The Hokkaido Free Pass, also known as Hokkaido Round Tour Pass, is a rail pass, providing unlimited usage of JR trains (including limited express trains) and most JR buses in Hokkaido on seven consecutive days.
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Hokkaido Free Pass (as of April 1, 2009)
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25,500 Yen
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No reduced rates for children.
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Below is a map of major JR train lines on Hokkaido, which can be used with the Hokkaido Free Pass:
Validity
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1)
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Unlimited usage of JR trains in Hokkaido, including limited express and express trains.
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2)
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Unlimited usage of JR Hokkaido Bus lines, except the lines from Sapporo to Asahikawa, Monbetsu, Obihiro, Kiroro and Erimo.
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3)
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Seat reservations can be made for free for up to six train rides.
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4)
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The pass is valid on seven consecutive days.
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5)
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The pass cannot be used during peak travel seasons (New Year, Golden Week and Obon).
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Points of Sale
Major JR railway stations in Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto (incl. Tokyo), Shikoku and Kyushu.
Assessment
This pass only makes sense, if you plan on traveling long distances. The table below shows approximate regular fares for one-way limited express tickets (ordinary car) between selected major cities. Use it to compare the cost of regular tickets with the cost of a Hokkaido Free Pass:
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Asahikawa
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Hakodate
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Wakkanai
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Kushiro
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Sapporo
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4,500 Yen
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8,500 Yen
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10,000 Yen
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9,000 Yen
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Asahikawa
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12,500 Yen
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8,000 Yen
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13,000 Yen
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Hakodate
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16,500 Yen
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14,500 Yen
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Wakkanai
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16,500 Yen
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Alternative Tickets
The Hokkaido Rail Pass is a rail pass for exclusive usage by foreign visitors, i.e. unlike the Hokkaido Free Pass, it is not available to residents of Japan. Like the Hokkaido Free Pass, the Hokkaido Rail Pass provides unlimited usage of JR trains and buses in Hokkaido. It is available for three or five consecutive days.
While rail passes for exclusive use by foreign visitors generally tend to be significantly cheaper than comparable rail passes which are also available to residents of Japan, this is not the case when comparing the Hokkaido Rail Pass with the Hokkaido Free Pass, as shown in the table below:
Comparison of cost per day and person:
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7-day Hokkaido Free Pass
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3,643 Yen
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5-day Hokkaido Rail Pass
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3,900 Yen
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3-day Hokkaido Rail Pass
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5,000 Yen
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