Yes, you would have to pay extra for the sleeping berth accordingly (which can cost just about the same price of budget hotels). You would have to go to the ticket counter to book for it.
There are two night trains running from Ueno, Tokyo to Sapporo.
1) Hokutosei. I have been on this several times. I must say that the cars are outdated and B sleeper class (open type) is a bit uncomfortable. You should get a B Solo (cabinet type) or upper grade A class compartments. The early morning views between Hakodate and Tomakomai are truly fantastic along the shore. However, it's quite tiring as the cars keep bouncing whenever the train comes to a halt and it's hard to get a good sleep. Although a single trip can be fun, I won't do a return trip, it's just too much. Actually, you can get to your destination much faster if you change to Shinkansen from Sendai on your return trip. So, it's an anachronistic type of transport and that's why rail geeks love this train so much that it's very hard to book on season.
2) Cassiopeia: Uses a newer and much more comfortable set of cars. Offers the same wonderful views along the coast in Hokkaido. All berths are compartment type A, so expensive. Only good if you don't mind traveling long hours just for the fun of it, and if you hate airplanes. The suite on the end of the carriage offers fantastic views (but can be quite embarrassing as people on busy platforms around Tokyo look at you like caged animals).
Tickets for both trains are hard to get in holiday seasons, so some crazy rail fans queue up early in the morning in Ueno to get them.
Edited: 9 years agoYou can book the overnight train at any ticket counter in a major JR station after you have activated a JR Pass. Yes, you have to pay extra if you choose to travel on one of the direct overnight trains, Hokutosei or Cassiopeia. The surcharge starts at 14,570 yen for an open compartment sleeper berth on Hokutosei, and it starts at 21,620 yen for Cassiopeia Twin on Cassiopeia. These charges are per person, and the charge for the twin should be occupied by two.
If you want to take an overnight train without paying extra, you need to travel on Hamanasu (carpet car / Sapporo to Aomori) or Akebono (goronto seat / Aomori to Ueno) and combine it with limited express or Shinkansen trains.
Timetable: http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/08.pdf
Accommodation images on each train: http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/pdf/e/ml201003.pdf
The surcharge lists on this link are outdated.
CNN article on Hokutosei: http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/sleep/hokutosei-sleeper-train-tokyo-sapporo-905418
Edited: 9 years agoUnfortunately, there is no cheaper option other than flying. It will be a considerable distance that you would be traveling.
One option is taking a ferry from Oarai in Ibaragi to Tomokomai, but if you consider the transport to Oarai port from Tokyo and Tomakomai to Niseko and the food expenses on the way, this option does not pay at all. Not recommended.
Better take the cheapest flight available (AIR DO or Skymark's earliest morning or latest evening flights booked in advance) at around 32,000 return journey. Otherwise, you may pick a ski resort closer to Tokyo. Niseko is fine, but it is far away from Tokyo, and expensive. Echigo Yuzawa is an hour away from Tokyo by Shinkansen and a major ski resort; you still get great mountain views with snow and onsen spas.
Edited: 9 years ago
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71,100 posts
181 reviews
182 helpful votes Airfares start at 10,000 to 12,000 Yen typically using discount airlines, or investigate a Japan Air Pass with your travel agent.
You didn't mention whether you wanted to go to Niseko for skiing or when you are going. If your objective is to ski, then there are many ski resorts that will do the job near Tokyo as suggested by Yobeekool. If you are a first-time skier, the facilities and perhaps English lessons are much more important than snow quality. You will spend most of your day trying not to fall anyway.
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