How to Get to Kanazawa
Located on the north coast, Kanazawa is the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture and northern gateway to Central Japan. Once one of the wealthiest cities in feudal Japan, Kanazawa blends beautifully preserved historic districts and destinations with modern design including some of Japan’s best shopping and dining. On this page you will find the following information:
— 25 Things to Do Around Kanazawa & Where to Stay
— Check Out Our Tours! Kanazawa Tours & Charters Here
Most international visitors move to and from the city via Kanazawa Station. Located in the center of the city, the station is on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line that runs from Tokyo to Tsuruga. The Limited Express ‘Thunderbird’ service running from Osaka via Kyoto to Tsuruga makes for easy connections connections to the shinkansen. As such, despite being separated by quite some distance, Kanazawa can be reached from both Tokyo and Osaka in under three hours.
For visitors wanting to explore Central Japan in the comfort and convenience of their own vehicle, we can arrange private charters to any regional destination – a great option for families and groups wanting to avoid the hassle of public transport. For further information, see ‘Book With Us! Nagano’s No.1 Tour & Charter Operator’ below. We hope that the following information is of assistance when planning your visit to Central Japan.
WHERE IS KANAZAWA?
Kanazawa is the capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture, located on north coast at the top of Central Japan. Under three hours from both Tokyo and Osaka by train, Kanazawa Station is a convenient transport hub from where to explore the city and region. The Hokuriku Shinkansen service runs from Tsuruga to Kanazawa and then continues on to Tokyo via Nagano, while the Limited Express ‘Thunderbird’ service runs to Tsuruga from Osaka via Kyoto allowing travelers easy transfers to reach the city quickly and in comfort. The city is also serviced by nearby Komatsu Airport – a largely domestic airport but one also offering a handful of international routes. Once there, visitors discover one of Japan’s most historic and pleasant cities – a place known for its former wealth and contemporary style. An ideal destination for visitors wanting to explore Japan’s feudal past while enjoying some of the country’s best seafood, dining and shopping, Kanazawa is now firmly established as a popular stop for international travelers.
HOW TO GET TO KANAZAWA
In this section you will find information on how to reach Kanazawa from the following starting points:
FROM KOMATSU AIRPORT — NAGANO CITY – JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK – KARUIZAWA – TOKYO – NARITA AIRPORT – HANEDA AIRPORT – SHIRAKAWA-GO & GOKAYAMA – TAKAYAMA – KAMIKOCHI – TOYAMA – TATEYAMA-KUROBE ALPINE ROUTE – NAGOYA – KYOTO & OSAKA
We endeavor to keep this information as up-to-date as possible and in recognition that most international visitors will be using the train network to move around Japan, most directions are for using the trains. If there is alternative option i.e. express or local bus, that is notably faster or economical, we also include that information.
FROM KOMATSU AIRPORT / 40 to 60 minutes
Komatsu Airport is the nearest airport to Kanazawa and moving between the two is easy. To do so by train, take the airport shuttle bus to Komatsu Station – only 12 minutes – and then take any service on the JR Hokuriku Line bound for Kanazawa Station – a journey of 30 minutes / JPY510. Airport express buses also operate to central Kanazawa – 40 minutes / JPY1150.
FROM NAGANO CITY / between 1 to 1.5 hours
Both Nagano Station and Kanazawa Station are stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line running from Tokyo, making it easy to move between the cities. Stops on the line include:
Tokyo / Ueno / Kumagaya / Honjo-Waseda / Takasaki / Annaka-Haruna / Karuizawa / Sakudaira / Ueda / Nagano / Iiyama / Joetsu-Myoko / Itoigawa / Kurobe-Unazukionsen / Toyama / Shin-Takaoka / Kanazawa
There are four services on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line – the Kagayaki, Hakutaka, Asama and Tsurugi – however only the Kagayaki and Hakutaka services connect Kanazawa and Nagano. Using the Kagayaki, the journey from Nagano to Kanazawa takes 65 minutes / JPY8920 or 85 to 90 minutes / JPY8590 using the Hakutaka. For daily train schedules, see our ‘Hokuriku Shinkansen Timetable’ page.
FROM THE JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK / between 2.5 to 3.5 hours
To reach Kanazawa from the Jigokudani Monkey Park takes time but is relatively straight-forward when done via Nagano Station. From the park, you have the option of: 1. a direct express bus from the park to Nagano Station or 2. a local bus to Yudanaka Station followed by an express train to Nagano Station. Starting from the park, the express bus costs JPY1500 each way and takes 55 minutes to reach Nagano Station. In comparison, taking the local bus from the park to Yudanaka Station followed by the train, takes 15 minutes and costs JPY310 before the limited express train to Nagano takes 45 minutes and costs JPY1290 – a total journey of around 60 to 70 minutes and costing JPY1600. Once at Nagano Station, simply transfer to the shinkansen bound for Kanazawa.
FROM KARUIZAWA / approx. 2 hours
A stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line, Karuizawa is a popular mountain resort town within easy reach of Kanazawa and Tokyo. To reach Kanazawa from Karuizawa, take the shinkansen from Karuizawa Station to Kanazawa Station – 120 min / JPY11,120.
FROM TOKYO / between 2.5 to 3.5 hours
Though located far apart, it’s easy to reach Kanazawa from the capital. Tokyo Station is the southern terminus of the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line, making it easy and convenient to travel from the capital to Kanazawa. Using the Kagayaki, the journey from Tokyo to Kanazawa takes 150 minutes / JPY14,180 or 180 to 200 minutes / JPY13,850 using the Hakutaka.
FROM NARITA AIRPORT / between 3.5 to 4.5 hours
Kanazawa can be reached in a two-stage journey from Narita via Tokyo Station. Two rapid train services connect Narita Airport to central Tokyo via Tokyo Station and Ueno Station. Both stations are stops on the Hokuriku Shinkansen service bound for Kanazawa.
1 / the Narita Express (NEX) runs from Narita to Tokyo Station. It takes 55 minutes to reach Tokyo Station (depending on the service) and costs JPY3070 with trains departing every 30 to 60 minutes. Once at Tokyo Station, follow the directions above onto Kanazawa.
2 / the Keisei Skyliner runs from Narita to Ueno Station. It takes between 40 to 55 minutes to reach Ueno Station and costs JPY2520 with trains departing every 30 to 40 minutes. Once at Ueno Station, transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Kanazawa.
FROM HANEDA AIRPORT / between 3 to 4 hours
Kanazawa can be reached in a two-stage journey from Haneda via Tokyo Station. Two train services connect Haneda Airport to central Tokyo via Tokyo Station, at which you can board the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Kanazawa.
1 / the Tokyo Monorail connects the airport to Tokyo Station via Hamamatsucho Station in around 30 minutes. From the airport take the monorail to Hamamatsucho Station (20 min/JPY170) and then switch to the JR Yamanote Line or JR Keihin-Tohoku/Negishi Line Rapid bound for Tokyo Station (5 min/JPY160) – a total journey of around 30-minutes / JPY660 one-way. Once at Tokyo Station, follow the directions above.
2 / the Keikyu Railway connects the airport to Tokyo Station via Shinagawa Station. Take the Keikyu Airport bound to Shinagawa Station (approx.11 min/JPY300) and transfer to the Yamanote Line bound for Osaki to reach Tokyo Station- 13 min / JPY170 or a total journey of around 30 min / JPY470. Once at Tokyo Station, follow the directions above onto Kanazawa.
FROM SHIRAKAWA-GO & GOKAYAMA / approx. 85 minutes
While there are no direct train services, the World Heritage-listed villages of Shirakawa-go & Gokayama are within easy reach of Kanazawa. The Hokuetsu Bus company operates regular services between the main village of Ogimachi (with some additional services to Suganuma from March until November) and Kanazawa Station. A one-way journey takes approximately 85 minutes and costs JPY1850.
FROM TAKAYAMA / approx. 85 minutes
The Hokuetsu Bus company operates highway bus services that connect Takayama Station to Kanazawa Station via Shirakawa-go (as below). Departing every 2 to 3 hours and taking around 2 hours to make the journey, a one-way trip costs around JPY3600 while a return ticket will cost around JPY6400. There is no direct train service from to Takayama to Kanazawa. Visitors wanting to use the train should proceed to Toyama Station – see below for details – on the Limited Express ‘Hida’ service – 85 minutes / JPY2890 – and then switch to the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Kanazawa.
FROM KAMIKOCHI / approx. 3.5 hours
Kanazawa can be reached from Kamikochi via Takayama Station, with frequent services running to and from the Takayama Nohi Bus Center – located next to Takayama Station. From the Kamikochi Bus Terminal, take the bus to the Hirayu Onsen Bus Terminal – 25 to 30 minutes – and then switch to the bus headed to Takayama – another 60 minutes. See the following page for information including timetables and fares to and from Takayama. Once at Takayama Station, follow the directions above.
FROM TOYAMA / 20 to 25 minutes
Lying to the east of Kanazawa, Toyama is another convenient gateway for visitors heading to and from Central Japan especially those headed for the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route – see below. Both Kanazawa Station and Toyama Station are stops on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line, making the journey between the two quick and easy. From Toyama, take the Hakutaka or Tsurugi services – 20 to 25 min / JPY2860.
FROM THE TATEYAMA-KUROBE ALPINE ROUTE / approx. 1.5 hours
The Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route can be accessed from the Toyama/Kanazawa-side via Tateyama Station. To reach Kanazawa, take the Toyama Chiho Railway from Tateyama Station to Dentetsu Toyama Station – 60 minutes / JPY1230. Walk the short distance to Toyama Station and transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Kanazawa Station – 22 minutes / JPY2860.
FROM NAGOYA / between 2.5 to 3 hours
Nagoya and Kanazawa are located on opposite coasts however thanks to Japan’s fantastic train network, it’s easy to move between the two cities. From Nagoya Station, the Limited Express ‘Shirasagi’ runs to Tsuruga where you can transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen in Tsuruga – 170 min / JPY9080. Alternatively, take the Tokaido Shinkansen from Nagoya Station to Maibara Station, and then switch to the Limited Express ‘Shirasagi’ – 150 min / JPY10,200 – a faster but more expensive option.
FROM KYOTO & OSAKA / between 2 to 2.5 hours
Kyoto & Osaka are connected to Kanazawa by the Limited Express ‘Thunderbird’ through a transfer at Tsuruga for the Hokuriku Shinkansen line. Frequent services run between the cities and involve the following travel times and costs: between 135 to 155 minutes / JPY9,410 from Osaka and Shin-Osaka Station and 105 or 115 minutes / JPY7,720 from Kyoto Station.
25 THINGS TO DO AROUND KANAZAWA & WHERE TO STAY
One of the most historic and enjoyable cities in Japan, Kanazawa is well-suited to a multi-day visit combining the many attractions of the city with nearby regional highlights. From its historic attractions and districts to its excellent galleries, museums, shopping and dining, visitors tend to fall in love with Kanazawa and wish they’d allowed more time in their schedule to explore all it has to offer. For tips and suggestions of what to do in the city, including accommodation listings, along with other great destinations nearby, see our ’25 Things To Do Around Kanazawa & Where To Stay’ page.
Want to experience Kanazawa’s unique culture for yourself?
Based in Central Japan and operating all-year-round, we offer a highly entertaining group-tour of Kanazawa that is sure to please. All tours are led by locally-based guides and will take you around all of the must-see sights in Kanazawa, as well as some lesser known gems. Our tours are fun, interactive and family-friendly. For more information, or to book a tour, click on the banner or button below.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:00 – 18:00 |
| Meeting Place | Kanazawa Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Of course, we also offer private tours and transport in and around the Kanazawa Area, and other regional destinations. Our drivers and vehicles are fully certified, allowing us to transport you to and from your preferred destinations in combination with any activity that suits your schedule. All vehicles are well-maintained and in good condition, allowing you to relax and enjoy your ride to wherever you are going.
We can arrange both private tours with an English-speaking guide or a private charter, including a private vehicle and driver but without a guide. We’d love to be part of your adventure in Central Japan and help you discover even more!
Got a question about visiting Kanazawa? Click the ‘INQUIRY’ button below or contact us and let’s get planning together!
Why choose us?
Awarded a 2022 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for our 1-Day Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake Tour – recognised as one of the Top 10 Experiences in Japan – we have the local knowledge and experience to help you get the most out of your time in Nagano and Central Japan.
Got a question about visiting Kanazawa and Central Japan? Contact us and let’s get planning together!
