The Hokkaido Shinkansen opened in 2016, linking Shin-Aomori on Honshu with Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto in Hokkaido via the Seikan Tunnel.
The extension to Sapporo is currently expected to open around March 2039. Until then, to travel from Tokyo to Sapporo, you can take the Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and transfer there to a limited express train.
Your Japan Rail Passcovers travel on the Hokkaido Shinkansen route, including Hayabusa services.
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Hokkaido Shinkansen route and map
Currently, two train services operate on the Hokkaido Shinkansen: Hayabusa and Hayate. These connect Japan’s main island of Honshu to Hokkaido. It offers you a convenient way to quickly travel north from either Tokyo or different cities in the Tohoku region.
Hayabusa Shinkansen
The Hayabusa is the main service running between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto.
It uses two connected Shinkansen lines: the Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori (on Honshu Island), then continues on the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto (on Hokkaido).
Hayabusa trains are operated jointly by JR East and JR Hokkaido. Seat reservation is required on this service.
Departing from Tokyo Station, Hayabusa services stop at the following main stations:
- Ōmiya
- Sendai
- Morioka
- Shin-Aomori
- Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto
Some Hayabusa services also stop at Ueno, Furukawa, Ichinoseki, Kitakami, Ninohe, Hachinohe, Shichinohe-Towada, Okutsugaru-Imabetsu, and Kikonai. The exact stops depend on the service, so check the timetable for your train before traveling.
The journey from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto takes approximately 4 hours.
Hayate Shinkansen
Hayate trains usually operate one daily return service between Morioka and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and one between Shin-Aomori and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. The Hokkaido-bound services run in the morning, with return services late in the evening.
Services between Shin-Aomori and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto stop at:
- Shin-Aomori
- Okutsugaru-Imabetsu
- Kikonai
- Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto
The service beginning or ending at Morioka also stops at Ninohe, Hachinohe, and Shichinohe-Towada.
All seats on Hayate trains are reserved, so you must reserve a seat before boarding. If the reserved seats are fully booked, a limited number of standing tickets may be available.
Once you arrive in Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, you can take the Hakodate Liner to Hakodate Station. This service runs 16 return journeys daily and takes between 15 and 22 minutes.
Stations along the Hokkaido Shinkansen
The Hokkaido line starts at Shin-Aomori, where it connects with the Tohoku Shinkansen line to Tokyo, and runs to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. It stops at the following stations:
- Shin-Aomori
- Okutsugaru-Imabetsu
- Kikonai
- Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto
The table below compares the stations served by Hayabusa and Hayate trains between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto.
| Station | Hayabusa | Hayate |
| Tokyo | Yes | No |
| Ueno | Some | No |
| Ōmiya | Yes | No |
| Sendai | Yes | No |
| Morioka | Yes | Some |
| Ninohe | Some | Some |
| Hachinohe | Some | Some |
| Shichinohe-Towada | Some | Some |
| Shin-Aomori | Yes | Yes |
| Okutsugaru-Imabetsu | Some | Yes |
| Kikonai | Some | Yes |
| Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto | Yes | Yes |
*“Some” means that only selected services stop at that station.
Hokkaido Shinkansen prices
If you’re traveling without a JR Pass or JR Regional Pass, you can buy individual Shinkansen tickets. The prices in this table are for one adult traveling one way in an ordinary reserved seat:
| Route and service | Fare |
| Tokyo → Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto via Hayabusa service | ¥24,200 |
| Shin-Aomori → Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto via Hayabusa or Hayate service | ¥8,050 |
| Morioka → Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto via Hayabusa or Hayate service | ¥13,880 |
| Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto → Sapporo via Limited Express Hokuto | ¥12,500 |
Hokkaido Shinkansen timetable
Hayabusa services run regularly from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto throughout the day. There are usually around 10 direct services per day, with additional trains operating on selected dates.
Hayate trains operate a few services per day between Shin-Aomori or Morioka and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. There are usually two morning services to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and two late-evening services in the opposite direction.
You can find the full Hokkaido Shinkansen schedule using Navitime’s travel planner.
Tokyo to Sapporo and Hokkaido
Traveling from Tokyo to Sapporo by train is easy and comfortable thanks to Japan’s high-speed rail network. The journey combines two Shinkansen lines and a limited express service.
In total, the trip takes roughly 7.5 to 8 hours, depending on your connection, and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
You’ll start by boarding a direct Hayabusa train from Tokyo Station. It runs on the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori, then continues on the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto without a transfer. The first part of the journey takes around 4 to 4.5 hours.
From Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, transfer to the Limited Express Hokuto, which takes you directly to Sapporo Station in about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
From Sapporo, you can easily get to New-Chitose Airport taking a Rapid Airport via the JR Chitose line, which is also included in the JR Pass.
Hokuto trains
The Hokuto is a limited express train service operated by JR Hokkaido between Sapporo and Hakodate. It stops at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, where passengers can connect with the Hokkaido Shinkansen. After arriving, you change to this service for the rest of the journey to Sapporo.
Gran Class cars
Hayabusa trains feature Gran Class cars – a type of first-class travel if you’re looking for extra comfort. Gran Class uses a special train car with ample seating room, and sometimes also includes a dedicated attendant and refreshments.
Trains generally have one Gran Class car, along with ordinary and Green Cars.
When using Gran Class with a Japan Rail Pass, only the basic fare is covered. Pass holders must pay the limited express charge and the Gran Class surcharge, which vary according to the journey.
JR Pass and JR Hokkaido Rail Passes
The full journey from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto is covered by the Japan Rail Pass, including an ordinary reserved seat on the Hayabusa. No additional charge is required for ordinary-class travel.
The JR East–South Hokkaido Rail Pass also covers ordinary reserved-seat travel between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, as well as JR services in the Hakodate, Sapporo, and Otaru areas.
For travel within Hokkaido, the Hokkaido Rail Pass and Hokkaido Free Pass cover the Limited Express Hokuto between Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and Sapporo. Ordinary-class limited express travel is included, although the Hokkaido Free Pass limits advance reserved-seat bookings to six uses.
Read more: JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass vs. JR Pass
Future plans for the Hokkaido Shinkansen
The Hokkaido Shinkansen is being extended from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Sapporo. It was originally planned to open by the end of fiscal year 2030, but the extension is now expected to open around March 2039, mostly due to construction difficulties in several tunnels.
The approximately 132-mile extension will be around 80% in tunnels, including major tunnels such as Oshima, Yotei, and Sasson. Once the extension opens, the estimated journey time from Tokyo to Sapporo will be approximately 4 hours and 55 minutes.