The limited express Thunderbird connects Osaka, Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Fukui, and Kanazawa. One round trip of this train operates to Wakura-Onsen. This train is the fastest way to get to Kanazawa from Osaka/Kyoto. If you go to Kanazawa from Osaka, simply take this limited express train.
This train is fully covered by JR Pass, Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass, Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass, and Hokuriku Arch Pass.
In this post, I will explain you about the train information of limited express Thunderbird.
Route, schedule and trip time
Thunderbird runs one or two departure(s) in every hour and it runs more than 20 round trips a day. Average trip time is 2 hours and 45 minutes to get to Kanazawa from Osaka. Please see the route map below to find the trip time on the major segments and stations on the route:
You can find the timetable in the link below:
Due to COVID-19, it may be operated on a schedule different from the normal timetable. Check the train schedule on Hyperdia.
Hyperdia perfect guide, train timetable and route search engine
Accommodation
Thunderbird is serviced by 681 or 683 series. 681 series is a bit older fleet than 683. But both fleets are basically same.
The seat pitch in a Green seat is 1,160 mm (46 inches). It is the standard of most JR trains. The seat layout is 2+1. It offers very spacious leg room and quite good seating.
The seat pitch of an ordinary seat is 970 mm (38 inches). It is a little bigger than the standard of JR trains. Some seats on Car #3 are exclusively available for women and small child. Some of JR trains offer this service for women travelers.
By the way, the seat pitch of most major airlines is 76 cm (30 inches) to 84 cm (33 inches). You can imagine how spacious an ordinary seat is. Unless you have a big body, an ordinary class seat is fine.
*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.
Train formation
Thunderbird train formation
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| G | R | R | R | NR | NR | NR | R | R |
*G=Green seat R=Reserved seat NR=Non reserved seat
Smoking is not allowed on board.
Images
Green seat
Ordinary seat
Sanitary space
Other resources
I have a few more posts which explains you about the access to Kanazawa and surrounding area, such as Shirakawago, Takayama. Please refer the posts below to find more information. I believe these posts will help you to build your trip plan:
I hope this post will help you to create your trip plan.
Comments
Sir,
Questions regarding Osaka to Kanazawa :
1. May I know is Thunderbird Osaka to Kanazawa (the Osaka is refer as Osaka Stationo or Shin Osaka?)
2. Does Thunderbird run this route (Kanazawa) during Winter (Mid Jan to Early Feb 2012)?
3. My son is 6 years old, do I have to buy for his ticket too?
Thank you
Hello Sandy,
1. Thunderbird depart from Osaka station. All train stop at Shin-Osaka as well. Shin-Osaka is one station away from Osaka. It takes only 5 minutes.
2. Yes. Thunderbird is operated all year.
3. Yes. Child fare apply to 6 to 11 years old. It is half price.
Takeshi / JP Rail
hi i would like to know where do i go to catch the thunderbird15 from osaka to takaoka
can i purchase the ticket at the station on the morning i am hoping to go and also do i need to buy a reserved ticket seat or just a green one ,myself and my wife finish a tour in osaka and have freinds in nando city we are visiting but this is our first time in japan and i find the train system a little confusing online as to what one should actually do..any help you can give me would be warmly recieved and and most welcome..
we are staying in the sheraton miyako and from what i can see it looks a distance from the station
again thank you for any help you can give us
robert
Hi Robert,
I may be misunderstand your question. The answer for the first question is Osaka station. There are lots of station in downtown Osaka. But Osaka station is the biggest station, Most of express trains depart from this station. (except Shinkansen and express train to Kansai airport and Kii peninsula)
If you want to have a reserved seat, I recommend you to get a ticket as soon as you can. The ticket is started to sell one month prior to departure date.
Sheraton Miyako is located at Uehonmachi. This is a part to downtown Osaka. But you need to take subway or taxi to get Osaka station.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi there,
Thanks for providing useful information! 🙂 I have a question which I hope you won’t mind to answer since it’ll be my first time coming to Japan. I plan to go to Kanazawa via Osaka in the end of November this year. I’ll arrive at KIX airport on Saturday at night around 6 pm. And I have to arrive in Kanazawa the following day (Sunday) before 1 pm. Therefore, do you have any recommendation when I should take the train (such as the timetable) and where to take the train from KIX? Thank you very much.
Hello Jessica,
You need to go to downtown Osaka. You can take bus or train whatever you want. Stay overnight at downtown Osaka.
Next day, all you have to do is taking Limited Express train “Thunderbird”. First Thunderbird depart from Osaka at 07:09am and arrive at Kanazawa at 09:45am. Thunderbird depart from Osaka almost once every hour. So you can take second one or even third one.
You can find the schedule at Hyperdia.
Takeshi / JP Rail
I like to visit Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go from Kyoto around September 30, 2011.
(1) Would I be able to cover both this places in a one day trip from Kyoto by catching the first Thunderbird leaving Kyoto in the morning?
(2) What time does the first Thunderbird depart from Kyoto Station?
(3) What time does the last Thunderbird depart Kanazawa for Kyoto?
(4) What is the return fare on the Thunderbird between Kyoto and Kanazawa? As I am not travelling anywhere else outside Kansai, I not sure if I should spend the money to get a 7 day JR Pass.
Many thanks.
Anthony
Hello Anthony,
You can do it. But it is not enough time at both Kanazawa and Shirakawago.
The sample itinerary is the following;
Kyoto 07:38am Thunderbird #1 (the first train)
Kanazawa 09:45am
Kanazwa 12:35pm Nohi bus to Shikawago
Shirakawago 13:50pm
Shirakwago 16:50pm Nohi bus to Kanazwa
Kanazawa 18:05pm
Kanazawa 19:43om Thunderbird #44
Kyoto 22:05pm (You have one more train that leave Kanazawa at 20:35)
You can check the exact fare at Hyperdia. But if you have only round trip to Kanazawa, JR pass is too expensive.
Takeshi / JP Rail
With a JR Pass, can I board the Thunderbird Ltd express from Kanazawa to Kyoto without reservations?
Also – what is the fastest way to get from Tokyo Narita to Kanazawa via Japan Rail?
Many thanks,
Vikram
Hello Vikram,
Yes. You can take Thunderbird without reservation because it has non reserved seat. But the seat is not guaranteed. You can make a reservation at most of station. So I recommend you to do it.
The fastest way to get Kanazawa from Narita is Narita Express to Tokyo, Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Echigo-Yuzawa, and Hakutaka from Echigo-Yuzawa to Kanazawa.
Takeshi / JP Rail
hello,
can i purchase tickets online for the rail journey from Osaka to Toyama?
Hello Devin,
No, you cannot. JR East offer several routes online. But it does not included Osaka-Toyama. You need to contact to the travel agent if you secure your ticket before you leave.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Can I buy Thunderbird tickets at Osaka nanba station? Do I have to buy tickets in advance?
Hello Supani,
Yes, you can. If you have a time, I recommend you to buy ticket in advance.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello,
Will I be able to take Limited Express Thunderbird from Shin-osaka station to Kanazawa station on June 6, 7, or 8 of this year?
Thank you!
Hi Kaitlin,
Yes, you can. Thunderbird is operated as normal.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello,
1. Does all thunderbird from shin-osaka stop at komatsu?
2. Any schedule available for the thunderbird?
Hi Shafiq,
All Thunderbird stop at Shin-Osaka and most of Thunderbird stop at Komatsu.
Unfortunately JR West does not have English timetable. But you can find the trains schedule at Hyperdia.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello,
i would to like know if i have JR PASS i can use LDT EXP THUNDER BIRD 28 from KANAZAWA to KYOTO
Thanks
Hello Christian,
Yes , you can! No problem at all.
Takeshi / JP Rail