Tokyo to Kanazawa: The Hokuriku Shinkansen and Other Ways

The Hokuriku Shinkansen runs from Tokyo to Kanazawa in about two and a half hours on the fastest trains, crossing the mountains of central Japan to the Sea of Japan coast. It is the best way to make the journey for almost everyone. Flights and night buses exist, but the train is simpler and takes you from city centre to city centre.

By shinkansen

• Kagayaki — the fastest train, about two and a half hours, stopping only at a few major stations. All seats are reserved.
• Hakutaka — about three hours, with more stops, including Karuizawa and Nagano.

Both leave from Tokyo Station and Ueno, and both are covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Reserve seats ahead in busy seasons; the Kagayaki has no unreserved cars.

By air or bus

Flights from Haneda to Komatsu Airport take about an hour, followed by a forty-minute bus into Kanazawa. With the trip to the airport, the total is longer than the train. Overnight highway buses take about eight hours and are the cheapest option.

Stops on the way

• Karuizawa — a cool mountain resort about an hour from Tokyo.
• Nagano — for Zenko-ji temple and, in winter, the snow monkeys of Jigokudani.
• Toyama — for seafood and the start of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.

Onward from Kanazawa

The shinkansen continues from Kanazawa to Tsuruga, where limited express trains connect to Kyoto and Osaka in about an hour more. That makes a loop possible: Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto and back to Tokyo, without retracing your route. Buses also run from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go and Takayama.

Tips

• Sit on the left leaving Tokyo for mountain views beyond Nagano on clear days.
• Winter. The line runs reliably in snow, but allow extra time for local buses in Kanazawa.
• Forward your luggage if you plan to stop along the way.

Once you arrive, our Kanazawa 2-day itinerary covers the garden, the castle and the teahouse districts, and Takayama and Shirakawa-go in 2 days continues into the mountains.