Any good daytrips (from Tokyo) along the E5 or E6 Shinkansen line?

[gavino200]

Thinking about getting a JR pass. We'll be in Tokyo in March for ten days. Haven't decided for sure - still doing the math. But if we get the passes, we'll want to take some more trains.

 

So far:

Tokyo to Matsumoto - Shinkansen/Shinano

Tokyo to Aichi - Shinkansen (wanted to take Nozomi but apparently it's not included)

Tokyo to Saitama - Shinkansen (not necessary - just want to take it. Not sure which Shinkansen it is.)

 

If we're taking any more trains I'd really like to take an E5 or E6. Or better still would be a E5/E6 coupled train.  Does anyone know of any interesting destinations along this Shinkansen line? It's the Tohoku/Akita/Yamagata line.

 

Or if you know of interesting destinations along other Shinkansen lines, I'd like to hear about them too.

[katoftw]

There is plenty in Tohoku. Depends on what you like. Yamadera for a temple with some serious steps for example.

[gavino200]

The temple looks cool. We like all kinds of things. Historic sites, factory tours, food, an 'authentic' village like in "My neighbor Totoro" would be good. Museums, odd stuff. Beautiful scenery with not too much hiking - 8 year old kid with us. Modern or old, traditional or not. Anything cool or interesting

[gavino200]

Sendai seems interesting. The Zao fox village might be cool. Basically I'm starting with Sendai and researching all the stops.

[katoftw]

You can access Yamadera from Sendai also.  If going to Sendai, then Matsushima bay area also is worth a look.

[gavino200]

You can access Yamadera from Sendai also.  If going to Sendai, then Matsushima bay area also is worth a look.

 

Thanks. It looks beautiful. Seems like there's a lot of good food in Sendai too.

[JR 500系]

Hi there, always exciting to read another member's travel plans!

 

Firstly, do allow me to share my opinion:

 

Tokyo to Matsumoto - Shinkansen/Shinano

this should be done by the Super Azusa (E351) or the Azusa (E257), that brings you directly from Shinjuku to matsumoto. I don't think there is a Matsumoto shinkansen station... Shinano goes to Matsumoto from the central area (Nagoya, Nagano area)

 

Tokyo to Aichi - Shinkansen (wanted to take Nozomi but apparently it's not included)

Aichi is a prefecture, so perhaps you should zoom into the exact city you want to visit ~

 

Tokyo to Saitama - Shinkansen (not necessary - just want to take it. Not sure which Shinkansen it is.)

similarly, Saitama is a prefecture, so perhaps you should zoom into the exact city you want to visit ~  But if it's the Saitama area you should be looking into the Tohoku line, which means the Es. Like E2, E3, E4, E5 and E6.

Edited February 24, 2017 by JR 500系

[railsquid]

Tokyo to Saitama - Shinkansen (not necessary - just want to take it. Not sure which Shinkansen it is.)

 

similarly, Saitama is a prefecture, so perhaps you should zoom into the exact city you want to visit ~  But if it's the Saitama area you should be looking into the Tohoku line, which means the Es. Like E2, E3, E4, E5 and E6.

 

The only Shinkansen stations in Saitama are Omiya (which all Shinkansens running north of Tokyo will stop at); Kumagaya, and Honjōwaseda.

 

There are two reasons to go to Omiya - the JR railway museum and the Tomix store. If you're interested in seeing the varioue E- Shinkansens you could take the Keihin-Tohoku line from Tokyo or Ueno to Akabane and change there to the Saikyo line to Omiya; looking out of the front of both trains should give you an excellent view of passing Shinkansens as the tracks are run largely parallel (particularly on the Saikyo line).

 

I've never heard any reason to visit Kumagaya or Honjōwaseda...

[Yavianice]

A day trip to Nikko using the Shinkansen to Utsunomiya? Or is this too obvious?

 

Also, Hiraizumi is a nice place to go to, using the Shinkansen to Ichinoseki. And do not forget Kakunodate Samurai village. But these places might be a bit too far out of reach from Tokyo (3-4 hrs one way).

[gavino200]

Hi there, always exciting to read another member's travel plans!

 

Firstly, do allow me to share my opinion:

 

Tokyo to Matsumoto - Shinkansen/Shinano

this should be done by the Super Azusa (E351) or the Azusa (E257), that brings you directly from Shinjuku to matsumoto. I don't think there is a Matsumoto shinkansen station... Shinano goes to Matsumoto from the central area (Nagoya, Nagano area)

 

Tokyo to Aichi - Shinkansen (wanted to take Nozomi but apparently it's not included)

Aichi is a prefecture, so perhaps you should zoom into the exact city you want to visit ~

 

Tokyo to Saitama - Shinkansen (not necessary - just want to take it. Not sure which Shinkansen it is.)

similarly, Saitama is a prefecture, so perhaps you should zoom into the exact city you want to visit ~  But if it's the Saitama area you should be looking into the Tohoku line, which means the Es. Like E2, E3, E4, E5 and E6.

 

Yes, the Super Azusa is direct. The Shinkansen requires a train change. I was really just doing this for the sake of taking a Shinkansen. But the Super Azusa might be cool too.

 

The Aichi destination is the SCMAGLEV Museum in Nagoya.

 

The Saitama destination is the JR Railway museum in Saitama City. I think it's next to Omiya Station.

[gavino200]

A day trip to Nikko using the Shinkansen to Utsunomiya? Or is this too obvious?

 

Also, Hiraizumi is a nice place to go to, using the Shinkansen to Ichinoseki. And do not forget Kakunodate Samurai village. But these places might be a bit too far out of reach from Tokyo (3-4 hrs one way).

 

No, nothing is too obvious. I really don't know much about Japan. Utsunomiya looks interesting. Any place famous for it's gyoza has got to be worth a visit.

[gavino200]

The only Shinkansen stations in Saitama are Omiya (which all Shinkansens running north of Tokyo will stop at); Kumagaya, and Honjōwaseda.

 

There are two reasons to go to Omiya - the JR railway museum and the Tomix store. If you're interested in seeing the varioue E- Shinkansens you could take the Keihin-Tohoku line from Tokyo or Ueno to Akabane and change there to the Saikyo line to Omiya; looking out of the front of both trains should give you an excellent view of passing Shinkansens as the tracks are run largely parallel (particularly on the Saikyo line).

 

I've never heard any reason to visit Kumagaya or Honjōwaseda...

 

Yes, correct on both counts :)

 

Thanks for the info.

[railsquid]

Yes, the Super Azusa is direct. The Shinkansen requires a train change. I was really just doing this for the sake of taking a Shinkansen. But the Super Azusa might be cool too.

The Super Azusa route is much nicer; the problem with the Shinkansen lines through the mountains is that they run in tunnels a lot of the time, and what scenery is visible rushes by in a blur. The route between Matsumoto and Nagano is also very nice; if doing a day trip I recommend going outwards with the Azusa and returning with the Shinkansen.

 

 

The Saitama destination is the JR Railway museum in Saitama City. I think it's next to Omiya Station.

 

 

It's a couple of stops away on the funny little line which is attached to the side of the Shinkansen viaduct.

[JR 500系]

Yes, the Super Azusa is direct. The Shinkansen requires a train change. I was really just doing this for the sake of taking a Shinkansen. But the Super Azusa might be cool too.

 

The Aichi destination is the SCMAGLEV Museum in Nagoya.

 

The Saitama destination is the JR Railway museum in Saitama City. I think it's next to Omiya Station.

 

I see... then the Azusa/ Super Azusa is the way to go... the route is really scenic, and you can experience various landscape through the windows. Like squid mention, most of the shinkansen trips are not as scenic (apart from the one where you can see Mt Fuji in a distance) and basically is for speed to get from point A to point B.

 

If you have time, use the Shinano to get from Matsumoto to Nagoya. I did that route and it was really scenic as well. Then, transfer to another train from Nagoya to get to the SCMAGLEV museum. Thereafter, you can take the shinkansen from Nagoya back to Tokyo, and change to a E-series train to get up to Omiya ~~

 

Don't worry about luggage, there are plently of lockers everywhere ~ I placed mine in Nagoya station when I went to the SCMAGLEV museum ~~

 

Don't forget Tomix World which is just a 5mins walk from Omiya station!  :)

[maihama eki]

A day trip to Nikko using the Shinkansen to Utsunomiya? Or is this too obvious?

 

 

We did exactly this last last November.  My wife wanted to try Gran Class, so we took it both ways Tokyo <-> Utsunomiya.  You are on the Shinkansen about 50 minutes each way.  We left Tokyo at 8:28, arrived in Nikko at 10:21, and came back late afternoon.  The fall colors were past peak, but still beautiful.

 

It is by far not the cheapest way to get to Nikko.

 

[Suica]

Tokyo to Matsumoto - Shinkansen/Shinano

 

I did a little (forced) round trip, which happened to be quite nice apparently.

I wanted to ride the Super Azusa to Matsumoto but apparently it's kinda popular with commuters too so I wasn't able to get a reservation from Shinjuku. So this is what I ended up doing:

 

Ueno > Nagano (Shinkansen E7/W7 series - Kagayaki / Hakutaka or E2 series - Asama)

Nagano > Matsumoto (Wide View Shinano)

Matsumoto > Shinjuku (Super Azusa)

 

Made for a really nice daytrip. Also, I highly recommend the Shinkansen E7/W7. It's a wonderful train. I never paid it much attention, but after riding it I absolutely loved it.

Edited February 25, 2017 by Suica

[westfalen]

I've never heard any reason to visit Kumagaya or Honjōwaseda...

I'm surprised at you, Kumagaya is where you change onto the Chichibu Railway. If they are running their steam train it would be possible to do a trip on it either round trip or one way by regular train to make it a bit quicker if you have kids with you.

http://www.chichibu-railway.co.jp/slpaleo/

[gavino200]

Thank you all for the information.

 

Question: Is it possible to specifically buy a ticket for an E5 that will be coupled to an E6?

[railsquid]

I'm surprised at you, Kumagaya is where you change onto the Chichibu Railway. If they are running their steam train it would be possible to do a trip on it either round trip or one way by regular train to make it a bit quicker if you have kids with you.

http://www.chichibu-railway.co.jp/slpaleo/

 

True, I forget it runs all the way over there. I usually change onto it from Seibu Chichibu station :P

[katoftw]

Nope.  You will need to do you own research and select the correct train when reserving a ticket.

[gavino200]

Nope.  You will need to do you own research and select the correct train when reserving a ticket.

 

Well, I've been looking on the JReast site. The closest to an answer to this question is the following statement:

 

The Hayate is coupled to the Komachi between Tokyo and Morioka, and the Yamabiko sometimes is coupled to the Tsubasa between Tokyo and Fukushima.

 

So either they don't still couple the Komachi with the Hayabusa or they're not mentioning it on the English version of the site. 

 

There's no mention of coupling details on the train timetables on the reservations page. 

 

https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/timetable/index.html?_ga=1.247912079.987696217.1487909490

 

I could try printing out both the Tohoku and Akita timetables and looking for overlap. Or I could call them on Monday, I guess.

You'd be surprised, but people on most travel sites, don't really give a rat's ass about this kind of detail. I'm not even sure why it's important to me to "actually see" and E5/E6 'coupling', but for some odd reason it is. 

Edited February 25, 2017 by gavino200

[Suica]

Afaik the E6 is the only type serving Komachi services and they always run coupled with an E5 or H5 between Tokyo and Morioka. 

So just get yourself a ticket for a Komachi service and that's it. HyperDia is your friend. 

[gavino200]

Afaik the E6 is the only type serving Komachi services and they always run coupled with an E5 or H5 between Tokyo and Morioka. 

So just get yourself a ticket for a Komachi service and that's it. HyperDia is your friend. 

 

Thank you, so much :)

[JR 500系]

Afaik the E6 is the only type serving Komachi services and they always run coupled with an E5 or H5 between Tokyo and Morioka. 

So just get yourself a ticket for a Komachi service and that's it. HyperDia is your friend. 

 

Indeed~ If you look at the timetable, you can choose hayabusa, which is almost always an E5, or you can change komachi service which is almost always an E6, unless if you manage to take one that is an E6 run alone set. They do exist, but rare.

 

meanwhile, please check this out!

 

But if you do the above in a day, you will most probably only be touching bases and not being able to explore, like touching matsumoto and rushing off to Nagoya...

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/promotion/app_campaign/#pinPlaceA

 

You can collect limited edition shinkansen badges!

[katoftw]

Do you want to seeing the trains 'coupled' or 'coupling'?  Cos if it is the later, then you'll need to travel all the way to Morioka.

 

As other have said.  You just ride a Akita shinkansen.  Even just as far as Sendai.  Easy enough to know the times and train number service.  Have the list ready and use it when booking your seats.