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How to travel between Kanazawa and Tokyo
By daytime trains:
Take the JR Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Echigo-Yuzawa Station and transfer to the JR Hakutaka limited express to Kanazawa. The one way trip takes about four hours and costs about 13,000 Yen.
Caution: Japan Rail Pass holders have to pay a supplement fee of 1,450 Yen on board of the Hakutaka limited express trains, because the train partially runs on non-JR railway tracks.
The alternative route recommended to Japan Rail Pass holders is taking the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Maibara and transfer to a limited express to Kanazawa. The one way journey via this route also takes about four hours, but it is completely covered by the Japan Rail Pass. (It costs about 16,000 Yen without Japan Rail Pass.)
The Hokuriku Free Kippu is a rail pass available to both tourists and residents of Japan, consisting of 1) a round trip from Tokyo into the Hokuriku region (around Kanazawa and Toyama) and 2) four consecutive days of unlimited travel on JR trains inside the Hokuriku region. The Hokuriku Free Kippu costs only 21,400 Yen, compared to around 26,000 Yen for a regular round trip ticket to Kanazawa.
By night train:
Two night trains operate between Tokyo's Ueno Station and Kanazawa each night, the Hokuriku Limited Express with berths only and the Noto Express with seats only. A one way journey costs about 17,000 Yen (9,000 Yen for Japan Rail Pass holders) by Hokuriku Limited Express, and about 9000 Yen (free for Japan Rail Pass holders) by Noto Express.
Visit our night train page for more details.
By bus:
The one way trip from Tokyo to Kanazawa by highway bus takes about 7-8 hours and costs about 8000 Yen. Discount bus operators, such as Willer Express, offer one way fares for as low as 4000 yen. There are daytime and overnight buses. The Japan Rail Pass is not valid on any of these buses.
Please visit our highway bus page for more details.
By air:
Kanazawa's airport is located in the city of Komatsu, a 40 minute bus ride (1100 Yen) from central Kanazawa. JAL and ANA operate several flights between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Kanazawa's Komatsu Airport each day. Flight time is one hour. The regular one way fare from Tokyo to Kanazawa is about 19,000 Yen, however, discount tickets for around 14,000 Yen are usually available.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
Kanazawa's city center is defined by Kanazawa Castle Park. All of the city's main attractions are located within a two kilometer radius of the castle park, making it possible for good walkers to explore most of the city on foot. Buses and taxis are also readily available.
Kanazawa Station is not located centrally, about two kilometers or a ten minute bus ride northwest of the city center. A dense network of buses, operated by the local Hokutetsu train and bus company, connects the station with the city center and all of Kanazawa's main tourist attractions.
A useful bus line for tourists is the Kanazawa Loop Bus, which connects Kanazawa Station in a clockwise loop with most sights of interests. It operates every 12 minutes and cost 200 yen per ride. A one day pass is available for 500 yen and includes discounted admission to several attractions. For an additional 400 yen, the "Sightseeing Pass" also includes unlimited rides on regular buses.
Kanazawa Loop Bus
Another useful tourist oriented bus line is the Kenrokuen Shuttle Bus, which departs Kanazawa Station every 20 minutes bound for Kenrokuen. A flat fare of 100 yen per ride applies. However, the Kenrokuen Shuttle Bus operates only on weekends and national holidays.
Regular city buses cost a flat fare of 230 yen per ride in central Kanazawa.
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