popular, so book in advance. Note that for sleeper trains, the Japan Rail Pass only covers the basic fare. Pass holders are responsible for paying for the room and other surcharges. For example, a B2 room for two people on the Hokutosei costs �12,600, with up to �8,000 in surcharges.
� Cassiopeia This is perhaps Japan's most prominent � and most expensive � overnight train, running a few times a week between Ueno Station in Tokyo and Sapporo. The one-way trip takes about 16.5 hours. The less expensive and more frequent Hokutosei also runs daily from Ueno.
� Twilight Express). This train makes a few runs a week from Osaka and Kyoto, is the longest overnight train service in Japan, making the journey to Sapporo in about 21 hours.
� A free overnight option from Tokyo to Sapporo for Japan Rail Pass holders is to take the Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori and a regular "shuttle" train to Aomori, then take the Hamanasu) express train to Sapporo. The one-way ride takes just over 11 hours, with arrival in Sapporo at around 6AM the next morning. The return trip to Tokyo takes 12 hours, owing to a longer layover in Aomori.
By bus
Express buses connect to most points in Hokkaido. The main terminal is next to the Bus Center-Mae station of the subway Nanboku line and Toho line
By ferry
Although Sapporo is located inland, there are two major ferry ports nearby: Otaru and Tomakomai. Both have scheduled car and passenger ferry service to points outside
