![E7 series is one of the newest Shinkansen fleets for Hokuriku Shinkansen (C) Rsa (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/blue-works.com/jprail/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/640px-JReastE7_F1_Omiya_20140209-600x283.jpg?resize=600%2C283)
This Shinkansen lines was called “The Nagano Shinkansen”. On March 14. 2015, this Shinkansen lines was extended to Kanazawa and it is called “The Hokuriku Shinkansen”. This Shinkansen line connects Tokyo, Omiya, Takasaki, Nagano, Toyama and Kanazawa. This Shinkansen line is covered by JR Pass and Hokuriku Arch Pass fully. JR East Pass Nagano Niigata covers between Tokyo and Joetsu-Myoko station.
I would like to show you the information about this Shinkansen service with you in this post.
Route, schedule and trip time
The Hokuriku Shinkansen runs from Tokyo to Kanazawa via Omiya, Takasaki, Karuizawa, Nagano, Itoigawa and Toyama.
The fastest train of this Shinkansen service connects Tokyo and Kanazawa in 2.5 hours, Tokyo and Toyama in 2 hours 10 minutes.
Types of trains
There are four types of trains on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line.
Kagayaki (Tokyo – Kanazawa)
Kagayaki is the name of the fastest train that connects between Tokyo and Kanazawa. All Kagayaki stops at Omiya, Nagano and Toyama. One of all Kagayaki service skips Ueno but the rest of the trips stop at Ueno. Some seasonal operation of Kagayaki stops at Shin-Takaoka.
Approximate travel time between the major stations by Kagayaki
Tokyo |
30 minutes |
Omiya |
1 hour |
Nagano |
45 minutes |
Toyama |
20 minutes |
Kanazawa |
Kagayaki train formation
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | G | GR |
R:Reserved Ordinary class G:Reserved Green class GC:Reserved Gran class
Kagayaki has only reserved seat. You cannot get on this train without a seat reservation. JR Pass, JR East Pass and Hokuriku Arch Pass covers a reserved seat fee. But you have to receive a reserved seat ticket before boarding. If you use one of these passes, all you have to do is showing your pass and received a reserved seat ticket.
Hakutaka (Tokyo – Kanazawa)
Hakutaka is the name of the second fastest train that connects between Tokyo and Kanazawa. All Hakutaka stops at Ueno, Omiya, Nagano, Joetsu-Myoko, Itoigawa, Kurobe-Unazukionsen, Toyama and Shin-Takaoka. Most of Hakutaka stops at Takasaki and Iiyama. Some of the trips stop at Karuizawa, Sakudaira and Ueda.
Approximate travel time between the major stations by Hakutaka
Tokyo |
30 minutes |
Omiya |
25 minutes |
Takasaki |
40 minutes |
Nagano |
30 minutes |
Itoigawa |
30 minutes |
Toyama |
9 minutes |
Shin-Takaoka |
13 minutes |
Kanazawa |
Hakutaka train formation
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | R | R | R | R | G | GR |
NR: Non Reserved Ordinary class R:Reserved Ordinary class G:Reserved Green class GC:Reserved Gran class
Asama (Tokyo – Nagano)
Asama is the name of the train that connects between Tokyo and Nagano. All Asama stops at Ueno, Omiya, Takasaki and Karuizawa. Most of Asama stops at Kumagaya, Sakudaira and Ueda. Some of the trips stop at Honjowaseda and Annaka-Haruna.
Approximate travel time between the major stations by Asama
Tokyo |
30 minutes |
Omiya |
30 minutes |
Takasaki |
20 minutes |
Karuizawa |
30 minutes |
Nagano |
Asama train formation
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | R | R | R | R | G | GR |
NR: Non Reserved Ordinary class R:Reserved Ordinary class G:Reserved Green class GC:Reserved Gran class
*No meal service available on Gran class of Asama. Only the higher class seat service and Gran class seat fee is cheaper than Kagayaki and Hakutaka.
Tsurugi (Kanazawa – Toyama)
Tsurugi is the name of the train that connects between Kanazawa and Toyama. All Asama stops at Shin-Takaoka.
Approximate travel time between the major stations by Tsurugi
Toyama |
9 minutes |
Shin-Takaoka |
13 minutes |
Kanazawa |
Tsurugi train formation
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | R | (R) | – | – | G | – |
NR: Non Reserved Ordinary class R:Reserved Ordinary class G:Reserved Green class
Car #9, #10 and #12 are not used on Tsurugi. Car #8 is available on the train which runs in the busy period.
Timetable
You may find the timetable at JR East official site timetable:
JR East official site – the timetable
Photo gallery
Only E7/W7 series run on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
E7 and W7 are same train fleet. The Hokuriku Shinkansen is operated by JR East and JR West. E7 belongs to JR East and W7 belongs to JR West.
Gran class
![Interior of Gran class seats (C) 黄金のひばりたち (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/blue-works.com/jprail/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/640px-E7Gran_Class-600x338.jpg?resize=600%2C338)
![The seat of Gran class (C) Asacyan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/blue-works.com/jprail/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/640px-Gran_class_06-600x400.jpg?resize=600%2C400)
![Entrance deck of Gran class (C) Meitetu1380 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/blue-works.com/jprail/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/640px-E7-guran_class-600x400.jpg?resize=600%2C400)
Gran class seat is the highest category in all JR trains. Only the Tohoku, the Hokkaido and the Hokuriku Shinkansen trains offer this class. The seat is leather and theleg space is 1,300 mm with 2+1 seat layout. The attendant offers high-end hospitality. The light meal and the beverage are included. But Asama and Hakutaka between Nagano and Kanazawa operation will not offer an attendant, a light meal and beverage. Only the high class seat is offered. A power outlet and many amenities are offered too.
Green class
![Interior of Green class (C) 黄金のひばりたち (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/blue-works.com/jprail/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/640px-E7First-class_car-600x338.jpg?resize=600%2C338)

Green class is the highest class in most of express trains. The leg space is 1,160 mm with 2+2 seat layout. A power outlet at each seat is equipped.
Ordinary class
![Ordinary class interior (C) 黄金のひばりたち (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/blue-works.com/jprail/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/640px-E7Standard-sized_car-600x338.jpg?resize=600%2C338)


It is very typical Shinkansen ordinary class layout. It gives you 1040 mm seat pitch with 2+3 seat configuration. All seats have the power outlet. Actually this is the first Shinkansen train that the power outlet is equipped at all seats in the ordinary seat car.
Other facilities





The coverage by the travel passes
There are many rail passes available. You may be confused which Shinkansen train and class are covered by the pass. The following table shows you the coverage on the Hokuriku Shinkansen lines only. The table below does not show the coverage on the other Shinkansen lines, such as the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Tohoku-the Hokkaido Shinkansen.
Type of the pass | Coverage |
JR Pass Green | All trains and seats except Gran class |
JR Pass Ordinary Hokuriku Arch Pass | Both reserved and non reserved ordinary seats on all trains on the Hokuriku Shinkansen lines |
JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass, JR East Pass Tohoku, Tokyo Wide Pass | Both reserved and non reserved ordinary seats on all trains on the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Sakudaira |
JR East Pass Nagano Niigata | Both reserved and non reserved ordinary seats on all trains on the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Joetsu-Myoko |
Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass | Non reserved ordinary seats on Hakutaka and Tsurugi between Kanazawa and Joetsu-Myoko |
Hokuriku Area Pass | Non reserved ordinary seats on Hakutaka and Tsurugi between Kanazawa and Kurobe-Unazukionsen |
Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist pass | Non reserved ordinary seats on Hakutaka and Tsurugi between Kanazawa and Toyama |
Additional charge to take Gran class seat
As I mentioned above, the highest seat, “Gran class” is not covered by any rail pass. If you want to take a seat in Gran class, you have to pay a full fare of Gran class seat. For example, the fares for Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto are the following:
Base fare | 7,480 yen |
Gran class seat fee | 20,000 yen |
Green class seat fee | 11,620 yen |
Reserved ordinary class seat fee | 6,900 yen |
Even if you use JR Pass Green, you have to pay 20,000 yen to get a seat on Gran class. The additional fee is NOT the difference (8,380 yen = 20,000 – 11,620) between Gran class seat fee and Green class seat fee. If you use JR Pass Ordinary or other rail pass, such as Hokuriku Arch Pass, the additional fee is same. In this case, only base fare 7,480 yen is covered by any type of the rail passes.
Summary
On the Hokuriku Shinkansen, there is no restirictions to use the pass. On Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, the fastest train, “Nozomi” is not covered. But on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, even the fastest train “Kagayaki” is covered. This Shinkansen line makes your trip to Nagano, Toyama and/or Kanazawa be easy.
Comments
hi, I’ve been reading the route and i still feel confused, could you help me?
does JR Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass cover Shinkansen Hakutaka from Nagano to Toyama?
And also does JR Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass Cover Hida train from Toyama to Takayama? and Hida train from Takayama to Nagoya?
thank you
Hi wido,
Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass covers the limited express Wide View Hida from Toyama to Takayama and Takayama to Nagoya. But this pass does not cover the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Nagono to Toyama. This pass covers the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Toyama only.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
thanks for the answer
another question, is it worth for me to buy 2 days JR west kansai & Takayama Hokuriku Pass with my itinerary?
day 1: osaka (osaka castle, namba, dotonburi)
day 2: kyoto (fushimi inari, gion)
day 3: kyoto to toyama
day 4: toyama (alpine route)
day 5; toyama to takayama
day 6: takayama
day 7: Nagoya
Hi Wido,
You can use Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass for day 3 to 7.
You may use Kansai Area Pass 2-day for day 1 and 2. But you may not be able to get the worth of it. I recommend you to use Yokoso Osaka ticket for day 1 if you arrive in KIX on day 1:
https://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/yokoso.html
A regular ticket is okay for Osaka to Kyoto on day 2. You may add city bus pass 1-day in Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
thank you Takeshi
No worries, Wido.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I will be travelling from Shinjuku to Takayama on Tuesday 17 March and want to go on the Shinkansen Kagayaki 509. With the train leaving Tokyo at 10:24, would it be easier to catch it at Omiya instead and avoid the morning rush?
Regards,
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
You can go to Tokyo. Morning rush is from 7:00 to 9:00. 10:24 deparute is okay.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi
No worries, Andrew.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I’m planning to visit Japan this time as following and I would like to travel by Shinkansen so please advise accordingly
25 Jan. Tokyo Narita Intl Airport – to Toyama or Takayama which ever convenience for taking Shinkansen route
27 Jan Toyma or Takayama – Mt Fuji
29 Jan Mt Fuji – Tokyo
Thanks you very much
Long
Hi Long,
The Shinkansen does not take you to Takayama. Please see the link below to find the info about the access to Takayama:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
If you go to Fuji from Toyama, you have to go back to Tokyo. There is no direct routes. If you go to Takayama, the direct bus is available from Takayama to Lake Kawaguchi.
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/highwaybus/fujisan_en/
But if you intend to use a rail pass, such as JR pass, it’s not covered. You have to go to Nagoya by the limited express Wide View Hida. And then take the Shinkansen from Nagoya to Mishima, and the then take the express bus from Mishima to Lake Kawaguchi. Mishima to Lake Kawaguchi express bus is not covered by any rail pass either.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello.
I would like to use Shinkansen from Tokyo to Toyama and come back Tokyo, then from Tokyo to Mount Fuji and also come back to Tokyo. Please advise any rail pass that cover these two round trip or I have to buy Shinkansen and other rail or bus ticket separately.
Best Regards,
Long
Hi Long,
JR pass 7-day is the best choice but you have to pay for Otsuki to Kawaguchiko. Please see the links below to find the info:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/how-to-build-the-trip-plan-to-fuji-area-various-sample-itineraries-of-fuji-five-lakes-and-5th-station.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello. I want to ask about hokuriku shinkansen.
Is trip from kanazawa to nagano by hokuriku shinkasen covered by takayama hokuriku pass?
Thank you.
Hi Rin,
Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass covers only Kanazawa to Toyama on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. You have to pay for Toyama to Nagano.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Is there a way to check Asama train is E2 or E7 before reserving seat?
Hi Chris,
Use Hyperdia and find that it has Gran class or not. If it has Gran class, it is E7.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I am planning to visit Kanazawa from Tokyo in March 2020.
May I know if there is shinkanshen from Tokyo to Kanazawa in the afternoon? I am planning to take the ride around 3 pm if there is the schedule.
thank you.
Hi Ivana,
It runs until around 21:00. You may find the timetable in the link below:
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
My plan will be –
30 oct: Tokyo – Osaka
01 nov: Osaka – Kyoto
03 nov – Kyoto – Tokyo.
Thinking to get the 7 days hokuriku arch pass. Can I know if it’s worth it?
Also, may I check if you know how long it takes from Osaka to Kyoto if i take the thunderbird? 🙂
Hi Joyce,
You may use Hokuriku Arch Pass. But I recommend you to use JR pass 7-day.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
Because if you use Hokuriku Arch Pass, you have to take Tokyo-Kanazawa-Osaka route. You cannot get Osaka from Tokyo directly. The trip times is about 5.5 hours and must change the trains at Kanazawa. If you use JR pass, the price is 29,100 yen which is higher than Hokuriku Arch Pass. But you can get Osaka from Tokyo directly by the Tokaido Shinkansen. The trip time is 3 hours.
It takes about 30 minutes by Thunderbird from Osaka to Kyoto. If you take the ordinary train, special rapid service, the trip time is same.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com