HOME Hokkaido Hokkaido Sapporo / Chitose Travel Hokkaido by Train! Ultimate Guide to the Hokkaido Rail Pass and Seasonal Sightseeing Trains
Last updated: 6 April 2021
Traveling Hokkaido by train is a safe and efficient way to get around Japan's huge northern island. In fact, Hokkaido’s area accounts for roughly 22% of Japan, and has many sightseeing spots such as Sapporo, Otaru, Hakodate, Furano, Biei, Shiretoko.
Here, we introduce the Hokkaido Rail Pass, as well as discount tickets and seasonal sightseeing trains recommended for visitors to Hokkaido!
- Table of Contents
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- JR Hokkaido Rail Pass: A bargain ticket to travel Hokkaido by train
- Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train: See the magnificent Kushiro Shitsugen Wetlands! (Seasonal limited train)
- Furano/Biei Norokko Train: Feel the wind within the lavender fields! (Seasonal Railway)
- Furano Lavender Express: Direct seasonal train from Sapporo to Furano/Biei
- SL Winter Wetland Train: Steam train running through Hokkaido's winter wonderland! (Seasonal railway)
- Ryuhyo Monogatari Train: See drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk (Seasonal railway)
- Express Niseko: Direct trip between Sapporo and Hakodate via Niseko
JR Hokkaido Rail Pass: A bargain ticket to travel Hokkaido by train
For overseas tourists, JR offers the Hokkaido Rail Pass, which allows unlimited use of limited express trains in Hokkaido. The Hokkaido Rail Passes can be used for 5 or 7 consecutive days from the start date of use.
Hokkaido Rail Pass Fares (As of April 1, 2021)
・5-day pass: Adults 19,000 yen (purchased abroad) / 20,000 (if purchased in Japan)
・7-day pass: Adults 25,000 yen (purchased abroad) / 26,000 (if purchased in Japan)
*Passes for children are available and are half the price of the adult rate. Child rates apply to ages 6 - 11.
*Some trains may require an additional fee.
*Selling period: All year round
Buy online: JR Hokkaido Rail Pass (5, 7 Days)
Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train: See the magnificent Kushiro Shitsugen Wetlands! (Seasonal limited train)
“Kushiro Shitsugen Norroko Train” starts running from early summer to autumn through the Kushiro Shitsugen Wetland, allowing you to appreciate its majestic natural scenery.
It takes about 50 minutes to go between Kushiro and Touro, and when the sightseeing spots approach, it gets slower, and a guide begins explaining about the area.
From the second to fourth, cars are all reserved seats and have large windows and wooden benches whereas in the first car, all seats are non-reserved. The floor of the trolley is designed with footprints of bears, deer, foxes, and various other animals that live in Hokkaido. Both adults and children can enjoy the trip by the trolley.
Fare: Between Kushiro and Touro is 640 yen for a basic fare. Extra 840 yen to book a seat.
Service term: From early June to early October
How to book tickets: On the JR-EAST Train Reservation website, travel agencies or at the JR ticket counter or JR Travel Service Centre in the major JR Hokkaido stations
*The tickets will be selling one month before at 10 am to the first departure of the train and booking must be made at least three days before the departure date of your train.
*The basic fare and seat booking fare are included in the “Hokkaido Rail Pass”
Furano/Biei Norokko Train: Feel the wind within the lavender fields! (Seasonal Railway)
From the "Furano/Biei Norokko Train," you can enjoy the magnificent scenery from the train running at 30 km/hour.
The seats are two-passenger wooden benches on one side so that you can see the beautiful scenery well, and when the weather is fine, you can open the windows completely to enjoy the view further.
From Asahikawa Station, the railway stops at Biei Station, Bibaushi Station, Kamifurano Station, a temporary-opened station "Lavender Field" Station, Nakafurano Station, and Furano Station.
Besides that, if you download the GPS Voice Guide app called "SkyDesk Media Trek" to your mobile phone or tablet, you can listen to the guide announcement in eight sightseeing spots near the lavender field in Furano and the Fairytale Hill in Biei.
Four languages, Japanese, English, Chinese, and Korean, are available in the app.
Fare: Furano ~ Lavender field 300 yen, Furano ~ Biei 750 yen, Furano ~ Asahikawa 1,290 yen
*You can take a non-reserved seat with Furano/Biei Ticket.
*A reserved seat is an additional 840 yen.
Service term: From early June to early September
How to book tickets: On the JR-EAST Train Reservation website, travel agencies, or at the JR ticket counter or JR Travel Service Centre in the major JR Hokkaido stations.
*The ticket will be available to purchase from one month before to the first departure of your train. Since it gets crowded on the weekends, especially in July, it is recommended to buy the ticket as soon as it is out.
*The basic fare and seat booking fare are included in the "Hokkaido Rail Pass"
Furano Lavender Express: Direct seasonal train from Sapporo to Furano/Biei
The Limited Express “Furano Lavender Express" runs between Sapporo and Furano directly in approximately two hours. It makes two round trips a day mainly in summer, which is the best time for lavender.
This train is a high decker with skylights allowing to fully appreciate the scenery. On the way to your destination, you can enjoy the magnificent views of Hokkaido like Mihara Ohashi Bridge in Ebetsu and the rural landscapes of Sorachi.
Fare: Furano/Biei Free Ticket 7,110 yen for an adult, 3,550 for a child.
*This ticket includes the trip back and forth from Sapporo to Furano/Biei areas, and all-you-can-ride trains for free the Takigawa, Asahikawa, Ikutora and Furano areas.
*Selling term: From late April to late October
Service term: From early June to late October
How to book tickets: On the JR-EAST Train Reservation website, travel agencies or at the JR ticket counter or JR Travel Service Centre in the major JR Hokkaido stations.
*The ticket will be available to purchase from one month before to the first departure of your train. Since it gets really crowded in the weekends, especially in July, it is recommended to purchase the ticket as soon as it is out.
*The basic fare and seat booking fare are included in the “Hokkaido Rail Pass”
SL Winter Wetland Train: Steam train running through Hokkaido's winter wonderland! (Seasonal railway)
The “SL Winter Wetland Train” runs from Kushiro Station to Shibecha Station from January to February. You can see the beautiful winter wonderland from the observation car.
The interior of the train is equipped with imposing varnished walls and potbelly stoves, and it is one of the best things to be able to go sightseeing while preparing on the net of the stove and eating dried squids (called “Surume" in Japanese), sold at the cabin catering.
Fare: 1,290 yen and extra 840 yen will be added for seat reservation.
Service term: From late January to late February
How to book tickets: On the JR-EAST Train Reservation website, travel agencies, or at the JR ticket counter or JR Travel Service Centre in the major JR Hokkaido stations.
*The ticket will be available to purchase from one month before to the first departure of your train.
Ryuhyo Monogatari Train: See drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk (Seasonal railway)
The “Ryuhyo Monogatari Train,” runs between Abashiri and Shiretoko-Shari along the Sea of Okhotsk. You can see the Sea of Okhotsk covered with drift ice from the window.
On the train bound for Shiretoko-Shari, you can enjoy the view of the Sea of Okhotsk and Shiretoko mountain range from the observation deck while the train stops at Kitahama Station for about 10 minutes.
Also, you can buy souvenirs at Michi-no-Eki “Hanayaka Koshimizu” while the train bound for Abashiri stops at Hama-Koshimizu Station on the way for about 20 minutes. Its blue body was inspired by the Sea of Okhotsk and the sky of Hokkaido, and clione (‘sea angels’) are drawn on its seat covers.
Fare: 970 yen
Service term: From late January to late February
How to book tickets: On the JR-EAST Train Reservation website, travel agencies, or at the JR ticket counter or JR Travel Service Centre in the major JR Hokkaido stations.
*The ticket will be available to purchase from one month before to the first departure of your train.
Express Niseko: Direct trip between Sapporo and Hakodate via Niseko
You’ll have a great time seeing the scenery of Mt. Yotei and Niseko Annupuri in Hakodate with the “Express Niseko”. It runs between Sapporo and Hakodate and stops at Otaru, Kutchan, Niseko, Oshamanbe Stations and so on. Normally, you need to transfer in Otaru Station between Sapporo and Niseko, but this express leads you to Niseko directly. If you’re lucky, local characters will welcome you at Yoichi Station or Oshamanbe Station. The local special products like yogurt and cookies are must-buy souvenirs.
Fare: Between Sapporo and Hakodate 5,400 for a basic fare and extra 2,420 yen will be added(530 yen) for seat reservation.
Service term: In early September
How to book tickets: On the JR-EAST Train Reservation website, travel agencies or at the JR ticket counter or the JR Travel Service Centre in the major JR Hokkaido stations.
*The ticket will be available to purchase from one month before to the first departure of your train. Since it runs only for particular days in September, it is better to purchase it as soon as it is out.
*The basic fare and seat booking fare are included in the “Hokkaido Rail Pass”
Get to know Hokkaido! Checking out Hokkaido’s Main Areas and Routes
Traveling Hokkaido by Train! Distance and fare for main train stations in Hokkaido
- Area
Sapporo / Chitose
- Category
Other Sightseeing
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How To: Transportation
*This information is from the time of this article's publication.
*Prices and options mentioned are subject to change.
*Unless stated otherwise, all prices include tax.
