How to Travel to Kanazawa: From Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto 2026

Kanazawa: The City of Refined Japanese Culture

Kanazawa, a city in Ishikawa Prefecture, prospered approximately 400 years ago as the domain of the powerful lord Toshiie Maeda.

Even today, Kanazawa’s teahouse quarters and samurai homes remain as vestiges of that time. Visitors to Kanazawa can come into contact with samurai culture and the atmosphere of olden-day Japan.

In terms of distance, Kanazawa is relatively closer to Kyoto and Osaka (approx. 260 km) than to Tokyo (approx. 475 km).

By limited express and Shinkansen, you can reach Kanazawa from Kyoto in about two hours, while the direct Shinkansen ride from Tokyo takes about two and a half hours.

How to Get to Kanazawa

1. Fast: Tokyo to Kanazawa by Shinkansen
2. Cheap: Tokyo to Kanazawa by Highway Bus
3. Fast: Osaka/Kyoto to Kanazawa by Limited Express + Shinkansen
4. Cheap: Osaka/Kyoto to Kanazawa by Highway Bus

Tokyo to Kanazawa by Shinkansen

The Hokuriku Shinkansen makes it possible to access Kanazawa from Tokyo without any stops.

The Hokuriku Shinkansen has two train types, the Kagayaki and the Hakutaka. The Kagayaki train stops at fewer stations than the Hakutaka. Although the Hakutaka covers the same distance, it stops even at minor stations, making the journey longer than the 150-minute trip on the Kagayaki.

You can purchase Shinkansen tickets at the JR Ticket Counters in train stations. A single adult ticket costs 7,700 yen, with an additional 6,370 yen for a reserved seat, totaling 14,070 yen for a one-way adult ticket.

If you plan to spend several days in Kanazawa or want to also visit Nagano, Toyama, and Fukui during your trip, consider using the 7-day JR Hokuriku Arch Pass. This transit pass is a great deal and helps you save money on transportation.

Acquire your ticket and board the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Despite reaching a top speed of 260 kph, the train operates smoothly and quietly, ensuring a comfortable ride.

Furthermore, the train interior has been meticulously designed, utilizing a color palette of sky blue, copper, and ivory. This combination evokes images of Kanazawa’s clear skies, traditional industrial arts, and classic Japanese elegance. The upholstery varies based on your seat grade; regular seats feature a sophisticated red lattice pattern, symbolizing traditional arts.

Tokyo to Kanazawa by Highway Bus

The cheapest and simplest way to get to Kanazawa is by taking the highway bus. Highway buses depart from major terminal stations such as Tokyo and Shinjuku.

A one-way ticket for an adult ranges from 5,000 to 9,000 yen. Some bus companies have even cheaper fares, so you should be able to plan a cheap trip. The journey takes about eight hours.

Some buses have three seats to a row, and others have four seats to a row. Three-seater buses allow passengers to have a bit more personal space.

Most of these buses depart at night, since the trek takes eight hours. It’s possible to get off work, hop on a highway bus, sleep through the night, and wake up in Kanazawa for sightseeing.

Highway bus reservations: Willer

Osaka/Kyoto to Kanazawa: Limited Express + Shinkansen

For those who want to get to Kanazawa from Osaka or Kyoto, going by train is your best option. We recommend hopping on the Thunderbird, which leaves from Shin-Osaka Station. With its stylish white body, this train has many fans in Japan.

The easiest way is to transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line at Tsuruga Station.

A one-way ticket from Shin-Osaka to Tsuruga on the Thunderbird is 4,900 yen, and the Shinkansen ride from Tsuruga to Kanazawa is 4,950 yen, for a total of 9,850 yen. The trip takes about 2 hours and 22 minutes.

If you take the Thunderbird from Kyoto Station, the total cost of the ride will be 7,920 yen, and it takes about 2 hours.

Again, we recommend using the cost-efficient JR Hokuriku Arch Pass if you plan to spend several days in the Kanazawa area. This pass is valid on all the JR lines between Shin-Osaka and Tokyo in the Hokuriku area.

Osaka/Kyoto to Kanazawa by Highway Bus

For those who want to have a carefree trip, traveling by highway bus is the way to go.

Many buses operate routes between major stations in Osaka/Kyoto and Kanazawa.

Kanazawa is about five hours from Osaka and around four hours from Kyoto. Ticket sales are handled at station counters, and you can also buy tickets from convenience store terminals. A one-way ticket generally costs around 4,000 yen, which is extremely cheap.

Some bus companies offer early-reservation discounts, lower prices on specific days, and other deals. Choose the best bus for you, and enjoy your trip to Kanazawa!

Highway bus reservations: Willer

All pictures from PIXTA