Planning Itinerary: Sapporo to Tokyo with JR E.S. Hokkaido Rail Pass

[@KenshoQuest]

Which part of Japan do you plan to explore? We appreciate the commissions we earn when you purchase the JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass through our affiliate link: geni.us/jreastsouthhokkaido

[@recentskepticism122]

You guys have the best channel for the nitty gritty details of what it takes to make a trip to Japan happen. Keep up the great videos!

[@KenshoQuest]

Thank you! Will do!

[@ASch-tw5xr]

Many many many thanks for your guidance! Your videos helped us a lot and we are having such a blissful time in Japan! The best YT channel we have ever seen! ❤ Lots of 🤗 to Family Kenshoquest! Merciiiiii

[@KenshoQuest]

Great to hear! Have fun in Japan!

[@dennistani1986]

Excellent travel tips, thank you!

[@mariojsworld]

Nice Japan guide.

[@KenshoQuest]

Thanks! 😃

[@barnadettacarolina8770]

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THIS! im planning to buy the same regional pass in Dec for my trip from Tokyo to Sapporo and back. Now, Im really sure to buy this regional pass instead of the Jr pass. Thanks again!

[@KenshoQuest]

You’re welcome! That will be a quick trip. Will you spend a couple days in Sapporo? ❄️❄️❄️

[@jonathanemerson9468]

Really helpful. Have travelled around Honshu and Kyushu before, but will soon be the first time travelling up to Hokkaido. Appreciate the detail you go into!

[@KenshoQuest]

Glad it was helpful! We hope you enjoy Hokkaido. It's one of our favorite areas in Japan, for both winter and summer. 🌺 Heidi

[@shasimo1]

looking forward to this, that area is the next place i want to explore

[@KenshoQuest]

❄️❄️❄️❄️

[@karenrobbins6656]

I rode the Hello Kitty Shinkansen but didn’t know there’s a whole bunch of Joyful trains. I love special train rides. I will try to work some of these into future trips. Thanks for all the information in this video

[@KenshoQuest]

Did you enjoy the Hello Kitty Shinkansen? We would have ridden it, but it was down for maintenance.

[@karenrobbins6656]

@@KenshoQuest it was adorable! If you go, wait in the queue for car 1 early even if your seat is elsewhere. Then you can look around the merch area and take pictures in car 2. They limit the number of people in car 1-2 at one time to avoid overcrowding

[@magnustan841]

Actually, these are what Japan calls "tourist trains". The Joyful Trains is just what JR East brands their collection of tourists trains. The northern part of Japan, Tohoku, is somewhere I've always wanted to explore, but my trips so far have only really taken me west. Something for the future.

[@Travel-by-Train]

Very interesting. I ❤ Love Japanese Train 🍒🍒🍒

[@dennistani1986]

Forgot to mention, in reference to your Japan holiday dates, the last 2 weeks of March is spring vacation time. Many families are traveling, so folks should keep that in mind when planning their trip. Also the golden week holidays at the end of April, beginning of May are always busy. take care!

[@KenshoQuest]

Great advice, thanks for chiming in :)

[@bravosierra2447]

I wish it is possible to book character Shinkansens using voucher too, as I fear I will miss out the Hello Kitty Shinkansen from when I’m in the JR Central & West region. Thank you for another highly informative video.

[@KenshoQuest]

You're welcome! Are you referring to having an Exchange Order for a Whole Japan Rail Pass?

[@bravosierra2447]

@@KenshoQuest I’m not totally sure what an exchange order is. But the impression I get is that I won’t be able to book seats on the HK Shinkansen until I’ve converted my JR voucher to the actual pass.

[@madamlakwatsera5674]

Thanks

[@KenshoQuest]

You're welcome. Are you planning a Japan trip? 🌺 Heidi

[@shmyderu4093]

Hi, thank you for the detailed narration, very helpful! From the video, we can reserve the resort shirakami seats in advance w/o the need to exchange the order for the pass? That is great! Hoe to hear if you managed to get an ocean view seat as I will be traveling from Aomori to Akita early next year too. Thank you!

[@KenshoQuest]

Yes, you can reserve seats before you have your actual pass in hand. It will be late February before we take the train, so that might be after you.

[@shmyderu4093]

@@KenshoQuest Thank you for your reply, looking forward to your next video. :)

[@samanthasn]

Were you able to get a reservation? Was the journey worth it? Please share a video post-trip!

[@KenshoQuest]

Our next video will show our journey! We were able to reserve the Pokemon train. We didn’t get to ride the Resort Shirakami since the schedule didn’t work out. Stay tuned! 🌸 Heidi

[@Wolfienadz]

Hi, Awesome video! I will be using your recommendation of the JR East South Hokkaido Pass for my trip in Feb. 😊 But I have a question, can I use this pass for trains (such as Hokuriku Shinkansen) to Kanazawa? I did some research and my understanding is it’s included, but I wanted double check with you first. I would really appreciate it your thoughts on this! Thank you!! 🙏🏼

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. Sorry, the JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass does not go to Kanazawa. It only goes as far as Karuizawa. You can see the coverage map here: www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pass/easthokkaido.html

[@mpham754]

Thank you so much for your video!! I’m so happy to found your Chanel ❤. We are a couple going to Japan first time the end of March for 12 days . Planning to stay in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka then back to Tokyo to go back home. Should we get the JR pass to get around? Must appreciate your reply!!

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. The JR Pass won’t save you money on that route. We explain why in this separate video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nqTVi6OMjq1gotUsi=psA4LOE9X0ygQPeZ And here’s how to travel Japan by train without a JR Pass: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZbNnqGmmKt5gMksi=XmPvwqAksnhcEmc3

[@mpham754]

Thank you so much!

[@tehhalia71]

May I ask if there are oversized luggage compartments on the Hokuto trains from Sapporo to Hakodate? Also if I'm riding the Green Car by Hayabusa from Hakodate to Tokyo will there be oversized luggage compartments in the Green Car carriages? Thanks so much for the wonderful video :)

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. There are luggage racks on the Hokuto and Hayabusa. They are not specifically for oversized luggage. They don't require a reservation like on the Tokaido-Sanyo-Kyushu Shinkansen lines. Here's info about luggage on JR Hokkaido trains: www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/faq/faq02.html If you have an oversized item, you might want to ship it ahead using Yamato Transport. This can work for suitcases, skis, snowboards, etc. Here's one of our videos about luggage forwarding: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZ-9pqloqZ59Z7s

[@tehhalia71]

@@KenshoQuest Thank you

[@sumikita22]

Thanks so much for the info. This is very helpful! I will buy the same pass as you since we are planning a similar itinerary (Sapporo-Tokyo). Can we use the pass to take local JR trains in Tokyo as well ie yamanote line? Within the 6 consecutive days of course 😊 thanks again for the great content!

[@KenshoQuest]

Exciting! Yes, it includes JR trains in the Tokyo area, as well as the Tokyo Monorail. Here's the brochure that shows the covered area: www.jreast.co.jp/e/downloads/pdf/tohoku_hokkaido_e.pdf

[@sumikita22]

Thanks so much! :) @@KenshoQuest

[@zaviersw7678]

Hi there, really informative & detail video guide. Was wondering how will manage your luggages throughout this trip? Do you bring them onto all trains? And does all trains have luggage rack? Or using delivery service?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. For this 3 month trip to Japan we plan to bring one checked suitcase, 3 carry-on bags, and backpacks. Right before we start this train trip we will ship the checked suitcase from Sapporo to Tokyo. Here's our video about using Yamato Transport luggage delivery: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioOrpqN6iJKed80 We will bring our other items, such as rolling carry on suitcases onto the trains. There is an overhead rack that fits small suitcases. There should also be some luggage racks at the end of the car, which don't need to be reserved on these particular trains. The lighter you pack, the easier it is to get around!

[@zaviersw7678]

Many thanks for your reply. Hearing tat you have only one suitcase & rest are backpacks really amaze me 😮. Much to learn from you how you pack all for your trip. Your tips are of big help to me. Please keep on sharing more of your videos. Have wonderful trip ahead 😊🎉

[@KenshoQuest]

@@zaviersw7678 I made a video showing what we packed for our last Japan trip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4PMi2aqqJ6CZ80si=YzSEL-WFV_oaSpWg We do have two 21” carry-on suitcases that we bring on the trains.

[@gwenbatoon5262]

Im going tokyo saporo next week. Is it better to do air by jal or ana n mix with this pass you said

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. It’s up to you. If you want to keep it simple, you can fly both directions. We like taking multi-day train trips, so that’s why we opted for the pass. You can also take trains from Sapporo to Tokyo all in one day, but it’s a long travel day. 🌸 Heidi

[@rudyismail3567]

May I know the seat that facing the ocean for Resort Shirakami 2? Is it A or D?

[@lizzcharlotte17]

Is there any train from Tokyo to Hakodate/Sapporo exc. Shinkansen? Thanx alot 🙏🙏

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. There are Shinkansen trains that run between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto (about 4 hours). Then there are Limited Express trains from Hakodate to Sapporo (another 3.5 hours). Here's our video showing how to buy Shinkansen tickets: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKiwfHhppdJ1hpY

[@20manyo]

Hi i’d like to know about going to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Saga. Which JR pass should we buy? Thank you so much.

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. Will you return to Tokyo to fly home? If so, I'd recommend the Whole Japan Rail Pass. If you will only be going one direction from Tokyo to Saga, you might save money buying individual Shinkansen train tickets. We explain in our "Beginner's Guide to the JR Pass" how to add up the cost of your trip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nIbRZoB5jqudhLc And if you decide to buy separate tickets, here's how to do that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKiwfHhppdJ1hpY

[@20manyo]

Thank you so much for replying to me. ❤

[@Tulika-tp4oe]

Is it advisable to go to Sapporo in June, as snowfall is the best there(and winter is the best month). Please confirm. We are staying for 20 days in Japan. Planning for Tokyo 11 nights and 8 nights In Osaka(Kansai wide pass).

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. Hokkaido can be absolutely beautiful in the in the summer. You might be too early for the lavender fields in Furano to be blooming, but there might be other types of flowers blooming in Sapporo. Here’s one of our old videos about the flower fields in Hokkaido: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIbPkmOPZauopNEsi=s851R1yfC1CC8tFM

[@desertguy08]

Thank you for sharing the info. I have a couple of questions to ask. I just received the JR pass exchange vocher in the mail and I will be in Japan in the first week of March. Can I start reserving train seats online now? 2nd question is, when I am at the airport JR station counter on March 2nd to exchange the vocher and activate the JR Pass, can I reserve train seats before JR pass activation date. Let say I want the activation date of the pass on the March 5th, can I reserve tickets for the March 7th while at the airport JR station?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi. You are not able to reserve seats online with just the voucher. Once you go to the station to exchange your voucher for your actual JR Pass you can make seat reservations at that time, even if it is before your activation date. 🌸 Heidi

[@wowomfgowo]

Hi. I want to go from Tokyo to Sapporo slowly in early April. Can I use your recommendations in reverse order?

[@KenshoQuest]

Hi, absolutely! Just keep in mind that it is a 6 day pass.

[@wowomfgowo]

@@KenshoQuest thank you so much!