The Akita Shinkansen is a branch line of the . It runs from Tokyo Station to Akita Station via Morioka. It’s the only Shinkansen route that runs through Akita Prefecture.
These trains are unique, because they were designed to use both Shinkansen and regular train tracks. Akita Prefecture is famous for rice and, therefore, sake. It is also fairly rugged and known for its mountain trekking and hot springs.
Rather notably, the prefecture is also the origin of the Akita dog breed — and the birthplace of Shibuya Scramble Crossing’s most famous resident, . Since the Akita Shinkansen is a branch line, it only has one service — the Komachi. Here’s everything you need to know about it.
The Komachi service departs from Tokyo along the main Tōhoku Shinkansen line. Between Tokyo and Morioka Stations, it’s actually joined to Hayabusa service trains. At Morioka, the trains de-couple, and the Komachi service continues to Akita Station.
The service stops at most stations between Morioka Station and Akita Station, although it sometimes skips Shizukuishi Station. Komachi services have one Green car and are . JR East operates the Akita Shinkansen.
You can either buy a single-journey ticket, or a rail pass. Single-journey tickets can be bought from JR ticket offices or Shinkansen ticket machines at stations. Alternatively, you can buy them online from Eki-net.
There are both and versions of the Eki-net website, but they are slightly different. You can buy certain discounted tickets.
