deanrobi 2 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 After our stay in Niseko we are planning to catch the train from Kutchen to Otaru, we will be in Otaru for two nights before we then catch the Train to the airport. During the stay at Otaru I'm guessing that we will do a train trip or two in to Sapporo for the ice Festival. Question is are we best to buy a Regional Rail Pass rather than individual tickets and does this allows us to travel when ever/where ever? Also are there any off those bullet Trains on Hokkaido and is it possible to do a trip on them ? any recommendations Link to post Share on other sites
Ezorisu 0 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 You'll probably have to do the math to figure out if the individual tickets will add up to more than the rail pass you had in mind. I think in general, unless you are doing several long-distance runs on the bullet train on Honshuu, it will probably be cheaper to get individual tickets. Yes, the rail pass will allow you to travel wherever and whenever. The bullet train that will connect Sapporo on Hokkaido and Hachinohe on Honshuu via the Seikan tunnel has not opened yet, so there are none at the moment. Link to post Share on other sites
timcraig 0 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 a bullet train from tokyo to sapporo once it opened might almost be as quick as flying and going on the bus to niseko if you could get off in hakodate or otaru and join the local trains!! And much more interesting than a flight Link to post Share on other sites
gareth_oau 2 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Originally Posted By: timcraig always eat yellow snow, it might be beer! tim, more likely to be "processed" beer Link to post Share on other sites
Thundercat 60 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 There are a couple of options. Usually, the rail passes are only worth it if you are planning on hitting up a few different areas over the period of a few days or a week. The 'Shuyu Kippu' is a ticket for different zones including Hokkaido and offers 5 days unlimited travel, with a 10 day option(Hokkaido only) but the prices and zones vary so you'll need to ask at the station. The 'Seishun Jyu-Hachi Kippu' gives 5 non-consecutive days of travel on any local or rapid train for 11,500 yen(doesn't include Express or Bullet trains). The 'Hokkaido Rail Pass' gives 3 or 5 consecutive day passes on any train for 14,000 and 18,000. Finally, the 'Hokkaido Free Pass' gives you 7 consecutive days for any train for 23,400. If you are only going between Otaru and Sapporo the price is only 920Y one way. It would be crazy to do any of the rail passes on offer! Link to post Share on other sites
Ezorisu 0 Posted January 24, 2009 Share Posted January 24, 2009 Indeed - you really have to be doing a lot of travelling to make the rail pass worthwhile! Link to post Share on other sites
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