How to Travel from Tokyo to Kanazawa

Kanazawa, with its samurai and geisha districts and the celebrated Kenroku-en garden, is about 450 km northwest of Tokyo. The Hokuriku Shinkansen makes it painless: the fastest Kagayaki service takes about 2 hours 30 minutes, from around ¥14,180 one way, and the whole line is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Here's exactly how each option works, what it costs, and which to choose.

Quick comparison

Tokyo to Kanazawa by bullet train (shinkansen)

The Hokuriku Shinkansen runs from Tokyo and Ueno via Nagano along the Sea of Japan side of Honshu. Two services matter for Kanazawa:

• Kagayaki: fastest at about 2h 30m, stopping only at major stations. All seats are reserved, and unlike the Nozomi it IS fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass; just reserve a free seat before boarding.
• Hakutaka: about 3h with more stops, including unreserved cars if you'd rather just turn up and board. Also fully covered.

Trains leave from Tokyo Station and Ueno. In Kanazawa you arrive at the striking Tsuzumi-mon gate side of Kanazawa Station, with buses to Kenroku-en, the Higashi Chaya district and the Omicho market a few minutes away.

Do you need to reserve a seat?

On the Kagayaki, yes, every seat is reserved; reservations are free with a JR Pass at any ticket office or machine. On the Hakutaka you can use the unreserved cars, but reserve ahead at rush hour, in peak seasons (New Year, Golden Week in early May, mid-August Obon) or during the winter crab-and-snow tourist rush.

First and last trains

The first Kagayaki leaves Tokyo around 06:15 and the last around 21:00, with a Kagayaki or Hakutaka at least every 30 minutes through the day.

How to buy Tokyo to Kanazawa tickets

• Online in advance is simplest for visitors. Check times and book your tickets here.
• Ticket machines or JR ticket office at the station (English menus available).
• Eki-net or IC cards if you're set up with Japanese booking accounts.

Travelling with a Japan Rail Pass

If you're making several long journeys, a Japan Rail Pass can save money, but it was repriced in late 2023, so check today's price against your trips first. For this route the pass covers everything, including the fastest Kagayaki, which makes Tokyo to Kanazawa one of the best-value trips you can make on it (a return alone is close to the price of a 7-day pass). Not sure it's worth it? See our guide to Japan Rail Pass prices and whether it's worth it.

Tokyo to Kanazawa by bus

Daytime and overnight highway buses take 8 to 9 hours from around ¥5,000. Overnight buses save a night's accommodation. You can check timetables and book on the Willer Express and Japan Bus Online sites.

Tokyo to Kanazawa by plane

Kanazawa has no airport of its own; the nearest is Komatsu (KMQ), about 40 minutes away by bus. Flying from Haneda takes about 1 hour, but door to door you're looking at 3.5+ hours and usually a higher price than the train. Carriers include ANA and JAL.

Driving from Tokyo to Kanazawa

About 5.5 to 6.5 hours via the Kan-etsu and Hokuriku expressways, plus fuel, tolls and rental, which typically costs far more than a train ticket. You'll want an International Driving Permit. Worth it only if you're touring the Noto Peninsula or the Alps en route.

Luggage on the shinkansen

Bags up to 160 cm combined fit overhead. Oversized baggage rules are more relaxed than on the Tokaido line, but space is still limited, so consider Japan's takkyubin delivery service to send suitcases ahead to your Kanazawa hotel.

So what is the best way to get from Tokyo to Kanazawa?

The Kagayaki shinkansen is the clear winner: 2.5 hours city centre to city centre, fully covered by the JR Pass. The bus is for tight budgets only, and flying via Komatsu rarely adds up.

Frequently asked questions