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Japan trip
Japan trip
over 9 years ago
3 responses

Hi.

I was wondering if anyone could help me with this trip between Sapporo and Tokyo.

I have searched options on Hyperdia, however due to the high amount of stations in Tokyo and the multiple transfers required, I'm uncertain as to whether the JR Pass can cover the whole journey.

The best options I have found take a minimum of 15 hrs from Sapporo (JR) to either Tokyo or Ueno station and require transfers onto different Ltd. Express trains (which I am assuming are covered by the pass?)

Are there any JR covered trains which require fewer transfers and maybe enable you to sleep on it as well?

The help is highly appreciated.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hello there,

Travel from Sapporo to Tokyo is indeed long, it takes a good 10 hours during the day. Here is an example route in Hyperdia. The Hayabusa Shinkansen between Shin-Aomori and Tokyo is covered by the JR Pass which is one of the fastest shinkansen in Japan.

It's a long trip but well worth making, I have done so a couple of times myself. The view from Sapporo - Hakodate is especially nice and I would recommend trying to get a seat on the left side of the train.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Japan trip
Japan trip
3 posts
over 9 years ago

Hi Daniel-san

Thanks for your help (although I can't seem to view the Hyperdia link that you sent clearly). And by Hayabasu Shinkansen, does that show up as a different name on Hyperdia? as I can't seem to find that or the Tohoku Shinkansen listed.

Furthermore, I'm assuming this means that the limited express trains between Sapporo-Hakodate (Ltd. Express Super Hokuto) and Hakodate-Shin Aomori (Ltd. Express Super Hakucho) are covered by the JR Pass as well?

Thanks Again.

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hi again!

I fixed the link and should work now.

Those limited express trains are indeed covered, as well as any other JR train in Hokkaido.

Japan trip
Japan trip
3 posts
over 9 years ago

Hi Daniel

Thanks for the fix!

I have one more question regarding the trip from Sapporo to Tokyo. If I do not plan to travel in the day, I've found that there's the Hamanasu night train that runs between Sapporo and Shin-Aomori station.

I was wondering whether the JR Pass can cover this trip if I do not choose to stay in a shared or private compartment?

Ie. Will it cover the nobinobi carpet cars / normal seats?

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 9 years ago
Expert

Hi again!

Ah the Hamanasu, it's a train which will give Japanese a nostalgic feeling. As in the 1960-1970's it was very common to travel by night train in Japan. Now only a few are left and one of those is the Hamanasu. A normal seat in the Hamanasu is covered by the JR Pass. These are however normal / reclining seats, so you can't lie down. Try to reserve tickets as soon as you can as the Hamanasu can be sold out days, sometimes weeks in advance.

I was unable to sleep on the Hamanasu but even so it's a great experience looking out of the window during the night and seeing lights in the distance pass by,


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