The limited express Hokuto train guide and the timetable: Inter-city express train for Sapporo to Hakodate

Hakodate, Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto
2020.07.29
Super Hokuto
281 series is the standard fleet for the limited express trains in Hokkaido.

The limited express Hokuto runs between Hakodate and Sapporo. This train connects to the Hokkaido Shinkansen at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. So if you move from Tokyo to Sapporo, take the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen and transfer to this train for Sapporo at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto station. Japan Rail Pass covers all these trains from Tokyo to Sapporo.

Route, schedule and trip time

The Hokuto runs more than 10 trips a day. It takes 3 hours 10 minutes by the fastest Hokuto between Sapporo and Hakodate.

You can find the timetable in the link below:

Due to COVID-19, it may be operated on a schedule different from the normal timetable. Check the train schedule on Hyperdia.
Hyperdia perfect guide, train timetable and route search engine

I traveled from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Sapporo by this train. Please find my trip report in my Youtube channel:

But the trip between Sapporo and Tokyo is quite long trip. Please refer the link below to learn more:

How to get to Hakodate and Sapporo in Hokkaido by train
This post shows you how many hours you spend to get Hokkaido from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka by the train. You can get some sample train connections which are covered by JR Pass fully.
jprail.com
2010.03.14

Seat and facilities

The limitede express Hokuto operates on KIHA-261 or 283 series. The seat layout on Ordinary car is 2+2 and Green seat is 2+1. These two fleets are very similar. The biggest difference is a material of the seat on Green car. 283 series has ordinary fablic seats and 261 series has leather seats.

*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.

Train formation

Train formation by 281 series

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*Some more cars are added in the peak season.

Train formation (261 series)

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Images – KIHA-281 series

Green seat

Ordinary seat

Sanitary space

Images – KIHA-261 series

Green seat

Ordinary seat

Sanitary space

Comments

  1. Ricky Choo says:
    January 2, 2016 at 5:53 am

    Hi, Are all the local trains covered by the JR Hokkaido Pass?

  2. Mark says:
    November 4, 2015 at 7:05 am

    This is great information. I will be travelling in Japan with a friend in April and we wanted to take a trip to Sapporo from Tokyo.

    Having read this page we now know exactly how to accomplish this by train, as opposed to the slightly boring (and very expensive) flights between the two cities!

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      November 4, 2015 at 12:54 pm

      Hi Mark,

      In next March, Hokkaido Shinkansen will open for Shin-Aomori to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto where is a few stations away from Hakodate. You may get Hakodate from Tokyo directly by Shinkansen. The trip time will be one hour shorter than current schedule.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. david says:
    November 4, 2015 at 12:31 am

    Hi – need help in getting schedules for mid-February 2016 trains for: Hakodate to Lake Toya (ie JR Toya) – thanks

  4. Elaine says:
    October 27, 2015 at 7:29 pm

    Hello, regarding the Hokkaido Rail pass, I would like to know if it covers all the Super trains from:

    Sapporo -> Tomamu
    Sapporo -> Asahikawa
    Sapporo -> Hakodate

    Thank you.

  5. Steven says:
    October 16, 2015 at 9:13 pm

    Hi,

    How do I check on the train fare from Hakodate to Lake Toya and Lake Toya to Sapporo?

  6. rosni says:
    October 9, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    Is JR Hokkaido pass cover the Limited super Hokuto from :
    1. Hakodate station to Onumakoen
    2. Hakodate station to Toya
    Thank you

  7. Lily says:
    April 18, 2015 at 6:38 am

    Hi,

    So just checking again, are the hokuto, suzura, cassiopeia trains covered by the JR pass? I was looking to travel: sapporo to noboribetsu to hakodate.

    Thank you for your help.

    Lily

  8. Hakodate, Hokkaido | Japan Travel Blog | Just One Cookbook says:
    February 19, 2015 at 9:39 pm

    […] your choices are either driving by a car or taxi (about 4-4.5 hours) or taking a JR line (Hokuto or Super Hokuto about $86 one way, 3 hr 30 […]

  9. Herry says:
    February 10, 2015 at 12:30 am

    Is there any smoking area in Super Hokuto usually between the cars? Like Hikari or Sakura Shinkansen. Thank you

  10. Misaki says:
    November 29, 2013 at 1:36 am

    Hello, do you know why I can’t see the 2014 Hokuto timetable on Hyperdia ?

    When I search the route between Hakodate and Sapporo on 2014 I only have the JR Hakodate Line choice.

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