JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass is a pass that makes traveling around the Tohoku region and down to southern Hokkaido more convenient, easy, and affordable than ever. With just this one pass, you can ride JR Hokkaido Lines and JR East Lines an unlimited number of times, including limited express trains to Sapporo and Hakodate, as well as the Shinkansen.
* The new post-COVID JR Pass format is no longer a booklet that requires you to go through the side gate at the ticket barrier. Instead, it looks like a regular train ticket that you can insert into the automatic ticket gate. Just remember to take it back from the machine.
The new JR Pass format can be inserted into the gate just like a regular train ticket. Photo from klook.com
Who Is the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass For?
The pass is for travelers who want to explore southern Hokkaido and the Tohoku region, for example traveling from Sapporo south to Hakodate, Aomori, Sendai, and Aizu.
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Jozankei-Onsen [Photo from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%E5%AE%9A%E5%B1%B1%E6%B8%93%E5%A4%A7%E6%A9%8B%EF%BC%88Jozankei_Ohashi%EF%BC%89_-_panoramio.jpg]
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Validity Period of the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
The pass is valid for 6 consecutive full days.
Price of the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
| JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass, 6 Consecutive Days | Adult (12 years and up) | ￥30,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Child (6-11 years) | ￥15,000 |
- For the child fare, the child must be 6 to 11 years old on the day of purchase, based on their passport. Children under 6 do not need to buy a pass, but they will not be able to reserve a seat. If a seat reservation is needed, a pass must be purchased.
- While using the pass to travel in Japan, you cannot buy a new pass if your current one has not yet expired. Each person may hold only 1 pass at a time.
Route map for the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass 2023
Trains Covered by the Pass
The pass allows unlimited rides on the designated trains and routes, as detailed below.
- JR trains on the Hokkaido lines (JR Hokkaido): Shinkansen, Limited Express, Express, Rapid Train, and Local Train
- JR trains on lines in the Tohoku region and nearby areas (JR East): Shinkansen, Limited Express, Express, Rapid Train, and Local Train
- Aoimori Railway
- Sendai Airport Transit
How to Buy the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass
- Purchasing outside Japan: You can order through an authorized official overseas agent (check the list of agents via this link http://www.japanrailpass.net/area_html ). Be sure to check the eligibility requirements carefully, as no refund or liability is given if you do not meet them. To be eligible, you must hold a foreign passport with Temporary Visitor status and stay in Japan for no more than 90 days. You must bring the Exchange Order along with your passport to a JAPAN RAIL PASS exchange office located at JR stations. The Exchange Order is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. Seat reservations can only be made after exchanging for the pass.
- Purchasing within Japan: You can buy the pass at designated JR stations, including Sapporo, Sendai, Niigata, Tokyo, Shinjuku, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, Takamatsu, and Hakata, as well as at airports including Narita, Haneda, New Chitose, and Kansai.
Making Seat Reservations
Take your pass to designated locations to make seat reservations, including tourist information centers (View Plazas, Twinkle Plazas) and JR Ticket Offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) located at JR East stations, and JR Ticket Offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) located at JR Hokkaido stations.
Restrictions
- Only the person named on the pass may use it, and you must carry your passport to show for inspection.
- Once purchased, the type of pass cannot be changed.
- Refunds are only available at the main sales office, and a handling fee of approximately 10% of the purchase price will apply.
Who Is the
JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass For?
The JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass is ideal for anyone planning to travel mainly by train around the Tohoku region and up to southern Hokkaido, and wants to save time by not having to buy a ticket and queue every time. It is especially good value for travelers making many stops, since it allows unlimited rides on the designated routes and trains. For example, you could fly into Sapporo and take the train south to Hakodate, Aomori, or Sendai.
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