Akita Shinkansen Timetable
The Akita Shinkansen line runs off the Tohoku Shinkansen line from Morioka Station to Akita Station in Akita Prefecture, with many services originating at Tokyo. On this page you will find the following information:
— Timetable from Tokyo / Morioka to Akita
— Timetable from Akita to Morioka / Tokyo
— Akita Shinkansen Stations & Services
Covered by the Japan Rail (JR) Pass, the Akita Shinkansen is often referred to as a ‘mini-shinkansen’ given that it operates on standard gauges tracks and has a different formation to true shinkansen services. There is only one type of service – the ‘Komachi’ – operating on the line with some of those services originating at Tokyo and running along the Tohoku Shinkansen line before connecting through to the Akita line via Morioka Station. For more information, see the ‘Akita Shinkansen’ section of our ‘Tohoku Shinkansen’ main page.
TIMETABLE FROM TOKYO / MORIOKA TO AKITA
Regular services run from Morioka Station to Akita Station. The ‘Komachi is the only service operating on the line, with many of those services originating at Tokyo and first running along the Tohoku Shinkansen line before running directly onto the Akita line via Morioka Station For the full timetable, click on the image below:
The earliest service departs Morioka at 8:48 and arrives at Akita at 10:24, while the latest departs Morioka at 22:30 and arrives at Akita at 23:53. As noted above, many services originated at Tokyo and head to Akita via Morioka Station without the need to transfer services. The earliest departs Tokyo at 06:32 and arrives at Akita at 10:24, while the latest departs Tokyo at 20:16 and arrives at Akita at 23:53.
TIMETABLE FROM AKITA TO MORIOKA / TOKYO
Akita Station is the northern terminus of the Akita Shinkansen Line. Regular services run From Akita to Morioka with many also continuing onto Tokyo Station along the Tohoku Shinkansen line. For the full timetable, click on the image below:
The earliest service departs Akita at 06:09 and reaches Morioka at 07:37 before arriving in Tokyo at 9:47. The latest service departs Akita at 19:10 and arrives at Morioka at 20:50 but does not continue onto Tokyo. The latest service that runs all the way to Tokyo departs Akita at 19:10 and arrives at Morioka at 20:50 before ending at Tokyo at 23:04.
AKITA SHINKANSEN STATIONS & SERVICES
The Akita Shinkansen is a regional line branching-off the main Tohoku line at Morioka Station and running to Akita Station in Akita Prefecture. Stops on the line include:
Morioka / Shizukuishi / Tazawako / Kakunodate / Omagari / Akita
Some services operate from Tokyo Station and others start at Morioka. While the line from Tokyo to Morioka is a shinkansen line, from Morioka onward trains operate on a standard gauge line and do not reach the speeds of true shinkansen services. For this reason, the line is often referred to as a ‘mini-shinkansen’. Running from Tokyo to Akita, ‘Komachi’ services are coupled to ‘Hayabusa’ services as far as Morioka, where they uncouple and run onto the stations listed above – meaning there is no need to transfer at Morioka. All Komachi services are reserved seating only – with a 2 x 2 seat layout rather than the standard shinkansen 3 x 2 seats (due to the need to run on narrower standard gauge tracks) – and include a Green Car but no Gran Class.
TOHOKU SKI RESORTS
Though they might not be as well-known as the resorts of Nagano, Niigata and Hokkaido, the ski resorts of Tohoku offer some excellent skiing and snowboarding and a different atmosphere to the more developed and international resorts of Japan. Our ‘Tohoku Ski Resorts’ page has everything you need to know including all the stats, facts, highlights and accommodation for Hoshino Resorts Alts Bandai, Appi Kogen Ski Resort and the always popular Zao Onsen Ski Resort – which is readily accessibe via Morioka Station.
PLAN YOUR VISIT TO JAPAN
The Akita Shinkansen is just one part of Japan’s fantastic rail network. Unfathomable in its size and efficiency, moving around the country by train is easy and comfortable opening-up all regions of Japan for exploration. Our ‘Plan Your Visit’ page has everything you need to know about visiting Japan – from tips on the best time to travel, times to avoid, entering and exiting the country, money matters, staying connected, accommodation, staying safe and healthy and plenty more to ensure that you get the most out of your time here.
