The Ultimate Guide to Sightseeing & Joyful Trains in Hokkaido (Complete 2026 List)
Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, is a land of untamed wilderness, rolling flower fields, and dramatic winter landscapes. While renting a car is a popular way to explore, there is no travel experience quite as romantic, relaxing, and culturally enriching as riding one of JR Hokkaido’s "Joyful Trains" (観光列車 - kanko ressha).
TIPS AND SECRETSJR REGIONAL PASSHOKKAIDOJR PASS 7 DAYSHIDDEN GEMSJR PASS 14 DAYSSIGHTSEEING & JOYFUL TRAINS
Josh K
6/13/20266 min read
These sightseeing trains are not about getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible. Instead, they celebrate the journey. With oversized windows, slow travel speeds through scenic spots, unique onboard themes, and even wood-burning stoves, Joyful Trains transform transit into the main event.
If you are planning a trip to Hokkaido, integrating these special trains into your itinerary is a must. Here is the complete list of JR Hokkaido’s sightseeing and Joyful Trains, along with everything you need to know about riding them using the Japan Rail Pass and JR Hokkaido Regional Passes.
1. Furano Biei Norokko Train (Summer)
Route: Asahikawa / Biei ↔ Furano (Furano Line)
Season: June to August (and select weekends in September)
"Norokko" is a portmanteau of noronoro (meaning slowly) and torokko (trolley). Operating during Hokkaido’s famous summer flower season, this charming, open-air, tractor-style trolley train chugs leisurely through the lavender fields and rolling hills of the Biei and Furano regions.
The wooden bench seating and massive open windows allow the sweet scent of lavender to drift right through the train cars. The train even makes a special stop at the seasonal "Lavender Farm Station," which is a mere three-minute walk to the iconic Farm Tomita.
Pass Compatibility:
Japan Rail Pass: Fully covered.
Hokkaido Rail Pass: Fully covered.
Sapporo-Furano Area Pass (4-Day): Fully covered.
Tip: Both reserved and unreserved seating are available. It is highly recommended to book a reserved seat in advance at a JR ticket office, as this train gets incredibly crowded during peak lavender season in July.
2. Furano Lavender Express (Summer)
Route: Sapporo ↔ Furano (Hakodate Main Line & Nemuro Main Line)
Season: June to August
While technically a seasonal Limited Express rather than a slow-moving trolley, the Furano Lavender Express is an essential sightseeing service for summer travelers. Bypassing the need to transfer at Takikawa or Asahikawa, this train provides a direct, comfortable two-hour ride from Hokkaido’s capital directly into the heart of the flower fields.
Often operated by JR Hokkaido's multi-purpose 5000 series or 261 series trains, it features free Wi-Fi, comfortable reclining seating, and large windows to watch the transition from the urban sprawl of Sapporo to the vast agricultural plains of central Hokkaido.
Pass Compatibility:
Japan Rail Pass: Fully covered.
Hokkaido Rail Pass: Fully covered.
Sapporo-Furano Area Pass (4-Day): Fully covered.
Tip: As of March 2026, all limited express trains in Hokkaido feature all-reserved seating. You must use your pass to secure a free seat ticket before boarding.
Find out more details: The Ultimate Guide to the Furano Lavender Express: Sapporo to Furano Day Trip
3. Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train (Spring, Summer, Autumn)
Route: Kushiro ↔ Toro (Senmo Main Line)
Season: Late April to early October
Trading flower fields for vast, prehistoric marshes, the Kushiro Shitsugen Norokko Train takes passengers on a slow crawl through Japan’s largest wetland. The Kushiro Wetlands National Park is largely inaccessible by road, making this train one of the only ways to deeply explore the area.
With its dark green carriages perfectly matching the surrounding nature, the train slows down at prime viewing spots. Keep your camera ready to spot Ezo red foxes, Hokkaido Sika deer, and the magnificent, endangered Red-crowned Crane (Tancho) soaring across the marshland.
Pass Compatibility:
Japan Rail Pass: Fully covered.
Hokkaido Rail Pass: Fully covered.
Tip: Eastern Hokkaido is not covered by the Sapporo-Noboribetsu or Sapporo-Furano regional passes. You will need the full-island Hokkaido Rail Pass or the National JR Pass.
4. SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen Train (Winter)
Route: Kushiro ↔ Shibecha (Senmo Main Line)
Season: Late January to late February
If you visit Hokkaido in winter, the SL (Steam Locomotive) Fuyu-no-Shitsugen is the undisputed crown jewel of winter rail travel. Pulled by a majestic C11 171 steam locomotive, this train blasts thick plumes of white smoke into the icy winter sky as it chugs through the snow-blanketed Kushiro Wetlands.
Inside the vintage passenger cars, the atmosphere is incredibly nostalgic. The train cars are heated by traditional Daruma (potbelly) coal stoves. A beloved tradition among passengers is purchasing surume (dried squid) from the onboard trolley cart and roasting it directly on top of the glowing hot stoves while sipping local sake.
Pass Compatibility:
Japan Rail Pass: Base fare is covered. A reserved seat ticket is mandatory. (For JR Pass holders, the seat reservation fee is covered, but you must book the ticket at a JR counter in advance).
Hokkaido Rail Pass: Fully covered, including the mandatory seat reservation.
Tip: This train is entirely all-reserved seating and sells out extremely quickly. Book your seat exactly one month in advance when ticket sales open.
5. Ryuhyo Monogatari Train (Winter)
Route: Abashiri ↔ Shiretoko-Shari (Senmo Main Line)
Season: Late January to late February
"Ryuhyo" translates to drift ice, and "Monogatari" means tale or story. Operating along the frigid northeastern coast of Hokkaido, this specially wrapped diesel train gives passengers front-row seats to the mesmerizing drift ice floating across the Sea of Okhotsk from Russia.
The train makes extended stops along the route. At Kitahama Station—famous for being the closest train station in Japan to the drift ice sea—passengers have time to climb the observation tower for panoramic views of the frozen ocean. At Mokoto Station, you can step out and enjoy the historic, photogenic wooden station building.
Pass Compatibility:
Japan Rail Pass: Fully covered.
Hokkaido Rail Pass: Fully covered.
Tip: The Ryuhyo Monogatari operates with a mix of seating depending on the year, but often has standard unreserved seats. Get to the station early to secure a sea-facing bench!
6. The Future of Hokkaido Joyful Trains: "Red Star" and "Blue Star" (New for 2026)
Looking forward into the 2026 rail calendar, JR Hokkaido is introducing a completely new tier of luxury to the island's rail network with the highly anticipated DMU luxury trains: the Red Star (Akai Hoshi) and Blue Star (Aoi Hoshi).
Designed by legendary industrial designer Eiji Mitooka (the mastermind behind the famed Seven Stars in Kyushu), these trains represent the highest echelon of railway luxury. The Red Star will serve as a multi-day luxury cruise train featuring sleeping cabins, lounge areas, and fine dining, while the Blue Star will operate as a premium day-trip sightseeing train.
Pass Compatibility:
Because these are premium luxury cruise trains, they are not covered by the standard Japan Rail Pass or Hokkaido Rail Pass. Fares and touring packages for the Red Star and Blue Star must be booked separately through dedicated tour agencies or JR Hokkaido’s premium sales channels.
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Pass Strategies and Booking Tips for Sightseeing Trains
If you plan to ride multiple Joyful Trains across Hokkaido, understanding your rail pass options is crucial for saving money and ensuring you get a seat.
1. The National Japan Rail Pass
The nationwide JR Pass covers all JR Hokkaido base fares, standard limited express trains, and all standard Joyful Trains listed above. This is the best option if you are arriving via the Hokkaido Shinkansen from Tokyo or Tohoku, and continuing your journey around the island.
2. The JR Hokkaido Rail Pass
If you are flying directly into New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) and restricting your travel exclusively to Hokkaido, the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass (available in 5-day, 7-day, and 10-day variations) is more cost-effective than the national pass. It provides the exact same coverage for the Joyful Trains.
3. Regional Area Passes
If you are only doing a short trip to Sapporo and the flower fields of Furano, buy the Sapporo-Furano Area Pass (4-Day). It perfectly covers the Furano Lavender Express and the Furano Biei Norokko train. However, do not buy this if you plan to see the Kushiro wetlands or drift ice, as it does not cover Eastern Hokkaido.
Essential Booking Advice
Reserve Early: Sightseeing trains, particularly the SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen and the Norokko window seats, are major tourist magnets. You can use your rail pass to book seats for free at any major JR Ticket Office (Midori-no-Madoguchi) or via the official JR East/JR Hokkaido online reservation system up to one month before your travel date.
All-Reserved Systems: Be aware that standard limited express trains in Hokkaido shifted to all-reserved seating in early 2026. While some local Joyful Trains have unreserved cars, relying on them during peak season means you might have to stand.
Whether you are enjoying a warm summer breeze rolling off the lavender fields of Biei, or huddling around a coal stove while a steam whistle echoes over a frozen wetland, Hokkaido’s Joyful Trains offer a sense of romance that modern bullet trains simply cannot match. Grab your pass, reserve your seats early, and get ready for the rail journey of a lifetime at the top of Japan!
Also check these guides:
6-Day Hokkaido Itinerary Using the JR Regional Pass: Explore Hokkaido by Train
Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Sapporo – Top 3 Picks for 2026