SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen - Shibecha to Kushiro
The SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen (SL冬の湿原号) is a special steam train that runs through the snowy landscapes of Hokkaido. I was so excited about this ride that I dedicated an entire day to it when planning my trip. According to the JR Hokkaido website, tickets can only be booked at JR Hokkaido stations, so I made it my top priority when I arrived in Sapporo.
There were only four seats left when I booked, so I couldn’t choose my seat. I ended up with an aisle seat in a booth near the front of the train. Even though it wasn’t ideal, the large windows made it easy to enjoy the view without disturbing others.
On the day of the ride, I first took a local train from Abashiri Station to Shibecha Station—a scenic 2-hour and 17-minute journey through Hokkaido’s snowy wilderness. I spotted deer in the distance and even thought I saw a fox!
After arriving in Shibecha, I had about an hour before boarding the SL Fuyu-no-Shitsugen. I browsed some nearby souvenir shops and tried Shibecha’s famous local milk and a pastry. The milk was rich and creamy—I wished I’d bought more!
About 15 minutes before departure, the Shibecha cow mascots appeared to greet passengers and build excitement. I took a few photos with them before heading to the platform to watch the steam train pull in.
After admiring the train, I found my seat, passing through several cars along the way. Some cars even had areas for grilling dried squid, which was fun to watch. Once everyone was aboard, the mascots and staff waved goodbye, and we set off.
During the ride through Kushiro Shitsugen National Park, the conductor handed out route cards and announced an unscheduled stop to see red-crowned cranes outside the train. These protected birds are an iconic symbol of Japan, and we were lucky—they don’t always appear!
The train arrived in Kushiro a little later, and I was still thrilled from seeing the cranes. Before leaving, I took more photos of the train. The next morning, I went to a nearby bridge to photograph the steam train crossing—it was the perfect ending to an unforgettable experience.
Route Detail
Shibecha Station 標茶駅 → Kushiro Station 釧路駅
Time: 1h 42m
Route Note: Reservation required. Only operators in January and February. The website noted that it has to be reserved in JR Hokkaido Stations.
Transportation & Miscellaneous
Train from Abashiri Station to Shibecha Station ¥3080
Train from Shibecha Station to Kushiro Station ¥3060
Food ¥1760