Tohoku Shinkansen will be extended to Shin-Aomori on this coming December 4. The fastest train that is called “Hayabusa” will be operated on March 2011. We will have 2 round trips between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori, and 1 round trip between Tokyo and Sendai. (Please refer another post to check the timetable.)
This train will have Ordinary class, Green class and the brand new class which is called “Gran class”. The same type of service as the first class on the flight will be provided on Gran class.
Images gallery of Gran classSeat 1
Seat 2
Meal on board (Western style)
Meal on board (Japanese style)
Amenities
If you are looking for the images of Hayabusa and E5 series, please refer this post, Gran class and all class seat of Tohoku Shinkansen E5 series and Gran class for Hayabusa, Hayate and Yamabiko image gallery.
Japan Railway did not announce that Japan Rail Pass user can take this class without the extra fare. The surcharge of this class 5,000 yen more than Green class. So the extra surcharge for Japan Rail Pass user will be expected.
On Feb 1, 2011, I confirmed that Japan Rail Pass can be used for Hayabusa. But if you take Gran Class, you need to pay the extra. Please refer this post to see the details.
Comments
Just spent 2 weeks in Japan and rode Shinkansen half a dozen times. Mind numbing. Wondrous. Beautiful. Smooth. Quiet. So fast at top speed you can’t even take pictures from it. Punctual to the second. Many many tunnels. A miracle of technology. Superior to air travel in every way. I can’t rave enough. Yeah, I loved it!
I love to hear that, Mike.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi, I have my young grandson to thank for reigniting my interest in trains, and in particular the Hayabusa Shinkansen. I may have not made the visit without his prodding and I am so very glad I did. I’m writing to tell you of an American TV series on the AMC network entitled “Hell On Wheels.” It is about the building of our transcontinental RR in the early 1870’s. It is a TV Western Drama centered around a character (Cullen Bohannon) who was a vanquished Confederate soldier after our Civil War ended, and who joined in the building of this rail line across the country. I found it very interesting and thought you might as well. Perhaps not. But please take a look at if you are able. Never will I forget my trip to Wonderful Japan. I attended school at St. Joseph’s College in Yokohama in the middle 1950’s which remains an important part of my life. I would return in a minute if I were able. All the best.
Sincerely,
Mike Dineen
North Augusta, South Carolina 29841
Hi Mike,
Thanks for very interesting information. I will check it.
I live in Canada and I’m very familiar with North American trains too!
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Want to go to kitakami rail station from Tokyo. Checked website it mention can use Hayabusa train. Later i checked the time table it mentioned only 2 trains in the morning at 8.12 the first one but does not stop at kitakami. I am confused. Please advise which train i have to use to go to Kitakami from Tokyo. I am okay even if it is a normal train. Sorry, if you could also tell me the price. I am travelling in September 2014
Thamnks alot.
Murugan
Hi Murugan,
Both some of Hayate and Yamabiko usually stop at Kitakami. You can find an exact timetable and fare at Hyperdia. I wrote how to use that at the following link:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
What is the quickest train to take from Osaka to Sapporo? How long will it take?
Hello Gewn,
Hayausa, Super Hakucho and Super Hokutosei combination is the fastest. Please see my post, How to get Sapporo.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Not sure where to post this query, but I’ll try here, since it does vaguely relate to the 4 December 2010 changes in Aomori prefecture led by the opening of the shinkansen.
I’m planning to take the morning Resort Shirakami run between Hirosaki and Akita (via Juniko) on Tuesday 31 May. There seems no problem with that, but on http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/aomori/trains.html it says “operation is mainly on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays”. Do you know what they mean by this? I’m sure the service itself runs every day. Do they perhaps mean that the run won’t be operated using the new Aoike Hybrid train on e.g. Tuesdays?
Hello Dave,
According to JR East press release in Japanese, they operate Resort Shirakami on weekend and holidays in ONLY March. They operate it everyday from Apr 01 to Jun 30. So you can take it on May 31. But it’s not 100% sure that hybrid train “Aoike” will be assigned for Resort Shirakami 2 depart from Hirosaki at 09:06 am. They usually do but they don’t guarantee it. They still use old type 48 series. So expect that it may be changed in last minutes.
Takeshi / JP Rail