Kamui (train)
Train service in Japan
title: "Kamui (train)" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["hokkaido-railway-company", "named-passenger-trains-of-japan", "railway-services-introduced-in-1959", "railway-services-introduced-in-2007"] description: "Train service in Japan" topic_path: "geography/japan" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamui_(train)" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Train service in Japan ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox rail service"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Kamui |
| image | JR Hokkaido 789 series EMU 007.JPG |
| image_width | 300px |
| caption | A 789-1000 series EMU on a Super Kamui / Airport service in January 2009 |
| type | Limited express |
| locale | Hokkaido |
| first | 22 September 1959 (Kamui)1 October 2007 (Super Kamui)4 March 2017 (Kamui) |
| operator | JR Hokkaido |
| formeroperator | JNR |
| start | |
| end | |
| distance | 136.8 km |
| journeytime | 1 hour 20 minutes |
| frequency | Half-hourly |
| class | Standard class only |
| stock | 789-1000 series EMUs |
| gauge | |
| el | 20 kV AC overhead |
| speed | 130 km/h |
| :: |
| name = Kamui | image = JR Hokkaido 789 series EMU 007.JPG | image_width = 300px | caption = A 789-1000 series EMU on a Super Kamui / Airport service in January 2009 | type = Limited express | status = | locale = Hokkaido | predecessor = | first = 22 September 1959 (Kamui)1 October 2007 (Super Kamui)4 March 2017 (Kamui) | last = | successor = | operator = JR Hokkaido | formeroperator= JNR | ridership = | start = | stops = | end = | distance = 136.8 km | journeytime = 1 hour 20 minutes | frequency = Half-hourly | trainnumber = | class = Standard class only | access = | seating = | catering = | observation = | entertainment= | otherfacilities= | stock = 789-1000 series EMUs | gauge = | el = 20 kV AC overhead | speed = 130 km/h | owners = | routenumber = | map = | map_state =
The Kamui (named Super Kamui between 2007 and 2017) is a limited express train service operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) since 2007 on the Hakodate Main Line, connecting and in Hokkaido, Japan.
Service pattern
Services run every 30 minutes, with a journey time of 1 hour and 20 minutes for the 136.8 km between Sapporo and Asahikawa, giving an average start-to-stop speed of 102.6 km/h. Services departing from Asahikawa on the hour continue from Sapporo to as the airport's rapid service.
Services stop at the following stations.
Rolling stock
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c2/JR_hokkaido_789-1000_airport_super_kamui_minamichitose.jpg" caption="A 789-1000 series EMU on an ''Airport''/''Super Kamui'' service in May 2011"] ::
Services are formed of five-car 789-1000 series EMUs. All seats are non-reserved, except for car 4, which has upgraded "u-Seat" accommodation, including AC outlets for personal use.
File:JRhokkaido785 interior design02.JPG|785 series non-reserved seating, May 2008 File:JRHokkaidoSeries785-uSeat.JPG|785 series reserved "u-Seat" car, August 2007 File:JRHokkiado789 interior design.JPG|789-1000 series non-reserved seating, May 2008 File:New789 02.jpg|789-1000 series reserved "u-Seat" car, September 2007
Formations
The Kamui is operated by 5-car 789 series EMUs, formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Asahikawa end. No "Green cars" exist in all departures, and all cars are non-smoking.
Future plans
On 19 November 2025, JR Hokkaido announced that all non-reserved seating on Kamui services would be eliminated effective the next timetable revision, making all trains operate solely with reserved seating. ::data[format=table]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Accommodation | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Reserved (u-Seat) | Non-reserved | |||
| Toilet | Wheelchair space, toilet | Toilet | |||||
| :: |
History
''Kamui'' (1959–1988)
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/JNR_711_popura_saporo.jpg" caption="A JNR 711 series EMU in 1986"] ::
The original Kamui service started on 22 September 1959, as a "semi-express" service operating between Otaru and Asahikawa. From 1961, KiHa 56 express diesel multiple unit trains were introduced, and Kamui services were formally upgraded to "express" status from the start of the revised timetable on 5 March 1966. Following the electrification of the route, 711 series three-car EMUs were introduced on the Kamui 3 and 4 services from October 1968. From 1 October 1969, these were increased to six-car formations.
Typical 711 series EMU Kamui express formations were formed below as of 1 October 1969, with car 1 at the Asahikawa end.
::data[format=table]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Numbering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KuHa 711 | MoHa 711 | KuHa 711 | KuHa 711 | MoHa 711 | KuHa 711 | ||
| :: |
From 15 March 1972, Kamui services increased daily from seven to ten return workings.
Kamui services were discontinued on 13 March 1988, when they were integrated with Sorachi express services.
''Super Kamui'' (2007–2017)
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/JR_Hokkaido_785_series_EMU_007.JPG" caption="A 785 series EMU on a ''Super Kamui'' service in January 2009"] ::
The Super Kamui service commenced on 1 October 2007. Before this, two limited express trains, the Lilac and the Super White Arrow, ran on the same route between Sapporo and Asahikawa. These were integrated and remodeled into one service simultaneously, as the ageing 781 series EMUs previously used on Lilac services were withdrawn.
''Kamui'' (2017–present)
From the start of the revised timetable on 4 March 2017, Super Kamui services were renamed simply Kamui, and are complemented by newly-introduced Lilac limited express services on the same route, which use six-car 789-0 series EMUs.
Accidents
On 29 January 2010, the Super Kamui 24 service from Asahikawa to Sapporo was derailed after hitting a truck at a level crossing on the Hakodate Main Line between and . 23 passengers, the train driver, and the truck driver sustained minor injuries. The five-car 789-1000 series set involved, HL-1005, was removed from service due to damage and was officially withdrawn on 24 March 2011.
References
References
- Kōtsū Shimbun. (2008)
- {{cite magazine. Kekke. Yoshiyuki. Kōtsū Shimbun. (August 2013)
- JR Timetable, August 2011 issue, p. 1002
- JRR. (October 2011)
- (19 November 2025). "北海道内の特急から「自由席」消滅へ 来年春から全車指定席に “不公平感”解消目指す".
- Teramoto. Mitsuteru. Chuoshoin Publishing Co., Ltd.. (July 2001)
- {{cite magazine. Miyake. Toshihiko. Kōtsū Shimbun. (August 2012)
- Railway Journal. (August 1995)
- Haraguchi. Takayuki. Sekai Bunka. (2009)
- link. (16 December 2016). News release. Hokkaido Railway Company
- link. (29 January 2010). Mainichi jp. The Mainichi Newspapers
- JRR. (February 2012)
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