Okhotsk (train)
Express train service between Sapporo and Abashiri, Japan
title: "Okhotsk (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", "night-trains-of-japan", "railway-services-introduced-in-1959", "1959-establishments-in-japan"] description: "Express train service between Sapporo and Abashiri, Japan" topic_path: "geography/japan" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okhotsk_(train)" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Express train service between Sapporo and Abashiri, Japan ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox rail service"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Okhotsk |
| image | JRH Kiha283 Okhotsk-1.jpg |
| image_width | 300px |
| caption | KiHa 283 series DMU forming an Okhotsk service, February 2025 |
| type | Limited express |
| status | Operational |
| locale | Hokkaido, Japan |
| first | 22 September 1959 |
| operator | JR Hokkaido |
| formeroperator | JNR |
| start | |
| stops | 17 |
| end | |
| distance | 374.5 km |
| journeytime | 5 hours 30 minutes approx |
| frequency | 2 return workings daily |
| line_used | Hakodate Main Line, Sōya Main Line, Sekihoku Main Line |
| class | Standard |
| access | Yes |
| sleeping | None |
| observation | None |
| entertainment | None |
| catering | None |
| otherfacilities | Toilets |
| stock | KiHa 283 series DMU |
| gauge | |
| el | None |
| speed | 110 km/h |
| owners | JR Hokkaido |
| map | [[File:Okhotsk route map.svg |
| mapname | Route map |
| :: |
| name = Okhotsk | image = JRH Kiha283 Okhotsk-1.jpg | image_width = 300px | caption = KiHa 283 series DMU forming an Okhotsk service, February 2025 | type = Limited express | status = Operational | locale = Hokkaido, Japan | predecessor = | first = 22 September 1959 | last = | successor = | operator = JR Hokkaido | formeroperator= JNR | ridership = | start = | stops = 17 | end = | distance = 374.5 km | journeytime = 5 hours 30 minutes approx | frequency = 2 return workings daily | trainnumber = | line_used = Hakodate Main Line, Sōya Main Line, Sekihoku Main Line | class = Standard | access = Yes | seating = | sleeping = None | observation = None | entertainment = None | catering = None | otherfacilities = Toilets | stock = KiHa 283 series DMU | gauge = | el = None | speed = 110 km/h | owners = JR Hokkaido | routenumber = | map = [[File:Okhotsk route map.svg|240px]] | mapname = Route map | map_state =
The Okhotsk is a limited express train service in Japan operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), which runs between and . There are two services per day running in both directions, with the journey time taking approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. Trains operate at a maximum speed of 110 km/h (68 mph). It is named after the Sea of Okhotsk.
Stops
Trains stop at the following stations:
-
- () - () - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Stations in brackets () are stations where not all trains stop at.
- Okhotsk no. 2 does not stop at Sunagawa and Bibai.
Rolling stock
Okhotsk services are normally formed of 3-car KiHa 283 series diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains, with monoclass passenger accommodation.
Formations
KiHa 183 series
Okhotsk services were previously formed of 4-car KiHa 183 series diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains as shown below, with car 1 at the Sapporo and Abashiri end (train reverses at Engaru Station). These trains were replaced by KiHa 283 series DMUs from 18 March 2023.
All cars were non-smoking.
::data[format=table]
| Car No. | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2 |
| Non-reserved | Non-reserved |
| :: |
Past
- KiHa 22 DMUs (September 1959 – October 1961)
- KiHa 56 DMUs (October 1961 – October 1972)
- KiHa 80 DMUs (October 1972 – November 1986)
- KiHa 183 series DMUs (until March 2023)
File:JNR-Kiha22-69.jpg|Preserved KiHa 22 DMU car, May 2005 File:JNR Kiha80 Okhotsk.jpg|KiHa 80 series DMU on an Okhotsk service, 1986 File:JNR-Kiha183 Okhotsk.jpg|KiHa 183 series DMU in JNR livery, August 1985 File:JR Hokkaido kiha183-900 Okhotsk.jpg|KiHa 183 series 6-car DMU in revised livery, 1990 File:JR Hokkaido kiha183series kiha183-100 Okhotsk.jpg|KiHa 183 series 6-car DMU in revised livery, 1990 File:JR Hokkaido kiha183series N Okhotsk.jpg|KiHa 183 series 6-car DMU in revised livery, 1990 Kiha183-1500_Okhotsk.jpg|KiHa 183 series 4-car DMU in blue-and-white livery, September 2021
History
The Okhotsk service was first introduced by Japanese National Railways from the start of the revised timetable on 22 September 1959, as a semi-express service operating between and , using KiHa 22 2-car DMUs, with five return workings daily. From July 1960, services were extended to Sapporo, and ran coupled with Sōya semi express services over the Hakodate Main Line.
From the start of the revised timetable in October 1961, services were upgraded to "Express" status, and were operated using KiHa 56 4-car DMU formations, including a KiRo 26 Green (first class) car.
From the start of the revised timetable on 2 October 1972, services were upgraded to "Limited express" status, and were operated using KiHa 80 series DMU formations.
From the start of the revised timetable in November 1986, the KiHa 80 series rolling stock was replaced with KiHa 183 series 6-car DMUs.
Sleeper service
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/JRH-Suhanehu14-502.jpg" caption="14 series sleeping car in an ''Okhotsk'' formation at Sapporo station, March 2008"] ::
From 1992, the former Taisetsu express overnight sleeper service was integrated with the Okhotsk (becoming Okhotsk 9 & 10), featuring a SuHaNeFu 14-500 series sleeping car sandwiched in the DMU formation. From March 2006, this became a seasonal-only train (Okhotsk 81 & 82), and the overnight service was discontinued entirely from 16 March 2008.
Future plans
On 19 November 2025, JR Hokkaido announced that all non-reserved seating on Okhotsk services would be eliminated effective the next timetable revision, making all trains operate solely with reserved seating.
''SL Okhotsk''
JR Hokkaido operates seasonal SL Okhotsk services formed of 14 series passenger coaches hauled by a JNR Class C11 steam locomotive and assisted by a JNR Class DE15 diesel locomotive.
References
References
- (2008). "JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル". Kōtsū Shimbun.
- Teramoto, Mitsuteru. (July 2001). "国鉄・ＪＲ列車名大辞典". Chuoshoin Publishing Co., Ltd..
- (2023-03-18). "". link. Koyusha Co., Ltd.
- (1 April 2012). link. Hokkaido Railway Company
- (2022-07-25). "キハ283系が石北本線で試運転". Koyusha Co., Ltd..
- JR Timetable March 2012 issue, p.100/1003
- (August 1995). "列車名鑑1995". Railway Journal.
- (August 2000). "こだわりの新幹線＆特急列車ガイド". Ikaros Publishing.
- [http://www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/press/2008/080418-1.pdf Discontinuation of sleeping car service], 18 April 2008 (Japanese)
- (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".
- (July 2012). "JRグループ2012年SL・夏の臨時列車運転計画発表". Kōtsū Shimbun.
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