Hello! I will be traveling from Nikko to Kanazawa on October 16th and Google Maps is suggesting this route:
10:25am from Tobu-Nikko Station, taking the Spacia X Limited Expres to Tochigi Station (arrive 11:05am)
11:14am from Tochigi Station, taking the Ryomo Line Local Takasaki to Takasaki Station (arrive 12:50pm)
1:13pm from Takasaki Station, taking the Hakutaka Shinkansen to Kanazawa Station (arrive 3:17pm)
I wanted to make sure that the timing was realistic and not too tight. I am planning to purchase the Spacia X and Hokuriku Shinkansen tickets ahead of time so we can secure seats (I am a planner).
Would anyone be able to advise if this timing is realistic?
by ntrlbrnchllr
1 comment
Use Navitime and enter Nikko and Kanazawa. It will give you multiple options with different start and end times, and trip durations. You can even set it at different walking speeds, different modes of transport, and if you have certain rail passes. I find that Google Maps will give its idea of the “best” route but you don’t see the options available or the schedule.
Those are smallish stations and that should be enough time to transfer platforms. Japanese trains are very punctual when arriving and departing. Be ready to go when the doors open, know which track you’ll need in advance, and don’t dawdle. You can also buy your tickets in person in Tokyo at the tourist centre at Tobu Asakusa and a JR tourist centre (the ones in Ueno, Shinjuku, and Tokyo Stations are very used to dealing with tourists). This will guarantee that you have enough time to transfer platforms as the system used to book tickets won’t allow for bookings below a certain minimum transfer time.
Note that tickets for Spacia X and the Shinkansen are available only 30 days in advance.
You don’t need to and won’t be able to book advance tickets for regional trains, if you end up on the one between Tochigi and Takasaki. You use your IC card and tap in/tap out of that segment.
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