The Sapporo-Otaru Welcome Pass consists of
1) ur return JR tix to Otaru from Sapporo
2) a 1-day free-to-ride subway ticket within Sapporo
Each of the tix are only valid for one calendar day, but you dun have to use both on the same day. wakarimashita?
Forget about the rail pass!! It's a freaking 18,000yen! and u'r not even taking the trains that often or going loooong distances.
* refer to links for timetables and note winter schedules, if any
<u>Chitose -> Rusutsu</u>
Regular Ski Bus "White Dolphin-go"
1990 yen (Reservations required. Operates from 21 Dec)
http://en.rusutsu.co.jp/winter/access/skibus.html
<u>Rusutsu -> Lake Toya Onsen</u>
Route bus. 1120 yen (Reservations required)
http://en.rusutsu.co.jp/winter/access/timetable.html
<u>Toya Onsen area -> Toya JR station</u>
Donan bus (320 yen)
http://www.laketoya.com/access/index_english.html
<u>Toya -> Noboribetsu</u>
JR Limited Express Super Hokuto (36min)
2140 yen (Unreserved seat)
http://grace.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi
(Key in Toya and Noboribetsu as ur start and end points, then select Toya (JR-Muroran) on the next screen)
<u>Noboribetsu JR station -> Hell Valley</u>
Donan bus (330 yen single trip, 600 yen return).
http://www.donanbus.co.jp/bus2/onsen3/index.html
<u>Noboribetsu JR station -> Sapporo JR station</u>
JR Limited Express Suzuran / Limited Express Hokuto (1h 15min)
3850 yen (Unreserved seat)
Check hyperdia for timetables.
<u>Sapporo-Otaru Welcome Pass</u>
1500 yen
<u>Sapporo -> New Chitose airport</u>
JR trains (1040 yen)
http://www.new-chitose-airport.jp/en/access/jr/timejr/
Grand total of less than 13k yen! ;p