The HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS is a special ticket available only to travelers visiting Japan from foreign countries for sightseeing.

To be eligible to purchase a HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS, you must meet the following condition;
You must be a foreign tourist visiting Japan from abroad for sightseeing, under the entry status of "temporary visitor ()."

There are two types of HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS; Green (for superior-class Green cars) and Ordinary. Both are valid for three days and five days.

The above are yen prices for a HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS Exchange Order (as of April 1, 2004). The actual cost in local currency is calculated based on the Banker's Selling Rate (BSR),etc., at the time the Exchange Order is issued. PASS prices for children apply from age 6 to and including age 11. Prices are subject to change without prior notice. The applicable price is the price valid on the date when an Exchange Order is issued.

The HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS is valid for all the train lines offered by Hokkaido Railway Co. and bus lines of JR Hokkaido Bus (excluding Sapporo - Asahikawa / Sapporo - Monbetsu / Sapporo - Obihiro / Sapporo - Kiroro lines and irregular lines).

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With a Green-type HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS, you can use Green cars operated by Hokkaido Railway Co. With an Ordinary-type HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS, you can use reserved ordinary car seats of trains operated by Hokkaido Railway Co. If you use a sleeping car, you must pay the limited express charge and berth charge.

Many JR HOKKAIDO trains have Green cars (superior accommodations); all have ordinary cars. You can use Green cars or ordinary cars with a Green-type PASS, and you can use ordinary cars with an Ordinary-type PASS, without paying additional charges. Refer to the following table for details; The cars with can be used with a HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS, use of cars with * requires paying additional charges.

To make a seat reservation (free of charge), the holder should apply in advance at a JR Hokkaido travel service center or Midori-no-madoguchi (Green Window).

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A non-reserved seat can be used simply by presenting your HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS.

You must exchange your Exchange Order for a HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS within three months from the date of issue. At that time, you must specify the date that you want to start using the PASS. It can be any date within one month from the date the PASS is received.

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Once the PASS has a starting date written on it, the date cannot be changed.

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After commencing travel with the PASS beyond the valid period, it can be used until the day following its expiration date if no stops are made. If the trains you board on that day have accommodations requiring limited express or express charges, you must pay the applicable charges.

Purchase an Exchange Order before you come to Japan at the following places;
Authorized sales offices or agents  are such as JTB Corp. and their associated agencies which includes Japan Travel Bureau (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
Present your Exchange Order to obtain your HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS after you arrive in Japan.

You can also purchase a PASS in Japan (in Japanese yen only) from offices designated by Hokkaido Railway Co. (JR New-Chitose Airport Station and Travel Service Centers at JR Sapporo, Hakodate, Asahikawa, Obihiro, Kushiro stations).

A HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS is strictly limited to the designated individual; it is not transferable from one person to another.

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You should carry your passport during travel, and be prepared to present it if requested.

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Refund of Exchange Order or HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS

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An Exchange Order that has not been submitted for a HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS can be returned to the office where it was purchased for a refund, within one year of the date of issue. In such cases, a handling fee and communication fee will be subtracted from the refund.

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After an Exchange Order is submitted for a HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS, the PASS can be submitted at any HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS exchange office for a refund if it is done before the the starting date of the PASS. (Ten percent of the yen price of the PASS will be charged as a handling fee.)

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No refund can be made for any reason on or after the starting date of the PASS.

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No refund on a HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS can be made in the event of train service delays or suspension, etc.

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Neither an Exchange Order nor a HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS can be reissued if lost or stolen.

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These and other usage conditions follow the Hokkaido Railway Group passenger transportation regulations and Japanese laws.
The validity of an Exchange Order during the period before it is submitted for a HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS, however, shall follow the stipulations and regulations of the company that issued the Exchange Order.

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Please take a number ticket upon boarding bus.

Note: A HOKKAIDO RAIL PASS cannot be used in an automatic ticket-reading gate. Please present the PASS at a manned gate.