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Using Seishun 18 Kippu from Sendai to Otaru 2016/10/12 15:32
Hi, I plan to go spend my new year's holiday in Otaru with my husband in budget, therefore we plan to use Seishun 18 Kippu.

There are some things that we don't really understand:
1. It was mentioned in http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2362.html , which say that Seishun 18 kippu Hokkaido Shinkansen ticket option needed to be purchased separately from the regular Seishun 18 Kippu to cross to Hokkaido. Where to buy that exact ticket? or we can buy it in any JR midori no madoguchi?

2. So, if we departed from Sendai using such kippu, the best route would be: Sendai - Okutsugaru-Imabetsu - Kikonai - Hakodate - Shin-sapporo - Otaru, right? Is it still makes sense to make the trip from Sendai to Otaru in one day? or maybe anyone have better suggestion? please let me know :D

3. Does anyone have the updated timetable of the Hokkaido Shinkansen and South Hokkaido Railway? I will start my trip on 28 dec.

Loooking forward for the response, thank you very much ^^
by arpuji (guest)  

Re: Using Seishun 18 Kippu from Sendai to Otaru 2016/10/12 18:33
How about flying? Especially if you fly to Japan on a Oneworld airline, you can fly Sendai to Sapporo with JAL for 5,400 yen (otherwise it's about 10,000).

It is not possible to go from Sendai to Sapporo in one day on the Seishun 18, you would have to make an overnight stop, for example in Aomori or Hakodate.
by Firas rate this post as useful

Re: Using Seishun 18 Kippu from Sendai to Otaru 2016/10/12 18:53
By the way, the fastest way from Kikonai to Otaru on the Seishun 18 is not through Sapporo; Hyperdia is your friend.
by Firas rate this post as useful

Re: Using Seishun 18 Kippu from Sendai to Otaru 2016/10/13 08:00
"Hokkaido & HigashiNihon pass" a bit better than "18".
But same you cannot reach Otaru until on the day night.

Otaru is not so close about 800km far
and 18 also HH Pass no covered faster (LtdExp) trains all.
Shinkansen option ticket is one of special exception.
So you take about 30hrs by "HH Pass" like this.
(note : not include tranfering stns all)
1) SENDAI(MIYAGI/JR) 6:00 - 17:18 OKUTSUGARU-IMABETSU (by JR,IGR and Aoimori's local via Morioka,Hachinohe)
https://goo.gl/maps/wLjB8PnXnpu
2) OKUTSUGARU-IMABETSU 19:01 - 19:37 KIKONAI (by JR shinkansen : option ticket section)
https://goo.gl/maps/HCargBYGfh62
3) KIKONAI 20:21 - 21:24 HAKODATE (by Donan-Isaribi and stay in Hakodate)
https://goo.gl/maps/4bp4eiK2tHs
4) HAKODATE 8:18 - 16:26 OTARU (by JR local via Oshamambe)
https://goo.gl/maps/j3zcMMgjH9D2

If using "18" you cannot reach Hakodate on the day.
BC "18" no covered "IGR" and "Aoimori(not Aomori)" sections all.
So you have to take detour route or pay more as option.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass_t/img/img_term02.gif
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other ways if "18" or "HH pass" based :

a)Book over night ferry fr Hachinohe to Tomakomai.
http://www.silverferry.jp/route_guide/
b)Book over night ferry fr Sendai to Tomakomai.
http://www.taiheiyo-ferry.co.jp/english/koro/index.html
c)Book night ferry fr Aomori to Hakodate (not over night a bit shorter)
http://www.tsugarukaikyo.co.jp/timetable/
http://www.seikan-ferry.co.jp/
d)Book over night ExpWay bus fr Hakodate to Sapporo.
http://www.hokto.co.jp/b_hako.htm
e)Book daytime ExpWay bus fr Sendai to Aomori.
http://www.jrbustohoku.co.jp/express/detail/?RID=2
by NiR (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Using Seishun 18 Kippu from Sendai to Otaru 2016/10/13 11:08
Thanks NiR & Firas for both of your response.

@Firas we would have done that if the cheap flight is still available. that is why we're considering taking 18 kippu. unfortunately, the price on the day that we want is not cheap.

@NiR Than you so much! we haven't heard anything about the hokkaido-east-japan pass before. I assume that the pass is available for foreign residence in Japan? where can we get it? in any JR midori no madoguchi? how much is the price? how long would it still be valid? can you maybe share the link with all of that information? I could not find one that explaining clear enough about those matter :)
by arpuji (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Using Seishun 18 Kippu from Sendai to Otaru 2016/10/13 14:51
If you are residents of Japan, please say so. And please also be more precise about your requirements; usually when people use the Seishun 18 it's because they want the absolute cheapest option.
by Firas rate this post as useful

Re: Using Seishun 18 Kippu from Sendai to Otaru 2016/10/13 14:59
http://www.jreasthokkaido.com/e/

Only for temporary visitors with non Japanese passport.

Use any 6 days over a 14 day period.

Can be brought at the Teavel Service Centre @ Sendai Station.
by hakata14 rate this post as useful

Re: Using Seishun 18 Kippu from Sendai to Otaru 2016/10/13 19:01
@hakata14
I know that pass is better than both as fastest way to reach Otaru on the day and comfortable.(except by air)
But that is NOT.
Just good for enough budget traveler as 3rd opinion/advise.

@arpuji
Good compare/explanation web in EN removed this summner but found at "web.archive.org".
https://web.archive.org/web/20160922182738/http://homepage3.nifty.com/...
(New Page dosen't copy older info all and Web titile and)
https://www.facebook.com/pages/JAPAN-TRAVELER/145375928809912
http://ekinavi.wixsite.com/japantraveler

So this pass very similar "18" but some part are different.
Basic rules are same. (No covered LtdExp trains all and more)

This is JR-East's "HH Pass" official. (JP only)
http://www.jreast.co.jp/tickets/info.aspx?GoodsCd=2233
Only "18" EN page listed.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/seishun18.html
Just EN pages selection is best for foreign travelers coming fr out of JP.
So just they(over 99%) dosen't buy/need HH Pass usual.

18 also HH Pass no limit for sales except sales date period.
So you can buy at Sendai or any JR stn's midori no madoguchi
or for Seat reserved type vending machine in JR-East and Hokkaido.
(JP rail fan calling "MV" M is Multipul V is Vending machine)
http://www.jreast.co.jp/mv-guide/ (touch EN button on screen first)
http://www.jreast.co.jp/mv-guide/demo/timetable/img/zu01.gif
Both pass is no "sold out" as sales paper ticket numbers no worry.
If doesn't exist EN menu button go to midori no madoguchi.

Shinkansen ticket also no sold out but if really crawded
you have to stand until Kikonai but not so long time.
If have hard case carry sit on it.
Year end late time Shinkansen seems crawded but maybe possible I guess.


BTW, where to go after Otaru reached?
Back to Sendai or other city/town in Japan?
Or Japan out by air or cruise ship?

(note about winter train travel)
Not only Hokkaido all places colder than Sendai usual.
Hokkaido local train with double window.
http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/kiha58okukuzitokiwa/10961440.html
Also heater temp a bit hotter can sleep well :)
Local train no sales food/drink so you have to purchase enough amount before ticket gate entering.
In this case especially at Aomori stn if take Sendai AM6:00 train.
And don't forget enough batteries if bring cellphone,camera/video and more local trains haven't Outlet/Socket like Shinkansen.
All trains have toilet no worry if too much drinking.
by NiR (guest) rate this post as useful

Re: Using Seishun 18 Kippu from Sendai to Otaru 2016/10/13 19:30
There is no Shinkansen Option Ticket for the Hokkaido & Higashi-nihon Pass. This would not be useful, since unlike the Seishun 18 it does allow using the Shinkansen if you buy a limited express ticket separately. However, between Shin-Aomori and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto you can buy a "special limited express ticket", which is basically a standing ticket, for the regular price minus the 520 yen seat reservation fee.

・「新青森〜新函館北斗」間内相互発着の場合に限り、別に特定特急券をお求めいただければ北海道新幹線を立席でご利用になれます。(座席の指定はできませんが普通車の空いている席がご利用になれます。)
by Firas rate this post as useful

Re: Using Seishun 18 Kippu from Sendai to Otaru 2016/10/13 21:00
About special limited express tickets (特定特急券) see also https://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/press/2015/151013-2.pdf
by Firas rate this post as useful

Re: Using Seishun 18 Kippu from Sendai to Otaru 2016/10/13 23:25
@NiR & @Hakata14 thank youu for the useful response.
by arpuji (guest) rate this post as useful

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