The LAST Sleeper Train in Hokkaido

The LAST Sleeper Train in Hokkaido

I ride the train from Sapporo to Hakodate via the JR train. I then go to a little town off of the South Hokkaido Railway to stay in the old Luxury sleeper train, Hokutosei.

It was decommissioned in 2015 but reopened as a guesthouse in 2022. In 1988 The Hokutosei began service, right when the Seikan Tunnel opening, which connected Sapporo Station and Tokyo’s Ueno Station. A preservation group opened the train to the public at a site close to Moheji Station, ironically a station that was skipped by the Hokutosei for over 30 years.

One of the leaders of the preservation group has been a fan of the Hokutosei since he was a kid, and remebers how he would wait for it to pass at a crossing and would see passengers enjoying dinner in the dining car. These occasions inspired in him to ride the train when he grew up.

That reminds me of when I lived in Okayama and constantly saw the Sunset Express sleeper train and dreamed of riding it someday. That day happened to be when I moved from Okayama to Sapporo, before starting Train and Trains.

Most of the infromation for this Bio Came from this article. https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/features/japan-focus/20220126-10850/

This is the longest video I’ve ever made and leared a lot about and eduring through the video editing process. I hope you enjoy watching it as much as I had fun making it.