How to Get on the Shinkansen at Kanazawa Station: Step-by-Step Guide

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.

Station Overview: Layout and Exits

Kanazawa Station area map showing Shinkansen exit, ticket gates, and nearby facilities.

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.

East Exit and West Exit

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.

Shinkansen Ticket Gates

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.

Shinkansen Platforms

Kanazawa Station has four Shinkansen platforms.

Platforms 11 to 14: All Hokuriku Shinkansen trains at Kanazawa Station use these four 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.

Step-by-Step Guide: Boarding from Outside the Station

Follow these five steps to board your Shinkansen. Start from when you arrive at the station.

Step 1 – Go to the Central Concourse

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.

Kanazawa Station central concourse with Shinkansen and Kenrokuen Gate signs for passengers.

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.

Shinkansen direction sign inside Kanazawa Station near the ticket gates.

Step 2 – Get Your Shinkansen Ticket

Before entering the Shinkansen area, you need a valid ticket. You have two main options:

If you already have a ticket: Great! You can go directly to the transfer gates.
If you need to get your ticket: Look for the ticket machines near the Shinkansen Gate. These machines have multilanguage options and accept cash or cards.

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.

Shinkansen ticket machines at Kanazawa Station where passengers buy or collect tickets.

Step 3 – Enter the Shinkansen Gate

Go through the Shinkansen Gate using your ticket.

Shinkansen ticket gate at Kanazawa Station leading to platforms 11 and 14.

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.

Step 4 – Check Your Train Direction

After passing the gate, check the departure boards and find your train by time and name.

Shinkansen departure display at Kanazawa Station showing train times and destinations.

At Kanazawa Station, trains for both directions use the same platforms (11–14), so confirm whether your Shinkansen is Tokyo-bound or Tsuruga-bound.

Step 5 – Find Your Car and Wait in Line

Take the escalator or elevator up to your platform.

Escalator at Kanazawa Station leading to Shinkansen platforms 13 and 14.

Shinkansen platforms 13 and 14 at Kanazawa Station with departure boards.

Look at your ticket. It shows your car number and seat number.

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.

Car number sign on Kanazawa Station Shinkansen platform with passengers waiting in line.

Transfer Route

If you arrive at Kanazawa Station on another train, you can transfer to the Shinkansen. The route depends on which train you take.

From JR Local Lines and IR Ishikawa Railway

JR local lines and IR Ishikawa Railway trains arrive at the platforms.

JR local line platform at Kanazawa Station with signs for transfer to the Shinkansen.

Instead of going all the way down to the exit, look for the "Shinkansen" signs on the mezzanine floor (middle floor).

Transfer passage at Kanazawa Station from JR local lines to the Shinkansen platforms.

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.

From Hokuriku Railroad

The Hokuriku Railroad (often called "Hokutetsu") is a private line located at the underground "Hokutetsu-Kanazawa Station" near the East Exit.

Entrance hall at Hokutetsu Kanazawa Station leading to the Asanogawa Line ticket gates.

Because there is no direct connection, you must exit the underground station and take the escalator up to ground level.

Underground passage from Hokutetsu Kanazawa Station to JR Kanazawa Station with directional signs.

Escalators and stairs at Kanazawa Station leading from the underground level to ground level entrance.

Walk into the main JR station building, then follow the blue signs to the Shinkansen Gate.

If You Arrive Early

If you have extra time before your train departs, there are places to wait comfortably.

Shops and Food Near the Shinkansen Gates

Rinto shopping area inside Kanazawa Station with souvenir shops and visitors.

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.

Waiting Rooms and Smoking Areas

Hyakkou waiting room inside Kanazawa Station Shinkansen gates with traditional crafts in glass wall.

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.

Shinkansen waiting room on the platform at Kanazawa Station with seated passengers.

Designated smoking room for Shinkansen passengers at Kanazawa Station platform.

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.

Ready for Departure

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!