Excellent public transportation services between Nagoya and Kanazawa make the journey easy, but rail passengers should note that this is no longer a direct Limited Express Shirasagi trip. The main train route uses the Limited Express Shirasagi from Nagoya to Tsuruga, then the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tsuruga to Kanazawa. The train is usually the faster and more comfortable option, while direct highway buses are cheaper on many dates but take longer and depend on road conditions. Let’s take a look at your options and compare the fares.
Oasis 21 complex and Nagoya TV Tower
Traveling by Train via Tsuruga
The Limited Express Shirasagi runs between Nagoya and Tsuruga, with 8 regular Shirasagi trains in each direction on the main Nagoya-Tsuruga route. At Tsuruga Station, passengers for Kanazawa transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen. With a good connection, the train journey takes about 3 hours, including the transfer at Tsuruga.
The Limited Express Shirasagi at Kanazawa Station before the 2024 route change
This is the fastest and most comfortable way to take this trip, though the normal adult reserved-seat fare and charges are 9,080 yen for the Shirasagi and Hokuriku Shinkansen route via Tsuruga. A route via Maibara, using the Tokaido Shinkansen between Nagoya and Maibara before continuing by Shirasagi and Hokuriku Shinkansen, is also available but costs more at 9,850 yen.
The Shirasagi and Hokuriku Shinkansen are both JR services, so if you have a Japan Rail Pass this route is covered. Seat reservations are required where applicable. For timetables and other details for the Shirasagi service, take a look at our article on the Limited Express Shirasagi for Tsuruga, Maibara, and Nagoya.
Traveling by Highway Express Bus
If you don’t have a Japan Rail Pass then you might consider traveling by bus. As long as the traffic is not too busy, direct buses take around 4 hours and can save you money. Fares vary by date and service, so check the operator’s booking page before you travel.
A JR Highway Express Bus at Kanazawa Station
There are four bus companies that run direct highway buses between Nagoya and Kanazawa: JR Tokai Bus, West JR Bus, Hokutetsu Bus, and Meitetsu Bus. These companies work in collaboration on the main daytime route, which uses 4-row seating and runs between Meitetsu Bus Center, JR Nagoya Station, and Kanazawa Station West Exit. Operator timetables list around 10 daytime departures on this core direct route. Operator fare tables list daytime Nagoya-Kanazawa fares in the 3,600-5,800 yen range, depending on date and service.
Buses from Nagoya depart first from Meitetsu Bus Center and then stop at JR Nagoya Station. Meitetsu Bus Center is on the 3rd floor of the Meitetsu Department Store Men’s Building, and Nagoya-to-Kanazawa buses use platform 6. In Kanazawa, the main direct route uses Kanazawa Station West Exit, also called the Kanazawa Port Gate, platform 4. Direct Nagoya-Kanazawa highway buses can be booked online through Highwaybus.com from the Meitetsu route page. Telephone booking is also available through the Meitetsu Highway Bus Reservation Center on 0570-08-0489, from 9:00 to 18:00.
JR Bus also operates daytime and night-bus services on the Nagoya-Kanazawa/Toyama route. West JR Bus fare tables list the Hokurikudo Hiru Tokkyu Nagoya daytime service at 3,600-5,800 yen and the Hokuriku Dream Nagoya night bus at 4,990-5,810 yen. JR Bus schedule tables show Hokuriku Dream Nagoya 1 leaving Nagoya Station at 23:30 and arriving at Kanazawa Station around 6:05, and Hokuriku Dream Nagoya 2 leaving Kanazawa at 22:20 and arriving at Nagoya at 5:20. Night-bus fares vary by date and sales channel, so check availability before making plans.
Choose rail if speed, reliability, or Japan Rail Pass coverage matters most. Choose the bus if price matters more and you are comfortable with the risk of highway delays.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 07-Jun-2026.
