The 2015 Nagano-Kanazawa extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen gave Kanazawa a direct bullet train link with Tokyo, and the line continues beyond Kanazawa to Tsuruga. Taking the bullet train is the easiest way to travel between Tokyo and Kanazawa. However, there are other options such as bus, plane, and car, which you may want to consider depending on your circumstances.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen
Traveling by Train
The Hokuriku Shinkansen line offers the most convenient and relaxing way to travel between Tokyo and Kanazawa. This JR route is covered by the Japan Rail Pass, though whether the pass saves money depends on the rest of your itinerary. Eligible foreign visitors may also want to consider the Hokuriku Arch Pass, which covers travel between Tokyo, Kanazawa, and the Hokuriku/Kansai corridor.
The iconic Tokyo Station building
Services depart from Tokyo Station regularly throughout the day and the fastest trains can take as little as 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach Kanazawa Station. The two main services that run from Tokyo to Kanazawa are the Kagayaki and the Hakutaka.
The Kagayaki is the quickest service as it makes fewer stops. All seats on the Kagayaki are reserved, so you should reserve a seat in advance or buy a reserved-seat ticket before boarding.
The Hakutaka makes more stops and takes around 3 hours to make the journey. Hakutaka trains have non-reserved ordinary seats in some cars, though car assignments can vary. Ordinary Car fares between Tokyo and Kanazawa are generally in the 14,000-15,000 yen range depending on seat type, season, and ticket conditions.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen also has three classes of ticket: Ordinary Car seats, Green Car seats (which are 1st class), and the newest luxury Gran Class seats. To find out more about this service see our article on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. You can use the JR West Timetable & Fare Finder to look up train times and plan your journey.
Popular Hotels near Kanazawa Station
Traveling by Bus
Taking an overnight bus between Tokyo and Kanazawa is your cheapest travel option and will also save you the cost of one night’s stay at a hotel. The trade-off is time: the journey takes most of the night, and fares vary by operator, seat type, date, and booking conditions.
One option is the Kimasshi overnight bus operated by Kita Nippon Kanko Bus. In the Tokyo-to-Kanazawa direction, this service links Tokyo-area stops such as Asakusa, Ueno Station, and Tokyo Station Yaesu Dori with Kanazawa Station. The Tokyo Station Yaesu Dori departure is at 22:30 and the bus arrives at Kanazawa Station at 7:00 the next morning. Adult fares are variable, with fare levels from 3,900 yen to 9,200 yen.
A Willer Express Bus at Kanazawa Station
You can check details and booking information on the Kita Nippon Kanko Bus website. Willer Express is also useful for searching and booking highway buses between the Tokyo area and Kanazawa, but operating dates, departure points, seats, and fares should be checked for your exact travel date.
Traveling by Plane
Flights between Tokyo and Komatsu Airport in Ishikawa Prefecture operate from Haneda Airport and are run by ANA and JAL. Flight times are around 1 hour, but the train is often simpler once you include the time and cost of traveling to Haneda Airport, checking in, and traveling onward from Komatsu Airport to Kanazawa.
From Komatsu Airport it is about a 40 minute bus ride to Kanazawa Station. The airport bus fare between Komatsu Airport and Kanazawa Station West Gate is 1,300 yen for adults and 650 yen for children. You can check flight schedules on the Komatsu Airport website and airport bus details on the Hokuriku Railroad website.
A shuttle bus from Kanazawa Station to Komatsu Airport
Traveling by Car
It is possible to drive from Tokyo to Kanazawa but it is quite a long journey and you will have to pay toll fees on multiple expressways. Depending on the route, vehicle type, and discounts, expressway driving from Tokyo to Kanazawa takes roughly 6-7 hours before breaks and traffic delays, with standard tolls roughly from 9,300 yen to 12,000 yen. To check routes and toll fees use the Drive Plaza route search. To find out more about car rental, check our article: Car Rental in Kanazawa. The Drive Plaza website also has some useful information about traffic rules and how to use expressways.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 01-Jun-2026.
