Tohoku Shinkansen

Tohoku Shinkansen Guide

Travel from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori at up to 320 km/h. Discover routes, scenery, and the best seats for mountain views.

Japan’s fastest Shinkansen & northern scenic route

1. About the Tohoku Shinkansen

Japan’s longest high-speed railway connecting Tokyo and northern Honshu.
The Tohoku Shinkansen runs from Tokyo to Shin-Aomori, passing through major cities such as Sendai and Morioka. It combines high-speed travel with rich seasonal scenery, from urban skylines to mountains and snow-covered landscapes.

Tohoku Shinkansen train running between Tokyo and northern Japan
Tohoku Shinkansen (Yamabiko service)

2. Best Seats for Scenic Views

Direction Best Seat View
Tokyo → Shin-Aomori Seat A (Left side) Mt. Iwate / Ou Mountains
Shin-Aomori → Tokyo Seat E (Right side) Mt. Iwate / Mountains
Tip: If you want to enjoy mountain scenery, choose the side facing the Ou Mountains (Seat A outbound). This section offers some of the most impressive natural landscapes in Japan.

3. Scenic Highlights

Mt. Iwate & Ou Mountains (Seat A • Left Side)

When traveling toward Shin-Aomori, the left-side window (Seat A) provides the best mountain views. Highlights include Mt. Iwate near Morioka and volcanic landscapes like Azuma-Kofuji near Fukushima.

Kanto Plains & Rivers (Seat E • Right Side)

The right-side window (Seat E) features wide-open plains and rivers. Early in the journey, you may also see aircraft near Haneda Airport and landmarks like Sendai Daikannon.

4. Station Guide

The Tohoku Shinkansen connects major cities including:

  • Tokyo
  • Utsunomiya
  • Koriyama
  • Fukushima
  • Sendai
  • Morioka
  • Shin-Aomori

Hayabusa trains stop only at major stations, while Yamabiko stops more frequently.

5. Popular Routes

Route Travel Time (Hayabusa)
Tokyo → Sendai Approx. 1h 30m
Tokyo → Morioka Approx. 2h 10m
Tokyo → Shin-Aomori Approx. 3h

6. Travel Tips

Experience 320 km/h Speed

Between Utsunomiya and Morioka, the train reaches up to 320 km/h. Scenic views pass quickly, so prepare your camera in advance.

Best Season: Winter Scenery

In winter, the landscape transforms into a snow-covered world, especially north of Fukushima. The contrast between tunnels and snowy plains is one of the highlights of this route.

Train Coupling Events

At stations like Fukushima and Morioka, trains such as Tsubasa and Komachi connect or separate. This is a unique Shinkansen experience worth watching.

7. FAQ

Q. What is the difference between Hayabusa and Yamabiko?
Hayabusa is the fastest service with fewer stops and all reserved seats. Yamabiko stops at more stations and offers non-reserved seating.