| Okhotsk | |
| Type: | Limited express |
| Status: | Operational |
| Locale: | Hokkaido, Japan |
| First: | 22 September 1959 |
| Operator: | JR Hokkaido |
| Formeroperator: | JNR |
| Stops: | 17 |
| Distance: | 374.5km (232.7miles) |
| Journeytime: | 5 hours 30 minutes approx |
| Frequency: | 2 return workings daily |
| Line Used: | Hakodate Main Line, Sōya Main Line, Sekihoku Main Line |
| Class: | Standard |
| Access: | Yes |
| Sleeping: | None |
| Observation: | None |
| Entertainment: | None |
| Catering: | None |
| Otherfacilities: | Toilets |
| Stock: | KiHa 283 series DMU |
| El: | None |
| Speed: | 110km/h |
| Owners: | JR Hokkaido |
| Mapname: | Route map |
The is a limited express train service in Japan operated by the Hokkaido Railway Company (JR Hokkaido), which runs between and .[1] There are two services per day running in both directions, with the journey time taking approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes. Trains operate at a maximum speed of 110 km/h (68 mph).[1] It is named after the Sea of Okhotsk.[2]
Trains stop at the following stations:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Stations in brackets are stations where not all trains stop at.
Okhotsk services are normally formed of 3-car KiHa 283 series diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains, with monoclass passenger accommodation.[3]
Okhotsk services were previously formed of 4-car KiHa 183 series diesel multiple unit (DMU) trains as shown below, with car 1 at the Sapporo and Abashiri end (train reverses at Engaru Station).[4] These trains were replaced by KiHa 283 series DMUs from 18 March 2023.[5]
All cars were non-smoking.[6]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Non-reserved | Non-reserved | Reserved | Reserved | Green | Reserved | |
The Okhotsk service was first introduced by Japanese National Railways from the start of the revised timetable on 22 September 1959, as a semi-express service operating between and, using KiHa 22 2-car DMUs, with five return workings daily.[2] [7] From July 1960, services were extended to Sapporo, and ran coupled with Sōya semi express services over the Hakodate Main Line.[2]
From the start of the revised timetable in October 1961, services were upgraded to "Express" status, and were operated using KiHa 56 4-car DMU formations, including a KiRo 26 Green (first class) car.[2]
From the start of the revised timetable on 2 October 1972, services were upgraded to "Limited express" status, and were operated using KiHa 80 series DMU formations.[2]
From the start of the revised timetable in November 1986, the KiHa 80 series rolling stock was replaced with KiHa 183 series 6-car DMUs.[2]
From 1992, the former express overnight sleeper service was integrated with the Okhotsk (becoming Okhotsk 9 & 10), featuring a SuHaNeFu 14-500 series sleeping car sandwiched in the DMU formation.[8] From March 2006, this became a seasonal-only train (Okhotsk 81 & 82), and the overnight service was discontinued entirely from 16 March 2008.[9]
JR Hokkaido operates seasonal SL Okhotsk services formed of 14 series passenger coaches hauled by a JNR Class C11 steam locomotive and assisted by a JNR Class DE15 diesel locomotive.[10]