The New Golden Route: A better way to explore Japan by train

A marvel of efficiency and precision, Japan’s world-beating rail network is by far the best way to travel when exploring the Land of the Rising Sun. Bullet-nosed Shinkansen zoom swiftly and silently between neon-clad cities, while slower, single-track trains take the rails less travelled, offering a window onto the nation’s rural charms and sublime natural scenery. Japan’s New Golden Route, also known as the Rainbow Route for its diverse attractions, makes full use of this blend of modernity and tradition, utilising the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line to give travellers the speed, freedom and convenience to explore more of the country than ever before. Read on to learn about Japan’s latest and greatest railway adventure.

Get to know the Hokuriku Shinkansen Line

One of Japan’s ten Shinkansen (bullet train lines), the Hokuriku Shinkansen started out as a line connecting Tokyo with the snowbound city of Nagano in time for its hosting of the 1998 Winter Olympics, the very first games to stage snowboarding events. Then came the extension from Nagano to the coastal metropolis of Kanazawa, completed in 2015. The fastest trains on the line are the Kagayaki (‘Brilliance’) E7 Series with their distinctive sky blue and white livery, whooshing along at 260 km/h and taking under two and a half hours to travel between Tokyo and Kanazawa.

A third extension to the Hokuriku Shinkansen, running along the coast from Kanazawa to the small city of Tsuruga, is slated to carry its first passengers in March 2024, bringing Kyoto and Osaka within easy reach. The fastest train on the line will link Tokyo with Tsuruga, a journey of 579 kilometres, in three hours and eight minutes.

Experience the New Golden Route on the Hokuriku Shinkansen

Before the Hokuriku Shinkansen, the only viable way to travel swiftly by train between Tokyo and Osaka was the Tokaido Shinkansen line. Launched in 1964, it was the world’s first high speed train line, prized for connectivity and directness rather than for its scenic beauty or tourist-friendly stops. Evolving with the times, the new and beautifully styled Hokuriku Shinkansen was born in 2015 and passes some of the country’s most captivating natural scenery. The soaring peaks of the Japanese Alps, the remarkable Tateyama ‘snow corridor’ with its snowdrift canyon walls, the lush rice terrace landscapes of Niigata, the steep-roofed gassho-zukuri farmhouses of Shirakawa-go, all are now within easy reach of Tokyo thanks to the Hokuriku Shinkansen, which offers a more compelling and adventurous journey west to Kyoto and Osaka. Culture vultures can have their fill at stops like Takayama, with its perfectly preserved historic streetscape, and Kanazawa, home to sublime seafood, cobbled Geisha districts and, in Kenroku-en, Japan’s most celebrated classical garden.

Best of all, travelling along the New Golden Route is easy and economical thanks to the Hokuriku Arch Pass, a discount travel deal available exclusively to international visitors, which you can learn more about in the next section.

Save time and money with the Hokuriku Arch Pass

Available to all international travellers who arrive in Japan on a standard short-term tourist visa (90 days or less), the Hokuriku Arch Pass offers unlimited travel between Tokyo and Osaka. Passengers utilise the Hokuriku Shinkansen on the initial stretch from Tokyo to Kanazawa, and the scenic Thunderbird Express between Kanazawa and Osaka vis Hokuriku. The pass is valid for seven consecutive days, giving you plenty of time to make a multitude of exciting stops along the way. Priced at ¥24,500 per person (if purchased outside Japan), the Hokuriku Arch Pass also includes transfers to or from both of Tokyo’s major international airports, plus transfers to Kansai International Airport in Osaka, as well as side trips to Kobe, Kyoto and Nara in the Kansai region. Note that ticket prices are slightly more expensive if purchased inside Japan (¥25,500) at a JR ticket office. Children between 6 and 11 years old only pay half the adult price for the pass, while children up to five are free (as of 13th December, 2023).

Once you have the Hokuriku Arch Pass you can use it to quickly pass through automatic ticket gates at stations, as well as using it at ticket machines to reserve seats for any part of your journey. To purchase a Hokuriku Arch Pass online, visit JR East's or JR West’s website.

Branch off on scenic side trips aboard sightseeing trains

Nostalgia vibes on the Resort View Furusato:

Boasting oversized windows to show off the sublime scenery of the Northern Alps region, this special tourist train chugs along the scenic Ōito Line between Nagano and Minami-Otari stations, passing rivers, lakes and timeless rural landscapes while performing switchbacks as it climbs the foothills. Furusato means ‘home town’ in Japanese, and the vibe on board is one of whimsy and nostalgia – on weekends, local residents ride the train to play traditional music and tell folk tales about the region. The route takes around four hours in total, including an extended stop at Hotaka Station to visit the nearby Hotaka Shrine. At Obasute Station, passengers are rewarded with panoramic views of the Zenkoji Plains, named one of Japan’s top three train window views. Please note that this train is outside the Hokuriku Arch Pass section, so you'd need to purchase a separate ticket by reserving through JR East's official website.

Folk crafts and sea views aboard the Hanayome Noren:

This sightseeing train connects Kanazawa Station on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line with Wakura Onsen, a coastal resort perched on the Noto Peninsula famous for its hot spring baths. Looking somewhat like a ryokan (Japanese inn) on wheels, the homely decoration of the train’s carriages is inspired by the Hokuriku crafts of Wajima nuri lacquerware, Kaga yuzen silk dyeing, and Kanazawa gold leaf. The train’s name comes from the local custom of hanging ‘noren’ bridal curtains for newly married couples. Be sure to reserve a gourmet onboard bento (boxed lunch) for the full experience. The total journey time to Wakura Onsen is around one and a half hours, with the train making two return trips each day.

Feeling inspired?

For more information on planning your Japanese rail adventure, head to the official New Golden Route website.

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