Japan’s northernmost island is already a dream for rail travellers, but Hokkaido Railway Company has just confirmed that things are about to get even more magical. Two brand-new sightseeing services – the Red Star and the Blue Star – are officially on track (pardon the pun) to roll out in 2027.
Originally due to launch in spring 2026, the trains have been held up by carriage repairs. Based on what we know so far, the wait will be worth it. The Red Star will debut first in February 2027, perfectly timed with the drift ice season along the Sea of Okhotsk. Its first route is a two-day round trip between JR Sapporo and Abashiri, before shifting from April through July to connect JR Kushiro and Shiretoko-Shari.
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Then comes the Blue Star, whose maiden voyage is scheduled for the summer of 2027. Running from June to September, this beautifully-designed new train will ferry travellers through the purple haze of Hokkaido’s famous lavender season, linking JR Asahikawa and Biei with JR Furano. The service returns in winter too, running between JR Abashiri and Shiretoko-Shari twice daily from January to March 2028.
Both trains are diesel-powered and designed by Eiji Mitooka – the industrial designer behind Kyushu’s famed Seven Stars luxury sleeper. The Red Star will even feature a tatami-mat tea room, where passengers can slip off their shoes and settle in for the ride.
Until then, Hokkaido’s railways are already a joy in themselves. In less than three hours from JR Sapporo you can reach the ski slopes of Niseko, or ride 90 minutes to the steaming onsens of Noboribetsu. The small harbour city of Otaru is a quick hop away for canal-side seafood, while Furano and Biei draw crowds of flower-chasers come June. For international travellers, the Hokkaido Rail Pass is a golden ticket – offering unlimited rides across the island for four, five or seven days.
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AloJapan.com