JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
JR trains from Tokyo through Tohoku to Hakodate, Sapporo and Otaru for 6 days, including the Hokkaido Shinkansen
JR Hokkaido, JR East
Adults from¥40,000Price checked 2026/09/27
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Fares
| Ticket | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| 6 consecutive days | ¥40,000¥6,667 a day | ¥20,000¥3,333 a day |
Child fares are for ages 6 to 11. From age 12, the adult fare applies. Children under 6 who don't need a reserved seat don't need a pass. Age is counted on the date you buy the pass.
Prices for passes sold from 2026/03/14.
What's covered
- The Hokkaido, Tohoku, Akita, Yamagata and Joetsu Shinkansen, in ordinary-car reserved seats
- The Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Takasaki
- JR East lines in the area, including BRT
- JR Hokkaido lines around Hakodate, Sapporo and Otaru, as far as Kutchan, Toya, Noboribetsu, Muroran and New Chitose Airport
- The Tokyo Monorail, Aoimori Railway, Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR) and Sendai Airport Transit
- Reserved seats on the Nikko, Kinugawa and SPACIA Kinugawa limited expresses that run through from JR onto Tobu lines
- Tobu local and rapid trains from Shimo-imaichi to Tobu-Nikko and Kinugawa-Onsen
- The Hokuriku Shinkansen beyond Takasaki, and Karuizawa
- Atami and Otsuki, which are outside the area
- Asahikawa, Furano and Biei in Hokkaido
- The Tokaido Shinkansen, which another company runs
- The South Hokkaido Railway
- Green Cars and GranClass, which cost extra
- Tobu limited expresses that start and end on Tobu lines, and other Tobu trains between Kurihashi and Shimo-imaichi
How to use it
The pass runs for 6 consecutive days from the day you choose. It includes reserved seats in ordinary cars, so book seats for shinkansen and limited expresses before you ride.
For Nikko and Kinugawa, the pass covers limited expresses only if they run directly from a JR line onto Tobu tracks, so a trip from Tochigi, Shin-Kanuma, Shimo-imaichi, Tobu-Nikko, Tobu World Square or Kinugawa-Onsen must start or end at a JR station. Gala Yuzawa Station only operates in winter and spring.
JR East's own example: a round trip between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto on the Hokkaido Shinkansen costs about ¥48,000 in reserved seats, against ¥40,000 for the pass, which also lets you stop along the way.
Before you buy
Anyone with a non-Japanese passport can use the pass. You can hold only one at a time; a second pass can't overlap the first. There are no student or youth fares.
Buy it on JR-EAST Train Reservation, at JR EAST Travel Service Centers in the pass area, at some stations, or from participating travel agencies outside Japan. For a child pass, bring a passport or other proof of age. JR East and JR Hokkaido offer the pass jointly.
Questions
Does the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass cover the Hokkaido Shinkansen?
Yes. The Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto is covered, in reserved seats.
Does it go to Sapporo?
Yes. JR Hokkaido lines around Hakodate, Sapporo and Otaru are covered, as far as New Chitose Airport, Toya and Kutchan.
Can I use it to Asahikawa or Furano?
No. Asahikawa, Furano and Biei are outside the pass area.
Does it cover the Tokaido Shinkansen?
No. The Tokaido Shinkansen is run by another company.
Can foreign residents of Japan use it?
Yes. Anyone with a non-Japanese passport can use it.
Do children need their own pass?
Children aged 6 to 11 need a child pass, ¥20,000. Children under 6 who don't need a reserved seat don't need a pass.
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