Tohoku Shinkansen Series E5 Hayabusa 2011.3.5 DEBUT!

Gran Class More spacious seating and gracious hospitality. Experience the ultimate in railway transportation today. Introducing the new "GranClass" premium first-class Shinkansen seating.

About Gran Class

With the new Hayabusa Series E5 trains on the Tohoku Shinkansen Line comes the new GranClass, premium first-class seating. GranClass passenger cabins feature relaxing dark wood finishes punctuated by metallic surfaces, and contain genuine leather seats, wool carpeting, and other premium-quality touches designed to make your journey more comfortable. Here you will find seats that enable electric-power recline of up to 45 degrees, and gracious hospitality of our GranClass cabin attendants. Ride GranClass premium first-class with us and experience a new sensation in railway travel.

Note: Due to the effects of the recent earthquake, a portion of our services and fares have been changed for the present time.

Standard Prices for GranClass

Station Sendai Morioka Hachinohe Shin-Aomori
Tokyo 19,380 22,830 24,340 26,360

* All seating on Hayabusa trains is by reservation only.
* Total fare includes basic fare, express train charges, and GranClass charges.

Prices for GranClass when using the JR East Pass

Station Sendai Morioka Hachinohe Shin-Aomori
Tokyo 13,600 14,640 14,990 16,490

* It is necessary to pay a separate express and GranClass charges when using the JR East Pass.

Seats & Features

01. Seat Design

01. Seat Design

Novel Back Shell-type Design

The seat back, seat pad, and foot rest can all be moved by simply using a single switch. Seats recline to an angle of degrees, allowing you to adjust the seat to just the right position.

02. Dining tables

02. Dining tables

Two-size adjustability to fit your needs

The dining tables fold up for easy armrest storage, and are readily adjustable to one of two sizes to best fit your dining, computer or other needs. A power outlet is available for PC use.

03. Cocktail trays

03. Cocktail trays

Convenient small-sized trays

The small cocktail trays fold in and out for hassle-free use and storage, so that you can enjoy drinks in comfort.

04. Reading lights

04. Reading lights

Adjustable to the angle you desire

Each seat is equipped with reading lights which you can adjust to the appropriate angle and direction to match your seating position, thereby enabling you to read in comfort.

Service & Amenities

01. Interior Design

01. Interior Design

High-quality, Sophisticated Interior Design

The interior design adopts genuine leather seats, wool carpeting, and other high-quality features. The colors resulting from the combination of dark wood and metallic elements create a warm, natural atmosphere.

02. Meals / Beverages

02. Meals / Beverages

Made with local Tohoku ingredients

In addition to Japanese and Western-style light meals, we offer regional specialties from areas along the train line, made using in-season ingredients from Japan's Tohoku region appropriate to the time of year. We also offer over 10 types of soft drinks and alcoholic beverages to choose from.

03. Amenities

03. Amenities

Little extras to enhance your comfort

To ensure that you will have a comfortable riding experience, we provide you with slippers, blankets and eye masks, and offer you a selection of Japanese newspapers, magazines, company-sponsored publications, JR time tables, and more.

04. Cabin Attendants

04. Cabin Attendants

Professional cabin attendants

Our full-time GranClass cabin attendants are dedicated to offering you professional and personal assistance that enables you to travel in comfort. Passengers can also call cabin attendants by using the control panel which is installed in every seat.

JR EAST PASS

Get to Aomori prefecture with the convenient JR East Pass usable also on Hayabusa and Hayate.

The JR East Pass is an economical and flexible rail pass for travel around Eastern Japan. It is valid for travel on all the 72 lines of JR East: 5 Shinkansen Super Express lines and 67 conventional lines. Since it is valid for travel on all JR East lines, the JR East Pass can also be used on the N'EX for direct access from Narita Airport to Tokyo, and the Tokyo Monorail, which runs between Haneda Airport and the central Tokyo. The JR East Pass is flexible, available in configurations that meet your itinerary needs: 5-day, 10-day, and a Flexible 4-day.
* When using GranClass accommodations, please pay the separate express and GranClass charges that apply.

Please click here for more information on the JR East Pass.