Tohoku Shinkansen

Tohoku Shinkansen

The longest of the JR East Shinkansen lines, the Tohoku Shinkansen went into service in 1982. Currently running between Tokyo and Shin-Aomori, the Tohoku Shinkansen Line has many sightseeing locations, such as Oirase Stream (Aomori Prefecture) known for its beautiful scenery, Hiraizumi (Iwate Prefecture) with its World Heritage Sites, and Sendai (Miyagi Prefecture), nicknamed the City of Trees.

The Train Line-up

Series E6

Series E6

Komachi: Tokyo – Akita
Hayate: Tokyo – Morioka
Yamabiko: Tokyo – Sendai
Nasuno: Tokyo – Nasushiobara

Series E5

Series E5

Hayabusa: Tokyo - Shin-Aomori
Hayate: Tokyo - Morioka / Shin-Aomori
Yamabiko: Tokyo - Sendai
Nasuno: Tokyo - Koriyama

Series E2

Series E2

Hayate: Tokyo - Morioka / Shin-Aomori
Yamabiko: Tokyo - Sendai / Morioka
Nasuno: Tokyo - Koriyama
 

Notes

The Hayate is coupled to the Komachi between Tokyo and Morioka, and the Yamabiko sometimes is coupled to the Tsubasa between Tokyo and Fukushima.

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Interior Layout of Cars

Starting March 20, 2023, Car No.7 of some weekday Tohoku Shinkansen trains will offer "TRAIN DESK" service. TRAIN DESK cars are ordinary reserved seat cars intended to offer the ideal space for customers who wish to work or study during their time on board. All passengers are welcome to make use of these cars, but we request that when doing so, you refrain from speaking in a loud voice, engaging in conversation or otherwise making noise that might disturb other passengers.

Non-smoking cars

The Komachi Series E6: 7-car trains

The Komachi Series E6: 7-car trains

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The Komachi Series E6: 7-car trains

Non-smoking cars

The Hayabusa and Hayate Series E5: 10-car trains

The Hayabusa Series E5: 10-car trains

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The Hayabusa Series E5: 10-car trains

Non-smoking cars

The Hayate and Yamabiko Series E2: 10-car trains

The Hayate and Yamabiko Series E2: 10-car trains

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The Hayate and Yamabiko Series E2: 10-car trains

  • GranClass
  • Green cars (First class)
  • Changing bed
  • Lavatory
  • Restrooms
  • Men's toilet
  • Women's toilet
  • Seats for wheelchair users
  • Accessible facility
  • Telephone
  • Conductor's room

Google Street View

Enjoy the view inside the train with 360 degree panoramic imagery

Series E2

Green cars (First class)
Ordinaly Car

Series E5

GranClass
Green cars (First class)
Ordinaly Car

Places of Interest

Tohokushinkansen Map

Oirase Mountain Stream/Lake Towada
The Oirase Stream is a 14-kilometer stretch of water from Lake Towada to Mount Yake, and is known for the purity of its water. The lively, sparkling water is said to present viewers with an endless kaleidoscope of changes to delight the eye. Straddling the border between Akita and Aomori Prefectures, Lake Towada is famous for the clarity of its water. It is surrounded by untouched forests, whose trees turn to brilliant colors in autumn.
Access: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Hachinohe Station.
Aomori
The Aomori Nebuta Festival in August is one of Japan's fire festivals and is well known throughout the world. Through the streets travels a float with a warrior figure known as the Nebuta. Illuminating the float is a lantern, and around the float, hayashi musicians play instruments while haneto dancers perform, all the while chanting, "rasse, rasse," filling the town with joy to celebrate the short Aomori summer. A 60-minute trip by bus from the station is Sukayu Onsen, a hot spring bath with a history reaching back three centuries. The bath accommodates one thousand bathers and is constructed from cypress.
Access: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori Station, then transfer to the Ou Line to Aomori Station.
Morioka
Morioka flourished as a castle town in old times as a part of the Morioka Domain. Blessed with such natural features as Mount Iwate and the Kitakami River, one of the tourist draws of Morioka is its Sansa Odori dance festival. Located 40 minutes from Morioka is Koiwai Farm, a popular place for visitors to visit the farm animals.
Access: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Morioka Station.
Hiraizumi
Hiraizumi is a town located in the southern part of Iwate Prefecture. Home to the powerful Hiraizumi Fujiwaras, this region blossomed as a cultural and political center of Japan around the end of the eleventh century. Also located here is Chusonji Temple, built in 850 and one of seven National Treasures located in Hiraizumi.
Access: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Ichinoseki Station, then transfer to the Tohoku Line to Hiraizumi Station.
Miyagi: Sendai / Matsushima
Known by its nickname Mori-no Miyako or the City of Trees, Sendai is a major Japanese city through which the Hirose River flows. Sendai is also well known for its picturesque tree-lined roads. Matsushima, one of the Three Views of Japan, is a popular attraction, and offers other such popular sites as Zuiganji Temple and Godaido Hall.
Access: Take the Tohoku Shinkansen to Sendai Station.