The Limited Express Suzuran for Sapporo, Chitose, Noboribetsu and Muroran

The Suzuran is a limited express service operated by JR Hokkaido that runs between Sapporo and Muroran. The Suzuran is named after the Japanese name for the flower “lily of the valley”, and at the front of some trains this flower is depicted on the digital nameplate. Along the route of the Suzuran passengers can enjoy views of Mount Tarumae and the Pacific Ocean.

The Suzuran is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass in ordinary accommodation. All seats are reserved, so passengers using regular tickets need a basic fare ticket plus a reserved-seat limited express ticket. Rail-pass users should obtain a seat reservation before boarding. At Sapporo Station, check the departure board and ticket for the platform and boarding position because platforms vary by train and operating conditions.

Key Destinations

There are 15 stops on the route of the Suzuran which travels via the Hakodate Main Line, Chitose Line, and Muroran Main Line.

Sapporo – Shin-Sapporo – Chitose – Minami-Chitose – Numanohata – Tomakomai – Shiraoi – Noboribetsu – Horobetsu – Washibetsu – Higashi-Muroran – Wanishi – Misaki – Bokoi – Muroran

Six southbound Suzuran services depart from Sapporo each day and six northbound services make the return trip.

• The southbound Suzuran #2 terminates at Higashi-Muroran Station.
• The northbound Suzuran #5 begins at Higashi-Muroran Station.

Passengers traveling only between Higashi-Muroran and Muroran may use an empty ordinary reserved seat with a basic fare ticket. A seat reservation for that branch requires the relevant limited express ticket, and passengers traveling through to or from Sapporo need a reserved-seat limited express ticket for the full journey.

The key destinations are listed below with regular adult one-way ordinary reserved-seat fares published for August 2026 and example journey times from Sapporo Station. Journey times vary by train, and Ekinet discounts may be cheaper than the regular fare.

Sapporo Station

Sapporo is Hokkaido’s capital city and has great shopping, dining and entertainment facilities as well as plenty of museums and historic attractions. Famous sites are the 19th century Sapporo Clock Tower, and the wooden Hoheikan building in Nakajima Park. Sapporo Beer Museum and Garden is a popular location for beer and barbecue lovers, and for romantic travelers a trip to the summit of Mount Moiwa via cable car offers a sparkling view over the city. Sapporo is especially popular in February when the annual Snow Festival is held with ice sculptures and giant snow statues decorating the streets and parks of the city.

Transfers can be made here to local services on the Hakodate Main Line, Chitose Line and Gakuen-Toshi Line. This station also has limited express services for destinations across Hokkaido and Rapid Airport services for Otaru and New Chitose Airport. For Yoichi, Kutchan and Niseko, the regular route normally requires a transfer at Otaru; a direct Limited Express Niseko operates only on selected seasonal dates.

Shin-Sapporo Station

Sapporo Science Center with its family-friendly exhibits and planetarium is a 5 minute walk from this station. The Historical Village of Hokkaido is an open-air museum of historical buildings that demonstrates the life and conditions for people in early 20th century Hokkaido. The village is about a 20 minute bus ride from the station. The Hokkaido Museum explores the history of Hokkaido through the relationship between nature, and human culture. The museum is about a 15 minute bus ride from the station. For both the village and museum, take JR Hokkaido Bus route Shin 22 from north-lane bus stop 10 at Shin-Sapporo Bus Terminal.

Transfer here to the Tozai Subway Line.

Chitose Station

Chitose is a good base for visits to Lake Shikotsu, Marukoma Onsen and Shikotsu Onsen.

Lake Shikotsu is a large lake surrounded by volcanic mountains which is famous for its clear blue waters. Canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, fishing, camping, hiking and pleasure boat cruises are all popular activities on and around this lake.

There are two small hot spring resort areas by Lake Shikotsu: Marukoma Onsen is located on its northern shore and Shikotsu Onsen is located on the eastern shore. The Marukoma Onsen Ryokan offers accommodation and lake-view hot spring baths. Its reservation shuttle operates from the Shikotsuko bus-terminal area. In Shikotsu Onsen, Kyukamura Shikotsuko is a traditional inn with hot spring bathing facilities and nature and craft programs that vary by date and season. Also in Shikotsu Onsen, Resort Spa Mizu-no-Uta is an upscale hotel with hot spring, dining and cafe facilities. Its complimentary Chitose Liner from Chitose Station and New Chitose Airport has fixed departures and must be reserved at least five days ahead. Day visits are sold as advance-booked lunch or lunch-and-onsen packages on eligible Saturdays, Sundays and holidays; bathing-only visits are not offered. Lake Shikotsu is about 45 to 50 minutes from Chitose Station on Hokkaido Chuo Bus route Airport 4. Service is infrequent, so check the dated timetable. The drive is about 30 minutes under normal conditions.

Minami-Chitose Station

Northern Horse Park is about 15 minutes by car from New Chitose Airport and operates a complimentary airport shuttle on a limited seasonal timetable. From Minami-Chitose Station, use a taxi and confirm the route and fare locally. Depending on the season and same-day conditions, activities can include pony shows, carriage and led-horse rides, horse trekking, cycling, land cars, archery, laser shooting and snow activities. Check the park’s daily operating information before travel.

Transfer here to the Sekisho Line and the Airport Branch Line of the Chitose Line.

Numanohata Station

Lake Utonai is a nationally protected wetland and Japan’s first Wild Bird Society of Japan sanctuary. About 270 bird species have been recorded. Walking trails provide access to the lakeside habitat, while the Nature Center has exhibits, telescopes and ranger information. The center is normally open from 9.30 to 16.30 on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, with free admission. From Numanohata Station, travel by car or taxi and check the route locally; the center’s published public-transport guidance is from New Chitose Airport rather than the station.

Tomakomai Station

Tomakomai is a good base for visits to two local sights of outstanding natural beauty.

Mount Tarumae is a 1,041m high active volcano and a designated Hokkaido Natural Monument. The 7th station trailhead is about 60 minutes by car from central Tomakomai, followed by roughly 50 minutes on foot to the summit area. This is an active-volcano hike, not a casual sightseeing walk: observe exclusion zones and volcanic-gas warnings, carry suitable equipment, and be prepared for fast-changing weather. The road to the 7th station normally closes from late November until late May, and parking congestion can cause vehicle restrictions at the 5th station. Check the city’s latest mountain and road information before setting out.

Lake Shikotsu is on the far side of Mount Tarumae and can also be accessed by rental car or taxi from Tomakomai.

Transfer at Tomakomai Station for Hidaka Line trains to Mukawa. Rail service operates only between Tomakomai and Mukawa; onward travel toward the former line’s Hidaka communities uses connecting buses and other road transport.

Shiraoi Station

Upopoy: The National Ainu Museum and Park opened on July 12th 2020 as a national center for the revival and development of Ainu culture. Its lakeside grounds include the National Ainu Museum, National Ainu Park and a traditional kotan area, with exhibitions, performing arts, language programs, workshops and demonstrations. It is about a 10 minute walk from Shiraoi Station. Check the opening calendar and daily program before visiting.

Noboribetsu Station

This is the main station for the city of Noboribetsu which is mainly known for its volcanic hot springs, but which also has easy access to woodland hiking trails and a number of theme parks.

Noboribetsu Onsen is a famous hot spring resort which is about 21 minutes by Donan Bus from Noboribetsu Station to the main Noboribetsu Onsen stop. Some services continue to central, hotel and footbath stops and take up to about 27 minutes. The adult one-way fare to Noboribetsu Onsen is 450 yen. Kitaca and Suica are not accepted, while contactless Visa is available only on some services. There is a public bath where visitors can enjoy the natural mineral waters, and some hotels offer day bathing; check each property’s policy before visiting. Jigokudani (or “Hell Valley”) is a dramatic landscape of steaming rocks and sulfurous vapors. Its main pathway is approximately 568 meters, or about a 10 minute walk from the bus-terminal area.

A short hiking route will take you to the boiling waters of Oyunuma Pond, and a stream that flows from this pond forms a natural footbath where weary travelers can soak their feet. Keen hikers will also enjoy the forested landscape around nearby Lake Kuttara. Two popular hotels in this area are Dai-ichi Takimotokan and Kashoutei Hanaya. These are ryokan: inns offering traditional hospitality, the best local cuisine, and luxurious bathing facilities.

Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe is an aquarium and amusement park which is about a 5 minute walk from Noboribetsu Station. The park features the Nixe Castle aquarium, dolphin and fur-seal performances, a penguin parade and the seasonal Nixe Land amusement area. Check the day’s show and attraction schedule before visiting.

Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura is a replica village of the Edo era (1603 – 1868) where you can dress up in historical costume and watch dramatic ninja, samurai, and geisha shows. The theme park is about 6 minutes by Donan Bus from the station when using a service that stops at Noboribetsu Jidaimura-mae. Some services stop at San-ai Hospital/Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura-mae, followed by about a 10 minute walk. It is about 5 minutes by taxi.

Noboribetsu also has a Bear Park which is reached by a roughly 7 minute ropeway ride from Noboribetsu Onsen. In addition to its bear areas, it has the Brown Bear Museum and Yukara Village, a recreation of early-Meiji-period Ainu life with an Ainu Lifestyle Materials Building.

Higashi-Muroran Station

From Higashi-Muroran, Muroran-bound Suzuran services continue along the Muroran branch and stop at Wanishi, Misaki and Bokoi before Muroran. The train remains a limited express throughout, although passengers making a journey only within Higashi-Muroran-Muroran can use an empty ordinary reserved seat with a basic fare ticket. Transfer at Higashi-Muroran for local and limited express services toward Date-Mombetsu, Toya, Oshamambe and Hakodate, checking the timetable because destinations and connections vary by train.

Wanishi Station

Itanki Beach is a popular scenic spot which is a 4 minute taxi ride (or 25 minutes on foot) from this station. The beach is famous for its naki-suna or “singing sands” which make an unusual squeaking noise when walked on.

Bokoi Station

Tokkarisho Lookout Point is about 35 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by car from Bokoi Station. The lookout stands above roughly 100-meter coastal cliffs, with views across the Pacific and toward Itanki Beach.

Muroran Station

Muroran is an industrial port city on Uchiura Bay with access to a number of scenic attractions. The rugged coastline near Muroran is noted for its breathtaking natural scenery. Cape Chikyu is a particularly well known coastal observation point with a lighthouse that is about 10 minutes by car from Bokoi Station. By bus, get off at Chikyu Misaki Danchi and walk uphill for about 15 minutes. The cape parking lot has charged parking from April 1st 2026. The Hakucho Suspension Bridge is the city’s most famous landmark and the illuminated night view of both the city and the bridge is very beautiful.

Within the city the observation deck on the summit of Mount Sokuryo is a popular hiking destination and a good spot for both daytime and nighttime views of the city. Boating excursions are popular with tourists, and Starmarine operates an approximately 60 minute Muroran night cruise from April through November, normally once per day, showing the port’s factories, illuminated Hakucho Bridge and Mount Sokuryo. Its dolphin-watching cruise normally runs from June to early August, with the season ending early if the dolphins leave the area. Cruises require booking and are subject to weather, minimum numbers and wildlife conditions. Muroran Sightseeing Information Center is inside the Old Muroran Station building, about a 5 minute walk from the present Muroran Station. It provides local visitor information and is itself a preserved 1912 station building.

About the Suzuran

The Suzuran normally uses a 5-car 785-series or 789-1000-series electric train, although formations and vehicles can change. All cars are reserved and there is no Green Car. Both train types include roomier “u seat” accommodation, with power outlets on the seat backs except at front-row seats facing a wall. Other facilities shown in the train guide include ordinary reserved seating, luggage space, a wheelchair-accessible toilet and a multipurpose room. There are no onboard sales, so buy food and drinks before boarding.

Useful Information

A timetable and route finder, and a downloadable route map can be found on the official JR Hokkaido English language website.

Article by Michael Lambe. Photos by Michael Lambe, Angkana Unthaya (3), keiji kawamura/pixta (4). All rights reserved. Last updated 23-Aug-2026.