International Railroad Discussion > Shinkansen service to Hokkaido slated to begin March 26, 2016

Wandering the web, I encountered this -
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/shinkansen/
...Lorenzo

There's an announcement posted on JR East's web site (in many languges, including English) regarding the closure of Kaikyo Line (the tracks through the Seikan Tunnel that connect Honshu and Hokkaido) between March 22 and March 25 in preparation for the start of Hokkaido Shinkansen service. That means anyone trying to catch the Express Hamanasu and Luxury Sleeper Cassiopeia better do it on or before March 21, before they are gone for good.

Cassiopeia's last run is southbound, departing Sapporo on the 20th - sold out. Limited seats are still available on the 16th (today's run, Japan time), the southbound run out of Sapporo.

The Japanese language announcement encourages passengers to use alternative transportation for those 4 days, like airlines and ferries.