Hokkaido experienced its most severe late-summer rainfall in over a decade during the final week of August 2026. The downpours caused significant embankment damage and trackbed erosion along the JR Hokkaido main line - the rail artery connecting Hakodate to Sapporo across the length of the island.
JR Hokkaido suspended full-line services on 29 August, initially with no confirmed resumption date. Emergency bus replacements covered sections of the route, but the overland journey stretched to roughly four and a half hours with no guaranteed connections - a significant inconvenience for anyone mid-itinerary in Hokkaido.
Full Service Restored on 10 September
JR Hokkaido completed emergency track repairs ahead of the projected schedule. All limited express and local train services between Hakodate and Sapporo resumed along the entire route on 10 September 2026.
Normal timetables are back in effect. There are currently no speed restrictions on the repaired sections, and both the Hokuto and Suzuran limited express services are running to their standard schedules.
What the Route Covers
The Hakodate–Sapporo corridor is the main trunk rail line for visitors exploring Hokkaido’s interior. Stops along the route include:
- Hakodate - the historic port city and the gateway from Honshu via the Seikan Tunnel
- Oshamanbe - access point for the Hokkaido mountains
- Toya - the stop for Lake Toya and the Noboribetsu onsen town
- Tomakomai - junction for the Shiraoi Ainu Museum area
- Sapporo - Hokkaido’s capital, main transport hub, and largest city
The restored link is particularly relevant if you are travelling with a JR Hokkaido Rail Pass or a nationwide Japan Rail Pass. Both cover this route in full.
Advice for Visitors Travelling Now
JR Hokkaido recommends checking the latest timetable on its website or the JR Hokkaido app before travelling, as some minor schedule adjustments may remain in effect during the first weeks after restoration while crew and rolling stock rostering normalises.
If you are travelling the full Hakodate–Sapporo corridor in a single day, the Hokuto limited express covers the journey in roughly 3 hours 30 minutes - the same as before the disruption. Book reserved seats in advance during peak autumn foliage weekends (mid-October through early November), when the corridor fills quickly.
Our Hakodate guide covers what to see at the southern end of the line - the morning market, Goryōkaku Fort, and the ropeway viewpoint. The Sapporo guide has details on Hokkaido’s capital, including the Odori Park area and the city’s remarkable food scene. For tours and activities in Sapporo and Hokkaido, browse GetYourGuide experiences in Sapporo.