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Akita Shinkansen is operated between Morioka and Akita as the train name, “Komachi” (こまち). But all trains go through Tohoku Shinkansen and the train services are provided between Tokyo and Akita. It is operated with Tohoku Shikansen “Hayate” (はやて) between Tokyo and Morioka. So if you go to Akita from Tokyo, simply take Komachi at Tokyo or Ueno. Of course both Akita and Tohoku Shinkansen are covered by Japan Rail Pass.

Akita Shikanse is called Mini Shinkansen. It is not a “Real” Shikansen. It is smaller and slower because of sharing the truck with the local trains between Morioka and Akita. This section was common regular track. But it was restored and the track gauge was changed to Shikansen standard. But loading gauge is still same as regular track. That is why Akita Shinkansen train is smaller than other Shinkansen trains.

Route, schedule and time required

Akita Shinkansen takes you to Akita from Tokyo about 4 hours and 10 minutes. We have 16 round trips and it departs mostly every hour.

View Akita “Mini” Shinkansen in a larger map

Stations

The stations are same as Tohoku Shinkanse between Tokyo and Morioka. Please refer to Tohoku Shikansen.

Station	Komachi
Morioka (盛岡)	x
Shizukuishi (雫石)	*
Tazawako (田沢湖)	*
Kakunodate (角館)	*
Ōmagari (大曲)	x
Akita (秋田)	x

x:All trains stop *:some trains stop

Accommodation

All trains are operated by E3 series. E3 series gives you 2+2 seat configuration for both Green and Ordinary. The seat pitch in Green seat is 1160mm. Complimentary drink and a moist paper hand towel are served by Green car attendant. The seat pitch in Ordinary seat is 910mm or 980mm. Now there is no Non Reserved seat on Komachi. But it used to have it. Non reserved seat had 910mm seat pitch and Reserved seat had 980mm seat pitch. Komachi still had two types of seat pitch for Reserved seats. Usually car#15 and 16 have 910mm seat pitch. When you book your ticket, try to take your seat on car#12, 13 or 14.

Komachi train formation

11	12	13	14	15	16
G	R	R	R	R	R

*G=Green seat R=Reserved seat

Car numbers are starting from 11 because Komachi is operated with Hayate between Morioka and Tokyo.

Images

*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images below.

Green seat (Seat pitch 1160mm/Seat configuration 2+2)

Ordinary seat (Seat pitch 980mm/Seat configuration 2+2.)

Sanitary space

Other facilities
step between train and platform, public phone, vending machine and luggage space.

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7 Comments to “Direct access to Akita from Tokyo, Akita Shinkansen (bullet train)”

1. Ime says:

   February 22, 2013 at 8:02 pm

   Hi. My husband and I will visit Japan for the first time last week of april. From the Philippines we will arrive in Tokyo (Narita Airport) around 8pm. We will go to Akita. From the airport, what is the safest and most convenient way to take the bullet train to Akita?

   Thanks!

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     February 22, 2013 at 9:07 pm

     Hi Ime,

     Both Narita Express and Keisei Skyliner are available. Please see the following link:
     http://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-from-narita-airport-to-downtown-tokyo.html

     But the last Akita Shinkansen departs from Tokyo at 20:08. You cannot access to Akita on arrival day. You have to stay in Tokyo and take Akita Shikansen on next day.
     http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/routemaps/akitashinkansen.html#category05

     And also, last week of April is one of the busiest period. I recommend you to book before you depart. You can book it one month prior to departure date.
     http://jreast-shinkansen-reservation.eki-net.com/pc/english/common/menu/menu.aspx

     Cheers,

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
2. Simon says:

   July 16, 2012 at 11:22 am

   Hi Takeshi,

   After some reading, my understanding is from Tokyo to Akita,
   the Hayate train (10 coaches) & Komachi (6 coaches) will join together and run on the
   Tokyo to Morioka – Tohoku Line.Then will split up in Morioka and the 6 coaches Komachi will run to Akita and the 10 coaches Hayate will run to Shin-Aomori. Am I right?

   Thanks

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     July 16, 2012 at 12:32 pm

     That’s right, Simon.
     If you go to Akita, you can take Komachi from Tokyo. You don’t need to change the train at Morioka.
     Cheers,
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
3. Simon says:

   July 16, 2012 at 9:55 am

   Hi Takeshi,

   Looking at the Hyperdia and reading your article, a bit confused, do we need to change train in Morioka if we ride the Komachi train from Tokyo to Akita?

   Thanks

   Reply
4. Richard says:

   March 25, 2012 at 9:24 pm

   This is one of the most scenic shinkansen routes since the line winds through the mountains and there are not endless long tunnels like some of the shinkansen lines through the mountains.
   The green class cabin is a bit cramped though since the train is narrower than a normal shinkansen.
   One tip if travelling all the way from Tokyo-Morioka-Akita is to buy two tickets. Travel Tokyo-Morioka in the Hayate part of the train and then switch from Hayate – Komachi at Morioka. Then you will have normal wide green class seats for the Tokyo-Morioka part of the trip. You have to be quite quick to change coaches though (although the green class in Komachi is at the end coupled to the Hayate train). Northbound there is a minute or so to change coaches, southbound perhaps 30 seconds!
   The ticket reservations staff might need some convincing of this plan though, they will want to make your trip “easier” with one ticket that doesn’t need a change of seat. After a while I said that Hayate is a “nicer” train and they smiled knowingly.

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     March 25, 2012 at 11:11 pm

     Hi Richard,
     Thank you for leaving several comments on Shikansen’s posts. You seem to have a lot of experience in travelling Japan. I always welcome to share your experience with other readers here!
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply