Schedule of 2012-13 winter seasonal trains of Japan Railways

Some part of winter season is the busiest period. Especially in Japan, New Years holidays are crazy busy. In this season, December 28 to 31, January 2, 3 and 6 are expected to be the busiest days. I recommend you to avoid getting a train on those days. The vehicle occupancy rate may be more than 200%. As long as trains have non reserved seat, you can get on anyway without any reservation. But you will be forced to stay on the isle or passenger’s deck without seat. There are many passengers without seats in the train during those busiest days.

As probably you know, it is icy freezing weather in Hokkaido and north part of Honshu island (Tohoku region). If you travel in these cold weather regions, please expect the delay due to snow or high wind. Please have time to spare in your itinerary. Don’t make a tight schedule.

Anyway JR Group operate lots of seasonal trains during all winter season. But it is too many to introduce all seasonal trains. So I pick up the popular trains and are operated in the popular spot.

• JR Hokkaido (Hokkaido)
• JR East (Tohoku, Kanto and Hokuriku)
• JR Central (Chubu and Tokai)
• JR West (Kansai, Chugoku and Hokuriku)
• JR Kyushu (Kyushu)

JR Hokkaido (Hokkaido area)

SL Hakodate Christmas Fantasy train

This train is operated by steam locomotive between Hakodate and Onuma Koen (Onuma park) to enjoy Christmas atmosphere. There are reserved seat only. You need to book it before boarding.

Operation dates

December 1,2,8,9,15,16,22,23,24,25, 2012

Timetable

Ryuhyo Limited Express Okhotsk no Kaze

This limited express train is additional train of Limited Express Okhotsk between Sapporo and Abashiri. It is operated for Drift Ice season by KIHA 183 North Rainbow Express. This series is much better than standard 183 series for Okhotsk. If you go to Abashiri in this season. try to take this train.

Operation dates
February 1-28, 2013
*This train will be operated in March, 2013. But schedule is TBA.

Timetable

*This train stop at Iwamizawa, Bibai, Sunagawa, Takikawa, Fukagawa, Asahikawa, Kamikawa, Maruseppu, Engaru, Ikutahara, Rubeshibe, Kitami, Bihoro and Memanbetsu.

If you are looking for more information about the interior of KIHA 183 series North Rainbow Express, please refer the post, Furano Lavender Express / Koyo Express. This summer/fall express train is operated by same type of car.

Hotels in Abashiri
Hotels in Shiretoko
Hotels in Kushiro

Ryuhyo Norokko train

Shiretoko is very popular destination in winter time for Ryuhyo (流氷=Drift Ice) viewing. This train is operated in Drift Ice season for viewing by “Torokko” (open air type passenger’s car).

Operation dates
February 1-28, 2013
*This train will be operated in March, 2013. But schedule is TBA.

Timetable

*This train stop at Kitahama, Hamkoshimizu and Yamubetsu. Only train #1 stops at Katsuradai, Masuura, Mokoro and those three stations.

If you need more information about this train, please see this post, Ryuhyo Norokko train.

SL Fuyu no Shitsugen train (Winter train to Kushiro marsh by Steam Locomotive)

This train is operated by steam locomotive. This is a cruising train that goes through Kushiro marsh. It is similar type train to Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko train. But this train is not operated by Norokko train. There are reserved seat only. You need to book it before boarding.

Operation dates

January 19,20,26,27, 2013 operation between Kushiro and Kawayu Onsen
February 1-28, 2013 operation between Kushiro and Shibecha.

Timetable

This train stops at Higashi-Kushiro, Kushiro Shitsugen, Toro, Kayanuma, Shibecha and Mashu.

Limited Express Nupuri

This train was started to operate in this past summer between Sapporo and Hakodate via Otaru, Kucchan and Niseko. In the winter season, it will be operated between Sapporo and Oshmanbetsu during Sapporo winter festival. There are lots of trains between Sapporo and Oshamanbetsu via Tomakomai, Noboribetsu and Datemonbetsu. If you just need a train on this section, you don’t need to take this train “Nupuri”. You can simply take Limited Express Super Hokuto/Hokuro.

Operation dates
February 9-11, 2013

Timetable

The train will stop at Otaru, Yoichi, Kucchan, Niseko and Kuromatsunai.

Limited Express Asahiyama Dobutsuen

Limited Express Asahiyama Dobutsuen

This train connects Sapporo with Asahikawa and is operated by Asahiyama Zoo featured train. Asahiyama zoo in the most popular zoo in Japan. This train has only reserved seat. (Japanese site link)

Operation dates
December 22-29, 2012
January 2-6,12-14,19,20,26,27, 2013
February 2-17,23,24, 2013

Timetable

Train makes a stop at Iwamizawa and Takikawa.

Niseko Express

This train connect Sapporo with very popular ski area, Niseko.

Operation dates
December 28-31, 2012
January 1-6,12-14, 2013
February 2,2, 2013

Timetable

This train stops at Otaru, Yoichi and Kucchan.

This express train is operated by KIHA 183 Niseko Express. If you are looking for more information about the interior of these cars, please refer the post, Furano Lavender Express / Koyo Express. This summer/fall express train is operated by same type of cars.

JR East (Tohoku and Kanto area)

Rapid Zipangu Hiraizumi

This train connects Ichinoseki and Morioka (both Shinkansen station) with newest UNESCO World Heritage Hiraizumi directly. This train is operated by the specialized train “Zipangu” that has observation cars. Please see this link that is given by one of my visitor James. It is in Japanese but you can get some images.

Timetable and operation dates

This train makes a stop at Hanamaki, Kitakami, Mizusawa and Hiraizumi.

Rapid Resort Minori

This train connects Sendai with Shinjo via Naruko hot springs resort. This train is operated by the specialized train. This train has only reserved seat.

Operation dates
December 1,2,7-9,14-16,21-24,28-31, 2012
January 3-6,11-14,18,25, 2013
February 1-3,8-11,15-17,22-24, 2013

Timetable

This train makes a stop at Matsuhima, Kogota, Furukawa, Iwadeyama, Yubikan, Kawatabi-Onsen, Naruko-Gotenyu, Naruko-Onsen, Nakayamadaira-Onsen, Akakura-Onsen, Mogami and Semi-Onsen.

Some of Resort Shirakami are operated by the newest Hybrid train.

Rapid Resort Shirakami

This train connects Akita with Aomori through Gono line that has one of the greatest scenery. This train is operated by the specialized train or the newest Hybrid train. This train has only reserved seat.

Operation dates and timetable

This train makes a stop at Oiwaki, Hachirogata, Moritake, Higashi-Noshiro, Noshiro, Akita-Shirakami, Iwadate, Juniko, WeSpa-Tsubakiyama, Fukaura, Senjojiki, Ajigasawa, Mutsu-Morita, Kizukuri, Goshogawara, Mutsu-Tsuruta, Itayanagi, Kawabe, Hirosaki and Shin-Aomori. If you need more information about this train, please refer Rapid Resort Shirakami.

Hotels and Ryokans in Kusatsu
Hotels in Hakuba
Hotels in Nagano

Resort Yamadori

This train connects Takasaki with Manza-Kazawaguchi via Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi. If you cannot get Limited Express Kusatsu, you might take this train from Kusatsu. You can use Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Takasaki. This train will be operated by specialized train “Resort Yamadori (JR East Japanese link)”.

Operation dates
December 2,9,16,23,24, 2012
January 12-14,19,20, 2013

Timetable

Resort View Furusato

This train goes straight to Minamiotari where is located on Oito line in North Alps area from Nagano. This train is operated by one of the newest Hybrid train. You can see some images in JR East Nagano branch website.

Operation dates
December 1,2,7-10,21-25,28-31, 2012
January 1-7,11-14,25-27, 2013
February 1-3,8-11,22-24, 2013

Timetable

*This train makes a stop at Obasute, Matsumoto, Hodaka, Shinano-Matsukawa, Shinano-Omachi and Hakuba.

JR Central (Chubu, Tokai and Hokuriku)

Moonlight Nagara is operated by 183 series.

Overnight Rapid Moonlight Nagara

This is very popular and hard to get the seat. This train does not have any non reserved seat. This train is operated by old type Limited Express cars. But there is no berth or compartment.

Operation dates
To Ogaki – December 21, 2012 to January 5, 2013
To Tokyo – December 22, 2012 to January 6, 2013

Timetable

If you are looking for more information about Moonlight Nagara, please see the post, Rapid train Moonlight Nagara.

JR West (Kansai, Hokuriku and Chugoku)

Twilight Express

As you know, this is most popular train in Japan. The extra departure will be operated in Holidays periods and mid February for Sapporo Snow Festival.

Operation dates
Regular departure is Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to Sapporo, and Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday to Osaka. And these following dates will be added.
to Sapporo — Everyday from December 21, 2012 to January 5, 2013, and from February 1, 2013 to February 13, 2013
to Osaka — Everyday from December 22, 2012 to January 6, 2013, and from February 3, 2013 to February 14, 2013

Timetable
Osaka 11:50 – Sapporo 09:52
Sapporo 14:05 – Osaka 12:52
If you need more information about Twilight Express, please refer the post, Overnight Express Train Twilight Express.

Overnight train Nihonkai is the best way to save the time from Osaka to Aomori (C) Sonic Rail Garden

Overnight Limited Express Nihonkai

This train will be operated as a seasonal train after annual timetable revise on March 17, 2012. Only regular berth (type B berth) is available on this seasonal “Nihonkai”. You need to pay some extra anyway by Japan Rail pass.

Operation dates
to Aomori – December 28-30, 2012 and January 4-6, 2013
to Osaka – December 27-29, 2012 and January 3-5, 2013

Timetable

This train makes a stop at Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Tsuruga, Fukui, Kaga-Onsen, Kanazawa, Takaoka, Toyama, Uozu, Itoigawa, Naoetsu, Niitsu, Tsuruoka, Sakata, Ugo-Honjo, Akita, Higashi-Noshiro, Takanosu, Oodate, Owani-Onsen, Hirosaki and Aomori.

Overnight Express Kitaguni

This train will be operated as a seasonal train after annual timetable revise on March 17, 2012. Non reserved seat is no longer available on this seasonal “Kitaguni”. Only Green class and regular berth (type B berth) are available. You need to pay some extra anyway by Japan Rail pass.

Operation dates
to Niigata – December 27-31, 2012 and January 1-6, 2013
to Osaka – December 28-31, 2012 and January 1-7, 2013

Timetable

This train makes a stop at Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Tsuruga, Takefu, Fukui, Komatsu, Kanazawa, Takaoka, Toyama, Uozu, Itoigawa, Naoetsu, Kakizaki, Kashiwazaki, Raikoji, Nagaoka, Mitsuke, Higashi-Sanjo, Kamo and Niitsu.

SL Chirstmas train / SL Tsuwano Inari train

This train is operated as SL Yamaguchi during summer season. In winter time, it is operated as these trains on specific dates by C56 type steam locomotive between Shin-Yamaguchi and Tsuwano. This train has only reserved seat.

Operation dates
December 22, 2012 as SL Christmas train
January 1-3, 2013 as SL Tsuwano Inari train

Timetable

This train makes a stop at Yuda-Onsen, Yamaguchi, Shinome, Choumonkyo, Nabekura and Tokusa. The train that departs from Shin-Yamaguchi stops at Niho and Jifuku too.

Rapid Kiyomori Marine View / Rapid Setouchi Marine View

This train is usually operated as Rapid Setouchi Marine View between Hiroshima and Mihara via Kure line. The operation of this train is extended to Miyajimaguchi instead of Hiroshima until January 14, 2013. This train is operated by specialized train. Please check the images at the following links (JR West official site): Exterior | Reserved seat | Non reserved seat

Operation dates
Dec 1,2,8,9,15,16,22-24,29-31, 2012
Jan 1-3,5,6,12-14, 2013 (Train operation between Mihara and Miyajimaguchi until Jan 14.)
Jan 19,20,26,27, 2013 (Train operation between Mihara and Hiroshima only after Jan 19.)
Feb 2,3, 2013

Timetable

This train makes a stop at Tadanoumi, Takehara, Akitsu, Yasuura, Aki-Kawajiri and Hiro too.

JR Kyushu (Kyushu)

Limited Express Aso Boy!

This train is operated to Mt. Aso from Kumamoto by the train that have the panoramic windows at the both end. This train has only reserved seat. (Japanese site link)

Operation dates
December 1,2,8,9,15,16,22-31, 2012
January 1-6,12-14,19,20,26,27, 2013
February 2,3,9-11,16,17,23,24, 2013

Timetable

This train makes a stop at Shin-Suizenji, Suizenji, Higo-Otsu and Akamizu too.

Umisachi-Yamasachi stop at Obi station for 10 minutes. You can buy some local food at the platform. (C) JP Rail

Limited Express Umisachi-Yamasachi

This train goes through Nichinan coastline. Please see the details at my post.

Operation dates
December 1,2,8,9,15,16,22-25,27-31, 2012
January 1-6,12-14,19,20,26,27, 2013
February 2,3,9-11,16,17,23,24, 2013

Timetable

Hotels in Miyazaki
Hotels in Kumamoto

A Ressha de Iko (A列車で行こう=Take the ‘A’ train)

This train is the newest train in Kyushu and connect Kumamoto with Misumi. Misumi is the gateway station for Amakusa.

Operation dates
December 1,2,8,9,15,16,22-31, 2012
January 1-6,12-14,19,20,26,27, 2013
February 2,3,9-11,16,17,23,24, 2013

Timetable

Rapid Hitoyoshi

This train is operated by 58654 type steam locomotive during summer season. But steam locomotive is in regular inspection in winter time. Therefore it is operated by diesel locomotive. This train has only reserved seat. (Japanese site link)

Operation dates
Dec 22-31, 2012 and Jan 1-6, 2013

Timetable

This train makes a stop at Yatsushiro, Sakamoto, Shiraishi and Watari.