Order Your JRPass
leosmlee
leosmlee
over 10 years ago
2 responses

I'm using 14-day JR Pass in Japan now. This morning (Aug 9th) I wanted to go Sapporo from Hakodate. However, the train service was suspended due to damaged train track. Later I was told by JR officer that train service between Hakodate and Sapporo would be suspended until further notice. Few things that really disappoint me:

  1. No contingency action was taken by JR to carry all passengers who were stranded at Hakodate Station, to their destination. Then I was told that buses were fully booked for the day. It means I'm totally stuck in Hakodate.
  2. Since I wouldn't be able to get out of Hakodate today, I asked JR officer if I could get one night accommodation with the expenses fully covered by JR, and the answer is, I still need to pay for the hotel charge, 4700 yen.

I paid 45100 yen for 14-day Pass, now i get stuck in Hakodate and nothing else i can do, and I couldn't get refund for the hotel room i already booked in Sapporo. And now i need to pay additional 4700 yen because JR doesn't provide alternative for me to travel to Sapporo. No compensation from JR at all. What is this?!?!?!

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

I am very sorry to hear about your bad experience and completely understand your complain. I had a similar experience last March when service between Sapporo - Hakodate was suspended due to bad weather conditions and could not reach my planned destination. I don't know the details of your situation but know that usually non-reserved buses are provided when service is suspended for longer periods of time.

There's little I can do about refunds but what advise I can give you is to explain to your booked hotel why you could not stay with them. When I contacted my booked hotel and explained why I could not reach them, they were so kindto cancel the booking without a fee.

I looked up the current status services and see that train service has been resumed, so I hope that you were able to reach your planned destination after all.
-Daniel

avatar
mari
1950 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

Just to follow up on this, we're really sorry that JR wasn't able to provide alternative transport - were you able to cancel your Sapporo room?

leosmlee
leosmlee
2 posts
over 10 years ago

Thanks for the response. Sorry i wasn't able to reply to your comments until now. I was told that the train service was resumed at night, thus allowing the night train Hamanasu to run all the way from Aomori to Sapporo. But i took 7am train instead. Thanks to the workers who worked hard to repair the railway track.

I should have contacted the hotel in Sapporo to cancel my booking on that day, but I missed the opportunity. I don't think I can ask for refund now.

Anyway, it's a great experience riding JR trains in overall. JR Pass is indeed very convenient way to ride trains in Japan. I would recommend it to all potential tourists from overseas, but please be prepared for sudden disruption of train service due to unforeseen situations, e.g. heavy rain, earthquake, etc.

avatar
mari
1950 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Thanks for the feedback leosmlee. Once again I'm really sorry that you had cancelled trains during your trip - I hope that you enjoyed the rest of your trip (it sounds like you did!)


Looking for more information? Search the forum

Select Category

Instant Quote

Starting from $343.00 for 7 days of unlimited Japan Rail travel

Can’t find the answer?

Learn from over 17329 questions about the Japan Rail Pass, or ask our Japan Rail travel experts

Ask Question

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Get pocket Wifi in Japan

Visit us on Facebook

Get inspired for your visit to Japan by following us on Instagram and don't forget your own shots once you are there.


Find out where to buy the japan rail pass online.

Order your JRPass Now!

We have special prices for children and great first class options. See all tickets or see our range of Regional Passes