On September 4, JR Hokkaido and Kitahiroshima City decided to name the new station currently under construction on the Chitose Line between Kitahiroshima and Uenohoro “F Village.” The station’s number will be H06-1. While the target opening date had been set for around summer 2028, officials stated that a new date will be announced at a later time.
F Village Station is located approximately 20 km from Sapporo Station, approximately 2 km from Kitahiroshima Station, and approximately 300 meters from “Escon Field HOKKAIDO” (1 F Village, Kitahiroshima City, Hokkaido), the home stadium of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters professional baseball team.
Until now, getting to the ballpark from the nearest station, Kitahiroshima Station, required either a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute ride on the shuttle bus. Once the new station opens, the ballpark’s third-base gate will be about 300 meters away—a 4-minute walk.
In July of this year, Kitahiroshima City solicited proposals for the station name via the “Ballpark Special Website.” The city stated that, while taking into account the suggestions submitted by residents, the name was selected based on “Hokkaido Ballpark F Village”—which is also the name of a city park in Kitahiroshima—with the hope that the station will be cherished by people of all ages and remain a source of pride for the citizens for many years to come.
Regarding the station layout at F Village Station, it will feature a side-by-side configuration with two platforms and four tracks (capable of accommodating six-car trains), and a three-story station building. The ticket gates will be located on the third floor, and a pedestrian deck with a large canopy will be constructed in front of the gates.
The design concept for the station building is “The Station of New Beginnings—A Station That Marks the Beginning of Hokkaido Ballpark F Village.” The exterior features a “main gate” that symbolizes the entrance to F Village, including Escon Field, and a “side gate” designed to welcome visitors.
The interior design features maple wood—native to Kitahiroshima—and red brick, which is also used at the stadium entrance. The total construction cost is estimated at approximately 9 billion yen (including the agreed-upon construction cost of approximately 8 billion yen, as well as the cost of installing new tracks within the Kitahiroshima Station premises, design fees, and land acquisition costs).
© Source travel watch