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
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.
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
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 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
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.
Hi Gojeab,
You can exchange JR pass at Haneda from 07:45 to 18:30.
http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html
Once you get an actual pass, you can book your train right away.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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.
Hi Peter,
Yes, they are. You can purchase those kinds of foods and snacks at the stations. Most of stations have a convenience store.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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.
Hi Ju,
Recommended transfer time is 7 minutes. So it will be okay.
Bus departs from the bus stop at east exit. See the map at the link below:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/e854.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Sir,
Any JR Shinkamsen go from Sendai to Aomori Station ?
Regards
Hi Dominic,
Shinkansen doesn’t go Aomori. You have to transfer at Shin-Aomori if you take Shinkansen from Sendai.
You can find the timetable at the link below:
http://www2.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/english/ttable/08.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Sir,
Would like to know the daily time table from Shin-Aomori to Hokodate. Both #789 and #485 trains are required.
Thank you
Thank you for the explaination, I really plan this step more relax.
Hi Azqd,
I’m happy to hear that. :0
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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
Hi Rons,
Yes. There are coin locker that you can store your luggage. There is only one other train than Super Hakucho. It’s overnight train Hamanasu.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/overnight-trains/hamanasu.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Can i use jr east pass on super hakucho train from Shin aomori to hakodate
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
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.
Hi Kk,
There is only one train from Aomori to Sapporo directly. It is overnight express Hamanasu.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/overnight-trains/hamanasu.html
If you travel in daytime, you have to change the trains at Hakodate.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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