Japan JR Tohoku/South Hokkaido Rail Pass｜Pickup in Thailand City Central

The JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass is a special rail pass designed for foreign visitors to Japan, offering unlimited travel for a set number of days. Its main purpose is to provide convenient and cost-effective transportation across the Tohoku region and Southern Hokkaido. This allows travelers to easily explore diverse landscapes, historical sites, and cultural experiences without the hassle of purchasing individual tickets for each journey.

The pass covers a wide area across Northeastern Japan and Southern Hokkaido. This includes the entire Tohoku region, encompassing prefectures like Aomori, Akita, Iwate, Miyagi, Yamagata, and Fukushima. In Hokkaido, it extends to the southern part, allowing access to cities like Hakodate and its surrounding areas. This extensive coverage enables seamless travel between these two distinct and scenic regions.

The JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass includes unlimited rides on local, rapid, express, and limited express JR East and JR Hokkaido trains within the designated coverage area. This also extends to the Shinkansen (bullet train) services, such as the Tohoku Shinkansen and Hokkaido Shinkansen, between specific stations within the pass's validity zone. Certain non-JR lines that offer direct service to popular tourist destinations may also be included.

Yes, while the pass covers the Tohoku Shinkansen and Hokkaido Shinkansen within its designated region, it cannot be used on Shinkansen lines that fall outside its coverage area. Specifically, the pass does not cover Shinkansen lines connecting to other regions like the Tokaido Shinkansen (e.g., Tokyo to Osaka) or the Sanyo Shinkansen (e.g., Osaka to Hakata). It is crucial to check the specific route map to confirm covered Shinkansen segments.

The JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass is exclusively available to foreign visitors to Japan, typically those with a 'Temporary Visitor' visa stamp. Japanese nationals residing overseas may also be eligible under specific conditions. It is generally not available for purchase or use by Japanese citizens residing in Japan. Travelers must present their passport with the 'Temporary Visitor' stamp upon redemption.

The JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass is valid for 6 consecutive days of unlimited travel within its designated coverage area. The validity period begins on the date of activation, which travelers select upon redemption. This allows for a concentrated period of exploration across Tohoku and Southern Hokkaido, providing flexibility for intensive sightseeing or regional exploration.

Yes, travelers using the JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass can make seat reservations for Shinkansen, limited express, and certain other trains without additional cost. This is highly recommended, especially during peak travel seasons or for popular routes, to guarantee a seat. Reservations can typically be made at JR ticket offices (Midori-no Madoguchi) or designated reservation machines at JR stations.

Upon arrival in Japan, travelers holding a JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass exchange voucher must present it along with their passport (with the 'Temporary Visitor' stamp) at designated JR Exchange Offices located in major JR stations or airports. After validating eligibility, they will receive the physical rail pass. During this exchange, travelers will select the desired start date for their 6 consecutive days of validity, activating the pass.