Limited Express Hakucho connect Honshu island with Hokkaido island.
Super Hakucho and Hakucho is no longer running after Hokkaido Shinkansen opened in March, 2016. Now Hokkaido Shinkansen connects Tokyo and Hokkaido directly. Please see the following link to see the details of this Shinkansen line.
Direct access to Hokkaido from Tokyo, Hokkaido Shinkansen (bullet train)
Hakucho/Super Hakucho is operated between Shin-Aomori (新青森) and Hakodate (函館). These trains go through the longest tunnel in Japan, “Seikan Tunnel” and connect the main island in Japan, “Honshu” (本州) and Hokkaido (北海道). All these trains are scheduled to be connected with Tohoku Shinkansen at Shin-
Aomori station and Limited Express “Hokuto” and “Super Hokuto” to Sapporo at Hakodate. These trains used to connect Hachinohe with Hakodate via Aomori. But Tohoku Shinkansen was extended to Shin-Aomori on December 4, 2010. Departure location had been changed to Shin-Aomori instead of Hachinohe.
Both Hakucho and Super Hakucho are fully covered by Japan Rail Pass. But the accommodation between Hakucho and Super Hakucho is very different. So I would like to show you the difference and other details.
Route, schedule and trip time
Hakucho services operates 2 round trips and Super Hakucho services operates 8 round trips between Shin-Aomori and Hakodate. It takes around 2 hours and 10-20 minutes to get Hakodate from Shin-Aomori. “Super Hakucho” is operated by newer train 789 series. It has nicer accommodation and a bit faster.
View Hakucho / Super Hakucho in a larger map
Stations
| Shin-Aomori(新青森) | x | Aomori(青森) | x |
|---|---|
| Kanita (蟹田) | * |
| Tsugaru-Imabetsu (津軽今別) | * | Shiriuchi (知内) | * |
| Kikonai (木古内) | x |
| Goryokaku (五稜郭) | * |
| Hakodate (函館) | x |
x:All train stop *:some train stop
Accommodation
Hakucho is operated by refurbished 485 series. (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Hakucho is operated by JR East refurbished 485 series. Super Hakucho is operated by JR Hokkaido 789 series. Super Hakucho is newer and faster than Hakucho. Especially if you take Green seat, Hakucho gives you 2+2 seat configuration. But Super Hakucho gives you 2+1 seat configuration and the power outlet for the laptop or charging small batteries. It is quite different. Don’t take Hakucho. Try to take Super Hakucho.
If you take Ordinary seat, it is not much different between Hakucho and Super Hakucho. But Reserved ordinary seat on car#1 of Super Hakucho has the power outlet. If you like to use it, try to book it.
*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.
Train formation
Super Hakucho 6 cars formation
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| G | R | NR | NR | R | R | R |
*G=Green seat R=Reserved seat NR=Non reserved seat
Hakucho 6 cars formation
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| G | R | NR | NR | R | R | R |
Images – 789 series (Super Hakucho)
Green seat
Ordinary seat
Sanitary space
Images – Refurbished 485 series (Hakucho)
Green seat
Ordinary seat
Sanitary space
Comments
Hi, I have JR pass and reserved a seat between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori online. Can I reserve a seat between Shin-Aomori and Hakodate online?
Hi Tony,
Unfortunately no. There is no way to book other than JR East area online.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi
Can I use JR Hokkaido Pass from Aomori to Hakodate?
thx
yan
Hi Yan,
No. But it covers part of this trip. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/hokkaido-rail-pass-the-best-deal-for-rail-trip-in-hokkaido-for-oversea-visitors.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi
Thank you for your reply. I am planning an 11- day trip to Japan and have this plan to travel on JR East pass (5 day flex) from Tokyo from Aomori then to Hokkaido on a Hokkaido Rail pass (4 day flex). I guess I might be better off to get a 14 – day JR pass, what do you think?
Thanks again
yan
Hi Yan,
It’s cheaper choice if you are really sure to travel within JR East and Hokkaido area only.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi
My travel dates are from Oct. 10 to Oct. 20. Here is my preliminary itinerary
Oct. 10 from Tokyo to Ichinoseki on JR 5 day flex. pass
Oct. 12 from Ichinoseki to Hakodate via Aomori for three nights
Oct. 15 to Sapporo for 2 nights
Oct. 17 to Aomori for 1 night
Oct. 18 to Sendai for 2 nights
Oct. 20 fly home from Narita airport
I plan to travel on a JR Hokkaido 5 day pass when in Hokkaido. I seem to have the impression the cost for JR 14 day pass is about the same as a JR East 5-day flex and JR Hokkaido 5-day pass combined. I would very much your expert advice. Thank you very much
Hi Yan,
That is a good way to use two passes. But the location to purchase Hokkaido Rail Pass outside Hokkaido is very limited.
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/railpass/rail02.html
I’m concerned about bookings for Hokkaido rail pass. I hope JR East Travel Center take reservation for train in Hokkaido too, but I’m not sure.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your reply. I can purchase a JR Hokkaido Pass exchange order on line or at a major JR station such as Narita airport, but I can only exchange it in Hokkaido. Based on your info “Hokkaido Rail Pass cover all JR lines in Hokkaido and Tsuaru Kaikyo line (Seikan Tunnel) to Nakaoguni station. This station is located outside of Hokkaido. But this is the border station of JR Hokkaido and JR East. It is located in Aomori. But it is away from Aomori station. You cannot access to Aomori without any extra charge”, I plan to use my JR East pass to get to the border stn of Nakaoguni station from Aomori to exchange the order into an actual rail pass then carry on to Hakodate without paying any extra surcharge. To me this would be cheaper than using a 14-day JR pass for a 10-day travel. Is this doable? If not, what is the extra charge I will face? Looking forward to your feedback.
Thanks again
yan
Hi Yan,
I think online purchase is not your option. You can purchase it at Narita or somewhere in Tokyo. Hokkaido Rail Pass covers Nakaoguchi. But you cannot exchange it there. Please see the exchange locations at JR Hokkaido site.
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/railpass/rail02.html
The first station is Hakodate. If you don’t purchase and exchange it in Tokyo, you have to pay for Nakaoguchi-Hakodate anyway. So don’t purchase it online and purchase it in Japan. This is only way to use these pass for your trip without any extra.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thx for your quick reply, Takeshi. Since I won’t be able to exchange my Hokkaido Rail Pass voucher till I arrive in Hakodate, what is the cost that I will have to pay for Nakaoguchi-Hakodate (single trip)? I suppose that I should purchase that ticket for Nakaoguchi-Hakodate at shin Aomori before I board the train heading to Hakodate, correct?
Thx again
yan
Hi Yan,
It doesn’t work. If you pay, it will be around 5000 yen. JR Pass is cheaper.
Why don’t you purchase it at Tokyo. Do you think you just can purchase it in Tokyo and exchange it in Hokkaido? You can purchase it in Tokyo and you can start to use it before entering Hokkaido. They don’t exchange voucher. They sell Hokkaido rail pass itself. You can tell which date you want to use it when you purchase it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi
Thank you for your suggestion. Just want to make sure that I can purchase JR Pass on my arrival at Narita Airport. I seem to have the impression that JR Pass has to be purchased through an agent overseas. I would rather buy it directly at a JR service office when I land in Narita.
Hi Yan,
You CANNOT purchase Japan Rail Pass in Japan. But you can purchase other passes, such as JR East Pass, Hokkaido Rail Pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
hi,
is “seikan tunnel tour” are still available on december 2015 ?
Hi Artic,
No. It’s not available any more.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
oh i see because shinkansen now using this line.
thanks for the info.
No problem, Artic.
Enjoy your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, we will be getting JR pass for our travel in dec, fr Hakodate (super hakucho) to shin Aomori then transfer to tohoku shinkasen to ueno. from the info I hv gathered, I can get the 7 days JR pass to cover for our trip, which can also allow us to move around in Tokyo. Is it possible to reserve seats for both trains using JR pass? Thanks!
Hi Angela,
Both trains and JR trains in Tokyo are covered by JR Pass fully. And also you can book all trains that you want by JR Pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
Is it normally difficult to book seats on Hakucho/Hokuto services around the time of the Sapporo Yuki Matsuri? I’m planning to travel from Aomori to Sapporo on 5th Feb 2014 (day 1 of the festival) and from Sapporo to Hakodate on 10th Feb, but the earliest I’ll be able to book tickets is upon my arrival in Japan on 1st Feb. Is there any chance that seats will be completely sold out by then?
I’ll be using a Green JR Pass so this will hopefully add a little flexibility (since I’ll be able to use both Green and non-Green seats).
Many thanks.
Hi Diego,
If it’s sold out, not surprised. Especially JR Hokkaido has engine issue and suspend several Hokuto. It may be busier than previous years.
There are non reserved seat too. It will be busy too. But Super Hakucho departs from Shin-Aomori. So do not take Super Hakucho at Aomori. Go to Shin-Aomori and get it. It’s much easier to get a seat than taking at Aomori. And also, many reserved tickets are sometimes cancelled in last minutes. If you can’t make it on Feb 1, keep trying to book untie train departs.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi.
Can I use JR east pass from Shin Aomori to Hakodate?
Thanks.
Hi Chua,
No. Hakodate is out of coverage area. Just the beginning part of the trip to Hakodate, Shin-Aomori to Nakaoguni is covered.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Can Hokkaido JR Pass use with LTD EXP SUPER HOKUTO
Thanks and Regards
Hi Matas,
Yes, it does.
But JR Hokkaido is trying to find engine issue now. Many Hokuto trains are suspended.
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/pdf/e/20130807.pdf
Super Hokuto is operated by different fleet. But it may be busier than usual. That means it will be a bit harder to book reserved seat.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
hello, me and my family have a plan to trip with cassiopeia train from ueno to hakkodate, can we use JR pass for using the super hakucho train? and if yes, if there any charges again like if we use the cassiopeia train?
Hi Indra,
It is fully covered by JR Pass. In my website, if additional charge required on JR Pass, I mention it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
We plan to take the LEX Super Hakucho, LEX Super Hokuto, and the LEX Super Kamui trains. Do these Limited Express trains have adequate luggage areas for our large wheeled luggage in their Ordinary Class cars?
Hi Jim,
There is no luggage space. You need to keep your luggage at your seat or leave at passenger’s deck. If you find an empty seat around your seat, you can use that space.
Unfortunately most of JR trains are not designed for overseas tourists.
Takeshi / JP Rail
If you happen to be travelling overnight by Nihonkai Sleeper Train, the appropriate Super Hakucho service will wait at Aomori Station (This happened to me, and Nihonkai was running 70 minutes late due to snow between Niigata and Akita). The attendant on Nihonkai was very helpful even though he spoke little English, we were at least able to communicate about what connecting service I had at Aomori and he took the time to keep me regularly updated as to our ETA to make the change. I found that level of personal service to be normal among JR Staff throughout Japan.
Please note though that in this eventuality you make the change at Aomori, NOT the shinkansen terminal at Shin-Aomori station, which is immediately before Aomori on the JR Ou Line.
Not speaking from experience, but this is probably true of the Akebono sleeper train if such an occurence happens also, as it follows the same route when reaching the Sea of Japan coast.