Bullet Train Line Opening From Tokyo to Hokkaido
Bullet Train Line Opening From Tokyo to Hokkaido
Published : 24-Feb-2016 08:04
A new bullet train line opening in Japan in a month's time will make it possible to travel overland (and sea) to the northern island of Hokkaido, and see the rugged beauty of northern Honshu and southern Hokkaido, rather than taking an internal flight, as most skiers heading to Niseko and other ski areas on the island have done up to now.
Travel times will be roughly comparable to the airport check in / flight / collect baggage / transfer process of the existing flight connection. Train travel will also be included in the Japan Rail Pass meaning visitors can plan travel to multiple resorts for a single inclusive price.
After the service opens on March 26th, skiers heading up from Tokyo will make a 4hr 10min bullet train journey to Shin Hakodate in southern Hokkaido from where it's a 2.5 hour JR train line to Niseko Village. Train changes may be required at Shin Aomori, Shin Hakodate and Oshamambe stations, and the estimated travel time from Tokyo – Hirafu is approximately 7.5 hours.
The link between the two islands, first considered over a century ago, is made via the existing 53.85 km (33.46 mile) long Seikan Tunnel, the deepest rail tunnel in the world at 100m below the sea bed and the second longest in the world after the recently opened Gottard Base tunnel in Switzerland.
Trains will travel at up to 260km per hour through the tunnel although most will have their speed restricted due to the danger of shockwaves from passing trains derailing freight trains, which are heavy users of the tunnel. Outside the tunnel trains will operate at 320 km/h (200 mph).
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