Em December 2024The report followed a complete journey of 8 hours and 13 minutes, leaving Tokyo Station at 6:32pm and arriving at Niseko Station at 14:25pmcombining the Japan’s fastest bullet train, the Shinkansen Hayabusa in Gran ClassThe Hokuto limited express train and a local train on the JR Hakodate Main Line. On the initial high-speed section, the Tohoku Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 1, series E5/H5, runs. 862,5 km between Tokyo and Shin Hakodate Hokuto, reaching 320 km/h and crossing the Seikan underwater tunnel, a strategic axis that connects Honshu to Hokkaido.
The complete experience, which adds up 44.420 yen in fares (approximately $283 or €274), includes 4 hours and 16 minutes on Japan’s fastest bullet train in Gran Class, 1 hour and 9 minutes Hokuto number 9 in Green class and 1 hour and 16 minutes Take a local train to Niseko, changing trains at Shin Hakodate Hokuto and Oshamambe. The route combines… Absolute first class at high speedsnowy landscapes, centennial stations and heavy rail infrastructure, in a route that shows in detail how the Tokyo-Hokkaido axis works for those who choose rail travel instead of flying.
Schedule, fares and composition of the complete journey to Niseko.
The trip in Japan’s fastest bullet train It formally begins at 6:32pm, at Tokyo Station, boarding on Tohoku Hokkaido Shinkansen Hayabusa 1, series E5/H5, destined for Shin Hakodate Hokuto.
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The service runs through Tokyo, Ueno, Omiya, Sendai, Morioka, Ninohe, Hachinohe, Shichinohe Towada, Shin Aomori, Okutsugaru Imabetsu and Kikonai, until reaching Shin Hakodate Hokuto between 10:48 and 10:53, according to the timetable and the reserved itinerary.
The official table indicates distance of 862,5 kilometers and travel time of 4 hours and 16 minutes for the Hayabusa 1.
The fares recorded in the database show three seating levels: 23.230 yen for a standard seat., 32.100 yen in Green class e 40.480 yen in Gran Class, chosen for this route.
The continuation is done in Hokuto Limited Express Number 9, between Shin Hakodate Hokuto and Oshamambe, with 94,4 km, tariff of 2.450 yen e 1 hour and 9 minutes of the route.
Then the JR Hakodate Main Line takes the passenger from Oshamambe to Niseko, in 67,3 kmBy 1.490 yenOn 1 hour and 16 minutes, completing the total of 8 hours and 13 minutes between Tokyo and Niseko.
Embark in Tokyo and learn about the historical context of the century-old station.
The journey on Japan’s fastest bullet train begins in the early morning, at 5:23pm, in front of the Marunouchi building at Tokyo Station, inaugurated in December 1914 and in your 110th anniversary.
The entrance used is the North Marunouchi exit, with a Byzantine-style dome. Meters 35.
Next, the passenger crosses to the Yaesu side, where the Tohoku and Hokkaido Shinkansen boarding area is located.
The ticket office opens at 5:30pmat the same time that the JR East automatic ticket vending machine starts operating.
The ticket for Japan’s fastest bullet train was booked online in advance.Simply scan the QR code on the machine, which issues tickets with a departure time of 6:32 AM and arrival at Shin Hakodate Hokuto shortly after 10:50 AM.
The terminal has convenience stores and service counters. ekiben, with about 200 types of lunchboxes Famous dishes from all over the country, including special Hokkaido options with crab and salmon roe.
Shinkansen Hayabusa Gran Class as the absolute first class
On the Shinkansen Hayabusa, Car number 10 is the Gran Class.equivalent to first class on an airplane or a compact hotel suite on rails.
The capacity is 18 passengers, distributed in a 2+1 configuration across six rows, with overhead lockers similar to those found in aircraft.
Seat 1A in car 10 was chosen for the leg of the journey on Japan’s fastest bullet train.
The technical data for the seat indicates width of 52 centimeters, 130 centimeter incline e 45-degree recline, with backrest, adjustable footrest, padded headrest and upholstery in Genuine leather developed by a Japanese company..
There is an individual reading light, cocktail tray, retractable table, coat hook, window curtain, and standard electrical outlets, although there are no USB ports.
The floor is covered in red wool carpet and the interior is described as having a luxurious feel, in line with the official concept of “Exclusive Dream: bringing special travel moments to you”.
In-flight services, drinks and meals at high speed.
Shortly after departing Tokyo Station at 6:32 AM, Gran Class passengers receive a welcome bag containing… 290 ml water bottle, Japanese-made wet wipes, Shiochoko salted chocolate, menu and service notes.
All hot, cold, and alcoholic beverages are included., with unlimited consumption during the trip on Japan’s fastest bullet train.
The menu offers Western option under the DEAN & DELUCA brand and Japanese option Supervised by chef Hiromitsu Nozaki.
On the recorded trip, the Western meal was chosen, with non-alcoholic sparkling wine Duc de Montagne, Hokkaido-style gratinéed pumpkin stew, cod risotto à la marca, pork ragu with wine, and chestnut soufflé cake, totaling 182 Kcal.
Later on, a heated ekiben crab rice and sukiyaki, a specialty of Kinosaki in Hyogo prefecture, accompanied by Mann’s Wine red wine from Yamanashi, also included in the Gran Class price.
Performance of Japan’s fastest bullet train and speed variations
A operational speed of the Shinkansen Hayabusa It varies by section. Between Ueno and Omiya, the limit is… 130 km/hBut after Omiya, the ceiling rises to 275 km/h.
Past Utsunomiya, the Japan’s fastest bullet train reaches its maximum level, of 320 km/h, with the speed app recording 314 km/h in one of the excerpts.
At another point, the measurement reached 316 km/h, reinforcing the stable operation at a level close to the line’s technical limit.
After Morioka, the maximum speed decreases to 260 km/h, and in some later segments the train circulates around 210 km/h.
On sections shared with conventional lines, high-speed trains do not exceed 140 km/h.
No Seikan underwater tunnel, the speed is limited to 160 km/hAnd, because it’s an underground structure, the GPS app can’t measure the movement.
This controlled speed variation is part of the safety and engineering design of the Tokyo-Hokkaido axis.
Seikan Tunnel and crossing between Honshu and Hokkaido
O Seikan Tunnel This is one of the most important technical aspects of the trip.
With 53,85 kilometers long and axis approximately 240 meters below sea levelIt connects the Aomori region, in the far north of Honshu, to the island of Hokkaido.
Entry is scheduled for 10:11pm, with departure from the Hokkaido side scheduled for 10:33pm, with a crossing time of approximately 22 minutes.
Inside the tunnel, the view through the window is one of continuous darkness, with no direct perception of traveling under the sea.
From the passenger’s point of view, the crossing is monotonous and uneventful.While the operation combines shared infrastructure with conventional lines, a speed limit of 160 km/h, and specific safety systems for the submarine environment, it also features other features.
Finally, confirmation that the train has arrived in Hokkaido appears both on the onboard panels and on the map consulted in apps.
Along its route, Japan’s fastest bullet train makes scheduled stops at large and medium-sized stations, such as Sendai, Morioka, Hachinohe and Shin Aomorias well as smaller locations in Aomori Prefecture.
At one point, the Shinkansen came to a standstill unexpectedly, and it was later announced that this was due to… sudden illness on boardThis caused a slight delay, but it did not compromise the rest of the trip.
The Hayabusa offers Free Wi-Fi For all passengers, including in Gran Class, allowing them to track their route on map and speed apps, except in long tunnels.
The experience is complemented by sights such as the sunrise seen from the first train of the day, urban areas of the Tokyo region and, further north, patches of snow in Aomori prefecture, which leads the ranking of annual snowfall in Japan with 567 centimeters, according to the report.
Train separation in Morioka and operational organization of the train composition.
The Shinkansen Hayabusa runs coupled to Red Shinkansen Komachiforming a train of 17 wagons.
At Morioka Station in Iwate Prefecture, the trains split: the Komachi, with seven cars numbered 11 to 17, continues to Akita, while the Hayabusa continues to Hokkaido.
A Gran Class in car number 10, in front of the Hayabusa.This offers an advantage upon arrival at the separation point, guaranteeing a better position on the platform.
After uncoupling, the Komachi departs first, followed a few minutes later by Japan’s fastest bullet train.
The process is described as lightweight and precise, with the connecting piece between the two trains impressing with its robustness and ease of decoupling.
Arrival at Shin Hakodate Hokuto and a glimpse of the other classes.
Upon approaching Shin Hakodate Hokuto Station, the report notes the good performance of… Gran Class seatswhich allow you to complete the 4 hours and 16 minutes a stretch at high speed without significant fatigue.
Finally, it is possible to observe the configuration of Green 9 carequivalent to business class, with a table behind some seats, and of Standard cars from 1 to 8, which offer the traditional, affordable Shinkansen experience.
The passage through Shin Hakodate Hokuto marks the end of the leg on Japan’s fastest bullet train and the beginning of the leg on conventional speed lines.
Nevertheless, the terminal functions as a hub for connecting to other regions of Hokkaido, including via… Hokuto Limited Express, chosen for the next stage to Oshamambe.
Limited Hokuto Express, Green comfort and Hokkaido landscapes.
O Hokuto number 9, limited express train that originally went into operation in November 1965, it makes the section between Hakodate and Sapporo.
The segment used during this trip is Shin Hakodate Hokuto to Oshamambe with 94,4 km, tariff of 2.450 yen e 1 hour and 9 minutes train travel time. Car 1 offers Green seatsClean, with headrest, footrest, ticket holder, back seat pocket and dedicated computer power outlet.
There are overhead luggage racks, retractable tables, and restrooms that, according to the report, appear older compared to those on the Shinkansen, lacking washlets but featuring a functional handwashing area.
There are no vending machines.It’s just a multi-purpose room, and the feeling for the passenger is that the train vibrates more than the Hayabusa, highlighting the difference between high-speed lines and conventional sections of Hokkaido.
The landscape includes views of Lake Onuma and the Uchiura Bay, with open sea and stretches already covered in snow at the beginning of December.
Oshamambe, connecting interval and centennial station
The limited Hokuto express train arrives at Oshamambe at 12:14 PM, after 5 hours and 42 minutes since leaving Tokyo.
The connection to the next local train is… 1 hour and 15 minutes, which allows one to observe the station and its surroundings.
A Oshamambe Station was inaugurated in November 1903., therefore celebrating 120 years operating hours at the time of the trip.
The terminal has a ticket office, waiting chairs, a tourist information center, a small shop, vending machines, and a mailbox.
The local map highlights specialties such as hairy crab and crab riceIn addition to thermal spas, cultural facilities, sanctuaries, and recreational areas accessible on foot.
There is also information that the Hokkaido Shinkansen Oshamambe Station is scheduled to open in 2030.This should alter the logic of connections in the region.
While waiting, the passenger observes passing freight trains and the low number of daily services to Niseko, with only… four trains a day on that route.
Local train from JR Hakodate Main Line to Niseko
At 13:10pmThe local train that will run the Oshamambe Niseko route arrives at the platform. The train is made of… just one carriageHowever, it does have a multi-purpose bathroom, varied seating options, and minimal luggage storage.
The match takes place at 13:29pm, towards a route of 67,3 km e 1 hour and 16 minutes all the way to Niseko, still within the same journey that began on Japan’s fastest bullet train.
During the journey, the landscape is dominated by winter snow, rivers, small resorts that are sometimes almost indistinguishable from the landscape due to snow accumulation, and rural areas of Hokkaido.
The journey highlights the transition from Gran Class’s high-speed, premium service to a simple regional operation, but one sufficient to complete the connection to the final destination.
At 14:25pm, the train arrives at Niseko Station, completing 8 hours and 13 minutes since leaving Tokyo.
Arrival in Niseko and final connection to the hotel in Hokkaido.
Upon arrival at Niseko Station, the long train journey comes to an end, but there is still a short road trip to the hotel.
The passenger takes a taxi to the Higashiyama Niseko Village, the Ritz Carlton Reserve, one of the high-end developments in the region, focused on skiing and snow tourism.
The combination of Japan’s fastest bullet train, limited express train, and local train. It shows, in sequence, three layers of the Japanese railway system in a single trip: high-speed engineering, conventional intercity network, and regional branch line.
In December 2024, with snow beginning to accumulate and centennial stations celebrating historic anniversaries, the Tokyo Niseko rail route solidifies itself as a complete logistical alternative for those who prioritize the experience of… A journey about simple displacement.
After learning about this 8-hour journey in Japan’s fastest bullet train To reach the snowy Hokkaido region, would you choose to travel the entire route by train, or would you still prefer to fly directly to the north of the country?
AloJapan.com