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I guess the title pretty much sums up the question. This would be my first time out of the country, and so I'm a little unexposed to things like this (and will not have anyone with me). Will a JR Pass work just fine for traveling between Sapporo and Tokyo? Are there any caveats? Do you have to get the green car version or go by ferry or anything else like that - or book reservations - or can you just take the standard JR Pass and run with it on demand for a regular train between the two?

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The quick answer is yes, you can. Read on for the details

What to get

You have to get your JR pass from your home country before you leave for Japan, they're not for sale there ! Here's a list of dealers, search for your region and buy it there.

The green car is not necessary unless you want it, it's like a first class train.

How it works

Once you have it, your pass is your train ticket, you just show it to board. The JR pass allows you to travel on JR lines (except Mizuho and Nozomi trains), so make sure to avoid the small private networks and you should be fine.

Some trains require reservations so you will have to go to the station to reserve a seat (you can't do it online). Your JR pass means the reservation is free, but you still have to do it. There's no minimum time before the train leaves, I've done it 20-30min or a few days before, it doesn't take very long, but if it's a busy route all the seats may already be reserved.

Japan Guide has a great page about this.

How to get there

Now, with all that said, there are many trains that run between Sapporo and Tokyo, especially now with the introduction of the Shinkansen you have more options, and there's always an overnight train too. You can definitely do the whole journey on a train only.

Hyperdia is your best friend here, just make sure you check the right options when you're searching for trips !

hyperdia search options

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    Is in person at the station the only way to make reservations? Is there a minimum time before journeys the reservation has to be made?
    – CMaster
    Commented Apr 13, 2016 at 13:34
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    @CMaster updated :)
    – blackbird
    Commented Apr 13, 2016 at 13:36
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    There are two problems with this answer: the Hayabusa and seat reservations are required. If you omit the Hayabusa, at best you get an unnecessary transfer at Morioka, at worst a long detour via Akita or by local trains.
    – fkraiem
    Commented Apr 13, 2016 at 14:16
  • @fkraiem yeah that's the hyperdia search weirdness, because you can't take Mizuho or Nozomi with a JR pass :-/ What's the second problem ?
    – blackbird
    Commented Apr 13, 2016 at 14:17
  • Those are the two, Hayabusa and seat reservation. ;) In this case it is no problem to leave the box checked: Nozomi and Mizuho run in a different part of the country, so you will not get them in the results anyway.
    – fkraiem
    Commented Apr 13, 2016 at 14:19

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