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. Sam Rosales says:
    December 24, 2016 at 11:01 pm

    Our family of 4 will arrive Tokyo Dec 29 and exchange our JR Pass and make seat reservations at Haneda for our Dec 30 trip to Sapporo. Is there a way to check seat occupancy for Hayabusa 1 that leaves Omiya Station 0658H and Super Hokuto 9 that leaves Shin-Hakodate 1109H (both on Dec 30)?

  2. Moritz says:
    December 23, 2016 at 3:09 am

    Dear Takeshi,
    According to Cyber Station I think most seats on this train are full on Dec 30th, but I see there are NR seat sections on this train. Is access to these sections guaranteed?
    Many thanks,
    Moritz

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      December 23, 2016 at 8:24 am

      Hi Moritz,

      You can access to non reserved seat even if it’s full. There are lots of standing passengers in busy period. You may have to stand all the way to Sapporo.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. pinat says:
    December 12, 2016 at 7:43 pm

    Hello Takeshi-san,

    I’ll be going to Hakodate from New Chitose Airport on 28th December. Is it possible to use Kitaca card for LTD EXP Super Hakuto from airport to Hakodate?

  4. BUDIMAN says:
    December 7, 2016 at 10:50 pm

    dear Takeshi San

    iam planning to use Super Hokuto 9 from Hakodate to Sapporo on Dec 30. Can i buy the ticket online or when I arrive in Tokyo on dec 27? if can where can I buy it?

    THX

  5. John says:
    November 5, 2016 at 7:10 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’m planning to take either the SUPER HOKUTO 7, 9 or 11 from Hakodate to Sapporo in December. Is there any way I can check which trains are being used for those timing? I would love to experience the Kiha 283.

    Kind regards,
    John

  6. Gchan says:
    October 8, 2016 at 1:04 am

    Hi Takeshi
    So super hokuto is covered by the hokkaido pass right? I’d like to ask where i can the timings from hakodate to onuma koen station and then to noboribetsu. Planning to do a half day trip to the national park.

    Also, do we have to make seats reservations prior to taking the train? are there any place on the train for us to place our huge luggage?

    thank you.

  7. J.C. says:
    September 2, 2016 at 9:38 am

    Is any substitute transportation service provided for people travelling from Sapporo to Hakodate? I was hoping to travel on September 6 and have a JR Pass.

  8. elaine says:
    July 13, 2016 at 11:19 am

    May I know how much for a round trip from New Chitose-Hakodate? And I will drop by Toya and Noboribetsu for sight-seeing. Are those fastest train stop at these stations? Which do you recommand? Thank you.

  9. Carlo says:
    March 23, 2016 at 8:03 pm

    Hi,

    Just a question. Are meals offered on board the Super Hokuto trains bound for Hakodate? Thank you.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      March 23, 2016 at 9:40 pm

      Hi Carlo,

      No, it doesn’t. I recommend you to prepare something to eat and drink before on board.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Independencer says:
        April 10, 2016 at 4:48 am

        Eh? As far as I check on the website, it says they provide wagon service, right? However, looking at the menu, all of them seem not to be a meal, but more as snack and drinks of Hokkaidō, desuka?

        I have read a review saying the Hokutos passing Oshamambe offer a bento of the Hairy Crab (I forgot its Japanese name, and not sure if it is instead a Suwai Crab?), but we have to order an hour before the train reaches Oshamambe, is it still available these days?

        Arigatou gozaimasu.

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          April 10, 2016 at 8:04 am

          Hi Independencer,

          You are right. Only Super Hokuto/Hokuto and Super Ozora/Ozora still have wagon service. But Super Hokuto/Hokuto #1, #2, #23 and #24 do not have this service.

          Crab bento (not Zuwai) is available. JR Hokkaido says they will accept order by phone 2 days before. Please find more info at the link below:
          http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/network/syahan/pdf/syahan201604.pdf

          In my understanding, you still may be able to buy without order if they have enough. And also sandwich and ordinary bento (Makunouchi Bento) is always available in my understanding, but not 100% sure.

          If you really want to buy it, make a call 2 days before to order. You need to tell them travel date, train name, train number, car number and your seat number.
          ex) May 11, Super Hokuto 4, car 5, seat 11A

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  10. KK Wong says:
    January 9, 2016 at 6:46 am

    Hello JP Rail.

    Would like to know fastest to Hakodate from New Airport is via using Super Hokuto or Hokuto Trains fr Minami Chitose > Muroran Line>Hakodate ?? and we plan back fr Hakodate> Sapporo.
    Is this all covered by Hokkaido Rail Pass Pass ??

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