Traveling from Sapporo to Hakodate by train is one of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of Hokkaido. Instead of flying, I chose the JR Hokkaido Limited Express Hokuto, a comfortable express train that crosses the island in about three and a half hours.
This route combines relaxing train travel with beautiful scenery, making the journey just as enjoyable as the destination itself. If you’re planning to explore Hokkaido without renting a car, the Hokuto is one of the easiest and most scenic options.
In this guide, I’ll share what it’s like to ride the Limited Express Hokuto, including ticket prices, onboard facilities, seat comfort, and what you can expect during the trip.
- Traveling from Sapporo to Hakodate by Train
- Buying Tickets for the Limited Express Hokuto
- Discovering an Ekiben Vending Machine
- Inside the Limited Express Hokuto
- Which Side of the Train Has the Best View?
- A Comfortable Ride Across Hokkaido
- Enjoying an Ekiben on the Train
- Southern Hokkaido’s Beautiful Landscapes
- Arriving in Hakodate
- Is the Limited Express Hokuto Worth Taking?
Traveling from Sapporo to Hakodate by Train
The journey between Sapporo and Hakodate covers approximately 320 kilometers (199 miles) and takes around 3 hours and 30 minutes on the Limited Express Hokuto.
Unlike domestic flights, traveling by train allows you to experience Hokkaido’s changing landscapes throughout the trip. Forests, farmland, coastal scenery, and quiet rural towns pass by your window, making the ride part of the adventure.
For travelers who enjoy slow travel, this route is one of the highlights of JR Hokkaido.
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Unlimited travel on JR Hokkaido
Buying Tickets for the Limited Express Hokuto
I purchased my ticket online before arriving at Sapporo Station.
The fare for my reserved seat was ¥9,770.
I arrived at the station around 5:30 a.m., only to realize the ticket machines and ticket gates were not open yet. After a short wait, I printed my ticket using the QR code from my confirmation email.
If you’re taking one of the first trains of the day, it’s worth checking station opening times in advance.
Discovering an Ekiben Vending Machine
Before boarding, I found something I had never seen before—an ekiben vending machine.
Ekiben are Japanese railway lunch boxes sold at train stations across the country, and they’re considered an essential part of train travel in Japan.
Since it was still early in the morning, buying an ekiben for breakfast felt like the perfect way to start the trip. I chose a popular seafood bento filled with salmon roe, salmon, crab, and scallops.
Inside the Limited Express Hokuto
The Limited Express Hokuto has a modern yet elegant design.
Its exterior colors are inspired by Hokkaido’s lavender fields and yellow rapeseed flowers, giving the train a distinctive appearance.
All seats on the Hokuto are reserved, creating a quiet and relaxed atmosphere throughout the journey.
Although Green Car seats are available, I traveled in a standard reserved seat and found it more than comfortable enough.
The seat offered:
- Generous legroom
- Comfortable cushioning
- A large folding table suitable for a laptop
- Overhead luggage storage
One thing to note is that this train does not provide power outlets or USB charging ports at standard seats, so it’s a good idea to charge your devices before boarding.
Which Side of the Train Has the Best View?
Before booking my seat, I researched which side offered the best scenery.
The left side is generally recommended because the train follows the Pacific coast after Tomakomai, providing ocean views on clear days.
Unfortunately, thick fog covered the coastline during my trip, so I couldn’t see much of the sea.
That’s part of traveling, though—sometimes nature has different plans.
Even without the ocean views, the peaceful countryside and vast landscapes made the journey enjoyable.
A Comfortable Ride Across Hokkaido
One thing that surprised me was how quiet the train was.
Because I took the first departure of the morning, only a few passengers were in my carriage.
The Hokuto is powered by diesel rather than electricity, giving it a stronger vibration than many other Japanese trains. Instead of feeling uncomfortable, it added character to the ride and reminded me that this train is built to handle Hokkaido’s harsh winters.
The train reaches speeds of up to 120 km/h (75 mph).
Enjoying an Ekiben on the Train
No train trip in Japan feels complete without enjoying an ekiben.
While my seafood bento was smaller than expected, the quality of the ingredients was excellent. Fresh salmon, salmon roe, crab, and scallops made it a satisfying meal.
Eating breakfast while watching Hokkaido’s scenery pass by the window made the experience feel uniquely Japanese.
Sometimes, the scenery outside the window makes the food taste even better.
Southern Hokkaido’s Beautiful Landscapes
After leaving Sapporo, the train travels south toward Tomakomai before continuing along southern Hokkaido.
The route passes forests, open farmland, small towns, and sections of coastline.
Looking at a map during the journey also reminded me just how enormous Hokkaido is. The distance between Tokyo and Osaka can fit entirely within Hokkaido.
The train also passes through one of Japan’s most important kombu-producing regions. Much of the premium kelp used to make traditional Japanese dashi, especially in the Kansai region, comes from this area.
Arriving in Hakodate
As we approached Hakodate, the heavy fog finally began to clear.
Although the train slowed down because of the weather, it arrived only about ten minutes behind schedule.
After spending three and a half hours on board, I realized that this journey isn’t simply transportation between two cities—it’s part of the Hokkaido travel experience itself.
Is the Limited Express Hokuto Worth Taking?
Absolutely.
If you’re deciding between flying and taking the train from Sapporo to Hakodate, the Limited Express Hokuto offers a far more memorable experience.
Comfortable reserved seating, beautiful scenery, a peaceful atmosphere, and the simple pleasure of enjoying an ekiben while crossing Hokkaido all make this one of Japan’s most enjoyable railway journeys.
Whether you’re visiting Hokkaido for the first time or returning to explore more of the island, this train ride is well worth adding to your itinerary.
If you’d like to experience the entire journey, watch my travel vlog on YouTube and ride the Limited Express Hokuto with me from Sapporo to Hakodate.
＼ Traveling around Hokkaido? ／
Unlimited travel on JR Hokkaido