November 15, 2023
Changes to “all reserved seating” on some limited express trains from spring 2024
-Enjoy more relieved and comfortable train journey-JR Hokkaido provides more relived and comfortable train journey by changing the Ltd. Exp. Hokuto(Sapporo – Hakodate), the Ltd. Exp. Suzuran (Sapporo – Noboribetsu/Higashi-Muroran/Muroran), theLtd. Exp. Ozora (Sapporo – Kushiro) and the Ltd. Exp. Tokachi (Sapporo – Obihiro) to all reserved
seating and increasing the number of reserved seats from spring 2024.

1. Changes to all reserved seating etc. on some limited express trainsSome limited express trains will be all reserved seating to meet the needs of customers whowish to get a seat. Also, the number of reserved seats will be increased on some limited express
trains.

(1) Key points of changes to all reserved seating
You can take a train without worry by making a seat reservation in advance.
-You have a higher possibility to get a seat by increasing the number of reserved seats.
-You don’t need to wait in line on the platform for a long time before boarding.
-You can spend a relaxing time on the train as there is no on-board ticket check for reserved seats.

(2) Limited express trains that will be all reserved seating
・Ltd. Exp. Hokuto (Sapporo – Hakodate)・Ltd. Exp. Suzuran (Sapporo – Noboribetsu/Higashi-Muroran/Muroran)・Ltd. Exp. Ozora (Sapporo – Kushiro), Ltd. Exp. Tokachi (Sapporo – Obihiro)(3) Limited express trains that will increase the number of reserved seating cars・Ltd. Exp. Kamui, Ltd. Exp. Lilac (Sapporo – Asahikawa)(4) Standard formation
G: Green (First-class) car

R: Reserved seats

N: Non-reserved seats
From spring 2024

・Ltd. Exp. Hokuto (Sapporo-Hakodate)

All reserved seating

・Ltd. Exp. Suzuran (Sapporo-Noboribetsu/Higashi-Muroran/Muroran）

All reserved seating

・Ltd. Exp. Ozora (Sapporo-Kushiro)

All reserved seating

・Ltd. Exp. Tokachi (Sapporo-Obihiro)・Ltd. Exp. Kamui (Sapporo-Asahikawa)

Increasing reserved seats・Ltd. Exp. Lilac (Sapporo-Asahikawa)

Increasing reserved seats*1 Some cars may be added during peak season. Limited express trains that will be all reserved seating will be allreserved seating including the additional cars.
*2 The formation will not be changed for the Ltd. Exp. Soya (Sapporo-Wakkanai), Ltd. Exp. Sarobetsu (AsahikawaWakkanai), Ltd. Exp. Okhotsk (Sapporo-Abashiri), and Ltd. Exp. Taisetsu (Asahikawa-Abashiri).

2. How to purchase tickets after introduction of “Vacant seat only ticket”
In the section of limited express trains that will be all reserved seating, the “Vacant seat only ticket”(the same price as reserved seat limited express ticket) is introduced from spring 2024. With thisticket, you can use a vacant seat in ordinary cars without making a seat reservation upon request.
【How to use the Vacant seat only ticket】

★Ticket comparison for Ltd. Exp. Hokuto, Suzuran, Ozora, and Tokachi
Now
Non-reserved

From spring 2024

Reserved seatseat

All reserved seating
Reserve seats in advance

Do not reserve seats

Required

Basic fare ticket +Basic fare ticket +Basic fare ticket +Basic fare ticket +tickets

Non-reserved seat

Reserved seat

Reserved seat limited

Vacant seat only

limited express

limited express

express ticket

ticketticketticketPrice

2,420 + 1,830

2,420 + 2,360

2,420 + 2,360

2,420 + 2,360

e.g.) SapporoNoboribetsu
per adult=￥4,250=￥4,780=￥4,780=￥4,780

3. Passengers using a rail pass
From spring 2024, non-reserved seats are not available anymore for the Ltd. Exp. Hokuto, the Ltd.
Exp. Suzuran, the Ltd. Exp. Ozora and the Ltd. Exp. Tokachi due to changes to all reserved seating on
the limited express trains mentioned above.
For that reason, please make sure to receive a reserved seat ticket before boarding when taking
an all-reserved-seating limited express train. (The seat reservation cannot be made on the train.)If you have not decided boarding time, you can use a vacant seat in the ordinary car only with yourrail pass. If a passenger with a reserved seat ticket for that seat comes, please move to another seat.
【How to reserve seats】① Online reservation
JR-EAST Train Reservation*Some trains such as local trains, sightseeing trains and temporary trains cannot be reserved.
② Apply at a station
・JR Information Desk
・JR Ticket Counter (Midori-no-madoguchi) in the major JR Hokkaido stations
・Reserved seat ticket vending machine
You can issue reserved seat tickets by yourself using a reserved seat ticket vending machine.
See here for how to use reserved seat ticket vending machine.

Reserved seat ticket arrangements during peak season
The rail pass exchange/purchase counters are very busy during peak season, and you may have to
wait for a long time.
Please note that we may limit the number of reserved seat tickets issued at one time to reduce thewaiting time for customers.
Thank you for your understanding.