Tokyu Corporation and JR Hokkaido will operate “THE ROYAL EXPRESS – HOKKAIDO CRUISE TRAIN” from August to September. Applications will be accepted until March 22, and sales will be by lottery.
This cruise train will use “THE ROYAL EXPRESS”, which normally operates from its base in the Kanto and Tokai areas, to travel around Hokkaido from and to Sapporo. As in previous years, the “HOKKAIDO CRUISE TRAIN” and “HOKKAIDO Japan’s Northernmost Journey” will be operated for 3 nights and 4 days each, and the “HOKKAIDO ~NORTHERN COASTLINE~” will newly operate for 4 nights and 5 days. The maximum number of applicants for each tour is 14 groups of 18 people.
The “HOKKAIDO CRUISE TRAIN” will depart on August 21, 28, and September 4 for a total of three dates. The basic fare per person based on double occupancy starts at 980,000 yen.
HOKKAIDO Japan’s Northernmost Journey” will depart on September 11, 18, and 25. The tour will travel north on the Soya Main Line while appreciating the scenery, and in the Wakkanai area, enjoy sightseeing at Cape Soya and octopus shabu-shabu. Prices start at 960,000 yen per person.
HOKKAIDO ~NORTHERN COASTLINE~ will depart on August 6 and 13, with two departures on days 1 and 3, heading to southern Hokkaido, including an Onuma cruise and a special charter ride on the Donan Isaribi Railway. On the evening of the third day, the group will stay overnight in Jozankei Onsen, and on the fourth and fifth days, they will go sightseeing in Furano and Biei. Prices start from 1,160,000 yen per person.
The company also announced that the current fleet of trains that has been operating in Hokkaido since 2020 will end in 2026, and that from 2027 onward, the “Akai Hoshi” sightseeing trains to be newly introduced by JR Hokkaido will be used, with Tokyu’s cruise brand “THE ROYAL EXPRESS” taking over the service. The company also announced that it will terminate its cruise service as long as it is operated by Tokyu Corporation.
© Source travel watch