a reserved seat without any extra charge.

Hokkaido Rail Pass covers the bus lines within Sapporo city too. Other inter-city bus services, like Sapporo-Monbetsu, are not covered by Hokkaido Rail Pass. Sapporo-Otaru express bus service is covered by the pass. But on this bus route, two different companies operate the bus. Those are JR Hokkaido Bus and Chuo Bus. Only bus service that is operated by JR Hokkaido Bus is covered by this pass.

Please find the train network in Hokkaido in the link below:

You can find the major train’s timetable in the link below:

Due to COVID-19, it may be operated on a schedule different from the normal timetable. Check the train schedule on Hyperdia.
Hyperdia perfect guide, train timetable and route search engine

Types and prices

Hokkaido Rail Pass have four types, 3-day, 5-day, 7-day and Flex 4-day. I would like to compare these prices and single fare.
*Green pass was terminated on March 31, 2015.

 AdultChild
5-day23,480 yen11,740 yen
7-day25,710 yen12,850 yen

The passes except Flex 4-day must be used in consecutive days. The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 O’clock at night (midnight to midnight).

e.g.
If you start to use 3-day pass on May 1, the pass is expired at 23:59 on May 3. However if you are on board the train, your pass will cover until you get off the train.

Before I compare the prices, I would like to show you some regular fare standards (Limited Express reserved seat surcharge and basic fare):

If you have round trip to Hakodate from Sapporo, you can get the money worth of 3-day pass. Especially if you have a trip from Sapporo to Hakodate, Kushiro, Abashiri or Wakkanai, round trip fare is about 19,000 yen and up. It is almost equal to the price of Flex 4-day and 5-day. It is quite easy to get your money worth of even 7-day pass.

Compare Hokkaido Rail Pass and Japan Rail Pass

If you fly in / out Hokkaido and do not go other than Hokkaido, Hokkaido Rail Pass is the best. If you go to Hokkaido and other spots, you need to think about Japan Rail Pass too. I show you some samples.

Extra fare for round trip to Aomori by Hokkaido Rail Pass

Aomori is the closet city outside of Hokkaido. But you need to pay 4,760 yen for round trip by Limited Express Super Hakucho. The price difference between Japan Rail Pass 7-day and Hokkaido Rail Pass 7-day is 6,300 yen. Hokkaodo Rail Pass + extra fare is still cheaper than Japan Rail Pass 7-day. But the price difference is not such a big amount.

If you think about purchasing Hokkaido Rail Pass 7-day, you should make sure that you don’t go outside of Hokkaido. Otherwise you should purchase Japan Rail Pass 7-day.

In case of staying in Tokyo or Osaka and fly to Hokkaido

You have to estimate how much trains you will take in Tokyo or Osaka. First of all, think about the fare for airport access.

If you arrive at Haneda and depart from Haneda for Hokkaido, you don’t spend much for access. But you need to spend at least 1,000 yen. And also you need to think about the fare for sightseeing. If you arrive at Narita and depart from Narita, you may spend about 5,000 to 6,000 yen.

If you arrive at Kansai and depart from Kansai, ICOCA and Haruka includes round trip by Haruka and 1,500 yen preloaded e-money.

These above samples show you about airport access. Even though some deals include e-money, you may spend more. So even if you fly to Hokkaido, you may think about Japan Rail Pass 7-day for both Tokyo/Osaka and Hokkaido as long as you complete travel in 7-day. If you travel Hokkaido for 5 days, you can purchase Hokkaido Rail Pass 5-day and some deals in Tokyo or Osaka. It may be cheaper than Japan Rail Pass 7-day.

I hope you will enjoy your trip in Hokkaido by Hokkaido Rail Pass.

Comments

  1. Carolina Chua says:

    Hi! What train should we take if we are coming from Osaka Kix airport to Otaru? How long is the trip? How much for Dec 2017? Adult rate? Children rate?

    Thank you!

  2. Stefani says:

    Hi, i will be flying in to Hokkaido for a few days then plan to take the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Tokyo for about 3 days then fly back to Singapore.

    I know JR Pass covers JR lines in Tokyo, but does the JR Pass covers all the public transport in Hokkaido and Hokkaido Shinkansen?

    Or should I just get Hokkaido Rail Pass and fly out to Tokyo, and use my suica in Tokyo?

    Thanks!

  3. Elise Ang says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    We are thinking of doing a 5 night trip. Will be arriving 25 Nov around 7.30pm. Plan to take Airport bus to Furano. 2 nights stay at Prince Hotel or other option? Is there any bus that would send us direct to hotel in Otaru? Or us it better for us to take train? We will also like to visit Hakodate and Hell Valley if time permitted. Thinking to get 3 days Hokkaido pass.

    • Hi Elise,

      There is no buses available. Train is your choice to get Otaru. And also you intend to use Hokkaido Rail Pass. So try to use trains as much as you can. Your saving is getting bigger.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

    • Elise Ang says:

      Hi Takeshi,

      Would like to double check, what is the different between Flexi 4 Days Hokkaido pass and 5 Days pass as the pricing is the same. How do I get to Hell Valley from Hokadate? Is it better to take train or bus? We have reserve guest house near the rope station. Please advise.

  4. Kate Villasenor says:

    Dear Takeshi,

    First of all, happy new year! I hope year 2017 will prove to be a more successful year for you and your website. I hope you don’t mind me posting a question at the start of the year.

    My friends and I will be travelling to Hokkaido on Feb 2017, in time for the winter festival. Below is our itinerary:
    Feb 9, PM: Arrival in Sapporo (7pm)
    Feb 10: Sapporo (Odori, Susukino)
    Feb 11: Sapporo (Otaru)
    Feb 12: Sapporo (Asahikawa)
    Feb 13-14: Niseko
    Feb 15, AM: Niseko to New Chitose Airport, travel to Akita (plane)
    Feb 15, PM: Akita – Yokote City
    Feb 16: Akita City, Tsurunoyu Onsen (overnight)
    Feb 17: Lake Tazawa, Kakunodate, Tsurunoyu Onsen (overnight)
    Feb 18: Travel to New Chitose Airport for 2pm flight to Manila

    I just have several questions:
    1. Given our itinerary, would you suggest that we get the Japan Rail Pass? We were thinking of just getting the Hokkaido Rail Pass originally.
    2. From Sapporo to Niseko, would it be better (or faster) to take the bus or the train? We have a toddler traveling with us.
    3. From Niseko to Akita, is there any other means of travel or flying is our best option? We’re hoping to get there at least before lunch.
    4. I hope it’s okay that I squeeze in a question about Akita in this thread – do you think our itinerary is doable?
    5. From Akita to New Chitose Airport, our best transport option should be to fly?

    Thank you so much in advance. Again, a happy new year to you and more power to you and your website!

    Kate

  5. Mary Ann Martinez says:

    Hi Takeshi-san
    Im thinking of buying the hokkaido 7 day pass for my family of 6.
    DEC. 26 arrive 8pm sapporo airport
    27 arashimaya zoo (day trip)
    28 tomamu ice village (day trip)
    29 otaru overnight
    30 otaru to niseko (2N)
    JAN 01 niseko to rera outlet
    Jan 02 – sapporo to airport flight to tokyo arrive haneda
    Jan 05 tokyo out back home

    since we arrive Tokyo via haneda & depart tokyo via narita airport. What pass would be most economical for the 6 of us?

  6. Ginny Chin says:

    Dear Takeshi San,

    I will be visiting Hokkaido next year June, I am planing to rent a car for half way till Sapporo. I am not sure what kind of train pass should I purchase for my 3 days in Sapporo. Appreciate your advise for the below itinerary;

    Day 1 – New Chitose airport to Noboribetsu (by car)
    Day 2 – Noboribetsu – Lake Toya – Otaru – Sapporo (by car)
    Day 3 – Sapporo ( by train)
    Day 4 – Sapporo – Asahikawa – Sapporo(by train)
    Day 5 – Sapporo – New Chitose airport (by train)

    Thanks!

    GC

  7. Kage (Ms) says:

    Hi Takeshi San,

    Can I buy both Hokkaido Rail Pass and JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass under my name but for my brother usage in Japan when he travel there?

    Thank you.
    Ms. Kage

  8. Sherene says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I’m wondering whether I should get Hokkaido Rail Pass at all. My itinerary is as below:

    09 Jan Arrive at CTS. Will be staying at Sapporo.
    10 Jan Sapporo
    11 Jan Sapporo to Asahiyama Zoo and return to Sapporo
    12 Jan Sapporo to Tomamu and return to Sapporo
    13 Jan Sapporo to Otaru and return to Sapporo
    14 Jan Sapporo to Lake Toya, overnight at Lake Toya
    15 Jan Lake Toya to Hakodate, overnight at Hakodate
    16 Jan Hakodate to Tokyo (domestic flight)

    I’ve read that there is another cheaper ticket (S-Kippu) to get to Asahikawa Station and also there is Sapporo-Otaru Welcome Pass. I am also concern that trains might get cancelled because of the weather. If I am not using Hokkaido Rail Pass, I would have to purchase another ticket if the train is cancelled? Please advise.

    Thank you in advance.

    • Hi Sherene san,

      I recommend you to use Flex 4 days Hokkaido Rail pass for trip to Asahikawa, Tomamu, Lake Toya and Hakodate.
      It’s very rare that train is suspended between Otaru and Sapporo, and between Sapporo and Asahikawa. So in case of bad weather, you can switch your trip date to Tomamu. You can use any 4 days in 10 days period to use Flex 4 days pass. It is flexible.

      For New Chitose to Sapporo and Sapporo to Otaru, single ticket is okay. You can use Otaru Welcome pass for the trip to Otaru if you have small trips in Sapporo before/after trip to Otaru.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Sherene says:

        Hi Takeshi san,

        Thank you for your reply. Just to confirm, can I purchase the Hokkaido Rail Pass when I arrive in Hokkaido? According to the website, one can purchase the pass from Sapporo Station.

        For the trip to Asahiyama Zoo, will the Hokkaido Rail Pass cover the bus trips as well? If not, I think it will be better to purchase the Asahiyama Zoo Ticket, which covers the train ride, bus ride and the zoo ticket? Then maybe I can purchase 3 days instead of the 4 days flex pass.

        Thanks again.
        Sherene

  9. Zac says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I’m going to Hokkaido only, below is my itinerary. Just wondering if getting the hokkaido pass is worth it or single fare. As you mentioned above, the green car is terminated, does the hokkaido pass still allows reserved seats? The period that I’m traveling seems to be peak domestic travel period. Please advise.

    28 Dec: Arrival at CTS, to Sapporo (various hotels)
    29 Dec to 1 Jan: Sapporo *Using Sapporo as base to visit other towns e.g. ski resorts (Tomamu, Niseko, Teine), Nikka whiskey, Sapporo beer hall and etc.
    2 Jan to 3 Jan: Sapporo to Otaru (Grand Park Otaru)
    4 Jan: Otaru to Lake Shikotsu (Tsuruga Resort Spa Mizu no Uta)
    5 Jan: Lake Shikotsu to Noboribetsu (Takinoya)
    6 Jan: Noboribetsu to Lake Toya (Toya Nonokaze)
    7 Jan to 8 Jan: Lake Toya to Hakodate (La Jolie Motamachi)
    9 Jan: Departure from Hakodate airport

    Many thanks for your informative blog.
    Zac

  10. Louisa says:

    Hi Takeshi San,

    I will be visiting Hokkaido from Nov 30 to Dec 8, flying into New Chitose Airport from Osaka. (Nov 21 to Nov 29 will be in Osaka from San Francisco) Here is my plan:

    Nov 30: Osaka to New Chitose Airport to Sapporo
    Dec 1: Sapporo to Lake Toya
    Dec 2: Lake Toya to Noboribetsu
    Dec 3: Noboribetsu to Hakodate
    Dec 4: Hakodate to Sapporo
    Dec 5-7: Sapporo & Otaru
    Dec 8: Sapporo to New Chitose Airport

    I’m thinking to purchase JR Hokkaido Pass, just can’t decide to buy 5 or 7 days, and do not know whether I should start using it on Nov 30 or Dec 1? Do you think it’s worth to purchase the JR Hokkaido Pass? Can I purchase the JR Hokkaido Pass in New Chitose Airport or I need to purchase it in USA? You have mentioned that the Pass will cover JR Hokkaido Bus, how do I know which buses are JR Hokkaido Bus ? I will have a ICOCA card, can I use it in Hokkaido? Any more pass you recommend me to purchase as well? Many thanks.

    Louisa

    • Hi Louisa,

      5 days Hokkaido rail pass may suit your plan for Nov 30 to Dec 4. But it does not give you a big saving. It’s almost equal to total fares for this 5 days.
      7 days pass is okay but you will travel to Otaru only in 7 days. Single fare is slightly cheaper but if you want to have convenience, you can go for 7 days.

      Regarding bus, please forget this. As far as I know, it covers Sapporo-Otaru bus only. You can take trains on this segment. It does not matter.

      You can purchase Hokkaido rail pass in Hokkaido too. Please see the link below:
      http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/railpass/rail02.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JRPail.com

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