Kamui (train)

The Kamui is a limited express train service operated by Hokkaido Railway Company since 2007 on the Hakodate Main Line, connecting and in Hokkaido, Japan.

Service pattern

Services run every 30 minutes, with a journey time of 1 hour and 20 minutes for the between Sapporo and Asahikawa, giving an average start-to-stop speed of. Services departing from Asahikawa on the hour continue from Sapporo to as the airport's rapid service.
Services stop at the following stations.
*

Rolling stock

Services are formed of five-car 789-1000 series EMUs. All seats are non-reserved, except for car 4, which has upgraded "u-Seat" accommodation, including AC outlets for personal use.

Formations

The Kamui is operated by 5-car 789 series EMUs, formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Asahikawa end. No "Green cars" exist in all departures, and all cars are non-smoking.

Future plans

On 19 November 2025, JR Hokkaido announced that all non-reserved seating on Kamui services would be eliminated effective the next timetable revision, making all trains operate solely with reserved seating.

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5
Accommodation	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Non-reserved	Reserved	Non-reserved
Facilities		Toilet		Wheelchair space, toilet	Toilet

History

''Kamui'' (1959–1988)

The original Kamui service started on 22 September 1959, as a "semi-express" service operating between Otaru and Asahikawa. From 1961, KiHa 56 express diesel multiple unit trains were introduced, and Kamui services were formally upgraded to "express" status from the start of the revised timetable on 5 March 1966. Following the electrification of the route, 711 series three-car EMUs were introduced on the Kamui 3 and 4 services from October 1968. From 1 October 1969, these were increased to six-car formations.
Typical 711 series EMU Kamui express formations were formed below as of 1 October 1969, with car 1 at the Asahikawa end.

Car No.	1	2	3	4	5	6
Numbering	KuHa 711	MoHa 711	KuHa 711	KuHa 711	MoHa 711	KuHa 711

From 15 March 1972, Kamui services increased daily from seven to ten return workings.
Kamui services were discontinued on 13 March 1988, when they were integrated with Sorachi express services.

''Super Kamui'' (2007–2017)

The Super Kamui service commenced on 1 October 2007. Before this, two limited express trains, the Lilac and the Super White Arrow, ran on the same route between Sapporo and Asahikawa. These were integrated and remodeled into one service simultaneously, as the ageing 781 series EMUs previously used on Lilac services were withdrawn.

''Kamui'' (2017–present)

From the start of the revised timetable on 4 March 2017, Super Kamui services were renamed simply Kamui, and are complemented by newly-introduced Lilac limited express services on the same route, which use six-car 789-0 series EMUs.

Accidents

On 29 January 2010, the Super Kamui 24 service from Asahikawa to Sapporo was derailed after hitting a truck at a level crossing on the Hakodate Main Line between and. 23 passengers, the train driver, and the truck driver sustained minor injuries. The five-car 789-1000 series set involved, HL-1005, was removed from service due to damage and was officially withdrawn on 24 March 2011.