The Hokuriku Shinkansen, direct access to Kanazawa, Nagano and Toyama from Tokyo.

hokuriku shinkansen E7Joetsu, Nagano and Hokuriku
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
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

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.

Hokuriku Joetsu Shinkansen operation route map
Operation route map (click to view large)

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

123456789101112
RRRRRRRRRRGGR

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

123456789101112
NRNRNRNRRRRRRRGGR

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

123456789101112
NRNRNRNRRRRRRRGGR

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

123456789101112
NRNRNRNRRRR(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
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
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
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
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
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

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
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
Green class seat (C) Jonathan Ayre
Green class seat (C) Jonathan Ayre

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
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
Ordinary class seat (C) Jonathan Ayre
Ordinary class seat (C) Jonathan Ayre
Ordinary class seat (C) Jonathan Ayre
Ordinary class seat (C) Jonathan Ayre

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

Entrance deck(C) Jonathan Ayre
Entrance deck(C) Jonathan Ayre
Entrance deck(C) Jonathan Ayre
Entrance deck(C) Jonathan Ayre
Lavatory (C) Jonathan Ayre
Lavatory (C) Jonathan Ayre
Lavatory (C) Jonathan Ayre
Lavatory (C) Jonathan Ayre
Lavatory (C) Jonathan Ayre
Lavatory (C) Jonathan Ayre

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 passCoverage
JR Pass GreenAll 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 NiigataBoth reserved and non reserved ordinary seats on all trains on the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Joetsu-Myoko
Kansai Hokuriku Area PassNon reserved ordinary seats on Hakutaka and Tsurugi between Kanazawa and Joetsu-Myoko
Hokuriku Area PassNon reserved ordinary seats on Hakutaka and Tsurugi between Kanazawa and Kurobe-Unazukionsen
Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist passNon 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 fare7,480 yen
Gran class seat fee20,000 yen
Green class seat fee11,620 yen
Reserved ordinary class seat fee6,900 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

  1. Peter says:

    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

      • Peter says:

        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.

      • Peter says:

        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.

  2. edwin says:

    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

      • edwin says:

        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

          • edwin says:

            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

          • edwin says:

            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?

          • edwin says:

            tks again takeshi-san.

            is yokohama city subway covered by jr pass?

            thanks

          • edwin says:

            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?

          • edwin says:

            hi takeshi,

            nearing our visit to tokyo.
            can we use jr pass at the yokohama city subway?

  3. Li Ling says:

    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

  4. taz says:

    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

  5. Tom says:

    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

  6. Aristha says:

    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.

  7. sasiwat says:

    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

  8. Dory says:

    If I have a JR pass – Green – can this be upgraded to GranClass and do you know what the extra cost maybe. Thank you.

  9. Ben says:

    Hi!!

    Will the JR Rail Pass be valid for this new route please? 🙂

    Arigatou gozaimasu!!!
    Ben

  10. Les Heap says:

    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 ?

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