Hokutosei

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The Hokutosei (北斗星) is an overnight train service in Japan operated by Japan Railways. It runs twice a day between Ueno Station in Tokyo and Sapporo Station in the northern island of Hokkaidō. The one-way journey lasts approximately 16½ hours.

Going from Ueno to Sapporo, trains call at Omiya, Utsunomiya, Koriyama, Fukushima and Sendai. One train makes additional stops at Ichinoseki and Morioka. The first stop on Hokkaidō is at Hakodate, with arrival in Sapporo around five hours later.

The Hokutosei consists of type "A" and type "B" accommodations. A flat fee is charged for all rooms, regardless of starting or ending location. Currently, accommodation rates range from about ¥6,300 for a type "B" compartment or solo room to ¥27,000 for a type "A" Twin Deluxe room. Other fares, notably the basic fare and limited express fare, are based on distance.

Foreign tourists using the Japan Rail Pass do not pay the basic fare but will have to pay limited express and accomodation fare. Thus, the total runs to somewhat over 9.000¥ for the trip from Ueno to Sapporo. The overnight train Akebono from Ueno to Aomori can be taken without surcharge and includes a real bed (bunk bed, no sheets).

Overnight service between Ueno and Sapporo is also available on the more luxurious, and more expensive, Cassiopeia which runs three times a week.

[edit] Route

The Hokutosei runs on the following rail lines:

JR EAST

• JR Tohoku Main Line, Ueno - Morioka
• Iwate Ginga Railway Line, Morioka - Metoki
• Aoimori Railway, Metoki - Hachinohe
• JR Tohoku Main Line, Hachinohe - Aomori^

JR HOKKAIDO

• JR Tsugaru Kaikyo Line, Aomori - Hakodate^
• JR Hakodate Main Line, Hakodate - Oshamambe
• JR Muroran Main Line, Oshamambe - Numanohata
• JR Chitose Line, Numanohata - Shiroishi
• JR Hakodate Main Line, Shiroishi - Sapporo

^ train reversal point

The Tsugaru Kaikyo Line runs over the tracks of the JR Tsugaru Line, JR Kaikyo Line, JR Esashi Line and JR Hakodate Main Line.