Can I use JR pass Tokyo to Hokkaido?

Can I Use JR Pass Tokyo to Hokkaido?

Yes, you can use the JR Pass to travel from Tokyo to Hokkaido. The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is a pass that allows unlimited travel on most Japan Railways Group (JR Group) trains, including the Shinkansen (bullet train).

Traveling from Tokyo to Sapporo

Traveling from Tokyo to Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, offers breathtaking scenery. A high-speed rail journey, combining the Shinkansen and a limited express, takes approximately eight hours.

Cost of Travel without a Rail Pass

Without a JR Pass, the cost of traveling from Tokyo to Sapporo is around 30,000 yen. This includes the cost of the Shinkansen (around 21,000 yen) and the limited express (around 9,000 yen).

JR Pass Coverage

Both the JR Pass and the JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass fully cover the scenic route from Tokyo to Sapporo.

JR Pass

The JR Pass is a nationwide pass that allows unlimited travel on most JR Group trains, including the Shinkansen. It is available for 7, 14, or 21 days. The cost of a 7-day pass is 29,650 yen, the cost of a 14-day pass is 45,150 yen, and the cost of a 21-day pass is 58,350 yen.

JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass

The JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass is a regional pass that allows unlimited travel on JR Group lines in eastern Japan (including Tokyo) and southern Hokkaido (including Sapporo). It is available for 5 days. The cost of a 5-day pass is 20,000 yen.

Which Pass to Choose?

If you are planning to travel extensively on JR Group trains, the JR Pass is the best option. However, if you are only planning to travel from Tokyo to Sapporo and back, the JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass is a more economical option.

Conclusion

Using the JR Pass or the JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass is a convenient and cost-effective way to travel from Tokyo to Sapporo. Both passes offer full coverage of the scenic route and make it easy to explore Japan’s northernmost island.