The Hokuriku Shinkansen, direct access to Kanazawa, Nagano and Toyama from Tokyo.

hokuriku shinkansen E7Joetsu, Nagano and Hokuriku
2014.12.28
E7 series is one of the newest Shinkansen fleets for Hokuriku Shinkansen (C) Rsa (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons
E7 series is one of the newest Shinkansen fleets for Hokuriku Shinkansen (C) Rsa (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

This Shinkansen lines was called “The Nagano Shinkansen”. On March 14. 2015, this Shinkansen lines was extended to Kanazawa and it is called “The Hokuriku Shinkansen”. This Shinkansen line connects Tokyo, Omiya, Takasaki, Nagano, Toyama and Kanazawa. This Shinkansen line is covered by JR Pass and Hokuriku Arch Pass fully. JR East Pass Nagano Niigata covers between Tokyo and Joetsu-Myoko station.

I would like to show you the information about this Shinkansen service with you in this post.

Route, schedule and trip time

The Hokuriku Shinkansen runs from Tokyo to Kanazawa via Omiya, Takasaki, Karuizawa, Nagano, Itoigawa and Toyama.

Hokuriku Joetsu Shinkansen operation route map
Operation route map (click to view large)

The fastest train of this Shinkansen service connects Tokyo and Kanazawa in 2.5 hours, Tokyo and Toyama in 2 hours 10 minutes.

Types of trains

There are four types of trains on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line.

Kagayaki (Tokyo – Kanazawa)

Kagayaki is the name of the fastest train that connects between Tokyo and Kanazawa. All Kagayaki stops at Omiya, Nagano and Toyama. One of all Kagayaki service skips Ueno but the rest of the trips stop at Ueno. Some seasonal operation of Kagayaki stops at Shin-Takaoka.

Approximate travel time between the major stations by Kagayaki

Tokyo
30 minutes
Omiya
1 hour
Nagano
45 minutes
Toyama
20 minutes
Kanazawa

Kagayaki train formation

123456789101112
RRRRRRRRRRGGR

R:Reserved Ordinary class G:Reserved Green class GC:Reserved Gran class

Kagayaki has only reserved seat. You cannot get on this train without a seat reservation. JR Pass, JR East Pass and Hokuriku Arch Pass covers a reserved seat fee. But you have to receive a reserved seat ticket before boarding. If you use one of these passes, all you have to do is showing your pass and received a reserved seat ticket.

Hakutaka (Tokyo – Kanazawa)

Hakutaka is the name of the second fastest train that connects between Tokyo and Kanazawa. All Hakutaka stops at Ueno, Omiya, Nagano, Joetsu-Myoko, Itoigawa, Kurobe-Unazukionsen, Toyama and Shin-Takaoka. Most of Hakutaka stops at Takasaki and Iiyama. Some of the trips stop at Karuizawa, Sakudaira and Ueda.

Approximate travel time between the major stations by Hakutaka

Tokyo
30 minutes
Omiya
25 minutes
Takasaki
40 minutes
Nagano
30 minutes
Itoigawa
30 minutes
Toyama
9 minutes
Shin-Takaoka
13 minutes
Kanazawa

Hakutaka train formation

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NRNRNRNRRRRRRRGGR

NR: Non Reserved Ordinary class R:Reserved Ordinary class G:Reserved Green class GC:Reserved Gran class

Asama (Tokyo – Nagano)

Asama is the name of the train that connects between Tokyo and Nagano. All Asama stops at Ueno, Omiya, Takasaki and Karuizawa. Most of Asama stops at Kumagaya, Sakudaira and Ueda. Some of the trips stop at Honjowaseda and Annaka-Haruna.

Approximate travel time between the major stations by Asama

Tokyo
30 minutes
Omiya
30 minutes
Takasaki
20 minutes
Karuizawa
30 minutes
Nagano

Asama train formation

123456789101112
NRNRNRNRRRRRRRGGR

NR: Non Reserved Ordinary class R:Reserved Ordinary class G:Reserved Green class GC:Reserved Gran class
*No meal service available on Gran class of Asama. Only the higher class seat service and Gran class seat fee is cheaper than Kagayaki and Hakutaka.

Tsurugi (Kanazawa – Toyama)

Tsurugi is the name of the train that connects between Kanazawa and Toyama. All Asama stops at Shin-Takaoka.

Approximate travel time between the major stations by Tsurugi

Toyama
9 minutes
Shin-Takaoka
13 minutes
Kanazawa

Tsurugi train formation

123456789101112
NRNRNRNRRRR(R)––G–

NR: Non Reserved Ordinary class R:Reserved Ordinary class G:Reserved Green class

Car #9, #10 and #12 are not used on Tsurugi. Car #8 is available on the train which runs in the busy period.

Timetable

You may find the timetable at JR East official site timetable:

JR East official site – the timetable

Photo gallery

Only E7/W7 series run on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.

E7 and W7 are same train fleet. The Hokuriku Shinkansen is operated by JR East and JR West. E7 belongs to JR East and W7 belongs to JR West.

Gran class

Interior of Gran class seats (C) 黄金のひばりたち (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Interior of Gran class seats (C) 黄金のひばりたち (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The seat of Gran class (C) Asacyan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
The seat of Gran class (C) Asacyan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Entrance deck of Gran class (C) Meitetu1380 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Entrance deck of Gran class (C) Meitetu1380 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Gran class seat is the highest category in all JR trains. Only the Tohoku, the Hokkaido and the Hokuriku Shinkansen trains offer this class. The seat is leather and theleg space is 1,300 mm with 2+1 seat layout. The attendant offers high-end hospitality. The light meal and the beverage are included. But Asama and Hakutaka between Nagano and Kanazawa operation will not offer an attendant, a light meal and beverage. Only the high class seat is offered. A power outlet and many amenities are offered too.

Green class

Interior of Green class (C) 黄金のひばりたち (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Interior of Green class (C) 黄金のひばりたち (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Green class seat (C) Jonathan Ayre
Green class seat (C) Jonathan Ayre

Green class is the highest class in most of express trains. The leg space is 1,160 mm with 2+2 seat layout. A power outlet at each seat is equipped.

Ordinary class

Ordinary class interior (C) 黄金のひばりたち (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Ordinary class interior (C) 黄金のひばりたち (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Ordinary class seat (C) Jonathan Ayre
Ordinary class seat (C) Jonathan Ayre
Ordinary class seat (C) Jonathan Ayre
Ordinary class seat (C) Jonathan Ayre

It is very typical Shinkansen ordinary class layout. It gives you 1040 mm seat pitch with 2+3 seat configuration. All seats have the power outlet. Actually this is the first Shinkansen train that the power outlet is equipped at all seats in the ordinary seat car.

Other facilities

Entrance deck(C) Jonathan Ayre
Entrance deck(C) Jonathan Ayre
Entrance deck(C) Jonathan Ayre
Entrance deck(C) Jonathan Ayre
Lavatory (C) Jonathan Ayre
Lavatory (C) Jonathan Ayre
Lavatory (C) Jonathan Ayre
Lavatory (C) Jonathan Ayre
Lavatory (C) Jonathan Ayre
Lavatory (C) Jonathan Ayre

The coverage by the travel passes

There are many rail passes available. You may be confused which Shinkansen train and class are covered by the pass. The following table shows you the coverage on the Hokuriku Shinkansen lines only. The table below does not show the coverage on the other Shinkansen lines, such as the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Tohoku-the Hokkaido Shinkansen.

Type of the passCoverage
JR Pass GreenAll trains and seats except Gran class
JR Pass Ordinary
Hokuriku Arch Pass		Both reserved and non reserved ordinary seats on all trains on the Hokuriku Shinkansen lines
JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass,
JR East Pass Tohoku, Tokyo Wide Pass		Both reserved and non reserved ordinary seats on all trains on the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Sakudaira
JR East Pass Nagano NiigataBoth reserved and non reserved ordinary seats on all trains on the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Joetsu-Myoko
Kansai Hokuriku Area PassNon reserved ordinary seats on Hakutaka and Tsurugi between Kanazawa and Joetsu-Myoko
Hokuriku Area PassNon reserved ordinary seats on Hakutaka and Tsurugi between Kanazawa and Kurobe-Unazukionsen
Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist passNon reserved ordinary seats on Hakutaka and Tsurugi between Kanazawa and Toyama

Additional charge to take Gran class seat

As I mentioned above, the highest seat, “Gran class” is not covered by any rail pass. If you want to take a seat in Gran class, you have to pay a full fare of Gran class seat. For example, the fares for Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto are the following:

Base fare7,480 yen
Gran class seat fee20,000 yen
Green class seat fee11,620 yen
Reserved ordinary class seat fee6,900 yen

Even if you use JR Pass Green, you have to pay 20,000 yen to get a seat on Gran class. The additional fee is NOT the difference (8,380 yen = 20,000 – 11,620) between Gran class seat fee and Green class seat fee. If you use JR Pass Ordinary or other rail pass, such as Hokuriku Arch Pass, the additional fee is same. In this case, only base fare 7,480 yen is covered by any type of the rail passes.

Summary

On the Hokuriku Shinkansen, there is no restirictions to use the pass. On Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, the fastest train, “Nozomi” is not covered. But on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, even the fastest train “Kagayaki” is covered. This Shinkansen line makes your trip to Nagano, Toyama and/or Kanazawa be easy.

Comments

  1. Julie-Anne says:
    December 5, 2015 at 7:57 am

    Dear Takeshi san
    Our party 2 adults and 1 child arrive in Tokyo 29 December 2015. We will be sightseeing in and around Tokyo until 2 January 2016.
    On 2 January 2016 we wish to travel to Nagano on the Hakutaka 561 from Tokyo to Nagano at 11.44am.
    Which pass is best to cover all this travel, and what is the best way to reserve seats on the Hokuriki shinkansen?
    Thank you.

  2. Joan says:
    November 19, 2015 at 1:03 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    We want to travel to Kanazawa from Ueno on Nov 24 and return from Kanazawa to Ueno on Nov 27. Shall we get the JR East Rail Pass or the Japan Rail Pass?

    Thank you!

  3. Ashton Dempsey says:
    November 17, 2015 at 6:48 pm

    Hi Takeshi

    We are arriving into Haneda airport at 7.00am on 15 January 2016, travelling to Kanazawa that day, and then returning to Iiyama and Nozawa Onsen on 17 January, then Iiyama to Tokyo on 27 January.

    Will a JR East Pass be the best value for this?

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      November 17, 2015 at 10:36 pm

      Hi Ashton,

      Actually single ticket is the best choice. JR East Pass does not cover Joetsu-Myoko to Kanazawa. If you use JR East pass, you have to add around 6000 yen for one way on top of JR East pass. But if you pay single fare, total fare is less than 30000 yen and much cheaper than East Pass + additional fare.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Magdalena says:
    November 12, 2015 at 8:00 pm

    Dear Takeshi

    Thanks for your Reply .. I have another question .. Is it possible i go to hakuba / Nagoya From Toyama ? Is it cover By JR ?

    Thanks n regards

    Magdalena

  5. Magdalena SM says:
    November 12, 2015 at 3:51 am

    Dear takeshi

    I with my fam and friends will travel to Toyama on 27 dec 2015 from Kyoto .. What is the fastest way to go there ?
    I already have 14 days JR pass

    Thanks n rgds

  6. Christine Yeung says:
    October 13, 2015 at 12:17 am

    Dear Takeshi-san

    I plan to travel to Nozawaonsen with family and will be landing Narita airport on 24 December 2015, could you please advise how can i go to take the Hokuriku Shinkansen train and what station should i drop off ?

    What type of the pass should I buy and can i book the Hokuriku Shinkansen train tickets by internet in advance?

    Waiting your favourable reply.

    Thanks & Best regards
    Christine Yeung

  7. Alice says:
    October 9, 2015 at 8:10 pm

    Hello Takeshi-san,
    I will be travelling to Japan for Nov 1 – 8. I am arriving at Tokyo first and then taking a bus to Hirayu Onsen the next day. Then move on to Takayama and Gokayama. From Gokayama, I am thinking of taking a bus to Shin-Takaoka Station first, then back to Ueno Station by Shinkansen.
    My question is I want to buy the Shinkansen ticket before leaving for Hirayu Osen on Day 2. Can I buy it from JR Ueno Station?
    Look forward to your reply! Thank you.
    Alice from Canada

  8. June says:
    September 27, 2015 at 4:33 pm

    My family of six are planning on going on the Shinkansen Kagayaki 501 at 6:16 on November 9, 2015 Tokyo Station to Kanazawa. We will have a Green JR pass. We are interested in going on the Gran Class and understand that we will have to pay the upgrade of Y19,630. Do you think it will be difficult to book this class? Do that have food service on the Gran Class? What is the menu?
    Thank you very much for your help,
    June

  9. Tommy says:
    September 22, 2015 at 8:32 pm

    Hello. I just checked with jr personal and the gran class fare for hokuriku is more expensive than tohoku, however hokuriku is shorter. Do you have any idea why? Is the gran class in e7 have better service etc? Thanks

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      September 22, 2015 at 10:55 pm

      Hi Tommy,

      The service is almost same. I think it is cause of operation. Tohoku is operated by JR East but Hokuriku Shinkansen is operated by JR East and JR West. Fare table of Hokuriku Shinkansen is more complicated.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  10. Vakentin says:
    September 18, 2015 at 8:09 am

    Aloha takeshi- san,
    I am travelling to Noto from Osaka via Biwako and Fukui soon and will need to make my way to Tokyo on the 30th September.
    I am hoping to get the new Shinkansen from Kanazawa direct to Tokyo one way ( no thrills ) just cheapest possible fare- is there a platt kodama or purrato fare? If so could you tell me how best to purchase this, when and what the normal fare is Kanazawa – Tokyo as well please.

    That would be amazing as this whole thing is rather confusing tbh.

    Thank you,

    Valentin from Berlin

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