Hokuto (train)

*Hokuto*
	KiHa 261 series DMU on Hokuto service
Overview
Service type	Limited express
Status	Operational
First service	1949 (Express); 1965 (Limited express); 1994 (Super Hokuto)
Last service	2020 (Super Hokuto)
Current operator(s)	JR Hokkaido
Route
Termini	Hakodate; Sapporo
Stops	15
Distance travelled	318.7 km (198.0 mi)
Average journey time	3 hours 40 minutes approx
Service frequency	12 return workings daily
Line(s) used	Hakodate Main Line (Hakodate-Oshamambe) Muroran Main Line (Oshamambe-Tomakomai) Chitose Line (Tomakomai-Sapporo)
On-board services
Class(es)	Standard + Green
Disabled access	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	None
Catering facilities	None
Observation facilities	None
Entertainment facilities	None
Other facilities	Toilets
Technical
Rolling stock	KiHa 261 series
Operating speed	130 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
H75	Hakodate	Hakodate Main Line Hakodate Liner Line
H74	Goryōkaku	Hakodate Main Line Hakodate Liner Line
H70	Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto	Hokkaido Shinkansen Hakodate Liner Line
H67	Ōnuma-Kōen
H62	Mori
H54	Yakumo
H47	Oshamambe
H41	Tōya
H38	Date-Mombetsu
H32	Higashi-Muroran
H28	Noboribetsu
H23	Shiraoi
H18	Tomakomai
H14	Minami-Chitose
H05	Shin-Sapporo
01	Sapporo

Hokuto No. 2 (for Hakodate) does not stop at Noboribetsu and Shiraoi.

Hokuto No. 4 (for Hakodate) and 21 (for Sapporo) does not stop at Shiraoi.

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.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Accommodation	Reserved	Reserved	Green	Reserved	Reserved	Non-reserved	Non-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.	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Accommodation	Green	Reserved	Reserved	Reserved	Reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved
Facilities		Wheelchair space, accessible toilet	Toilets	Toilets	Toilets	Toilets

A KiHa 80 series DMU on a Hokuto service circa 1986
A KiHa 183 series DMU on a Hokuto service in 1992
A KiHa 183 series DMU on a Hokuto service in February 2010
A KiHa 281 series DMU on a Super Hokuto service in 1994
A KiHa 283 series DMU on a Super Hokuto service in June 2001
A KiHa 261-1000 series DMU on a Super Hokuto service in May 2016

References

^ Haraguchi, Takayuki (2009). Encyclopedia of JR's Railway Cars: JR全車輌. Japan: Sekai Bunka. p. 115. ISBN 978-4-418-09905-4.
^ "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.
^ "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.