If you have this question: 'How to travel cheaper in Touhoku if I have a Japanese passport?', well, you're in a right page! Hokkaido and East Japan pass(北海道&東日本パス) is available in spring, summer, and winter.

What is 'Hokkaido and East Japan Pass' ?

• This pass that allows you to use the JR local and rapid trains in Touhoku as well as non-JR lines such as Aoimori Tetsudo Line and IGR Iwate Ginga Tetsudo Line for 7 consecutive days for only ¥11,330. You can also purchase 'Hokkaido & East Japan Pass Hokkaido Express' in addition to access Hakodate~Shin Aomori Line to cross to Hokkaido.

• If you plan to use any express trains, you'll have to pay for extra fee as this pass doesn't cover it.

• 'Hokkaido and East Japan Pass' is like a Seishun 18 for east Japan. Unlike this Touhoku pass, Seishun doesn't cover the non-JR lines which would be inconvenient for you to use in the region.

• JR East Rail Pass is different for 'Hokkaido and East Japan Pass'. If you're a non-Japanese passport holder, then this would be your best option to travel around Touhoku. Since April 2021, this has become available even for the foreign residents (regardless the visa type).

When can I use this pass?

(Aomori: Wa Rasse Museum, Akita: Akita Kanto Festival, Iwate: Bank of Iwate Red Brick Building, Miyagi: Osaki Hachimangu Shrine, Fukushima: Fukushima Inari Shrine, Touhoku: See Komachi(red) and Hayabusa (green) Shinkansen

How to buy the pass

The pass is available at most JR stations from the selling dates. You can purchase it at the gate or at JR Ticket Offices (Midori no Madoguchi). The price may differ every year. You can also purchase it ahead of time. If you want to know more, please check out: https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2021/20220217_ho02.pdf (Japanese only).