Shinkansen fares and ticket booking methods from Aomori to Tokyo - Ekitan

Overview of travel methods from Aomori to Tokyo

You can travel from Shin-Aomori Station to Tokyo Station using the Tohoku Shinkansen. This article explains Shinkansen fares, travel time from departure to arrival, and how to book tickets. We have also compiled useful information for your trip to Japan, such as the rules for using the JR Pass and the types of trains you can use.

Basic information about traveling from Aomori to Tokyo

  • Estimated travel time using "Hayabusa": Approximately 3 hours 10-20 minutes
  • Fare for reserved seats (reservation required): Approximately 17,470 yen.
  • Available trains: "Hayabusa", "Hayate", "Yamabiko"
  • JR Pass: Please refer to "5. Can the JR Pass be used between Aomori and Tokyo?" below.

Tokyo's appeal as a tourist destination

Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is a global metropolis with a diverse range of tourist attractions, including the Imperial Palace, Senso-ji Temple, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Akihabara, and Roppongi. It's a place where traditional Japanese culture and cutting-edge pop culture coexist, and boasts a rich variety of cuisine, including sushi, ramen, and monjayaki. It's accessible from Aomori in as little as 3 hours and 10 minutes.

Shinkansen Fares from Aomori to Tokyo

Overall view of Shinkansen fares from Aomori to Tokyo

The Shinkansen fare from Shin-Aomori Station to Tokyo Station varies depending on the seat class you choose. On the Tohoku Shinkansen, you can use the "Hayabusa", "Hayate", and "Yamabiko" trains. The "Hayabusa" and "Hayate" trains are all reserved seats; there are no unreserved seats (no reservation required). The fares are approximate, and during peak seasons (the period from the end of December to the beginning of January, Golden Week, and Obon), a peak season surcharge may be added to reserved seats and Green Car seats (reservation required).

Comparison of Fares for Unreserved Seats, Reserved Seats, and Green Car Seats

SeatFare (Estimate)Features
Reserved Seats (Standard Class) (reservation required)Approximately 17,470 yenYour seat number is assigned, guaranteeing you a seat.
Green CarApproximately 22,250 yenSpacious seating and high-quality service, perfect for those who want to travel comfortably.

*All seats on the "Hayabusa" and "Hayate" trains are reserved seats only; there are no unreserved seats (no reservation required). Some "Yamabiko" trains have unreserved seats (no reservation required).

Features and benefits of reserved seats

All seats on the Tohoku Shinkansen's "Hayabusa" and "Hayate" trains are reserved, so you must reserve your seat before boarding. During peak season and on weekends, seats tend to sell out quickly, so we recommend booking as soon as your travel plans are finalized.

Shinkansen seats

Features and usage scenarios of reserved seats

Reserved seats (reservation required) allow you to secure your seat number before boarding, so you can travel without worrying about crowds. Booking online in advance through Ekinet may also qualify you for early bird discounts or other discounted fares.

Features and comfort of Green Car

Green Car is a premium class offering more spacious seats and enhanced amenities compared to standard cars. It is recommended for those who want a more comfortable journey between Aomori and Tokyo, as well as for business travelers and special trips.

Travel Time from Aomori to Tokyo

Shortest Shinkansen travel time between Aomori and Tokyo

The estimated travel time from Shin-Aomori Station to Tokyo Station using the "Hayabusa" train is approximately 3 hours and 10 to 20 minutes. The total travel time varies depending on the type of train and the number of stops, so please choose the train that best suits your travel plans.

Average travel time and difference between trains

If you take the "Hayabusa" train, the journey from Shin-Aomori to Tokyo takes approximately 3 hours and 10 to 20 minutes. The "Hayabusa" is the fastest train on the Tohoku Shinkansen line. The "Hayate" takes about 3 hours and 20 to 40 minutes, and the "Yamabiko" has even more stops, so the travel time from departure to arrival is longer. If you prioritize the shortest travel time from departure to arrival, please take the "Hayabusa".

The speed and features of the Tohoku Shinkansen

Japan's Shinkansen bullet trains boast world-class safety and punctuality, and are used by many tourists visiting Japan. They are also appreciated for their minimal delays due to weather, making it easy to plan travel schedules.

Comparison of travel time with air travel

When traveling between Aomori and Tokyo by plane, in addition to the flight time, you need to factor in the time required for airport access, check-in, security checks, boarding procedures, and travel from the arrival airport to central Tokyo. Since the Shinkansen connects major stations, it is often the more advantageous option when considering the total travel time.

Time comparison with cars and JR conventional lines

Traveling by car is prone to traffic congestion on expressways, and especially during peak seasons and long holidays, travel time from departure to arrival can be significantly extended. Taking a JR conventional line takes several times longer than taking the Shinkansen. In terms of comfort and punctuality, the Shinkansen is one of the best modes of transport between Aomori and Tokyo.

Departure board for the Tohoku Shinkansen

Which Train is the Fastest?

Types of trains operating between Shin-Aomori and Tokyo

Between Shin-Aomori and Tokyo, you can use the "Hayabusa", "Hayate", and "Yamabiko" trains. The fastest is the "Hayabusa", which takes approximately 3 hours and 10-20 minutes. JR Pass holders can use all trains. All seats on the "Hayabusa" and "Hayate" are reserved seats, so you need to reserve a seat before boarding (there is no additional charge for seat reservations).

Stations where each train stops and their characteristics

The fastest train, the "Hayabusa", makes the fewest stops and has the shortest travel time from departure to arrival. Reserved seats (reservation required) tend to sell out quickly during peak season and on weekends, so advance booking is recommended.

Travel Time by Train from Shin-Aomori to Tokyo

If you take the "Hayabusa", the journey from Shin-Aomori to Tokyo takes approximately 3 hours and 10 to 20 minutes. The "Hayate" takes about 3 hours and 20 to 40 minutes, and the "Yamabiko" takes even longer as it stops at every station south of Morioka. If you have a JR Pass, you can use all trains, and the "Hayabusa" is the fastest and most recommended option. For the "Hayabusa" and "Hayate", which have all reserved seats, be sure to reserve your seat before boarding (no additional charge).

Recommended trains from Shin-Aomori to Tokyo

If your top priority is minimizing travel time from departure to arrival, the "Hayabusa" train is recommended. JR Pass holders can use all trains. Since all seats on the "Hayabusa" and "Hayate" trains are reserved, reserving your seat in advance through services like Ekinet will ensure a smoother journey on the day of travel.

Points to consider when choosing a train

When choosing a train between Shin-Aomori and Tokyo, first check which trains arrive at Tokyo Station at your desired departure time. Using Ekinet to reserve seats in advance will make your journey smoother.

Ticket machine

How to book Shinkansen tickets

Basic methods for purchasing Shinkansen tickets

Shinkansen tickets between Shin-Aomori and Tokyo can be purchased in three ways: at the station's ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi), at ticket vending machines, or online. Since all seats on the "Hayabusa" and "Hayate" trains are reserved, seat reservations are required before boarding. Tickets tend to sell out quickly during peak season, so it's recommended to book early once your travel dates are finalized.

How to purchase tickets at the station's ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi)

Shinkansen tickets can be purchased at the ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) (manned counters) at JR stations throughout Japan. Shin-Aomori Station also has an English-speaking counter, so even those who are not confident in their Japanese can use the service with peace of mind.

How to use a ticket vending machine

You can also purchase Shinkansen tickets at the "reserved seat ticket vending machines" installed at train stations. An increasing number of these machines support multiple languages, including English, Chinese, and Korean, and you can also purchase tickets using a credit card.

Online reservation (Ekinet)

For online reservations, JR East's "Ekinet" service is convenient. Ekinet also offers early bird tickets (Osaki Tokudane and Shinkansen e-tickets), which can sometimes be cheaper than regular fares. Reservations and changes can also be easily made via their smartphone app.

Points to note when making a reservation

During peak season (the period from the end of December to the beginning of January, Golden Week, and Obon), reserved seats (reservation required) tend to sell out quickly, so we recommend booking as soon as your travel plans are finalized.

Can I use the JR Pass between Aomori and Tokyo?

Overview of JR Pass

The JR Pass is a special ticket for travelers who do not reside in Japan, allowing unlimited travel on JR lines without additional charges. It comes in 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day versions, and during its validity period, you can ride JR Shinkansen, limited express trains, and JR conventional lines without any additional fees.

Regarding the use of JR Pass between Aomori and Tokyo

TrainJR Pass UsageRemarks
"Hayabusa"AvailableAll seats are reserved, so seat reservations are required (there is no additional charge for making a reservation).
"Hayate"AvailableAll seats are reserved, so seat reservations are required (there is no additional charge for making a reservation).
"Yamabiko"AvailableBoth reserved seats (reservation required) and unreserved seats (no reservation required) are available.

Regarding seat reservations for "Hayabusa" and "Hayate" trains

All Tohoku Shinkansen trains, including the "Hayabusa", "Hayate", and "Yamabiko" services, can be used with the JR Pass. Since all seats on the "Hayabusa" and "Hayate" trains are reserved, please reserve your seat at the station's ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) or a reserved seat ticket vending machine before boarding. There is no additional charge for seat reservations.

Usage Conditions for "Yamabiko"

With a JR Pass, you can board trains with unreserved seats (no reservation required). If you wish to use a reserved seat (reservation required), you must reserve your seat at the station's ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) or a reserved seat ticket vending machine before boarding. There is no additional charge for seat reservations.

Points to note when using JR Pass

Since the JR Pass is valid for consecutive days from the start date, it's important to carefully set the start date to match your travel schedule. If your travel plan involves visiting multiple cities, not just between Aomori and Tokyo, you'll often get your money's worth out of the JR Pass.

Aomori to Tokyo Shinkansen Timetable

Frequency of Shinkansen service between Aomori and Tokyo

The Shinkansen bullet trains operating between Shin-Aomori and Tokyo are the "Hayabusa", "Hayate", and "Yamabiko" trains. They run frequently even during the daytime, so please check the latest timetables on transportation information services such as Ekitan.

First and Last Train Times

The first trains departing from Shin-Aomori Station leave as early as 6:00 AM, and the last trains to Tokyo Station depart around 9:00-10:00 PM. By taking an early morning train, you can enjoy sightseeing in Tokyo from the morning.

How to read a Shinkansen timetable

You can check the Shinkansen timetable between Aomori and Tokyo on the JR official website or on transportation information services such as Ekitan. When searching, enter your departure station "Shin-Aomori", arrival station "Tokyo", travel date, and time to see a list of train times and fares.

Shin-Aomori Station to Tokyo Station Shinkansen Timetable (Excerpt/Approximate)

Departure (Shin-Aomori)TrainArrival (Tokyo)Travel Time from Departure to Arrival
06:32"Hayabusa" No. 209:48Approximately 3 hours 16 minutes
07:01"Hayabusa" No. 410:04Approximately 3 hours 3 minutes
08:43"Hayabusa" No. 1011:44Approximately 3 hours 1 minute
10:43"Hayabusa" No. 1613:44Approximately 3 hours 1 minute
14:01"Hayabusa" No. 2417:08Approximately 3 hours 7 minutes
17:16"Hayabusa" No. 3420:16Approximately 3 hours 00 minutes
19:01"Hayabusa" No. 4022:04Approximately 3 hours 3 minutes

*Actual times and train numbers may change due to seasonal changes or revisions to the operating schedule. Please check the latest information on Ekitan or other sources.

Peak hours and points to note

The Shin-Aomori to Tokyo route is especially crowded during peak season (from the end of December to the beginning of January, Golden Week, and Obon) and on weekends. Since all seats on the "Hayabusa" and "Hayate" trains are reserved, booking your seat in advance will ensure a smoother journey.

Summary: Shinkansen from Aomori to Tokyo

The Tohoku Shinkansen is the fastest and most convenient way to travel from Aomori to Tokyo. The fare for a reserved seat (reservation required) is approximately 17,470 yen, while a Green Car seat costs approximately 22,250 yen. The travel time from departure to arrival on the "Hayabusa" train is approximately 3 hours and 10-20 minutes. Both the "Hayabusa" and "Hayate" trains on the Tohoku Shinkansen are all reserved seating, so seat reservations are required before boarding. JR Pass holders can use all trains (seat reservations are required for all reserved seating trains, but there is no additional charge for the reservation itself). Tickets can be purchased at station ticket offices (Midori-no-madoguchi), reserved seat ticket vending machines, or online (Ekinet, etc.). Choose the train that best suits your travel plans and enjoy a comfortable Shinkansen journey between Aomori and Tokyo.

Ekitan Travel Media Editorial Department

The Ekitan Travel Media editorial team provides information on transportation in Japan, including Shinkansen (bullet trains), regular trains, intercity travel, and access to tourist destinations. We also offer easy-to-understand travel information for international visitors.
This article is published by Ekitan Co., Ltd., the provider of the train transfer information service "Ekitan," and is based on Japanese railway and transportation information. Ekitan's website and app are used by over 10 million users per month.