Tokyo to Sapporo and In Between Questions

Hi there,

• Is the other train from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Sapporo also included in the JRPass, or would we need to purchase that separately?

Yes, the train from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Sapporo is fully covered by the Nationwide JR Pass.

• If we land at Tokyo Haneda at 5:15 p.m. on February 9, would it be possible to take the shinkansen and the other train to Sapporo without needing to stop somewhere for the night? If not, would you recommend spending the night in Tokyo (to make the full travel to Sapporo on the 10th) or taking the shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto after we land on the 9th and spending the night near Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and finish the journey to Sapporo on the 10th?

Unfortunately, this will not be possible as the total train journey from Haneda Airport to Sapporo takes approximately 8 to 8.5 hours. I recommend spending the night near Haneda Airport, Shinagawa, or Tokyo Station after your flight. This will allow you to rest and start your journey to Sapporo comfortably the following morning.

• What would be the best way to travel from Sapporo to the nearby winter festivals mentioned above? Is that included in the JRPass as well, or would any of it need to be booked/paid for separately?

Please check the JNTO website for access information. All JR-operated train lines are fully covered by the Nationwide JR Pass.

• Similarly, what would be the best way to travel to Ginzan Onsen and the Zao Fox Village? Is that included in the JRPass?

Ginzan Onsen: Take the Yamagata Shinkansen (covered by JR Pass) to Oishida Station, then a local bus (not covered).
Zao Fox Village: Take the Shinkansen or JR local train (covered by JR Pass) to Shiroishi-Zao or Shiroishi Station, then a taxi or shuttle bus (not covered).

• Is Ginzan Onsen the best option, or would it be too crowded/busy that time of year? (If so, is there a different Onsen nearby with similar offerings that would be less known/crowded?)

Ginzan Onsen is worth visiting if you manage to book a ryokan stay, as it will give you peaceful access to the streets early in the morning or late at night after day-trippers leave. If you prefer fewer crowds, you could also check out Zao Onsen.

• Is it recommended to stay in Yokohama when attending the strawberry festival, or can that be a day trip from Tokyo?

Staying overnight makes sense if you plan to explore more of Yokohama, but a day trip is plenty if you are only visiting for the festival.

• If we’re not using shinkansen after we get back from Hokkaido, would a 21-day JRPass still be the best way to get around Tokyo? Or would it be better to get a 14-day pass for the travel between Tokyo, Sapporo, and Yokohama but then reload our Suica card to travel locally around Tokyo?

If you plan to stay in one location during your final week, a 14-day Nationwide JR Pass will be the most cost-effective option to cover your long-distance travel.

I hope this helps!

Kind Regards,

Mariko