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Komatsu is not the biggest hub for transport in the world, we know that. It doesn’t have an extensive underground metro like Osaka, it doesn’t have trams like Hiroshima and it doesn’t have the excellently connected trains of Tokyo. However, for non-car owners, don’t let this deter you from visiting and enjoying Komatsu to its greatest potential. We will show you the way.
In this post, we will outline the best ways to get to, get around, and explore Komatsu.

Getting To Komatsu:
Despite its relatively small population, Komatsu is actually one of the best-connected cities in the Hokuriku region and getting here is extremely easy.

Train
You may have considered Fukui, Toyama or Kanazawa for your trip, right? Excellent! You will be able to reach Komatsu in no time and its convenient placement halfway between Kanazawa and Fukui makes it an excellent stepping stone for those looking for a profound experience of the Hokuriku region.　Catch one of the regular IR Ishikawa Railway Line services to Komatsu or Awazu Station, depending on where you plan to visit in Komatsu. (For Rojo Park, Science Hills, Komatsu-no-mori etc., Komatsu Station. For Natadera, Hiyo Moss Garden etc., Awazu Station is closer).
From Toyama: 90 minutes, 1,900 yen
From Kanazawa: 33 minutes, 580 yen
From Fukui: 48 minutes, 1,050 yen

Shinkansen
Travelling from a bit further? We have you covered. Since the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen in 2024, Komatsu has been made privy to one of the world’s most efficient transport systems: the bullet train. Whether you’ve just arrived from Tokyo, looking for a quicker and more comfortable journey from nearby or making your way up from Nagoya or Kansai, the Hokuriku Shinkansen is an excellent way for you to get here to Komatsu.
– From the Kansai Region
Until the completion of the entirety of the Hokuriku Shinkansen, you will need to change trains at Tsuruga Station. You can board the JR Thunderbird Express from Osaka, Shin-Osaka or Kyoto Station and ride until Tsuruga where you need to transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen and ride until you reach Komatsu. From Osaka Station, the journey takes roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes. If you are travelling from elsewhere in Kansai, we recommend that you travel to Kyoto Station and then complete the journey as stated from that point.
– From the Kanto Region or Nagano
Komatsu can be accessed by a direct train link on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Depending on the time of day and the type of service you travel by you may need to switch trains. The Hokuriku Shinkansen stops at many major stops in the Kanto/Nagano area including Tokyo, Ueno, Omiya, Takasaki and Nagano stations.
– From Nagoya and the surrounding areas
You will need to take the JR Shirasagi Express or any adjacent services until Tsuruga Station, from which you board the Hokuriku Shinkansen.
– From the Tohoku Region
You will need to access one of the lines of the Tohoku Shinkansen (Tohoku Shinkansen, Yamagata Shinkansen or Akita Shinkansen) and travel to Omiya Station where you can transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen and thus be able to travel up to Komatsu.
– From the Chugoku or Kyushu Region
To reach Komatsu via train connection from Chugoku or Kyushu, you will need to take the Sanyo Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka or Kyoto and transfer to the Thunderbird Express until Tsuruga, where you will finally board the Hokuriku Shinkansen up until Komatsu.

Flight
One of Komatsu’s biggest strengths is that it is the best-connected city by air out of all of Hokuriku. Komatsu Airport offers 4 domestic routes and 4 international routes: if you are looking to come to Komatsu from Fukuoka, Tokyo, Naha or Sapporo then enjoy the easy experience of a Japanese domestic flight. In addition, if you are planning a Komatsu adventure and coming from Taipei, Shanghai, Seoul or Hong Kong, then you can enjoy regular direct flights. The airport is also exceptionally close to the city: just a 15-minute bus, 10-minute taxi, 15-minute cycle or 35-minute walk to arrive in Komatsu.
Highway Bus
Komatsu is accessible from various locations via highway bus.
Direct to Komatsu:
Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto.
Via Kanazawa (then transfer):
Nagoya, Shirakawa-go/Takayama, Toyama, Niigata, Sendai, Wajima, Tokyo (more frequent), Osaka/Kyoto (more frequent).

Getting Around Komatsu:

Okay! So, you’ve made it to Komatsu!
Due to most of Komatsu being slightly rural, your public transport links are not as fleshed out as you may be used to. Make sure to check timetables for buses throughout the city, often linking Komatsu Station to locations such as Hanibe Hell Caves, Natadera Temple and Komatsu Airport. There is also the option for train transit between Komatsu City Center and Awazu which can make your taxi to Natadera just that slight bit cheaper!

ShareCycle:
For those of you who are able and don’t mind putting in a bit of work, Komatsu has an excellent ShareCycle network. Dotted throughout the city there are dozens of docomo bike share (ShareCycle) ports at all major locations such as Cerabo, Ataka Beach, Komatsu Station, Komatsu Airport etc. The system is extremely easy, just download the app and create an account and then select the bike you wish to use (be sure to check its battery and tires are okay). Once you have chosen a bike, press the start button on the display at the back of the bike and scan the QR code in the app. The bike will automatically unlock from there.
These bikes are electric-assist bikes, so it’s fully reasonable to travel long distances on them without wearing yourself out too much. You will be charged 165 yen for the first 30 minutes you use the bike and then 110 yen for every 30 minutes after that until you return the bike to another port, lock the back wheel of the bike and press the return button on the display twice and the bike will announce a completion message.
Note that Komatsu has steep hills and Japanese Black Bears in some locations and summer and winter are particularly harsh so always make sure to carry a bear bell and take necessary precautions for heat or snow.

Car Rental:
There are also plenty of car rental services in Komatsu with reasonable prices. Once you have your rented car, the sky is the limit.

I hope this short guide will help you plan your trip to Komatsu and make you aware of the many ways you can get around.