Sapporo → Hakodate
Fastest: Approx. 3 hr 30 min–4 hr (timetable revised March 2026)
🚆 Limited express✈ Flight🚌 Highway bus
Travel Pass · Hokkaido
Hokkaido Rail Pass
Hokkaido🚄 JRFrom ¥22,000
Overview
Overview
A pass for international visitors offering unlimited rides on all JR Hokkaido lines except the Hokkaido Shinkansen, including reserved seats in Ordinary Cars on limited express trains. It comes in 5-day, 7-day and 10-day versions and suits long-distance travel from Sapporo to destinations across Hokkaido such as Hakodate, Asahikawa, Kushiro and Abashiri.
- Who can buy
- Holders of a passport issued by a country other than Japan. You must show your original passport when buying or exchanging the pass (copies and residence cards are not accepted)
- Coverage
- Limited express, rapid and local trains on all JR Hokkaido lines (excluding the Hokkaido Shinkansen), and some JR Hokkaido Bus routes
- Validity
- 5, 7 or 10 consecutive days from the first day of use
Prices
Prices
5 days (adult)¥22,000
Advance purchase from an overseas agent or JR-EAST Train Reservation. ¥23,000 when bought at a station in Hokkaido
5 days (child)¥11,000
Advance purchase. ¥11,500 when bought at a station
7 days (adult)¥28,000
Advance purchase. ¥29,000 when bought at a station
7 days (child)¥14,000
Advance purchase. ¥14,500 when bought at a station
10 days (adult)¥37,000
Advance purchase. ¥38,000 when bought at a station
10 days (child)¥18,500
Advance purchase. ¥19,000 when bought at a station
Prices are as of the date shown and can change. Check the official website before you buy.
Coverage
What’s included
✓ What’s included
- ✓Limited express, rapid and local trains on all JR Hokkaido lines (reserved and non-reserved seats in Ordinary Cars)
- ✓Some JR Hokkaido Bus routes (designated routes within Sapporo, and Sapporo–Otaru highway bus services operated by JR Hokkaido Bus)
✕ Not included
- ✕Hokkaido Shinkansen
- ✕South Hokkaido Railway (Donan Isaribi Tetsudo)
- ✕Sapporo streetcars and subway
- ✕Buses other than JR Hokkaido Bus, intercity buses and extra buses
- ✕Green Cars (limited express and Green Car charges required separately)
- ✕Reserved seats on the SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen (extra charge)
💺 Seat reservations
JR Hokkaido limited express trains are all reserved seating, and you must get a seat reservation ticket before boarding (seats cannot be assigned on board). Reserved seats in Ordinary Cars are free of charge. During peak periods, the number of tickets issued per transaction is limited. When fully booked, standing is allowed on some limited express trains
Best For
Best for
- ★Travelers touring widely from Sapporo to Hakodate and eastern and northern Hokkaido
- ★Travelers covering long distances by limited express
💰 Is it worth it?
A round trip Sapporo–Hakodate plus a round trip Sapporo–Otaru alone costs ¥23,140 in regular fares and charges, so the 5-day pass (¥22,000 in advance) pays for itself
Where to Buy
Where to buy
- 🛒JR-EAST Train Reservation (advance online purchase)
- 🛒Overseas travel agents (exchange order)
- 🛒Designated JR Hokkaido stations (New Chitose Airport, Sapporo, Noboribetsu, Asahikawa, Obihiro, Kushiro, Abashiri, Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and Hakodate)
How to Use
How to use
- 1Pick up the pass at a ticket office at a designated station by showing your original passport (pay in Japanese yen cash or by credit card)
- 2Limited express trains are all reserved seating, so get a seat reservation ticket before boarding at a ticket office, a reserved-seat ticket machine or via JR-EAST Train Reservation
- 3Insert only the pass into the automatic ticket gate, and remember to take it back after passing through
- 4Carry your passport and show it when asked
Tips
Good to know
- !The Hokkaido Shinkansen from Hakodate to Honshu is not covered
- !Buses are limited to designated routes within Sapporo and Sapporo–Otaru services operated by JR Hokkaido Bus. Take a numbered ticket when boarding and hand it over with your pass when getting off
- !Buying in advance is cheaper than buying at a station
- !From October 20, 2026, ticket machines with passport readers will be installed at Sapporo Station
- !Lost or stolen passes cannot be reissued
Areas
Main areas you can reach with this pass
SapporoWeather and what to wear in Sapporo →
OtaruWeather and what to wear in Otaru →
Asahikawa & BieiWeather and what to wear in Asahikawa & Biei →
FuranoWeather and what to wear in Furano →
HakodateWeather and what to wear in Hakodate →
Noboribetsu & Lake ToyaWeather and what to wear in Noboribetsu & Lake Toya →
Kushiro & AkanWeather and what to wear in Kushiro & Akan →
Abashiri & ShiretokoWeather and what to wear in Abashiri & Shiretoko →Airport Access
Getting there from the airport
Getting Around
All routes
Other Passes
Other travel passes for Hokkaido
🚄 JR
🚄 JRPrices, eligibility and covered lines are based on official information from the issuers (rail and bus companies). Conditions can change, so check the official website before you buy.
Last checked: 2026-10-08