Alternative Routes of Tokaido Shinkansen

Alternative Routes of Tokaido Shinkansen

Tokaido Shinkansen stopped yesterday due to excessive amount of rain in Shizuoka, and it suspended regular operation between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka on August 30 and 31. It was a rare case for the Shinkansen, but let’s see which alternative route we can take when it happens during your trip.

On this actual case, there was no Nozomi and Hiakari service on Tokaido Shinkansen, and no Kodama service connecting Tokyo and Nagoya. This route is a major transportatoin system between Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto, and it has a big impact on travelers.

Let’s see what’s the alternative transportation system between Tokyo and Nagoya/Kyoto/Osaka are available. And what if you are on the train that stops on the way. Some passangers were stuck on Shinkansen for 8 hours in this case.

 

This is the map I draw lines on the map.

Hokuriku Shinkansen + Thunderbird

When Tokaido Shinkansen stops, the major alternative route is Hokuriku Shinkansen. It connects to Thunderbird limited express at Tsuruga Station, and it takes you to Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, and Osaka station.

The regular fare is around 18,970 yen. You can use Hokuriku Arch Pass, and Japan Rail Pass too.

It takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes to Kyoto including the transfering time at Tsuruga, so it definitely takes longer than Tokaido Shinkansen.

Hokuriku Shinkansen has 3 services (train name) from the fastest “Kagayaki” “Hakutaka” and regional “Tsurugi”. Only Kagayaki is all reserved seat, and Hakutaka has non-reserved seats that you can hop on with passes. It’s not necessary to make reservation, but I recommend you to do so to avoid the standing especially in case of unusual situation like today.

JR West is recommending to make reservation too as some passanger with non-reserved car ticket couldn’t get on Shinkansen as the car was full.

 

Azusa / Hokuriku Shinkansen + Shinano

If you are going to Nagoya from Tokyo, there is a limited express train called “Azusa” from Shinjuku station in Tokyo to Matsumoto station in Nagano. At Shiojiri station, you can transfer to another limited express “Shinano” to Nagoya.

You can also take Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano station, and take Shinano from Nagano station. Both routes takes about 4 hours 30 minutes on train, and it might take 5 hours including transfering time. Which is a bit of long journey considering the 90 minutes travel on Tokaido Shinkansen.

Cost between Tokyo (or Shinjuku) and  Nagoya:

11,680 Yen via Azusa and Shinano on reserved seats on regular cars.

14,720 Yen via Hokuriku Shinkansen and Shinano on reserved seats on regular cars.

Not very recommended route : Local Tokaido Line

There is a conventional JR line Tokaido Line between Tokyo and Nagoya, but there is no direct train. You need to change trains several times, and no guarantee you can get seats. It’s not a route I recommend as a substitue of Tokaido Shinkansen. But the fare is reasonable, and good for travelers who likes to challenge. 

This is the alternative route in case Tokaido Shinkansen stops, and in usual situation, it’s recommended to take Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo – Nagoya / Kyoto / Osaka. But for train lovers or someone takes slow trip in between, alternative route is also a good idea to see different sceneries of Japan.

What if It happens?

I haven’t experienced it but it can happen anytime. When you get on the Shinkansen, I recommend you to bring plenty of waters and drinks, and snacks and breads. One Japanese comedy anime author draw the situation when she was stuck on the Shinkansen, and described it that she was very thursty and she almost dried up like mummy without drink. Later they gave away water but it took time as the number of conductor on train was limited. Let’s bring drinks.

Thank you for reading.