The Tohoku Shinkansen for Fukushima, Sendai, Morioka, and Shin-Aomori

The Tohoku Shinkansen is a high speed bullet train rail line that runs between Tokyo Station and Shin-Aomori Station in Aomori Prefecture. It is the longest shinkansen line in Japan and connects the city of Tokyo with six prefectures: Saitama, Tochigi, Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate, and Aomori.

The Tohoku region of northern Honshu is famous for its stunning mountainous landscapes, scenic lakes, delicious regional cuisine and many, many hot spring resorts. It is an ideal getaway location from the Tokyo metropolis and easily accessed via the Tohoku Shinkansen. At JR Ueno Station all northbound Tohoku Shinkansen services depart from platforms 19 and 20.

Branch Lines

The Tohoku Shinkansen has two branch lines: the Yamagata Shinkansen and the Akita Shinkansen. The Yamagata Shinkansen branches off from the main line at Fukushima Station. The Akita Shinkansen branches off from the main line at Morioka Station. In addition, the Hokkaido Shinkansen is an extension of the Tohoku Shinkansen that links Shin-Aomori Station with Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station in Hokkaido via the Seikan Tunnel.

Train Services

There are four services on the Tohoku Shinkansen: the Hayabusa, the Hayate, the Yamabiko, and the Nasuno. All services on the Tohoku Shinkansen are fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

The Hayabusa is the fastest service that runs the entire length of the Tohoku Shinkansen making limited stops along the way. Some Hayabusa services terminate at Shin-Aomori Station and some continue on the Hokkaido Shinkansen to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. The Hayabusa has three grades of seating available: ordinary seating, Green Car seating (which is more spacious), and Gran Class seating (which is the highest grade of seating). There is no non-reserved seating on the Hayabusa. Because this train is popular, seats must be reserved. Hayabusa trains are sometimes coupled with Komachi services bound for Akita. The two trains separate at Morioka and then the Komachi service continues on the Akita Shinkansen branch line. The name “Hayabusa” means “peregrine falcon”.

The Hayate is the second fastest service on the Tohoku Shinkansen and makes more stops than the Hayabusa. Most Hayate services terminate at Morioka in Iwate Prefecture. However, some Hayate services go all the way to Shin-Aomori and beyond that to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto Station. Some Hayate services have all three grades of seating, but some have only ordinary seating and Green Car seating. There is no non-reserved seating on the Hayate, so seats must be reserved. The name “Hayate” means “swift wind”.

The Yamabiko runs between Tokyo and Morioka. However, some Yamabiko services terminate at Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture and do not continue to Morioka. Some Yamabiko services have all three grades of seating but some have only ordinary seating and Green Car seating. Both reserved and non-reserved seating is available on this train. Yamabiko services are often coupled with Tsubasa services which are bound for Yamagata. The two trains separate at Fukushima and then the Tsubasa continues on the Yamagata Shinkansen branch line. The name “Yamabiko” means “mountain echo”.

The Nasuno runs between Tokyo and Koriyama in Fukushima Prefecture and stops at all eight stations in between. Some Nasuno services have all three grades of seating, but some do not have Gran Class seating. Both reserved and non-reserved seating is available on this train. The Nasuno is named after the highlands of Nasu Kogen, an area of natural beauty and hot spring spa resorts in Tochigi Prefecture.

Key Destinations

There are 24 stations on the Tohoku Shinkansen.

Tokyo – Ueno – Omiya – Oyama – Utsunomiya – Nasu-Shiobara – Shin-Shirakawa – Koriyama – Fukushima – Shiroishi-Zao – Sendai – Furukawa – Kurikoma-Kogen – Ichinoseki – Mizusawa-Esashi – Kitakami – Shin-Hanamaki – Morioka – Iwate-Numakunai – Ninohe – Hachinohe – Shichinohe-Towada – Shin-Aomori

The major stops of interest with transfer points are listed below. Example ticket fares and journey times are given from JR Ueno Station. Tickets for reserved seats usually cost around 500 yen extra but this can go up and down in peak and non-peak travel periods. Low season reserved ticket pricing is given below.

Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station is convenient for the Marunouchi and Nihombashi business districts. The main attractions here are the Imperial Palace gardens, the Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum which exhibits 19th century art, and the original 1914 red brick façade of Tokyo Station which can be seen on its west side.

Transfer here to JR East’s Yamanote Line, Chuo Main Line, Sobu Main Line, Yokosuka Line, Keiyo Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, and the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line. Transfers can also be made to the following bullet train services: the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Tohoku Shinkansen, the Joetsu Shinkansen, the Yamagata Shinkansen, the Akita Shinkansen, the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and the Hokkaido Shinkansen. Highway bus terminals are on the Yaesu side of the station. The Tokyo Station Hotel offers 150 guestrooms and suites located right in the Tokyo Station Building.

JR Ueno Station

This station serves the Ueno district with its large park, many museums, and zoo.

Transfer here to the Yamanote Line, the Joban Line, the Utsunomiya Line, the Takasaki Line, the Ueno–Tokyo Line, and the Keihin-Tohoku Line.

Transfer can also be made to the Tohoku Shinkansen, Yamagata Shinkansen, Akita Shinkansen, Hokkaido Shinkansen, Joetsu Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen. At nearby Keisei Ueno Station transfer to the Keisei Main Line and services for Narita Airport. At Ueno Subway Station transfer to Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.

Omiya Station

Omiya Station is the most important station in Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture. The Omiya district of Saitama has a number of attractions. These include Hikawa Shrine (which is said to be 2,400 years old), Omiya Railway Museum, Omiya Bonsai Village, the Japan Mint Museum, and Saitama Prefectural Museum of History and Folklore.

Transfers can be made here to the Tobu Urban Park Line, Saitama New Urban Transit’s “New Shuttle” on the Ina Line and the following JR lines: the Utsunomiya Line, the Takasaki Line, the Shonan-Shinjuku Line, the Saikyo Line and the Kawagoe Line. The following shinkansen services all run from Omiya Station: the Tohoku Shinkansen, the Yamagata Shinkansen, the Akita Shinkansen, the Joetsu Shinkansen, and the Hokuriku Shinkansen.

Oyama Station

Transfer here to the Utsunomiya Line, the Shonan-Shinjuku Line, the Mito Line, and the Ryomo Line.

Utsunomiya Station

Utsunomiya is the capital city of Tochigi Prefecture and has a number of fascinating historical and cultural attractions.

• Oyaji is an ancient cave temple which is believed to date from the year 810. The temple is built into volcanic rock and has several statues carved out of rock. The most famous statue is the Oya Kannon, a statue of the thousand-armed goddess of Mercy. This is the oldest Buddhist stone statue in Japan. The temple also has a small museum with exhibits dating back to the Jomon period (1000–300 BCE). The shrine and museum are a 30 minute drive from the station. Take a number 6 Kanto Bus bound for Oya Tateiwa and get off at the Oya Kannon-mae stop. From there it is a 3 minute walk.
• Futaarayama Jinja is a large shrine complex with a history dating back 1,600 years. Visitors pray here for protection against fire. The shrine is a 20 minute walk from the station.
• Utsunomiya Castle is a partially reconstructed castle in Utsunomiya Castle Ruins Park. The original castle was much bigger and dated back to 1063. The current partial reconstruction is free to view and a 20 minute walk from the station.
• Utsunomiya Museum of Art exhibits works by international artists such as Chagall, Kandinsky, Magritte, and paintings by Japanese artists such as Nakamura Tsune and Kuroda Seiki. The museum is a 25 minute bus ride or a 20 minute taxi ride from Utsunomiya Station.
• Matsugamine Catholic Church is a dramatic Romanesque building built with local Oya Valley stone. The church dates from 1932 and was designed by the Swiss architect Max Hinder. The church is a 23 minute walk from the station.
• Utsunomiya is also famous for its gyoza fried dumplings, and has a large number of specialty restaurants serving gyoza dumplings with various fillings. To celebrate this, there is a large gyoza-shaped statue outside Utsunomiya Station, and a gyoza festival is held every year on the first weekend of November in Castle Ruins Park.

Transfer at Utsunomiya Station to JR East’s Utsunomiya Line and Nikko Line.

Nasu-Shiobara Station

The area around the city of Nasushiobara is known for its forested mountain scenery and many hot spring resorts.

Shiobara Onsen is a riverside hot spring spa resort located in a green valley to the west of Nasushiobara City. Shiobara is surrounded by forested mountains and has many scenic hiking trails and waterfalls. Recommended hotels in Shiobara Onsen are Shofuro Matsuya, and Tokiwa Hotel. The resort is a 36 minute taxi ride from Nasushiobara Station. JR Bus also run a 65 minute bus service to Shiobara Onsen that is free for Japan Rail Pass holders.

Nasu Onsen is another hot spring spa resort in the Nasu Kogen area. Nasu Kogen is popular for its highland scenery and outdoor activities. Among the local sights is Shika-no-yu, which was discovered in the 7th century, and is the oldest hot spring bath here. Nasu Yusen Jinja is a shrine, apparently dating from 630, which is dedicated to the gods of the springs. Popular resort hotels here are Sansuikaku, Royal Hotel Nasu, Nasu Ichiya Hotel, Hotel Sunvalley Nasu, and Hotel Epinard Nasu. Buses from Nasushiobara Station to Nasu Onsen take about 50 minutes, but a taxi will take 30 minutes. Download the official Nasu Kogen brochure for full details of this area’s attractions.

Transfer at Nasu-Shiobara Station to the JR Utsunomiya Line.

Shin-Shirakawa Station

This station is also served by the Tohoku Main Line.

Koriyama Station

Transfer here to the Banetsu West Line bound for the hot spring spa town of Bandai Atami and the scenic Aizu-Wakamatsu region. The Banetsu East Line connects Koriyama with the coastal city of Iwaki. This station is also served by the Suigun Line and the Tohoku Main Line.

Fukushima Station

Transfer here to the Iizaka Line bound for the hot spring spa town of Iizaka. This station is also served by the Tohoku Main Line, the Ou Main Line, and the Abukuma Express Line. Tsubasa shinkansen services bound for Shinjo Station take the Yamagata Shinkansen branch line from here.

Shiroishi-Zao Station

Exit here for the reconstructed Shiroishi Castle and for the nearby Shiroishi Castle History Museum. There are also two hot spring resorts near Shiroishi: Kamasaki Onsen and Obara Onsen. A short drive from Shiroishi is Zao Fox Village: an animal sanctuary keeping several species of fox. Zao Fox Village is a 20 minute taxi ride from Shiroishi-Zao Station.

Sendai Station

Sendai is the biggest city in Japan’s northern Tohoku region. It was founded in 1600 by the powerful regional ruler Date Masamune (1567 – 1636) and many of Sendai’s tourist attractions are connected to Date Masamune and his family.

• Aoba Castle was the home of the Date family but was completely destroyed during the last war. However, in recent years, some of the castle buildings have been reconstructed, and there is a museum on site. The location of the castle on Mount Aoba also presents a great view over the city.
• The Zuihoden is the mausoleum of Date Masamune. Though the original wooden building was destroyed during the last war, it has been reconstructed and is a beautiful structure covered in colorful decorations. The tombs of other members of the Date family are also located on the Zuihoden grounds.
• Osaki Hachimangu Shrine was built by Date Masamune’s order and is now a designated National Treasure. The main building is decorated with black lacquer, gold leaf, and gorgeous colors.
• The Miyagi Museum of Art exhibits works by artists from the Miyagi region, but also has some international art including works by Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee.
• The pine covered islands of Matsushima Bay are said to be one of the three best views in Japan. Sightseeing cruises are a popular way to tour the bay. To get to Matsushima, take the JR Senseki Line from Sendai Station to Matsushima Kaigan Station. The journey takes 39 minutes and costs 410 yen. Popular traditional hotels in Matsushima are Komatsukan Kofutei, Matushima Ichinobo, and Hotel Matsushima Taikanso.

Sendai Station is also served by JR East’s Tohoku Main Line, Senzan Line, and Joban Line; the Sendai Airport Line, the Sendai Subway Namboku Line, and the Sendai Subway Tozai Line.

Furukawa Station

Furukawa Station serves the city of Osaki. The top attractions in and around this city are the Matsuyama Sake Museum, the scenic Naruko-Kyo Gorge, Naruko Onsen hot springs, and a historical building and garden called the Yubikan. Most of these sites can be accessed using the Rikuu East Line from Furukawa Station.

• The Yubikan is a 17th century wooden building with a thatched roof that was once a school for the children of local samurai. It is the oldest educational building in Japan and together with its garden it is designated as a National Historic Site and as a Place of Scenic Beauty. To get to the Yubikan take the JR Rikuu East Line from Furukawa Station to Yubikan Station. The train takes 20 minutes and from the station it is a 5 minute walk to the Yubikan.
• Miyagi Prefecture is famous for the quality of its rice and the purity of its water, and so naturally it is famous for its sake (or rice wine) too. At Matusyama Sake Museum visitors are given a tour of a sake brewery and can view the brewing process before sampling delicious hand crafted sake. To get to the museum take the JR Rikuu East Line from Furukawa Station to Kogota Station. There you should transfer to a Tohoku Main Line train and get off at Matsuyamamachi Station. The complete train journey takes 25 minutes and from the station it is a 5 minute taxi ride to the museum.

• Naruko-Kyo Gorge is a spectacular, forested, 100 meter deep canyon. The gorge has walking trails and is particularly famous for the beauty of its autumn colors. To get there take the JR Rikuu East Line from Furukawa Station to Naruko Onsen Station. The train takes 45 minutes and the gorge is a 35 minute walk from the station. In the autumn foliage season a shuttle bus runs from Naruko Onsen Station to the gorge which takes just ten minutes. Alternatively you can take the JR Rikuu Line from Furukawa Station to Nakayamadaira Onsen Station and walk back from there towards Naruko Onsen. The train journey to Nakayamadaira Onsen takes 54 minutes and from there it is a 35 minute walk to the gorge.
• Naruko Onsen is a hot spring spa resort located close to Naruko Gorge. The volcanic hot springs were first discovered in the year 837 and there are several different kinds of water which are said to have various health benefits. This is a charming area in which to relax after a hike through the gorge. Popular hotels in Naruko Onsen are Oogiya, Yumoto Kissho, Hotel Kameya, Yoshitsune Yukarinoyu Ubanoyu, and Isazen Ryokan.
• Not far from Naruko Onsen is a Kokeshi Doll Museum which exhibits 5000 traditional wooden kokeshi dolls from all over the Tohoku region. Visitors can watch how the craftsmen make the dolls and can also try painting the dolls themselves. Hand-crafted dolls and other traditional toys are on sale in the museum shop.

Furukawa Station is served by the Rikuu East Line.

Ichinoseki Station

Ichinoseki is the gateway city to Iwate Prefecture and there are many attractions in and around the city.

• Urashima Park is a traditional garden with a pond and stone lanterns on the site of a former samurai residence. The park is a 15 minute walk from Ichinoseki Station.
• Sekino-ichi Brewery is a working brewery that produces both sake and craft beer. The brewery has a museum, restaurant, café and shop. The brewery is a 15 minute walk from Ichinoseki Station, and just a 3 minute walk from Urashima Park.
• Geibikei Gorge is a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty which is popular for its pole-driven boat trips along the Satetsu River. To get there take the JR Ofunato Line from Ichinoseki Station to Geibikei Station. The train ride takes 30 minutes and from the station it is a 5 minute walk.
• Yuugendo is an ancient limestone cave system with many interesting rock formations and fossils. The caves are a 30 minute walk (or a 5 minute taxi ride) from Geibikei Station on the JR Ofunato Line.
• Genbikei Gorge is another nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty which is a popular site for cherry blossom viewing. An unusual custom at this location is to order sweet “flying dango” dumplings from a restaurant on the far side of the gorge and have them sent back to you via a basket on a rope. To get there take a bus or taxi from Ichinoseki Station. It takes about 20 minutes.
• Hiraizumi is a town to the north of Ichinoseki which has a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Chief among these is Chusonji Temple and Motsuji Temple both of which date from the year 850. Hiraizumi is an 8 minute train ride from Ichinoseki on the Tohoku Main Line. Hiraizumi Cultural Heritage Center is a 12 minute walk from Hiraizumi Station and is a good place to get an overview of the town’s attractions.

Ichinoseki Station is served by JR East’s Tohoku Main Line and Ofunato Line.

Kitakami Station

Kitakami’s biggest attraction is Michinoku Folklore Village. This is an open air museum exhibiting historical buildings from the Edo period (1603-1868) and Meiji period (1868-1912). Visitors can walk in and around farm buildings, samurai houses, and merchant houses to see what life was like in Kitakami over a hundred years ago. The village is a 15 minute taxi ride or bus ride from Kitakami Station. The biggest event in Kitakami is cherry blossom season. Tenshochi Park along the banks of the Kitakami River is famous for its 10,000 cherry trees that come into bloom in late April each year. The cherry blossom festival here is very lively and visitors can enjoy pleasure boat cruises down the river or a horse-drawn carriage ride under the cherry trees.

Kitakami Station is served by JR East’s Tohoku Main Line and Kitakami Line.

Shin-Hanamaki Station

Shin-Hanamaki Station serves the city of Hanamaki which is best known for its hot springs, and as the hometown of the popular author, Miyazawa Kenji (1896 – 1933).

• Miyazawa Kenji is best known for his magical children’s stories and his poem “Ame ni mo makezu” or “Unbeaten by the Rain”. His short life and many works are celebrated at the Miyazawa Kenji Memorial Museum, which is a 3 minute bus or taxi ride from Shin-Hanamaki Station.
• There are a number of hot spring spas in the mountains and valleys near Hanamaki. Both modern and traditional facilities are available offering a quiet and comfortable countryside retreat. Popular hot spring resort locations around Hanamaki are Kashoen, Yukaen, Hotel Koyokan, Airinkan, Hotel Hanamaki, and Hotel Shidotaira.
• Namari Onsen Ski Resort is a popular winter skiing venue and is 33 minutes from Shin-Hanamaki Station by car. Alternatively take the JR Kamaishi Line for 11 minutes from Shin-Hanamaki Station to Hanamaki Station and then take a 32 minute bus ride to the “Ski-jo-mae” bus stop.

Shin-Hanamaki Station is served by the JR Kamaishi Line.

Morioka Station

Morioka is the capital city of Iwate Prefecture and has a large number of tourist attractions. There is a tourist information center in Morioka Station which has plenty of free information and maps.

• Ishiwari-zakura (literally “rock-splitting cherry tree”) is a 400 year cherry tree growing out of a granite boulder outside Morioka District Court. The tree is a designated National Treasure and a 20 minute walk from Morioka Station.
• Hoonji Temple is a Zen temple which is most notable for its 500 statues of Buddhist disciples. The statues were made in Kyoto in the 18th century before being brought to Morioka. The temple is a 5 minute bus ride from Morioka Station.
• Sakurayama Shrine is located in Morioka Castle Ruins Park and is a 20 minute walk east of Morioka Station. A huge rock, called “Eboshi Iwa” because it is shaped like a traditional Eboshi hat, sits beside the shrine and is considered lucky talisman of the city.
• The Bank of Iwate Red Brick Building is a Western style building built in 1911 which now houses a museum. This museum is a 4 minute walk east of Sakurayama Shrine.
• Morioka Hachimangu is a colorful shrine dating from 1062. The shrine is the location for the annual Chagu Chagu Umakko horse parade which is held on the second Saturday of June. One hundred horses wearing brightly colored fittings and bells carry costumed riders to the shrine. “Chagu chagu” is the name given to the sound of the ringing horse bells. Morioka Hachimangu is a 20 minute walk from the Bank of Iwate Red Brick Building.
• Iwate Museum of Art is a bright, modern facility exhibiting the work of local artists Tetsugoro Yorozu, Shunsuke Matsumoto and Yasutake Funakoshi. Temporary exhibitions display the work of both Japanese and international artists. The museum is a 15 minute walk from Morioka Station.
• Iwate Prefectural Museum is a comprehensive facility with exhibits on regional folklore, history, archaeology, geology, and natural history. There are also two preserved historical farmhouses outside the museum which are designated National Important Cultural Properties as well as a botanical garden. The museum is a 20 minute taxi ride from Morioka Station. Alternatively take a 30 minute bus ride from Morioka Station to Matsuzono Bus Terminal and then take another 3 minute bus ride to the museum.
• Morioka Sansa Odori Festival is held every summer from the 1st to the 4th of August. During this festival 10,000 taiko drummers and dancers parade through the city streets in traditional costumes.

Transfers can be made here to JR East’s Tohoku Main Line, Hanawa Line, Tazawako Line, Yamada Line, and the Iwate Ginga Railway Line. The Komachi shinkansen service bound for Akita Station takes the Akita Shinkansen branch line from this station.

Hachinohe Station

Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture is best known for its proximity to the scenic Tanesashi Coast. This is a 12 kilometer stretch of Pacific coastline with beautiful beaches, islands, and grassland which was designated a national Place of Scenic Beauty in 1937. The JR Hachinohe Line runs along this coastline, but if you get off at Same Station you can visit Kabushima Island which is famous for its shrine and a large colony of black tailed gulls.

Hachinohe Station is served by the JR Hachinohe Line and the Aoimori Line.

Shin-Aomori Station

Shin-Aomori serves Aomori City. This is the capital city of Aomori Prefecture, a region famous for its seafood, apple orchards, and its dramatic summer festival.

• Aomori Museum of Art is a contemporary building exhibiting the work of artists from Aomori and sometimes hosting concerts and plays. The museum is a 10 minute taxi ride south of Shin-Aomori Station.
• Sannai-Maruyama is an archaeological site and museum with reconstructed Jomon era (1000-300 BC) buildings. The site is a 10 minute taxi ride south of Shin-Aomori Station and close to Aomori Museum of Art.
• Aomori Prefectural Museum has exhibits on the region’s history, archaeology, natural history, and Aomori’s famous product: apples. To get there take the Ou Main Line from Shin-Aomori Station to Aomori Station and then walk for 20 minutes.
• Furukawa Market is a lively seafood market where you can buy a good hearty lunch of fresh seafood on rice. The market is 5 minutes from Aomori Station.
• The Nebuta Matsuri is a festival of gigantic illuminated floats which is held in Aomori every year in early August. It is one of the “big three” festivals in Tohoku and extremely popular, so visitors will need to book their hotels early if they want to stay in Aomori at this time.
• Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse is an excellent facility dedicated to the Nebuta festival. Four of the floats from the parade are on display on site. Musicians give performances of festival music and visitors can learn the Nebuta dance or practice playing taiko drums. Visitors can also learn about the history of the festival and how the floats are made. To get there take a 7 minute train ride on the Ou Main Line from Shin-Aomori Station to Aomori Station. The museum is a 2 minute walk from the Station.

Shin-Aomori Station is served by JR East’s Ou Main Line. Many Hayabusa shinkansen services continue beyond Shin-Aomori Station on the Hokkaido Shinkansen Line.

Tickets & Discounts

The Japan Rail Pass can be used for either ordinary seating or Green Car seating. However, at the time you buy the pass, you must choose an Ordinary Pass or a Green Pass. As an alternative to the Japan Rail Pass, JR East also offer a discount pass for the Tohoku area of northern Honshu. This special 5 day pass for overseas visitors offers unlimited use of JR East’s local trains, shinkansen, and limited express services within the designated area and also some non-JR trains in the Izu and Nikko areas. The pass is great if you want to explore the Tohoku region. A Tohoku and South Hokkaido Rail Pass is also available. For prices and more details check the official JR East Pass webpage. To save you time, tickets for the Tohoku Shinkansen can also be reserved online.

Map & Timetables

View a complete map of Japan’s shinkansen high-speed train network.

JR East has complete timetables for Tohoku Shinkansen trains heading from Tokyo and to Tokyo. To look up train times, fares, and connections quickly on this route use online English route finders like Hyperdia or the Japan Transit Planner.

Article by Michael Lambe. Photos by Michael Lambe, ninguru/PIXTA(1) breezeyoshi/PIXTA(6), m.Taira/PIXTA(7), kazuo ootomo/PIXTA(8), ken-ji/PIXTA(9), PixHound/PIXTA(10). All rights reserved.