Taking a highway bus can be a cheap option if you are making a long distance trip from Kanazawa Station. Long-distance bus services from Kanazawa are run by several companies and joint operators, including West JR Bus, Hokutetsu, Willer Express, Kintetsu Bus, Kita Nippon Kanko, and partner companies.
Prices vary a lot according to the particular bus service, the date of departure, the time of day, the seat type, and the booking channel. The most important thing to check before you travel is the exact bus stop, because highway buses can depart from either the Kenrokuen Exit, or East Gate, side of the station or the Kanazawa Port Exit, or West Gate, side.
The east-side Transport Information Center can help with general guidance, but many highway bus ticketing services are handled online, at operator offices, or at ticket counters on the west side of the station.
Bus information counters at Kanazawa Station
Table of Contents
JR Highway Express Buses
West JR Bus and partner JR highway bus services from Kanazawa should be checked through Kousokubus.net, also known as Highway Bus Net. Route examples include services linking Osaka and Kyoto with Fukui, Kanazawa, and Toyama; services linking Kanazawa and Toyama with Nagoya; and night services linking Kanazawa and Toyama with Sendai. Many JR highway buses use the Kanazawa Port Exit, or West Gate, side of the station, including the West Exit bus terminal’s stop 4, but the boarding point can vary by route and operating day. Check the route page and your booking confirmation before you go to the bus stop.
A JR highway bus at Kanazawa Station
Hokutetsu Highway Buses
Hokutetsu and its partner companies operate highway and limited express buses from Kanazawa to destinations such as Nagoya, Shirakawa-go, Takayama, Niigata, and the Noto area. The major Hokutetsu highway routes to Nagoya, Shirakawa-go, Takayama, and Niigata use Kanazawa Station’s West Exit bus terminal, with stop 4 listed on the official route pages. Noto-area express buses have their own timetable and stop information, so check the specific route before traveling. Hokutetsu’s main ticket center for highway bus tickets is also on the west side, near stop 4 of the Kanazawa Port Exit bus terminal. For route details and reservations, use the Hokutetsu highway bus website or ask at the ticket center.
A highway bus at Kanazawa Station
Other Operators
Osaka and Kyoto services are not limited to JR buses. Kintetsu Bus lists an Osaka/Kyoto – Komatsu/Kanazawa route, and this daytime express route has two round trips per day. Kita Nippon Kanko also provides English bus stop information for the Kyoto/Osaka – Kanazawa line. If you are traveling to Kansai, compare JR, Kintetsu, and other operator booking sites before choosing a bus, because fares, stops, and arrival points are different.
Night Bus Services
For really long journeys taking a night bus can be a way to save money and the cost of one night’s stay at a hotel. You sleep all night on the bus and wake up early at your destination. However, some people find it hard to sleep on a night bus and arrive very tired. On some JR services though, it is possible to pay more for more comfortable seating. Night buses from Kanazawa can be useful for longer trips to areas such as Kansai, Nagoya, Sendai, and the Tokyo or Chiba area, depending on the operator and travel date. Always check the official timetable, arrival point, and boarding stop before booking.
A night bus at Kanazawa Station
Willer Express
Willer Express and Star Express services link Kanazawa with the Tokyo and Chiba area, including overnight services. Unlike some other highway buses, Willer services use the west side of the station, and Willer provides its own Kanazawa Station West Exit bus stop guide. Service patterns, stop numbers, and arrival points vary by date and bus type, so confirm your route when booking. You can search for services online on the Willer Travel English website.
A Willer Express service at Kanazawa Station
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 27-May-2026.
