Travel by Train to See Ice and Snow (Part 4) / Explore Hokkaido and Save Money with a Rail Pass!

By Wu Yongcheng

After visiting Kushiro, you can take a train to the Nemuro Peninsula in the east, head west to Obihiro to see the Tokachi Mountain Range, or head straight back to Sapporo. You'll find that you've actually traveled all the way around eastern Hokkaido. Of course, if other plans require it, you can also go against the clock and explore from Kushiro upwards. The thing is, while the map may show a loop, don’t forget Hokkaido is much larger than Taiwan, and train fares are calculated by distance—so this kind of travel can get quite expensive.

For example, just taking a limited express train from Kushiro back to Sapporo costs 9,320 yen; a limited express from Sapporo to Abashiri costs 9,840 yen—it’s really quite pricey. That’s when foreign travelers get the best deal by using the Hokkaido Rail Pass.

The Hokkaido Rail Pass, much like the well-known JR Rail Pass, must be purchased as an exchange voucher from a travel agency before entering Japan, then exchanged for the actual pass after arrival at a designated location. Once obtained, it allows you to ride various JR Hokkaido trains and limited express services within the validity period. The difference is that the Hokkaido Rail Pass can only be used in Hokkaido.

The Hokkaido Rail Pass comes in three options: 3-day, 5-day, and a flexible 4-day pass. The 3-day pass costs 15,000 yen, while both the 5-day and flexible 4-day passes cost 19,500 yen (regular car fares; first class is more expensive). Although the 3-day pass is cheaper, the distances in eastern Hokkaido are long and travel times are lengthy, so a 3-day pass might make your itinerary too rushed. The 5-day and flexible 4-day passes offer more flexibility in planning.

★★★Extended Reading = Crab Battle Sapporo Main Store

When in Hokkaido, you can’t miss crab dishes, and if you want delicious and affordable seafood, you shouldn’t miss this place—Crab Battle. The restaurant offers about 70 varieties of crab and shrimp dishes, including steamed, boiled, grilled, and fried options. There’s also the highly popular all-you-can-eat crab, where you can enjoy sushi, chawanmushi, and the long, succulent legs of the three major crab varieties to your heart’s content. ...Click for detailed attraction information
 

→Click here: Return to the attraction homepage

→Click here: View more special features