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Tokyo to Kanazawa Shinkansen guide 🚅 ​

Overview of Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kanazawa and discounted tickets.

Overview ​

  • Tokyo to Kanazawa is about 450 km.
  • While flying is an option, shinkansen (bullet train) is the far more convenient and popular way to travel between Tokyo and Kanazawa.
    • ⚠️ Komatsu Airport is far from the Kanazawa city.
  • If you book far ahead (1 month ahead), you may be able to buy a discounted Shinkansen ticket. (30% off the regular price).
  • Note: Unlike other Shinkansen routes, you cannot buy tickets from discount ticket shops.
  • Create a free JR East or JR West account ahead of time for a smoother booking experience.

The Hokuriku Shinkansen trains used on this route are Kagayaki (かがやき号) and Hakutaka (はくたか号). Travel time varies by train, but Kagayaki takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.

You can also travel between Tokyo and Kanazawa on the Tokaido Shinkansen via Maibara. With the transfer at Maibara, the trip takes about 4 hours.

TIP

Create a free account on JR West's e5489 or JR East's Eki-net and buy the ticket 1 month ahead and try to get the 30% off or 10% off discounted tickets.

Price breakdown of Tokyo <-> Kanazawa Shinkansen ​

Prices are from 2026-06-13, for a one-way trip in the regular season.

Seat typePriceDifference from Reserved seat price
Non-reserved seat13,850 yen-530 yen
Reserved seat (standard)14,380 yen-
Green Car (グリーン車)20,840 yen+6,460 yen
Gran Class (グランクラス)29,220 yen+14,840 yen
Discount ticketFrom 9,920 yen-4,460 yen
Student discountFrom 12,350 yen-2,030 yen

Quick list of discounted tickets and prices ​

TicketPriceNotes
Tokudane (トクだ値) 112,760 yenBuy by the day before
Tokudane (トクだ値) 149,920 yenBuy 14 days ahead
E-ticket Early Bird (eチケット早特) 112,760 yenBuy by the day before
E-ticket Early Bird (eチケット早特) 149,920 yenBuy 14 days ahead
Shinkansen e-ticket (新幹線eチケット)14,180 yen-
e-kippu (eきっぷ)13,730 yen-
Student discount (学割, reserved seat)12,880 yen-
Student discount (学割, non-reserved seat)12,350 yen-
JR East View Dynamic Rail PackFrom 35,000 yenRound trip + hotel package

Note: All prices are for the regular season and may vary by travel season.

Cheap tickets between Tokyo and Kanazawa ​

TIP

JR East's Eki-net えきねっと and JR West's e5489 are free to join. ⚠️ Avoid using the websites between 23:00 and 05:00 as they are undergoing maintenance during this time.

Tokudane 1 (トクだ値1) ​

  • Who: JR East's Eki-net えきねっと users
  • Where: Eki-net online reservation system operated by JR East
  • What: 10% off the regular price discounted tickets
  • Restrictions:
    • Reservations must be made by 1:40 a.m. on the day before travel.

Tokudane 14 (トクだ値14) ​

  • Who: JR East's Eki-net えきねっと users
  • Where: Eki-net online reservation system operated by JR East
  • What: 30% to 35% off the regular price discounted tickets
  • Restrictions:
    • Purchase it at least 13 days in advance.
    • Eki-net is available from 05:00 to 23:50 daily

E-ticket Early Bird (eチケット早特) ​

Shinkansen e-ticket (新幹線eチケット) ​

  • Who: JR West's e5489 users and JR East's Eki-net えきねっと users
  • What: A ticketless reservation service available through Eki-net and e5489.
  • Benefits:
    • Reserved seats are 200 yen cheaper.
    • Non-reserved seats cost the same.
    • You can board ticketlessly with an IC card.
    • It works on all Hokuriku Shinkansen sections.
  • Notes:
    • The special urban area rules do not apply.

e-kippu (eきっぷ) ​

  • Who: J-WEST card members only.
  • What: A ticket exclusive to e5489, JR West's online reservation service.
  • Restrictions:
    • You can reserve it until the day you travel.
    • You cannot buy it at the station.

JR East View Dynamic Rail Pack ​

  • What: JR East View's package tour.
  • Why use it: It combines round-trip Shinkansen tickets and hotel accommodation, so it can be cheaper.

Can I get a non-reserved seat? ​

  • Hakutaka (はくたか) is the only train with non-reserved seating between Tokyo and Kanazawa.
  • Kagayaki (かがやき) does not have any non-reserved seats.
  • For Hakutaka, Tokyo and Kanazawa are starting and terminal stations - best chance to get a non-reserved seat if you board at either of these stations.

e5489 is JR West's online reservation service. Many of the discounted tickets above (E-ticket Early Bird, Shinkansen e-ticket, and e-kippu) are booked through it.

TIP

Create a free account on e5489 before you travel for a smoother booking experience. ⚠️ Avoid using e5489 between 23:00 and 05:00 as it is undergoing maintenance during this time.

Sign in ​

  • Open the e5489 top menu and select the ログイン (Login) button to sign in.
  • You can sign in with your J-WEST or WESTER member ID and password.

Reservation list (予約一覧) ​

  • View and manage your bookings on the e5489 reservation list.
  • If you are not signed in, opening the reservation list prompts you to sign in first.

Reference ​