Kitami (train)

Kitami

Two KiHa 54 diesel cars on a Kitami service, July 2009
Overview
Service type	Rapid
Status	Operational
First service	19 March 1988
Current operator	JR Hokkaido
Route
Termini	Asahikawa Abashiri
Stops	26
Distance travelled	237.7 km (147.7 mi)
Average journey time	4 hours 30 minutes approx.
Service frequency	1 return working daily
Line used	Sekihoku Main Line
On-board services
Class	Standard only
Disabled access	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	None
Catering facilities	None
Observation facilities	None
Entertainment facilities	None
Other facilities	Toilet
Technical
Rolling stock	KiHa 54 DMU KiHa 150 DMU
Electrification	Diesel
Operating speed	110 km/h (68 mph) (Asahikawa - Shin-Asahikawa) 95 km/h (59 mph) (Shin-Asahikawa - Abashiri)
Track owner	JR Hokkaido

The Kitami (きたみ) is a rapid (快速, kaisoku) train service operated by Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido) in Hokkaido, Japan, since 1988. It runs from Asahikawa to Abashiri on the Sekihoku Main Line.^[1]

Prior to the March 2025 timetable revision, it was classified as a special rapid (特別快速, tokubetsu kaisoku) train and only ran as far as Kitami.

Service pattern and station stops

There is one train per day in each direction, with the journey taking approximately 4 hours 30 minutes from Asahikawa to Abashiri.^[1]

Trains stop at the following stations.^[1]

• Asahikawa (A28)
• (Asahikawa-Yojo) (A29)
• (Shin-Asahikawa) (A30)
• (Minami-Nagayama) (A31)
• (Higashi-Asahikawa) (A32)
• (Sakuraoka) (A34)
• Tōma (A35)
• Kamikawa (A43)
• Shirataki (A45)
• Maruseppu (A48)
• Engaru (A50)
• Yasukuni (A51)
• Ikutahara (A53)
• Rubeshibe (A56)
• Ainonai (A57)
• Higashi-Ainonai (A58)
• Nishi-Kitami (A59)
• Kitami (A60)
• Hakuyō (A61)
• Itoshino (A62)
• Tanno (A63)
• Hiushinai (A64)
• Bihoro (A65)
• Nishi-Memambetsu (A66)
• Memambetsu (A67)
• Yobito (A68)
• Abashiri (A69)

Stations in brackets are only served by Kitami-bound (eastbound) trains.

Rolling stock

Services are formed of one or two single-car KiHa 54 diesel cars based at Asahikawa Depot.^[2] Very occasionally, KiHa 150 diesel trains may be used.

History

Kitami service with train headboard, June 1988

The Kitami service was first introduced from 19 March 1988 as a seasonal "special rapid" train service. From 3 November 1988, it became a regular daily service.

From 13 March 2004, the train became entirely no-smoking.

The service was extended from Kitami to Abashiri in 2025, and downgraded from "special rapid" to "rapid".

References

1. JR Timetable, February 2011 issue, pp. 721–722
2. JR気動車客車編成表 '04年版 [JR DMU & Coaching Stock Formations - 2004]. Japan: JRR. 1 July 2004. p. 43. ISBN 4-88283-125-2.