JR Kutchan Station – Facilities & Layout

JR Hokkaido’s Kutchan Station is the main railway station serving the Niseko ski resort area. It’s located in the town of Kutchan, which is adjacent to the town of Niseko. While the ski resort is named after Niseko, most winter sports-related development has taken place in Kutchan.

Rapid and local trains stop at Kutchan Station, which is on the Hakodate Main Line linking Hakodate with Sapporo and Asahikawa.

JR Hokkaido is currently extending the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Kutchan and Sapporo. This extension is expected to open around 2030. Bullet train services will link Tokyo with Kutchan and Sapporo in four to five hours.

Platforms and Layout

JR Kutchan Station is very small and easy to navigate. It only has two platforms.

Platform 2 serves trains bound for Oshamambe and Hakodate.
Platform 3 serves trains bound for Otaru and Sapporo.

The platforms are connected via overhead walkway.

There is only one gate to the tracks, and it faces the main entrance to the station. Ticket-vending machines and a Midori no Madoguchi ticket counter are on the left when facing the gate.

There is a waiting area and a small “iCenter” tourism information office through a set of doors to the right when facing the gate. The office has numerous brochures, maps and transport information related to Niseko.

Kutchan Station only has 13 coin lockers, located in the waiting area. They are priced at 400 yen for small, 500 yen for midsize, 600 yen for large, and 700 yen for extra-large lockers.

Taxis and local buses are available in the parking area directly outside the station.

There are no convenience stores, ATMs or restaurants at Kutchan Station. However, there are a few restaurants and cafes facing the station. The closest convenience store is a 7-Eleven about 200 meters to the north on Meruhen-dori street.

Article by Tim Hornyak. Photos by Tim Hornyak, HAPPY SMILE/pixta (1, 7). All rights reserved.