From the start of the March 17, 2012 timetable revision, regular operations of the Nihonkai were discontinued, with services operating during busy seasonal periods only.[2] While JR East has not formally announced its discontinuation, no services have operated since January 2013, Sometimes it either connect to Sapporo or Hakodate. [3][failed verification]
July 5, 1947: An express train that would become the origin of the Nihonkai began passenger service between Osaka and Aomori.
November 8, 1950: The above-mentioned express train was formally christened Nihonkai.
February 9, 1961: While the Nihonkai was traveling on the Uetsu Main Line, the ground under the tracks collapsed causing a derailment. The JNR Class C57 steam locomotive was seriously damaged.
October 1, 1968: With the introduction of the 20 series Passenger Car (Sleeper Car), the Nihonkai became an Overnight Limited Express train. Furthermore, the Nihonkai became a newly created Overnight Limited Express, the former Overnight Express became the new Kitaguni.
1969: While in the Hokuriku Tunnel a fire broke out on board the Nihonkai. Three years later, on board the Kitaguni an identical fire broke out, and killed thirty people.
March 10, 1975: The Nihonkai began using the Kosei Line. Also, the change to 14 series passenger cars was made, however the inclusion of a dining car was ceased. The 14 series cars which were used for special and seasonal trains began running two trains in each direction. Later in 1976, the train switched to using 24/25 series cars. At this time, the use of a train headboard on the locomotive was discontinued.
October 2, 1978: The Nihonkai, which had been running as a seasonal train, was upgraded to regular service, running one train in each direction. All trains used 24/25 series cars following the withdrawal of 14 series cars from service.
November 15, 1982: The Kitaguni, which ran over the same route as the Nihonkai, was changed to service Niigata Station. Because of this, the number of overnight trains serving Aomori Station from Osaka Station was reduced to just one.
February 1, 1984: The use of the Nihonkai locomotive headboard was resumed.
1986: During the summer, Nihonkai 1 and 4 had a Mani 50 luggage car attached in order to carry motorbikes. This ceased in 1998.
1987: Nihonkai 2 and 3 began operating with Class A accommodation cars.
March 12, 1988: With the opening of the Seikan Tunnel, JR West extended the Nihonkai service from Aomori Station to Hakodate Station. On the day before the tunnel was to open 12 March, the first Hakodate Station bound train left Osaka Station. The next day when the tunnel was opened, the overnight Limited Express Hokutosei was already en route and holds the honor of being the first overnight train to pass through the tunnel.
December 1998: After the overnight Limited Express Seto was changed to 285 series electric multiple unit rolling stock, an excess of 25 series Class A Single Deluxe Private Compartment Cars became available and then began use on Nihonkai 1 and 4.
November 29, 2004: Nihonkai 1 and 4 resumed service. However, when operating between Nagaoka Station and Kashiwazaki Station, trains operated at very slow speeds. Nihonkai 2 and 3 did not resume service for some time after the earthquake.
December 13, 2004: Nihonkai 2 and 3 resumed service. As above, it operated at slow speed.
December 25, 2005 – January 18, 2006: Due to a derailment accident on the Uetsu Main Line, all trains on the line ceased operations.
March 18, 2006: Due to a decrease in the number of passengers, Nihonkai 1 and 4 ceased service to Hakodate Station, and returned to originating and terminating at Aomori Station.
December 25, 2007: JR West announces that the Nihonkai 2 and 3 services will be discontinued from the March 15, 2008 timetable revision due to falling passenger numbers.
December 4, 2010: With the start of Tohoku Shinkansen services between Hachinohe and Shin-Aomori stations, the Nihonkai added Shin-Aomori as a stop with the timetable revision.
^２０１２年３月ダイヤ改正について [March 2012 Timetable Revision] (PDF) (in Japanese). Japan: East Japan Railway Company. 16 December 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
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