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

Station information
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

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. Gojeab says:

    I will arrive at Haneda airport on the 16th of may and take the train to shin-aomori station. I’m going to be using JR pass. Since I will travel on the same day arriving at Haneda airport, I know that I can’t reserve the seat for the train. Do you know if I can use my JR pass to reserve the seats for two of us when I get there. By the way, I’m going to hakodate from haneda airport.

  2. Peter Pohlig says:

    Spring 2015 I will be traveling from Sendai to Sapporo. I see that I have to change at SHIN-AOMORI and again at HAKODATE. During my previous JR travels I noticed that at the larger JR stations (Shin-Osaka and Tokyo for example) there are little shops right on the platforms that sell food. I like to grab a sandwich and Coke and eat on the train. Are there similar food shops at SHIN-AOMORI and/or HAKODATE? If not are there places close by? Thanks.

  3. Ju says:

    We are planning to take shinkansen from tokyo to shin aomori and take jr bus to hakkoda ropeway in October. Checking on hyperdia, it seems like we have about 20 minutes for transfer and keeping our luggage in coin lockers. Is jr bus station far ? Our group consist of 13 pax. We are afraid of missing the bus.

  4. Dominic says:

    Hi Sir,

    Any JR Shinkamsen go from Sendai to Aomori Station ?

    Regards

  5. Dominic says:

    Hi Sir,

    Would like to know the daily time table from Shin-Aomori to Hokodate. Both #789 and #485 trains are required.

    Thank you

  6. Azqd says:

    Thank you for the explaination, I really plan this step more relax.

  7. rons says:

    Hi I would be travelling from tokyo to hokkaido using the shinkansen, I would also be using the JR pass and I would like to stop at shin-aomori / aomori station to go out and explore the town. I have some questions:

    – is there any lockers in the station to leave my luggage?
    – any other train beside the super hakucho to sapporo?

    thank you

  8. penchan says:

    Can i use jr east pass on super hakucho train from Shin aomori to hakodate

    • JPRail says:

      Hi Penchan,
      It covers only Shin-Aomori to Kanita that is the last station in mainland. From Kanita to Hakodate is under JR Hokkaido. So it does not cover this segment.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  9. Kk says:

    Hope you may help me,
    I planning to Sapporo using all ride Jr pass.(7days)
    From Tokyo to shin- aomori should be ok.
    From shin-Aomori to Aomori is still all right.
    But any train from Aomori to Sapporo? I mean direct Aomori to Sapporo without passing Hakodate? Please guide me.
    Thanks.

  10. James says:

    Its not a big station, Shin Aomori, the signs are very clear ! 🙂

    If you got time, spend sometime shopping there for local products as well, I love the locally made cookies, and apple juice! top quality!

    Regards
    James

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