Japan Trip
 

Hi there
I am planning a trip with my girlfriend going 18th July (tokyo Narita) from UK till August 3rd.
we were looking to got to one of the National Parks in Hokkaido.
I am very keen to go to rebun to but don't know if it s worth it to go all that way.
I am trying to work out if traveling up via train to hokkaido, but have realized that JR pass are different in hokkaido.
We have looked into flying to Wakkanai and travelling back down to tokyo but its very expensive to fly.
My girlfriend wants to stay around Fuji also.
Would it be best to travel straight from flying from the UK to nip it in the bud or to stay in the fuji area first.

Does anyone know relative train distances how long to Sapporo from Tokyo?

Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated.

trip plan
 

The distance from Tokyo to Sapporo is about 1400km by train.

Recomennded plan are as follows.

Tokyo to Hachinohe by Shinkansen Hayate.
Hachinohe to Hakodate by Super Express Hakuchou
Hakodate to Sapporo by normal train.
It will be take 10 hours, and cost will be 23,000 Yen.

Sorry for my poor english

thank you for the reply.
Is the express a night train?
do you know how long it will take to get to wakkanai as we'd like to go to rebun?

thanks

Tokyo - Wakkanai is 16 hours 38 minutes by train. Fare is 28,450 yen.

I might suggest that you obtain the Japan Rail Pass even for a week if not for your entire stay. It will save you bundles on your Hokkaido trip alone.

Is it possible to book a sleeper berth from uk?
We have been thinking about hiring a car but only one of us drives would that be crazy in Hokkaido?

Actually, renting a car is probably the best way to see Hokkaido. Sleeper cars are available, but expensive, and I'm not sure if you can book one from the UK or not.

I know for a fact that Japanese Airlines like JAL and ANA have around 50% discount(domestic flight) if you book a flight a month or 2 before your actual trip.

Some tour agencies like JTB and HIS have cheap package tour during the summer. A friend was able to go to Hokkaido for about 25,000yen including a round trip flight from Tokyo to Sapporo, one night stay in a hotel.

Japan Rail Pass in Hokkaido
 

Hi Lionel,

If you buy the standard 7 day pass, it will be valid in Hokkaido, so you should be all set. The only thing is that it is a *massive* journey.

Getting the sleeper is a good idea, but how about mixing some of northern honshu into the trip as a stop over like Aomori or Akita? There is some amazing scenery there, and also some pretty good national parks like the Shirakami Sanchi World Heritage Site.

Hope this helps!

J
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Japan Rail Pass - buy the JR Pass online