The Limited Express Thunderbird timetable and the train information. The train bound for Kanazawa from Osaka and Kyoto.

thunderbird 683Kanazawa, Toyama, Wakura-Onsen, Fukui
683 series is the primary fleet for limited express train in Hokuriku region, such as Thunderbird and Shirasagi.
683 series is the primary fleet for limited express train in Hokuriku region, such as Thunderbird and Shirasagi.

The limited express Thunderbird connects Osaka, Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Fukui, and Kanazawa. One round trip of this train operates to Wakura-Onsen. This train is the fastest way to get to Kanazawa from Osaka/Kyoto. If you go to Kanazawa from Osaka, simply take this limited express train.

This train is fully covered by JR Pass, Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass, Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass, and Hokuriku Arch Pass.

In this post, I will explain you about the train information of limited express Thunderbird.

Route, schedule and trip time

Thunderbird runs one or two departure(s) in every hour and it runs more than 20 round trips a day. Average trip time is 2 hours and 45 minutes to get to Kanazawa from Osaka. Please see the route map below to find the trip time on the major segments and stations on the route:

The Limited Express Thunderbird train operation route (Click to view large)

You can find the timetable in the link below:

Due to COVID-19, it may be operated on a schedule different from the normal timetable. Check the train schedule on Hyperdia.
Hyperdia perfect guide, train timetable and route search engine

Accommodation

683 series for the limited express Thunderbird

Thunderbird is serviced by 681 or 683 series. 681 series is a bit older fleet than 683. But both fleets are basically same.

The seat pitch in a Green seat is 1,160 mm (46 inches). It is the standard of most JR trains. The seat layout is 2+1. It offers very spacious leg room and quite good seating.

The seat pitch of an ordinary seat is 970 mm (38 inches). It is a little bigger than the standard of JR trains. Some seats on Car #3 are exclusively available for women and small child. Some of JR trains offer this service for women travelers.

By the way, the seat pitch of most major airlines is 76 cm (30 inches) to 84 cm (33 inches). You can imagine how spacious an ordinary seat is. Unless you have a big body, an ordinary class seat is fine.

*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.

Train formation

Thunderbird train formation

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*G=Green seat R=Reserved seat NR=Non reserved seat
Smoking is not allowed on board.

Images

Green seat

Ordinary seat

Sanitary space

Other resources

I have a few more posts which explains you about the access to Kanazawa and surrounding area, such as Shirakawago, Takayama. Please refer the posts below to find more information. I believe these posts will help you to build your trip plan:

I hope this post will help you to create your trip plan.

Comments

  1. Ray says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I need some help for T-H Pass as well for consecutive 5 days. My plan as below:

    Arrival to Kansai Airport – Takayama 3D (Shirakawago, Hida, Gero) – Nagoya 2D – Kyoto 5D – USJ – Osaka 3D

    I encountered the problem for my first arrival to Kansai Airport to Takayama (I searched from google map, by using this T-H Pass, it takes me 10 hours + to be there, and it is impossible since my flight will reach at 12 noon.

    I am thinking to take the route to Takayama as below:
    Kansai Airport – Osaka Station (nearby Ueda) by T-H Pass line
    Osaka Station – Kyoto Station by T-H Pass Thunderbird since included
    Kyoto Station – Nagoya Station by paying extra 5K yen Nozomi Shinkansen
    Nagoya Station to Takayama Station by T-H Pass (Hida Line)

    But I have no ideas about Thunderbird line and Hida Line, would my route plan workable?

    I am going to depart soon, please let me know the best way by using T-H Pass.

    Thanks,
    Ray

  2. PYY says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thank you for your informative reply, it’s really useful! Correct me if I’m wrong, your advice is to activate the Takayama Hokuriku (T-H) Pass the moment I land in KIX?

    Day 01 KIX – Kyoto ( T-H Pass)
    Day 02 Kyoto (T-H Pass still activating, but not in use)
    Day 03 Kyoto to Kanazawa (T-H Pass)
    Day 04 Kanazawa + ShirakawaGo – Osaka (T-H Pass)
    Day 05 Osaka USJ (T-H Pass)
    Day 06 Osaka + Nara (Kansai One Pass)
    Day 07 Osaka City Tour (Kansai One Pass)
    Day 08 Osaka – KIX (purchase Haruka Ticket with Kansai One Pass promo)

    Just to check, can I use Kansai One Pass within Kyoto city? If yes, instead of buying Kyoto Day Passes, I will buy Kansai One Pass at the designated counter, and continue using the Kansai One Pass when I am in Osaka correct? The pass will cover all the transportation to tourist spots within Osaka and Kyoto?

    In total, I will only need 2 passes for this trip – Takayama Hokuriku Pass and Kansai One Pass?

  3. PYY says:

    Dear Takeshi,

    I will be travelling to Japan late Jan next year and planning to get the Takayama-Hokuriku 5-Day Pass. However my trip takes about 08 days and I’m not too sure when should I activate the Takayama-Hokuriku Pass to fully maximise it, and on the other days what other passes/tickets should I get at the lowest cost?

    Here’s my proposed itinerary:
    Day 01 Arrive KIX – Travel to Kyoto
    Day 02 Kyoto City Tour
    Day 03 Kyoto – Kanazawa
    Day 04 Kanazawa + ShirakawaGo (day trip) – Osaka
    Day 05 Osaka City Tour
    Day 06 Osaka + Nara (day trip)
    Day 07 Osaka Universal Studio
    Day 08 Osaka – KIX to home

    Please advice when is the best day to activate the 5-day Takayama-Hokuriku Pass and what other passes/cards should I use on other days? Maybe Icoca & Haruka Card from Day 05 to Day 08 – does the card cover Nara too?

    Also, can you please advice which route takes Thunderbird or Shinkansen? I am very confused and I am not sure which route require seat reservation 🙁

    Sorry for the many questions as this is my first time travelling to Japan. Thank you in advance!

  4. Sue Kam says:

    Dear Takeshi,

    Can we have free ride by bullet train from Toyama to Kanazawa? If yes, what time is the last train. Thank you

  5. Josephine says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am planning to visit Japan on 29 Sept, Here is my itinerary :

    29 Sept – 01 Oct : Tokyo (will visit Mt. Fuji – 1 day trip) – stay 3 nights
    02 Oct : Odaiba (stay 1 night)
    03 Oct : Tokyo – Osaka
    03-04 Oct : Stay at Osaka 2 nights (visit Kobe, Nara, Kyoto)
    05 : Osaka – Kanazawa / Takayama (which one is better?) – stay 1 night
    06 Oct : Shirakawago – Kanazawa / Takayama – Osaka
    06-07 Oct : Osaka (Around Osaka only) – stay 2 nights
    08 Oct : To Kansai Airport

    My questions are :
    1. According to my itinerary, which pass is better for me? Is it Hokuriku Arch Pass, Takayama Hokuriku Pass or JR Pass ?

    2. On 5th Oct from Osaka, is it better stay at Takayama or Kanazawa ?

    3. If i buy Hokuriku Arch Pass, can i use it for my trip from Tokyo to Osaka ?

    Thank you.

    Regards
    Josephine

  6. Erica says:

    Dear Takeshi-san,

    I am planning to have a one-day trip to Kanazawa and Shirakawago from Kyoto. How can I access Shirakawago from Kanazawa?

    Thank you

  7. Sue Kam says:

    Dear Sir,
    We intend to buy the Takayama _Hokuriku tourist pass (5 days Pass) to cover my trips:
    1. From Osaka to Kyoto
    2. From Osaka to Kanazawa
    3. Visit Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa
    4. From Kanazawa to Kansai Airport.
    Thank you

  8. Selina says:

    Hi, I am planning a 7 days trip in December to these places starting with Tokyo as my base. Nagano to see the snow monkeys, Kanazawa, Osaka then back to Tokyo.
    Am I going in the right order and will the bullet train cover these places?
    Appreciate a reply.

  9. Robyn says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I am planning to take this route:
    Apr 12: Osaka -> Yoshino yama -> Osaka
    Apr 13: Osaka -> Nara -> Osaka
    Apr 14: Osaka -> Toyama
    Apr 15: Alpine route (end at Nagano) -> Tokyo.
    Apr 16 to 18: Travelling within Tokyo

    I will be getting the Kurobe option ticket for the alpine route, but may I know if it is worth to get the Hokuriku Arch pass or Hokuriku area pass?

    Thank you very much.

  10. dr. Sitaram Prasad says:

    dear sir,
    My wife and I will be staying at Kyoto and plan to spend a day at Kenrokuen. I plan to use the Shinkansen. What would be the earliest train that I can take from Kyoto station? And what would be the return schedule of the Kanazawa – Kyoto Shinkansen?
    I already have a JR Pass

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