Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass user guide. Perfect deal to travel Takayama, Kanazawa, Toyama, Shirakawago from Nagoya or Osaka

shirakawago winterRail pass for visitors
2015.05.31
Tanabata festival decoration in Takayama ©Y.Shimizu/©JNTO
Tanabata festival decoration in Takayama ©Y.Shimizu/©JNTO

This train pass has been very popular to travel Kanazawa, Takayama and Shirakawago. The train route to these destinations from Nagoya and Osaka are covered. However there are some restrictions. You may be confused how you use this pass.

In this post, I will clarify the condition and the coverage area of this pass. You will find what you can do and what you cannot do by this pass in this post. I also compare the price of pass and a regular fare. You will easily find how you can get the worth of this pass.

Who is eligible

Visitors who land as “Temporary Visitor” status can purchase this pass.

Types, prices and conditions

There is only 5-day pass.

Purchasing placeAdultChild (6-11yrs)
Overseas travel agent
(Before arrival in Japan)		14,260 yen7,130 yen
At the designated station
(After arrival in Japan		15,280 yen7,640 yen
Online15,280 yen7,640 yen

*5 year old or younger child is free. Maximum 2 children per one adult. But one of your adult traveler must share the seat with the child who is 5 years old or younger.

The pass must be used in consecutive days. The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 O’clock at night.

e.g.
If you start to use 5 days pass on May 1, the pass is expired at 23:59 on May 5.

You may book a reserved seat on the train up to 4 times by this pass. This four times booking seat fee is covered. But you cannot book a seat on the limited express Haruka and the Hokuriku Shinkansen. This four times reservation does not include Nohi bus reservation. I will tell you about this restriction later.

Sales location

You can purchase this pass before or after you arrive in Japan. If you purchase an exchange order of this pass, the price is 1,000 yen cheaper than the price in Japan. You can find the sales location list in the official site in the link below:

Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass official site

Coverage area and valid transportation

Kentrokuen garden is one of three best Japanese Gardens. ©JTA/ ©JNTO
Kentrokuen garden is one of three best Japanese Gardens. ©JTA/ ©JNTO

The pass covers Osaka, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Shirakawago, Takayama, Gero, Gifu and Nagoya. Please see the coverage map below:

The coverage area of this pass is blue shaded.

Basically this pass covers JR trains, Nohi Bus and Kaetsuno Bus in the coverage area. I would like to show you the key train and bus services one by one.

The limited express Haruka and Kansai Airport Rapid train

The limited express Haruka connects Kansai airport, Tennoji, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto.

Haruka operation route shown by a bold red line

If you start using this pass right after you arrive in Kansai airport, you may take this train. This train has both reserved seat car and non reserved seat car. But this pass covers only non reserved seat car. This train does not stop at Osaka. Please see the link below to find more information about Haruka:

Kansai Airport Limited Express Haruka

If you cannot take Haruka, you can take Kansai Airport Rapid train too. This is a sort of commute trains. Haruka has nicer interior.

Kansai Airport Rapid Service

Local train services in downtown Osaka

This pass covers a local train in Osaka, such as Osaka Kanjo line (Osaka loop line). You can get many places by this pass in Osaka. Please see the link below to find the information about JR local train service in Osaka:

Osaka train route guide. How much can we use JR Pass in Osaka? How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots in Osaka?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Osaka. This post shows you the train network in Osaka. You can learn how to get the major places in Osaka.
jprail.com
2013.10.30

The limited express Thunderbird (Osaka, Kyoto – Kanazawa)

This train is a primary way to get Kanazawa from Osaka or Kyoto.

The limited express Thunderbird operation route shown by a bold red line

You can book a reserved seat on this train by this pass. But you have to make a reservation after you arrive in Japan.

Nohi Bus (Kanazawa – Shirakawago – Takayama), Kaetsuno Bus (Shin Takaoka – Shirakawago)

Both bus services are shown by a green line in the coverage map above.

Most of you take Nohi Bus to get Shirakawago. You also take this bus when you move between Takayama and Kanazawa. All bus services between Kanazawa and Shirakawago requires an advanced booking. You cannot book online and you have to make a call to book a seat. A few bus services can be taken without reservation between Takayama and Shirakawago. You can find the phone number and timetable in the link below:

Nohi Bus official site

If you want to visit Ainokura, Suganuma and/or Gokayama, you will take Kaetsuno Bus. Reservation is not required.

The Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kanazawa – Toyama)

The Shinkansen train runs very frequently between Kanazawa and Toyama.

The Hokuriku Shinkansen route which is covered by this pass. (shown by a red bold line)

This pass does not allow you to book a seat on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. There are three kinds of trains running on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Those are Kagayaki, Hakutaka and Tsurugi. But the fastest train “Kagayaki” does not have any non reserved seat cars. You have to take other two trains, Hakutaka or Tsurugi on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. Usually Tsurugi has lots of empty seats and easily can take a seat in non reserved cars.

Please find more details about the Hokuriku Shinkansen in the following link:

The Hokuriku Shinkansen, direct access to Kanazawa, Nagano and Toyama from Tokyo.
The Hokuriku Shinkansen is the fastest route to get Nagano, Toyama and Kanazawa from Tokyo. Please find the information about this Shinkansen line in this post.
jprail.com
2014.12.28
Find your hotels in 400 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in Takayama
Hotels in Kanazawa
Hotels in Shirakawago

The limited express Wide View Hida (Nagoya – Takayama – Toyama)

This is very popular train to get Takayama. The scenery is very nice from this train.

Limited Express Wide View Hida operation route (shown by a bold red line)

This train runs once an hour in daytime between Nagoya and Takayama. But this train runs only a few times between Takayama and Toyama. If you cannot take this train between Toyama and Takayama, you can take a local train. But there is no direct local train between Toyama and Takayama. You have to change trains at Inotani between Takayama and Toyama.

Please see the link below to find more information about Wide View Hida:

The limited express Wide View Hida timetable and the train information. The train access to Takayama and Hida
The limited express Wide View Hida connects Nagoya, Gero, Takayama, Hida-Furukawa and Toyama. And one round trip runs between Osaka, Kyoto and Takayama. You can find all information about the limited express Wide View Hida.
jprail.com
2010.01.07

You can book a reserved seat on this train by this pass. But you have to make a reservation after you arrive in Japan.

Train which is not covered at all or partially

This pass does not cover any train services between Gifu and Kyoto. This means you cannot make a circle tour by this pass. I would like to show you some trains which are not covered by this pass and how much you have to pay extra.

The Tokaido Shinkansen (Nagoya – Kyoto – Shin Osaka)

It is not covered at all. Even though the Shinkansen runs partially between Kyoto and Shin-Osaka in the coverage area, it is not covered at all. You may consider using Platt Kodama if you want to take the Shinkansen between Nagoya and Kyoto/Shin-Osaka.

Platt Kodama, one way deal among Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka by the Shinkansen
This post explains you about Platt Kodama which is a sort of the Shinkansen deal. It offers one way trip between Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka by the Shinkansen Kodama.
jprail.com
2016.11.05

Osaka departure of the limited express Wide View Hida (Osaka – Kyoto – Gifu – Takayama)

One round trip of Wide View Hida runs between Osaka and Takayama. However this train runs outside the coverage area partially.

This train runs outside the coverage area between Kyoto and Gifu.

If you take this train, you have to pay for Kyoto – Gifu. The one way extra cost (the base fare and the reserved seat fee) is around 4,500 yen. The reserved seat fee is covered in the coverage area. But you have to use two of four times seat booking for Takayama – Gifu and Osaka – Kyoto. If you take this route, you have to book a seat for both inside coverage area and outside coverage area at same time. You can get a same seat all the way.

The limited express Shirasagi (Kanazawa – Nagoya)

If you move between Nagoya and Kanazawa, the limited express Shirasagi is the fastest way. However this train runs outside the coverage area partially.

The segment between Tsuruga and Gifu is outside the coverage area.

If you take this train, you have to pay for Tsuruga – Gifu. The one way extra cost (the base fare and the reserved seat fee) is around 3,500 yen. Reserved seat fee is covered in the coverage area. But you have to use two of four times seat booking for Nagoya – Gifu and Kanazawa – Tsuruga. If you take this route, you have to book a seat for both inside coverage area and outside coverage area at same time. You can get a same seat all the way.

If you want to avoid this extra cost, you can take one of these following routes:

  • The limited express Wide View Hida (Nagoya – Toyama), the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Toyama – Kanazawa)
  • The limited express Wide View Hida (Nagoya – Takayama), Nohi Bus (Takayama – Kanazawa)

These routes are covered but the trip time is much longer than the limited express Shirasagi. If you take the limited express Shirasagi, the trip time is about 3 hours to get Nagoya from Kanazawa without changing trains. But if you take one of these above routes, the travel time is about 4.5 hours and you have to change trains or train/bus. Please think which choice is better for you, spending 1.5 hours or spending 3,360 yen.

Local train service in downtown Kyoto

You can get Kyoto by this pass. But after you arrive in Kyoto, this pass does not help you at all. You cannot get even some spots in Kyoto by this pass. JR lines connect Arashiyama and Fushimi from Kyoto station. But this pass does not cover these lines.

Trip to Nara, Trip to Kobe

These cities are a step away from Kyoto or Osaka. But these cities are not in the coverage area. Please do not think using this pass even partially. Just pay as you go or think about using other deal:

How to choose discount railway ticket and pass for the trip in Kansai area
This post shows you the list of the pass which cover Kansai area. If you are looking for the deal in Kansai area, you can get some idea in this post.
jprail.com
2011.11.27

Compare cost between pass and single fare

First of all, please see the fare table for major segments below. These fares are approximate and may be varied by the seasonality:

One way fare

Kansai airport – Shin-Osaka by Limited Express NON reserved seat2,500 yen
Kansai airport – Kyoto by Limited Express NON reserved seat3,000 yen
Osaka – Kanazawa by Limited Express reserved seat7,800 yen
Kyoto – Kanazawa by Limited Express reserved seat7,000 yen
Nagoya – Takayama by Limited Express reserved seat6,000 yen
Toyama – Takayama by Limited Express reserved seat3,500 yen
Toyama – Kanazawa by Hokuriku Shinkansen NON reserved seat2,900 yen
Kanazawa – Shirakawago by Nohi bus2,000 yen
Takayama – Shirakawago by Nohi bus2,600 yen
Kanazawa – Takayama by Nohi bus3,600 yen
Shirakawago – Shin-Takaoka by Kaetsuno bus1,800 yen

You may find more information about the access to Takayama and Kanazawa at the links below:

How to get to Takayama by a train and a bus
Takayama is very attractive small town. It is very closed to another popular spot, Shirakawago. In this post, I show you how to get Takayama by train and bus.
jprail.com
2020.05.17
How to access to Kanazawa and Toyama from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya and Niigata.
Kanazawa is very popular destination in Hokuriku region. Toyama is also well known as the gateway to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and Kurobe gorge. In this post, I will show you the access to these cities from Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya and Niigata.
jprail.com
2011.10.27

You can find the timetable of the limited express Wide View Hida, Thunderbird, and Shirasagi in the link below:

Due to COVID-19, it may be operated on a schedule different from the normal timetable. Check the train schedule on Hyperdia.
Hyperdia perfect guide, train timetable and route search engine

Assessment

This deal is highly recommended if you visit Takayama, Shirakawago and/or Kanazawa from Osaka, Kyoto or Nagoya. Especially the coverage of Nohi Bus and Kaetsuno Bus offers a big deal.

I hope this post helps you to build your trip plan.

Comments

  1. Huang says:
    May 3, 2016 at 10:00 am

    Hi Takeshi San,

    I am going to Japan from June 8 until 18. I will arrive at Osaka and depart from Haneda. My point of interest is to visit osaka, kyoto, nara, kanazawa, tateyama, shirakawago, alpine road then explore tokyo including disneyland and gotemba outlet.
    What JR past is the best? What is the best itinarary you recommend?

    Thanks
    Huang

  2. Xinyi says:
    April 26, 2016 at 7:52 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    Could you please advise which pass should i purchase or single ticket is better for my coming trip with brief itinerary stated as below:-

    1. 3 days in kyoto
    2. Kyoto to takayama (direct via hida wide view express)
    3. Takayama to shirakawago (round trip by bus)
    4. Takayama to osaka (direct via hida wide view express)
    5. 5 days in osaka including visit nara and USJ

    Appreciate your advise. Thanks 🙂

  3. Kelvin Lau says:
    April 24, 2016 at 11:53 pm

    Hi Takeshi San,

    Hope you can offer me some advice. My itinerary as follows :

    * On 11th May 2016 arrival at Kansai Int’l Airport , make reservation for Nohi bus to Shirakawa-go.

    * On 13th May 2016, I am traveling to Shirakawa-go by Nohi bus from Kanazawa . I was told that I need to change my exchange order to Takayama – Hokuriku pass at Kansai Airport before I can make reservation for Nohi bus.

    Looking at the two days tight timeline, do you think I will be too late for the bus reservation ?

    Is there any other way to make reservation in advance after purchase the MCO in my home country Singapore?

    Thank you in advance

    cheers
    Kelvin

  4. LC Soon says:
    April 10, 2016 at 8:43 pm

    Hi Takeshi,
    I would like to consult you what additional pass I need to buy for 7 Day from Osaka/Nagoya in takayama area.
    I either fly from Singapore to Osaka or Nagoya, plan to buy the 5 Day Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist pass from Day 2 to Day 6 using your suggested itinerary, which mean Day 1 and Day 7 will need extra transport pass. If Day 1 and Day 7 in Osaka, what is your recommendation.
    Thank you.

  5. KAREN says:
    April 4, 2016 at 11:13 pm

    Hi Takeshi San,

    May I ask for your suggestion as to what pass to buy regarding my upcoming travel in May.

    My itinerary is as below:
    Day 1: Narita Airport. Stay in Shinjuku for 4 nights.
    Day 5: Tokyo – Nagano (Asama Bullet train). Express Bus Nagano Oomachi Line to Hotel Keisui (overnight)
    Day 6: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Take Thunderbird to Kyoto (Stay 2 Nights)
    Day 8: Kyoto to Kobe (Stay 2 nights)
    Day 10: Kobe to Osaka (In Osaka for 5-6 days)

    Thank you in advance for your advice.

    Cheers,
    Karen

  6. Belinda Yeow says:
    April 2, 2016 at 1:08 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,
    Is my itinerary workable traveling this June?
    Day 1 – Nagoya->Takayama
    Day 2 – Takayama -> Shirakawago
    Day 3 – Shirakawago -> Gokayama->Kanazawa
    Day 4 – Kanazawa -> Osaka
    Day 5 – Osaka -> Kyoto -> Nara -> Kyoto
    Day 6 – Kyoto-> Nagoya
    Day 7 & 8 – Nagoya
    Day 1 to Day 5 travel train & buses will be covered by Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass and Day 6 will need a single train ticket, is it correct? Can guide me where to find the train & buses timetable so that I know what time latest I must leave the place to ensure I can reach the next destination? Thanks for your advice.
    Best regards, Belinda

  7. Shelby says:
    March 31, 2016 at 10:30 am

    Hello Takeshi,

    Just to check with you if I want to go from Kyoto to Uji,
    Does the Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass covered the Nara Line?

    I’m a bit confuse I hope you can help to clarify my doubt.

  8. Casey says:
    March 30, 2016 at 7:23 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    If I purchase a Hokuriku area Pass which covers JR Thunderbird from Tsuruga Station to Kanazawa and Ishikawa Railway to Wakuraonsen. For me to get to Wakuraonsen using the pass from KIX, can I purchase a singular ticket from KIX to Tsuruga and in conjunction with Hokuriku Area pass travel to Wakuraonsen? This will save me few thousand¥ based on my itinerary compared with a Kasai Hokuriku Pass since I will be traveling between Kanazawa and Wakuraonsen for few days and heading towards Takayama In which Hokuriku Tourist pass will cover the rest of my trip

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      March 30, 2016 at 4:28 pm

      Hi Casey,

      You can purchase a single ticket at Kansai airport and no need to transfer at Tsuruga.
      This is a good idea to travel to Kanazawa and Wakura Onsen.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  9. HII YIK HUANG says:
    March 24, 2016 at 6:21 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    My itinerary is as below:

    Day 1. Kansai Airport- Kanazawa ( overnight)
    Day2. Kanazawa- Shirakawago– Takayama (overnight)
    Day 3. Takayama- Nagoya (overnight)
    Day 4. Nagoya
    Day 5. Nagoya – Takayama- Toyama- Kanazawa – Kyoto
    Day 6-9 .Kyoto
    Day 10-11. Osaka

    Does the Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass covers my Day 1-3 and Day 5 travels. I know my Day 5 trip will be long to Kyoto.
    Just to confirm with you. Thankyou.

  10. Chui says:
    March 22, 2016 at 7:05 am

    Hi Takeshi

    We r a group of 4 wanting to visit Takayama during d Spring Festival on 14-15/4, leaving from Osaka.

    We like to visit Shirakawago before returning to Osaka on 15/4.

    What will b d best way to do this?

    Unfortunately, all accom nearby Takayama r full and only avail accom r in Kanazawa or Shirakawago for 14/4 night.

    Thank you in advance for yr advice.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      March 22, 2016 at 11:06 pm

      Hi Chui,

      So you can to go to Takayama via Kanazawa and Toyama on April 14. And you may go back to either Kanazawa or Shirakawago. If you want to stay in Takayama as long as you can, Kanazawa is better. Because the last train s 20:50 but the last bus to Shirakawago is 19:00.

      But if you take 20:50 train, it’s local train and it’s so slow. And also you have to change the train twice at Inotani and Toyama. You will be Kanazawa around midnight.

      If you want to have easy trip, stay in Shirakawago.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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