Hokuriku Shinkansen is Extended!
Hello, I’m a Japanese high school student who loves traveling.
On Mar. 16, 2024 Hokuriku Shinkansen is going to expanded and you will be not able to go from Kyoto to Kanazawa only taking the Limited Express Thunderbird.
That’s why I’d like you to show you the way to go from KYOTO to KANAZAWA since 2024.3.16.
You can get the latest information on this article!
Where are Kyoto and Kanazawa?
Kanazawa is a city located to the north of Kyoto.
The distance between two cities is about 200 kilometers; it is as long as the distance between Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia.
Train vs Highway Bus
There are two ways to go to Kanazawa.
One is taking trains, the other is using a highway bus.
Highway buses are cheaper, but it takes about 5h.
So, I recommend you to choose train.
On this article, I’m going to show you how to go by train.
What Trains Should You Take?
You have to use two trains; Limited Express THUNDERBIRD and HOKURIKU SHINKANSEN.
*Shinkansen is Japanese bullet train.
Until 2024.3.15, you only have to take Thunderbird bound for kanazawa, but since 3.16, you have to change trains at Tsuruga.
This is because Hokuriku Shinkansen is going to be extended between Kanazawa and Tsuruga.
You can go there in the following steps.
- Buy tickets.(They are sold at main stations and online)
- Go to track No.0 in Kyoto Sta.
- Thunderbird (Kyoto to Tsuruga)
- Change trains at Tsuruga Sta.
- Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tsuruga to Kanazawa)
①Buy tickets
You have to buy tickets of Thunderbird and Hokuriku Shinkansen and researve seats on them.
If you don’t know how to buy them, this website may help you.
Japan Railways West (JR West) has a new rail ticket service …
②Go to track No.0 in Kyoto Sta.
Thunderbird leaves from TRACK No.0 in Kyoto Sta.
The track No.0 is a very long platform.
(This platform is the longest in Japan, by the way!)
Then, take the Thunderbird that you researved.
Thunderbird is a train with a blue line and its destination is Tsuruga(敦賀).
★Please be careful not to get on other trains.
↓This is Thunderbird stopping at Kyoto Sta.
③Go to Tsuruga by Thunderbird
You can see a lake named “Biwako”, the largest lake in Japan, on your right after a while.
Please enjoy beautiful scenery!
④Change trains at Tsuruga Sta.
You have to change trains at Tsuruga Sta.
The connection is about 8 minutes.
⑤Go to Kanazawa by Hokuriku Shinkansen
Hokuriku Shinkansen have a blue line and a gold line on its sides.
The top speed of this train is 260km/h!
Conclusion
- It is convenient for you to go to Kanazawa by train
- Because of the extension, you have to change trains at Tsuruga
- You need to use Thunderbird and Hokurikushinkansen
Thank you for reading!
I’ve just started studying English, so If there are any mistakes in my English, I would be happy if you could tell me it by writing a comment.
Have a nice trip!