In the vast Hokkaido, unless you drive around by yourself, taking the JR Hokkaido Railway is the main means of transportation. Others such as buses, streetcars, and MRT can only be regarded as auxiliary means of transportation.
JR Hokkaido issues a travel pass for foreign tourists for an unlimited number of rides within a certain period of time. Whether it is a reserved seat or a free seat, it can be used for free, which can be said to be quite affordable.The pass is divided into four types: "3-day use", "5-day use", "7-day use" and "optional 4-day free pass". Tourists can choose the most suitable ticket type according to their own itinerary planning needs. .
The price of the pass is divided into two types: "special class" and "ordinary car".Generally speaking, the carriages of JR Hokkaido trains are generally quite comfortable, and you usually choose the price of ordinary carriages.If you want to try some very new or special trains, you can also purchase them at a price increase. There is no need to purchase special-class passenger tickets in advance.
- The three types of "3-day use", "5-day use" and "7-day use" allow tourists to flexibly match according to the length of the travel itinerary.
- The "Optional 4-Day Tour Pass" is quite suitable for travelers who have arranged their own driving itinerary or want to stay for a longer time in a certain event. After deducting the driving or stay time, you can choose between four days before and after.It is important to note that the "Optional 4-Day Pass" cannot specify the starting date.The day of purchase is considered the first day.
Both the "Prime Carriage" and "Regular Carriage" pass can be used on the "Limited Express" or "Normal Train" routes. In fact, all routes can be boarded, but the types of carriages that can be boarded are different.Those marked with "*" in the above table are cars that need to be purchased at a higher price.
When taking JR Hokkaido, there are two types of seats: "reserved seats" and "unreserved seats". Both of them do not use the card slot to enter and exit. Please bring your travel ticket to the counter at the ride entrance and show it to the service staff for inspection Enter the station.
- Free seat: Before taking a ride, show the travel ticket to the service staff at the entrance counter.
- Reserved seats: Before taking a ride, you must first take your travel ticket to the ticket office to make a reservation and inform the counter staff that you want to take the shift.When taking a ride, when a train service staff checks the ticket, you can show the pass and the designated sweep at the same time.
Personal experience The experience of using designated seats to reserve seats includes the following:
- In order to avoid misunderstandings and difficulties caused by communication, I will use the "Transit NAVITIME" APP to check the number of flights I want to take, and then show the screen of my mobile phone directly to the counter staff, which is convenient, fast and error-free.
- Seats for reserved seats are limited. It is recommended to make a reservation at the station the day before or early.Some people will finish the shifts required for the entire itinerary at one time. Individuals feel that this kind of free exercise according to the table is a bit too stressful and inflexible. It depends on personal choice.
- Before the train starts, you must go to the ticket office 30 minutes in advance to make a reservation, otherwise you can only take the free-seat train. As long as the travel time is not very long, in fact, it is very free and convenient to take a free seat.
How to buy tickets
To purchase the JR Hokkaido Pass in Hokkaido, Japan, the purchase method and preparation materials are quite simple. You only need to prepare three things:
- Passport: It is stamped with the stamp of "Short-term Stay". As long as short-term travelers entering abroad, the customs will automatically stamp it, so there is no need to worry.
- Application form: Available in various languages. Traditional Chinese is also available. Filling in the content is quite simple. You can fill it out in advance or on the spot.
- Cash or credit card: Everyone must have one of them on hand.No? !Then go back to your country as soon as possible, lest you live in a foreign land.
They can be prepared in advance, and there is no need to purchase exchange vouchers from travel agencies in advance. The reasons are as follows.
- The voucher cannot be used directly. You still have to take the voucher to the place where you purchased the travel pass to redeem it, which is totally inconvenient and time-saving.
- There is a risk of loss of the exchange voucher. There are enough things to prepare for a trip abroad, and everyone should not want to add a burden.
- Pre-purchase implied processing costs, unless you can expect the yen to rise sharply, pre-purchase is more cost-effective, and the chance of saving money is extremely low.
The content of the purchase application form includes: application date, name and passport number, nationality, age, and type of travel pass. The content is quite simple. Everyone has to fill in one. You can fill it out on the spot, and print it out at home in advance. Of course better.
The JR official website and the Chinese introduction manual clearly list the places to purchase the travel pass, mainly the foreign tourist service office and the tourist center:
Foreign Tourist Service Center: Sapporo and New Chitose Airport
- JR Foreign Tourist Service Center (Sapporo Station West Exit) 8:30๏ฝ19:00
- JR Foreign Tourist Service Center (New Chitose Airport Station) 8:30๏ฝ19:00
JR Tourist Center: Five JR Hokkaido stations in Hakodate, Asahikawa, Obihiro, Kushiro, and Abashiri
- JR Tourist Center (Twinkle Plaza) Hakodate Branch (Hakodate Station) 10:00๏ฝ18:00
- JR Tourist Center (Twinkle Plaza) Asahikawa Branch (Asahikawa Station) 09:30๏ฝ17:30
- JR Tourist Center (Twinkle Plaza) Obihiro Branch (Obihiro Station) 09:00๏ฝ17:00
- JR Tourist Center (Twinkle Plaza) Kushiro Branch (Kushiro Station) 10:00๏ฝ18:00
- JR Travel Center (Twinkle Plaza) Abashiri Branch (Abashiri Station) 09:30๏ฝ17:00 (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays)
My personal experience of buying a travel pass at the passenger service center is that the service targets of the passenger service center include Japanese and foreign travelers. The counter staff explain very carefully, but because they are very careful, the Japanese people who go to the passenger service center ask in detail, so After drawing the number plates, you have to wait for a while. When planning your itinerary, don't compress the time too tightly to avoid being unable to get on the train you want immediately. It is best to buy the day before.
Reference:
The Chinese introduction page of the JR Hokkaido Pass:http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/chinese/railpass/rail.html
