Hokkaido JR seat reservation

Hi,

I will be visiting Hokkaido from 2 to 5 Aug. I realised that the seat reservation fees are very high during this period. Is it necessary to reserve a seat during this season?

I will be taking a train from Hokodate to Lake Toya, Lake Toya to Noboribetsu.

Thank you!

A reserved seat is only 720 yen more than a non-reserved one.

Hi,

I checked on hyperdia and the seat fee cost JPY 1800 for lake toya to noboribetsu.

For hakodate to Lake toya, the seat fee cost JPY 2880.

Is this the reserved seat fees?

Thanks!

No, those are the limited express fees. In the drop-down list you have three options: non-reserved (ordinary) seat, reserved (ordinary) seat, and Green class seat. You must choose one.

By the way, if you don't want to pay those fees, you can take ordinary commuter trains, which are also slower. If you want to see those on Hyperdia, untick the "Limited Express" box.

That period JR's "reserved seat fee" is not expensive
just 200Y up than regular season. (520Y to 720Y)

Hakodate to Lake toya : cost JPY 2880 means
2160Y(LtdExp fee) + 720Y(reserved seat fee)
but not include "base fare(as A to B stn)" : 2810Y

So,
LtdExp reserved : 2810Y + 2160Y + 720Y = 5690Y
LtdExp unreserved : 2810Y + 2160Y = 4970Y

Regular local train(not LtdExp) : 2810Y only
(no need LtdExp fee/no reserved seat car)