Master Japan’s Shinkansen! [Hokuriku, Tokai, West Japan, and Kyushu Section]
The Shinkansen, Japan’s High-Speed Rail
There are nine Shinkansen lines, and 18 named trains run along these lines.
Of these, here we will introduce nine of the named trains that run through the Hokuriku, Tokai, West Japan, and Kyushu areas.
Choose your perfect train to match your destinations and travel plan!
*The photographs show the main train cars operated for their corresponding named train, but sometimes different cars are used.
-
The Hokuriku, Tokai, West Japan, and Kyushu Shinkansen
The lines in this area are the Hokuriku Shinkansen, Tokaido Shinkansen, Sanyo Shinkansen, and Kyushu Shinkansen. The Hokuriku Shinkansen departs from Tokyo Station toward Kanazawa Station with a stop in Nagano Station. The Tokaido Shinkansen connects Tokyo Station and Shin-Osaka Station, while the Sanyo Shinkansen connects Shin-Osaka Station and Hakata Station. To go from Tokyo Station to Kagoshima-Chuo Station in Kyushu, it is necessary to change trains in Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka Prefecture or Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Kagayaki
The “Kagayaki” runs along the Hokuriku Shinkansen line.It connects Tokyo Station and Kanazawa Station.
It is an express train because it makes few stops.
Hakutaka
The “Hakutaka” runs along the Hokuriku Shinkansen line.It stops at more stations than the “Kagayaki.”
Tsurugi
The “Tsurugi” also runs along the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, primarily over the short operating section from Toyama Station to Kanazawa Station.Nozomi
The “Nozomi” runs along the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen line.It takes about 2.5 hours to get from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station, and about five hours from Tokyo Station to Hakata Station.
Please note that the Japan Rail Pass cannot be used for it.
Hikari
The “Hikari” runs along the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen line.It connects Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station and Okayama Station, as well as Hakata Station and Shin-Osaka Station.
Kodama
The “Kodama” runs over a short operating section on the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen line.Train cars from the 500 Series also run along the Sanyo Shinkansen.
Mizuho
The “Mizuho” runs along the Sanyo-Kyushu Shinkansen line.It is an express train that connects Shin-Osaka Station and Kagoshima-Chuo Station.
Please note that the Japan Rail Pass cannot be used for it.
Sakura
The “Sakura” runs along the Sanyo-Kyushu Shinkansen line.It connects Shin-Osaka Station and Kagoshima-Chuo Station and stops at more stations than the “Mizuho.”
Tsubame
The ‘Tsubame” runs along the Kyushu Shinkansen line and connects Hakata Station and Kagoshima-Chuo Station.Its interior uses materials such as wood and gold leaf to give a gorgeous impression.
