What You’ll Learn in This Article
- Gran Class service details (drinks, desserts, and attendant service)
- How to buy Jajamen noodles as a souvenir in Morioka
- Recommended souvenir bread at Tokyo Station
Komachi from Kakunodate to Morioka: Enjoying the Tohoku Scenery
The final leg of our journey began at Kakunodate Station, boarding the Komachi train bound for Morioka. Gazing at the beautiful summer scenery of Tohoku through the window, we found ourselves dreaming about our next destination — Jajamen noodles in Morioka!
The Akita Shinkansen is unique among bullet train lines, running on conventional rail tracks for part of the route. This gives it a rare combination of high-speed travel and a local, countryside feel — a must-ride for any railway enthusiast.
Morioka’s Famous Jajamen — Too Crowded! Souvenir Noodles to the Rescue
In Morioka, Jajamen noodles are an absolute must-try. We rushed to a restaurant, but the line was too long to wait during our transfer time. As it turned out, buying the souvenir Jajamen set at the station was the perfect solution!
With the take-home version, you can enjoy the flavors of Morioka back at home and relive the memories of your trip.
Hayabusa Gran Class | Two Hours of Pure Luxury
Now for the highlight of the journey — Gran Class! Having previously experienced Gran Class for just 10 minutes, this 2-hour ride was a dream come true.
The Seats and Cabin
The electric reclining seats can lean back to nearly flat, with generous space between rows — reminiscent of a first-class airline cabin. The fatigue of a long journey simply melts away.
Attentive Service from the Attendant
The Gran Class attendant provided the following services during the journey:
- Drink service (alcoholic and soft drinks)
- Dessert service
With a full 2 hours to enjoy the amenities, this was a completely different experience from the 10-minute ride — absolutely worth every yen!
How much does Gran Class cost? Gran Class requires an additional surcharge on top of the regular reserved seat fare. Booking early through travel sites can sometimes get you a better deal. Comparison shopping is recommended!
30-Minute Delay at Tokyo Station → Time to Hunt for the Famous “Toyo-ken Black Curry Pan”!
Heavy rain caused a delay of over 30 minutes — which turned out to be a blessing in disguise! It gave us just enough time to track down the legendary Toyo-ken Black Curry Pan at Tokyo Station.
With its crispy pastry shell and spicy black curry filling, this bread is the perfect companion for the Tokaido Shinkansen journey home. Make sure to stop by if you have time at Tokyo Station!
Toyo-ken Black Curry Pan is available at Gransta inside Tokyo Station. It tends to sell out, so we recommend picking one up in the morning!
Final Leg: Tokaido Shinkansen N700S
By the time we boarded the Tokaido Shinkansen, our Mascots had already drifted off to sleep — the perfect sign of a fully satisfying journey!
As a bonus, the train turned out to be a West Japan N700S — the latest model. A wonderful final treat for any railway fan!
Summary | Gran Class on the Tohoku Shinkansen — The Best Way to Refresh After a Long Trip
| Section | Train |
|---|---|
| Kakunodate → Morioka | Komachi |
| Morioka → Tokyo | Hayabusa (Gran Class) |
| Tokyo → Home | Tokaido Shinkansen N700S |
Gran Class may sound extravagant, but for journeys of 2 hours or more, the full service experience makes it outstanding value. We especially recommend it for the return leg of a trip when you’re tired and want to travel in style!