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:
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
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| R | R | G | R | R | NR | NR |
*Some more cars are added in the peak season.
Train formation (261 series)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| G | R | R | R | R | NR | NR |
Images – KIHA-281 series
Green seat
Ordinary seat
Sanitary space
Images – KIHA-261 series
Green seat
Ordinary seat
Sanitary space
Comments
hello takeshi san. where can we book reserved seat in limited express Super Hokuto? can we do it in JR sapporo station or in JR tokyo? thank you!
Hi Azeh s san,
You can reserve a seat at any major JR stations. Both Sapporo and Tokyo is okay. Actually most of JR stations in downtown Tokyo have a reservation window which is called “Midori no Madoguchi”. You also can book online but you have to collect a ticket at the disignated station. Please find the link below to get more info:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I bought a 7 day Hokkaido rail pass, planned to travel from New Chitose airport to Hakodate by Super Hokuto 16. I understand take if I book the reserved seat online, i need to collect the ticket 1 day before departure date. Since I will arrive at New Chitose Airport on the same day as the planned train schedule to Hakodate, thus i cant book the reserved seat in advanced?
Also, are the fee for booking the reserved seat covered by the Hokkaido rail pass?
Thanks.
Hi Vin san,
Unfortunately you have to book a seat after you arrive in New Chitose. Online booking is not available for the ride of arrival day.
Reserved seat fee is covered by Hokkaido Rail Pass fully.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi san,
I will be traveling with a friend to Hakodate and I’m wondering if there will be enough room to accomodate our ski gear. We will each have one ski bag and a backpack. Do you suppose there will be enough room?
Also,
Hi John san,
There is a luggage space near the passenger door. You can store your big luggage there. Usually it’s not full in the space.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you very much Takeshi-san.
No worries, Karmen san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
just to confirm. the Unreserved seat ticket allows me to board anytime on that particular date. where else the Reserved seat ticket, only allows me to board at the exact departure time at a particular date?
There are no other scenic train from Sapporro to Hakodate?
Thank you in advance.
Hi Karmen san,
You can take any trains on the paticular date. So you have to decide which day you travel when you buy a ticket. There is no other direct trains from Sapporo to Hakodate other than Super Hokuto. But the scenery is not bad. You will see the seashore line on the left side from Sapporo to Hakodate. So try to get a seat on left side to Hakodate.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I am travelling from Otaru to Hokadate and bought 7 days JR pass. Based on Google Map, will required to travel using Super Hokuto 10Limited Express Hakodate. Does the JR pass cover this too?
Thank you
Hi Wei Xin san,
Yes. Super Hokuto is covered.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-san,
I have to take the “Super Hokuto” train from Sapporo to Hakodate, is there any space to store luggage on this train? I will be traveling with my Boyfriend and altogether we have 3pcs of luggage.
Kindly advise, thank you so much!
Regards
Theresa
Hi Theresa san,
There are some luggage spaces near the entrance door. But the space are limited. If there are lots of oversea travelers, the space may be full.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
Thank you for your prompt treply!
You mean at the first cabin of the train or at any entrance of the train?
Thank you 🙂
Theresa
Hi Theresa san,
The luggage space is located at most of entrance.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
Well noted with thanks!
I understand that you are able to reserve seats on bullet trains, how about the Super Hokuto train?
Thank you
Theresa
Hi Theresa san,
You can book a seat on Super Hokuto if you want. You can book it at the station or online:
https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx?_ga=1.4778995.1325107855.1421419524
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Please advise whether the JR Hokkaido Rail 3 Days Pass is available for travel from Shin-Chitose Airport to Hakodate. Based on the info at Hyperdia ,is it valid for LTD. EXP SUPER HOKUTO train ?
Hi Simon san,
You can take Limited Express Super Hokuto by Hokkaido Rail Pass. It’s fully covered.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
Thanks for the info.
No worries, Simon san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I need to travel from Narita Airport to APA Hotel Kandaeki Higashi
2 Chome-1-1 Iwamotocho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0032.
Which express train should I use, (N’Ex or Skyliner – Keisei-Ueno)?
Should I buy the Suica & N’ex ticket for a one way trip since I will be in Japan longer than 14 days? Does the Skyliner offer the same combination ticket with the Suica? Thank you so much for your time.
DT
Hi DT,
Suica and N’ex is no longer available. For the trip to Kanda, Skyliner is better than Narita Express. You can change Skyliner and JR Yamanote line at Nippori. At Ueno, Keisei railway station and JR station are a bit away. At Nippori, both train stations are located side by side. It is much easier to change train at Nippori than Ueno. You may find the deal of Skyliner at the link below:
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/tickets/index.php
If you want Suica, just buy Suica itself.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I am trying to figure out the best travel out from Lake Toya where we plan to fly to Tokyo. We have hotel reservation on the lake front. Should I fly out from Hakodate or New Chitose Airport? Any recommendation on the best train to go from your recommended location to catch an airplane.
Thank you for your help and guidance.
Piper
Hi Piper san,
I recommend New Chitose more than Hakodate. Because the station is located in the airport. And there are many more flights to New Chitose from Tokyo than Hakodate.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I’m sorry that I wasn’t clear on my question. I will be in Lake Toya (Toyako Manseikaku Hotel Lakeside Terrace) and would like to get to Tokyo via airplane. Which is more faster and efficient to fly out: New Chitose Airport or Hakodate? You are correct that there are more flights in New Chitose. However, I noticed that I wold have to transfer train going to New Chitose Airport. Please confirm if I have the train route correct that I have for New Chitose Airport or for Hakodate (direct route).
Ltd. Exp. Super Hokuto 1 TOYA(JR-MURORAN)
transfer MINAMI-CHITOSE
Rapid Airport 86 for NEW CHITOSE AIRPORT
TOYA(JR-MURORAN) Ltd. Exp. Super Hokuto 4
Thank you very much for your help and taking time to provide information. It is nice to have your response.
Regards,
Piper
Hi Piper san,
I still recommend you to choose New Chitose more than Hakodate. Even though you have to change trains at Minami-Chitose as you mentioned, you can change trains at same station. If you go to Hakodate, you have to take a bus to get the airport from Hakodate station. Train change at Minami-Chitose is much much easier.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com