Rail cruising in UNESCO World Heritage Shirakami mountains by Rapid train Resort Shirakami

shirakamiAkita, Morioka, Hiraizumi
HB-E300 Buna train set is the newest fleets for Resort Shirakami.

Resort Shirakami (リゾートしらかみ) is a rapid train that is operated between Akita (秋田) and Aomori (青森). This train is named from UNESCO World Heritage site “Shirakami mountains (白神山地)”. This train runs on Gono line (五能線) along the shoreline of Sea of Japan. Gono line is known as one of the most scenic lines. The view is amazing.

This train is not an express train but this cruising train offers very comfortable interior. It is operated by specialized train and it does not have any non reserved seat. This train is operated on weekend, holidays and the peak periods only. If you use Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass), JR East Pass, JR-East South Hokkaido Rail Pass, you can take this train with no extra charge.

I show you some images of this train and tell you the details of this train in this post.

Route and schedule

Some of Resort Shirakami are operated by the newest Hybrid train.
Resort Shirakami, HB-E300 Aoike train set is one of the fleets for Resort Shirakami.

This train connects Akita with Aomori in 5 hours. Some of trains are operated between Akita and Hirosaki (弘前). This train goes through Gono line that goes along Nihonkai coastline. Gono line is one of the line that has a great scenery. This train is for the tourists who wants to enjoy this scenery. If you are hurry, please take Limited Express Tsugaru. You can transfer from Aomori to Akita in 2 hours and 45 minutes.

If you are looking for the access to Shirakami Sanchi, you may get off this train at Juniko station. You can get off at Ajigasawa station too. You cannot access the core of Shirakami Sanchi from Ajigasawa. But Ajigasawa has “Mini Shirakami”. This is 30 minutes away from Ajigasawa by car. It is not the core of Shirakami, but it has same scenery and same ecological system. You can access Shirakami Sanchi from Hirosaki or other major stations. If you are not interested in Gono line, this train might not be suitable for you.

This is a seasonal train. Three round trips are operated almost everyday in July, August and September. But there is one round trip on weekends and holiday only in shoulder season. Please check the most updated schedule at Seasonal trains information.

You may have an experience about a local culture on board. Some of the trains give you Tsugaru dialect story teller (津軽弁語り部) or Tsugaru shamisen (津軽三味線=Japanese musical instrument that has three strings).

You also can find some more information about this train at my trip report.
Trip to Tohoku and Nagano in 2013 Winter, Part 4 from Akita to Hirosaki by Resort Shirakami

Operation route


View Resort Shirakami in a larger map

Operation dates and timetable

Please check the most updated information at Seasonal trains information.

Accommodation and train formation

Resort Shirakami Kumagaera train set is only first generation trains set, KIHA-40. (C) JP Rail

There are three train sets used for Resort Shirakami. These train sets have name, Aoike (青池編成), Buna (ブナ編成) and Kumagera (くまげら編成). Aoike and Bura are HB-E300 that is the second generation train. It is a hybrid updated train set. Aoike was introduced in December, 2010 and Buna was introduced in July, 2016. Only Kumagera is KIHA-40 series that is the first generation train set. But even Kumagera train set offers nice interior. There is not a big difference between HB-E300 (Aoike and Buna) and KIHA-40 (Kumagera) in the seat configuration and layout. But HB-E300 is more comfortable and quieter. And also the newest train set, Buna has a retail space to offer some souvenir, drink and light meal. But on other train, on board wagon service is available. If you can choose, Buna is the best obviously.

The seat configuration is 2+2. The seat gives you 1200mm in leg room. Actually this is much bigger than common Limited Express trains’ ordinary seat. Resort Shirakami has some of compartment. If you will travel as party of 4, this compartment will be suitable.

Images

KIHA-40 series, Kumagera
Exterior

Resort Shirakami Kumagera set (C) JP Rail
Resort Shirakami Kumagera set (C) JP Rail

Interior

Resort Shirakami Kumagera set (C) JP Rail
Resort Shirakami Kumagera set (C) JP Rail

Public space (performance area)

Resort Shirakami Kumagera set (C) JP Rail
Resort Shirakami Kumagera set (C) JP Rail
Resort Shirakami Kumagera set (C) JP Rail
Resort Shirakami Kumagera set (C) JP Rail

Sanitary space

akebono-shirakami-tsugaru-akita 108

HB-E300 series, Aoike

HB-E300 series, Buna
Exterior

Buna trains set exterior

Seat

Ordinary seat

Public space, Retail counter

Retail space
Public space behind cockpit

Compartment

Compartment interior
Compartment interior width=
Compartment interior width=

Train formation

HB-E300 Aoike formation

1234
RR(B)RR

R=Reserved ordinary seat R(B)=Reserved ordinary seat in compartment

KIHA-40 Kumagera formation

1234
RR(B)RR

R=Reserved ordinary seat R(B)=Reserved ordinary seat in compartment

HB-E300 Buna formation

1234
RR(B)R(B)R

R=Reserved ordinary seat R(B)=Reserved ordinary seat in compartment

Photo Credit
Kiha48 (Buna) by Rsa (Rsaが東能代駅で撮影) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
HB-E300 by Rsa (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
HB-E300 by Rsa (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
HB-E300 by Rsa (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Comments

  1. S M says:

    Hello Takeshi-san,

    First of all, thank you so much for making and maintaining this site! It’s so convenient and has lots of info that I as someone who likes trains, cannot have enough of. Thank you again and please keep up the great work!

    Well, my parents are coming to Japan in end-October and I would like to show them the beautiful autumn leaves in Japan. Specifically the date is 29th October.

    They have the Japan Rail Pass, and will have 1 day after doing the Kyoto-Osaka-Hiroshima-Miyajima route.

    So I was thinking of asking them to go to the Touhoku region, and so far, I was thinking of either asking them to take the Resort Shirakami and enjoy the scenery. Maybe visit the Juniko lakes for some time.

    But I am worried about if the scenery from the Resort Shirakami show the autumn leaves during that time.

    Also, is it worth it to go there and only ride the Resort Shirakami? What is your opinion?

    Thank you so much in advance, and please keep up the great work. 🙂

    • Hi SM san,

      Resort Shirakami offers very nice scenery. It’s highly recommended. I don’t think they see many fall foliage from the train. But if they drop by Hirosaki, it’s very nice spot to see fall foliage. Especially Hirosaki castle is superb.
      http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3701.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • S M says:

        Hello Takeshi-san,

        My parents rode this train in October-end and they enjoyed it very much. They especially liked the view of the sea from the train, and the other scenery was very beautiful as well.

        Also, another part where the scenery was very beautiful, according to them, was in the Akita region from the Komachi shinkansen, due to fall leaves already appearing there.

        Thank you very much for your guidance. 🙂

  2. Gigi says:

    Hello,

    I really enjoy reading this website it’s really helpful!:)

    I have reserved seats for Resort Shirakami on 30/4, and I have a few questions in mind-

    1. I would love the seaside seat (just to confirm, is it seat A?), but unfortunately it is already fully booked. Which seat would you recommend me to book?

    2. I am a bit confused about the train reservations – I will buy JR East Pass once I arrive at Japan, and I have reserved seats for a few trains at eki-net. How many times am I allowed to make changes to my reservations for free? I found in some websites that if the train you are taking travels within Japan East area only, you are allowed to make changes for unlimited times for free. Does this apply to Resort Shirakami?

    3. I will get off at Juniko station at 1127, and get on again at 1704. Is there enough time for me to walk around the lake? Will there be time for me to visit other attractions nearby as well?

    4. I am really interested in the onsen at Furofushi Onsen Hotel, but unfortunately the hotel is fully booked and I can only do day trips there. Would you have any suggestions on when I should go there? (itinerary below) Or would you know any other outdoors onsen at Aomori that are worth visiting?

    On Day 1 (28/4) I arrive at Narita Airport at 0625, so I expect to arrive at Aomori station by 1500. I haven’t planned the itinerary for this day yet, would you recommend me to travel all the way to Furofushi Onsen just for the onsen?
    On Day 2 (29/4) I plan to see sakura at Hirosaki park and Tsugaru Peninsula.
    On Day 3 (30/4) I plan to travel on Resort Shirakami (1127 get off at Juniko station, 1704 get on again to Akita)
    Afterwards I would be travelling at Akita for 2 days, Morioka for 1 day, Tokyo for 2 days.

    Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon!:)

  3. Alison Teo says:

    Hello Takeshi,

    Find your website very informative and interesting especially the Resort Shirakami which I am keen to explore plus other areas too.

    I will be visiting Japan from 10 Feb to 18 Feb 2016 and intend to get the JR East Rail Pass. Will need your advice on the following :-

    1. Does the JR East pass covers the Resort Shirakami?
    2. Does the Resort Shirakami runs during this period?
    3. If it does, can I do an online reservation or do I have to do it immediately when I reach Tokyo?
    4. How much time is needed to see the Shirkami Sanchi?

    Appreciate your kind advice as it will definitely help me in planning my trip well.

    Thank you in advance.
    Alison

  4. Sherly says:

    Hi,
    I planning to visit Oirase Stream from Aomori and Juniko lake between 31 Oct – 3 Nov. Will that be a peak period, as I only reach Japan on 30 Oct? I’m worried the reservation will be full and I’ll be unable to board.
    Thank you.

  5. Jerry says:

    Hi!

    I am planning to visit Shirakami Sanchi during summer break in August:

    1. Does the resort shirakami gets easily full during this time? I live in Tokyo, and have not yet booked seats…

    2. Of the six trains mentioned above (#1, #2, etc.), can I know which is the Aoike formation train?

    3. Is there possible route using resort shirakami/gono line if I want to visit Anmon Falls?

    Thank you very much for any feedback!

    • Hi Jerry,

      1) If you travel in mid August (Obon season), it’s booked out pretty quickly. But you cannot book it yet anyway at this point. The ticket is on sale at 10:00 am on the day of one month prior to departure date.
      ex) Trip date August 11, start to sell at 10:00 am on July 11

      2) Train #2 and #5 will be Aoike formation in August.

      3) I have never been there. But it’s not accessible. You have to take a bus from Hirosaki for 1 hour and then take taxi for 30 minutes. But I don’t know you can catch a taxi in remote area. This place is not good for public transportation. You may need to drive by yourself.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  6. Deasy says:

    Hi,
    First of all, thank you for sharing a lot of information about Japan train travel. Very useful in assisting me to make itineraries. 🙂

    I plan to visit Japan in 8-18 October 2015 and using JR Pass. I would like to know if it’s possible to take both Resort Shirakami and visit Lake Towada from Tokyo? I think about staying overnight in one of most interesting cities in these area, before going back to Tokyo. Do you have any suggestion which city is most enjoyable?
    And which is the most efficient route, Akita-Aomori by Resort Shirakami first or Lake Towada first? Any information will be appreciated. Thanks!

  7. Yvonne says:

    Which side of the train should I sit for the scenery facing the Sea of Japan? I would like to get a window seat if possible ^^

  8. Elaine says:

    Hello! I love your website, it’s been so interesting and helpful! 🙂

    I am hoping to take the Resort Shirakami from Aomori to Akita on May 5 this year, but I realized I cannot make advanced reservations online. Do you have any idea how I can make reservations?
    Also, if it can only be bought after arriving in Japan, can it be bought at any JR Midori-no-Madoguchi counter or must the counter be in Aomori?

    I’ve been having a hard time planning this… Really appreciate your help!

    Thank you!!!

    • JPRail says:

      Hi Elaine,

      Thanks for your comment about my website. 🙂

      Unfortunately you have to book it after you arrive in Japan. You can book it at any Midori-no-Madoguchi in Japan.

      May 5 will be in Golden Week in Japan. It’s one of the busiest period in Japan. So you have to expect that it will be full. So try to book it right after you arrive in Japan.

      I hope you will make it.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  9. Dobb says:

    Hello,
    We are planning a trip on the Resort Shirakami line with a 2 hour stop at the Koganezaki Furofushi Onsen.

    Can you say if the train runs in the Winter? And would we need reservations?
    We plan to leave Akita in the am on the 14th of January.

    Is there a schedule of the train times for January?

    Thank You

  10. Keith Joyner says:

    Hello. We were hoping to catch the Resort Shirakami train from Aomori/Hirosaki to Akita via the Gono Line on the 28th of October 2011. A few weeks ago, the the route still appeared at Hyperdia, but now I can no longer find it.

    Might you know if that train is no longer in service due to it being a seasonal train?

    Any help would be appreciated.

    • JPRail says:

      Hello Keith,
      I checked JR East Akita branch website again. All three round trips of Resort Shirakami are operated as usual until November 27, 2011. So it will be no problem!
      Takeshi / JP Rail

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