Hokuriku Shinkansen Line Journey: Cross-City Food and Culture Exploration with Kanazawa as the Hub

When it comes to the Hokuriku Shinkansen, travelers often mistakenly believe that simply getting off at Kanazawa Station is enough. But if you visit Hokuriku and only stay in Kanazawa, it's like buying a Shinkansen ticket but only catching a glimpse of the scenery out the window—a real shame. The Hokuriku Shinkansen opened in 2015, transforming transportation in western Japan. The train departs from Nagano, passing through Toyama, Kanazawa, and Kaga Onsen—each stop is a distinct destination for food and culture. With proper planning, you can use the same Shinkansen line to connect multiple cities within 3 days, experiencing the complete Hokuriku journey from the fresh flavors of the Sea of Japan to traditional craftsmanship and onsen relaxation.

Why the Hokuriku Shinkansen Differs from Other Japanese High-Speed Rail

The E7 and W7 series trains operate on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, reaching speeds up to 320 km/h. Unlike the busy business style of the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Hokuriku route retains more of the natural scenery of the Sea of Japan region—snow-melting valleys in spring, winter views along the Sea of Japan coastline. The trains are deliberately designed with spacious windows and comfortable seat spacing, allowing passengers to relax and enjoy the passing landscapes. The bento boxes and beverages onboard emphasize local Hokuriku ingredients, and many travelers book seats in advance to secure the limited-edition bento.

5 Must-Experience Destinations Along the Route

1. Toyama Bay Sashimi Don——Around Toyama Station（〒930-0001 Toyama Prefecture, Toyama City, Meirin-cho 1-210）

Just a 5-minute walk from Toyama Station, the dining street and commercial facilities in front of the station gather the freshest seafood in Hokuriku. Toyama Bay is famous for "shiro ebi" (transparent shrimp), and locals often say "you haven't been to Hokuriku until you've had Toyama Bay sashimi." A premium sashimi don set costs around ¥2,500-4,500, featuring shiro ebi, firefly squid, and red hairy crab—every bite is the freshness of the Sea of Japan. If you arrive at Toyama on a midday Shinkansen, it's recommended to have lunch in front of the station before heading to Kanazawa, to avoid duplicate dining costs in Kanazawa.

2. Kenroku-en and Kanazawa Castle Park——Transfer at Kanazawa Station

Reachable by bus from Kanazawa Station in about 15 minutes. One of Japan's three most famous gardens, Kenroku-en offers dramatically different scenery throughout the seasons: cherry blossoms in spring, fresh greenery in early summer, maple leaves in autumn, and snow scenes in winter. The garden features classic sights such as "Kotoji Stone Lantern" and "Yagurumon Gate," with many travelers visiting specifically in winter to photograph the snow-covered grounds. Admission is ¥700. The adjacent Kanazawa Castle Park showcases the grandeur of the feudal lord during the Sengoku period, with the reconstructed fifty-kan Nagaya allowing visitors to feel transported back to the Edo period. Visiting both attractions takes approximately 3-4 hours, best scheduled for the afternoon after arriving by Shinkansen.

3. Kaga Onsen鄉——Kaga Onsen Station（Shinkansen Direct Station）

If Kanazawa Station is the final impression of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, Kaga Onsen Station is its healing coda. Just a 15-minute Shinkansen ride from Kanazawa Station. The Kaga Onsen area includes three hot spring districts: Yamanashi, Yamanaka, and Katayatsu, with Yamanashi Onsen known for its rustic ryokan. Local onsen ryokan prices range from ¥15,000-35,000 per person (including two meals), far more affordable than upscale onsen ryokan in Tokyo or Kyoto. Winter is the best season for Kaga Onsen—soaking in an outdoor hot spring at dawn while gazing at snow-capped mountains, many Japanese specifically take weekend Shinkansen trips from Tokyo in winter just for these few hours of onsen relaxation.

4. Kurobe Gorge and Takayama Area——Transfer from Toyama via Local Rail

The Hokuriku Shinkansen is just the beginning. After disembarking at Toyama Station, transfer to the JR Takayama Main Line, reaching the Kurobe Gorge entrance in about 90 minutes. The Kurobe Gorge Railway operates from April to November each year, running along the valley with cliffs dropping thousands of feet and streams that are sometimes turbulent, sometimes calm. Regular tickets cost approximately ¥7,800, making it a must-do for mountaineers and nature enthusiasts. If time permits, stop at Takayama Station to appreciate the Shirakawa-go thatched-roof houses and traditional machiya architecture in the Hida region.

5. Kanazawa Craft Arts and Kutani Ware——Accessible from Kanazawa Station

Kanazawa is famous for Kutani ware (ceramics) and gold leaf craftsmanship. The 21st Century Museum (〒920-0962 Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Hirosaka 1-2-1) showcases the fusion of contemporary art and traditional craft, with admission at ¥1,200. For hands-on experience, Kutani ware experience workshops in front of Kanazawa Station offer glazing and pottery classes (approximately ¥3,000-8,000 per person, advance reservation required). Many travelers, after seeing the scenery from the Shinkansen, stay in Kanazawa for 1-2 days to create their own craftwork as a souvenir of this Hokuriku journey.

Practical Information

Fares and Routes：

• Tokyo → Kanazawa: ¥13,320 (Shinkansen special express fee ¥8,000)
• Toyama → Kanazawa: ¥7,560
• Kanazawa → Kaga Onsen: ¥4,680
• Hokuriku Arch Pass (7-day) ¥34,000, covers Hokuriku Shinkansen, JR West local lines, and private railways, suitable for multi-city itineraries

Last Train Notice： The last Hokuriku Shinkansen departs from Kanazawa Station at around 21:40 (toward Tokyo). Japanese Shinkansen last trains are much earlier than expected—many travelers accustomed to Tokyo subway operations running until midnight miss the Shinkansen when visiting Hokuriku. It's recommended to check the schedule in advance, or consider staying overnight in Kanazawa and taking the first morning train the next day.

Season Selection： Spring (mid-April to May) and autumn (mid-September to October) are the most suitable seasons with sunny weather and comfortable temperatures. While winter offers unique scenery (especially onsen with snow views), Hokuriku receives insufficient sunlight with mostly cloudy and rainy days.

Travel Tips

Luggage storage services along the Hokuriku Shinkansen route are well-developed—every major station has coin lockers (large ¥700-900). If planning a 3-city or more itinerary, it's recommended to bring only carry-on sized luggage and store the rest at Kanazawa Station to reduce transfer burdens.

Consumption tax in Hokuriku follows the standard 10% (same as nationwide), but many traditional crafts and onsen ryokan may qualify for tax refunds when using overseas credit cards. Remember to keep your receipts.

If your itinerary covers Toyama, Kanazawa, and Kaga Onsen (3 or more locations), purchasing the Hokuriku Arch Pass saves ¥3,000-5,000 compared to buying individual tickets. However, if staying in Kanazawa for only 1 day, a pass is not necessary.

Although the Hokuriku Shinkansen has less crowds than the Tokaido Shinkansen, advance seat reservations are still needed during spring and winter holiday periods. It's recommended to confirm seats on the JR Central or JR West website 1-2 weeks before departure.