Ōzora (train)


The Ōzora is a limited express train service between and in Hokkaido, Japan, operated by Hokkaido Railway Company. There are six trains per day running in both directions, with the fastest journeys taking 3 hours 35 minutes.

History

The service commenced as the limited express Ōzora on 1 October 1961, operating between Hakodate and Asahikawa using KiHa 80 series DMUs with one return working daily. The service was extended to run between Hakodate and Kushiro from 1967. By 1973, there were three return workings daily. In October 1980, following the opening of New Chitose Airport, services were reorganized, with just one return working daily between Sapporo and Kushiro. From October 1981, the train was rerouted via the Sekishō Line, reducing journey times by approximately one hour. From 22 March 1997, four Ōzora services were upgraded to become Super Ōzora following the introduction of new KiHa 283 series tilting DMUs. The remaining Ōzora services using KiHa 183 series DMUs were phased out by 2001. KiHa 261 Series DMUs were introduced on 14 March 2020, and the service has since been returned to simply Ōzora.

Rolling stock

The Ōzora is operated by 6-car KiHa 283 series and KiHa 261 series DMUs, with car 1 at the Kushiro end. All cars are no-smoking.
For departures using KiHa 283 series, cars 1, 2 and 4 to 6 are ordinary-class cars with 2+2 seating, and car 3 is a “Green” car with 2+1 seating.
Car No.123456
AccommodationReservedReservedGreenReservedNon-reservedNon-reserved
FacilitiesToilets ToiletsWheelchair space,
accessible toilet		 Toilets

For departures using KiHa 261 series, car 1 is a “Green” car with 2+1 seating, and cars 2 to 6 are ordinary-class cars with 2+2 seating.
Car No.123456
AccommodationGreenReservedReservedReservedNon-reservedNon-reserved
Facilities Wheelchair space,
accessible toilet		ToiletsToiletsToilets

Former rolling stock

On 27 May 2011, the Super Ōzora 14 service from Kushiro to Sapporo was brought to an emergency stop inside the 685 metre-long No. 1 Niniu Tunnel in Shimukappu, Hokkaidō, at around 21:55 after car number 2 of the 6-car formation became derailed. The train caught fire, and all of the 245 people on board, including train staff eventually evacuated the train. 39 were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burn injuries. The burnt-out train was removed from the tunnel on 29 May 2011.