Hokuto
KiHa 261 series DMU on Hokuto service
Overview
Service typeLimited express
StatusOperational
First service1949 (Express)
1965 (Limited express)
1994 (Super Hokuto)
Last service2020 (Super Hokuto)
Current operator(s)The logo of Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). JR Hokkaido
Route
TerminiHakodate
Sapporo
Stops15
Distance travelled318.7 km (198.0 mi)
Average journey time3 hours 40 minutes approx
Service frequency12 return workings daily
Line(s) usedHakodate Main Line (Hakodate-Oshamambe)

Muroran Main Line (Oshamambe-Tomakomai)

Chitose Line (Tomakomai-Sapporo)
On-board services
Class(es)Standard + Green
Disabled accessYes
Sleeping arrangementsNone
Catering facilitiesNone
Observation facilitiesNone
Entertainment facilitiesNone
Other facilitiesToilets
Technical
Rolling stockKiHa 261 series
Operating speed130 km/h (81 mph)
Track owner(s)JR Hokkaido

The Hokuto (北斗) is a limited express train service that runs between Sapporo and Hakodate in Hokkaido, operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). The journey time of the Hokuto is approximately 3 hours 40 minutes.

Super Hokuto services started on 1 March 1994,[1] and cut journey time by about 30 minutes due to the higher speeds through the many curves of the line between Sapporo and Hakodate. All trains have been renamed to Hokuto since 2020, after the KiHa 183 series used on the original Hokuto service was replaced with KiHa 261 series.

Stops

Trains stop at the following stations:

Station Connections Location
 H75  Hakodate      Hakodate Main Line
     Hakodate Liner Line
 H74  Goryōkaku      Hakodate Main Line
     Hakodate Liner Line
 H70  Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto The logo of the Hokkaido Shinkansen. Hokkaido Shinkansen
     Hakodate Liner Line
 H67  Ōnuma-Kōen
 H62  Mori
 H54  Yakumo
 H47  Oshamanbe
 H41  Tōya
 H38  Date-Mombetsu
 H32  Higashi-Muroran
 H28  Noboribetsu
 H23  Shiraoi
 H18  Tomakomai
 H14  Minami-Chitose
 H05  Shin-Sapporo
 01  Sapporo

Rolling stock

The Hokuto is operated by 7-car KiHa 261 series DMUs,[2] with car 1 at the Hakodate (southern) end. All cars are no-smoking. Until 30 September 2022, the Hokuto was also operated by KiHa 281 series DMUs.[3]

For departures using KiHa 281 series, cars 1, 2 and 4 to 7 were ordinary-class cars with 2+2 seating, and car 3 was a "Green" car with 2+1 seating.

Car No. 1234567
Accommodation ReservedReservedGreenReservedReservedNon-reservedNon-reserved
Facilities Toilets Toilets Wheelchair space,
accessible toilet		 Toilets

For departures using KiHa 261 series, car 1 is a "Green" car with 2+1 seating, and cars 2 to 7 are ordinary-class cars with 2+2 seating.

Car No. 1234567
Accommodation GreenReservedReservedReservedReservedNon-reservedNon-reserved
Facilities  Wheelchair space,
accessible toilet		ToiletsToiletsToiletsToilets 

References

  1. ↑ Haraguchi, Takayuki (2009). Encyclopedia of JR's Railway Cars: JR全車輌. Japan: Sekai Bunka. p. 115. ISBN 978-4-418-09905-4.
  2. ↑ "JR北海道、2022年度までに特急北斗をすべてキハ261系に＿H100形気動車も追加投入" [JR Hokkaido all special express Hokuto Kiha 261 series by 2022 - H100 series additional railcar also introduced]. tetsudo-ch.com (in Japanese). EXPRESS Co., Ltd. 22 April 2019. Archived from the original on 14 July 2019. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  3. ↑ "定期列車での営業運転を終えたキハ281系が返却回送される" [Final KiHa 281 series trainset in regular service transported to depot]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 1 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
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