Super Hokuto runs between Hakodate and Sapporo. This train is connected to Hokkaido Shinkansen at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. So if you move from Tokyo to Sapporo, take Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen and take this train for Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Sapporo. Japan Rail Pass covers all these trains from Tokyo to Sapporo.
But the trip between Sapporo and Tokyo is quite long trip. Please refer the link below to learn more:
How to access to Hakodate and Sapporo in Hokkaido by railway
Contents
Route, schedule and trip time
Super Hokuto runs more than 10 trips a day. It takes 3 hours 10 minutes by the fastest Super Hokuto between Sapporo and Hakodate.
View Hokuto in a larger map
Stations
| Hakodate (函館) | x |
|---|---|
| Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto (新函館北斗) | x |
| Goryokaku (五稜郭) | * |
| Onuma-Koen (大沼公園) | * |
| Mori (森) | * |
| Yakumo (八雲) | * |
| Oshamanbe (長万部) | * |
| Toya (洞爺) | * |
| Date-Monbetsu (伊達紋別) | * |
| Higashi-Muroran (東室蘭) | x |
| Noboribetsu (登別) | * |
| Tomakomai (苫小牧) | x |
| Minami-Chitose (南千歳) | x |
| Shin-Sapporo (新札幌) | x |
| Sapporo (札幌) | x |
x:All trains stop *:some trains stop
Accommodation
Super Hokuto is operated by KIHA-261 or 283 series. Ordinary seat is 2+2 seat configuration and Green seat is 2+1 seat configuration. These two fleets are very similar. You may not care about it
*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 (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
Passenger’s deck
Hi Takeshi-San,
I plan on traveling from Sapporo to Hakodate on May 1st for a day tripand would like to take the Super Hokuto shinkansen to get there the fastest (the estimated 3 hours). I am fine with leaving as early as possible. However I’ve noticed some websites quote 3 hours travel & some quote 4 hours. Can you confirm the travel time for this trip please?
Thank you,
Yevgeniy
Hi Yevgeniy,
It takes 3.5 to 4 hours. The trip time is a bit different by the trains because some trains skip many stations and other do not.
By the way, Super Hokuto is not the Shinkansen but the limited express train. And also you will travel in Golden Week which is the busiest period in Japan. I highly recommend you to book a seat right away. You can book it 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
I with 2 other persons plan to travel from Tokyo to Sapporo by train on March 31 and will return to Tokyo on April 1 this year. I already bought the JR Pass from my country. What time does train available everyday from Tokyo? and what time from Hokodate to Sapporo? Are the seats always available for us as the holder of JR Pass tickets? or do I need to book the seats before? The same questions also for our return from Sapporo to Tokyo.
Thank you very much for your response.
Hi Yose,
I recommend you to book a seat online in advance. Please see the link below to find online site:
https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I will be traveling from sapporo to hakodate using the Hokuto. I wonder if there is a space on the train for my large suitcase? Thank you
Hi Narathip,
Yes. There are some luggage spaces in the train.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
Want to check if I am traveling from Tokyo to Sapporo via Hakodate, and wants to visit Otaru later during the week, does JR East pass cover the whole trip? Or I need the full JR Pass?
Thank you.
Hi Grace san,
You can use JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass to cover all part of this trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi takeshi-san,
Does that include keisei narita skyaccess too?
Also, will there be a late night train from Hakodate to Sapporo?
Thanks,
Grace
Hi Grace san,
Keisei is not covered. You have to take Narita Express. This train is covered fully.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/narita-express.html
Unfortunately there is no night trains any more in your travel area. You may find the trains’ timetable in the link below:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/train/index.html#ip1
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
Im planning to go directly to Hakodate from my arrival in Narita airport on Dec 30th. Do you think it will be difficult to get seat for 2 people on the spot on Dec 30th?
Hi Maria san,
I do not recommend you to do it. I think December 29 and 30 will be the busiest day. And reservation is required to take all trains to Hakodate. If you cannot reserve your seat, you will be stuck in Tokyo. It is risky to travel on 30th. If you travel on 31st, it is easier to reserve. And you can reserve your seat online. If you use this online reservation, you have to pick up a ticket one day before travel date. So if you travel on 31st, you can use online. If you travel on 30th, you cannot use online and it will be a big gamble.
https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx?_ga=1.4778995.1325107855.1421419524
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Since its only one-way trip from Hakodate to Sapporo, i plan to take Ltd Exp Super Hokuto. How much is the fare? Where to buy this ticket? Do I have to buy it online. Which is cheaper, JR ticket or ltd exp super Hokuto?
Hi Janie,
Please use hyperdia to find the fare.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
You can book a seat 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
Tku for the prompt reply. I got the time table but do i need to buy this ticket online or in Japan? Pls type in your reply and do not refer me to another domain. Appreciate.
Hi Janie,
Even if you book a ticket online, you have to pick up your ticket at the window. You cannot get a ticket online, such as PDF by email.
You don’t need to purchase/book a ticket online. You can do so in Japan. But if you want to reserve your seat in advance, online reservation is recommended.
By the way, a huge earthquake hit Hokkaido yesterday and all trains are suspended now. If you intend to travel soon, please check the updated before you travel. At this point, even JR Hokkaido official website is down. We will see the details in next few days.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I quite understand the JR ticket booking system coz i had booked JR tickets to Kyushu before. What i really really need to know exactly is, if i choose to ride on Ltd Exp Super Hukuto train, do i still have to book this ticket online? Or can I juz get this ticket in Hakodate JR Station personally?
Also, can you please tell me how much is the fare riding on Ltd Exp Super Hokuto from Hakodate to Sapporo?
I will be going to Hokkaido in January 2019 so i hope by then Hokkaido would be restored back to normal. However, tku for the info.
Appreciate very much for your assistance. Tku.
Hi Janie,
Sorry but I don’t give you a fare in this site. Because a fare is varied by travel date and seat class (non reserved, reserved or Green). And if I answer this type of inquiry, I have to check the fare personally. So please understand that and find it at hyperdia by yourself. I gave your a link in the first reply about hyperdia. Please refer it. It is quite easy.
Online reservation is not required. You can purchase a ticket at Hakodate station just before you travel. But in these days, trains in Hokkaido is quite popular. Sometimes train is completely booked. Super Hokuto has non reserved seat car. You can take this train without reservation. But in the worst case, you have to stand up in the car if all seats are occupied. This does not happen very often. But if you really want to secure your seat, I recommend you to book online in advance.
If you want more info about reserved seat and non reserved seat, please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/reserved-seat-vs-non-reserved-seat-how-to-get-a-seat-on-non-reserved-car.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I plan to go from Shin-Chitose to Hakodate, do I need to book our train ticket in advance? Usually will it be fully booked if I purchase on the day I want to depart?
Hi Allison,
You cannot book it in advance even if you want. Online reservation is available but you have to collect a ticket one day before travel date.
https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx?_ga=1.4778995.1325107855.1421419524
So you cannot use it for the travel on arrival day. You have to book a seat when you get New Chitose. In these days, train in Hokkaido is always busy. You may not be able to book a seat when you get there. You have to find a seat in non reserved car. In worst case, all seats are occupied and you have to stand up in the train. Please find more info about non reserved car in the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/reserved-seat-vs-non-reserved-seat-how-to-get-a-seat-on-non-reserved-car.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
We are planning a trip this Dec and traveling on JR Rail from Sapporo to Hokodate with family of 2 children / 2 adult and 2 elderly. We will have a few big luggage, wondering if KIHA-283 does have compartment for us to store bigger luggage?
Thanks,
P
Hi Peng,
This fleet has small luggage space near the entrance. But the space is very limited. You may need to keep your luggage at your seat.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
can i ask the time of last train/last trip from hokadate to sapporo ?during spring season… thank you!
Hi Nicole,
Please see the link below:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/train/index.html#ip1
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Can the JR Hokkaido Pass be used for the Super Hokuto from Hakodate to Sapporo?
Thanks
Hi Kylar san,
Yes. Hokkaido Rail Pass covers Super Hokuto fully.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Can i use the JR Pass to travel from Hakodate to Sapporo? We’ll also be in Kyoto after that.
Also can I use the JR Pass around Sapporo and visit Otaru?
Hi Joy san,
Yes, you can. You will find JR Hokkaido timetable. All trains in these timetables are covered.
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com