Hokkaido Shinkansen High-Speed Runs in Seikan Tunnel During Year-End Holidays
Overview
From December 30, 2026, through January 4, 2027, some Hokkaido Shinkansen trains running through the Seikan Tunnel will travel at 260 km/h inside the tunnel under the time-slot separation system, from the first departure until around 3:30 p.m. (until around noon on December 30). The measure covers approximately 54 km in both directions and cuts travel time by five minutes compared with normal operations.
Key points
- High-speed runs will take place over six days, from December 30, 2026, through January 4, 2027.
- Trains will travel through the Seikan Tunnel at 260 km/h.
- Travel time will be cut by five minutes compared with normal operations.
Overview
High-speed running in the Seikan Tunnel under the time-slot separation system began at 210 km/h during the year-end and New Year holidays in fiscal 2020, and has been conducted at 260 km/h since Golden Week in fiscal 2024. It will also be conducted at 260 km/h during the year-end and New Year holidays in fiscal 2026.
The time-slot separation system separates the periods when freight trains and high-speed Shinkansen trains run, allowing the Shinkansen to travel at high speed.
Impact
The fastest travel time between Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto under normal operations is 3 hours 57 minutes, and high-speed running cuts this by five minutes compared with normal operations.
Details
The section covered is approximately 54 km of both tracks inside the Seikan Tunnel. The measure applies to Hokkaido Shinkansen trains passing through the Seikan Tunnel during the designated hours.
The designated hours run from the first departure until around 3:30 p.m., except on December 30, when they run from the first departure until around noon. The six-day period was selected because fewer freight trains operate then.
The normal speed inside the Seikan Tunnel is 160 km/h. JR Hokkaido is scheduled to announce the detailed timetable and other information on the same day.