Hokkaido Rail Pass

So who is eligible for a Japan Rail Pass?

You're eligible if you are a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sight-seeing, under the entry status of"Temporary Visitor".

"Temporary Visitor"entry status, according to Japanese Immigration Law, allows a stay in Japan of 15 days or 90 days for "sight-seeing, etc." If you apply for a "stay for sight-seeing" when you enter Japan, entry personnel will stamp your passport as"Temporary Visitor,"as shownhere. Only people who have a passport bearing this stamp can use a Japan Rail Pass.

IMPORTANT:Even if you visit Japan with an Exchange Order, to be turned in for aJapan Rail Pass, the exchange cannot be made unless you have"Temporary Visitor"status: if you enter Japan under any other official status, such as "Trainee," "Entertainer," or "Reentry Permit," you cannot change the Exchange Order for aJapan Rail Pass. Please note that according to strict interpretation of the Japanese Immigration Law,"Temporary Visitor"status differs even from other types of stays that are also for only short time periods.

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The Hokkaido Rail Pass can be used on all JR Hokkaido railway lines and some JR Hokkaido Buses. See terms and conditions for details.

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 od tour 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 1^st and 3^rd 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 4^th 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.

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 1^st and 3^rd 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 4^th 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.