The is a

limited express A limited express is a type of express train service. It refers to an express service that stops at a limited number of stops in comparison to other express services on the same or similar routes. Japan The term "limited express" is a common ...

train service between and in

Hokkaido is Japan's second largest island and comprises the largest and northernmost prefecture, making up its own region. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaidō from Honshu; the two islands are connected by the undersea railway Seikan Tunnel. The la ...

, Japan, operated by

Hokkaido Railway Company The is one of the constituent companies of the Japan Railways Group (JR Group), and is often referred to using its official abbreviation of . It operates intercity and local rail services in Hokkaido, Japan. The company introduced Kitaca, a sm ...

(JR Hokkaido). There are six trains per day running in both directions, with the fastest journeys taking 3 hours 58 minutes.

History

The service commenced as the limited express on 1 October 1961, operating between

Hakodate is a city and port located in Oshima Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the capital city of Oshima Subprefecture. As of July 31, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 279,851 with 143,221 households, and a population density of 412.8 ...

and

Asahikawa is a city in Kamikawa Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. It is the capital of the subprefecture, and the second-largest city in Hokkaido, after Sapporo. It has been a core city since April 1, 2000. The city is currently well known for the Asahiy ...

using KiHa 80 series DMUs with one return working daily. The service was extended to run between Hakodate and

Kushiro is a city in Kushiro Subprefecture on the island of Hokkaido, Japan. It serves as the subprefecture's capital and it is the most populated city in the eastern part of the island. Geography Mountains * Mount Oakan * Mount Meakan * Mount Akan ...

from 1967. By 1973, there were three return workings daily. In October 1980, following the opening of

New Chitose Airport is an international airport located south-southeast of Chitose and Tomakomai, Hokkaidō, Japan, serving the Sapporo metropolitan area. By both traffic and land area, it is the largest airport in Hokkaidō. It is adjacent to Chitose Air Base ...

, services were reorganized, with just one return working daily between Sapporo and Kushiro. From October 1981, the train was rerouted via the

Sekishō Line The is a railway line in Japan operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). The main Sekishō Line connects in Chitose and Shintoku Station in the town of Shintoku. The name of the line comes from the subprefectures along the route, na ...

, reducing journey times by approximately one hour. From 22 March 1997, four ''Ōzora'' services were upgraded to become following the introduction of new KiHa 283 series tilting DMUs. The remaining ''Ōzora'' services using KiHa 183 series DMUs were phased out by 2001. KiHa 261 Series DMUs were introduced on 14 March 2020, and the service has since been returned to simply ''Ōzora''.

Stops

Trains stop at the following stations: - - - () - () - () - - - () - () - - - () - () - Stations in brackets () are stations where only some trains stop at.

Rolling stock

The ''Ōzora'' is operated by 6-car

KiHa 283 series The is a tilting diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) on limited express services in Hokkaido, Japan, since 1997. They were based on the KiHa 281 series trains introduced in 1994. Operations ...

and

KiHa 261 series The is a tilting diesel multiple unit (DMU) train type operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) on limited express services in Hokkaido, Japan, since 2000. Design The running gear was based on the KiHa 201 series trains introduced ...

DMUs A diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple-unit train powered by on-board diesel engines. A DMU requires no separate locomotive, as the engines are incorporated into one or more of the carriages. Diesel-powered single-unit railcars are also ...

, with car 1 at the Kushiro (eastern) end. All cars are no-smoking. For departures using

, cars 1, 2 and 4 to 6 are ordinary-class cars with 2+2 seating, and car 3 is a “Green” car with 2+1 seating. For departures using

, car 1 is a “Green” car with 2+1 seating, and cars 2 to 6 are ordinary-class cars with 2+2 seating.

Former rolling stock

* KiHa 80 series DMUs * KiHa 183 series DMUs (1980–2001) File:JNR Hokkaido kiha80 ozora.jpg, KiHa 80 series DMU on an ''Ōzora'' service in 1986 File:Kiha183 oozora sapporo.jpg, KiHa 183 series DMU on an ''Ōzora'' service at Sapporo Station in 1986 File:JNR-Kiha183-104.jpg, KiHa 183 series DMU on an ''Ōzora'' service in 1984 File:JR Hokkaido kiha183series N Ozora.jpg, KiHa 183 series DMU on an ''Ōzora'' service in 1992

2011 derailment and fire

On 27 May 2011, the ''Super Ōzora'' 14 service from Kushiro to Sapporo was brought to an emergency stop inside the 685 metre-long No. 1 Niniu Tunnel in

Shimukappu, Hokkaidō is a village located in Kamikawa Subprefecture, Hokkaido, Japan. As of September 2016, the village has an estimated population of 1,251 and a density of 2.2 persons per km². The total area is 571.31 km². Tomamu Tomamu in the eastern p ...

, at around 21:55 after car number 2 of the 6-car formation became derailed. The train caught fire, and all of the 245 people on board, including train staff eventually evacuated the train. 39 were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burn injuries. The burnt-out train was removed from the tunnel on 29 May 2011.

References

External links

JR Hokkaido official website

JR Hokkaido official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Super Ozora Named passenger trains of Japan Railway services introduced in 1961