Can you complete the entire JR Hokkaido conventional lines with the Hokkaido Rail Pass? Yes, you can! Hokkaido has 2106km conventional lines across the mountains, forest and wetlands. This 6-day itinerary offers memorable travel experience, as well as tasty seafood, good craft beer and wine.
⚫︎ Last updated: March 2024. Timetables, business hours and prices are subject to change. Check the latest information.
INDEX
✔️Checklist
⚫︎ Purchase the Hokkaido Rail Pass or the Japan Rail Pass at the JR-designated ticket office.
⚫︎ The Hokkaido Shinkansen is not allowed to use with the Hokkaido Rail Pass. If you plan to take the shinkansen, purchase the Japan Rail Pass or pay the regular fares.
⚫︎ If you don’t have a reserved ordinary seat ticket on the limited express train Hokuto, Suzuran, Tokachi or Ozora, you can use vacant ordinary seats (if the seats are fully booked, you will have to stand).
⚫︎ The last day (Day 7) of this travel, you can use the rail pass from Sapporo to New Chitose Airport. Otherwise, you can spend in Hakodate for two nights and take the Hokkaido Shinkansen, if you have the Japan Rail Pass.
⚫︎ Book the hotels in Sapporo, Kushiro, Asahikawa and Hakodate in advance.
⚫︎ Check online for the train status information.
Recommended Rail Passes
DAY 1
DISTANCE: 619.3km
Sapporo
→Kushiro
This grand tour starts from Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido. If you visit from outside Hokkaido, enter Sapporo by the day before. The JR Sekisho Line ventures deep into the forested Yubari Mountains. Coastal scenery and green pastures feature on the scenic JR Hanasaki Line.
d. 6:48
Good morning! Buy a tasty bento (boxed lunch) for breakfast at Sapporo Station’s ekiben shop inside the ticket gate.
Take the limited express Ozora 1 for Kushiro.
a. 9:35 / d. 12:00
Visit the Wine Castle (ワイン城) located diagonally behind the train station. It has a wine cellar, maturing room, restaurant, shop and rooftop observatory. Guided tours are need to book ahead. Have lunch.
Take the limited express Ozora 3 for Kushiro.
a. 13:20 / d. 13:25
Eastern Hokkaido’s largest port town.
As soon as you arrive, take the local train for Nemuro on the JR Nemuro Line (also called the Hanasaki Line). For the ocean and wetland views, sit on the right side.
a. 15:57 / d. 16:10
Japan’s most eastern mainland city, Nemuro is in the closest position to the 1150km-long Chishima Islands.
Take the bus for Nosappu-misaki.
a. 16:54 / d. 17:20
Nosappu-misaki is mainland Japan’s easternmost point. On a clear day, you can see Kaigara-jima (just 3.7km east) and Suisho-to (7km east) belonging to the islands across the strait.
Take the return bus for Nemuro Station.
a. 18:04 / d. 19:04
Have dinner around the train station. Nemuro is famous for its Hanasaki-gani (spiny crab), esukaroppu (エスカロップ) and sushi.
Take the local train for Kushiro.
a. 21:45
Spend for a night in Kushiro. Summer is cool and grey, but a foggy night is fantastic. Wandering around Nusamai-bashi (幣舞橋) bridge and Suehiro-cho (末広町) nightlife district.
Photo: Jalan.net
HOTEL (SPONSORED)
Super Hotel Kushiro-ekimae
スーパーホテル釧路駅前 天然温泉 白鳥の湯
▶︎ 1min walk from JR Kushiro Station
In a convenient location above the bus terminal next to JR Kushiro Station, this business hotel has reasonably-priced single rooms and a small communal onsen. Complimentary breakfast.
DAY 2
DISTANCE: 406.8km
Kushiro
→Asahikawa
On the second day, take the scenic JR Senmo Line from Kushiro to Abashiri. Discover the beautiful coastlines, wetlands and lakes. Explore the cultural port town of Abashiri and take the limited express train on the JR Sekihoku Line across Daisetsuzan National Park.
d. 8:52
A few minutes’ walk west of the train station, Washo Ichiba (和商市場) is best known for its katte-don (勝手丼: seafood bowl topped with a wide range of sashimi as you like it). Take-away also available.
The scenic JR Senmo Line from sea to sea takes you through the highlights of Eastern Hokkaido, cutting across Kushiro Shitsugen and Akan-Mashu national parks. For the best view, sit on the right side.
➡︎ If you plan to stopover en route to Abashiri, such as Mashu and Shiretoko-Shari, take the early morning train.
a. 11:59 / d. 17:27
Abashiri is a historical and cultural heart of Okhotsk Region. Explore the town, such as Abashiri Prison Museum and Hokkaido Museum of Northern Peoples. In winter, the icebreaker Aurora runs from the Michi-no-eki Ryuhyokaido Abashiri.
Take the limited express Okhotsk 4 for Sapporo.
➡︎ If you plan to travel on the JR Sekihoku Line in the daytime, take the seasonal limited express Taisetsu 4 for Asahikawa. Then, head south to Ishikari-Numata on the JR Rumoi Line.
a. 21:11
You completed entire Eastern Hokkaido’s JR lines. Hokkaido’s second-largest city of Asahikawa is a major rail junction. You will spend two nights in Asahikawa, so we recommend staying at a hotel near the train station.
Photo: Jalan.net
SPONSORED
JR Inn Asahikawa
JRイン旭川
▶︎ 1min walk from JR Asahikawa Station
The JR Inn is a good sleeping option adjacent to JR Asahikawa Station in the same building of the Aeon shopping mall. It has Western-style rooms with city views, communal baths and a lounge. Reception is on the 5th floor.
DAY 3
Asahikawa
→Asahikawa
DISTANCE: 608.0km
The third day is a day trip from Asahikawa. Take the JR Rumoi Line early in the morning. The JR Soya Line begins at Asahikawa and ends more than 250 lonely kilometers further north at Wakkanai, across the Nayoro Basin.
d. 5:18
Wake up early and leave the hotel (no need to check out).
Take the limited express Lilac 2 for Sapporo.
a. 5:36 / d. 5:59
Take the local train for Ishikari-Numata on the JR Rumoi Line. This line will be discontinued in 2026.
a. 6:11 / d. 6:24
Ishikari-Numata is the last stop of the present JR Rumoi Line.
Take the local train for Fukagawa.
a. 6:41 / d. 7:03
Take the local train for Asahikawa. The train is a 737 series introduced in 2024.
a. 7:27 / d. 9:00
Back to your hotel and have breakfast. You will be staying in Asahikawa again tonight. Pack lightly.
Take the limited express Soya for Wakkanai. Prepare food and drink at the station kiosk. The best scenery is on the left.
a. 12:42 / d. 13:30
The JR Soya Line end up at Japan’s northernmost train station of Wakkanai. Have lunch at the train station, or
take a stroll.
Take the bus for Hamatonbetsu (浜頓別). Purchase the discount round-trip ticket (記念乗車券) to Soya-misaki at the station’s bus terminal. For the best view, sit on the left side.
a. 14:20 / d. 15:20
Wakkanai’s most popular side trip from the train station, Soya-misaki is the northernmost tip of mainland Japan.
Take the return bus to Wakkanai Station.
a. 16:18 / d. 17:44
Take a moment to see the 427m-long North Breakwater Dome (北防波堤ドーム) near the train station, or Hokumon Jinja (北門神社) at the foot of Wakkanai Park. Then, prepare food and drink at the station’s souvenir shop or convenience store.
Take the limited express Soya for Sapporo.
a. 21:26
Return to Asahikawa. Wandering around Sanroku-gai (さんろく街) nightlife district, if you like.
DAY 4
DISTANCE: 586.9km
Asahikawa
→Sapporo
Complete entire Northern Hokkaido’s JR lines. From Iwamizawa, take the JR Muroran Line, the JR Hidaka Line and the JR Chitose Line in Central Hokkaido. In the evening, have yakitori dinner in Bibai.
d. 6:46
Good morning! Take the limited express Kamui 6 for Sapporo.
a. 7:19 / d. 7:33
Take the local train for Furano on the JR Nemuro Line. Traveling alongside Sorachi-gawa from Takikawa you encounter the old coal mining towns, Akabira and Ashibetsu.
a. 8:42 / d. 10:01
The lively agricultural city of Furano is said to mark the geographical center of Hokkaido. Check out Hokkaido’s Geographical Center Monument (北海道中心標) in front of Furano elementary school, about 1km west of the train station.
Take the local train for Asahikawa on the JR Furano Line.
a. 11:11 / d. 12:00
You completed entire Northern Hokkaido’s JR lines. Have lunch or get an ekiben (boxed lunch) at the train station.
Take the limited express Lilac 22 for Sapporo. Goodbye Asahikawa!
a. 12:59 / d. 13:03
Take the local train for Tomakomai on the JR Muroran Line. Japan’s last regular steam locomotive train reblogged demise on this line in 1976.
a. 14:45 / d. 15:20
Hokkaido’s fourth-largest city, Tomakomai has one of Japan’s vital commercial ports. Check out the tourist information center to see local manga and anime souvenirs, next to the station’s south gate.
Take the local train for Mukawa on the JR Hidaka Line. The train runs along the Pacific Ocean.
a. 15:49 / d. 16:20
Mukawa is the last stop of the present JR Rumoi Line, and famous for its shishamo smelt.
Take the local train for Tomakomai.
a. 16:49 / d. 16:54
Take the local train for Hoshimi on the JR Chitose Line.
a. 17:13 / d. 17:23
Take the rapid Airport 142 for New Chitose Airport.
a. 17:27 / d. 17:42
Home to Hokkaido’s main international airport, and Hokkaido’s only underground JR station.
Take the rapid Airport 143 for Sapporo.
a. 18:21 / d. 18:30
Arrived in Sapporo for the first time in 3 days. But today’s journey continues.
Take the limited express Lilac 35 for Asahikawa on the JR Hakodate Line.
a. 19:06 / d. 20:50
Bibai was once Hokkaido’s second-largest coal mining city. Yakitori (焼き鳥: skewered grilled chicken) is a popular local speciality from the late 19th-century. Try the motsu-kushi (モツ串: various meat of yakitori) at the Tatsumi (たつみ: closed Tue) or Fukuyoshi (福よし: closed Mon) in the city center. Both shops are open until 9pm. Take-out yakitori is also recommended.
Take the limited express Kamui 46 for Sapporo. The last train for Sapporo is at 22:50.
a. 21:25
Good job! We recommend staying at a hotel near the train station.
Photo: Jalan.net
HOTEL (SPONSORED)
JR East Hotel Mets Sapporo
JR東日本ホテルメッツ札幌
▶︎ 2min walk from Sapporo Station north gate east concourse
This contemporary hotel is a 2-minute walk from Sapporo Station north gate east concourse. There is also a 24-hour convenience store nearby.
DAY 5
DISTANCE: 399.5km
Sapporo
→Hakodate
On the 5th day, take the JR Gakuen-toshi Line, then head south to Hakodate via the JR Muroran Line along the Uchiura Bay. Explore the nostalgic port town of Hakodate at evening.
d. 8:57
Prepare food and drink at the station kiosk.
Take the local train for Hokkaido-iryo-daigaku on the JR Gakuen-toshi Line.
The tracks run through Northern Sapporo’s residential area and crossing over Ishikari-gawa, Hokkaido’s longest river.
During warmer months, take the early morning train and get off at Yurigahara near Yurigahara Park (百合が原公園), one of Sapporo’s best flower parks.
a. 9:42 / d. 9:58
The last stop of the present JR Gakuen-toshi Line. Right opposite the train station, the Health Sciences University of Hokkaido will be relocated to Kitahiroshima near the future.
Take the local train for Sapporo.
a. 10:50 / d. 10:56
Take the limited express Hokuto 10 for Hakodate from the next platform. The train runs on the JR Chitose Line and the JR Muroran Line.
a. 12:22 / d. 12:27
Take the local train for Muroran on the 7km-long branch line. The branch line follows the massive steel works.
a. 12:39 / d. 12:52
The heavy industrial city Muroran sits on the Etomo Peninsula.
Take the local train for Chitose.
a. 13:04 / d. 13:41
Higashi-Muroran Station has an excellent souvenir kiosk. Prepare food and drink.
Take the limited express Hokuto 12 for Hakodate. The train runs along the scenic shoreline of the Uchiura Bay.
a. 15:20 / d. 16:01
Mori is an attractive coastal train station. Get the nationally-famous ekiben ika-meshi (いかめし: squid rice) at Shibata Store (柴田商店: closed Sun) in front of the train station.
Take the local train for Hakodate via Sawara branch line. The Sawara branch line (35.3km) skirts the eastern foot of Koma-ga-take to Onuma via Shikabe.
a. 17:43
Hakodate is Southern Hokkaido’s largest port town, with an East-meets-West culture and historic buildings. Hakodate-yama (334m) boasts one of the world’s most beautiful night views over the town.
If you want to eat something, head to Hakodate Beer (はこだてビール) or the Lucky pierrot (ラッキーピエロ) burger shop near the Bay Area.
Photo: Jalan.net
HOTEL (SPONSORED)
JR Inn Hakodate
JRイン函館
▶︎ 1min walk from JR Hakodate Station north gate
The JR Inn is a convenient location next door to JR Hakodate Station north gate. It has Western-style rooms, communal baths and a lounge overlooking the harbor. Breakfast is sushi.
DAY 6
DISTANCE: 286.3km
Hakodate
→Sapporo
Today is the last day of the trip. Take the rare local train on the Fujishiro branch line from Hakodate. Explore Onuma Quasi-National Park and head north to Sapporo via Niseko. Explore the romantic port town Otaru at night.
d. 12:35
Get up early and go to Hakodate Morning Market (函館朝市) in front of the train station. Then, stroll around Motomachi district or Goryokaku Park.
Take the local train for Oshamanbe. This train runs on the Fujishiro branch line from Nanae to Onuma (there are no limited express train on this route).
➡︎ If you plan to travel on the South Hokkaido Railway (道南いさりび鉄道), take the local train for Kikonai in the morning. This is non-JR line.
a. 13:14 / d. 15:29
The antiquated Onuma-koen Station is a good place to access the lake O-numa, Southern Hokkaido’s most beautiful resort at the foot of the double-peaked volcano Koma-ga-take (1131m). Take a boat, cycling around the lake or have lunch. There is also a seasonal beer brewery near the train station.
Take the limited express Hokuto 15 for Sapporo.
a. 16:28 / d. 16:35
Take the local train for Otaru on the JR Hakodate Line, also called the ‘Mountain Line’. Look east to see the stratovolcano Yotei-zan (1898m) from Kutchan, the gateway to the Niseko Mountains.
a. 19:49 / d. 21:59
The train arrives at the romantic port town of Otaru, making the end of the ‘Mountain Line’. The historic attractions are dotted around Otaru Canal, a 10-minute walk down the main street from the train station. Have dinner at Otaru Beer (Otaru Soko No.1).
Take the local train for Tomakomai. The last train for Sapporo is at around 11pm.
a. 22:44
Congratulations! You completed entire Hokkaido’s conventional JR lines.
Photo: Jalan.net
HOTEL (SPONSORED)
Hotel Gracery Sapporo
ホテルグレイスリー札幌
▶︎ 2min walk from Sapporo Station south gate
Directly connected to Sapporo Station’s Apia underground shopping mall, this 16-story glazed chain hotel has 433 contemporary rooms. The Reception is on the 7th floor, and breakfast is served on the ground floor.