• Tweet

• Tweet

I wrote about Shin-Aomori station on the previous post. Most of travellers who go to Hokkaido get on Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori, and then Limited Express Super Hakucho from Shin-Aomori to Hakodate. Now it is time to transfer to Limited Express Super Hokuto/Hokuto to Sapporo at Hakodate. This will be your first step on Hokkaido!

I show you map and images. You may know how to transfer the trains, Super Hakucho and Super Hokuto. And also I show you about Hakodate station.

Overview

All trucks, platforms, exits and ticket gates are located on the ground floor. It is quite easy to find the direction.

There is no English map of Hakdate station. So I would like to share this Japanese map on JR Hokkaido website with you.

If you don’t totally understand Japanese on the map, it is okay. I will explain you step by step.

Tracks and platforms

Please refer Japanese station map. You can find eight numbers, 1,2,3…8 from bottom to top. These are truck numbers. Hakodate station has 4 platforms and 8 tracks. Most of you are going to use truck #5 to #8. Those trucks are used for express trains, like Super Hakucho and Super Hokuto. Mostly you can transfer at same platform. When I got on Hokuto from Sappro, Hokuto arrived at #7. The connection Super Hakucho were waiting at truck #8. So you can transfer the trains in even one minute.

I took this above picture at truck #7 when I got off Hokuto from Sapporo. Super Hakucho was other side of this platform.

I took this above picture at truck #2. You can find two blue colored trains at the back. Those are Limited Express Hokuto at truck #5 and #7.

Truck #1 to #4 are used for local trains. If you take a local train on Hakodate line or Esashi line, you will catch a train on those trucks.

Exit and ticket gate

If you just transfer the trains, you don’t need to exit. Just change the train at the platform. If you get off the train and exit here, there is only one ticket gate. Please see Japanese station map again. There is a concourse at the center of the map from top to bottom. The station building is located at the bottom. The ticket gate and exit are located there.

There are some stores and waiting area around the ticket gate. There are some restaurants at the second level in the building.

There are three exits, Central, North and West. However all exits are located in same building. Central exit is located at the front. West exit is located at the side. And North exit is located at the back. The station building is small. It is not a big deal.

That’s all. It is much easier than what you think.

You may also like these posts:

• Shin-Aomori station guide. How to change the train, Shinkansen, Super Hakucho and other local trains.
• Otsuki station guide. How to transfer from JR train to Fuji Kyuko train.
• Access to/from Sapporo and Hakodate. Limited Express Hokuto / Super Hokuto
• Tokyo station guide. How to change the trains, Shinkansen, Narita Express and other local trains.
• Connect Mainland (Aomori) with Hokkaido (Hakodate). Limited Express Hakucho / Super Hakucho

---

---

3 Comments to “Hakodate station guide. How to change the train, Super Hakucho, Super Hokuto and other local trains.”

1. JAyre says:

   June 30, 2012 at 5:45 pm

   Hi Takeshi and readers,

   Hakodate station is one of those that is quite easy to navigate, because the walkway is at the end of the dead-end platforms, and you can see every platform quite easily. For those with transfers between Hakucho and Hokuto services, you will often find that all that is necessary is a walk across to the other side of the same platform for your train. The streetcar stop is also conveniently located outside the station.

   Also in Hakodate station there is a variety of food available. When you exit the ticket gates, turn right to find them. Downstairs there is a small convenience store, a souvenir store with a lot of Hokkaido foods, a bakery and a coffee shop. Upstairs there are a couple of Japanese restaurants and an ATM that accepts foreign-issued VISA or Mastercards if you need cash. There is also a variety of restaurants less than five minutes walk from the station, a small department store, and several hotels, including two of the popular “Toyoko Inn” chain of hotels.

   Hakodate is a personal favourite destination of mine, and features the famous Fort Goryokaku and one of Japan’s top three night views from Mt Hakodate. If you’re passing through Hakodate, I recommend stopping for in for a while and having a look around.

   Best regards,

   Jonathan Ayre

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     June 30, 2012 at 9:18 pm

     HI Takuji-san and Jonathan,

     Thank you very much for adding some more information.
     I don’t usually write about sightseeing itself. Because there are many other websites, like japan-guide.com. And also it is too much for me. I want to focus on rail travel. But I always welcome a comment. Both of you have much more experience than me. I really appreciate your support to add more information for readers. I love to read it.

     Cheers,

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
2. Tak says:

   June 30, 2012 at 3:13 am

   Hi Takeshi san,

   I find the new station guide series is very well explained. In addition to the above, I’d like to add the seafood market (Hakodate Asaichi) right next to the station which is only 2 minutes away. There are seafood restaurants as well and some of them can pack the lunch such as fresh sushi which you can bring on board.

   Another thing I’d like to add is JR twinkle bus. I saw this advertisement when I visit there last time. The tour bus takes to famous tourist places in Hakodate such as ropeway, goryokaku etc and the price is very reasonable. The bus is limited for those who hold a JR ticket and it requires 3 days advance reservation at a JR Hokkaido station. I wasn’t able to use it because it was too late when I saw the advertisement, but I would like to try next time. I asked JR Hokkaido and they told me they accept reservation until 4pm the day before if there is available seat, but it is not written so on the webpage. I hope this information is useful.

   www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/travel/twinkle.html

   Reply