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JR Hokkaido and JR East to Release the “Hokkaido & East Japan Rail Pass (Winter Season)” on November 28, 2025

JR Hokkaido and JR East will begin sales of the “Hokkaido & East Japan Rail Pass (Winter Season)” on November 28, 2025.
The pass offers unlimited travel on local and rapid trains across Hokkaido and eastern Japan for seven consecutive days, providing an affordable and convenient way to explore northern Japan during the winter season.


Sales and Validity Periods

  • Sales period: November 28, 2025 – January 6, 2026

  • Valid for travel: December 12, 2025 – January 12, 2026

  • Validity: Seven consecutive days


Price

  • Adults: ¥11,530

  • Children: ¥5,760


Where to Buy

Available at:

  • Midori no Madoguchi (JR ticket offices) at major JR Hokkaido and JR East stations

  • Reserved-seat ticket machines

  • Major travel agencies


Valid Train Lines

Unlimited travel on non-reserved seats of local and rapid trains operated by the following railway companies for seven consecutive days:

  • JR Hokkaido

  • JR East

  • Aoimori Railway

  • Iwate Galaxy Railway (IGR)

  • Hokuetsu Express

  • JR East BRT services


Special Exceptions: Limited Express Train Access

Ordinary-class (non-reserved) cars on limited express trains may be used only within the following sections:

  • Ōu Main Line (Aomori – Shin-Aomori)

  • Sekishō Line (Shintoku – Shin-Yūbari)

  • Muroran Main Line (Higashi-Muroran – Muroran)


Use of the Hokkaido Shinkansen

The Hokkaido & East Japan Rail Pass alone does not include Shinkansen travel.
However, passengers traveling between Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and Shin-Aomori may ride standing-room only on the Hokkaido Shinkansen by purchasing a special limited express ticket (Tokutei Tokkyūken) separately.

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