Who can use the Hokkaido Rail Pass?
The Hokkaido Rail Pass is a special
ticket that can only be purchased by persons who have a “Short-Term Tourist
Visa”.
The criteria for enabling a person to
purchase the rail pass is that they must have the stamp for the “Short-Term
Tourist Visa” in their passport.
Note: According to Japanese immigration
laws a person with a Short-Term Tourist Visa can stay for a period of 15 to 90
days in the country. When you enter Japan , the immigration officer will stamp
‘*Short-Term Tourist Visa” in your passport. Only tourists with this stamp in
their passport can purchase and use the Hokkaido Rail Pass.
* Persons entering the country on
“Interim” “Entertainment”, “Re-Entry” or other visas cannot purchase this pass.
Types of Hokkaido Rail Passes
There are 4 types of Hokkaido Rail Pass, the 3 day, 5 day, 7
day and Flexible 4 day pass. You can purchase either the Reserved Car (Green
Car) or Ordinary Car for each pass. The 3 day, 5 day and 7day pass is valid
from the designated day the pass is effective for 3, 5 or 7 days depending on
the pass you chose. The Flexible 4 day pass allows you to chose any 4 days you
wish to board the train, within a 10 day period from which the pass is
effective. (If you exchanged a voucher for the pass, that day is the
beginning).
Seat Types
If you have the Hokkaido Rail Pass that is for the reserved
car (Green Car), you may also ride in the Ordinary Car. If you have either the
Hokkaido Rail Pass for the Green Car of Ordinary Car, you can use the reserved
seating. If you wish to ride in the sleeper car, you must pay the Ltd. Exp.
Fee.
Details Below: Cars with a circle can be boarded with the
Hokkaido Rail Pass. Cars with the * require an additional fee.
* When making a reservation
for a reserved seat (free of charge), please make you reservation at the JR
Travel Service.
** There is no need to make a
reservation if you are boarding the free seating section.
How to make Reservations for Reserved Seating
You cannot make reservations for reserved seating before you
receive your rail pass in Japan. Please make reservations at the JR Travel
Service located at major JR Hokkaido Stations prior to boarding.
Please board the Non-reserved Seating Section when the
Reserved Seating Section is full and you do not have a reservation prior to
boarding. In such cases there is no refund for your reserved seating fee.
Changes for reserved seating will only be accepted before
the train departs.
How to Board the Trains
Please show your Hokkaido Rail Pass and Reserved Seating
ticket at the ticket gate. If you are boarding the Non-reserved seating area
just show your Hokkaido Rail Pass.. The Hokkaido Rail Pass cannot be put through the automatic
ticket wicket. Please enter through the gate where the station staff is
present.
Area of Use for the Hokkaido Rail Pass
The Hokkaido Rail Pass can be used on
all JR Hokkaido railway lines and some JR Hokkaido Buses.
Of the JR Hokkaido Bus Lines, routes
between Sapporo-Asahkawa, Sapporo-Monbetsu, Sapporo-Hiroo, Sapporo – Kioro,
Sapporo- Obihiro, Sapporo-Erimo, Shin Sapporo – Atsubetsu Stadium, JR Shiroishi
Sta. – Sapporo Dome and temporary buses are not included. Express buses between
Sapporo and Otaru can be boarded of the bus is a JR Hokkaido bus. (Chuo Buses
are not included).
If you ride trains that overlap with
East Japan rail lines, the boarding portion of the ticket will include the last
station of the KR Hokkaido line which is Naka oguni Station, and the fare will
cover the first (or last) stop on the JR Hokkaido Line.
* If you choose to ride in the sleeper
or carpet car there is an extra charge for all areas including the JR Hokkaido
Lines.
** There is an extra charge for the
Twinkle Buses
Validity Period
Please be sure to exchange your voucher
for your Hokkaido rail pas within 3 months of issuance. For the 3 day, 5 day
and 7 days passes please designate the day of which you wish to begin use
within 1 month of issuance. For the Flexible 4 day pass you cannot designate
the day on which you wish to begin use. You can use the pass any 4 days within
a 10 day period from the time of issuance.
Once the pass has been validated the
beginning date of use cannot be changed.
3
Day, 5 Day and 7 Day Passes
If you board a train on the last valid
day of your pass that will overlap on the following day when you pass expires,
as along as you do not get off along the way, the pass will be valid. However,
if you wish to board a train on the day after your pass expires there will be
an extra charge if you board any trains other than the Free Seating Section of
Local Trains such as Ltd. Exp. Fees, Exp fees and reserved seating fees.
4
Day Flexible Passes
When you use the pass anywhere between
the 1st and 3rd time id the train you board overlaps to
the following day, as long as you do not get off the train your pass will
remain valid to the following day. When you board the train for the 4th
time, if the train you wish to board overlaps to the following day, your pass
will remain valid as long as you do not get off the train on the way. However,
if you wish to board a train on the day after your pass expires there will be
an extra charge if you board any trains other than the Free Seating Section of
Local Trains such as Ltd. Exp. Fees, Exp fees and reserved seating fees.
Other Conditions
The Hokkaido Rail Pass can only be used
by persons whose name is on the pass.
Be sure to carry your passport for the
duration of your travel. If the staff asks for your passport when you show your
rail pass, please be sure to have it ready to show to them.
Refunds
for exchange vouchers and Hokkaido Rail Passes
The exchange voucher
can be refunded within 1 year of issuance if it has not been used. A handling
fee will apply.
There are no refunds
for passes that are past the beginning date. Also, you cannot change the type
of pass past the beginning date.
There are no refunds
for trains that are late or unable to run due to various circumstances. The
valid period will not be extended either. We are sorry but no refunds are
available for delayed or cancelled trains. The rail company take no
responsibility for the arrangement and payment for alternative transportation
or an accommodation, and the payment for a meal.
Passes or exchange vouchers that have
been damaged or lost will not be re-issued or refunded.
If you miss the designated train please
be board the Non-Reserved Seating Section of the following train.
Other conditions are in compliance with
the Hokkaido Railway Co. Rules and Japanese laws. For rules concerning the
exchange vouchers they will depend on the rules and regulations of the travel
agency from you purchase the voucher.
When boarding a bus, please take a
numbered ticket at the door.