Train Tickets from Kyoto to Kanazawa
![kyoto osaka kanazawa train ticket banner](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_500x276/public/images/2024-06/kyoto%2Bosaka-kanazawa.jpg.webp?itok=x12VhOXo)
Getting from Kyoto to Kanazawa by Train
Two cities often compared to each other but with enough draw to be worthwhile destinations all their own, a trip from Kyoto to Kanazawa is sure to be a highlight for your next visit to Japan! The commute is made easy thanks to a combination of the local-favorite Thunderbird Limited Express Train and the recently expanded Hokuriku Shinkansen. Simply go from Kyoto Station to Tsuruga in Fukui, then make a simple transfer to the Shinkansen and take a short, yet luxurious trip out to Kanazawa, the boutique-city capital of Ishikawa Prefecture. The whole journey takes just under 2 hours.
Advantages of taking the train from Kyoto to Kanazawa
How to book your Kyoto to Kanazawa train tickets
Train information
This journey entails taking two different trains, the Thunderbird Limited Express from Kyoto out to Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture, then the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train out to Kanazawa. The Hokuriku Shinkansen was expanded out to Tsuruga in March of 2024 and has the great ammenities expected from Japan’s world-class bullet trains, including electrical outlets, adequate leg room, reclining chairs, overhead storage and more! The Thunderbird Limited Express Train, though not a Shinkansen bullet train, is a well-established locomotive that has be ridden by locals for decades. It also has convenient ammenities to assure that your time traveling out to Hokuriku from Kansai is comfortable and efficient.
![kyoto kanazawa thunderbird train map kyoto kanazawa thunderbird train map](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_380x278/public/images/2024-06/kyoto-kanazawa%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=RuNqDrKf)
![kyoto osaka kanazawa hokuriku shinkansen map kyoto osaka kanazawa hokuriku shinkansen map](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_crop_380x278/public/images/2024-06/kyoto%2Bosaka-kanazawa%20%282%29.jpg.webp?itok=UO5owfqP)
![kyoto kanazawa thunderbird train map kyoto kanazawa thunderbird train map](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_470/public/images/2024-06/kyoto-kanazawa%20%281%29.jpg.webp?itok=l3CNaYWV)
![kyoto osaka kanazawa hokuriku shinkansen map kyoto osaka kanazawa hokuriku shinkansen map](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_470/public/images/2024-06/kyoto%2Bosaka-kanazawa%20%282%29.jpg.webp?itok=pBzcz6MU)
Why Book your Train Tickets with Japan Experience?
How to exchange train tickets in Japan
When you purchase a train ticket with Japan Experience, you will receive a QR code via email.
To receive your usable tickets, simply scan the QR code at ticket machines located inside stations in Japan and, if asked, enter the phone number associated with your order, which Japan Experience will provide you with.
In lieu of the QR code, the five-digit registration number (beginning with the number “4”) found in the order confirmation email can also be used.
Please find more information below about ticket fares and exchanging your train tickets upon arriving in Japan, whether it is at the airport or at major stations in the city. With your QR code, you will also receive a detailed user guide to guide you through the easy and efficient process of getting your physical train tickets in Japan.
Other itineraries you may be interested in
Frequently Asked Questions about Train Tickets in Japan