The Tohoku-Hokkaido, the Akita and the Yamagata Shinkansen train guide. The Shinkansen goes to Hakodate, Aomori, Sendai, Akita and Yamagata

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:

Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto station guide. How to change between the Hokkaido Shinkansen and the conventional train to Sapporo and Hakodate

Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto station is the Shinkansen terminal station in Hakodate. But it is a bit away from the city of Hakodate. And this station is also the transfer point of the train to Sapporo. You can find how to change the trains in this post.

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2017.04.04

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.

Hayabusa train formation

Many Hayabusa run with the Akita Shinkansen “Komachi” between Tokyo and Morioka. The train formation is the following:

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

Some of seasonal operation trip is operated by the older fleet. This fleet does not have Gran class.

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

Yamabiko train formation

Since Yamabiko is operated by several type of vehicles, there are a few kinds of the train formation.

Many Yamabiko run with the Yamagata Shinkansen “Tsubasa” between Tokyo and Fukushima. The train formation is the following:

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

Nasuno train formation

Nasuno is operated by several type of vehicles and there are a few kinds of the train formation.

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.

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.

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:

Toreiyu Tsubasa. First ever Shinkansen train that has foot bath.

Toreiyu Tsubasa is one the Shinkansen trains on Yamagata Shinkansen line. But this train has a food onsen bath and it is operated as the sightseeing train. Please find lots of photos and information about this train in this post.

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2014.08.19

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.

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:

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.