Sōya (train)
Japanese limited express train service
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sōya (宗谷) is a limited express train service between Sapporo and Wakkanai in Hokkaido, which is operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). It was named Super Sōya (スーパー宗谷) between 2000 and 2017.
KiHa 261 series DMU on a Sōya service, September 2021 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Service type | Limited express |
| Status | Operational |
| Locale | Hokkaido |
| First service | 11 March 2000 |
| Current operator | JR Hokkaido |
| Route | |
| Termini | Sapporo Wakkanai |
| Stops | 17 |
| Distance travelled | 396.2 km (246.2 mi) |
| Average journey time | 5 hours 10 minutes |
| Service frequency | One return service daily |
| Lines used | Hakodate Main Line, Sōya Main Line |
| On-board services | |
| Class | Standard + Green |
| Disabled access | Yes |
| Sleeping arrangements | None |
| Catering facilities | None |
| Observation facilities | None |
| Entertainment facilities | None |
| Other facilities | Toilets |
| Technical | |
| Rolling stock | KiHa 261 series DMUs |
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
| Electrification | None |
| Operating speed | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
| Track owner | JR Hokkaido |
Service pattern
There is only one single daily return working per direction, with an average journey time between Sapporo and Wakkanai lasting approximately 5 hours 10 minutes. Trains operate at a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour (75 mph).[1]
The train operates over the same route as the Sarobetsu, which operates between Asahikawa and Wakkanai.[2]
Station stops
The service calls at the following stations:
Sapporo – Iwamizawa – (Bibai) – (Sunagawa) – Takikawa – Fukagawa – Asahikawa – Wassamu – Shibetsu – Nayoro – Bifuka – Otoineppu – Teshio-Nakagawa – Horonobe – Toyotomi – Minami-Wakkanai – Wakkanai
The stations in the () are only served by the northbound service.
Rolling stock
Services are normally formed of 4-car KiHa 261 series DMUs, which were introduced from the start of services on 11 March 2000, with car 1 at the Wakkanai end. Car 1 consists of both ordinary-class seats and the Green Car, while the other cars are ordinary-class cars. All cars are no-smoking.[3][4] These are lengthened to 6 cars during busy seasons.
Future plans
On 19 November 2025, JR Hokkaido announced that all non-reserved seating on Sōya services would be eliminated effective the next timetable revision, making all trains operate solely with reserved seating.[5]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class | Green car | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Non-reserved |
| Facilities | Toilets | Wheelchair-accessible toilet | |||
