Takikawa is not well known as the tourist spot. And this station is not a mega terminal station. But this station is the junction of Sapporo, Asahiawa and Furano. If you travel to Furano from Sapporo, you may need to transfer train at this station, Takikawa. If you do so, you may want to know what this station looks.
In this post, I would like to explain about Takikawa station with some photos.
Overview
Takikawa is located in the middle of Hokkaido between Sapporo and Asahikawa. Trains depart and arrive at Takikawa from the following destinations:
- Hakodate line to/from Sapporo, Asahikawa
- Nemuro line to/from Furano, Shintoku, Obihiro, Kushiro
*Nemuro line is closed between Higashi-Shikagoe and Shintoku since storm hit this area in 2016. There is no direct trains running from Takikawa to Shintoku, Obihiro and Kushiro at this point. If you go to Obihiro or Kushiro, you may go to Sapporo and catch Limited Express Ozora or Tokachi to Obihiro and Kushiro. It may be faster.
Substitute bus is available for this closed segment.
Station structure, tracks and platforms
Before I start to explain about this station, I would like you to refer the station map in JR Hokkaido official site. It is in Japanese but you may find what Takikawa station looks like.
JR Hokkaido official site, Takikawa station map
Takikawa station is one level structure. All platforms and the station building are located on the ground floor. There is a walkway bridge over the platforms. This walkway connects all platforms and station building. There are elevators at all platforms for your convenience.
Hotels in Asahikawa
Hotels in Sapporo
Hotels in Furano
Platforms
| Track # | Line / Train | Desitnation |
| 1 | Local train on Nemuro line | Ashibetsu, Furano, Higashi-Shikagoe |
| 4,5 | Limited Express Lilic Limited Express Kamui Limited Express Soya Limited Express Okhotsk Local, Rapid on Hakodate line | Sapporo, Iwamizawa |
| 6,7 | Limited Express Lilic Limited Express Kamui Local, Rapid on Hakodate line Limited Express Okhotsk Limited Express Soya | Fukagawa, Asahikawa Abashiri Wakkanai |
Track #1 is attached with the station bulding.
Track #2 and #3 are used for the freight trains and there is no platforms for these tracks.
Furano line train mostly depart from track #1. But some of them depart from track #4.
Track #4 and #5 are used for westbound, Iwamizawa and Sapporo. These tracks share same platform. Track #6 and #7 for eastbound, Fukagawa, Asahikawa, Abashiri and Wakkanai and these tracks share same platform too. If you come from Sapporo and need to change train to Furano, you need to move from track #6 or #7 to track #1.
Ticket gate/Exit
Takikawa station has only one ticket gate. It is a small station and very simple layout.
The station building has the waiting space but this station does not have any stores and kiosks.
There is no convenience stores and shops around the station. You do not have any chances to buy nearby this station. I recommend you to prepare something to eat before coming to this station if you need.
I have taken a local train from Furano to Takikawa. You can find my trip report in the link below. I hope it will give you some idea.
I am glad if this post assist you to build your plan.
Comments
I’ll go to Furano during February 16 – 18, 2019 but I cannot find the train schedule from Takikawa to Furano ( Nemuro Line). How can I get it? Moreover, if I use the JR Hokkaido rail pass, can I book the seat in advance when I purchase the pass in my country?
Thanks in advance
Hi Kiatirat S.,
You have to use hyperdia to get the timetable for Takikawa to Furano:
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 on the train which runs in Hokkaido at the link below:
https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx?_ga=1.4778995.1325107855.1421419524
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi
Thanks for your support.
No worries, Kiatirat S.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
First of all thanks for providing such detailed information for us travelers ^^ , i will be arriving on New Chitose Airport on 7th of October 2018 and i was wondering what is your recommendation route for us from Sapporo Station to Furano Station at that time ? i was following your guide and from what i got reading your explanation, from Sapporo station to Takigawa station with Ltd Express Lilac/Kamui , then transfer to local train in Takigawa station to Furano Station , all of it using the Furano Biei Rail Ticket 6500yen,
so from New Chitose Airport – Sapporo Station (via JR) – Takigawa Station – Furano Station
or do you have any other recommended way for us to get to Furano from CTS airport?
once again thanks for your help ^^
Cheers, Jojo
Hi Jojo san,
New Chitose – Sapporo – Takikawa – Furano route is most common route. But train does not run very frequently between Takikawa and Furano. Sometimes the following route is faster because train run more between Asahikawa and Furano.
New Chitose – Sapporo – Asahikawa – Furano
Try to use hyperdia to find which route is faster.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
You may check the train schedule for only Takikawa to Furano at hyperdia. Other routes schedule can be found it at JR Hokkaido official site:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/train/index.html#ip1
Both route are covered by Furano Biei Train Ticket.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Jojo,
You can also check out the bus service that travel direct between New Chitose and Furano, it runs multiple services throughout the day which I found very useful. The trip is shorter because you don’t have to bother with change of stations and trying to catch the connecting trains between platforms. I’ve tried the train route during my first time to Furano and it was hectic because you have literally around 5mins (sometimes less) between trains. The bus service also travels direct from Furano to Sapporo in case you want to route there on your way back. Best of all, you can book your tickets online prior to trip so no hassle about queuing or rushing to buy ticket. I’ve been using this bus service for my last 2 trips to Furano during winter and will be doing the same again next year 🙂
Here’s the link: http://www.access-n.jp/winter2018/en/skibus/furano/
Hope this helps :))
Hi Takeshi san, I read somewhere it said I can catch a JR Hokkaido bus from this station to hokuryu himawari field, would you be able to tell me is the bus stop near to the station, do you have the bus timetables, and which bus should I take. I am planning to visit hokuryu and also take Norokko train in Furano in same day. Please advise how should I go . Thank you in advance.
Regards Anne.
Hi Anne san,
Please see the links below. Those links show the departure time of Hokkaido Chuo Bus. It’s in Japanese but you can find it:
Takikawa station to Hokuryu Chugakko (Himawari no sato) http://www.bustei.com/timetable/index/4518/5170
Hokuryu Chugakko (Himawari no sato) to Takitaka station http://www.bustei.com/timetable/index/5170/4518
Trip time is 40 minutes and the fare is 720 yen. I believe the bus depart from Takikawa station but I’m not 100% sure. Please ask station staff to make sure the bus stop.
After visiting there, you can take train from Takikawa to Asahikawa to Bie to catch Norkko train. Please check the timetable at hyperdia and find the timetable of Norokko train in the links below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule/summary-of-2018-summer-seasonal-trains-of-jr-trains.html#Furano_Biei_Norokko_train
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi. I have a plan for Canola festival in next week but I have a big baggage. Does station have large coin locker or baggage storage? (my baggage is 28”)
Thank you
Hi Nannieez,
There are some lockers but there are only four large size lockers.
https://locker1.exblog.jp/iv/detail/?s=20676068&i=201307%2F03%2F62%2Fb0289962_1132658.jpg
As far as I know, there is no other storage in this station. All four lockers may be occupied.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi would you know if there is a timetable for the Takikawa-Furano line as I can’t seem to find it from the JR Hokkaido site. I want to get to Furano without having to go through Asahikawa or is that the only way to get to Furano?
I arrive in Chitose in the evening (1940) and need to find the quickest way to get to Furano.
Thanks very much.
Hi Donna,
You need to use hyperdia to find it. Please see the link below to find the info about hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thanks for that link, it was really helpful in planning my trip. Because my flight arrival is quite late and the JR Info Desk is already closed by that time, is there any way I can buy my train tickets in advance or I will have to buy train tickets at each station? One of my connecting (Sapporo–>Takikawa) train line only allows me 8mins between arrival and departure and I am worried I may not have the time to exit the station, buy new tickets and then enter the station again to get to the next track for departure. Any suggestions?
Thanks again.
Hi Donna san,
There are the ticket window (not information desk) and ticket vending machine. You can purchase one ticket from New Chitose to Furano. You don’t need to purchase a ticket one by one. It’s more expensive and inconvenient. You cannot purchase this ticket at the vending machine. You must go to the ticket window.
By the way, I checked hyperdia and I found there is only one train connections available for you. You must take rapid train at 20:15. If you miss it, there is no ways to get Furano on arrival day. You mentioned your flight arrival time is 19:40. In my opinion, it’s very risky. You must get off the airplane, pick up the baggage, find the way to the station and purchase a ticket in 35 minutes. Even for me, it’s very very tight. If the flight is delayed even 10 minutes, it’s over. I don’t recommend you to get Furano on arrival day. Stay in the airport or Sapporo is recommended.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com