The Limited Express Thunderbird is a JR West limited express service that runs between Osaka, Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, and Tsuruga. It does not run directly to Kanazawa. Travelers going between Kanazawa and Kyoto or Osaka take the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Tsuruga, then transfer at Tsuruga to or from the Thunderbird. This connection is the main rail route between Kanazawa and the Kansai region until the Hokuriku Shinkansen is extended farther west.
A Limited Express Thunderbird train at Kanazawa Station before the 2024 timetable change
At Tsuruga Station, Thunderbird trains use the conventional-line platforms and connect with Hokuriku Shinkansen services upstairs. JR West provides transfer gates and transfer-route guidance for passengers changing between the Thunderbird and the Shinkansen. The nationwide Japan Rail Pass covers ordinary and Green Car travel on JR Group services for the combined Hokuriku Shinkansen and Thunderbird route between Kanazawa and Kyoto or Osaka.
The Limited Express Thunderbird route
The Thunderbird runs between Osaka, Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, and Tsuruga. From Tsuruga, Hokuriku Shinkansen services continue to Echizen-Takefu, Fukui, Awara-Onsen, Kaga-Onsen, Komatsu, Kanazawa, Toyama, and other Hokuriku destinations.
For Wakura Onsen, use the Limited Express Noto Kagaribi between Kanazawa and Wakura Onsen. See our guide to the Noto Kagaribi for Hakui, Nanao, and Wakura Onsen.
Key Destinations
The Thunderbird is useful for travel between Tsuruga, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, and Osaka. From Kanazawa, the important point is the transfer at Tsuruga: ride the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tsuruga, pass through the transfer route, and continue by Thunderbird toward Kyoto or Osaka. Exact fares and journey times depend on the train pairing, seat type, ticket type, and transfer at Tsuruga. Use the JR West Route Finder before buying tickets.
Carriage banners on a Thunderbird service bound for Osaka
Tsuruga Station
Tsuruga is a port city in Fukui Prefecture. Its major sites are the massive gate of Kehi Shrine, the garden of Saifukuji Temple, the white sand beach and pine trees of Kehi no Matsubara, and the Meiji era red brick warehouses near Tsuruga Museum. For rail travelers from Kanazawa, Tsuruga is also the transfer point between the Hokuriku Shinkansen and Thunderbird services for Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, and Osaka.
Popular Hotels near Kanazawa Station
Kyoto Station
Kyoto was Japan’s imperial capital for over a millennium and is one of its best preserved cities, with thousands of shrines, temples, palaces and gardens. Among these the Golden Pavilion of Kinkakuji Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, and the bamboo forest of Arashiyama are major tourist attractions. Kyoto is also famous for its fine food and riverside dining, as well as its more modern architecture such as Kyoto Tower, and the Kyoto Station building. As the cultural and spiritual center of the country, it is safe to say that no trip to Japan is complete without a visit to Kyoto.
Shin-Osaka Station
Shin-Osaka Station is the common terminus for two shinkansen lines, the Tokaido which links Osaka to Nagoya and Tokyo in the east, and the Sanyo which links Osaka to Kobe, Hiroshima and Fukuoka in the west. You can also catch the Limited Express Haruka here which provides a direct link to Kansai International Airport.
Osaka Station
Osaka is Japan’s second largest city and is packed with shopping, dining, and sightseeing opportunities. Osaka Station itself is housed within the bright modern shopping complex of Osaka Station City. Popular attractions nearby are the Umeda Sky Building, and HEP Five. Other Osaka attractions easily reached from Osaka Station are Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan (USJ), and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.
A Kanazawa Station departure board from the former direct Thunderbird service period
Useful Links
If you don’t have a Japan Rail Pass, check JR West’s regional tickets before buying ordinary tickets. Useful options for visitors may include the Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass, the Hokuriku Area Pass for travel within Hokuriku, and the HOKURIKU One-way Ticket for single journeys between Kansai and Hokuriku. Each ticket has its own coverage rules, so check the official pass page before buying.
To find departure times, fares, transfer routes, and connections, use the JR West Route Finder.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 23-May-2026.
