Train Tickets from Takayama to Kanazawa

*the price displayed is for dedicated seats; children under 6 and babies can be seated on adults'lap free of charge.

4 Number
of daily departures
2h00 Shortest
travel duration
$39 Our best
available price
11:03 / 17:18 Earliest / Latest
departure time

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY TO KANAZAWA!


Takayama provides a fantastic portrayal of rural Japan. The assortment of urban buildings in Kanazawa is replaced by rolling rivers that meander through wooden buildings and structures with neighboring green pastures and farmland. Take a glimpse into the picturesque Japan seldom seen outside of film and media

Referred to as a “Mini-Kyoto,” Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture in Hokuriku. With parts of the city, like the Higashicha-ya tea district, remaining intact from previous centuries, the city was essentially unaffected by the last World War. However, Kanazawa is far from being a “watered-down alternative” to Kyoto; rather, it is an incredible getaway in and of itself with a unique food culture, handcrafted goods, and quaint environment.

Traversing between the two destinations via train entails taking the Hida Express Train from Takayama out to its terminal station of Toyama, then taking either the Kagayaki or Hakutaka Shinkansen bullet train, part of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, out to Kanazawa. The journey is fast and efficient, taking only around two hours. 

Advantages of taking the train from Takayama to Kanazawa

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Efficiency

Covering the distance of 148km between Takayama and Kanazawa in a little over 2 hours, Shinkansen bullet trains are one of the fastest ways to reach your destination relaxed and worry-free.

shinkansen 700s interior seat seating japan train nozomi jr central
Comfort

Comfortable seats, plenty of space to relax your legs, regularly cleaned carriages and peace and quiet for a relaxing journey. 

shinkansen driver agent jr
Reliability

With hundreds of departures per day and an average delay per train estimated at 24 seconds, the Shinkansen is very reliable. 

shinkansen 700s nozomi eco friendly green
Eco-friendly

Your Takayama to Kanazawa itinerary corresponds to 5kg of CO2 emissions by Shinkansen, compared to 37kg by plane on the same journey. Traveling by train is 7 times more eco-responsible than flying!

How to book your Takayama to Kanazawa train tickets

Pick your time, date, and seat

You can book up to 9 months prior to your travel date.

Confirm and purchase

Order your train ticket securely online.

Receive your QR code

Get your QR code by email 1 before departure.

Exchange and enjoy

Follow the instructions received on how to exchange your QR code and enjoy your ride.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TAKAYAMA STATION AND KANAZAWA STATION

How to get to Takayama Station

The Hida Express, which travels across Honshu Island, has Takayama Station as its halfway point and Nagoya and Toyama Stations as its termini. The picturesque Takayama town center is easily accessible by foot, and there are buses that travel to and from the station as well as other important locations in the Takayama region, such as Furukawa and Shirakawago. From Takayama Station, head to Toyama and then transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen in order to get to Kanazawa. 

Where to go from Kanazawa Station

Situated in the heart of Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa Station provides major service to the capital city. Commercial attractions like the Forus Mall next door and several hotels surround the neighborhood. The well-known Omicho Market, dubbed the "kitchen of Kanazawa," is conveniently located just south of the station. Buses leave from the north side of the station and travel to most parts of Kanazawa. Bullet trains travel to and from Tokyo Station, which serves as the Hokuriku Shinkansen terminal station. In March 2024, the Hokuriku Shinkansen was extended to Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture, allowing for more destinations to be reached via bullet train. 

Why Book your Train Tickets with Japan Experience?

Official seller

Our train tickets are issued through an official partnership with the National Japan Railways Group (JR).

Secure payment

You're in control! We offer different payment options.

Quality at our core

Our team of passionate individuals based in Japan works with you directly, no intermediary needed.

Customer support

We're here to help, 7/7. And available through all channels.

READ MORE ABOUT THE EXCHANGE PROCESS, CONDITIONS, AND VALIDITY OF TRAIN TICKETS BELOW

How far in advance can I book train tickets?

You can book train tickets in Japan between 9 months prior to your train's departure date and 3 days before departure. 

Is there a special train ticket fare for children?

Yes, there are special fares applicable for children. Ages 12 and up are considered adults, but kids aged from 6 to 11 benefit from a reduced fare. Children under the age of 6 travel for free. This free fare is limited to 2 tickets, meaning any additional child under 6 will then pay the classic child fare.

Where to exchange your train tickets in Japan depending on region

train tickets japan exchange map

In the JR West area (blue), you can exchange your QR code for a physical train ticket at reserved seat ticket machines in stations, or at Midori-no-Madoguchi ticket windows with station staff. In the JR Central area (orange), you can exchange your QR code at reserved seat ticket vending machines at indicated stations. In the JR East area (green), you can exchange your train tickets at Shinkansen stations, major stations in the Tokyo metropolitan area, and Narita Airport stations. 

How to use your train tickets in Japan

To use your train tickets once you have exchanged them, simply head to Takayama Station, insert your train ticket into the automatic gates (don't forget to take it back), and head to the right platform to hop on your train. On board the train, find the seat number that is on your ticket if you have a seat reservation, and enjoy the ride! Once you've arrived in Kanazawa, insert the ticket again at the gates upon exiting Kanazawa Station, and the city is now yours to explore. 

You can find the conditions of modification and cancellation of our train tickets in our “Frequently Asked Questions” section at the bottom of the page.

Eligibility

All persons above the age of 12, with no restrictions on residence status or nationality, are eligible to purchase individual train tickets (unlike the Japan Rail Pass and some JR regional passes, for example). Japanese individuals as well as foreigners living in Japan can thus purchase train tickets online. Under the age of 12, the aforementioned child fare conditions apply. 

Validity of train tickets

Train tickets issued are only valid for the date and time indicated on your booking and are to be used only on the Takayama to Kanazawa route.

Frequently Asked Questions about Train Tickets in Japan