Shin-Aomori station guide. How to change the train, Shinkansen, Super Hakucho and other local trains.

Station information
2012.06.23
The exterior of Shin-Aomori station. It looks new because this station opened in 2010.

The exterior of Shin-Aomori station. It looks new because this station opened in 2010.

Hokkaido Shinkansen was opened in March 26, 2016. You can get Hokkaido by Shinkansen directly without changing trains at Shin-Aomori.

I have received some questions about train transfer at Shin-Aomori station. Shin-Aomori is the last station of Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo. And this station is the place to change the train to Hokkaido, like Hakodate and Sapporo. Some travellers worry about the transfer. They are not sure how big Shin-Aomori station and how many minutes is a enough to transfer the trains.

I show you map and images. I hope this instruction will help you to plan your itinerary.

Overview

First of all, please see Shin-Aomori station map on JR East website.

Shin-Aomori station is not a big station, like Tokyo. It is composed of two parts, Shinkansen tracks at 3rd floor and conventional line’s tracks on ground floor. Ticket gate, transfer gate and exit are located on 2nd floor.

Shinkansen tracks and platforms

There are two platforms and four tracks (Track#11-14). This is the last station so far, but this Shinkansen will be extended to Hakodate by the end of 2015.

After you get off the trains, just take elevator, escalator or stairs to 2nd floor. And exit or transfer to conventional lines.

Exit, ticket gate and transfer gate

All exits and gates are located on 2nd floor.

Once you get on 2nd floor, you see the exit/ticket gate ahead. If you transfer to the train to Aomori, Hirosakai or Hakodate, follow the sign to the right. You will be able to go through transfer gate. (C) JP Rail

After you go through transfer gate, you will see the sign at the end of concourse. (C) JP Rail

There are two stairs at both side. But these stairs go to same platform and tracks. But if you get a reserved seat of Super Hakucho, take left. If you get a non reserved seat of Super Hakucho, take right. Anyway it is easy. Don’t be nervous.

Most of you do not exit this station. But if you plan to stay in Aomori, don’t stay around Shin-Aomori. Shin-Aomori station is one station away from Aomori station. Aomori station is located in downtown Aomori. There is nothing special around Shin-Aomori station.

Conventional lines tracks and platforms

As you see this image, there is only one platform and two tracks.

It is very easy to find the train that you need to take. As far as you follow the sign, you can’t miss it. And also the trains do not come very often at Shin-Aomori. You don’t need to worry about taking the wrong train.

How many minutes is enough to transfer

When I was there in this past March, it was snowsquall. It was very cold to take this one picture! (Front view of Super Hakucho) (C) JP Rail

When I get off the train at Shin-Aomori in this past March, I changed from Tohoku Shinkansen Hayate 33 at 18:28 arrival to Limited Express Super Hakucho 33 at 18:38 departure. It was very smooth transfer. I have checked the location of stairs, exit, transfer gates and took some pictures in this 10 minutes. I could do it very easily.

So all of you don’t need to worry about taking pictures or inspection there. All you have to do is just change the trains. I can say 10 minutes is enough. If you rush, you may be able to do it in even 5 minutes. It’s a piece of cake!

Move to Aomori station and transfer

Find your hotels in 218 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in Aomori, Japan
Hotels in Hakodate, Japan
Hotels in Sapporo, Japan

Most of trains can be transferred at Shin-Aomori, like Limited Express Super Hakucho to Hakodate, Limited Express Tsugaru to Hirosaki and Rapid Resort Shirakami to Shirakami Mountains and Gono line. However only one train, overnight express Hamanasu cannot be transferred there. If you take Hamanasu, you need to go to Aomori.

Aomori station is one station away and takes only 5 minutes. This section, between Shin-Aomori and Aomori, is one of the special exception. You can take non reserved seat on limited express trains, like Super Hakucho and Tsugaru without surcharge. If you don’t use Japan Rail Pass or JR East Pass and get on the express train only this section, you need to pay only basic fare.

Please see the map of Aomori station if you need. There are only 4 trucks for JR trains (#3-6). You may need to change the platform when you transfer the trains. But Aomori station is not a big station either. 5 minutes is enough to transfer.

I will write about Hakodate station on next post.

Comments

  1. Suelynn says:
    December 10, 2017 at 7:52 am

    Hi,
    In Feb 2018, we will be arriving from Haneda airport(int’l). We are planning to go to Hakodate-Hokkaido. Please advise how to go about, what is the last timing for the train & do we nd to go to Aomori before Hakodate?

  2. Maria says:
    April 3, 2017 at 8:17 am

    Hello Takeshi,

    Thanks for your post, all the information is really helpfull.

    I would like to know if there is a way to book tickets in advance from Shin Aomori to Hirosaki and Hirosaki to Shin Aomori. I’ll be travelling during the peak season (04/28) only for the day so I’m afraid I miss a place in the train I want .

    Are this fares cover by the JR Pass?
    Thanks in advance !

    María

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      April 3, 2017 at 12:20 pm

      Hi Maria,

      Unfortunately there is no ways to book in advance. The only way to book is at the window after you arrive in Japan. But in most of cases, you will take a local commute train between Shin-Aomori and Hirosaki. You cannot book for local trains anyway. So you will be find but you may need to stand up. Trip time is around 40 minutes.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Frans Limas says:
    December 11, 2015 at 6:09 am

    I want to go to Hirosaki station from Shin Aomori station;should I take the Limited Express Tsugaru;and wwould you lease give ,me the time table of this Limited ExpressTsugaru ,from Shin Aomori to Hirosaki and Hirosaki to Shin Aomori Station.
    Thanks so much for your help.
    Frans Limas /Australia

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      December 11, 2015 at 6:49 am

      Hi Frans,

      You can find it at hyperdia:
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Frans Limas says:
        December 11, 2015 at 7:34 am

        Is Tsugaru limited express is Ou Line?
        I am confuse ;because once I read that from Shin Aomori can take the limited express Tsugaru Hirosaki;at the article it tell me that I should take Ou Line at platform 1 or 2 at Shin Osaka station.
        Would you please clarify.
        Thanks so much for your help.
        Kind regards,
        Frans Limas

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          December 11, 2015 at 12:49 pm

          Hi Frans,

          Limited Express Tsugaru runs on Ou line. In Hyperdia, local train is shown as “Ou line”. Probably Tsugaru do not run very frequently. Local train is the fastest choice from Shin-Aomori to Hirosaki when you arrive in Shin-Aomori.

          When you search the train at Hyperdia, there is the link tells “Interval timetable” just below train name, like “JR Ou line”. If you click it, you will find all trains that run between Shin-Aomori and Hirosaki on your trip date. You will find some Tsugaru in that link.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Frans Limas says:
            December 11, 2015 at 5:12 pm

            Dear Takeshi-san,

            Its really appreciated for your very fast respons,now it is very clear that Tsugaru Limited Express is on Ou Line.Once again thanks so much for your very kind attention and help.
            We use to vist Japan twice a year,because your country is so beautiful and unique,the transportation network is very good,it is very safe wherever you go and the people are very friendly and helpful.
            We have been visited almos all places /the Tourist spots of Japan,its really wonderful!
            Thanks and with all the best,,
            Frans Limas/Australi

  4. Audrey says:
    October 2, 2015 at 9:40 am

    Hello,

    Thank you very much for this article.

    I planned to go to Sapporo from Tokyo (using the JR Pass), so I will stop at Shin-Aomori and then Hakodate to finally arrive at Sapporo. So I wanted to know where to reserver my seat for Hakodate. Can I do it directly at Shin-Aomori on the same day?

    Thanks,
    Audrey

  5. HECTOR GIACOMELLI says:
    June 21, 2015 at 4:12 pm

    Thank you so much. This information has been extemely helpfull.

  6. HECTOR GIACOMELLI says:
    June 20, 2015 at 11:26 pm

    Hi. We wil arrive at Aomori Cruise Terminal on Aug.01, 2015 and we need to take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Shin-Aomori to Tokyo and Narita Airport. We want to know if there are hotels near Shin Aomori Station to spend the night before taking the train the next day.
    Thanks.

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      June 20, 2015 at 11:46 pm

      Hi Hector,

      There are some hotels near Shin-Aomori. But Aomori station is located in downtown core of Aomori city. There are many more hotels near Aomori station. Aomori station is only one station, 5 minutes away from Shin-Aomori by local train.

      If you google “Shin Aomori station hotel”, you will find tons of info.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

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