A Hong Kong woman on holiday in Japan has died after being hit by a train.

Japanese media reports said the woman, 61, was standing on tracks near Otaru, Hokkaido on Thursday and was taking photos of the sea when she was struck by the train.

Kyodo News Agency cited police as saying the woman's husband was standing nearby at the time but was not injured.

The accident caused the suspension of almost 20 train services, including some to the region's main airport, railway officials said.

The Chinese Consulate in Sapporo and the Immigration Department in Hong Kong both said they were ready to help the woman's family if assistance was required.