Tokyo to Yamagata: Shinkansen time, fare and JR Pass
Tokyo and Yamagata are on the Tohoku + Yamagata Shinkansen. Here are the official travel times and one-way fares, and what changes with a JR Pass.
Tokyo to Yamagata at a glance
- Cheapest regular ticket
- ¥11,670 (reserved seat on Tsubasa, one adult, one way)
- Fastest train
- Tsubasa, 2 h 22 min (fastest scheduled run, covered by the JR Pass)
- With a JR Pass
- Tsubasa, typically 2 h 43 min (no extra charge)
- Direct trains per day
- 16 (16 Tsubasa; Tokyo to Yamagata, weekday timetable)
Normal-season prices; timetable of Wednesday 4 November 2026. Sources are listed under each section.
How long does the Shinkansen take from Tokyo to Yamagata?
| Train | Time |
|---|---|
| TsubasaCovered by the JR Pass: typical time (median of scheduled runs) | 2 h 43 min |
| TsubasaFastest scheduled run (covered by the pass) | 2 h 22 min |
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.8: Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen (Hayate/Yamabiko/Nasuno) table and Yamagata Shinkansen (Tsubasa) table (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition. Normal season, adult, one way.
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.9: Green Car charges for Tohoku, Yamagata, Akita, Joetsu, Hokuriku and Hokkaido Shinkansen, with the cross-boundary Hokuriku table and the through-distance rule for Yamagata/Akita (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition. Normal season, adult, one way.
- Source: Jikokuhyo Tokyo-eki (Tokyo Station timetables): Tokaido/Sanyo, Tohoku/Hokkaido, Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen, weekday departures and per-train stop lists (JR East) · Verified on · Times read from the operator's November 2026 weekday timetable (trains running on Wed 4 Nov 2026): one train's departure time at the first station subtracted from its arrival time at the second (no changes of train, no sections added together). 'Typical' = the median of all runs of that train type (the lower middle value when the count is even); 'fastest' = the quickest scheduled run. Tokyo departures only (outbound direction). Per-train pages change URL every month, so the station index is cited. Direct runs per day = trains listed on the Tokyo weekday timetable that also stop at the destination. Tokyo-Yamagata: Tsubasa 16 runs, 142-178 min (median 163), quickest Tsubasa 131 (142 min).
How much is the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Yamagata?
One adult, one way, normal season.
| Train and car | Regular ticket (non-reserved) | Regular ticket (reserved) | With JR Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tsubasa, ordinary car | not yet verified | ¥11,670a | ¥0bcovered |
| Tsubasa, Green Car | not yet verified | ¥15,330a | ¥0bcovered (Green Car pass) |
Reserved-seat and Green Car prices change with the travel date: +¥400 on peak-plus (busiest) days, +¥200 on peak days and −¥200 on off-peak days (FY2026 (Apr 2026 - Mar 2027) calendar). Non-reserved prices do not change with the season. Check a date in the Shinkansen fare finder.
Reserved = basic fare ¥6,270 + limited express charge (¥5,400). Green Car = basic fare + (limited express charge − ¥530) + Green Car charge ¥4,190. With JR Pass = what a pass holder pays on top of the pass for one ride (Green Car rows assume a Green Car pass).
Travelling with children? JR's fare guide charges children half the adult fare and limited express charge in most cases (the Green Car charge is the same for adults and children); see Shinkansen child fares for the age rules and a family total. The same fares apply from Yamagata to Tokyo.
a. Regular tickets
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.8: Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen (Hayate/Yamabiko/Nasuno) table and Yamagata Shinkansen (Tsubasa) table (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition. Normal season, adult, one way.
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.9: Green Car charges for Tohoku, Yamagata, Akita, Joetsu, Hokuriku and Hokkaido Shinkansen, with the cross-boundary Hokuriku table and the through-distance rule for Yamagata/Akita (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition. Normal season, adult, one way.
- Source: Jikokuhyo Tokyo-eki (Tokyo Station timetables): Tokaido/Sanyo, Tohoku/Hokkaido, Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen, weekday departures and per-train stop lists (JR East) · Verified on · Times read from the operator's November 2026 weekday timetable (trains running on Wed 4 Nov 2026): one train's departure time at the first station subtracted from its arrival time at the second (no changes of train, no sections added together). 'Typical' = the median of all runs of that train type (the lower middle value when the count is even); 'fastest' = the quickest scheduled run. Tokyo departures only (outbound direction). Per-train pages change URL every month, so the station index is cited. Direct runs per day = trains listed on the Tokyo weekday timetable that also stop at the destination. Tokyo-Yamagata: Tsubasa 16 runs, 142-178 min (median 163), quickest Tsubasa 131 (142 min).
- Source: Kippu arekore: Tokkyu-ken (limited express tickets), section 'Season-specific reserved-seat limited express charges' (シーズン別の指定席特急料金) (JR East) · Verified on · Japanese page. Gives the FY2026 calendar for JR Central / JR West / JR Shikoku / JR Kyushu as a text list, and the rule for JR East / Hokkaido / Hokuriku Shinkansen as text plus a calendar image (img/kippu0401-2.jpg, 'information as of 2026-04-01').
- Source: FAQ No.1172: Why do limited express and Green Car prices differ by day? (JR East) · Verified on · Japanese FAQ page (published 2025-03-15).
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.52: limited express tickets and season-specific reserved-seat limited express charges (FY2026 calendar) (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition.
b. With JR Pass
- Source: Types and prices | JAPAN RAIL PASS (JAPAN RAIL PASS (JR Group)) · Verified on · Official online purchasing service (JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation). Per the JR Group release of 9 Apr 2026, online prices stay unchanged 'for a limited time' after the 1 Oct 2026 increase; the end of this price freeze will be announced later (no end date published as of 2026-10-26). validFrom is the date of the previous price change named in that release.
Is the JR Pass worth it just for Tokyo to Yamagata?
- Tsubasa is covered by the pass.
- A Tokyo–Yamagata round trip alone on Tsubasa (¥23,340) is ¥26,660 below the 7-day ordinary pass price of ¥50,000 on the official online site. Bought from an overseas agent, the same pass is ¥53,000.
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.8: Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen (Hayate/Yamabiko/Nasuno) table and Yamagata Shinkansen (Tsubasa) table (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition. Normal season, adult, one way.
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.9: Green Car charges for Tohoku, Yamagata, Akita, Joetsu, Hokuriku and Hokkaido Shinkansen, with the cross-boundary Hokuriku table and the through-distance rule for Yamagata/Akita (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition. Normal season, adult, one way.
- Source: Jikokuhyo Tokyo-eki (Tokyo Station timetables): Tokaido/Sanyo, Tohoku/Hokkaido, Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen, weekday departures and per-train stop lists (JR East) · Verified on · Times read from the operator's November 2026 weekday timetable (trains running on Wed 4 Nov 2026): one train's departure time at the first station subtracted from its arrival time at the second (no changes of train, no sections added together). 'Typical' = the median of all runs of that train type (the lower middle value when the count is even); 'fastest' = the quickest scheduled run. Tokyo departures only (outbound direction). Per-train pages change URL every month, so the station index is cited. Direct runs per day = trains listed on the Tokyo weekday timetable that also stop at the destination. Tokyo-Yamagata: Tsubasa 16 runs, 142-178 min (median 163), quickest Tsubasa 131 (142 min).
- Source: Types and prices | JAPAN RAIL PASS (JAPAN RAIL PASS (JR Group)) · Verified on · Official online purchasing service (JAPAN RAIL PASS Reservation). Per the JR Group release of 9 Apr 2026, online prices stay unchanged 'for a limited time' after the 1 Oct 2026 increase; the end of this price freeze will be announced later (no end date published as of 2026-10-26). validFrom is the date of the previous price change named in that release.
- Source: Price Changes for the Japan Rail Pass (April 9, 2026, JR Group) (JR Group) · Verified on · Overseas JR-designated sales offices/agencies (Exchange Order), for purchases on or after 1 Oct 2026 (local time at the place of purchase). The same amounts are shown on https://japanrailpass.net/en/purchase/price/ .
Seasons and fare notes
Season: All limited express charges here are for an ordinary-car reserved seat in the normal season. JR's fare guide states that the reserved-seat charge is 400 yen higher in the busiest season, 200 yen higher in the busy season and 200 yen lower in the off-peak season (the guide notes that JR Hokkaido conventional lines have no busy/off-peak adjustment, and JR Kyushu conventional lines and the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen have no off-peak adjustment). Non-reserved seats cost the normal-season reserved charge minus 530 yen regardless of date.
Data notes for this route
Tsubasa is all-reserved; reservedExpressFare is the Tsubasa through charge printed in the Yamagata Shinkansen table. Operating distance 359.9 km (Tokyo-Fukushima 272.8 + Fukushima-Yamagata 87.1). Kippu no Rule p.9: the Green Car charge for a through Tohoku + Yamagata Shinkansen journey uses the combined distance, so greenCarFare is the 400 km band. Post-revision fare (JR East, 2026-03-14). greenCarFare is the official Tohoku/Joetsu/Hokuriku Green Car charge band for the operating distance printed in the table (100 km: 1,300 / 200 km: 2,800 / 300 km: 4,190 / 400 km: 4,190 / 500 km: 5,400 / 600 km: 5,400 / 700 km: 5,600 / 701 km+: 6,600 yen).
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.8: Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen (Hayate/Yamabiko/Nasuno) table and Yamagata Shinkansen (Tsubasa) table (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition. Normal season, adult, one way.
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.9: Green Car charges for Tohoku, Yamagata, Akita, Joetsu, Hokuriku and Hokkaido Shinkansen, with the cross-boundary Hokuriku table and the through-distance rule for Yamagata/Akita (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition. Normal season, adult, one way.
- Source: Jikokuhyo Tokyo-eki (Tokyo Station timetables): Tokaido/Sanyo, Tohoku/Hokkaido, Joetsu and Hokuriku Shinkansen, weekday departures and per-train stop lists (JR East) · Verified on · Times read from the operator's November 2026 weekday timetable (trains running on Wed 4 Nov 2026): one train's departure time at the first station subtracted from its arrival time at the second (no changes of train, no sections added together). 'Typical' = the median of all runs of that train type (the lower middle value when the count is even); 'fastest' = the quickest scheduled run. Tokyo departures only (outbound direction). Per-train pages change URL every month, so the station index is cited. Direct runs per day = trains listed on the Tokyo weekday timetable that also stop at the destination. Tokyo-Yamagata: Tsubasa 16 runs, 142-178 min (median 163), quickest Tsubasa 131 (142 min).
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.2: Shinkansen fare and limited express charge quick-reference table (Tokaido/Sanyo Nozomi; Hikari/Kodama from Tokyo) (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition. Normal season, adult, one way.
- Source: Kippu no Rule (October 2026 edition) p.3: Tokaido/Sanyo Hikari/Kodama table (continued) and Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen Green Car charges (JR West) · Verified on · JR West 'Kippu no Rule' October 2026 edition (【2026年10月号】), read from the e-book's Japanese text layer. This URL always serves the latest edition. Normal season, adult, one way.
- Source: Revision of Nozomi/Mizuho reserved-seat limited express charges and Green Car charges on the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen (press release, 16 Oct 2026) (JR Central / JR West) · Verified on · Japanese PDF. Its 'current' (現行) sample totals were used to cross-check the Kippu no Rule figures; its revised amounts apply only from 2027-07-01 (Nozomi/Mizuho charge) and 2027-12-15 (Green Car charge) and are NOT used in the fares below.
- Source: Use of NOZOMI/MIZUHO trains (JAPAN RAIL PASS (JR Group)) · Verified on
- Source: NOZOMI MIZUHO Ticket: available sections, types, prices (for adults) (JAPAN RAIL PASS (JR Group)) · Verified on · Tax included. The same prices apply to Green Car tickets, reserved seat tickets in an ordinary car and non-reserved seat tickets in an ordinary car.
FAQ
How much is the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Yamagata?
¥11,670 one way for one adult in a reserved ordinary-car seat on Tsubasa, normal season (basic fare ¥6,270 + limited express charge ¥5,400). On the same basis, the Green Car on Tsubasa is ¥15,330.
Does the JR Pass cover Tokyo to Yamagata?
Yes on Tsubasa: the pass covers it, so a pass holder pays ¥0 extra. For comparison, a round trip on regular reserved tickets is ¥23,340, and the 7-day ordinary pass is ¥50,000 on the official online site.
How long does it take from Tokyo to Yamagata?
A typical Tsubasa takes 2 h 43 min (median of scheduled runs). The fastest scheduled run takes 2 h 22 min.
How many trains a day run from Tokyo to Yamagata?
16 direct trains on a weekday (16 Tsubasa), counted on the official Tokyo timetable for Wednesday 4 November 2026. Holiday and seasonal timetables can differ.
Can I bring a large suitcase from Tokyo to Yamagata?
The oversized-baggage reservation rule we have verified (161–250 cm needs a reservation) covers the Tokaido Shinkansen, Sanyo Shinkansen, Kyushu Shinkansen and Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen only. The baggage rules for the Tohoku + Yamagata Shinkansen are not yet verified on this site.
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