JR Hokkaido has announced the operation period and routes for its new tourist trains, ‘Red Star’ and ‘Blue Star’, set to start running in the spring of 2026.
The Red Star train will operate from late April to mid-July 2026 between Kushiro and Shiretoko-Shari stations, and from late January to early March 2027 between Sapporo and Abashiri stations. Additionally, from late July to early November 2026, it will operate as a chartered cruise train touring around Hokkaido.
The Blue Star train will operate from early June to mid-September 2026 between Asahikawa/Biei and Furano stations, and from late January to early March 2027 between Abashiri and Shiretoko-Shari stations.
Further details such as the story and onboard services will be announced around February 2025, with an overview of the fare structure, operation times, and sales methods to be revealed in the spring of the same year, followed by detailed onboard services in the fall.
Both trains will be refurbished versions of the KiHa 143 series (4-car formations). The design of the vehicles will be handled by Eiji Mitooka of Don Design Institute. The two formations will have different grades, with the Red Star offering a ‘Luxury Class’ and the Blue Star a ‘Premium Class’. The Red Star will have a capacity of about 100 passengers, featuring a variety of seating options including private compartments, semi-compartments, and box seats, in addition to lounges, a tea room, and observation areas. The Blue Star will have a capacity of around 200 passengers, with all seats facing large windows and including observation areas. Both trains will utilize a substantial amount of wood, including products from Hokkaido.
Eiji Mitooka, who has previously worked on numerous railway vehicles such as JR Kyushu’s ‘Seven Stars in Kyushu’, has hinted that the design for the Red and Blue Star trains will be his final project.
Notice
This article was generated using automatic translation by GPT-4 API. The translation may not be accurate.
