
The Tohoku Shinkansen connects Tokyo and Tohoku region, such as Shin-Aomori, Fukushima, Sendai, Morioka and Hachinohe. In March, 2016, this Shinkansen line extended to Hokkaido. This new segment is called the Hokkaido Shinkansen. Although these Shinkansen have different names, many trains operate as one line. And also the Yamagata Shinkansen and the Akita Shinkansen also have different names, but theae lines operate from Tokyo as an integral part of the Tohoku Shinkansen.
In this post, I will explain about the Tohoku, the Hokkaido, the Akita and the Yamagata Shinkansen lines.
Overview
The train runs from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto as one line, and you can go without changing trains. However, the Tohoku Shinkansen runs from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori, and the Hokkaido Shinkansen runs from Shin-Aomori to Shin-Hakodate Hokuto. This is because the operating companies are different.
The first segment is called the Tohoku Shinkansen which runs between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori. JR East operates the Tohoku Shinkansen.

The second segment is called the Hokkaido Shinkansen. JR Hokkaido operates the Hokkaido Shinkansen.

Hokkaido and mainland of Japan are connected by the Hokkaido Shinkansen. This Shinkansen line passes through the Seikan Tunnel which is an undersea tunnel. But Hakodate which is the entry pointo of Hokkaido is about 20 minutes away from Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto by a rapid train. You have to change trains there to get to Hakodate.
Please find some more information in the post below:
And there are the Akita Shinkansen and the Yamagata Shinkansen. These two Shinkansen lines are like the branch lines of the Tohoku Shinkansen. And these lines are not technically the Shinkansen lines. Because the Shinkansen tracks are completely separated from conventional lines. The Shinkansen vehicle is wider and longer than a conventional line one. But on both the Akita and the Yamagata Shinkansen lines, the Shinkansen trains share tracks with a conventional train. The vehicle size of the Yamagara and the Akita Shinkansen is almost same as a conventional one. That is why these Shinkansen lines are called “Mini” Shinkansen. And the maximum speed is 320 km/h on the Tohoku Shinkansen. But it is only 130 km/h on the Akita Shinkanse route between Morioka and the Yamagata Shinkansen route between Fukushima and Shinjo.
But most trains of these four Shinkansens depart from Tokyo. These four Shinkansen trains operation are integrated.
Train operation of the Tohoku, the Hokkaido, the Akita and the Yamagata Shinkansen lines
Fukushima, Morioka and Shin-Aomori are border stations. But as I mentioned, most trains depart from Tokyo. Please see the train operation map below:

Shin-Aomori is the border station of the Tohoku and the Hokkaido Shinkansen lines. But in the train operation, Shin-Aomori is just one of the major stations on the way to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. Many trains connect Tokyo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto directly. The Tohoku Shinkansen and the Hokkaido Shinkansen are just a line name. For the travelers, it does not matter.
The Akita Shinkansen and the Yamagata Shinkasnen are same. These are just a line name. Most of these Shinkansen trains depart from Tokyo.
Types of train
There are five types of trains in service.

Hayabusa
This is the fastest train on the Tohoku and the Hokkaido Shinkansens. Hayabusa connects Tokyo and Sendai, Morioka, Shin-Aomori or Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto via the Hokkaido Shinkansen.
All Hayabusa stop at Omiya, Sendai, Morioka, Shin-Aomori. Some of Hayabusa skip even Ueno. Most Hayabusa stops only Sendai between Omiya and Morioka. Some of early morning and late niget deparuture trains stop at many stations between Sendai and Morioka
Only Hayabusa and Hayate run between Morioka and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. Most Hayabusa stop at Hachinohe on this segment but there are very few Hayabusa stop at Iwate-Numaknai, Ninohe, Shichinohe-Towada, Okutsugaru-Imabetsu and Kikonai. Please check the timetable when you travel to these stations.
Many Hayabusa run with the Akita Shinkansen “Komachi” between Tokyo and Morioka. Hayabusa and Komachi are uncoupled at Morioka.
Approximate travel time between the major stations by Hayabusa
The trip time below is avarage. The trip time is varied by the train.
Tokyo |
30 minutes |
Omiya |
1 hour 10 minutes |
Sendai |
45 minutes |
Morioka |
1 hour 5 minutes |
Shin-Aomori |
1 hour 5 minutes |
Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto |
Hayabusa train formation
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | G | GC |
Many Hayabusa run with the Akita Shinkansen “Komachi” between Tokyo and Morioka. The train formation is the following:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | G | GC | G | R | R | R | R | R | R |
Car #1 to #10 is Hayabusa and car #11 to #17 is Komachi. You cannot go through between car #10 and #11.
Hayabusa does not have non reserved seat. You cannot get on Hayabusa without a reserved seat ticket. Even if you have JR Pass or other train passes which covers a reserved seat fee, you must get the reserved seat ticket before on board.
Hayate
Hayate was the fastest train before Hayabusa was introduced. Most of Hayate was replaced by Hayabusa. Hayate is now the train which runs between Morioka, Shin-Aomori and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto only in early morning and late night only.
Approximate travel time
It is same as Hayabusa, please see above in the chapter of Hayabusa.
Hayate train formation
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | G | GC |
Some of seasonal operation trip is operated by the older fleet. This fleet does not have Gran class.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
R | R | R | R | R | R | R | R | G | R |
Hayate does not have non reserved seat. You cannot get on Hayate without a reserved seat ticket. Even if you have JR Pass or other train passes which covers a reserved seat fee, you must receive a reserved seat ticket at the ticket window before on board.
Yamabiko
“Yamabiko” is a train that operates between Tokyo, Sendai, and Morioka, and stops at more stations than Hayabusa.
All Yamabiko stop at Omiya, Fukushima, Sendai and all stations between Sendai and Morioka. And most Yamabiko stop at Ueno, Utsunomiya, Koriyama. Some Yamabiko also stop at Oyama, Nasu-Shiobara, Shin-Shirakawa and Shiroishi-Zao too.
Many Yamabiko are coupled with the Yamagata Shinkansen “Tsubasa” between Tokyo and Fukushima. These two trains are uncoupled at Fukushima.
Approximate travel time between the major stations by Yamabiko
Tokyo |
30 minutes |
Omiya |
1 hour |
Utsunomiya |
30 minutes |
Koriyama |
14 minutes |
Fukushima |
25 minutes |
Sendai |
35 minutes |
Ichinoseki |
20 minutes |
Kitakami |
20 minutes |
Morioka |
Yamabiko train formation
Since Yamabiko is operated by several type of vehicles, there are a few kinds of the train formation.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | R | G | GC |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | G | R |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | R | G | GC | G | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
You cannot go through between car #10 and #11.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | R | G | GC | G | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
You cannot go through between car #10 and #11.
Many Yamabiko run with the Yamagata Shinkansen “Tsubasa” between Tokyo and Fukushima. The train formation is the following:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | NR | R | G | R | G | R | R | R | R | NR | NR |
Car #1 to #10 is Yamabiko and car #11 to #17 is Tsubasa You cannot go through between car #10 and #11.
Nasuno
Nasuno is operated as the short distance transfer train and it runs between Tokyo and Oyama, Nasu-Shiobara or Koriyama only. This train stops all stations on this segment.
Approximate travel time between the major stations by Nasuno
Tokyo |
5 minutes |
Ueno |
20 minutes |
Omiya |
15 minutes |
Oyama |
10 minutes |
Utsunomiya |
15 minutes |
Nasu-Shiobara |
10 minutes |
Shin-Shirakawa |
15 minutes |
Koriyama |
Nasuno train formation
Nasuno is operated by several type of vehicles and there are a few kinds of the train formation.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | G | GC |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | G | R |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | G | GC | G | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
You cannot go through between car #10 and #11.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | G | GC | G | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
You cannot go through between car #10 and #11.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | R | R | G | R | G | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
You cannot go through between car #10 and #11.
Komachi
Komachi is a train name of the Akita Shinkansen and it runs between Tokyo, Sendai and Akita. The Akita Shinkansen is a name of the train line between Morioka and Akita. But you may find “Akita Shinkansen” in Tokyo station. Komachi and Akita Shinkansen are used for a train which runs between Tokyo and Akita.
Komachi runs with Hayabusa between Tokyo and Morioka. In this segment, these two trains are coupled. Please see the movie below how these two trains are coupled and uncoupled at Morioka.
Approximate travel time between the major stations by Komachi
Komachi runs with Hayabusa between Tokyo and Morioka. I show you the travel time on the Akita Shinkansen segment between Morioka and Akita only here. Please find the trip time between Tokyo and Morioka above at the chapter of Hayabusa.
Morioka |
15 minutes |
Shizukuishi |
20 minutes |
Tazawako |
15 minutes |
Kakunodate |
10 minutes |
Omagari |
30 minutes |
Akita |
All Komachi stop at Omagari. Most Komachi stop at Kakunodate and Tazawako. Only few Komachi stop at Shizukuishi. The train changes directions at Omagari.
Komachi train formation
Please refer the train formation of Hayabusa above. Because Komachi runs with Hayabusa between Tokyo and Morioka.
Tsubasa
Tsubasa is a train name of the Yamagata Shinkansen and it runs between Tokyo, Yamagata and Shinjo. The Yamagata Shinkansen is the name of the train line between Fukushima and Shinjo. But you may find “Yamagata Shinkansen” in Tokyo station. Tsubasa and Yamagata Shinkansen is used for the train which runs between Tokyo and Yamagata, Shinjo.
Most Tsubasa runs with Yamabiko between Tokyo and Fukushima. In this segment, these two trains are coupled. Please see the movie below how these two trains are coupled and uncoupled at Morioka.
Approximate travel time between the major stations by Tsubasa
Most Tsubasa runs with Yamabiko between Tokyo and Fukushima. I show you the travel time on the Yamagata Shinkansen segment between Fukushima and Shinjo only here. Please find the trip time between Tokyo and Fukushima above at the chapter of Yamabiko.
Fukushima |
32 minutes |
Yonezawa |
10 minutes |
Takahata |
5 minutes |
Akayu |
13 minutes |
Kaminoyama-Onsen |
10 minutes |
Yamagata |
20 minutes |
Tendo |
5 minutes |
Sakurambohigashine |
5 minutes |
Murayama |
15 minutes |
Oishida |
15 minutes |
Shinjo |
All Tsubasa stop at Yonezawa, Yamagata and all stations between Yamagata and Shinjo. Most Tsubasa stop at Akayu and Kaminoyama-Onsen. A few Tsubasa stop at Takahata.
Tsubasa train formation
Please refer the train formation of Yamabiko above. Because Tsubasa runs with Yamabiko between Tokyo and Fukushima.
Toreiyu Tsubasa

Toreiyu Tsubasa runs between Fukushima and Shinjo only. This trains is one of the Yamagata Shinkansen vehicles but it is totally different from other Shinkansen trains. This Shinkansen train operates as the sightseeing train. It has foot bathtabs in the train. This train also has a lounge space which offers local foods and alcohol beverages. Please find more information in the post below:
Timetable
You can find the timetable in JR East official timetable. Please find the link below to get it.
JR East official site – the timetable
Photo gallery
The accommodation is a bit different from vehicles. There are several kinds of the vehicles to be used for the Shinkansen trains. All fleets have Green class seat (like business class) and ordinary class seat. E5 and H5 have Gran class seat which is higher class than Green class seat.
E5 series and H5 series (Hayabusa, Hayate, Yamabiko, Nasuno)

This is the primary Shinkansen vehicle on the Tohoku Shinkansen. On the Hokkaido Shinkansen, only this series is used. E5 and H5 are basically same vehilces. E5 is owned by JR East and H5 is owned by JR Hokkaido. The only difference is the line color below the window. E5 has pink line and H5 has purple line. The interior is almost same.
E5/H5 series are only vehicles which have Gran class seat. This is the highest category seat in all JR trains. This seat was developed by JR East, Hitachi and world famous seat manufacturer RECARO. The light meal and beverage are served in Gran class. But Gran class on all Nasuno and some Yamabiko do not include the light meal and beverage.
Gran class




You can choose western style meal or Japanese style meal. The menus are varied by a season and a destination. This meal is quite small. Please do not expect a full size meal.



Meals and beverages are not available on the following trains:
- Hayabusa which runs between Sendai and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto only
- All Hayate
- Yamabiko which runs between Tokyo and Sendai only
- All Nasuno

Green class



Ordinary class



Other facilities


E2 series (Hayabusa, Hayate, Yamabiko, Nasuno)
This was the primary car on the Tohoku Shinkansen. But this is being replaced by E5 series since it was introduced.

Green class



Ordinary class



Other facilities

E3 series for the Yamagata Shinkansen (Tsubasa, Yamabiko, Nasuno)
This series is the primary fleet of the Yamagata Shinkansen. And this fleet is sometimes operated as the part of Yamabiko or Nasuno train set.

Green class



Ordinary class


Other facilities

E3 series of former Akita Shinkansen vehicle (Yamabiko, Nasuno)

There is another E3 series but this E3 sereis is older than the Yamagata Shinkansen E3 series. This was used for the Akita Shinkansen before. But E3 series on the Akita Shinkansen were replaced by newer E6 series. This E3 series are used for Yamabiko and Nasuno now.
Green class


Ordinary class


Other facilities

E6 series (Komachi and Hayabusa)

E6 series runs as Komachi on the Akita Shinkansen. This train runs on a conventional line with other local trains between Morioka and Akita. The size of the fleet is smaller than common Shinkansen vehicles.
Green class



Ordinary class


Other facility


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 Tohoku, the Hokkaido, the Akita and the Yamagata Shinkansen lines only. The table below does not show the coverage on the other Shinkansen lines, such as the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Type of the pass | Coverage |
JR Pass Green | All trains and seats except Gran class |
JR Pass Ordinary | Both reserved and non reserved ordinary seats on all trains on the Tohoku, the Hokkaido, the Akita and the Yamagata Shinkansen lines |
JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass | Both reserved and non reserved ordinary seats on all trains on the Tohoku, the Hokkaido, the Akita and the Yamagata Shinkansen lines |
JR East Pass Tohoku | Both reserved and non reserved on the Tohoku, the Akita and the Yamagata Shinkansen trains. The Hokkaido Shinkansen between Shin-Aomori and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto is not covered. |
JR East Pass Nagano Niigata | Both reserved and non reserved ordinary seats on all trains on the Tohoku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Nasu-Shiobara |
Tokyo Wide Pass | Both reserved and non reserved ordinary seats on all trains on the Tohoku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Nasu-Shiobara |
Hokuriku Arch Pass | Both reserved and non reserved ordinary seats on all trains on the Tohoku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Omiya |
JR Tohoku-South Hokkaido Rail Pass | Both reserved and non reserved on the Tohoku Shinkansen between Shin-Shirakawago and Shin-Aomori, the Akita, the Yamagata Shinkansen and the Hokkaido Shinkansen trains. |
Hokkaido Rail Pass | It does not cover any Shinkansen trains. |
Additional charge to take Gran class seat
As I mentioned above, the highest seat, “Gran class” is not covered by any rail passes. If you want to take a seat in Gran class, you have to pay a full of Gran class seat fee. For example, the fares for Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto are the following:
Base fare | 12,100 yen |
Gran class seat fee | 27,220 yen |
Green class seat fee | 18,840 yen |
Reserved ordinary class seat fee | 11,330 yen |
Even if you use JR Pass Green, you have to pay 27,220 yen to get a seat on Gran class. The additional fee is NOT the difference (8,380 yen = 27,220 – 18,840) between Gran class seat fee and Green class seat fee. If you use JR Pass Ordinary or other rail pass, such as JR East Pass Tohoku, the additional fee is same. In this case, only base fare 12,100 yen is covered by any type of the rail passes.
Summary
You can take any Shinkansen trains by rail passes. On the Shinkansen between Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo, JR Pass does not cover Nozomi and Mizuho. But the fastest train, “Hayabusa” is covered by JR Pass and other rail passes on the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen.
The accommodation of most vehicles are very updated. I am sure that you can enjoy the trip by these Shinkansen trains.
Comments
We are traveling from Nikko to Takayama on a Friday. What is the best way to get there? We will be buying a JR pass. Would there be any time to spend a few hours in Matsumoto or will it take all day to get to Takayama?
Hi Kim,
If you use JR Pass, just go back to Tokyo and catch Shinkansen to Nagoya. Limited Express Wide View Hida can take you to Takayama.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
If you take Matsumoto route, the bus between Matsumoto and Takayama is not covered by JR Pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
I will be traveling from Nikko to Matsumoto on a Friday. What is the best route to take if you have a JR pass?
Hi Kim,
Nikko-Utsunomiya-Omiya-Nagano-Matsumoto is the best route. Please find more info at the links below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/how-to-access-to-nikko-from-tokyo-there-are-three-ways-from-tokyo-shinjuku-and-asakusa.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-for-train-access-to-nagano-matsumoto-and-other-places-in-shinshu-and-surrounding-area.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi Tan,
I’ll be travelling to Japan next year and now I am thinking about buying JR Pass since I want to visit tokyo, osaka, Fukushima, Sendai and Aizuwakamatsu. I’ll be in Japan for nine days. Which jr pass should I take? Jr east or jr pass? Visiting fukushima to Osaka, I have to take Nozomi. Should I go to Fukushima from Tokyo?
Day 1 Tokyo
Day 2 Tokyo-Osaka
Day 3 Osaka-Tokyo
Day 4 Tokyo-Fukushima
Day 5 Fukushima-Sendai-Fukushima
Day 6 Fukushima-Aizuwakamatsu-Fukushima
Day 7 Fukushima
Day 8 Fukushima-Tokyo
Day 9 Tokyo
Does JrPass cover all trains from day 2 until day 8?
Hope you can help me.
Thank you
Regards,
Lutfia
Hi Lutfia,
Yes. Day2 to 8 will be covered by JR Pass 7 days. If you arrive in Narita, you can use N’ex Round trip ticket for arrival and departure day.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/nex_round.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
We planned to travel by JR from Tokyo Narita Airport to Kurikoma Kogen. What should we do?
Hi Wayne,
You can take Narita Express from Narita to Tokyo and then transfer to Tohoku Shinkansen. You can book and purchase all tickets upon arrival at Narita Airport station.
You can find timetable at the links below:
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello! I will be arriving tokyo on 25 March & will leave on 11 Apr.
Throughout the trip, I will be going to Kyoto, Osaka, himeji, Nara during the 1st leg of my trip & then return back to tokyo for few days.
But I would also like to visit zao kitsune village from tokyo & I’m not sure which kind of jr pass should I get. Pls help to advise.
HI Miya,
You can use 14 days JR Pass and squeeze 1st leg of your part and trip to Yamagata in this 14 days.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
I am intending to travel from Shirakawa-go to Nyuto Onsen in a day. (yes it’s a bit far, hope there aren’t any disruptions, but I hope it works!)
At one point, I’ll have to transfer from the Hikari Shinkansen to the Komachi Shinkansen, from track/platform number 15 to 21 OR 16 to 22 (on two different consecutive timings).
HyperDia tells me I have 10 minutes exactly to make the transfer.
Do you think this amount of time is sufficient for the transfer? Like how far are platforms 15 and 21 from each other?
Thank you, and have a Happy New Year! 🙂
Hi Shi Hwa,
It’s not impossible but it will be a bit tight. Please find more info about Tokyo station at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/tokyo-station-guide-how-to-change-the-trains-shinkansen-narita-express-and-other-local-trains.html
You have to exit Tokaido Shinkansen transfer gate (not exit station) and enter Tohoku Shinkansen transfer gate. It’s located side by side. But you have to go through two different transfer gates.
If I were you, I go for this transfer.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I am planning on the following trips and hope you can assist with the best options for rail pass purchases.
9th Jan – Arrive Narita Airport (A.M) to take bullet train to Sapporo (Hokkaido).
12th Jan – Leave Sapporo (Hokkaido) back to Tokyo/Ueno via Cassiopeia.
13th Jan – Leave Tokyo/Ueno to Osaka
15th Jan – Leave Osaka back to Tokyo/Ueno
17th Jan – Trip to Mt Fuji, Hakone, FujiQ [2 days]
20th Jan – Depart from Narita Airport.
Hi Vincent,
The best option is JR pass 7 days for Jan 9 to 15. And Fuji Hakone Pass for 2 days trip.
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/fujihakone/
I am wondering you are sure that you go to Sapporo on arrival day and taking Cassiopeia on Jan 12.
It’s about 9 hours trip from Tokyo to Sapporo by Tohoku Shinkansen, Ltd Exp Hakucho and Ltd Exp Hokuto. Are you okay with it?
As you probably know, Cassiopeia is very hard to book. If you intend to book it after you arrive in Japan, the chance to book is very very slim.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
In that case i might revise my plans again since i have a better idea after your explaination. About cassiopeia, Is there anyways to book earlier online? or through agent?
Hi Vincent,
Unfortunately there is no way to book it online.
Most of travel agent do not want to book only train. But you may ask them. Please try to find the nearest agent from the list of JR Pass supplier.
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en005.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for your information provided!
One last question, can any local Japanese (friends etc) assist us with the booking of the Cassiopeia train? If yes, how is the procedure like? Can the discounted price still be obtained without the JR rail pass being registered.
Hi Vincent,
You can ask your friend in Japan. Japan Rail Pass covers base fare when you take overnight trains anyway. So you can ask your friend to purchase only accommodation and express surcharge ticket. He/She can purchase only this portion. Even if you book by yourself after arrive in Japan, you have to these fee on top of JR Pass.
If you ask your friend, tell him/her to go to reservation window, a.k.a. Midori No Madoguchi at 10:00 am sharp one month prior to departure date.
ex) If you intend to ride on Jan 11, ticket is on sale at 10:00 am on Dec 11.
It is very hard to book Cassiopeia. I strongly recommend you to ask your friend to book right after on sale.
There is no name or other personal info on the ticket. There is no restriction to pass the ticket to anyone. So your friend can book it for you with no problem at all.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I will be using the JR Pass to travel from Tokyo to Sapporo in Dec.
For seats reservations on the Super Hakucho train from Shin-Aomori to Hakodate and on Super Hokuto train from Hakodate to Sapporo, can i reserved the seats in Tokyo as well?
Many thanks.
Hi Fadzly,
You can make a reservation at any JR stations that have reservation window. Most of stations have reservation window that is called “Midori no Madoguchi”. Of course Tokyo station has many windows.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
I would like to travel from Tokyo to Nasushiobara, with minimum cost.
How should I buy the ticket?
like need to buy online, need to buy earlier,
and how to buy the ticket without reserve seat, I saw non reserve seat is cheaper , m I correct??
many thanks.
Hi Loh Yik Min,
I recommend you to use Kanto Area Pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/jr-east-kanto-area-pass-perfect-choice-for-tourist-who-want-to-go-to-fuji-izu-nikko-for-a-day-trip.html
It’s sold at 8300 yen and cheaper than no reserved seat single fares even though this pass covers reserved seat.
Regarding booking, please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
we want to travel from TOKYO to KITAKAMI.So please Suggest us which train Will go and minimum time it took and what all the Classes in the train Available and Their Fares.
We are planning to go to KITAKAMI On 17/09/2014 and Return to TOKYO on dt.23/09/2014.
Hi Kapil,
You can find the timetable at the link below:
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_tohoku_d/index.html
http://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/english/wb/common/timetable/e_tohoku_u/index.html
And Hyperdia can give you an exact fare. Please refer the following link to use Hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
I’m visiting Japan very soon and I found your website AMAZING and helpful! Thank you so much!
Maybe it’s because I’m a little nervous but I’m confused- at the train station with a JRP pass do I have to buy NO ticket? And just get on board?
If so does that mean I should check that the train I board is one with non-reserved seats? Because I saw on your Narita page that there are no non-reserved seats on that train.
Hi Rami,
As long as you take non reserved seat, you don’t need to purchase anything. All you have to do is showing your pass at the ticket gate and proceed to the platform.
However if you have decided which train you will take, you can get reserved seat ticket with no extra charge on top of JR pass. Reserved seat is covered by the pass.
You can’t get the seat sometimes if you take non reserved seat.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail