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Chitose Line
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| Chitose Line | |||
|---|---|---|---|
A 721 series EMU on an Airport rapid service at Minami-Chitose Station | |||
| Overview | |||
| Native name | 千歳線 | ||
| Owner | |||
| Locale | Hokkaido | ||
| Termini | |||
| Stations | 15 | ||
| Service | |||
| Type | Airport rail link Commuter rail | ||
| History | |||
| Opened | 21 August 1926 | ||
| Technical | |||
| Line length | 56.6 km (35.2 mi) | ||
| Number of tracks | Double (except Airport branch which is single) | ||
| Track gauge | 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) | ||
| Electrification | AC 20 kV 50 Hz with overhead catenary | ||
| |||
The Chitose Line (千歳線, Chitose-sen) is a railway line in Hokkaido operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), connecting Numanohata, Tomakomai and Shiroishi Station in Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo, linking the Muroran Main Line and Hakodate Main Line. There also is a branch line to New Chitose Airport.
Service outline
[edit]The line forms part of the trunk route between Sapporo and Southern Hokkaido. As such, Hokuto limited express trains run between Sapporo and Hakodate once every 1 to 2 hours, as well as the Suzuran limited express between Sapporo and Muroran.[1]
The section between Sapporo and Minami-Chitose is also a part of the trunk route between Sapporo and eastern Hokkaido. The Ōzora and Tokachi limited express services to Obihiro and Kushiro run through.[1]
The rapid trains Special Rapid Airport and Rapid Airport previously ran approximately once every 12 minutes, functioning as the airport rail link between New Chitose Airport Station and Sapporo or Otaru. Since the Chitose Line goes through the most urbanized area in Hokkaido, there are roughly 3 to 4 local train services per hour.
On 16 March 2024, a new rapid service named "Semi-Rapid Airport" plying between Sapporo and New Chitose Airport Station was introduced, operating only during the daytime at two trains per hour. This train stops at Sapporo, Shin-Sapporo and all stations between Kita-Hiroshima and New Chitose Airport. Since then, no local services operate between Kita-Hiroshima and Chitose during the daytime, and the daytime service frequency of other rapid trains was adjusted to one per hour for Special Rapid Airport trains and three per hour for Rapid Airport trains. Local services are operated at two trains per hour between Sapporo and Kita-Hiroshima and one train per hour between Chitose and Tomakomai during the daytime.[2]
Former services
[edit]There were sleeper trains between Honshu and Hokkaido, such as the Hokutosei, Cassiopeia, Twilight Express, and Hamanasu.
Station list
[edit]Source:[3]
- SRA: Special Rapid Airport
- RA: Rapid Airport
- SmRA: Semi-Rapid Airport
- L: Local
- All rapid trains stop at stations signed "+", some at "◌", and all skip stations marked "-".[4] Local trains stop at most stations but some skip stations signed "◌".
| No. | Station name | Japanese | Distance (km) | SRA | RA | SmRA | L | Transfers | Location (all in Hokkaido) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomakomai to Numanohata: officially Muroran Main Line | |||||||||
| H18 | Tomakomai | 苫小牧 | -8.8 | + |
|
Tomakomai | |||
| Chitose Line (Main Line) | |||||||||
| H17 | Numanohata | 沼ノ端 | 0.0 | + | ■ Muroran Main Line (for Oiwake) | Tomakomai | |||
| H16 | Uenae | 植苗 | 6.4 | ◌ | |||||
| H14 | Minami-Chitose | 南千歳 | 18.4 | + | + | + | + |
|
Chitose |
| H13 | Chitose | 千歳 | 21.4 | - | + | + | + | ||
| H12 | Osatsu | 長都 | 24.9 | - | - | + | + | ||
| H11 | Sapporo Beer Teien | サッポロビール庭園 | 27.1 | - | - | + | ◌ | Eniwa | |
| H10 | Eniwa | 恵庭 | 29.4 | - | + | + | + | ||
| H09 | Megumino | 恵み野 | 31.9 | - | - | + | + | ||
| H08 | Shimamatsu | 島松 | 34.1 | - | - | + | + | ||
| H07 | Kitahiroshima | 北広島 | 40.6 | - | + | + | + | Kitahiroshima | |
| H06 | Kami-Nopporo | 上野幌 | 48.6 | - | - | - | + | Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo | |
| H05 | Shin-Sapporo | 新札幌 | 51.5 | + | + | + | + | ||
| H04 | Heiwa | 平和 | 54.4 | - | - | - | + | Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo | |
| Shiroishi to Sapporo: officially Hakodate Main Line | |||||||||
| H03 | Shiroishi | 白石 | 56.6 | - | ◌ | - | + | ■ Hakodate Main Line (for Asahikawa) | Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo |
| H02 | Naebo | 苗穂 | 60.2 | - | - | - | + | Chūō-ku, Sapporo | |
| 01 | Sapporo | 札幌 | 62.4 | + | + | + | + |
|
Kita-ku, Sapporo |
Airport Branch Line
[edit]| No. | Station name | Japanese | Distance (km) | SRA | RA | SmRA | L | Transfers | Location (all in Hokkaido) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| H14 | Minami-Chitose | 南千歳 | 0.0 | + | + | + | + |
|
Chitose |
| AP15 | New Chitose Airport | 新千歳空港 | 2.6 | + | + | + | + |
Closed station
[edit]- H15 Bibi: Closed since 4 March 2017, now a signal base.
Rolling stock
[edit]- 721 series EMUs
- 731 series EMUs
- 733 series EMUs
- 735 series EMUs
-
A 721 series EMU on the Chitose Line, June 2008
-
A 731 series EMU on the Chitose Line, July 2006
-
A 733 series EMU on the Chitose Line, February 2014
-
735 series EMUs, May 2012
History
[edit]The entire line opened on 21 August 1926.
Duplication
[edit]The Chitose-Eniwa section was double-tracked in September 1965, and extended to Kitahiroshima in September 1966.
The Chitose-Uenae section was double-tracked in 1968, and extended to Numanohata in 1969.
The Shiraishi-Kitahiroshima section was double-tracked in 1973, completing the work to double-track the line.
Electrification
[edit]Chitose Station and its approaches were elevated in 1980, and the line was electrified in association with the opening of the nearby Chitose airport.
The Minami-chitose—Chitose Airport branch opened as an electrified line in 1992.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Train Guide". Hokkaido Railway Company. Archived from the original on 2012-05-11. Retrieved 2016-11-20.
- ^ "JR北海道,3月16日にダイヤ改正を実施" [JR Hokkaido to implement timetable revision on 16 March]. Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "列車運行情報|JR北海道- Hokkaido Railway Company".
- ^ "New Chitose Airport => Sapporo Travel Information". Hokkaido Railway Company. Retrieved 2020-04-23.
External links
[edit]Chitose Line
View on GrokipediaRoute and Services
Route Description
The Chitose Line is a railway line operated by JR Hokkaido, spanning approximately 56.6 km along its main route from Shiroishi Station in eastern Sapporo to Numanohata Station near Tomakomai.[4] Services on the line typically commence at Sapporo Station, proceeding southeast through key intermediate stations including Naganuma and Chitose before reaching Tomakomai.[2] This path serves suburban districts near Sapporo and transitions into more rural landscapes in central Hokkaido, facilitating regional connectivity across the Ishikari Plain.[5] A short branch line, measuring 2.6 km, diverges from Minami-Chitose Station to New Chitose Airport Station, providing direct rail access to Hokkaido's primary international airport for passengers and cargo.[4] The overall network length, including this branch, totals 59.2 km.[4] At its endpoints, the Chitose Line interconnects with the Hakodate Main Line: to the south at Numanohata and Tomakomai Stations, enabling through services toward Hakodate, and to the north at Sapporo Station, where it also links with the Sassho Line for northern Hokkaido routes.[2] The line employs the 1,067 mm narrow gauge standard for JR Hokkaido's conventional rail network and features double tracking throughout the main line for efficient operations.[6][5]Current Services
The Chitose Line facilitates key rapid services for airport connectivity and regional travel, primarily operated by JR Hokkaido. The Rapid Airport service links Sapporo Station directly to New Chitose Airport Station in 37 minutes, with the Special Rapid Airport variant completing the journey in 33 minutes and the Semi-Rapid Airport in 43 minutes. These trains stop at select intermediate stations, including Minami-Chitose, and some extend northward to Otaru Station. Frequencies are high during peak hours, with six Rapid Airport operations per hour from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., totaling 163 daily services overall.[3] Limited express services, such as the Hokuto, utilize sections of the Chitose Line en route from Sapporo to Hakodate, stopping at major stations like Minami-Chitose and Tomakomai to serve passengers connecting to the airport or southern Hokkaido destinations. This service runs approximately 11 times daily from Sapporo, providing all-reserved seating and integration with broader Hokkaido rail networks.[7] Local and semi-rapid services operate along the main line from Sapporo to Tomakomai, offering frequent but less intensive options compared to airport-focused trains. Timetable data indicates around 70 rapid services and 15 section rapid services daily on the airport branch alone, with local trains numbering about six per day, emphasizing commuter and regional access.[8] Freight operations on the Chitose Line support local industries, including dairy farming prominent in the Chitose area, with JR Freight trains observed at junction points like Minami-Chitose.[9][10] As of 2025, the line's services remain unaffected by the Hokkaido Shinkansen, whose extension from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto to Sapporo—originally targeted for 2030—has been delayed to 2039, though future through-services to New Chitose Airport are under consideration.[11] Ticketing for Chitose Line services is streamlined with compatibility for the Kitaca IC card across the route from New Chitose Airport to Otaru, allowing seamless tap-and-go payments. The base fare for the Rapid Airport to Sapporo is 1,230 yen, with an additional 840 yen for reserved seating in designated cars.[3]Stations and Infrastructure
Station List
The Chitose Line proper comprises 14 active stations spanning 59.2 kilometers from Shiroishi Station in Sapporo to Numanohata Station in Tomakomai, facilitating commuter, regional, and freight services across Hokkaido's central and southern regions. These stations are primarily served by local and rapid trains, with key interchanges at Minami-Chitose enabling connections to broader JR Hokkaido networks, including the Airport Branch Line. Distances are measured from Shiroishi Station along the Chitose Line alignment. Operational services often extend westward via the Hakodate Main Line to Sapporo Station (7.2 km west of Shiroishi) and eastward via the Muroran Main Line from Numanohata to Tomakomai Station (4.8 km east). The following table lists the stations in order from Shiroishi to Numanohata, including brief opening dates, connecting lines, and notable facilities.[1]| Station Name | Distance from Shiroishi (km) | Opening Date | Lines Served | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shiroishi | 0 | 1903 | Hakodate Main Line, Chitose Line | Local commuter stop with shelters and automated ticket machines.[12] |
| Heiwa | 2.1 | 1986 | Chitose Line | Residential access point with platform canopies and parking.[12] |
| Shin-Sapporo | 5.2 | 1973 | Chitose Line | Interchange with Sapporo Municipal Subway Tozai Line, staffed ticket office, elevators.[2] |
| Kami-Nopporo | 8.9 | 1926 | Chitose Line | Suburban stop with basic amenities and bus connections.[12] |
| Kitahiroshima | 17 | 1926 | Chitose Line | Sports facilities access (planned Hokkaido Ballpark nearby), parking lot.[13] |
| Shimamatsu | 22.8 | 1926 | Chitose Line | Rural platform with shelters.[12] |
| Megino | 25.3 | 1988 | Chitose Line | Unstaffed local stop serving agricultural areas.[14] |
| Eniwa | 27.8 | 1926 | Chitose Line | Industrial access, waiting room, bus links.[12] |
| Sapporo Beer Teien | 29.8 | 1987 | Chitose Line | Adjacent to Sapporo Beer Garden, tourist-oriented with seasonal events.[2] |
| Osaru | 31.8 | 1958 | Chitose Line | Flag stop for local passengers, minimal facilities.[14] |
| Chitose | 35.8 | 1926 | Chitose Line | Mid-sized station with ticket sales, nearby aquarium and outlet mall.[2] |
| Minami-Chitose | 38.8 | 1980 | Chitose Line, Sekisho Line | Major junction with 4 platforms, staffed, connections to airport branch and eastern Hokkaido.[15] |
| Uenae | 47.8 | 1926 | Chitose Line | Rural unstaffed stop with basic platforms.[12] |
| Numanohata | 59.2 | 1926 | Chitose Line, Muroran Main Line | Junction with freight facilities, local access.[12] |
| Station Name | Distance from Shiroishi (km) | Opening Date | Lines Served | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minami-Chitose | 38.8 | 1980 | Chitose Line, Airport Branch, Sekisho Line | Junction platform for branch services, baggage storage, staffed counters.[17] |
| Shin-Chitose-Airport | 41.4 | 1992 | Airport Branch | Integrated into New Chitose Airport terminal (B1F), baggage check-in counters, IC card gates, direct escalator/elevator access to arrivals/departures.[3] |
Closed Stations
The Chitose Line has undergone several rationalizations, leading to the closure of stations primarily due to route rerouting for improved efficiency and declining ridership from rural depopulation. In 1973, a major line reconfiguration between Kitahiroshima and Sapporo abandoned the original route, closing multiple stations along the old alignment to facilitate double-tracking and urban development integration. This shift eliminated underutilized facilities in sparsely populated areas, reflecting broader post-war efforts to modernize Hokkaido's rail network amid shifting demographics.[18] Key closures from this era include:| Station Name | Location (Approximate km post from Shiroishi) | Closure Date | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higashi-Sapporo Station (東札幌駅) | 2.1 km (east of Shiroishi, old alignment) | September 9, 1973 (passenger service); full closure November 1, 1986 | Route rerouting to new alignment; retained briefly as freight station for local industry before decommissioning due to low demand. |
| Tsukisappu Station (月寒駅) | ~0.6 km (near Shiroishi, old alignment) | September 9, 1973 (passenger service); full closure October 1, 1976 | Line reconfiguration; temporary freight use for nearby brewery until operations shifted, exacerbated by urban expansion reducing local rail dependency.[19] |
| Oyachigai Station (大谷地駅) | ~3.6 km (old alignment) | September 9, 1973 | Direct result of new line opening, with daily ridership around 200 passengers deemed insufficient for retention amid route optimization.[18] |
| Old Uenopporo Station (旧上野幌駅) | ~7 km (old alignment near Shin-Sapporo) | September 9, 1973 | Obsolete following new routing; site repurposed for recreational paths, highlighting transition from rural to suburban land use.[20] |
