Travelling in Hokkaido by train

Published on : 16/06/2025
by : Lucie G.

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Ryuhyo Monogatari Train in Hokkaido
© MaedaAkihiko, wikimedias

Cool in summer and snowy in winter, discover the Hokkaido region easily by train, one of Japan's top destinations!

Hokkaido is the northernmost island of the Japanese archipelago. Home to the Ainu people, it is known as the destination of choice for nature lovers. With its large national parks, onsen rivers, volcanic valleys with sulfur lakes and fields of flowers, Hokkaido has no reason to be ashamed of its equally diverse landscapes! It's the second-largest island in the archipelago, and the vacation destination of travelers in search of coolness in summer and snowy landscapes in winter ! With over 5 million inhabitants, the island's major cities are bustling with activity and discovery. Numerous festivals are held every year to celebrate winter, including the Sapporo Snow Festival (Yuki Sapporo) and the Asahikawa Winter Festival.

Getting around Hokkaido

Thanks to a well-developed train network, Hokkaido is easily traversed from a window seat on a train, allowing you to admire panoramic views of the Japanese countryside. For carefree travel, we recommend the JR Hokkaido Pass, a 5- or 7-day pass for all your journeys around the island. With just one ticket, you can take any JR train or bus! You'll also have access to limited express and free seat reservations.

How do I get to Hokkaido from Tokyo?

Hokkaido can be reached quickly by high-speed Shinkansen train from the main island to Hakodate, or by plane via the various airports in the major cities (Sapporo - New Chitose, Asahikawa, Hakodate...).

Hokkaido area railway network map — JR Hokkaido rail network map

Summary :

Places accessible by train
- Sapporo and surrounding area
- Asahikawa - Biei - Furano
- Hakodate
- Lake Akan - Kushiro
- Noboribetsu
Special trains in Hokkaido
Our recommended JR Hokkaido Pass itineraries

Places accessible by train

The Japanese archipelago is renowned for its highly-developed rail network, and Hokkaido is no exception! Here are just a few of the destinations and sights that can be reached by train, especially with the JR Hokkaido Pass.

Sapporo and surrounding area

Sapporo, capital of Hokkaido prefecture, is the largest city on the northern island. It is therefore a must for visitors to the land of Ainu. Historic monuments, lively districts, neon lights, parks... Sapporo has it all!

What to see in Sapporo?

The University of Sapporo, with its large botanical garden, has a very green campus, which turns red in autumn during the koyo season.
The Susukino district is one of Sapporo's liveliest areas. With its covered streets(shotengai), there's no shortage of stores, restaurants and entertainment venues! The Susukino crossroads is not to be missed at night, when neon signs and restaurant lights come to life.
Jozankei Onsen: When it comes to onsen, don't miss the town of Jozankei Onsen, where numerous establishments nestled in the heart of the Hokkaido countryside offer an unforgettable experience and waters with beneficial properties for the body.

Susukino crossroads at night, Sapporo
© Kwon Youn, Unsplash

Odori Park : This long park crosses the city at right angles to the small Sosei River. A stroll through it allows you to discover the city and its atmosphere, until you arrive in front of Sapporo's red television tower, the city's symbol.
Buddha Hill: Tadao Ando, the famous Japanese architect, left his mark near Sapporo with the construction of Buddha Hill, a Buddhist site where thousands of lavender plants grow around the head of a 13-metre-high statue of Buddha. Buses run to the site. For further information : Buddha Hill in Hokkaido | Japan Experience

Sapporo, Odori Park and the television tower
© Kibock Do, Unsplash

Otaru:

This small port town is easily accessible from Sapporo (35 minutes) and from New Chitose airport (1 hr. 30 min.) with the JR Chitose line, which has limited express Airport trains.

What to see in Otaru?

Walk along the Otaru canal.
Sakaimachi street: Stroll along Sakaimachi street and its late 19th-century architecture and glass stores.
Admire the city and Ishikari Bay from the Asahi Observation Deck → on the way, pass by the Tomioka Catholic Church, with its particularly pretty storefront.
Sankaku Market: Discover local seafood specialties at the Sankaku Market, just a few meters from JR Otaru station.

Otaru Canal in winter
© Kwon Youn, Unsplash

Get your JR Hokkaido Pass!

Trees covered in snow in front of Mt Yotei

JR HOKKAIDO Pass Regional Rail Passes in the Japanese Alps

Included : Economic and simple, Unlimited travel

Asahikawa - Furano - Biei

The town of Asahikawa, 1 h 25 by train from Sapporo, is both a starting point for many excursions and a very attractive town itself! Asahikawa is surrounded by the flowery towns of Biei and Furano, as well as the large Daisetsuzan National Park.

What can you see in Asahikawa?

Kaguraoka-koen: From JR Asahikawa station, you can follow the promenade along the Chubetsu River for a few minutes, and arrive at the magnificent Kaguraoka-koen park.
Ueno Farm: Ueno Farm is just a few minutes' walk from JR Sakuraoka station. This flower garden features several zones with tulips, roses, water lily ponds and many other plants! Resplendent in spring, magnificent in summer, dazzling during koyo and snow-white in winter, this garden can be visited in any season.

What to see in Furano and Biei?

Between these two towns, there are numerous flower farms, where you can stroll through fields of flowers! During the summer, there's even a special train (learn more below) that takes you to the foot of one of the farms, stopping at the temporary Lavender Farm station. You'll have access to two locations:

Tomita farm: This farm is made up of several areas, where rows of rainbow flowers are arranged. There's also a café on site, where you can enjoy local lavender specialities and other dishes while admiring the flowers and the Daisetsuzan mountains on the horizon.
Nakafurano Hokuseiyama Lavender Fields: just a few minutes' walk from the Tomita farm, there are more lavender fields, this time on Hokuseiyama Hill. At the foot of the hill, a cable car takes you to the summit, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the rainbow of flowers!

Hakodate

Hakodate is Hokkaido's third-largest and southernmost city, and the one that links the northern island with the rest of Japan via the Hayabusa and Hayate Shinkansen at Shin-Hakodate Hokuto station. The city is easily accessible from the rest of Hokkaido via the JR Hakodate line, where limited express Hokuto trains run daily.

What to see in Hakodate?

Motomachi district: Discover historic 20th-century architecture in this cute neighborhood, right in the heart of Hakodate. Don't miss the Old Public Hall of Hakodate ward, a yellow and blue building.
Stroll along the seafront past the red-brick warehouses of Kanemori, home to Hakodate's legendary fast-food restaurant, Lucky Pierrot, which we highly recommend!
Onuma Quasi-National Park: In around 40 minutes by JR train (accessible with the JR Pass), you can easily reach the park from Hakodate station! This nature excursion not only takes in the magnificent Onuma and Konuma lakes, but also offers breathtaking views of the uniquely shaped Mount Koma ga take.

Hachiman Zaka Slope, in Hakodate's old quarter
© Tomo M, Unsplash

Old Public Hall of Hakodate ward
© くろふね, wikimedias

Restaurant Lucky Pierrot, Hakodate
© くろふね, wikimedias

Lake Akan / Kushiro

The easiest way to get to Lake Akan and its nature park is from the town of Kushiro. Buses will take you past the volcanic lake, where there are a number of establishments where you can spend the night.

What to see in Kushiro?

Akan National Park : Akan National Park, with its many lakes (Lake Akan, Lake Kussharo, Lake Mashu) and mountains, is the perfect destination for nature lovers.
Kushiro - Shitsugen National Park : Discover Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, one of Japan's most extensive wetlands, on board the JR Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train!
Kawayu-Onsen: The spa town of Kawayu Onsen is 1.5 hours from the town of Kushiro, and is not to be missed. The uniqueness of this place is indicated in its name, since Kawa 川 means river and yu 湯 means hot water. Indeed, the river that runs through this town is hot and constitutes the town's main onsen! There, you can dig your own onsen in the river !

Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, Hokkaido
© lienyuan lee, wikimedias

Lake Kussharo in Hokkaido
© pakku, wikimedias

Lake Akan in Hokkaido
© pakku, wikimedias

Noboribetsu

Noboribetsu is a spa town located on the train route between Sapporo and Hakodate. The special feature of this onsen-town is its water, the therapeutic qualities of which are well proven!

What to see in Noboribetsu?

Noboribetsu Jigoku dani: Stroll through the valley of hell.
Oyunuma river natural footbath: A natural footbath in the middle of nature, just a few minutes from Hell Valley.
Oyuma Pond: Admire the fumaroles of the sulfurous Oyunuma Pond, whose temperature reaches 130 degrees in its depths!

Hokkaido's special trains

As you may know, trains are an institution in Japan. There are special trains that take in magnificent scenery or have special features on board, such as luxurious lounges, panoramic carriages or top-of-the-range rooms! Here are three of these trains that traverse Hokkaido's natural landscapes, all available with the Hokkaido JR Pass!

Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train (green circle 🟢)

This special JR train runs between Kushiro and Toro, in the south-east of Hokkaido. Here, it's true wilderness that you can admire from your window. The train passes through areas unreachable by car, including Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, with its many marshes and swamps, and runs alongside the Kushiro River.

When to visit? April to October

Furano Biei Norokko Train (yellow stars ⭐)

Admire the verdant landscape aboard this train as it passes through the Furano and Biei countryside! As well as the impressive Daisetsuzan mountain range in the distance, the journey lets you enjoy the fresh country air and the magnificent fields of flowers you'll come across along the way. From Asahikawa, make your way to the flower towns of Biei and Furano, where numerous activities and flower farms await you!

Tip: The train makes a special stop at the "Lavender Farm" station. From here, a few minutes' walk will take you to Tomita's eponymous farm, where lavender, hanabito, poppies and bouquet silenas color and grow by the thousands between the forest's conifers!

Ryuhyo Monogatari Train (red square 🟥)

For breathtaking winter scenery, the Ryuhyo Monogatari Train is not to be missed. The train's surroundings are cloaked in a blanket of snow, while the Sea of Okhotsk, along which the tracks run, is icy cold. In the distance, you can see Shiretoko National Park, with its snow-capped peaks. The train connects the towns of Abashiri and Shiretoko Shari in an hour, and some trains stop at Kitahama, where an observation deck lets you look out over the Sea of Okhotsk.

When to visit? January and February

Top 5 best train views in Hokkaido:

1 - 🌊 The best ocean view → aboard the Ryuhyo Monogatari Train, between Abashiri and Shiretoko-Shari, on the JR Semmo Line.
2 - 🌿 The best view of the countryside → On the JR Hakodate Main Line, between Yoichi and Oshamambe.

3 - 🌸 The best view of flowers → aboard the Furano Biei Norokko Train, between Asahikawa and Furano on the JR Furano Line.

4 - ❄️ The best view of snowy landscapes → On the JR Soya main line, between Asahikawa and Wakkanai.

5 - 🏞️ The best view of a national park → on board the Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train.

Our recommended JR Hokkaido Pass itineraries

For public transport on the island of Hokkaido, the JR Hokkaido Pass is the best option! This 5- or 7-day pass is valid for all JR lines on the northern island, and allows you to reserve free seats on limited express trains!

Order your JR Hokkaido Pass here!