The Hokuriku Shinkansen is a bullet-train route connecting Tokyo with Tsuruga City, Fukui Prefecture. Reaching speeds of up to 260 km, these trains will take you to snow monkeys, volcanoes, and art installations, all in the high-speed comfort the Shinkansen is famous for.
Launched in 1997 for the Nagano Winter Olympics, the Hokuriku Shinkansen is a line with an ever-extending future. Originally connecting Takasaki and Nagano, in 2015 the line was extended to Kanazawa. On March 16, the extension to Tsuruga City opened. The final phase of the Hokuriku Shinkansen will begin in 2030, when it will be extended to Shin-Osaka, a project expected to take at least 15 years.
In a hurry? You can book Hokuriku Shinkansen tickets on Klook.
Highlights along the Hokuriku Shinkansen
The Hokuriku Shinkansen is a sightseer’s dream, with multiple stops that are likely already on your hitlist, now on a single streamlined route.
- Takasaki: Just outside Tokyo, this small city is home to Daruma, the dolls dreams are made of (and that make dreams come true, albeit through hard work and singular focus)
- Karuizawa: A resort town of autumn leaves, lovers’ getaways and beautiful hiking routes, Karuizawa is the ideal escape from the city
- Mount Asama: Visible from the train and hosting resorts on its slopes, Mt. Asama lends its name to one of the train services and its volcanic heat to the surrounding hot springs
- Nagano: A city worth a visit and the starting point for those in search of the famous snow monkeys, Nagano is also ideal for those seeking snow and skiing adventures
- Kanazawa: A haven of art, traditional gardens, and delicious food and tea districts, Kanazawa is one of the lesser-known hubs of contemporary creativity and classic style in Japan
- Fukui: Home to one of the world’s best dinosaur museums, and the mountainside Eiheiji Temple
Services on the Hokuriku Shinkansen
The Hokuriku Shinkansen has four services. Two run the full length, while two do a section at either end. All services have Green Car and Gran Class options, but not all have unreserved seating. Check below for more details.
| Service | Start station | End station | Stops | Unreserved seats? | Frequency of departures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kagayaki | Tokyo | Tsuruga | Major stops only | No | ~1 per hour (morning & evening only) |
| Hakutaka | Tokyo | Tsuruga | Major stops only until Nagano, then all stations until Tsuruga | Yes | ~1 per hour |
| Asama | Tokyo | Nagano | All/most stations | Yes | ~1 per hour |
| Tsurugi | Toyama | Tsuruga | Major stations only | Yes | 2 per day |
Note: Not all Shinkansen run the full distance of their service route, some will start or terminate at different stations to those mentioned above. For example, some Hakutaka services finish at Kanazawa Station instead of Tsuruga Station.
Kagayaki: Tokyo to Tsuruga
The fastest service, Kagayaki runs the full length of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, only stopping at a handful of stations between Tokyo and Tsuruga. This gives it a speedy time of 80 to 90 minutes to Nagano, and 3 hours 10 minutes to Tsuruga. All seats are reserved, with (uncomfortable) standing tickets made available when all seats have sold out. This service runs only in the mornings and evenings.
Hakutaka: Tokyo to Tsuruga
Hakutaka also runs the full length, but is the slower option. It stops at more stations after Nagano than Kagayaki, so the journey to Tsuruga takes around 4 (or more) hours. Non-reserved tickets are available, making this a more flexible option.
Asama: Tokyo to Nagano
Asama is the original Hokuriku Shinkansen service, running from Tokyo to Nagano. The line is named after the impressive Mt. Asama, an active volcano on the border of Nagano Prefecture. This is the slowest of the routes, taking around 1 hour 40 minutes to get to Nagano.
Tsurugi: Toyama to Tsuruga
Only running on a small portion of the line, the Tsurugi service offers a handy option for locals commuting between the cities and sightseers connecting from Osaka. The journey takes about 20 minutes, and has non-reserved seating options.
Buying tickets and making reservations
On the Shinkansen, your ticket and seat reservation are two different things. While everyone needs a ticket to travel, the seat reservation is almost always optional, with a couple of carriages designated as “unreserved”.
Choosing unreserved seats can save you some money, but we recommend reserved seats — especially during weekends and holiday periods. One of the exceptions happens to be on the speedy Kagayaki service, which only offers reserved seats and then an overspill option of standing tickets.
The easiest option is to book Shinkansen tickets on Klook, though it costs about ¥1,800 more. Otherwise, you can buy tickets and make seat reservations at JR East Ticket Offices (called Midori no Madoguchi in Japanese) at major stations and travel centers. There are also ticket machines that are easy enough to use at any station on the Shinkansen line. Japan Rail Pass holders need to make seat reservations at the offices — you can read more about tickets and beyond in our mega Shinkansen guide. You’ll find more info on rail passes, below.
Reserved and unreserved seats
As mentioned, the Kagayaki service has no unreserved seats, so you’ll have to book this in advance or go for the standing option if it’s sold out. The remaining three services each have a mix of reserved and unreserved carriages, as well as Green and Gran Class cars. On the Shinkansen, Green Class is like Business Class, while Gran Class is similar to First Class.
All three services have four unreserved cars, with six reserved on the Hakutaka, three on the Tsurugi, and three on the Asama, plus a buffer of three carriages which change depending on demand.
Luggage restrictions
There are no luggage restrictions on the Hokuriku Shinkansen; they are limited to only a handful of the busiest Shinkansen services across Japan.
Discount passes for the Hokuriku Shinkansen
Run by both JR East and JR West together, the Hokuriku Shinkansen benefits from quite a few different passes.
What rail passes are good for the Hokuriku Shinkansen?
You’ve probably heard of the countrywide Japan Rail Pass, but there’s more to Japan’s trains that that. You can choose from a selection of regional JR Passes that help you explore specific areas while still saving money.
- Hokuriku Arch Pass: Taking you from Tokyo to Osaka via Kanazawa and Tsuruga, this pass gives you 7 days of travel for just ¥30,000. It includes travel from Narita and Haneda airports, all Hokuriku services, the Noto Peninsula, Nara, Kobe, and plenty more. Read our full guide to the Hokuriku Arch Pass.
- JR Tokyo Wide Pass: This pass takes you up to Sakudaira on the Hokuriku Lines, meaning you can visit Takasaki and Karuizawa, but not quite Nagano. It costs ¥15,000 for three days and covers plenty of other lines in and outside of Tokyo, so it’s better suited to day trips.
- JR East Pass (Nagano, Niigata Area): Stretching out to Joetsu-Myōkō, this pass includes major stops on the Hokuriku Line like Takasaki, Karuizawa, and Nagano. You can also use the Chūō line to visit Matsumoto and Hakuba, so for five days at ¥27,000 you can see plenty of highlights.
Other discount schemes
If you’re spending time in the Hokuriku area, then the JR Hokuriku Area Pass can be a good option for local travel. The four-day pass gives you access to JR bus and train lines between Obama, Wakura Onsen, Shirakawagō, Tateyama, and the Kurobe Gorge, with plenty of places in between. It costs ¥5,600 when bought in Japan, with a ¥100 saving if bought online, and a ¥510 saving if bought outside of Japan.
Where does the Hokuriku Shinkansen go?
The Hokuriku Shinkansen stops at the following stations: Tokyo, Ueno, Ōmiya, Kumagaya, Honjō-Waseda, Takasaki, Annaka-Haruna, Karuizawa, Ueda, Sakudaira, Nagano, Iiyama, Jōetsumyōkō, Itoigawa, Kurobe-Unazukionsen, Toyama, Shin-Takaoka, Kanazawa, Komatsu, Kaga Onsen, Awara Onsen, Fukui, Echizen-Takefu, and Tsuruga.
Major stations at a glance
| Station | Service | Travel time from Tokyo | Unreserved seat fare | Reserved seat fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Takasaki | Asama | 55 mins | ¥4,490 | ¥4,820 |
| Karuizawa | Asama | 75 mins | ¥5,490 | ¥6,020 |
| Nagano | Hakutaka | 85 mins | ¥7,810 | ¥8,340 |
| Kanazawa | Kagayaki | 2 hrs 30 mins | N/A | ¥14,380 |
| Fukui | Kagayaki | 3 hrs | N/A | ¥15,810 |
| Tsuruga | Kagayaki | 3 hrs 10 mins | N/A | ¥16,360 |
Prices were correct as of February 2024, and are based on regular season travel. Children aged 6 to 11 ride for half price.
Stations of interest along the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line
The Hokuriku Line is a veritable who’s who of sightseeing hotspots, with everything from snow monkeys to autumn leaves and the area’s very own little-Kyoto.
Takasaki: Daruma dolls for days
The biggest city in Gunma Prefecture, Takasaki is known for one thing: Daruma dolls. Based on the legendary monk Bodhidharma who sat in a nine-year stint of meditation, the round, red Daruma dolls you spot across Japan are a symbol of single-minded focus.
Bought with one eye blank, the owner sets a goal and fills in the pupil when it’s been achieved, burning it in a New Year ceremony in early January or leaving it at a temple. The local Shōrinzan Darumaji is a temple filled with all sizes of Daruma, and local craftsman make their replacements. Visitors can decorate their own and see the variety of Daruma at one of the largest producers, Daimonya.
Karuizawa Station: Autumn leaves and romantic escapes
Karuizawa is synonymous with romance in Japanese reality TV, mainly thanks to its beautiful fall leaves. The small resort town lies at the foot of Mt. Asama and has a permanent holiday feel to it, with outdoor activities drawing visitors from nearby cities.
Whether it’s hiking to Shiraito Falls, strolling through the streets of Kyo and Naka-Karuizawa or admiring the rocky Onioshidashi Park, there’s plenty to keep you busy before a relaxing evening soak in the local hot springs.
Nagano Station: Temples and snow monkeys
While Nagano City is home to one of Japan’s most popular temples, Zōjō-ji, it is also the closest hub to Japan’s famous snow monkeys. Jigokudani is a natural hot-spring park with some unusual guests: wild Japanese macaques.
Watching the creatures stretch out, swim, and soak in the steaming waters is weirdly therapeutic, especially when surrounded by snow. The park is a bus ride from Nagano: check out our guide on getting to the snow monkeys for more info.
Kanazawa Station: Contemporary art and castles
A city with so much to see it deserves its own guide (and here it is). Kanazawa is a dream destination if you want to see old-school Japan without trekking to Kyoto.
Stroll through tea districts, visit the famous Kenrokuen Garden, the contemporary art museum and the castle grounds, all within cycling or walking distance. If you’re staying a little longer, you can visit the local hot-spring resort towns and even stay in the second oldest hotel in world — we’ve got some great day trips and overnight inspiration for Kanazawa.
Fukui Station: Dinosaurs, dinosaurs, dinosaurs
When you step off the train at Fukui Station, there’s be absolutely no doubt in your mind that this place is all about the dinosaurs. Fukui City is home to one of the world’s best dinosaur museums, Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum. So that’s an obvious must-visit. It’s great for adults and kids alike, with an impressive range of skeletons and displays. Of course, there are lots of other things to do in Fukui too.
Hokuriku Shinkansen FAQs
What trains run on the Hokuriku Shinkansen?
The Hokuriku Shinkansen trains are E7 series 12-car trains. They have a Green Class and a Gran Class carriage.
Is there a cart service on the Hokuriku Shinkansen?
Yes, there is a cart service on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
How fast does the Hokuriku Shinkansen travel?
The Kagayaki is the fastest service on the Hokuriku Shinkansen and reaches speeds of up to 260km/hour.
When did the Hokuriku Shinkansen open?
The first section of the Hokuriku Shinkansen — between Takasaki and Nagano — opened in 1997.
Are any extensions planned?
In March 2024, the most recent extension opened, making the terminus station Tsuruga Station in Fukui Prefecture. But wait, there’s more. Currently, there are plans to further extend the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Osaka and Kyoto. They say construction will begin in 2030 and take 15 years to complete.
Also read:
- Guide to the Jōetsu Shinkansen — the line running from Tokyo to Niigata
- Guide to the Tōhoku Shinkansen — the line running from Tokyo to Aomori
- Guide to the Kyūshū Shinkansen — the line running from Fukuoka to Kagoshima
- Guide to the Sanyō Shinkansen — the line running from Osaka to Fukuoka
- Guide to the Hokkaidō Shinkansen — the line running from Aomori to Hakodate
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in December 2023. Last updated: February 2024.
