Railway Travel from Sapporo to Hakodate, via Kutchan

JR Hokkaido plans to include Kutchan in its proposed Hokkaido Shinkansen (bullet train) extended from Hakodate
to Sapporo, via Kutchan. It is the railway route, that is considered difficult to become a profitable railway line.
However, the local people are hoping for realization with a great expectation. This is a journey that follows the
predicted route of the Shinkansen.


(L) A railway track at Sapporo station (R) A view of the city of Sapporo: A tall building of the left upper corner is the JR Tower.

(L) A departure guide board at Sapporo station (R) A railway track directing Otaru Station

(L) A platform of Sapporo station is for the airport express train from the internationl airport. (R) A railway track between Sapporo and Otaru

(L) Before arriving Otaru, a train runs along the sea coast. (M) Interior of the airport express train (R) A train is arriving at Otaru station.

Otaru to Kutchan

(L) A train is ready for departure for Kutchan at Otaru station.(R) A railway track between Otaru and Ranshima

(L) A railway track between Otaru and Ranshima (R) Ranshima station: Ranshima Beach in ten-minute walking distance is the oldest beach in Hokkaido.

Approaching Yoichi station

(R) (M) A train is crossing the bridge over Yoichi River. (R) A railway track between Yoichi station and Shikaribetsu station

(L) Shikaribetsu station (R) A railway track between Shikaribetsu and Ginzan station

A railway track between Shikaribetsu and Ginzan station

A railway track between Shikaribetsu and Ginzan station

A railway track between Shikaribetsu and Ginzan station

A railway track between Shikaribetsu and Ginzan station

Ginzan station: After Ginzan station, the railway track sharply turned to the right and enters the tunnel under the mountain range.

After passing the tunnel, passengers can see an untouched natural forest.

(L) Interior of the train: There are only a few passengers in the train.(R) A railway track between Ginzan station and Kozawa station

The train is approaching Kozawa station after passing a long tunnel.

Kozawa station: The train bound for Otaru came into the other side of a platform.

(L) A train for Otaru stops at the opposite platform of Kozawa station. (R) A railway track between Kozawa station and Kutchan station

(L) Wild cherry flowers are in full bloom.(R) A railway track between Kozawa station and Kutchan station

A railway track between Kozawa station and Kutchan station

(L) A tunnel and waterfall at northern Kutchan (R) Fare electric board display: Otaru- Kutchan fee is 1070 yen.

A train now approaching Kutchan station: The mountain on the back is famous Mount Yotei.

By seeing Mount Yotei, a train arrived at the transit point of Kutchan station.


Kutchan to Oshamanbe

The town of Kutchan lies slightly north of the volcano Mount Yotei, and is approximately 50 kilometers west of
Sapporo. As of April 2017, the town has an estimated population of 15,000 .Throughout Hokkaido, Kutchan is
known for its proximity to the world-famous Niseko powder snow region and for its production of quality potato.

In recent years, an explosively high number of Australians have frequented Hirafu, many of whom have settled
in the area and spawned businesses such as pensions, bars, and cafes. Hirafu is also frequented by a considerable
number of tourists from Hong Kong, as well as tourists coming from within Japan. Hirafu's expanding tourism
industry is often attributed to the steady and copious supply of fresh powder snow, which many claim is among
one of the best in the world. The local community of both Japanese and foreign "backpacker" skiers and snow-
boarders, who typically operate on a smaller budget than their upscale counterparts, are already being over-
shadowed by the burgeoning influx of wealthy tourist service.


Niseko Mt. Resort Grand Hirafu

Map of Kitchan, Niseko and Hokkaido


(L) Mount Yotei;Elevation, 1898 m (R) Shiribetsu River : It flows around the northern side of Mount Yotei.

(L) Shiribetsu River (R) Niseko station

A railway track between Niseko station and Rankoshi station

A railway track crosses the Shiribetsu River.

A railway track between Rankoshi station and Kuromatsunai station

(L) A railway track between Rankoshi station and Kuromatsunai station
(M) A few passengers are in a one-vehicle train which rans between Kitchan and Oshamanbe.

A railway track between Rankoshi station and Kuromatsunai station

(L) A railway track (R) Kuromatsunai station

(L) Eectric board display of fare: Otaru- Kutchan fee is 2810 yen.
(R) Oshamanbe station: For Otaru, a train has to return the rail track. To Hakodate go opposite side.


！北海道新幹線が札幌まで延長された時に、美しい自然の中を走る小樽ー長万部間の鉄道は廃止される。本当に残念だ。
When the Hokkaido Shinkansen is extended to Sapporo, the Otaru-Oshamambe railway that runs in beautiful
nature will be abolished. I feel it really sad.


Oshamanbe to Hakodate

Oshamambe Station is served by the Hakodate Main Line from Hakodate to Asahikawa, and the Muroran Second
Main Line to Iwamizawa. This station is also planned to become a station of the Hokkaido Shinkansen.


(L) A limited express train, Super-Hokuto is entering Oshamanbe station (R) A railway track between Oshamanbe and Mori runs along a sea coast.

(L) A railway track between Oshamanbe and Mori runs along the sea coast. (R) Uchiura Bay with Mount Komagatake as background

(L) Mount Komagatake (R) A railway ticket from Asahikawa to Hakodate: A ticket holder shows the image of Hokaido shinkansen.

A limited express train is now arriving Hakodate station.

A smoke-free railway that runs a beautiful Hokkaido

Asahikawa, Sapporo and Hakodate, Hokkaido
Asahikawa station Asahiyama zoo Sapporo tour Railway trip: Sapporo to Hakodate Hakodate, Hokkaido Mount Hakodate and Goryokaku

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JR Hokkaido
Smoking Ban in JR Hokkaido Trains

Smoke-free hotels in Japan
Smoke-free hotels in Tokyo
Smoke-free hotels in Kyoto and Nara
Domestic travel in Japan
Stress-free travel in Tokyo Metropolitan and Kyoto area
How to protect you from toxic tobacco smoke when you use a restaurant in Japan.
Travel sketch in Japan and the world in respect to smoking regulations


札幌から函館までの山線 鉄道沿線風景
医学博士 宮本順伯
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This information was provided by the Smokefree Hotel and Travel.
The article was writtenand photography was taken in May 2018, by Junhaku Miyamoto, M.D., PhD.
Copyright (C) 2018 Junhaku Miyamoto, PhD. All right is reserved.