JR Hokkaido, which is currently preparing for the “Star Train Project,” a plan to revitalize the region through the operation of new tourist trains, has decided on the introduction dates and operating areas for two new trains: the “Red Star” and the “Blue Star.”
Debuting in February and June 2027
In response to the aging of existing tourist trains owned by JR Hokkaido, such as the “Steam Locomotive Winter Wetlands” and “Norokko,” the plan was launched in April 2024 to operate new tourist trains with revamped carriages, operation systems, and services. The project enlisted designer Eiji Mitooka of Dawn Design Institute, a company with extensive experience in vehicle design across the country, to create a luxurious tourist train offering high-quality service that can also be operated as a cruise train. The project aims to revitalize Hokkaido by deepening ties with the local community.
The original plan was to introduce four-car “Red Star” and four-car “Blue Star” trains from modified Kiha 143 diesel railcars between spring and summer 2026. However, the actual carriages, which are over 40 years old, showed more corrosion and distortion than expected, and repairs were found to require additional time. According to the newly announced schedule, the Red Star trains will begin operating in February 2027, starting on the Hakodate Main Line and Sekihoku Main Line between Sapporo and Abashiri. Meanwhile, the Blue Star trains will begin operating on the Furano Line between Asahikawa, Biei, and Furano in June 2027, roughly a year later than originally planned.
The Norokko trains will be “extended” for one season
The train design is being considered to embody the company’s vision of “providing unforgettable rail journeys.” Both trains will retain the exterior design of the base cars while incorporating star-shaped emblems and markings to create a luxurious feel. The luxury-class Red Star trains, inspired by the “red star” symbol of the Hokkaido Development Commission, will feature lavish wood interiors and include two-person private rooms with tatami floors, as well as a salon, lounge, and semi-compartment. Starting in late April 2027, the Red Star train will operate between Kushiro Station and Shiretoko-Shari on the Semmo Main Line, offering views of the majestic Kushiro Wetlands. Starting in late July, it will operate as a chartered train organized by travel agencies, offering cruises around Hokkaido.
Inspired by the lavender blooms and Blue Pond along the Furano Line, the Blue Star train will feature premium-class interiors with wooden seats and four-person box seats, and each car will also feature an observation room with large windows from which to enjoy the scenery. Starting in January 2028, the train will run between Abashiri Station and Shiretoko-Shari Station on the Semmo Main Line during the winter season, offering up-close views of the drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk. The Kushiro Marsh Norokko and Furano-Biei Norokko trains, which were scheduled to retire after their 2025 service, have been forced to continue operating only through 2026 due to delays in the introduction of new tourist trains.
