Kanazawa Station connects you to Tokyo and other major cities on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Many travelers visit Kanazawa for its gardens and historic areas, and boarding the Shinkansen is easy once you understand the layout.
This guide explains how to board the Shinkansen at Kanazawa Station, including the station layout, ticket gates, and platforms, so you can catch your train without stress.
Kanazawa Station has two main areas. The ground floor has local trains. The second floor has the Shinkansen. This design keeps different train types separate.
The station has two entrances.
Exit | Location | Best For |
East Exit (Kenrokuen Exit) | Faces Kenrokuen Garden and the city center | Most tourists and sightseeing in central Kanazawa |
West Exit (Kanazawa Port Exit) | Faces Kanazawa Port | Access to port area, hotels, and buses |
Between the exits, you will find the main concourse. This is the central space on the ground floor. Shops, restaurants, and ticket counters are here. The Shinkansen gates are above this area.
There are two types of Shinkansen gates:
Gate | Location | Best For |
Shinkansen Gate | First-floor concourse near the East (Kenrokuen) Exit | Travelers entering from outside the station or from the main concourse |
Transfer Gate | Between the local JR/IR Ishikawa platforms and Shinkansen area | Travelers arriving on JR local lines or IR Ishikawa Railway |
Both gates lead to the same Shinkansen platforms. Choose the gate that matches your situation.
Kanazawa Station has four Shinkansen platforms.
Trains bound for Tokyo and Tsuruga both depart from Platforms 11–14, so the platform number alone does not show the direction. Always check the departure boards and platform signs before boarding.
Follow these five steps to board your Shinkansen. Start from when you arrive at the station.
Enter through the East Exit or West Exit. Walk to the central area on the ground floor. You will see many shops and a large open space. This is the main concourse.
From the central concourse, look for signs that say “Shinkansen” with an upward arrow.
These signs lead to the only Shinkansen gate for passengers entering from outside the station.
Before entering the Shinkansen area, you need a valid ticket. You have two main options:
For travelers who booked online with services like Japan Bullet Train, you can exchange your QR code for a paper ticket at these same machines. The process usually takes only a few minutes, and the on-screen instructions are easy to follow.
IC cards such as Suica or ICOCA are mainly for local trains. To ride the Hokuriku Shinkansen, you need a paper ticket or a reserved seat ticket.
Go through the Shinkansen Gate using your ticket.
Be careful not to enter the 'JR / IR Ishikawa Railway' gate (for local trains). The Shinkansen gate is clearly marked with blue signs.
If you enter the local train gates by mistake, do not worry.
Use the Transfer Gate between the local train area and the Shinkansen area to continue to the Shinkansen platforms.
After passing the gate, check the departure boards and find your train by time and name.
At Kanazawa Station, trains for both directions use the same platforms (11–14), so confirm whether your Shinkansen is Tokyo-bound or Tsuruga-bound.
Take the escalator or elevator up to your platform.
Look at your ticket. It shows your car number and seat number.
● Read More: Shinkansen Boarding Guide: How to Board & Understand Tickets
Walk to the mark for your car number.
Wait behind the yellow line until the train arrives. The train usually arrives 5 minutes before departure time.
If you arrive at Kanazawa Station on another train, you can transfer to the Shinkansen. The route depends on which train you take.
JR local lines and IR Ishikawa Railway trains arrive at the platforms.
Instead of going all the way down to the exit, look for the "Shinkansen" signs on the mezzanine floor (middle floor).
At the Transfer Gate, you can pass directly into the Shinkansen area. Insert both your local train ticket and your Shinkansen ticket together.
If you haven't bought your Shinkansen ticket yet, you can buy one or pick it up at the ticket machines next to the Transfer Gate.
The Hokuriku Railroad (often called "Hokutetsu") is a private line located at the underground "Hokutetsu-Kanazawa Station" near the East Exit.
Because there is no direct connection, you must exit the underground station and take the escalator up to ground level.
Walk into the main JR station building, then follow the blue signs to the Shinkansen Gate.
If you have extra time before your train departs, there are places to wait comfortably.
The area just before the Shinkansen gates, including the shopping complexes Anto and Rinto, is one of the best places to experience Kanazawa’s culture through local food and souvenirs.
Buy everything before going through the ticket gates. Once inside the gates, your options are limited to just one convenience store. Additionally, there is no on-board food service on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, so be prepared for your journey.
There is a waiting room inside the Shinkansen gate area. The waiting room inside the Shinkansen gate area is useful in hot or cold weather.
In addition, each platform has its own waiting area and a designated smoking room.
To make the most of your time, see our Kanazawa Station Guide for a full layout of the station, including coin locker locations and dining options.
Boarding the Shinkansen at Kanazawa Station is simple as long as you enter the correct Shinkansen gate. Once you pass the right gate, the rest of the process is straightforward.
To make your journey even easier, consider booking your Shinkansen ticket in advance with Japan Bullet Train. You can reserve online, receive a QR code, and quickly collect your paper ticket at the station.
With everything prepared, you’re ready to board the Hokuriku Shinkansen and continue your journey across Japan. Have a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable trip!
