The train left Sapporo at 5:12pm on a Friday and made it to Hakodate, Hokkaido around 10pm. Then for some reason we started going in reverse as we went through the world's longest undersea tunnel. I took a video, but you know what, it's a tunnel, you've seen it before. I was able to sleep decently after 11:30 when we stopped making stops every hour. After that I didn't even notice the stopping. I arrive in Koriyama at 6:30 am the next morning. It was $230, whereas the ferry is only about $100, but it was station to station. Whereas for the ferry I have to get to the port ($20) then get from the port to Sendai station ($5) then get to Koriyama station ($20). I will happily pay the extra bit for convenience.

 

The Sapporo-Ueno Hokutosei #2. One of the few trains in Japan pulled by diesel locomotives. Luckily I avoided any complicated use of the bathrooms while on board. All my functions were standing related. Sorry for the ladies, the room was shaking all around.
They had a nice dining car. Reservations were required from boarding to 9pm, then it was pub time. I had dinner right at 9pm before it filled up. I had a room with 3 other people I didn't know. I also had a top bunk. The beds on the train were about 180 cm since I am 187. But I could sleep diagonally ok. I view of the car with staggered upper and lower 2 person rooms.
   
  A shot of an upper single room. Bet it's expensive.  

 

 

 

 

 

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