Launch Date Announced for Hokkaido Shinkansen Line

Japan railway operators have announced March 26, 2016 as the launch date for the Hokkaido Shinkansen line, according to this article published by the Japan Times.

During the announcement Hokkaido Railway Co. and East Japan Railway Co. claimed to be making arrangements for 13 round trips per day. Ten of the 13 round trips will connect Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station in Hokkaido and Tokyo in 4 hours and 10 minutes at the fastest, while the remainder will link Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and stations in the Tohoku area.

The name of the bullet trains to run on the line will be Hayabusa and Hayate.

An extension of the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Sapporo has been projected for 2030, and will run via Kutchan Station—just a seven minute drive from Niseko Grand Hirafu Resort.