Sōya (train)

The Sōya (宗谷) is a limited express train service between Sapporo and Wakkanai in Hokkaido, which is operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido). It was named Super Sōya (スーパー宗谷) between 2000 and 2017.

Sōya
KiHa 261 series DMU on a Sōya service, September 2021
Overview
Service typeLimited express
StatusOperational
LocaleHokkaido
First service11 March 2000
Current operator(s)JR Hokkaido
Route
TerminiSapporo
Wakkanai
Stops17
Distance travelled396.2 km (246.2 mi)
Average journey time5 hours 10 minutes
Service frequencyOne return service daily
Line(s) usedHakodate Main Line, Sōya Main Line
On-board services
Class(es)Standard + Green
Disabled accessYes
Sleeping arrangementsNone
Catering facilitiesNone
Observation facilitiesNone
Entertainment facilitiesNone
Other facilitiesToilets
Technical
Rolling stockKiHa 261 series DMUs
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
ElectrificationNone
Operating speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Track owner(s)JR Hokkaido

Service pattern

There is only one single daily return working per direction, with an average journey time between Sapporo and Wakkanai lasting approximately 5 hours 10 minutes. Trains operate at a maximum speed of 120 kilometres per hour (75 mph).[1]

The train operates over the same route as the Sarobetsu, which operates between Asahikawa and Wakkanai.[2]

Station stops

The service calls at the following stations:

Sapporo – Iwamizawa – (Bibai) – (Sunagawa) – Takikawa – Fukagawa – Asahikawa – Wassamu – Shibetsu – Nayoro – Bifuka – Otoineppu – Teshio-Nakagawa – Horonobe – Toyotomi – Minami-Wakkanai – Wakkanai

The stations in the () are only served by the northbound service.

Rolling stock

Services are normally formed of 4-car KiHa 261 series DMUs, which were introduced from the start of services on 11 March 2000, with car 1 at the Wakkanai end. Car 1 consists of both ordinary-class seats and the Green Car, while the other cars are ordinary-class cars. All cars are no-smoking.[3][4] These are lengthened to 6 cars during busy seasons.

Car No. 1 2 3 4
ClassGreen car Reserved Reserved Reserved Non-reserved
Facilities  ToiletsWheelchair-accessible toilet 

References
  1. "平成26年3月ダイヤ改正について" (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). 北海道旅客鉄道. 20 December 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
  2. JR Timetable, August 2008 issue
  3. Haraguchi, Takayuki (2009). Encyclopedia of JR's Railway Cars: JR全車輌. Japan: Sekai Bunka. p. 115. ISBN 978-4-418-09905-4.
  4. JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File]. Japan: Kōtsū Shimbun. 2008. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
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