The is a luxury charter train service in Japan, operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It used to operate as a Limited express from July 1999 until March 2016. It ran between Ueno Station in Tokyo and the city of Sapporo in the northern island of Hokkaido. The one-way journey took approximately 16 hours. Route The Cassiopeia ran on the following rail lines: JR East Tōhoku Main Line, Ueno - Morioka IGR Iwate Ginga Railway Iwate Galaxy Railway Line, Morioka - Metoki Aoimori Railway Aoimori Railway Line, Metoki - Aomori JR East Tsugaru Line, Aomori - Naka-Oguni JR Hokkaido Kaikyō Line, Naka-Oguni - Kikonai Esashi Line, Kikonai - Goryōkaku Hakodate Main Line, Goryōkaku - Hakodate - Oshamambe Muroran Main Line, Oshamambe - Numanohata Chitose Line, Numanohata - Shiroishi Hakodate Main Line, Shiroishi - Sapporo The train changed direction at Aomori and Hakodate. Northbound trains to Sapporo departed from Ueno after 16:00, and called at , , , , , , and . The first stop in Hokkaido was at at 05:00 the following day, with arrival in Sapporo around 09:30. Southbound trains to Ueno departed from Sapporo after 16:00; the first stop after leaving Hokkaido was at Sendai, around 04:30 the following day, and the arrival time at Ueno Station around 09:30. Trains departed three times per week, with more departures during holiday periods. Rolling stock The train was formed of twelve E26 series sleeping cars, including a lounge car at the Sapporo end and a deluxe suite at the Ueno end. The train was hauled by a JR East Tabata-based Class EF510-500 dual-voltage electric locomotive between Ueno and Aomori, by a JR Hokkaido ED79 AC electric locomotive between Aomori and Hakodate, and by a pair of JR Hokkaido DD51 diesel locomotives between Hakodate and Sapporo. Prior to June 2010, the services were hauled by JR East Class EF81 dual-voltage electric locomotives. Formation Accommodation and fares The Cassiopeia consisted of all type "A" accommodation, all specific to this particular train. A flat fee was charged for all rooms, regardless of starting or ending location. Accommodation rates ranged from about ¥27,000 for a Cassiopeia Twin room to ¥51,000 for a Cassiopeia Suite. The other fares, the basic fare and limited express fare, were based on distance. For tourists using the Japan Rail Pass, the basic fare did not have to be paid. However, there was a charge of about