Sōya (train)
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 Super Sōya service, March 2006 | |
Overview | |
---|---|
Service type | Limited express |
Status | Operational |
Locale | Hokkaido |
First service | 11 March 2000 |
Current operator(s) | JR Hokkaido |
Route | |
Start | Sapporo |
Stops | 17 |
End | Wakkanai |
Distance travelled | 396.2 km (246.2 mi) |
Average journey time | 5 hours |
Service frequency | One return service daily |
Line(s) used | Hakodate Main Line, Sōya Main Line |
On-board services | |
Class(es) | Standard + Green |
Catering facilities | None |
Other facilities | Toilet |
Technical | |
Rolling stock | KiHa 261 series DMUs |
Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) |
Electrification | None |
Operating speed | 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph) |
Service pattern
There is only one 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 kilometres per hour (75 mph).[1]
The train operates over the same route as the Sarobetsu, which operates between Asahikawa and Wakkanai.[2]
Station stops
Sapporo - Iwamizawa - Takikawa - Fukagawa - Asahikawa - Wassamu - Shibetsu - Nayoro - Bifuka - Otoineppu - Teshio-Nakagawa - Horonobe - Toyotomi - Minami-Wakkanai - Wakkanai
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.
Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Class | Green car | Reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Non-reserved |
Facilities | Toilets | Wheelchair-accessible toilet |
References
- "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.
- JR Timetable, August 2008 issue
- Haraguchi, Takayuki (2009). Encyclopedia of JR's Railway Cars: JR全車輌. Japan: Sekai Bunka. p. 115. ISBN 978-4-418-09905-4.
- 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.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Super Sōya. |
- Super Sōya information on JR Hokkaido official website (in Japanese)