The historic Hokuriku Main Line used to provide the conventional rail route from Kanazawa through Fukui and Tsuruga to Maibara. Since the Hokuriku Shinkansen was extended from Kanazawa to Tsuruga on 16-Mar-2024, this corridor has been split between several operators. From Kanazawa to Daishoji the local line is operated by IR Ishikawa Railway. From Daishoji to Tsuruga it is operated by Hapi-Line Fukui. From Tsuruga to Maibara, the remaining JR West section is the Hokuriku Main Line.
For most visitors starting at Kanazawa, the faster route to Komatsu, Kaga-Onsen, Awara-Onsen, Fukui, Echizen-Takefu, and Tsuruga is the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Local conventional-line travel is useful for intermediate stops such as Nishi-Kanazawa, Matto, Daishoji, Maruoka, Sabae, and Takefu.
At Kanazawa Station, local conventional-line trains south toward Nishi-Kanazawa, Komatsu, and Daishoji are operated as IR Ishikawa Railway services, with some through operation beyond Daishoji. Check the station departure boards and the operator timetable before boarding.
The Japan Rail Pass covers JR Group services, including the Hokuriku Shinkansen and JR West trains south of Tsuruga, but ordinary travel on IR Ishikawa Railway and Hapi-Line Fukui is not generally covered. There are limited no-stopover exceptions for pass holders on specific third-sector sections, so check the official pass conditions before using a pass on these local lines.
A local train at Kanazawa Station
Table of Contents
Key Destinations & Transfers
The destinations below follow the former Kanazawa – Maibara conventional route, but they are no longer all on one JR line. Exact fares and times depend on whether you use local trains, the Hokuriku Shinkansen, or a transfer at Tsuruga, so check the JR West Route Finder, IR Ishikawa Railway, and Hapi-Line Fukui timetables before traveling.
IR Ishikawa Railway: Kanazawa to Daishoji
Kanazawa Station
Kanazawa Station is the main starting point for visitors using this corridor from Kanazawa. Transfer here to the Hokuriku Shinkansen, IR Ishikawa Railway services, the Hokutetsu Asanogawa Line, and the Limited Express Noto Kagaribi for Wakura Onsen. Through services for the Nanao Line and the Ainokaze Toyama Railway Line also depart from Kanazawa Station. The Hanayome Noren excursion train for Wakura Onsen departs from Platform 4.
A Kanazawa Station departure board
Nishi-Kanazawa Station
Transfer at nearby Shin-Nishikanazawa Station to the Hokutetsu Ishikawa Line. This private rail line connects Kanazawa to Tsurugi Station in the city of Hakusan. The Bettodeai trailhead for Hakusan National Park can be accessed by bus from Tsurugi Station.
Komatsu Station
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Komatsu City has many locations of interest which include Ishikawa Aviation Plaza, the Motorcar Museum of Japan, the traditional crafts village of Yunokuni no Mori, the hot spring resort Awazu Onsen, and Hoshi Ryokan, a traditional inn which was founded almost 1300 years ago. For the quickest rail trip from Kanazawa, compare local trains with the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Kaga Onsen Station
Kaga is a large city that includes within its boundaries many smaller towns, among them the famous hot spring resorts of Yamanaka, Yamashiro, and Katayamazu. The Visit Kaga website has recommendations for hot spring facilities. Natadera Temple can be reached via a short bus ride from Kaga Onsen Station. This temple has beautiful gardens and commands splendid views of Mount Hakusan. For the quickest rail trip from Kanazawa, compare local trains with the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Daishoji Station
Daishoji Station serves the Daishoji district of Kaga City, which has many preserved wooden Edo era houses. The station is close to Kutaniyaki Art Museum, and the Zen temples of Zenshoji and Jisshoin. Boat cruises are popular in the spring when the cherry trees along the Daishoji River come into bloom.
Hapi-Line Fukui: Daishoji to Tsuruga
Awara Onsen Station
The city of Awara is famous for its hot spring spa resorts. The official Awara City website has a list of recommended hot spring facilities. The dramatic, rocky coastline of Tojinbo can also be reached via a 40 minute bus ride from Awara Onsen Station. For the quickest rail trip from Kanazawa, compare local trains with the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Maruoka Station
Exit here for Maruoka Castle which dates from 1576. Maruoka Castle is one of just 12 original castles in Japan that survived the last war (the others are reconstructions) and its inner keep (or donjon) is said to be the oldest in Japan. There is a park with cherry trees around the castle and a small history museum nearby. The castle is a 15 minute bus ride from the station.
Fukui Station
Fukui is the capital city of Fukui Prefecture. Its famous sites are the Zen temple complex of Eiheiji Temple, Fukui Fine Arts Museum, and the Ichijodani ruins (a partially reconstructed 15th century castle town). Transfer here to the JR Etsumi-Hoku Line, Echizen Railway’s Katsuyama Eiheiji Line and Mikuni Awara Line, and Fukui Railway’s Fukubu Line. For the quickest rail trip from Kanazawa, compare local trains with the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
Sabae Station
Sabae City’s best known industry is the production of eyeglasses, and 90% of the spectacle frames sold in Japan are made here. The city also has a special museum to celebrate this fact. The Megane Museum (megane means “glasses”) has a section devoted to the history of eyeglasses production, several frames worn by celebrities, a hands-on workshop area, a cafe, and a shop where you can get your eyes tested and buy your own pair. The museum is a 10 minute walk from Sabae Station.
Takefu Station
Takefu Station serves the city of Echizen in Fukui Prefecture. Though Echizen has many historic buildings, shrines and temples, it is most famous for its crafts and its cuisine. You can get hands on experience with Echizen ceramics at the Echizen Togei Mura pottery village. At Echizen Washi no Sato you can learn about traditional papermaking. And the Echizen Soba Village is just one of many locations serving up the city’s famous noodles. Transfer to Fukui Railway’s Fukubu Line at nearby Takefu-shin Station.
Tsuruga Station
Tsuruga is a large port city in Fukui Prefecture. Its major sites are the massive gate of Kehi Shrine, the garden of Saifukuji Temple, the Meiji era red brick warehouses near Tsuruga Museum, and the white sand beach and pine trees of Kehi no Matsubara. Transfer here to the JR Kosei Line, the JR Obama Line, and JR limited express services for Kyoto, Osaka, Maibara, and Nagoya. For the quickest rail trip from Kanazawa, compare local trains with the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
JR West Hokuriku Main Line: Tsuruga to Maibara
Nagahama Station
Nagahama is a historical town in Shiga Prefecture with many preserved traditional and early modern buildings in the Kurokabe Square district. Many of these buildings have been converted into glassware craft shops, galleries, and restaurants. Other attractions include the reconstructed Nagahama Castle which was first built in 1575, and the Old Nagahama Station Museum in Japan’s oldest preserved railway station dating from 1882. From Kanazawa, travel by Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tsuruga and transfer to JR West services for Nagahama.
Maibara Station
This is the southern terminus of the Hokuriku Main Line. Those wishing to climb or going skiing on nearby Mt Ibuki should transfer to the Tokaido Main Line and get off at Omi-Nagaoka Station. The Tokaido Main Line continues on to destinations in Gifu and Aichi prefectures. Passengers for Shin-Osaka, Nagoya or Tokyo should transfer to the Tokaido Shinkansen.
The Ohmi Railway Main Line can also be accessed at Maibara Station. This is a private local railway line that runs between Maibara Station and Kibukawa Station. From Kanazawa, travel by Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tsuruga and transfer to JR West services for Maibara.
A local train at Kanazawa Station before direct JR local services to Fukui ended
Limited Express Services via Tsuruga
Limited express services do not run through from Kanazawa to Kyoto, Osaka, Maibara, or Nagoya on the old conventional route. From Kanazawa, passengers use the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tsuruga and transfer there for limited express trains on the conventional lines.
A Limited Express Thunderbird train at Kanazawa Station before direct Kanazawa services ended
The Limited Express Thunderbird operates between Tsuruga and Osaka via Kyoto. For travel from Kanazawa to Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, or Osaka, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tsuruga and transfer to the Thunderbird.
A Limited Express Shirasagi train at Kanazawa Station before direct Kanazawa services ended
The Limited Express Shirasagi operates between Tsuruga and Nagoya / Maibara. For travel from Kanazawa to Maibara or Nagoya, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tsuruga and transfer to the Shirasagi. For Wakura Onsen, use the Limited Express Noto Kagaribi from Kanazawa.
Useful Links
If you plan to use a rail pass, check the exact conditions before traveling. The Japan Rail Pass covers JR Group services, but ordinary local travel on IR Ishikawa Railway and Hapi-Line Fukui is not generally covered. The Hokuriku Area Pass also has detailed coverage rules for third-sector railway sections.
To find departure times and fares, use the JR West Route Finder, IR Ishikawa Railway, and Hapi-Line Fukui websites.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 23-May-2026.
