Japan · High-speed · Scenic
The Hokuriku Shinkansen runs from Tokyo across the mountains of central Honshu to the Sea of Japan coast, reaching Tsuruga since the 2024 extension beyond Kanazawa. Kagayaki is the fastest service, with Hakutaka, Asama and the Kanazawa–Tsuruga Tsurugi shuttle filling in the stops.
Tokyo → Tsuruga
3h 06m
Photo: MaedaAkihiko · CC BY-SA 4.0
Published primary route
Published end-to-end time
No verified figure published
Check the selected service before travel
Route & corridor
City-to-city high-speed corridor. The map, ordered calls and any engineering detail shown below come from the published route record.
North-west from Tokyo through Karuizawa and Nagano, over the central mountains to the Sea of Japan at Toyama, then along the coast through Kanazawa and Fukui to Tsuruga.
Tokyo to Tsuruga
Key stops
Tokyo StationKaruizawa StationNagano StationKanazawa StationFukui StationTsuruga Station
Tokyo Station
Japan
Karuizawa Station
Japan
Nagano Station
Japan
Toyama Station
Japan
Kanazawa Station
Japan
Fukui Station
Japan
Tsuruga Station
Japan
Why this connection
Of Japan's high-speed lines this is the one with the most to look at from the window. It climbs out of the Kanto plain past Karuizawa, crosses the mountain spine of Honshu near Nagano, and drops to the Sea of Japan at Toyama with the Tateyama range standing over the line on clear days. It also reaches places that reward stopping: Kanazawa's preserved districts and gardens, and since 2024 Fukui and Tsuruga, opening up a part of the country that used to need a change of train.
Our current editorial assessment, for comparing journeys, a considered judgement, not a measurement.
More subjective
Not rated yet: value for money, seat quality, onboard service, slow travel quality, romance, remoteness.
Step-free access and assistance are set out with the practical detail further down rather than reduced to a score.
The train in service
Only confirmed onboard details and photographs tied to this service appear here. Unrecorded facilities remain unknown.
Speed is the defining quality here: distances that read as long on paper collapse into a short, businesslike ride. At a few hours between Tokyo and Tsuruga, it is long enough to feel like a journey and short enough to watch the whole of it without losing concentration. Calls at Karuizawa Station and Toyama Station break the run into recognisable stages rather than one undifferentiated stretch.
Wi-Fi
Free wireless LAN service for foreign visitors is provided in E7 and W7 series cars operating on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
1 onboard detail is confirmed against a source. Anything not listed here has not been researched yet; treat it as unknown, not absent.
Evidence on demand
Route, onboard, season, fit and booking detail remain available without interrupting the journey above. Unknowns stay visible.
3h 06m
North-west from Tokyo through Karuizawa and Nagano, over the central mountains to the Sea of Japan at Toyama, then along the coast through Kanazawa and Fukui to Tsuruga.
North-west from Tokyo through Karuizawa and Nagano, over the central mountains to the Sea of Japan at Toyama, then along the coast through Kanazawa and Fukui to Tsuruga.
Tokyo to Tsuruga
Key stops
Tokyo StationKaruizawa StationNagano StationKanazawa StationFukui StationTsuruga Station
Tokyo Station
Japan
Karuizawa Station
Japan
Nagano Station
Japan
Toyama Station
Japan
Kanazawa Station
Japan
Fukui Station
Japan
Tsuruga Station
Japan
Speed is the defining quality here: distances that read as long on paper collapse into a short, businesslike ride. At a few hours between Tokyo and Tsuruga, it is long enough to feel like a journey and short enough to watch the whole of it without losing concentration. Calls at Karuizawa Station and Toyama Station break the run into recognisable stages rather than one undifferentiated stretch.
Wi-Fi
Free wireless LAN service for foreign visitors is provided in E7 and W7 series cars operating on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
1 onboard detail is confirmed against a source. Anything not listed here has not been researched yet; treat it as unknown, not absent.
Jan: Scheduled year-round as a regular timetabled service.
Solo travellers
Especially good
Frequent departures and assigned seating make solo travel straightforward, with no need to plan around a single daily train.
First-time rail travellers
Especially good
A frequent, clearly signed, reservable service between major cities; one of the easiest ways to make a first long-distance journey in the country.
Rail enthusiasts
Especially good
A working high-speed railway running at its designed speed on purpose-built infrastructure rather than upgraded classic line.
Families
Good fit
Short journey, level boarding at the principal stations and toilets on board; luggage space is the usual constraint at busy times.
Couples
Comfortable paired seating and a short journey, though this is transport rather than an occasion in itself.
Older travellers
Step-free access at the principal stations and a seated, reserved journey with no changes.
Less suitable for slow travellers
The point of this route is speed; travellers looking for a long, unhurried journey will find it over quickly.
You cannot just turn up
A reservation is required for this journey.
Prices quoted No fixed published fare. Tickets are sold at operator-set fares that vary by date, service and how far ahead you book; check the operator for the price on your travel date.
We link to the operator's own journey page. No direct booking channel has been verified for this service, so availability and fares must be checked there. Journey length: 3h 06m. Checked 11 Sep 2026 · JR East · Hokuriku Shinkansen route map.
The detailed source record remains at the end of this guide. Review the evidence.
Your next step
Bookable online or at the station. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on all Hokuriku Shinkansen services; Kagayaki requires a seat reservation. A seat reservation is still required with a rail pass.
Official journey information, JR East (opens in a new tab)We link to the operator's own journey page. No direct booking channel has been verified for this service, so availability and fares must be checked there.
Far by Rail is a discovery guide, not a live timetable or booking service. Confirm times, fares and availability with the operator.
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Photo: MaedaAkihiko / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Takeshi Aida / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0
Journey information is reviewed against published material and maintained as sources change.
Last reviewed 11 Sep 2026.
Official sources
Checked 11 Sep 2026
Checked 11 Sep 2026
Checked 11 Sep 2026
Checked 11 Sep 2026