Hokkaido Railway Company, Rail transport company in Sapporo, Japan.
Hokkaido Railway Company runs passenger trains on Japan's northernmost main island, linking cities, smaller towns, and remote regions through different train services. The trains operate across several hundred kilometers and use both electric and diesel railcars depending on the line type.
The company was formed in 1987 when the state railway in Japan was divided into regional companies, each tasked with managing operations independently. Since then, it has maintained the network but closed or reduced service on thinly populated lines as ridership declined.
Local communities rely on these trains to reach smaller coastal towns and mountain villages, where travelers find fresh fish at markets or visit hot springs in remote areas. The carriages in winter often carry layers of snow on the windows, while commuters hold quiet conversations or doze.
A multi-day rail pass allows unlimited travel across the entire network and makes longer trips easier without buying separate tickets. Most stations offer heated waiting areas, covered platforms, and vending machines for snacks or drinks.
Snowplow trains run overnight or at dawn ahead of passenger services, clearing tracks in the mountains or along the coast to prevent delays. Some lines pass through such deep snowdrifts that only the overhead wires and carriage lights remain visible.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
