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

123456789101112
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. Matteo says:
    April 21, 2016 at 3:32 am

    Hello Takeshi san,

    I need to go from TOKIO to KANAZAWA with National JR Pass Ordinary on July 28th.
    Do I have to book my seat? Can I do this with Ordinary pass?

    Thank you very much,
    Matteo

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      April 21, 2016 at 12:56 pm

      Hi Matteo san,

      You must reserve your seat if you will take the fastest train on Hokuriku Shinkansen, Kagayaki. You cannot take this train without booking.
      You can book it by JR Pass ordinary. It’s covered fully.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Lenny says:
    April 4, 2016 at 8:46 am

    Hi, Takeshi-san.
    My family(8adults,3children) and I are going to visit Japan in July for 11days (11/7 narita – 22/7 narita)
    And I have a trouble trying to arranged our itinerary.

    Places we want to visit are as follow:
    – toyama
    – tateyama
    – sapporo
    – hakodate(optional)
    – furano
    – tokyo

    What is the best way to arrange a good itinerary for this trip?
    Is it possible to use Jr pass for this trip?

    I will really appreciate your help

    Regards,
    Lenny

    Arigatou

  3. Yan says:
    March 31, 2016 at 12:54 am

    Hi Takeshi San,

    We are planning to Japan in April 2016, from 12 to 18 April and the proposed itinerary as follow:

    Since we heard a new pass (Hokuriku Arch Pass) will launched in April, we’ve got this planning, mainly for sight-seeing.

    Day 1 – Arrive Tokyo (Narita) early morning leave for Karuizawa (stay in Toyama)
    Day 2 – Toyama (stay in Toyama)
    Day 3 – Kanazawa (stay in Toyama)
    Day 4 – Kaga Onsen-kyo
    Day 5 – fm Toyama to Mt. Tateyama
    Day 6 – Kyoto / Nara
    Day 7 – Depart in the evening in Osaka

    Feel free to commend, Thanks a lot.

    Yan

  4. Kantima Leelahavanichkul says:
    March 30, 2016 at 5:29 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    We are planning to go to Toyama from Tokyo on May 5 which is still in Golden week. We have heard that people will travel a lot on that week and we may not be able to get in the train if we do not book the train. Should we book a seat on the train? If yes, please give me link to book and how to book. We can’t find online reservation from Tokyo to Toyama. I found only part of it in the East Rail can be reserved
    Please advise.

    Thank you,

    Kantima

  5. Arve says:
    March 1, 2016 at 6:53 am

    Greetings Takeshi-san,

    My family and I (6 adults and 1 infant) are planning to go to Japan this April-May 2016. Could you please comment on whether or not I have chosen the right passes for this trip?

    Following is our itinerary:

    April
    22-24 – Shinjuku
    (Use JR 7 Days-Pass for Shinjuku-Kyoto)
    24-28 – Kyoto (Use pass for day trips to Nara, Arashiyama,etc)
    28- May 1st – Fujikyu Highland (Use pass for Kyoto-Fujikyu)
    May
    (Use JR East Pass Nagano-Niigata from Fujikyu to Matsumoto)
    1-3 Matsumoto
    3-5 Nagano (JR East Pass)
    5-8 Hakuba (JR East Pass)
    8 – Hakuba-Shinano Omachi to catch Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (JR East Pass)
    – Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route Ticket to Toyama (Discounted ticket for using JR East Pass.)

    8-10 Toyama
    10-12 Takayama
    12-14 Kamikochi
    14-17 Kanazawa
    17-21 Shinjuku
    21-22 Narita
    For the last part, I’m not sure if I should take the Takayama-Hokuriku tourist pass for the Toyama, Takayama, Kamikochi part or should I get another JR Pass to use for the trip from Kanazawa to Shinjuku, to go around Shinjuku-Tokyo, then Shinjuku to Narita. Really need your advice on this matter.

    Thank you so much for your time and attention, Takeshi.

    Best,

    Arve

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      March 1, 2016 at 4:17 pm

      Hi Arve,

      I have nothing to mention to you about the first half of your trip unti you get Toyama. That is very organized and good job!

      It’s so hard to find the deal for the last part of your trip after Toyama. Kamikochi is not covered by either JR pass and Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass.
      Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass seems to be good choice. Even if it does not cover Kamikochi, you can take express train between Toyama and Takayama, Nohi bus among Takayama, Shirakawago and Kanazawa, and Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Toyama. Total costs may be a bit higher than Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass. You can go for this deal. But you need to add single fare for Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Tokyo. The pass is valid for 5 days. It will be expired when you are in Kanazawa. If you have JR Pass, it’s covered but it’s too expensive to use it for the last part. Even 7 days pass cannot be paid off.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Arve says:
        March 2, 2016 at 6:11 am

        Hi Takeshi,

        Thank you very much for prompt reply. Glad to know that you have approved the itinerary along with the passes I’ve chosen for the first and second part of the journey.

        I think I will follow your advice about getting the Takayama-Hokuriku Pass for the whole Toyama-Takayama-Kamikochi-Kanazawa part of the journey instead of getting another JR Pass. Although it means we have to purchase a one-way Shinkansen for Kanazawa-Shinjuku which costs around 7,340 Yen plus 6,570 Yen for reserved seats to get on the Kagayaki Shinkansen, then getting the Tokyo Metropolitan District 4-Day Pass to get around. The total cost would still be cheaper than the JR Pass, don’t you think?

        Thanks again for all your help.

        Arve

  6. Anch says:
    February 26, 2016 at 9:44 am

    Hi, We are travelling to Japan in April 2016. We are a couple with a 1.5 year toddler. We are in Japan from 2nd April to 10 April and looking at the below itinerary:

    Day 1 – Arrive Osaka early morning leave for Kyoto
    Day 2 – kyoto
    Day 3 – Kyoto
    Day 4 – Kyoto to kanazawa
    Day 5 – Kanazawa (Day trip to shirakawago)
    Day 6 – Kanazawa to Tokyo
    Day 7 – Tokyo
    Day 8 – Tokyo
    Day 9 – Depart in the evening

    This is our first trip to Japan and we want to enjoy the scenic beauty and the culture. Can you suggest if the above itinerary is good or if we should make some changes.
    Thanks a lot.

  7. Tony says:
    February 6, 2016 at 3:41 pm

    Hello Takeshi-san

    We are planning to visit Japan in April. Our possible itinerary is:

    Day 1-2 Tokyo
    Day 3 Travel to Kanazawa
    Day 3-4 Kanazawa
    Day 5 Travel to Kyoto
    Day 5-6 Kyoto
    Day 7 Travel to Tokyo

    Which JP Rail pass do you recommend? We will travel in and out of Narita. Arigato.

    Tony

  8. Linda says:
    December 28, 2015 at 6:04 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    We have a very first trip to Japan in March 2016. We have 10 days from 24th March to 2nd April. We will use JR pass 7 days to travel from Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto. My ideal itinerary as follow:

    From 24th to 26th March: Tokyo, book accommodation in Asasuka, spend 2 first day to go around Tokyo.
    26th to 30th March: Osaka. From Osaka using JR pass to go to Kyoto (1 day trip)
    31st March to 2nd April: back to Tokyo, spend 1 or 2 day to go day trip to another small town around Tokyo (have no idea yet)

    After reading your sample itinerary, I think I will spend 1 or 2 day trip to go to Kanazawa, see cherry blossom in the garden there and go to Shirakawago. I fall in love with these historic village and die to go there. The question is I need to skip 1 night in Tokyo or Osaka to stay in Kanazawa. Can you advise I should go to Kanazawa from Tokyo or Osaka, which route is better and most convenience?

    Thanks so much.

    Cheeers/ Linda

  9. Eric says:
    December 27, 2015 at 2:11 am

    Hi Takeshi-San,

    I will be travelling in on 25 Jan 2016 from Tokyo to Nagano (to Hakuba) around lunch time and am planning to go via the Hokuriku Shinkansen.

    We will arrive to Tokyo station from Hamamatshcho via the JR Yamanote Line (inner loop).

    Altogether our family of 4 people has 2 Adults and 2 Children (a 5 year old and a 8 year old).

    Can you please advise if an ordinary class non-reserve seating is good enough, that is, will it be easy to find seats for all of us to sit as a group?

    And can the ordinary class seats ‘turn around’ so that we can face each other (two facing front and 2 facing ‘back’)?

    I would really appreciate any advice you can offer as travelling with young children can be a bit more challenging than normal especially when I don’t speak Japanese 🙂

    Thank you so much for your time.

  10. Gladys Lim says:
    December 13, 2015 at 11:21 pm

    Hi Takeshi San,

    Will be making yet another trip to Japan in Feb 2016! I am kind of confused which JR pass to get . Will you be able to advise if it is just sufficient to get the JR East pass plus Tokyo wide pass or a combination?

    My Iti;

    Day 1 & 2 Tokyo Just to explore the area within Tokyo.

    Day 3 to Nagano to visit the snow monkeys.

    Day 4 Thinking of going to Yokohama? Or better advise from you?

    Day 5 /6/7 Back to Tokyo

    Day 8 Booked this ryokan Hokkawa onset, Higashi Izu Cho, Kamo-gun, Shizuoka,

    Day 9 Back to Tokyo

    Day 10 End

    Would appreciate your advise! Thanks a lot !

    Gladys

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