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:
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
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
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| G | R | R | R | NR | NR | NR | R | R |
*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
Hi Takeshi-san,
I have the following itinerary,
Arrival 18/10/2014 Tokyo
19/10/2014 Tokyo
20/10/2014 Tokyo
21/10/2014 箱根， 富士山
22/10/2014 箱根， 富士山
23/10/2014 Kyoto， Nara – 京都，奈良
24/10/2014 Kyoto， Nara – 京都，奈良
25/10/2014 Kyoto， Nara – 京都，奈良
26/10/2014 Kyoto， Nara – 京都，奈良
27/10/2014 Osaka 大阪
28/10/2014 Osaka 大阪
29/10/2014 Osaka 大阪， Kobe 神户
30/10/2014 Kanazawa 金沢， take Nouhi Bus
31/10/2014 Shirakawa-go historic village 517 大字鳩谷 白川村
1/11/2014 Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
2/11/2014 Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
3/11/2014 Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
4/11/2014 Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan
5/11/2014 Sendai
6/11/2014
7/11/2014 Tokyo
8/11/2014 Tokyo
9/11/2014 Tokyo
leaving 10/11/2014
I am planning buying a 21-day JR pass, using it from 21/10. can you confirm it’s a good deal using the JR pass rather than buying individual tickets?
Thanks.
Jason
Hi Jason,
Yes. JR Pass is much cheaper than single tickets.
But if you go to Hokkaido from Shirakawago, it will be a long long trip.
Takayama – 2.5 hours – Nagoya – 2 hours – Tokyo – 3 hours Shinaomori – 2 hours – Hakodate
I recommend you to stay somewhere on the way to Hokkaido. If you can make a stop at Sendai on the way, that makes your trip be easier.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Sir,
We are planning to arrive into Nagoya in July and take the train to Toyoma before going for our Tateyama hike. Finishing off in Omachi for an overnight stay before returning back to Nagoya. Can you kindly advise me on the best train options, fares, schedules and pass, if available. Thank you. Regards, Leung
Hi Leung,
I think you asked me similar question at the following link:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-kanazawa.html
As I answered you about ticket at the link above, unfortunately there is no passes available for your trip at this moment.
Single ticket is only choice for you. You can find the fare and timetable at Hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
You can find more info about Tateyama-Kurobe at the following link:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/tateyama-kurobe-alpine-route-one-of-most-spectacular-sightseeing-route-in-northern-japan-alps.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello Takeshi-san,
Appreciate your suggestion on the JR pass.
Itinerary :
Day 1 : Arrive at Kansai international airport, overnight at osaka
Day 2 : to seki city
Day 3 : to Takayama
Day 4 : shirakawago
Day 5 : kanazawa
Day 6 : osaka/ kyoto
Day 7 to day 13- osaka/ kyoto/ nara/ kobe/ himeji
is it worth to get JR pass? Or regional pass for kansai will suffice?
Thank you for your advices.
Hi Fam,
JR pass is too expensive for your trip. As you think, use regional pass in Kansai area and use single ticket to go to Seki, Takayama, Shirakawago and Kanazawa.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
hello
I am going to osaka (2 days) then kanazawa (1 day) then to Kyoto (5 days) and then after than tokyo (7 days). What will be my best and cheapest option?
many thanks for your help – much appreciated
Hi Rebecca,
If you arrive in Osaka and depart from Tokyo, actually single fares is the cheapest.
If you do Osaka-Kyoto-Kanazawa-Tokyo, the fare is cheaper.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-San,
Could you advise me if I need a JR Pass for my below routes or other type of ticket that you recommend us to buy:
Day 1: Kansai Airport -> Shin Osaka -> Toyama (I understand that this route use JR Thunderbird), is JR West include the JR Thunderbird?
Day 2: Toyama -> Tateyama Station for Alpine Kurobe Route Tour -> Toyama
Day 3: Toyama -> Kanazawa -> Shirakawa-go -> Kanazawa (By Nohi Bus for round-trip) -> Kansai Airport.
Thanks,
Acen
Hi Acen,
JR Pass is much more expensive than single fares. So don’t purchase it.
The best deal is the combination of JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass and Hokuriku Area Pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/the-newest-jr-west-rail-pass-for-kansai-and-okayama-kurashiki-kinosakai-and-shingu-area-kansai-wide-area-pass.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_hokuriku.html
These two passes cover the trip by JR. Even though you have to pay extra for trip to Shirakawago and alpine route, this combination is the best and only choice for you. However as you probably saw in the link above, Hokuriku Area Pass can be purchased at Tsuruga station on the way to Toyama. So you have to get off Thunderbird and purchase it. You will waste at least one hour because you have to wait for next Thunderbird.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, I am traveling from KIX to kagaonsen then kanazawa (on a separate day), followed by nagoya before coming back to kyoto and osaka within 2 weeks. Should I go for ICOCA-hakura pass for KIX-kagaonsen?
Hi Chean,
Yes. ICOCA and Haruka covers your trip to Kyoto from KIX. After Kyoto, you have to add single ticket. But this is only your option.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I would like to travel from Kansai airport to Kanazawa.
Is it better to purchase single ticket or should I go for JR kansai area pass or ICOCO & HARUKA?
As after Kanazawa, I’ll be going from Kanazawa to Kyoto for few days, then Kyoto to Osaka, staying in Osaka for few nights.
Thanks,
Mui Siew
Hi Mui Siew,
ICOCA and Haruka is the best choice. Especially if you complete your trip from/to KIX in 14 days, round trip ICOCA and Haruka gives you superb value.
If you go to Kanazawa from KIX diretly, take Haruka to Kyoto. And then transfer to the train to Kanazawa at Kyoto. When you purchase ICOCA and Haruka at KIX, you can purchase round trip ticket between Kyoto and Kanazawa.
ICOCA cannot be used for the trip to Kanazawa. But when you come back Kyoto and Osaka, you will have many chance to use it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Okay got it, thanks Takeshi!
As I’ll be staying in Namba, so when I need to go to KIX, I should take a subway to Tennoji and then only transfer to Haruka with the return pass that I bought, correct?
Regards,
Mui Siew
That’s right, Mui Siew.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
I want to travel to Kanazawa from Kyoto, and from Kanazawa to Nagano, then to Tokyo.
I am planning to take thunderbird to Kanazawa, then use hakutaka+JR shinetsu to nagano. I am a bit confused with the JR passes. Does the JR west pass cover the thunderbird route? Also, which regional pass cover hakutaka and JR shinetsu?
I know you said in the other article that hakutaka runs on non-JR rails between naoetsu and muikamachi, but if I’m only catching it from kanazawa to naoetsu then change to shinetsu line, do i still need to pay that extra?
Thank you!
Hi Joyce,
Only JR Pass covers all part of your trip. As you said, taking Hakutaka between Nagano and Naoetsu is covered by JR Pass.
Any kind of JR West passes do not cover Kanazawa and Nagano. I don’t know how much you travel in Japan other than Kyoto-Kanazawa-Nagano. Single fare may be cheaper than JR Pass. If you tell me your detailed itinerary, I may give you some more suggestions.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you so much for the previous comment!
I will be arriving in Kansai airport, staying in Osaka for 3 nights. On the first day of arrival, I will go to Kobe at night then head back to Osaka, 2nd day I will spend it at Osaka, 3rd day at Nara then back to Osaka. Then I am heading to Kyoto, then Kanazawa, then Nagano, then Tokyo, and leave from there.
I have looked at the transport in Kansai area, which doesn’t cost too much and a west pass will probably not worth it, but the rest of the trip will cost a bit more, so I am not sure if it’s still worth getting the JR pass. Also in Tokyo, I will be using subways quite often, which isn’t cover by JR pass, so I assume the pass won’t be of much use in Tokyo either.
Hi Joyce,
I think single fare and Kansai Thru Pass will be your choice.
As you said, the fare is not very high in Kansai Area. And I estimate about 20000 yen for your trip from Kyoto to Tokyo via Kanazawa, Naoetsu and Nagano. You can purchase only one ticket from Kyoto to Tokyo. Because you can make stopover at Kanazawa and Nagano, and ticket is valid for 5 days.
Please see the details about single ticket at the following post:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
In Kansai area, you can use Kansai Thru Pass for KIX-Kobe-Osaka, Osaka-Nara-Osaka and Osaka-Kyoto. This pass covers all part of these trips. And it covers also Osaka subway, Kyoto subway and bus. 3 days pass is sold at 5000 yen and you can purchase it at KIX.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
JR Pass 7 days is 28300 yen. But this combination is about 25000 yen. I think it’s better.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thank you for the great suggestions Takeshi!
I got a few more question concerning the JR pass:
Are these trips fully covered by JR pass?
1.thunderbird express (kyoto to kanazawa)
2.hakutaka (kanazawa to naoetsu)
3.shinetsu honsen (naoetsu to nagano)
4.kusatsu express (nagano station to 長野原草津口)
5.JR bus from 長野原草津口 to kusatsu onsen village
6.Narita Express from Shibuya or Tokyo station
Also, can I use suica+N’EX ticket set to travel from tokyo to narita? or is that strictly from narita to tokyo only?
Thank you so much for you help!
Joyce
Hi Joyce,
All trains/buses are covered by JR Pass.
Unfortunately you can’t use Suica and N’ex from Tokyo to Narita one way only.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
hi
i am going from kyoto to toyama – omachi alpine rout & getting the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Ticket=http://english.jr-central.co.jp/tickets/value/tateyamakurobe/index.html
it is really difficult to understand what they say here=
[Departure from Kyoto City/ Osaka City (Round-trip Hokuriku Line)]
Reserved seats for ordinary cars of the limited express train are available one time each for both to and back from the Alpine Route.
* Reserved seats on ordinary cars for respective trains are available only when connecting to limited express trains at Kanazawa Station or Toyama Station.
on hyperdia & on this current site now, i understand fastest way about 168mins is to take thunderbird from kyoto to toyama.
all i need is –
(1) confirm that thunderbird is hokuriku line so if i buy this round trip ticket 22580yen, i can use it for thunderbird?
(2) can this ticket be purchase online before arrival in Japan & the link?
brgds
Andy
Hi Andy,
1. Yes, you can.
“One time” means you cannot take limited express train twice on the way to Toyama, like Kyoto-Fukui and Fukui-Toyama.
2. No. As you saw this site, it’s available at only JR Central stations. Kyoto has JR Central’s ticket window. There are two ticket window, JR West’s and JR Central’s. JR Central’s sign is shown on orange color letters.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
hi Takeshi-san
thank you so much for your reply. it is very helpful! 🙂
do you know if there is JR Central ticket window at Kansai KIA so i can buy the value ticket on arrival at airport? i know the JR office to buy to Haruka & Icoca return to kyoto & it would be ideal if I can also buy the value ticket at the same JR office.
many thanks again.
brgds
Andy
Hi Andy,
Unfortunately not.
JR Central tickets window are located at only Shinkansen stations in Kansai area, such as Kyoto and Shin-Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
hi Takeshi-san
thank you for your attention & very helpful replies earlier. 🙂
we will be at unazuki 10oct, tateyama 11oct. murodo 12oct, matsummoto 13oct & kamikochi 14-16oct & return to kyoto & KIA 16oct.
can you advise me/confirm if my understanding is correct?
1 i can use the value ticket for alpine route from kyoto to uozu. then i have to pay for the trin ticket from uozu to unazuki’
2. i have to pay for the train ticket from unazuki to tateyama
3. i have unlimited use of value ticket from tateyama to omachi.
4. i have to pay for ticket from omachi to matsumoto since value ticket does not allow me to stopover at matsumoto between omachi & kyoto. (of course i pay for return ticket from matsumoto to kamikochi).
thank you very much & waiting your important reply. we fly to KIA on 9oct.
not sure if this is within your area but in case you know like to enquire if luggage forwarding between tateyama to matsumoto or kamikochi is done at the hotel in tateyama or do we do it at the Tateyama train station? we will be staying at Matsumoto on 13oct & Kamikochi on 14-16Oct. is it better to forward to Matsumoto or to Kamikochi?
brgds
Andy Quak
65-97882382
Hi Andy,
In terms and conditions about this deal, there are so many things that do not say very clearly. So I’m not sure several points.
1 i can use the value ticket for alpine route from kyoto to uozu. then i have to pay for the train ticket from uozu to unazuki’
I don’t think this deal covers for Toyama-Uozu. In my understanding, you have to pay Toyama-Uozu by JR, Uozu-Unazuki/Unazuki-Terada by Toyama Chiho Railway.
2. i have to pay for the train ticket from unazuki to tateyama
This deals includes unlimited travel between Toyama and Tateyama, so you have to pay Unazuki to Terada.
3. i have unlimited use of value ticket from tateyama to omachi.
I think so, but I’m not 100% sure. It doesn’t say about it very clearly. Make sure when you purchase it.
4. i have to pay for ticket from omachi to matsumoto since value ticket does not allow me to stopover at matsumoto between omachi & kyoto. (of course i pay for return ticket from matsumoto to kamikochi).
In my opinion, stopover at Matsumot can be allowed. But I’m not sure again.
Regarding luggage transfer, ask your hotel in Tateyama. Most of hotels have contract with shipping companies. Usually it takes 1 or 2 day to deliver to most of areas in Japan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
I need to make a round trip from Osaka to Nanao, Nanao to Fukuoka, then from Fukuoka back to Osaka over about a week around new year. Would it be cheaper to buy single tickets, travel by air, or buy a JR pass? Would I have trouble getting seats on trains if I was to travel on new years eve?
Thank you.
Hi Clara,
If you finish you trip in 7 days, 7 days pass is cheaper than single fares.
In this year end, December 28, 29 and 30 from Osaka will be busy. Because these days are Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Everybody want to go to hometown. Usually train from big cities to outside is busy. On the other hand, January 3, 4 and 5 will be busy as well to Osaka. Everybody go back to normal.
If you travel December 31, January 1, 2 and 3, it will not be busy usually. So when you arrive in Japan, try to book the trains that you want to take ASAP.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail