Home › Routes › Kanazawa to Tokyo
How to get from Kanazawa to Tokyo
The fastest way from Kanazawa to Tokyo is the Hokuriku Shinkansen, about 2 h 30 on a Kagayaki train. Flights from nearby Komatsu airport take about 1 h but are rarely faster door to door. Highway buses, including overnight ones, are the cheapest.
Best option: Train. The shinkansen runs directly between the two city stations in about two and a half hours.
All the ways to make the trip
| How | Time | How often | Price* | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| train Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki or Hakutaka) from Kanazawa Station to Tokyo Station, also stopping at Ueno | about 2 h 30 (Kagayaki) to 3 h (Hakutaka) | one to three trains an hour | about ¥14,000–15,000 with a reserved seat | Kagayaki trains are all reserved; the Japan Rail Pass covers this line. |
| flight Bus to Komatsu airport, then a flight to Tokyo Haneda | about 1 h in the air; 3 to 4 h door to door | several flights a day | about ¥10,000–25,000 | JAL and ANA fly Komatsu–Haneda; the airport bus from Kanazawa takes about 40 minutes. |
| bus Highway buses, including overnight services | about 7 to 8 h | several a day | about ¥5,000–10,000 | The cheapest option; overnight buses save a night's accommodation. |
*Approximate prices and times for 2026. Timetables change by season: check with the operator before you travel.
Open the route in Google Maps →
Book the trip
Partner links: TonyPlan may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips
- Reserve Kagayaki seats ahead; they have no unreserved cars.
- Kenroku-en and the Higashi Chaya district are a short bus ride from Kanazawa Station.
- Avoid Golden Week, Obon and New Year if you can.
Common questions
How long is the train from Kanazawa to Tokyo?
About 2 h 30 on the Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki, or about 3 h on the Hakutaka, which stops more often. Trains run from early morning to evening and arrive at Tokyo Station, with a stop at Ueno. Kagayaki trains are fully reserved, so book a seat before boarding.
Is it faster to fly from Kanazawa to Tokyo?
Not usually. The flight from Komatsu to Haneda takes about an hour, but with the 40-minute bus to Komatsu and airport time, door to door is three to four hours. The shinkansen is quicker overall unless you are going to an area near Haneda.
Does the Japan Rail Pass cover Kanazawa to Tokyo?
Yes. The Hokuriku Shinkansen, including Kagayaki trains, is covered by the nationwide Japan Rail Pass, and regional JR East passes may also cover it. You still need to reserve a seat, which pass holders can do for free at ticket machines or offices.
What is the cheapest way from Kanazawa to Tokyo?
A highway bus, about ¥5,000–10,000 depending on the date and seat type, taking seven to eight hours. Overnight buses save the cost of a hotel night. Early-booking airline fares can sometimes beat the shinkansen price of about ¥14,000–15,000, but add the airport bus.
Compiled by TonyPlan from operator and transport information and travel knowledge; updated 2026-10-05. Anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.