Riding Gran Class on the Hayabusa — Two Hours of Pure Luxury on the Tohoku Shinkansen

What You’ll Learn from This Article

What’s included in Gran Class service (drinks, food, attendant service)
How to buy Morioka’s famous jajamen as a souvenir
Recommended souvenir bread you can pick up at Tokyo Station

Kakunodate → Morioka: Enjoying the Tohoku Scenery on the Komachi

To wrap up our journey, we boarded the Komachi from Kakunodate Station, heading for Morioka. As the Tohoku summer landscape rolled past the window, our thoughts turned to jajamen — Morioka’s beloved local noodle dish — waiting for us at our next stop.

Kakunodate is known as the “Little Kyoto of Tohoku” — a beautifully preserved castle town famous for its samurai district and stunning cherry blossom-lined streets. It’s one of the most popular stopovers on any Tohoku itinerary. From the window of the Komachi, the lush mountains and green rice paddies of Tohoku stretched out as far as the eye could see, offering a peaceful, unhurried atmosphere that made the hustle of city life feel very far away.

💡 Book Komachi & Hayabusa tickets early for the best deals!
Early-bird tickets on “Ekinet” and travel booking sites can save you up to 35% off the regular fare.

Morioka’s Famous Jajamen Had a Long Queue — Good Thing We Got the Souvenir Version!

No trip to Morioka is complete without jajamen. The Mascots were practically dragging us to the restaurant — but with a tight transfer window, the long queue made it impossible. And honestly? That turned out to be the right call.

The souvenir jajamen kit we picked up at the station lets you recreate that authentic Morioka flavor right at home.

Riding Gran Class on the Hayabusa — Two Hours of Pure Luxury

And now, the main event: Gran Class. Last year we managed just 10 minutes on board — this time, we finally got the full two-hour experience we’d been dreaming of!

The Seats and Cabin Environment

The electric reclining seats lean back to nearly flat, with generous space between rows — it genuinely feels like the first-class cabin of an airplane. After a full day of travel, the last thing you feel is tired.

Attentive Service from the Dedicated Attendant

Here’s what the Gran Class attendant provided during our journey:

Drink service (alcoholic and non-alcoholic options)
Dessert service

With a full two hours on board, we received the complete Gran Class experience — a world away from our 10-minute taster last time.

Gran Class also comes with a dedicated amenity set, including slippers and a blanket — thoughtful touches that make the experience feel truly complete. There’s also generous storage space around the seat, so you can keep your belongings organized and travel without feeling cramped. Simply upgrading your return journey to Gran Class is enough to elevate the entire trip to a whole new level.

How much does Gran Class cost?
Gran Class requires an additional surcharge on top of the standard reserved seat fare. Early booking can bring the price down — compare options on the JR official site or travel booking platforms.

A 30-Minute Delay at Tokyo Station → The Perfect Excuse to Hunt Down the “Toyo-ken Black Curry Bread”

Heavy rain caused a delay of over 30 minutes — but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We suddenly had plenty of time to track down the famous Toyo-ken Black Curry Bread at Tokyo Station.

Crispy pastry filled with a rich, spicy black curry — this bread is the perfect companion for any Tokaido Shinkansen journey. If you find yourself with time to spare at Tokyo Station, it’s absolutely worth seeking out.

The Toyo-ken Black Curry Bread is available at GranSta inside Tokyo Station. It sells out quickly, so morning is the best time to grab one.

A Final Ride on the N700S to Round Off the Journey

By the time we boarded the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Mascots had quietly drifted off to sleep. Their peaceful expressions said it all — a journey well and truly enjoyed (laughs).

Our final train happened to be a JR West N700S — the very latest model. Ending the trip on the newest Shinkansen felt like one last bonus for any railway fan.

Summary: Gran Class on the Tohoku Shinkansen — The Ultimate Way to Refresh

Leg	Train
Kakunodate → Morioka	Komachi
Morioka → Tokyo	Hayabusa (Gran Class)
Tokyo → Home	Tokaido Shinkansen N700S

Gran Class might sound like an extravagance — but for journeys of two hours or more, the full service experience makes it surprisingly good value. It’s especially perfect for the journey home when travel fatigue has set in.