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Quick answer: The Hokuriku Shinkansen runs from Tokyo to Nagano in about 80 minutes (around ¥8,300 reserved) and to Kanazawa in about 2½ hours (around ¥14,700 reserved) on the fastest Kagayaki trains, which are all-reserved. From Kyoto or Osaka you take the Thunderbird limited express to Tsuruga and change to the Shinkansen — about 2 hours or a little more to Kanazawa. If you are traveling Tokyo → Kanazawa → Kyoto/Osaka, the Hokuriku Arch Pass (¥35,000, 7 days) covers the whole arc.
Opened to Kanazawa in 2015 and extended to Tsuruga in 2024, the Hokuriku Shinkansen turned the Japan Sea coast into an easy alternative route between Tokyo and Kansai. Winter is its high season for visitors: the snow monkeys near Nagano, ski resorts, and Kanazawa's crab season, which opens on 6 November 2026. Fares below are typical 2026 adult reserved-seat prices; check the exact fare and timetable for your date, as reserved seats cost a little more at peak times.
Times and fares at a glance
| Route | Fastest time | Reserved seat (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo → Nagano | about 80 min | around ¥8,300 | Kagayaki, Hakutaka and Asama all run; Asama terminates at Nagano |
| Tokyo → Kanazawa | about 2 h 30 min | around ¥14,700 | Kagayaki is all-reserved; Hakutaka has non-reserved cars |
| Osaka / Kyoto → Kanazawa | about 2 h–2 h 30 min | check combined fare | Thunderbird to Tsuruga, then Shinkansen |
| Busta Shinjuku → Nagano (bus) | about 4 h 40 min | around ¥3,100 | Cheapest, day buses |
| Busta Shinjuku → Kanazawa (bus) | about 7½–9 h | from about ¥3,700 | Day and night buses, prices vary by date |
Kagayaki, Hakutaka or Asama?
- Kagayaki — the fastest, with few stops (Ueno, Omiya, Nagano, Toyama). All seats reserved: you cannot board without a seat reservation, including with a rail pass.
- Hakutaka — stops more often, about 20–40 minutes slower to Kanazawa, but has non-reserved cars. Useful when the Kagayaki is full.
- Asama — runs only between Tokyo and Nagano, stopping at Karuizawa.
- Gran Class — a first-class car above Green Car with leather seats and attendant service, on most Kagayaki and Hakutaka trains. A splurge for the scenery along the Japan Alps.
From Kyoto and Osaka: the Tsuruga change
Since the March 2024 extension, the old direct Thunderbird from Osaka to Kanazawa no longer exists. Now the Thunderbird runs from Osaka and Kyoto to Tsuruga (about 85 minutes from Osaka), where you change to the Shinkansen for Fukui and Kanazawa. The transfer at Tsuruga is designed to be quick — the Thunderbird platform is directly below the Shinkansen platform — and the whole trip takes about 2 hours or a little more. If you have a lot of luggage, allow a few extra minutes for the escalators.
Passes: what works in 2026
The Hokuriku Arch Pass is the pass for this route: ¥35,000 for 7 days (adult, up from ¥30,000 for sales from March 2026). It covers the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo through Nagano and Kanazawa to Tsuruga, the Thunderbird between Tsuruga and Kyoto/Osaka, Kansai Airport access and local JR lines in the region, with free seat reservations. It is only for visitors entering Japan as temporary visitors. A one-way Tokyo → Kanazawa → Osaka trip already costs roughly ¥25,000 or more on normal tickets, so the pass pays off as soon as you add a side trip or the return leg.
Nagano: snow monkeys and Zenko-ji
Most visitors go to Nagano for the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, where wild macaques bathe in a hot spring; the scene is at its best in snow, roughly December to February. From the east exit of Nagano Station, express buses run to the park area in about 40 minutes, and Nagaden sells a Snow Monkey Pass that bundles transport (and in some versions park admission). Check the current version and price at the station. Zenko-ji, one of Japan's most important temples, is a short bus ride or a 30-minute walk from the station, so the two fit into one day from Tokyo.
Kanazawa: gardens, samurai streets and crab
From Kanazawa Station, the loop buses reach Kenroku-en garden, the castle park and the Higashi Chaya geisha district in 10–15 minutes, at a flat fare of around ¥200–220 per ride (a day pass is available). The snow crab season opens on 6 November 2026 — Kanazawa's Omicho Market is at its liveliest from then through winter. Our Kanazawa in 1–2 days guide has a full itinerary, and Shirakawa-go is an easy bus ride away (day trip or overnight?).
Which option should you pick?
- Tokyo → Kanazawa → Kyoto/Osaka in one trip: Hokuriku Arch Pass.
- Day trip to the snow monkeys: Kagayaki or Asama to Nagano, then the express bus.
- Tokyo ↔ Kanazawa return only: normal Kagayaki tickets; book seats early on weekends and in crab season.
- Tight budget: highway bus from Busta Shinjuku to Nagano (about ¥3,100) or a night bus to Kanazawa.
How long is the bullet train from Tokyo to Kanazawa?
About 2 hours 30 minutes on the Kagayaki, the fastest service. The Hakutaka takes a little longer.
How much is the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kanazawa?
Around ¥14,700 for a reserved seat on the Kagayaki in 2026, a little more at peak times.
Can I ride the Kagayaki without a reservation?
No. All Kagayaki seats are reserved, including for rail pass holders. Use the Hakutaka if you want a non-reserved seat.
How do I get from Osaka to Kanazawa now?
Take the Thunderbird to Tsuruga and change to the Hokuriku Shinkansen. The total is about 2 hours or a little more.
Is the Hokuriku Arch Pass worth it?
Yes for a one-way Tokyo → Kanazawa → Kyoto/Osaka trip plus a side trip or return. At ¥35,000 for 7 days, it beats normal tickets once your journeys add up to more than that.
