How to travel between Kakunodate and Tokyo
By train
Tokyo and Kakunodate are connected by hourly komachi trains along the JR Akita Shinkansen. The one way trip takes around 3 hours, costs about 15,500 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and JR East Pass. Seat reservations are mandatory for the Akita Shinkansen.
By air
JAL and ANA operate multiple flights per day between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Akita Airport. Flight duration is one hour. The regular one way fare is about 26,000 yen, however, discount tickets are typically available for between 12,000 and 16,000 yen. With a Japan Air Pass, you can fly for even less. Access to Akita Airport is explained in below under Orientation.
By highway bus
Ugo Kotsu and Enoden Bus operate a daily night bus between Yokohama and Lake Tazawa, which also stops in Tokyo (Hamamatsucho Bus Terminal) and Kakunodate along the way. The one way fare between Tokyo and Kakunodate is 8,860 yen, while a round trip costs 15,890 yen.
The discount bus operator Willer Express operates an overnight bus between Tokyo and Akita, which stops at Omagari Station near Kakunodate along the way. Discount one way fares can be as low as around 4500 yen. And if used effectively, the Japan Bus Pass can reduce the cost for the bus trip to around 3000 yen. Kakunodate is a short ride by local train from Omagari (20 minutes, 320 yen).
