The route from Honjo to Niigata is served primarily by the Limited Express trains, specifically the Joetsu Shinken, which caters to long-distance travel between these two cities. The Joetsu Shinkansen offers travelers speeds of up to 240 km/h (149 mph), completing the journey in approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes with limited stops at major stations like Takasaki and Nagaoka.
On this route, the local services such as the Rapid service can also be utilized, which generally takes longer with a travel time of around 3 to 4 hours, including more frequent stops along the way.
The Limited Express provides comfortable seating options and amenities suitable for travelers looking for faster connections, while local trains may offer a more leisurely trip with access to smaller stations. For those aiming for a quicker transit, the Joetsu Shinkansen remains the preferred option.