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This is a boarding experience report for the Gran Class on the Tohoku Shinkansen “Hayabusa” between “Morioka” and “Tokyo.” Gran Class comes with a luxurious price tag, but it offers value well beyond that. Occasionally, as a treat for yourself, you want to enjoy a little luxury. We introduce the real charm of Gran Class presented to someone like you.
In this article, based on photos actually experienced and taken by the author, we introduce the charms of the Tohoku Shinkansen Gran Class.
Charms of the Tohoku Shinkansen Gran Class
This is a Gran Class report savoring a journey of about 2 hours and 40 minutes from “Morioka” Station to “Tokyo” Station in Gran Class, the highest class seat on the Tohoku Shinkansen. Enjoying the Shinkansen journey to the fullest (with all-you-can-drink) in Gran Class, which is about 10,000 JPY higher than a regular ticket, is supreme.
Stylish and cool, at the Tohoku Shinkansen of Morioka Station, you can see the moment of coupling green and blue.
Morioka Station’s Nambu Tekki (cast ironware) welcomes you! Huge cast ironware is displayed inside Morioka Station. If you were to make tea with this, just how many people’s worth of tea would it make?
That’s it! This is indeed Morioka’s character, “Sobacchi.” “Omocchi” feels pretty cute.
Smooth right from boarding the Tohoku Shinkansen Gran Class
Gran Class features special seats, with reclining chairs arranged with plenty of space inside a large train car. Whether two people sit in paired seats or a solo passenger fully enjoys a single seat depends on your travel plan.
For single seats, you will seriously fall asleep during the journey, so watch out! After going through the trouble of riding Gran Class, waking up at the final destination is no joke. You will likely see pleasant dreams.
The amenity is slippers. No, really, if you take off your shoes here, you will seriously sleep, so be careful! After going through the trouble of riding Gran Class, waking up at the final destination is no joke. You will likely see pleasant dreams.
Welcome with champagne and red wine
In Gran Class, a menu is provided with complimentary drinks including beer, wine (red), wine (white), Japanese sake, cognac—why suddenly cognac?—non-alcoholic sparkling wine, and more.
As of 2026, champagne and similar items are no longer available. Beer, Japanese sake, and others remain.
The first quick drink for a solo toast is red wine, but it gets downed right away.
I also order white wine. Red and white together make it auspicious!
Light meals on the Tohoku Shinkansen Gran Class
Gran Class includes a “light meal” to accompany your journey.
You can choose between Western or Japanese meals.
For now, I order Japanese sake. The “Katsuyama Ken” served in Gran Class is delicious.
For those viewing “Katsuyama Ken” on Amazon, click here
It was a delicious dry sake that paired well with the standard dishes.
While drinking Japanese sake, the dish I ordered was a Japanese meal (ordered to pair with the sake). The light meals in Gran Class are each delicious and just right as snacks with alcohol, but because the quantity is small, you must seriously take note.
If you plan to make a full meal out of this alone, it is seriously not enough.
Either eat at the station and enjoy this as a snack, or if you want to eat more inside the Shinkansen, bringing an ekiben (station bento) is recommended. Seriously!
Even so, while a concept of “squid,” “scallop,” and “chicken rice” is chaotic, this bento was delicious! It is one of the recommended station bentos at Morioka Station.
Relaxing with beer and coffee after the meal in Gran Class
After eating and feeling satisfied, it’s slow and relaxing time, so it’s coffee while drinking beer. Why is that…? Please slowly enjoy the journey between Morioka and Tokyo.
Dishes Served in Gran Class
November 2023 “Japanese Meal”
- Bonito with walnut
- Pumpkin castella with shigure burdock
- Dried mullet roe with zunda salad and crab
- Beef vegetable roll with spicy small cucumber, colored pickling of radish and kelp
April 2024 “Japanese Meal”
- Chicken teriyaki simmered with Akatsuki carrot
- Beef vegetable roll with mango milk curd
- Scallop white-Oribe shinjo with simmered taro stalk and edamame
- Taru-heshiko with green beans
Charms of Morioka Station
If you have free time before boarding Gran Class from “Morioka” to “Tokyo,” you can enjoy delicious cuisine inside Morioka Station.
Waiting while having a drink at a Japanese sake bar inside Morioka Station is also wonderful. In addition, there are shops for Morioka’s famous “Morioka Reimen” and “Morioka Jaja-men.”
Points to Note: Gran Class seats themselves do not have trash cans (there are some in the aisle)
There are trash cans between train cars, but the Gran Class seats themselves do not have “trash cans.” Eating and drinking inside the Shinkansen creates various trash, so bringing a plastic bag for throwing away trash is unexpectedly, a little, super, quite convenient.
On such an elegant Gran Class journey, why not indulge in a luxury once in a while? Enjoy Granclass.
Introducing a few hours of sky high luxury and a truly special travel experience in the top-tier “First Class” seat on JAL’s domestic flights from Haneda Airport to Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport—priced around 11,000 yen more than a standard ticket, offering fully satisfying luxury services.
“Frequently Asked Questions” About the Tohoku Shinkansen “Gran Class”
Question
Why are there trains “with beverages & light meals” and “without”?
Answer
Gran Class has two service formats:
Without beverages & light meals: Mainly set on “Nasuno” and some “Yamabiko” trains. Seats only, with lower fares accordingly. No attendant service.
With beverages & light meals: Mainly offered on “Hayabusa” and some “Yamabiko” trains. Dedicated attendants ride on board, providing meal and drink services.
Question
Can I get seconds on light meals (refreshments)?
Answer
Unfortunately, second helpings of light meals are not available. Only one meal—either “Japanese” or “Western”—is provided per person. However, tea sweets, snacks, and drinks served with the set can be ordered repeatedly.
Question
What types of drinks are available?
Answer
A carefully selected menu ranging from alcohol to soft drinks is available.
Soft Drinks: Coffee, tea, herbal tea, carefully selected apple juice, etc. All are included in the fare, and an attendant will bring them to your seat upon order.
Alcohol: Beer, wine (red/white), Japanese sake (local Tohoku sake), whisky, etc.
Question
Can children also ride in Gran Class?
Answer
Yes, children can also use the service. However, Gran Class does not have a “child fare” setting, so the full adult Gran Class fee is required (only the base fare and express ticket portion receive child rates). Because it is a space that values tranquility, consideration for those around you may be necessary.
Recommended Hotels for Sightseeing and Business Trips in Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
Because Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, is a castle town and an ancient city, Morioka Station, where the Shinkansen stops, and Morioka's downtown area (entertainment and commercial district) are slightly separated. Compared to prefectural capitals in other prefectures (regional areas), Morioka is a city where shops still relatively remain in the center of town (such as the Odori arcade street). Furthermore, as a city of water and greenery with three rivers flowing through it, hotels suitable for sightseeing and business trips are scattered throughout the area.
Among them, the hotel areas in Morioka City are roughly divided into three main zones. The recommended areas vary depending on your priorities—such as location, city sightseeing, gourmet dining, or proximity to downtown/entertainment districts—so choosing a hotel that fits your purpose is recommended.
If you are looking for a hotel in Morioka City, please be sure to check out the following article.
The ancient capital of Morioka, a former castle town, retains the charm of good old Japan. To fully enjoy and sightsee Morioka, choose a high-quality hotel in a recommended area.
Summary: Tohoku Shinkansen “Gran Class” (Morioka → Tokyo)
Gracing the journey of about 2 hours and 40 minutes from Morioka to Tokyo in the highest class space is “Gran Class.” A special experience exists there that goes beyond a mere means of transportation.
- Blissful Seat Experience: Electric reclining seats arranged spacious and unhurried inside a large car offer comfort so great you might fall asleep once seated. A private space worthy of a treat to yourself.
- Fulfilling Service: Carefully selected local Tohoku sake, refined beverages, and seasonal light meals. Attendant hospitality elevates trip satisfaction even further.
- Departure from Morioka Station: Full of highlights to enjoy before boarding, such as coupling scenes and huge Nambu Tekki cast ironware. Combined with an ekiben or a Japanese sake bar inside the station, the travel prologue is complete.
“I want to indulge once in a while” or “I want to grace a special anniversary.” Gran Class fulfills such wishes. On your next trip to Tohoku, why not surrender yourself to this elegant seat and enjoy a journey with a clear mood as if absorbed by the sky?
So Wonderful! Article on the Walking Path of Morioka Castle Site Park (Iwate Park), a Relaxation Spot for Citizens of Iwate and Morioka
The castle of the Nanbu Domain in Iwate was Kozukata Castle (officially known as Morioka Castle). Today, it stands as Morioka Castle Site Park (Iwate Park), a beloved relaxing space for local residents. Here is an introduction to this pleasant park where you can enjoy water, lush greenery, and a rich sense of history.
Exploring Morioka! A Morioka Journey Visiting Nostalgic “Daiji Shimizu” and Beautiful “Morioka Hachimangu”
In Morioka—an old capital where the charming ambiance of an ancient river town still thrives—Morioka Hachimangu Shrine (located a short distance from the station) and Daiji Shimizu Spring (a 15-minute walk from the shrine) are nostalgic landmarks that evoke the timeless spirit of traditional Japan.
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