Hokuto (train)
The Hokuto is a limited express train services between and in Hokkaido operated by Hokkaido Railway Company. The journey time of the Hokuto is approximately 3 hours 40 minutes.
Super Hokuto services started on 1 March 1994, and cut journey time by about 30 minutes due to the higher speeds through the many curves of the line between Sapporo and Hakodate. All trains have been renamed to Hokuto since 2020, after the KiHa 183 series used on the original Hokuto service was replaced with KiHa 261 series.
Rolling stock
The Hokuto is operated by 7-car KiHa 281 series and KiHa 261 series DMUs, with car 1 at the Hakodate end. All cars are no-smoking.For departures using KiHa 281 series, cars 1, 2 and 4 to 7 are ordinary-class cars with 2+2 seating, and car 3 is a “Green" car with 2+1 seating.
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Accommodation | Reserved | Reserved | Green | Reserved | Reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved |
| Facilities | Toilets | Toilets | Wheelchair space, accessible toilet | Toilets |
For departures using KiHa 261 series, car 1 is a “Green" car with 2+1 seating, and cars 2 to 7 are ordinary-class cars with 2+2 seating.
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Accommodation | Green | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved |
| Facilities | Wheelchair space, accessible toilet | Toilets | Toilets | Toilets | Toilets |