The JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass is the most inclusive regional rail pass in Japan's north, stretching from the capital all the way to the gateway of Hokkaido. With six consecutive days of unlimited travel, you can ride the Hokkaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, swing through Sendai, chase autumn leaves in Aomori, and still have days left for Akita or Nikko.
The Pass
The JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass covers a wide network across northern Japan. See the list below for a full breakdown:
What's covered:
- JR East lines (including the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system)
- JR Hokkaido lines (Hakodate, Sapporo, Otaru area)
- Aoimori Railway
- Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR)
- Tokyo Monorail
- Sendai Airport Transit Line
- Nikko, Kinugawa, and SPACIA Kinugawa limited express trains (reserved ordinary car seats only)
- Tobu Railway (regular and rapid trains between Shimo-imaichi and Tobu-nikko/Kinugawa-onsen)
**Gala Yuzawa Station operates only during winter and spring ski season, so factor that in if it's on your list.
What's not covered:
- Tokaido Shinkansen (operated by JR Central)
- South Hokkaido Railway Line
- Green Car and GranClass upgrades (available for a separate fee)
Beyond transportation, the pass also doubles as a discount and rewards card. Show it at selected museums, shops, car rental stores, and restaurants to receive savings that can add up quickly over a few days of travel. Check JR-East’s special offers page for the list of participating establishments.
Prices
- Adult (12 and older): ¥40,000
- Child (6–11): ¥20,000
To put that in perspective, a single round-trip on the Hokkaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto in reserved seats costs roughly ¥48,000 on its own. With the pass at ¥40,000, you break even before adding a single stop along the way.
Children under 6 who do not require a reserved seat travel free without a pass.
Get your JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass Validity
The pass is valid for six consecutive days from a date of your choosing. Days run on a calendar-day basis, so plan your start date to maximize full travel days. Only one pass of this type may be active at a time—you cannot purchase overlapping passes.
Do I Need It?
This pass is best suited for visitors making the Tokyo-to-Hakodate journey and planning multiple stops along the Tohoku corridor. If you're combining cities like Sendai, Aomori, and Akita in a single trip north, it delivers outstanding value. It also works well as a base for Tohoku-only itineraries without Hokkaido.
It's less ideal if your trip is limited to Tokyo and its immediate surroundings, or if you need the Tokaido Shinkansen—in those cases, a different JR pass may suit you better.
Purchase
The pass is sold exclusively to visitors from outside Japan and requires a valid passport. It can be purchased online via the JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass or through authorized travel agents like Klook or KKday before or after arrival.
Seat reservations for Shinkansen and limited express trains can be made at the same time or later at JR ticket offices and reservation machines.
Usage
Present your pass at ticket gates or to station staff when boarding. Seat reservations are strongly recommended for Shinkansen travel, especially on busy travel dates. Reservations are included at no extra charge for ordinary car seats.
Destinations
Here are some of the top places you can visit using the pass:
Hirosaki Park
Hirosaki Park, with its castle relics, gardens, shrine and cherry blossoms, is definitely worth a visit!
