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
On selected days during the year, the Express Noto night train operates between Tokyo's Ueno Station and Kanazawa, carrying seats only. The one way journey takes about eight hours, costs around 9000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Seat reservations are mandatory.
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. If used effectively, the Japan Bus Pass can reduce the cost for the bus trip to around 3000 yen.
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. Regular city buses cost a flat fare of 200 yen per ride in central Kanazawa.
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 or 500 yen for a 1-day pass that includes discounted admission to several attractions. For an additional 400 yen, the "Sightseeing Pass" also includes unlimited rides on regular city 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. The shuttle bus used to operate only on weekends and national holidays, but from April 2011 through March 2012, the bus is running every day on a trial basis. The fare is 100 yen per ride on weekends and national holidays and 200 yen per ride on weekdays.
Last but not least there is a JR bus line that connects Kanazawa Station via Korinbo with Kenrokuen and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. There are 2-3 connections per hour, and the one way ride takes about 12 minutes and costs 200 yen without the rail pass.
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