Sōya (train)

Sōya

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

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.

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

References

1. "平成26年3月ダイヤ改正について" (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). 北海道旅客鉄道. 20 December 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
2. JR Timetable, August 2008 issue
3. Haraguchi, Takayuki (2009). Encyclopedia of JR's Railway Cars: JR全車輌. Japan: Sekai Bunka. p. 115. ISBN   978-4-418-09905-4.
4. JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル[JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File]. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. 2008. ISBN   978-4-330-00608-6.
5. "北海道内の特急から「自由席」消滅へ 来年春から全車指定席に "不公平感"解消目指す" ["Unreserved seats" to be eliminated from Hokkaido express trains; all seats to be reserved from next spring, aiming to eliminate "unfairness"]. Traffic News (in Japanese). 19 November 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2025.

External links

• Super Sōya information on JR Hokkaido official website (in Japanese)