On March 27, 2022, municipalities along the line agreed to abolish the Oshamanbe—Otaru section after the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen extension to Sapporo in 2030.

[1] Until the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, these services usually operated on the 1966 built Nanae to Ōnuma section, bypassing (then) Oshima-Ono and Niyama.

Until the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, the following sleeping car services operated; Kitaca support has implemented in 2024, for Hakodate to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto section.

Doubling of the line between Minami-Otaru and Iwamizawa opened 1909-11, and was extended to Sunagawa 1924-26, to Takikawa in 1956 and to Asahikawa 1964-68.

The Otaru – Sapporo – Takikawa section was electrified in 1968, and extended to Asahikawa the following year with the opening of the 4,523m Kamuikotan tunnel and associated deviation.

The 15 km Goryōkaku – Oshima-Ono section was electrified in conjunction with the opening of the Hokkaido Shinkansen, with the latter station renamed Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto.

In August 2013, three cars of a 20-car freight train derailed on the line near Yakumo after striking a two-meter piece of wood that obstructed the tracks.

Although there were no injuries, the line was temporarily closed, impacting rail service to and from Hakodate Station.