Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station, located in Hokuto City, Hokkaido, is a major transportation hub operated by JR Hokkaido (Hokkaido Railway Company). It is part of the Hakodate Main Line and serves as the northernmost terminal station of the first phase of the Hokkaido Shinkansen. Since its official opening in 2016, it has become a key gateway connecting Japan’s main island (Honshu) with southern Hokkaido.
The station's history dates back to 1902, when it was originally opened as Hongo Station, later renamed Oshima-Ono in 1942. Initially, it functioned as a signal stop managed by nearby Nanae Station. With the advent of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, its status was elevated, and it was promoted to a directly managed station under the JR Hokkaido Hakodate Branch prior to the launch of Shinkansen operations.
To accommodate the Shinkansen, construction of the new station building was carried out in 2015. On March 29, parts of the new platforms were opened to the public, connected via a temporary entrance and stairs to a pedestrian overpass leading to newly built Platforms 1 and 3. Closed-off areas remained sealed with wooden boards until the full completion of the station building on September 3. On December 10, the completed station was previewed by the media and opened to local residents with reservations on December 12.
On March 26, 2016, the Hokkaido Shinkansen officially began operations, and the station was renamed from Oshima-Ono to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, marking a new era. As the terminus of the Shinkansen, the station now plays a vital role in linking Hakodate with Honshu via high-speed rail, further enhancing accessibility and economic exchange between Southern Hokkaido and the rest of Japan.
