Due to typhoon damage sustained that month, the line was closed between Higashi-Shikagoe and Shintoku, and passengers transferred to a bus.

[4] The segment between Kushiro and Nemuro has the official nickname Hanasaki Line (花咲線, Hanasaki-sen).

[4] As of late 2022, this segment of the line saw frequent delays and cancellations due to deer incursions causing trains to make emergency stops.

In 1911, 1st class sleeping accommodation was included on the Hakodate to Kushiro train, and a dining car was added from 1916.

In 1966, two major deviations opened, the first, east of Kanayama, associated with the construction of the Kanayama Dam, and the second between Ochiai and Shintoku, including the 5,790 m Shinkarikachi tunnel allowing the line to bypass the 1907 Karikachi tunnel and associated 1 in 40 (2.5%) grades.

By 2015, only 152 people per day were using this segment of the line, most of whom were commuting senior high school students.

In January 2022, the four local governments between Furano and Shintoku gave up on maintaining this segment of the line, and in December the president of JR Hokkaido announced a goal to convert this portion to bus service in 2023 or thereafter.

[1] On the same day five stations (Higashi-Takikawa (T22), Atsunai (K42), Oboro, Bettoga and Kombumori) were closed owing to low ridership.

A 4 km private 1067mm (3'6") line connected a sugar beet factory to Obihiro.

The sugar beets were transported to the factory by a 3 line 762mm gauge network totalling 59 km, which operated 1924–77.