For the convenience of travelers visiting Hokkaido and Sapporo, Japan has issued various travel tickets and passes specifically for tourists to use. Here are the details.
1. Tickets and Passes for Traveling Around Hokkaido
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The JR Hokkaido Rail Pass allows unlimited rides on JR trains (including limited express trains) and JR buses throughout the Hokkaido region. It is available as a consecutive 3-day, 5-day, or 7-day pass, or as a flexible 4-day pass (usable on any 4 days within a 10-day period). It is ideal for travelers planning to visit multiple cities in Hokkaido, not just Sapporo.
- 3-day consecutive pass: ¥16,500 for adults, ¥8,250 for children
- 5-day consecutive pass: ¥22,000 for adults, ¥11,000 for children
- 7-day consecutive pass: ¥24,000 for adults, ¥12,000 for children
- 4-day flexible pass (usable on any 4 days within 10 days): ¥22,000 for adults, ¥11,000 for children
***Children under 6 years old ride free of charge
This pass lets you travel from Tokyo all the way to southern Hokkaido. It covers all JR Hokkaido and JR East lines. You can also use it for train travel from Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, and New Chitose Airport. It covers major cities such as Tokyo, Sapporo, Aomori, Sendai, and others, and is made possible by the Shinkansen line to Hokkaido. This pass is ideal for travelers who plan to explore the Kanto region (around Tokyo) and then cross over to Hokkaido.
The JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass is valid for 6 consecutive days. Price: ¥40,000 for adults, ¥20,000 for children.
The JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass is the newest pass, covering travel between southern Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, including cities such as Sendai.
The JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass comes in one flexible option, usable for 6 days that do not need to be consecutive (any 6 days within a 14-day period). Price: ¥19,000 for adults, ¥9,500 for children.
Besides the Hokkaido-specific passes, you can also use the JR All Pass, a nationwide pass valid anywhere in Japan, from Fukuoka in Kyushu to Sapporo in Hokkaido. This is possible because the Shinkansen (bullet train) network now connects all of Japan's major regions (aside from the smaller islands). This pass suits travelers who want to explore the whole country in one trip, from north to south. It is available in 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day options. From October 1, 2026, the 7-day pass costs ¥53,000 for adults and ¥27,000 for children when bought from an overseas agency. It is still ¥50,000 and ¥25,000 on the official online store.
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2. Tickets and Passes for Traveling Around Sapporo
Tickets for getting around Sapporo come in 3 types, so travelers can choose the option that best suits their needs. Here are the details.
The single-use ticket is valid for one ride only. If you need to continue your journey, you must buy a new ticket. It is also valid only to the station you choose when you buy it. Prices start at ¥200.
The one-day unlimited ride ticket allows unlimited travel for one day. With one ticket, you can ride as many times as you like on the covered lines. There are 3 types of this ticket:
Type 1 = Subway 1-Day Card, valid on all 3 Sapporo subway lines, priced at ¥830, and usable only on weekends.
Type 2 = Donichika Ticket, valid on all 3 Sapporo subway lines, priced at ¥520, usable only on weekends, public holidays, and from December 29 to January 3.
Type 3 = Sapporo-Otaru Welcome Pass, valid on all 3 subway lines and JR trains between Sapporo and Otaru, priced at ¥1,700.
You load money onto these cards and use them to ride trains or buses until the balance runs out, making them a convenient way to get around. There are 2 types of prepaid cards for travel in Sapporo:
Type 1 = Kitaca, starting at ¥2,000, usable on JR trains, Sapporo trams, the Sapporo subway, and Sapporo buses. It can also be used in other major cities across Japan.
Type 2 = Sapica, the most popular prepaid card, starting at ¥2,000. It can be used on the subway, trams, and buses operated by JR Hokkaido Bus, Jotetsu, and Hokkaido Chuo Bus. It also earns 10% points on every use, which can be applied toward future fares.
When traveling around Hokkaido and Sapporo, don't miss out on getting the right travel tickets and passes. They'll help you enjoy your trip to the fullest while saving on costs.
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