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
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
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
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
Dear Takeshi,
my name is Peter and I will be in Japan in June. The plan is:
Arriving at Narita 12.06
Tokyo 12-18.06 (Near Ueno Station)
Kyoto 18-22.06 –> Day trip to Nara and night there 23.06
Hiroshima 23-25.06
Karuizawa 25-28.06 –> day trips to Matsumoto or Shikarawago
Depatrure from Narita 28.06
My questions are.
1. Will 14day pass cover all of my trip? I wouldn’t like to spend more money on another trains or buses.
2. Ad. Karuizawa, will I get there by JR Train from Hiroshima (how long the trip will take) and is it good spot to make day trips to Matsumoto? I’d love to go to Karuizawa, I heard it’s beautiful, and it would be great ending after major cities.
Thank you for your time,
peter.
Hi Peter,
1. Yes. JR pass 14 days is the best and more affordable choice.
2. It’s long trip. You have to go back to Tokyo first. And then take another Shinkansen. The total trip time is about 6 hours and you have to transfer at least twice, Shin-Osaka (or Okayama) and Tokyo.
Karuizawa is okay to visit Matsumoto. But it’s not perfect place to visit there as day trip to Matsumoto. You have to take Shinkansen to get Nagano and then take another local train or limited express train to get Matsumoto at Nagano. Total trip time for one way to Matsumoto is appx 1,5 to 2 hours. Nagano is better. It’s not realistic to visit Shirakawago from Karuizawa.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello Takeshi,
thank you for your answer.
So it seems I must rethink my schedule. Mayby going first to Karuizawa / Nagano just after Tokyo is a better idea, than Kyoto and Hiroshima. Do you have any suggestions that could help me out? Because I’m in Japan more than 14 days I thought buying 14day Pass would be OK, so i listed Hiroshima to the itinerary. For sure i’d like to visit Himeji Castle and do some day trips around Kyoto or Osaka. But now I don’t have any clue what to do with the last part of my trip, with Karuizawa, Matsumoto and so on.
Hello again Takeshi,
just thinking of new itinerary. Please advice me. I have time from 12 to 28th of June. If I skip Hiroshima and focus on Tokyo (hotel booked for 6 nights), Kyoto and nearest cities (Osaka, Nara, Uji, Himeji castle) – let’s say from 18th to 24th of June and then to Nagano (for the rest of time) and make day trips from there. Would that work? If not 14 day pass than maybe 7 day?
But when validate it to make it most workable? There are more traveling days than staying days, I’d need to move in trains from Tokyo to Kyoto, from Kyoto to Nara, Himeji and other spots and to travel from Kyoto to Nagano at the last pont, and of course to Narita again on 28th.
Hi Peter,
As you guess, 7 days is not enough and 14 days is too much and too expensive. If you visit only Kansai area and Nagano, 14 days pass is too expensive. If you go for 14 days, Hiroshima must be included. If you complete Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji and Nagano in 7 days, it works. Hiroshima can be done as day trip from Osaka/Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello again Takeshi,
thank you for the information. I don’t believe I’m able to do everything in 7 days, unless of course I end in Nagano or Karuizawa the JR Pass and buy a single fare to Narita. Do you know how much would be single fare from Nagano Prefecture to Narita airport? I could validate JR Pass on the last day in Tokyo (18th) and on the last day of the Pass go to Nagano or Karuizawa. Guess it’d work.
I’ll consider both options, 7 day pass and 14 day pass including day trip go Hiroshima (which wouldn’t be that impossible).
Regards,
Peter
Hi Peter,
You can find all fares at hyperdia. I wrote about how to use this site at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
Cheers,
Taekshi / JP Rail
Hi takeshi-san.
we have the following itineraries for early april:
Apr 1: Tokyo to Kanazawa via the new hokuriku shinkansen. With kanazawa as base we visit shirakawago and takayama.
Apr 4: Kanazawa to Yokohama also via the new hokuriku shinkansen (thru tokyo).
Apr 5: yokohama to hakone yumotu.
apr 6: hakone to shinjuku
questions:
1. does a jr pass cover all the trains i need to take?
2. for my info how much is the fare from tokyo to kanazawa via new shinkansen?
3. can we ride the new hokuriku shinkansen to kanazawa from shinjuku station? if not what station will we get on and off.
Thank you
Hi Edwin san,
1. does a jr pass cover all the trains i need to take?
Only Odawara-Hakoneyumoto is not covered by JR Pass.
2. for my info how much is the fare from tokyo to kanazawa via new shinkansen?
Approximately 12000 yen for one way ordinary reserved seat.
3. can we ride the new hokuriku shinkansen to kanazawa from shinjuku station? if not what station will we get on and off.
No. You need to access to Tokyo station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
thanks Takeshi-san,
1. “Only Odawara-Hakoneyumoto is not covered by JR Pass.”
this means odakyu ltd exp is not covered right?
2. does jr pass cover hakone tozan? this railway also runs odawara-hakoneyumoto according to hyperdia.
thanks
HI Edwin,
1. Not only Odakyu Limited Express but also all trains are not covered between Odawara and Hakoneyumoto because this is not JR. This segment is owned by Hakone tozan railway. But Odakyu is parent company of this railway. Odakyu trains run on this segment.
2. No. You can get Odawara only by JR pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Takeshi-san,
the following are my train options:
Day1: Shinjuku-tokyo (jr chuo/ome)
Tokyo-kanazawa (hokuriko shinkansen/kagayaki)
Day4:kanazawa-tokyo (hokuriko shinkansen/kagayaki)
Tokyo-kannai (jr keihin-tohuku/negishi)
Day 5: kannai-miyanoshita (jr keihin tohuku, jr tokaido, odakyu exp, hakone tozan)
Day6: miyanoshita-shinjuku (hakone tozan, jr tokaido, jr shonan or jr yamanote)
1. All trains are covered by jr except odakyu and hakone tozan. For day 6, shinkansen kodama is also an option. Is that covered by jr?
2. Do I understand correctly that Using JR pass only covers basic fare unreserved seats? If I want reserved seats, I will have to pay surcharge at the stations upon transfer from one train to another?
3. I noticed that in transferring trains (between odakyu/hakone tozan/jr trains as outlined by hyperdia) there is an average window of 5 mins. Is that enough time to get off a train, find the ticket window to reserve or buy a ticket, find the track, and hop on to the next train?
4. None of the trains above can be reserved in advanced?
Hi Edwin,
1. All trains are covered by jr except odakyu and hakone tozan. For day 6, shinkansen kodama is also an option. Is that covered by jr?
Yes.
2. Do I understand correctly that Using JR pass only covers basic fare unreserved seats? If I want reserved seats, I will have to pay surcharge at the stations upon transfer from one train to another?
JR Pass covers reserved seat fee to. You don’t need to pay.
3. I noticed that in transferring trains (between odakyu/hakone tozan/jr trains as outlined by hyperdia) there is an average window of 5 mins. Is that enough time to get off a train, find the ticket window to reserve or buy a ticket, find the track, and hop on to the next train?
I think 15 minutes is minimum.
4. None of the trains above can be reserved in advanced?
You don’t need to.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
thanks again takeshi-san.
For kanazawa-to-takayam using ltd exp hakutaka and ltd exp hida…are these trains coverd by jr pass?
is the nohi bus (kanazawa-shirakawago-takayama) covered by jr pass?
Hi Edwin san,
These trains are covered by JR Pass but not cover Nohi bus.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
tks again takeshi-san.
is yokohama city subway covered by jr pass?
thanks
Hi Edwin san,
No. JR Pass does not cover any subways. Please read the following post:
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
takeshi-san,
hokutetsu bus also runs kanazawa-shirakawago-takayama (besides nohi). can we use jr pass on hokutetsu buses as it is owned by hokuriku line?
No, Edwin. It’s owned by Hokuriku Railway. It’s not JR.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
hi takeshi,
nearing our visit to tokyo.
can we use jr pass at the yokohama city subway?
Hi Edwin,
JR Pass does not cover any subway lines.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi,
Good day to you. My name is Li Ling and i will be travelling to Japan from 10-19 April 2014. My tentative itinerary are as follows:
10-11 April
Tokyo (staying near Oshiage station).
12 April
Tokyo to Mt Fuji. Travel by either JR tokaido shinkansen OR odakyu railway.
13 April
Tokyo
14 April
I would want to take the new shinkansen to Kanazawa. I cannot find the english timetable for hokuriku Shinkansen. My question is where should i board the hokuriku? Tokyo statiom or ueno station? Is this cover by JR pass?
15 April
Kanazawa to Shirakawago by Nohi bus (day trip)
16 April
From Kanazawa to Osaka by Ltd. Exp Thunderbird 26. Is this cover by JR pass?
17 April
From Osaka to Kyoto (day trip)
There are few options JR kyoto line or LTD. exp Thunderbird 15 OR JR special rapid services. Is this cover by JR pass?
18 April
From osaka to kobe (day trip)
There are few options JR kobe line rapid service OR JR special rapid services. Is this cover by JR pass?
Do you think is worth buying the JR pass based on the above itinerary?
I would appreciate if you can give me some advice.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely
Li Ling
HI Li Ling,
All part of your trip will be covered by JR Pass. But if you want to use JR Pass 7 days, you have to use JR Pass to get Odawara (the nearest station to Hakone/Fuji). If you use Odakyu Railway, JR pass does not work. Single fare will be cheaper. Please see the following link to use JR Pass to get Hakone.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
You can find Hokuriku Shinkansen timetable at the link below:
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/index.html
When you move among Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, Special Rapid is the best way. it’s fast and frequent service.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello
First, thanks a lot for all the detailed information you give on this blog.
We are 2 people travelling to Japan from April 4th to April 22nd and have an ambitious itinerary, but have a hard time identifying the trains and the time needed to achieve this (or delete some cities if we spend too much time in the train). We were planning to take a 14-day National JR pass + or maybe several Kansai pass? But we are not sure it is the right choice…
Could you help us identify the right pass(es) and indicate if this itinerary is possible by train?
Thanks a lot for your advice and help
DAY 1 April 4th : arrival at KIX
KIX => Osaka
DAY 2 April 5th
Osaka => Hiroshima
Hiroshima => Miyajima by boat (I read there is a JR ferry included in JR pass)
DAY 3 April 6th
Miyajima => Hiroshima (by JR boat)
Hiroshima => Okayama
Okayama => Kurashiki
DAY 4 April 7th
Kurashiki => Himeiji
Himeji => Kyoto
DAY 5 April 8th
Kyoto (+ round trip to Arashiyama)
DAY 6 April 9th
Kyoto (+ round trip to Fushimi Inari)
DAY 7 April 10th
Kyoto (+ round trip to Nara)
DAY 8 April 11th
Kyoto (+ round trip to Koya san, possible in one day as read on your blog)
DAY 9 April 12th
Kyoto => Ise (Kintetsu train?)
Ise => Nagoya (rapid train Mie?)
DAY 10 April 13th
Nagoya => Takayama (Limited Express View Hida?)
DAY 11 April 14th
Takayama => Kanazawa (2h30 via Toyama)
–> is it possible to go from Kanazawa to Fugikawaguchiko –or Hakone (Mount Fuji region)? how long would it take? or take a night bus maybe if train itinerary is too complicated… (?)
otherwise we’ll catch the new fast line between Kanazawa and Tokyo at 4:38PM or 5:52PM
DAY 12 April 15th
Tokyo => Kawaguchiko (or Hakone is less expensive) if not possible on DAY 10
DAY 13 April 16th
Kawaguchiko => Tokyo
DAY 13 – DAY 19 April 17th-April 22nd
Tokyo
+ same day round trip to Kamakura
+ same day round trip to Nikko
+ trip to Haneda airport on April 22nd
Hi Taz,
You’ve done a great job! Your itinerary is very organized.
As you thought, JR pass is the best choice. Most part of your trip will be covered by JR Pass.
The following list will be recommended pass to add for your trip.
Kyoto subway or bus deal for day 5
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
But if Arashiyama can be accessed by JR pass from JR Kyoto station. If you travel other than Arashiyama in Kyoto, above deal may be convenient.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Koyasan World Heritage Ticket for day 8
http://www.nankaikoya.jp/en/stations/ticket.html
Koyasan cannot be accessed by JR train anyway. You can access to Osaka by JR pass.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
But you need to purchase this deal on the spot.
Kintetsu Rail Pass for day 9
If you want to have direct access to Ise from Kyoto, Kintetsu Railway is better and Kintetsu Pass is convenient.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kintetsu-rail-pass-most-affordable-deal-for-osakakyoto-nagoya-and-access-to-ise.html
But you can access to Ise from Nagoya as you know. If you go to Ise from Kyoto by JR Pass, you can access to Nagoya by Shinkansen and take rapid Ise. But of course Kintetsu is much faster. If you use Kintetsu pass, you can take Kintetsu Limited Express to get Nagoya from Ise too.
If you travel Fuji Kawaguchiko, you have to get Tokyo anyway. There are other routes from Kanazawa to Kawaguchiko. But the route by Shinknasen via Tokyo is the fastest. It looks a big detour and much longer distance. But Shinkansen gives you the fastest transfer.
And I recommend you to get Nikko on day 14. Kamakura is not far from Tokyo. But if you go to Nikko by JR pass, you can save about 10000 yen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thanks a lot for your help and reply!
Hi,
Thank you for a really helpful website!
Do you know if a timetable to the Kanazawa to Tokyo service is available? I am visiting in April, and the hyperdia website only seems to show existing services, not the new line.
Thank you!
Tom
Hi Tom,
I have it in Japanese. But you can understand it. Please see the page 13 at the link below:
https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2014/20141222.pdf
Kanazawa is at the top of the table and Tokyo is very bottom. You can find Japanese station names in this post above too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Great, thanks so much for your help!
Tom
No problem, Tom!
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
I will be going to Tokyo from 28/3 to 4/4. I’m interested to go to Toyama may I know what pass may I need and if I purchase a rail pass how do I reserve seats for the train. Thank for you patience its my first time trying out japan rail & traveling w/o a tour guide.
Hi Aristha,
If you have round trip to Toyama only, single fare is cheaper
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
But if you have one more trip after/before going to Toyama, JR Pass may be suitable for you. The difference between round trip fare and JR Pass 7 days is about 5000 yen. If you have another trip, like trip to Mt. Fuji, trip to Nikko, this pass will work.
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
You cannot book it before you arrive in Japan. You can book and purchase it at any JR stations in Tokyo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
How to reserve hokuriku-shinkansen . I will went to toyama from tokyo in 17 may 2015. did you have a time table and fare for this route.
thank you
Hi Sasiwat,
Unfortunately there is no way to book online. You have to book at Midori no Madoguchi (reservation window) in JR stations. So you cannot make it before you arrive in Japan.
If you take reserved ordinary seat from Tokyo to Toayam, it costs 6840 yen (base fare) and 6250 yen (Shinkansen express supplement with reserved seat fee). I have a timetable. It’s in Japanese but not hard to understand. Please see page 12 (to Toyama) and page 13 (to Tokyo) at the link below:
https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2014/20141222.pdf
You can refer Japanese and English stations names in the post above.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
can i use jreastpass for this ?
Hi Sasiwat,
It covers the trip to Joetsu-myoko. You have to pay for extra Joetsu-Myoko to Toyama. That is around 5000 yen extra.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
If I have a JR pass – Green – can this be upgraded to GranClass and do you know what the extra cost maybe. Thank you.
Hi Dory,
If you take Gran class, you have to pay full surcharge and Gran class charge. It costs around 27000 yen for Tokyo-Kanazawa.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi!!
Will the JR Rail Pass be valid for this new route please? 🙂
Arigatou gozaimasu!!!
Ben
HI Ben,
Yes. It will be covered fully. Please refer the link below:
http://www.japanrailpass.net/2015_pdf/hokuriku_eng.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
You helped me with my last trip in Feb thank you. Great info on this new service to Toyama as I am planing a trip in June.
As there is no timetable yet I am waiting, I will travel from Toyama to Tokyo and on the Narita mid June with a JR. Rail Pass.
When do you think the timetable will be available ?