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
- Types, prices and conditions
- Sales location
- Coverage area and valid transportation
- The limited express Haruka and Kansai Airport Rapid train
- Local train services in downtown Osaka
- The limited express Thunderbird (Osaka, Kyoto – Kanazawa)
- Nohi Bus (Kanazawa – Shirakawago – Takayama), Kaetsuno Bus (Shin Takaoka – Shirakawago)
- The Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kanazawa – Toyama)
- The limited express Wide View Hida (Nagoya – Takayama – Toyama)
- Train which is not covered at all or partially
- Compare cost between pass and single fare
- Assessment
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 place | Adult | Child (6-11yrs) |
|---|---|---|
| Overseas travel agent (Before arrival in Japan) | 14,260 yen | 7,130 yen |
| At the designated station (After arrival in Japan | 15,280 yen | 7,640 yen |
| Online | 15,280 yen | 7,640 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
The pass covers Osaka, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Shirakawago, Takayama, Gero, Gifu and Nagoya. Please see the coverage map below:
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.
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.
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:
The limited express Thunderbird (Osaka, Kyoto – Kanazawa)
This train is a primary way to get Kanazawa from Osaka or Kyoto.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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 seat | 2,500 yen |
| Kansai airport – Kyoto by Limited Express NON reserved seat | 3,000 yen |
| Osaka – Kanazawa by Limited Express reserved seat | 7,800 yen |
| Kyoto – Kanazawa by Limited Express reserved seat | 7,000 yen |
| Nagoya – Takayama by Limited Express reserved seat | 6,000 yen |
| Toyama – Takayama by Limited Express reserved seat | 3,500 yen |
| Toyama – Kanazawa by Hokuriku Shinkansen NON reserved seat | 2,900 yen |
| Kanazawa – Shirakawago by Nohi bus | 2,000 yen |
| Takayama – Shirakawago by Nohi bus | 2,600 yen |
| Kanazawa – Takayama by Nohi bus | 3,600 yen |
| Shirakawago – Shin-Takaoka by Kaetsuno bus | 1,800 yen |
You may find more information about the access to Takayama and Kanazawa at the links below:
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
Hi Takeshi san,
Our itinerary takes us from
01-Oct – Osaka
02-Oct – Takayama
03-Oct – Okuhida Onsen
04-Oct- Shirakawa-go
05-Oct – Kanazawa
06-Oct – Kanazawa
07-Oct – Nagano (via Toyama & Alpine route)
08-Oct – Harano
09-Oct – Nagoya
10-Oct – Osaka
Can you advise what combination of train tickets and tourist passes to consider? We are travelling with two young kids so time saving would be helpful if it’s not too costly. Your help is much appreciated, Kevin
Hi Kevin san,
You may use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass for the first 5 days. And you may add Tateyama Kurobe option ticket for Alpine Route.
http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/
It covers fully from Toyama to Nagano. But you need to add single fare from Kanazawa to Toyama.
And also there is no other deals available after arriving Nagano. Single ticket is only choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi San,
Thank you for your quick response, if we use the Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass to travel from Osaka to Takayama on 2-Oct I estimate it will take about 5 plus hours travel via Kanazawa due to the pass restriction on direct travel to Nagoya. Instead we were contemplating buying a single ticket direct to Takayama to save time and then using our pass from 3-Oct which would also allow us to use the pass for the Alpine route. Then as you suggested we’d need to buy single tickets from Nagano back to Osaka. Can you tell me if that strategy is feasible? Thanks again, Kevin
Hi Kevin san,
If you want to take Nagoya route, you don’t need to purchase this pass. Because even if you use this pass, it covers Gifu to Takayama, Takayama to Shirakawago to Kanazawa. In this case, single ticket is cheaper.
By the way, there is one trip from Osaka to Takayama directly.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/limited-express-wide-view-hida.html
If you take this train, you don’t need to change the trains at Nagoya. The trip time is almost same as Nagoya route.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi! Below is my itinerary, appreciate your advice on the passes to get. Thank you!
Day 1 – Kansai airport to Kyoto
Day 2 – Kyoto to Ainokura (via Kanazawa and Shirakawago)
Day 3 – Ainokura to Gero onsen (via Shirakawago?)
Day 4 – Gero onsen – Takayama – Kyoto
Day 5 – Kyoto
Day 6 – Kyoto to Osaka
Day 7 – Osaka – Nara – Osaka
Day 8 – Osaka
Day 9 – Osaka to Itami Airport
Hi Cheryn,
Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass is only choice for the first 4 days. But when you go back to Kyoto from Takayama, you have to go through Shirakawago (or Toyama) and Kanazawa.
You can get Kyoto by this pass but it does not cover any transportation in Kyoto. You have to use city deal. You also can use city deal on day 8 in Osaka. You may use Kansai thru pass for day 6 and 7. All info can be found in the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
Limousine bus is only way to get Itami.
http://www.osaka-airport.co.jp/en/access/bus/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san, thank you very much for the quick and helpful replies!
No worries, Cheryn san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Good day Takeshi San,
We are coming to Japan in one week. Appreciate if you can please help us to understand what pass suits us the best:
Day 1: Arrive at ITM Osaka Itami at 9am
Day 2: Visit Kobe in the afternoon, back in Osaka in the evening
Day 3: Going to Kyoto in the afternoon
Day 4: Kyoto
Day 5: Kyoto
Day 6: Going to Shirakawa go via Kanazawa, staying overnight there
Day 7: back in Kanazawa
Day 8: Kanazawa, going to Tokyo in the evening
Day 9-12: Tokyo
Day 13 flying from Tokyo airpot
is it worth buying any pass? kansai thru pass is the good option?
thank you in advance
Maria San
Hi Maria san,
Day 1
Limousine bus is only choice to get Osaka.
http://www.osaka-airport.co.jp/en/access/bus/
You may add some deals in Osaka after arrival as you need.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html#Osaka_area
Day 2 to 8 Hokuriku Arch Pass
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/tokyo-osaka-hokuriku-arch-pass-user-guide-clarify-valid-trains-coverage-area-and-compare-single-fare-and-pass.html
Subway and local bus in Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto are not covered. And the bus to Shirakawago from Kanazawa are not covered either. But you can use this pass to move among cities, Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Kanazawa and Tokyo.
Please see the link below to find the coverage in Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kobe-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-shirakawa-go-%E7%99%BD%E5%B7%9D%E9%83%B7.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San / JPRail
We are planning a trip to Osaka, Kyoto, Fukui, Shirakawago and Kobe in October.
Appreciate your help with the following itinerary.
Day 1 Arrive KIX / Osaka
Day 2 -4 Kyoto
Day 4 – 6 Fukui
Day 6 – 7 Shirakawago (any difference in fares for day trip and staying 1 night)
Day 7-10 Osaka, Kobe and KIX
Thank you.
Hi Pl san,
You can use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass from day 4. It will cover Fukui and Shirakawago. You will have one more day in Osaka on day 8. This pass does not cover Kobe but this covers JR local trains in Osaka. You may take JR train to visit some places in Osaka.
If you stay in Shirakawago, the fare is same because you will use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass. The only difference is the cost of accommodation.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass which train can I take from Kansai airport to reach Kanazawa?
What does it mean this pass only allow non reserve seats?
Suggested itinerary
Day 1 Osaka – Kanazawa
Day 2 Kanazawa – Shirakawago – Takayama
Day 3 Takayama – Toyama
Day 4 Toyama – Alpine route – Toyama or Kanazawa (please explain what is the Alpine route?)
Day 5 Kanazawa – Osaka (please advise how which train can I take)
Thank you
Hi Lim,
It allows you to reserve seat. But when you take Hokuriku Shinkansen and limited express Haruka, you cannot take reserved seat. Please see the link below to find more info about Hokuriku Shinkansen and Haruka.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-kanto/tokyo/ueno/hokuriku-shinkansen-direct-access-to-kanazawa-nagano-and-toyama-from-tokyo.html
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kansai-airport-limited-express-haruka.html
Between KIX and Kanazawa, you can use Haruka and limited express Thunderbird. You can use reserved seat on Thunderbird if you want. It has both non reserved and reserved. But in non reserved seat, it’s first come first serve basis. You may not get a seat and have to stand up. But it happens in peak season only, such as New Years holidays.
Please see the link below to find about alpine route. This is completely outside coverage area. You have to pay extra if you want to access to alpine route:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/tateyama-kurobe-alpine-route-one-of-most-spectacular-sightseeing-route-in-northern-japan-alps.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
May I know if the takayama hokuriku tourist pass including the express train from Nagoya international airport to central? Only valid for 5 days? Tks
Hi Lina,
It does not cover any transportation from the airport to Nagoya station. You must start using this pass from Nagoya station and the fare from airport to Nagoya station is extra.
Valid period is 5 days only.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi…,
This site provides me good information on using TAKAYAMA HOKURIKU TOURIST PASS. l would appreciate very much if you can illustrate further whether the pass is useful when in Kyoto and whether it allows us to use it for going to Nara. Thank you.
Hi PS,
You may use Kyoto city deal when you are in Kyoto. Please see the link below:
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Single ticket is okay to visit Nara from Kyoto. But if you visit other places from Kyoto, such as Osaka, you may think about using Kansai thru pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Greetings,
I find this website to be very good, but I still have some doubts I hope you can help me with.
I have over 3 weeks to visit Japan in which I would like to do a circuit which I think is the same as covered by the ‘Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass’, however my planned dates are different as I do not want to rush around. My itinerary by days and order of towns: 3 days in Tokyo, 1 day in Mount Fuji, 2 days in Nagoya, 2 days in Takayama, 2 days in Kanazawa, 5 days in Kyoto, 2 days in Osaka, 2 days in Hiroshima and back to Tokyo.
Can I use the combined bus and railway tourist pass on days which are not consecutive, or should I get 3 passes? What happens if I buy the pass and all train or bus tickets have already reserved?
Any help would be most welcome, please
With thanks
First trip to Japan
Hi FirstriptoJapan,
The best option is JR pass 21 days.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
It covers most part of your trip. In cities, such as Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya, you need to add some extra because it does not cover subway, city bus and non JR trains. But it covers all train trips among cities. There is no options available other than JR pass. Please see the coverage of JR pass in the cities at the links below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-shirakawa-go-%E7%99%BD%E5%B7%9D%E9%83%B7.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I wish to travel from Nagoya to Kanazawa and I will be buying the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass.
With this pass, can I take Ltd Exp Shirasagi directly from Nagoya to Kanazawa OR does this pass only cover for Ltd Exp (Wide View) to Toyoma and I do another transfer from Toyoma to Kanazawa ?
Appreciate your advise on this.
Warmest regards and thank you
Hi Mary san,
Unfortunately Shirasagi is not covered by this pass. You have to take Wide View Hida to Toyama and transfer to Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
We’re planning to visit Japan this November. Appreciate if you can please help us with following itinerary,
Day 1 – 3 : Arrive in KIX around 8am, Osaka – Kanazawa – Takayama – Shirakawago
Day 4 – 5 : Kyoto
Day 6: Nara daytrip
Day 7: Kobe – Himeji daytrip
Day 8-10: Osaka
Day 11: Depart from KIX
Hope to hear from you soon.
Many thanks in advance
Hi Alice san,
For day 1 to 3 Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass
For day 4 to 5 Kyoto city deal
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Even though Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass is still valid but it does not help anything for sightseeing in Kyoto.
For day 6 and 7 Kansai area pass 2 days
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
For day 8 to 10
Single fare to get Osaka and use city deal in Osaka
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html#Osaka_area
For day 11
Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com