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

hokuriku shinkansen E7Joetsu, Nagano and Hokuriku
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. Lisa says:

    Hi, I have the Hokuriku arch pass, and will be travelling from Tokyo (Shinjuku) to Nagano. It seems that the Hokuriku shinkansen can only be boarded from Tokyo or Ueno station. Is it possible to travel using the Arch pass from Shinjuku directly to Omiya and then Nagano, without first going to Tokyo/Ueno station? Thanks!

    • Hi Lisa,

      Unfortunately not. This pass covers local train in Tokyo 23 wards only. Omiya is not in Tokyo. You have to go to Tokyo first to catch Shinkansen to Nagano.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Sherif Arafa says:

    Hi …
    I will arrive to tokyo on 8th feb
    and i need to go to toyama by the shinkansen .. but first I need to know which airport is nearer to the shinkansen station.. Haneda or narita ?

  3. Sherif Adel Arafa says:

    hi.. i will arrive tokyo on 7 feb at 10:45 pm

    I want to know when can i take the shinkansen to toyama and the price please !!

  4. Asyikin says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Me and my friends are planning to have a trip from Tokyo-Kyoto-Hakone-Tokyo. We bought Hokuriku Arch Pass. I would like to know how we can benefit the pass from Kyoto to Odawara station as i realized Hokuriku Shinkansen does not stop at Odawara Station.

    Thanks!

  5. Melina says:

    Hello Takeshi,

    I will be going to Hokkaido in December and will have 3 days in Tokyo, one of which I am thinking to spend at Shirakawa-go, possibly overnight. I will be travelling from Hakodate to Tokyo, will it be possible to make a stop at Shirakawa-go? I will be buying the JR pass, so thinking to specially make this trip to Shirakawa-go. Any advice and how would the train trips be like? Thanks.

    • Hi Melina,

      Please see the link below:
      https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-tokyo.html

      This is a day trip itinerary but you can use it for overnight trip too. This itinerary is departing from Tokyo. If you access to Shirakawago from Hakodate, you can change two Shinkansen trains, Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen at Omiya. But Omiya is not much away from Tokyo. It’s only 20 minutes away from Tokyo. So total trip time from Hakodate to Kanazawa is almost 7 hours. Your route is the following:

      Hakodate (Local, rapid or limited express) Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto
      Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto (Hokkaido Shinkansen) Omiya
      Omiya (Hokuriku Shinkansen) Kanazawa
      Kanazawa (Nohi bus) Shirakawago.

      I did not include the trip time from Kanazawa to Shirakawago by bus. You will spend another 1 hour 15 minutes. It will be such a long day.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  6. Colin Chee says:

    Takeshi-san
    How can I best travel by rail to get from Kanazawa to Takayama?

    I will not be buying a JR Pass as Singapore JTB has advised it does not make sense for me to get one given my itinerary.

  7. Bryan says:

    Hi,
    I’m travelling to Toyama from Tokyo and I’ll be using the JR East Nagano and Niigata Pass. Do I have to exit the train at Joetsumyoko to purchase another ticket for Toyama? Or can I just pay the required amount for Joetsumyoko to Toyama when booking my ticket for Tokyo to Toyama?

  8. john cheah says:

    Hi, I would like to climb Mount Tateyama. I was told I needed to get to Toyama station and from there take a bus onwards to tateyama hiking trail.

    How do i get to Tateyama train station from Tokyo?
    Can I use a JReast pass for it?

    • Hi John,

      You can get Toyama by Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo as you read the post above.
      After getting Toyama, change another train, Toyama Chiho Railway to Tateyama. Toyama Chiho Railway is not covered by JR pass. Tateyama Kurobe option ticket is recommended.
      http://www.alpen-route.com/en/access_new/
      http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • John says:

        Thank you Takeshi,
        But from Tokyo to Toyama, could I buy purchase the JREast shinkansen pass for it? I’m worried if the JR east pass doesn’t cover all the way till Toyama.

        • Hi John,

          JR East Pass does not cover all the way to Toyama. You have to pay extra for Joetsu-Myoko station to Toyama station because this segment is not in coverage area. Extra fee is around 5000 yen. If you use JR pass, it covered fully. But JR East pass + extra is still cheaper than JR Pass.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  9. Samantha says:

    Hello Takeshi,

    I am planning to travel to Japan for a 12 days trip during end of Nov and I would like to seek your advice. (Landing in HND on 26th Nov, 9am)

    Places to go are as follow:

    Tokyo (Staying in Asakusa)
    Mt Fuji (day trip)
    Back to Tokyo to train down to Osaka
    Osaka (Staying around Namba)
    Kyoto
    Back to Tokyo

    For the 1st day only, I plan to get the ‘Tokyo Free Kippu’ pass for 1,590Yen/pax so I can save on JR ride from HND to Tokyo.
    My 1st day is quite a lot of travelling on the various subways. (more subways compared to JRs)

    From Tokyo to Osaka and to Kyoto and back to Tokyo then to Haneda Airport, would you suggest getting the 7d Hokuriku Arch Pass for 24,000Yen/pax since I find that it actually covers the last leg of my trip + JR ride to HND airport too? I don’t actually plan to get the JR 7d pass.

    I read up on a lot of other ways to get from Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto (Round trip), I find the above mentioned route the most cost savvy + fits my itinerary.

    What would you suggest? Please advise me.

    • Hi Samantha,

      You can use Tokyo Free Kippu for arrival day. But you may use Keikyu Haneda Subway pass at 1310 yen.
      http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/airport_bus/index.html

      Keikyu train runs through subway line to Asakusa. You can get Asakusa from Haneda directly. Tokyo Free Kippu does not cover Keikyu. On the other hand Keikyu Haneda Subway Pass does not cover JR. If you really need to take JR, Tokyo Free Kippu is better option.

      Hokuriku Arch Pass is okay but you have to take two trains, Limited Express Thunderbird and Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka (or Kyoto). It takes about 6 hours with transfer at Kanazawa. If you use JR pass, you can get direct Shinkansen Hikari between Tokyo and Osaka. It takes 2.5 hours.

      Hokuriku Arch pass is 5000 yen cheaper but you have to spend 3.5 hours more for one way.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Samantha says:

        Hello Takeshi,

        Thank you so much for your response! I really appreciate having great advice!
        I’ll look up on the ‘Keikyu Haneda Subway’ pass to compare. It seems a better option as opposed to the ‘Tokyo Free Kippu’ pass.

        The reason why I opted for the ‘Hokuriku Arch Pass’ was because the ‘JR Tokaido Shinkansen’ costs a whopping ¥14,200/ way/ pax (inclusive of some subways?). I’m not sure how it was so expensive but I gathered the info from using Hyperdia for travelling routes, times and prices.

        Could you please advise on why and how you could get Shinkansen Hikari? Hyperdia routed me on JR Tokaido Shinkansen 🙁

        Thank you!

        • Hi Samantha,

          Tokaido Shinkansen and Hikari are same. There are three kinds on trains running on Tokaido Shinkansen, Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama.
          Nozomi is the fastest train but it is not covered by JR pass. Hikari is second fastest and even this train connects Shin-Osaka and Tokyo in 2.5 hours. Kodama stops at all Shinkansen station and the slowest train on Shinkansen line. Please see the link below to find more about Tokaido Shinkansen.
          https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html

          If you make a round trip by Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari, total fare is still cheaper than JR pass 7 days at 29100 yen. But you can take JR local trains in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo. I think you will make the worth using JR pass.
          Hokuriku Arch Pass is way cheaper than JR pass and you can take JR local trains too. But as I mentioned, you cannot take Tokaido Shinkansen. You have to take limited express Thunderbird and Hokuriku Shinkansen. This is that you need to think about.

          Which one do you like, spending 7 hours more in the train to save your money or spending 5000 yen more to get direct and faster train service.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Samantha says:

            Hello Takeshi,

            Thank you so much for the advice! This time VS money issue is the one that got me stuck but I guess not anymore now.

            I think I’ll go with your recommendation of getting the 7days JR pass for my last leg of the trip. Hopefully I will make good use cos it’s expensive!

            Once again, thank you so very very much Takeshi! You have helped another traveller in her transportation worries! Hahaha

  10. Rain says:

    Hello Takeshi,

    I’m planning a 9-10days trip including the following places this September
    – mt fuji ( hike)
    – Hakone onsen
    – tateyama
    – manza onsen
    – Osaka
    – kyoto
    Please advice me on the best way to arrange my itinerary and the rail tickets/ passes I should get? I plan to include a 7 day Japan rail pass , do you think this is advisable and if so for which segment should I use the pass? Arigato !

    • Hi Rain,

      You can do day trips to Hakone, Fuji and Manza onsen if you want. If you stay there, it’s okay. It depends on your travel style.
      If you stay in Fuji and Hakone, you can make 2 nights 3 days trip from Tokyo.
      http://www.odakyu.jp/english/course/fujihakone/

      Manza Onsen is connected by bus to/from Karuizawa. You can get Nagano from Karuizawa. From Nagano, you can take express bus to Ogisawa where is departure point of Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-for-train-access-to-nagano-matsumoto-and-other-places-in-shinshu-and-surrounding-area.html
      http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/

      After complete alpine route at Toyama, you can go down to Kyoto and Osaka.

      7 days JR Pass may be okay. But it’s not sure at this point. It depends on your arrival and departure airport. And also you haven’t decided how you travel Fuji, Hakone and Manza.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Rain says:

        Hello Takeshi,

        Thank you for the extremely comprehensive explanation.
        Your suggestion of a 3D2N tour of fuji and hakone using the fuji-hakone free pass is a great idea.

        As for Manza onsen, i plan to stay overnight then depart for Nagano. I understand that a tateyama kurobe option ticket costing 9000yen will cover me from nagano to toyama, may i check where can i buy this ticket?

        I read that the JR Pass has to be activated at selected locations in toyko , would i be able to choose which day to activate it ? lets say if i visit the office on 30 aug, may i choose it activate it on 2nd sep?

        From the hyperdia website , i gather there are some japan rail routes suitable for my travel plans:
        1. tokyo to karuizawa
        2. karuizawa to nagano
        3. toyama to kyoto/osaka, which you mentioned too
        4. kyoto/osaka to tokyo

        Would seat reservation be required on any of the above routes?

        Arigato!

        • Hi Rain,

          You may find the sales location of Tateyama Kurobe option ticket at the link that I gave you in previous reply.

          Regarding activate JR Pass, you can pick up the date when you want to start using JR pass. You can exchange it on Aug 30 and start 2nd Sep with no problem.

          Reservation is not required but highly recommended. Reserved seat fee is included in JR pass, so why not? You may change any time if you want to change the trains. I complete all train bookings when I exchange JR pass.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

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