Opened in 2016, this shinkansen connects Honshu with Hokkaido (Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto) passes through the undersea Seikan Tunnel. The line officially starts at Shin-Aomori in Northern Honshu, but the many shinkansen pass directly through from Tokyo. You spend ten of minutes in the long tunnels feel like a subway shinkansen. Hokkaido Shinkansen line to Sapporo is under construction and expected to open in 2030.
THE ROUTE
DISTANCE: 148.8km
FARE: Ordinary fare ¥3190 (Valid for 2-day), Shinkansen ticket ¥4000
TRAINS
▶︎ HAYABUSA Tokyo ● Sendai – Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto
▶︎ HAYATE Morioka ● Shin-Aomori – Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto
STATIONS & STOPOVERS
LEGEND ⬇︎︎ Route Info // ☆ Attractions // ♨︎ Onsen // ☞ Transfer
SHIN-AOMORI TO SHIN-HAKODAE-HOKUTO
⬇︎︎ 0.0km
Shin-Aomori 新青森
Shin-Aomori marks the end of the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo (713.7km) and the beginning of the Hokkaido Shinkansen. If you start your journey from the city center of Aomori facing the Mutsu Bay, take the train on the JR Ou Line for a few minutes.
☞ JR Ou Line (for Aomori, Hirosaki)
☆ Sannai-Maruyama Site (2.8km) One of Japan’s most important Jomon sites.
◎ POP Aomori-shi 272,000
⬇︎︎ Heading north out of Shin-Aomori along the west side of the Mutsu Bay and passes through several tunnels, the line merges with the JR Kaikyo Line (used only 1435mm gauge freight trains) at Odai branch point on the valley. From Odai, Japan’s only dual gauge tracks stretch north to Kikonai on Southern Hokkaido.
⬇︎︎ 38.5km
Okutsugaru-Imabetsu 奥津軽いまべつ
Operated by the JR Hokkaido, this modern shinkansen station sits on the northern part of the Tsugaru Peninsula and acts as a gateway to the dramatic cape Tappi-zaki. You can switch to the local train from the next door station of Tsugaru-Futamata for Aomori via Kanita and Minmaya on the JR Tsugaru Line. Imabetsu’s famous draw is its August Arama Festival, you will receive local’s heartwarming hospitality.
☞ JR Tsugaru Line (for Minmaya, Kanita)
☆ Arama-no-Sato Museum (2.7km) Features exhibits relating to Okawadai Arama Festival.
☆ Horozuki Coast (13km)
◎ POP Imabetsu-machi 2300
⬇︎︎ After passes through six tunnels, you enter the 53.85km Seikan Tunnel under the Tsugaru Strait. Keep an eye out for Tappi and Yoshioka maintenance stations in the tunnel. You finally meet the land of Hokkaido before arriving at Kikonai.
⬇︎︎ 113.3km
Kikonai 木古内
After crossing Seikan Tunnel under the Tsugaru Strait, Kikonai is the first shinkansen station on Hokkaido. It is a convenient gateway to the castle town Matsumae and the charming old trading center Esashi on the Oiwake Soran Line. From here, the South Hokkaido Railway follows the scenic shoreline to Goryokaku continue to Hakodate.
☞ South Hokkaido Railway (for Hakodate) ● Matsumae (1hr 30min) ● Esashi (1hr 30min)
☆ Yakushi-yama (1km) Overlooking the Tsugaru Strait. Moss phlox blooms in May.
◎ POP Kikonai-cho 3900
⬇︎︎ The shinkansen passes through five tunnels and enters the agricultural Hakodate Plain.
⬇︎︎ 148.8km
Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto 新函館北斗
Your Hokkaido Shinkansen journey from Honshu ends at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. Most people change trains to Hakodate and Sapporo. The electric train Hakodate Liner, timed to meet all the shinkansen, runs to Hakodate (15-20min ● ¥360). IC cards are not available. Heading north to Sapporo, take the limited express train Hokuto.
☞ JR Hakodate Line (for Hakodate, Sapporo)
◎ POP Hokuto-shi 45,000
➡︎ DETOUR: 17.9km South of Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto
Hakodate 函館
One of Japan’s first international trade ports opened in 1854, Hakodate is a romantic port town with an East-meets-West culture, historic buildings, lively markets, fresh seafood and coastal onsen.
☆ Hakodate-yama (2km) At 334m. This mountain boasts stunning night views from the top.
☆ Goryokaku (3.5km) Japan’s first Western-style fort built in 1864.
☆ Yunokawa Onsen (5km) One of Hokkaido’s oldest onsen resorts on the city’s eastern coast.
◎ POP Hakodate-shi 251,000
SHIN-HAKODAE-HOKUTO TO SAPPORO
Hokkaido Shinkansen line to Sapporo is under construction and expected to open in 2030. So, let’s enjoy the virtual shinkansen trip from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Sapporo.
⬇︎︎ Soon after Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, the shinkansen enters Oshima Tunnel (32.675km), Japan’s longest terrestrial tunnel.
⬇︎︎ 202.9km
Shin-Yakumo 新八雲
In the heart of the Oshima Peninsula, Yakumo is known as the only town which faces the Sea of Japan and the Pacific Ocean (Uchiura Bay). The shinkansen station is about 3km west of the town center surrounded by rustic ranches.
◎ POP Yakumo-cho 15,000
⬇︎︎ After passing through Tateiwa Tunnel (17.035km), you meet the Uchiura Bay on the right.
⬇︎︎ 235.9km
Oshamanbe 長万部
Halfway between Sapporo and Hakodate, the coastal town Oshamanbe is a major rail junction and a branch point of the JR Muroran Line for Toya and Noboribetsu.
☞ JR Muroran Line (for Toya) ● Setana (1hr 40min)
♨︎ Oshamanbe Onsen (0.5km)
◎ POP Oshamanbe-cho 5000
⬇︎︎ Heading northeast from Oshamanbe, the shinkansen passes through three long tunnels (totally 30km!) in Shiribeshi Region. Before arriving at Kutchan, look out for the beautiful mountain Yotei-zan (1898m) on the right.
⬇︎︎ 290.3km
Kutchan 倶知安
Shiribeshi Region’s official capital, Kutchan is a convenient gateway for Niseko United ski resort. International skiers and snowboarders admire its best powder snow in the world.
☞ Iwanai (44min) ● Kimobetsu (45min) Date (2hrs 24min)
☆ Kutchan Fudokan (2.5km) Gives a history and nature of Niseko.
☆ Hirafu Ski Area (8km) One of Hokkaido’s top ski area on Niseko Annupuri.
☆ Niseko Annupuri (13km) At 1308m. Magnificent views of Yotei-zan and the ocean.
◎ POP Kutchan-cho 16,000
⬇︎︎ From Kutchan, you spend two long tunnels (totally 30km!) again. The shinkansen leaves on the ground only once in the caldera village of Akaigawa, best known for the location site of Kiroro Resort.
⬇︎︎ 328.3km
Shin-Otaru 新小樽
Otaru is a nostalgic port town grew rapidly since the 1880s, a number of major trading companies and banks opened branch offices. This city has overtaken Sapporo in population during the Meiji period. Shin-Otaru is about 3km south of the city center in the valley.
◎ POP Otaru-shi 112,000
☆ Tengu-yama (530m) Fine views of the town. There is also a ski area.
☆ Sakaimachi-dori (4km) Lined with souvenirs, seafood and glass craft shops.
☆ Otaru Canal (5km)
⬇︎︎ The shinkansen enters Sasson Tunnel (26.230km), the third longest and the last tunnel on the line.
⬇︎︎ 360.3km
Sapporo 札幌
Hokkaido’s modern capital and Japan’s fifth-largest city, Sapporo is a spacious and laid-back place. The compact city center is well-laid-out and it has a lot of parks dotted with Western-style historical landmarks, which makes a pleasant stroll.
☞ JR Hakodate Line (for Otaru) ● JR Hakodate Line (for Asahikawa) ● JR Chitose Line ● JR Gakuen-toshi Line ● Nanboku Subway Line ● Toho Subway Line
☆ Hokkaido University (0.4km)
☆ Old Hokkaido Government Office Building (0.5km)
☆ Odori Park (0.7km)
◎ POP Sapporo-shi 1,970,000
Home › Transport › Hokkaido Train Trips › Hokkaido Shinkansen (Aomori to Hakodate)
