How to get from Osaka to Kanazawa
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Travel from the biggest city in Kansai to the golden boutique city of Kanazawa using a combination of the Thunderbird Limited Express Train and the newly expanded Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train!
Getting from Osaka to Kanazawa with the Shinkansen bullet train
Kanazawa Station
Getting from Osaka to Kanazawa with the Thunderbird Express and Hokuriku Shinkansen
Osaka is the largest city in the Kansai Region, home to almost 3 million people. It is nearby Kanazawa, the capital of the elegant and culture-rich prefecture of Ishikawa in Hokuriku. Getting between the two cities is made easy and efficient with Japan’s well-developed train network. From either Osaka Station or Shin-Osaka Station, the Thunderbird Express Train can be ridden out to Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture. From Tsuruga, the newly expanded Hokuriku Shinkansen line can be ridden a short distance to Kanazawa. The journey takes a total of two hours of commuting time, covering 124 total kilometers of distance. This journey is fully rideable with the Japan Rail Pass, however, individual tickets for this train are also available.
Trains available on this itinerary:
| Thunderbird Limited Express Train | Kagayaki Shinkansen Bullet Train |
Other train options to get from Osaka to Kanazawa
There is also the option of taking local lines on this journey instead of high speed trains, including the Fukui Local Line from Tsuruga, though this adds significant time to the journey. However, the option exists for those wanting more leisurely travel or for those whose schedules align with such.
Reserving seats on the Shinkansen
On Shinkansen bullet trains, individual ticket holders and holders of Japan Rail Passes can reserve seats in advance of boarding. Reservations are not always required for Shinkansen bullet trains because many of them have non-reserved cars with seats that are available on a first-come, first-served basis. These are often car numbers 1-4.
There are some trains when all cars require a reservation, even though a lot of people utilize the Shinkansen bullet train services during these hours. However, we also strongly advise all visitors to try and book reservations for tickets during Japan's busiest travel seasons, which include the spring and the New Year's holiday. When purchasing a single ticket, a reserved seat costs more; however, Japan Rail Pass users will not be charged an additional cost.
Oversized Baggage on the Shinkansen
In order to board the bullet train, passengers who are carrying a lot of luggage must follow certain rules. According to Japan Railway regulations, any baggage exceeding 160 cm in length, width, and height needs to be checked into the special bulky baggage section at the back of the train car. Owners of such bags must additionally make reservations for seats near this section. Please be advised that baggage exceeding 250 cm in total is not permitted on the Shinkansen bullet train.
Baby carriages, musical instruments in cases, and sporting goods (bikes, snowboards, etc.) in cases are all excluded from these baggage limits.
NOTE: These oversized baggage rules ONLY apply to the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen bullet train line. Other Shinkansen bullet trains such as the Hokuriku Shinkansen and Limited Express Trains DO NOT have a limit or special regulations in regards to reserving oversized baggage sections or compartments.
Dimensions for luggage on the Shinkansen bullet train
Exploring Osaka
The most populated city in Kansai and the third most populous city in all of Japan is Osaka, which is renowned for its vibrant environment, mouthwatering street food, and eccentric residents. Most people consider Tokyo to be Osaka's companion city—or rival, depending on who you ask.
Tourists love to visit the bustling central Osaka neighborhoods of Umeda, Namba, and Dotonbori because of their unique Japanese urban setting and plenty of various enterprises. The running Glico Man in Dotonbori, sometimes called the Osaka emblem, is a well-known photo spot with a view of the area's famed bridge. Still near the city center, Honmachi is a more relaxed neighborhood, so you won't have to travel far to find a more muted atmosphere if you want to get away from the bustle and congestion.
Osaka is a city well-known for its lively atmosphere, but it's also a great destination to visit for art and culture. The renowned “Tower of the Sun” (太陽の塔) was constructed by artist Taro Okamoto because the city hosted the World's Expo in 1970. The tower is still on exhibit for people to view and is located at Expo Park. For those who are interested in even more ancient history, a must-see site is the Mozu Tombs, which is home to a collection of kofun (burial tombs) from the fifth century.
These ancient burial grounds are a rare historic site among the modern buildings inside the Osaka metropolitan area. From above, the burial grounds take on different shapes and sizes, with the larger ones resembling key holes.
The primary servicing station for passengers traveling to and from Osaka via Shinkansen will be Shin-Osaka Station, a more modern station constructed in 1964 to manage the country's first Shinkansen bullet train operation. Nearby Kiyasuso Hanpo is worth checking out. It's well known for its unusually shaped rectangular mitarashi dango—roasted, chewy mochi covered in sweet sauce. Inside Shin-Osaka Station, Chikira House is a specialized shop that sells Nissin Chicken Ramen products. Get ramen-flavored soft serve ice cream, savory appetizers, and Osaka-specific souvenirs. A unique delight that will surely remain in your memory throughout your visit to Osaka!
Tower of the Sun by Taro Okamamoto in Osaka, Japan
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Osaka, Japan
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Exploring Kanazawa
Many people characterize Kanazawa as a city that values beauty above all else. Sleekly occupying an elegant location near the coast of the Japan Sea in Hokuriku, the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture was spared much of the damage during World War II, leaving its ancient neighborhoods and traditional crafts substantially intact to this day. The Hokuriku Shinkansen's current terminus is ideally situated for exploration and discovery, as it is completely walkable.
The translation "golden marsh" is derived from the name Kanazawa and is aptly reflected in numerous attractions inside the city. A city highly recognized for its artistic talent, a multitude of crafts from this area make use of gold details, and one can view them in a plethora of diverse workshops and galleries located all throughout the city.
Kenroku-en, one of Japan's three famous gardens, is also located in Kanazawa. The garden first welcomed visitors in the late 1800s, and it now hosts seasonal nighttime illuminations in the spring for the cherry blossoms and in the fall for the changing of the leaves. The 21st Century Contemporary Art Museum and the historic Kanazawa Castle are close by, making this central location a hub for entertainment and activities. For a deeper exploration of Kanazawa's extensive past, a visit to Higashi-chaya is a must. This is a classic tea district that's perfect for photos because it still has many of its original buildings from centuries ago. Wearing traditional yukata, many tourists from both inside and outside of Japan stroll around this region of Kanazawa. Naturally, the area has cafes and restaurants, stores offering trinkets and handicrafts, and traditional tea houses. See Yamano-o, a traditional Japanese ryokan and kaiseki restaurant run by the same family for five generations, at the top of the hill overlooking Higashi-chaya.
Kanazawa Castle
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Kenroku-en in early fall
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Higashiyama Station, Kyoto
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The Hokuriku Shinkansen, which travels from Tokyo across Honshu Island to the Japan Sea Coast, passes by Kanazawa Station, expanding out to Tsuruga in Fukui in March 2024. The Shinkansen bullet train departs from Tokyo Station and arrives at Ueno Station. The Tsuzumimon Gate, a massive gate-like structure in front of Kanazawa Station, is the main attraction there. This building is intended to mimic a torii gate from Shintoism as well as tsuzumi, a type of traditional Japanese drum. This gate has come to represent Kanazawa itself, and from afar, many people think that the location of the gate and the station's dome mimic a samurai helmet.
Japanese cities, from large to small
Though both are considered cities in their own right, the vibe and aesthetic and Osaka and Kanazawa are very different. From a major city to a boutique one, the best of Japan can be witnessed at both destinations, be it food, contemporary culture, or history! Get between the two cities using the efficient and well-developed trains in Japan, assuring a trip of a lifetime!
