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. Shereen says:
    February 12, 2017 at 3:15 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Hope you can help me on my itenary and suggest the best pass to purchase:
    Travelling period: 28/3-2/4/17, in out Osaka, staying in Namba area
    Day 1 in 8.15 am at Kansai Airport
    check in in hotel
    Propose Nara as it might be cover by the JR pass (or any other better option)?
    Day 2 Universal Studio
    Day 3 Kyoto Arayashima and Kinkakuji Temple
    Day 4 Fushimi Inari and Kiyomizu Temple, Osaka Castle
    Day 5 Kanazawa n Shirakawago , Osaka
    Day 6 Kuromon market, Kansai Airport for 16.40 flight home.
    All night will be to Shishabashi and Dontobori areas if time permit.

    Is Hokuriku Area Pass the best option? But it looks that the day 6 is not valid anymore, any suggestion? Whether this pass cover all trip to internal Osaka an Kyoto as well

    Hope to hear from you soon.
    Thanks!

  2. May says:
    February 5, 2017 at 11:15 am

    Hi Takeshi San,
    I’m thinking of covering this Hokuriku region in my 10 day trip around Nagoya / Nagano and travelling to Tokyo / Narita at the end of the trip. If I buy a JR pass, will it cover all the transportation within your recommended Hokuriku places or I hv to get 2 passes separately? Thank you for your advice.

    Thanks,
    May

  3. Belle says:
    February 2, 2017 at 6:41 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I would like to double check some route
    1) from kix I can use JR Kansai airport rapid service for kyobashi to arrive at immamiya station (is this route covered?)

    2) if I would like to use this pass to go shinsaibashi, I could only go from immamiya station to jr namba? Is there any other route covered by this pass? How do I reach shinsaibashi? Must I purchase subway pass?

    I’m staying at nearby immamiya station

    Thanks
    Yee Nee

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      February 2, 2017 at 12:54 pm

      Hi Yee Nee,

      1. Yes, you can. It’s covered fully.

      2. JR Namba is the nearest station to Shinsaibashi. There is no other ways available by this pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Belle says:
        February 2, 2017 at 6:49 pm

        Thanks again Takeshi. I have one more question pls. I’m going to Kyoto by this pass on 15/2/2017. This pass can only use to reach Kyoto, and I cannot use this pass to travel in Kyoto’s other JR lines correct?

        If I’m planning to visit arashimaya, and fushimi Inari, and I’m staying nearby demachiyanagi station, (1 night)what pass would you propose?

        Next day I’m leaving around 9.30 to proceed to Kanazawa using the hokuriku pass

        Thanks
        Belle

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          February 2, 2017 at 10:33 pm

          Hi Belle,

          Hokuriku Arch Pass covers JR line in Kyoto. You can get Fushimi and Arashiyama by JR train. But Demachiyanagi is not JR station and you need to take Keihan railway.

          Demachiyanagi (Keihan railway) Fushimi Inari (walk) Fushimi Inari shrine (walk) Inari station (JR) Kyoto (JR) Saga-Arashiyama (JR) Kyoto (bus) Demachiyanagi

          You need to pay for only Keihan railway and and bus only. Extra cost is less than 500 yen. All other JR trains trips are covered.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Belle says:
            February 3, 2017 at 1:26 am

            Wow thanks Takeshi! Luckily I double check with you as I thought the pass is only to stop in Kyoto and cannot use on other JR lines. If so I’ll just buy the bus pass and doesn’t have to buy additional kyoto sightseeing pass already! Thank you again! Really appreciate your help 🙂

  4. Susan says:
    February 2, 2017 at 6:04 am

    Hi

    I am planning to visit Japan in May 5-12, to see flower festival
    Places I am interested in are:
    Hitachi
    Ashikagawa
    Sapporo
    Tokyo

    Any other interesting places to see sakura?

    Please advise which JR pass should I purchased to cover my trip

    Thanks
    Susan

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      February 2, 2017 at 6:24 am

      Hi Susan,

      If you want to see cherry blossom, you must go to Hokkaido. It’s done in most part of Japan. You may add Hakodate if it still has it. Hakondate is located on the way to Sapporo. You can add it anyway because Sapporo is quite far from Tokyo by train. Please see the link below:
      https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/how-to-get-sapporo.html

      You can use JR-East South Hokkaido Rail Pass.
      https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/jr-east-south-hokkaido-rail-pass-user-guide-perfect-deal-for-the-travelers-who-visit-tokyo-and-sapporo-by-train.html

      But if you visit other places in eastern and/or norther Hokkaido, such as Asahikawa, JR pass is recommended. Because JR-East South Hokkaido rail pass covers only southern part of Hokkaido, like Hakodate, Otaru, Sapporo only.
      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

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

    • Rowena says:
      December 28, 2019 at 2:17 pm

      Hi Takeshi!

      This has been very useful but would like to ask what would be my options to get to Fukui from a) Takayama and b) Nagoya if I use the Takayama Hokuriku Pass I am tracking 3-hour train rides and was wondering what would be the fastest?

      From your discussion above, is my understanding correct? These options are:

      1. The limited express Wide View Hida (Nagoya – Toyama), the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Toyama – Kanazawa)

      2. PThe limited express Wide View Hida (Nagoya – Takayama), Nohi Bus (Takayama – Kanazawa)

      3. Limited express Shirasagi (partially covered)

      If not using this pass am I better off getting single rides on the Shinkansen?

      • Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
        December 28, 2019 at 11:04 pm

        Hi Rowena,

        You have understood the condition of the pass correctly. You can take all options by this pass.

        Cheers,

        Takeshi / JPRail.com

        • Rowena says:
          December 29, 2019 at 4:35 am

          Thanks for your reply.

          Setting aside this pass, what would be the fastest way to get to Fukui from Nagoya? I read about the Limited Express Shirasagi that will pass through Fukui.

          Is there any pass that will cover this route? If we need a 2-way ride for 2 adults and 2 kids a pass may will cover this route may pay be worth this pass.

          Thanks again!

          • Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
            December 29, 2019 at 9:42 am

            Hi Rowena,

            Unfortunately there is no deals to cover Nagoya to Fukui. The limited express Shirasagi is the fastest way to get Fukui from Nagoya. If you just need a mode of transportation to Fukui from Nagoya, you should pay a regular fare to take this train. It costs 5,810 yen for a reserved seat fee and a base fare.

            If you intend to visit Takayama and/or Toyama, Kanazawa, you can use Takayama Hokuriku area pass. You may add the fare for Gifu to Tsuruga which is the segment of outside coverage area. The extra fare is 3,240 yen for a base fare and a reserved seat fee. The child fare is half amount which applies to 6 to 11 years old child. Adult fare applies to 12 years old and up. 5 years old or younger is free of charge if one of paid passenger share the seat. If you want to have one seat, you have to pay child fare.

            Cheers,

            Takeshi / JPRail.com

            • Rowena says:
              December 29, 2019 at 11:08 am

              Thanks for all these useful information.

              How exactly does one “add the fare for Gifu to Tsuruga” with a Takayama Hokuriki Pass? Do I just slide the pass in the machine and do a fare adjustment before exit at Fukui (intended stop)?

              • Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
                December 29, 2019 at 9:22 pm

                Hi Rowena,

                You must buy a ticket before boarding a train. You can buy this ticket when you exchange Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass. You can get that you want to take the limited express Shirasagi from Nagoya to Fukui by this pass and tell a staff that you know you have to pay an extra fare for Gifu to Tsuruga. You will be able to buy a ticket there.

                When you will be in the train, a condutor will check your ticket. You can show Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass and this extra fare ticket.

                Cheers,

                Takehsi / JPRail.com

                • Rowena says:
                  December 30, 2019 at 4:08 pm

                  I hope you dont mind if I ask another question because I read in your other posts validity if single journey JR tickets.

                  If I opt for a single use JR ticket for Nagoya to Kanazawa how long will it be valid? What are the possible stopovers that can be made within such validity period? It would also be helpful if a day to day illustration is outlined similar to the example in this post – https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html

                  This website has been a wonderful source of valuable information!

                  Thanks again and Happy New Year!

                  • Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
                    December 30, 2019 at 7:58 pm

                    Hi Rowena,

                    It’s valid for 3 days. You can make a stopover as many as you can. You can get the distance, the fare and the seat fee at hyperdia as I showed in the post which you have seen.
                    Hyperdia http://www.hyperdia.com/en/

                    Try to use this site getting the exact fare and the seat fee.

                    Cheers,

                    Takeshi / JPRail.com

                    • Rowena says:
                      December 31, 2019 at 4:29 am

                      Hi Takeshi!

                      Wishing you a Happy New Year!

                      This was the result from Hyperdia:
                      http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/search/smartphone/sp/en/hyperdia2.cgi?dep_node=NAGOYA&arv_node=FUKUI(FUKUI)&via_node01=&via_node02=&via_node03=&year=2019&month=12&day=31&hour=19&minute=29&search_type=departure&search_way=time&transtime=undefined&sort=time&max_route=5&faretype=0&ship=off&lmlimit=null&search_target=route&facility=reserved&sum_target=7#route4

                      It looks like Maibara is the only exit we can do and with 179.8 km validity is for 2 days? I hope I understood correctly.

                      Thanks!

                    • Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
                      December 31, 2019 at 11:38 am

                      Hi Rowena,

                      Sorry but I don’t understand what you are looking for. Are you looking for a ticket to Fukui or Kanazawa? Because you asked me the validity of the ticket to Kanazawa.

                      Anyway if you look for the ticket to Fukui, it’s valid for 2 days as you thought. You have understood correctly. You can exit Maibara and other stations between Maibara and Fukui, like Tsuruga, because Shirasagi stops at many other station on this segment, like this link:
                      http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/search/smartphone/sp/en/hyperdia2.cgi?dep_node=MAIBARA&arv_node=FUKUI(FUKUI)&search_target=traintime&diagram=199743&searchday=20191231&dep_time=1256&arv_time=1319

                      But why you want to exit somewhere between Nagoya and Fukui. You will move to Fukui in late evening. I don’t think you have any extra time to exit on the way to Fukui.

                      Cheers,

                      Takeshi / JPRail.com

                    • Rowena says:
                      December 31, 2019 at 1:01 pm

                      Oh I should have clarified my queries from the start:

                      1. Fastest way to get to Fukui Dinosaur Museum from Nagoya;
                      2. Other places of interest in Fukui or along the major stations so our family can maximize the travel (if time permits).

                      Again, many thanks.

                    • Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
                      December 31, 2019 at 8:23 pm

                      Hi Rowena,

                      Please see the link below to find some tourist spots in Fukui:
                      https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6600.html

                      There is no other tourist sposts between Nagoya and Fukui. You don’t need to drop by any pladces. Just focus on Fukui. In this case, a regular fare ticket is only choice. You don’t need to care about stopover.

                      Cheers,

                      Takeshi / JPRail.com

                    • Rowena says:
                      January 1, 2020 at 2:58 am

                      You’re absolutely right. I spent time reading up on your posts and reminders and here’s what I came up with.

                      I hope I am able to maximize the Takayama Hokuriku Pass with this 11-day itinerary for a family of 2 adults and 2 kids. Let me know if there’s a way to make it more reasonable and/or efficient (in terms of time and money). I know that I will have to explore more the Kyoto/Osaka leg based on the information you provided under the THP pass.

                      Thanks a lot Takeshi!

                      DAY 1 – July 1
                      11am Arrival at Chubu airport
                      Transfer bags to Takayama
                      12nn Take Tokaido Shinkansen to Kyoto via Nozomi (¥7160 R for 1:10pm – 1hr 30mins)
                      Exchange MCO for Takayama-Hokuriku Pass
                      Reserve Thunderbird
                      3pm Check in at hotel/rest
                      5pm Explore Kyoto/Osaka
                      9pm Back to hotel

                      DAY 2 – July 2 (Activate Takayama-Hokuriku Pass)
                      6:59am Take Thunderbird to *Fukui/Katsuyama (¥0 R for 6:59am -1hr 30mins + 1hr)
                      10:30am Fukui Dinosaur Museum
                      2:30pm Back to Fukui
                      3:09pm Take Thunderbird to *Kyoto (¥0 R for 3:09am -1hr 30mins)
                      5pm Back to hotel/rest
                      6pm Explore Tennoji/Umeda
                      9pm Back to hotel

                      DAY 3 – July 3
                      8am Checkout
                      9:09am Take Thunderbird to *Kanazawa (¥0 R for 9:09am – 2hrs 30mins)
                      12nn Lunch/Explore Kanazawa
                      Reserve Nohi Bus
                      1:10pm Take Nohi Bus from *Kanazawa to Shirakawago (¥0 R for 1:10pm – 1hr 15mins)
                      3pm Explore Shirakawago
                      5:30pm Take Nohi Bus from *Shirakawago to Takayama (¥0 R for 5:30pm – 1hr)
                      7pm Check in

                      DAY 4 – July 4
                      7:40am-9:16am Take Nohi bus to Shin-Hotoka Ropeway (0¥ R for 7:40am – 1hr 40mins last stop)
                      9:30am-10am Shin-Hotaka Ropeway (Cable car going up to the mountain)
                      10am-12nn Shin-Hotaka observation deck and walk around Sengoku park
                      12nn-12:30pm Lunch
                      1pm-1:30pm Cable car going down
                      1:46pm-3:30pm: Bus to Takayama (¥0 R for 1:46pm – 1hr 50mins last stop)
                      4pm Chill around Takayama

                      DAY 5 – July 5

                      9am Train to Hida Furukawa (¥0 NR – 18mins)/back to Takayama
                      10:40am Take Sarubobo Bus to Hida Folk Village (¥? R? for 10:40am – 12mins 4 stops)
                      10:40am-1pm Explore Hida Folk Village
                      1:15pm-2pm Walk to Honmachi street for lunch
                      3pm-3:30pm Hida Kokubunji Temple
                      3:45pm-4:15pm Rest at hostel
                      4:30-5:15pm Takayama Jinya
                      5:30pm Chill around Takayama

                      DAY 6 – July 6
                      7am Explore morning market
                      Transfer bags to Nagoya
                      10:30am Check out
                      11:30am Take Hida Wide View from Takayama to *Nagoya (¥0 R for 11:32am – 2 hrs 30 mins)
                      3pm Check in/rest
                      6pm Explore Nagoya

                      DAY 7 – July 7
                      7am Day tour to Shizouka
                      6pm Back to Nagoya

                      DAY 8 – July 8 (activate Nagoya City Pass)
                      8am City tour

                      DAY 9 – July 9
                      8am Toyota tour

                      DAY 10 – July 10
                      8am Legoland

                      DAY 11 – July 11
                      6am Take train to Chubu airport (¥890 39mins 8 stops)
                      7am Chill at the airport
                      10am Flight out

                    • Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
                      January 1, 2020 at 9:58 am

                      Hi Rowena,

                      Your itinerary looks good. Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass is the best choice.
                      But this pass does not cover a bus to Shin-Hotaka. And it does not cover any buses at Hida-Furukawa.

                      And you may spend a litte more minutes to get out the airport on the arrival day. You might take the Shinkansen around 14:00. But there are lots of trains running on the Shinkansen and it will be a small adjustment.

                      Cheers,

                      Takeshi / JPRail.com

                • Rowena says:
                  January 12, 2020 at 5:56 pm

                  Good morning Takeshi!

                  May I ask if a 9 minute interval is adequate time to transfer between trains from Hikari 495 to Shirasagi 51 in Maibara Station? This route will take us to Fukui earlier by at least an hour compared to taking the Shirasagi from Nagoya.

                  23mins
                  (UR) 7:37am-8:00am
                  Hikari 495
                  Platform 16
                  Maibara St. (2 stops)

                  1hr 5mins
                  (R) 8:09am -9:14am
                  Shirasagi 51
                  Fukui St. Track 1(4 stops)

                  Thanks and hope to hear from you again.

                  • Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
                    January 12, 2020 at 10:38 pm

                    Hi Rowena,

                    Yes, you can make it. Actually 9 minutes transfer time is on purpose and calculated by JR.

                    Cheers,

                    Takeshi / JPRail.com

                    • Rowena says:
                      January 13, 2020 at 4:27 am

                      Thanks for your prompt reply, Takeshi.

                      I have been reading the entries on the uncovered parts of the Takayama Hokuriku Pass and you’ve advised that I pay the extra fare for the Tsuruga to Gifu segment. How do I compute how much is the extra fare to pay? This information may be helpful so I can compare with other options (Keifulku Bus, Hikari/Shirasagi, etc.). These are the information I got from Hyperdia:

                      Fukui to Nagoya – 2hrs 10mins
                      5:36pm-7:46pm
                      Shirasagi 14 Track 5
                      Nagoya St. Track 2 Total ¥5810 (A)
                      Fare – ¥3080 (A)
                      Plus:
                      Seat Fee – ¥2200 (A) unreserved
                      Seat Fee -¥2730 (A) reserved

                      Tsuruga to Gifu ¥3420
                      Fukui to Nagoya ¥5810 (reserved)

                      Do I simply look for the uncovered segment in Hyperdia, which in this case is Tsuruga to Gifu with ¥3420 and ¥2390 is covered by the pass?

                      I am getting a little confused and I hope you can help me out, again. =)

                    • Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
                      January 13, 2020 at 5:57 am

                      Hi Rowena,

                      You have to pay this:
                      http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=TSURUGA&arv_node=GIFU&via_node01=&via_node02=&via_node03=&year=2020&month=01&day=18&hour=17&minute=54&search_type=0&search_way=&transtime=undefined&sort=0&max_route=5&faretype=0&ship=off&lmlimit=null&search_target=route&facility=reserved&sum_target=7

                      Cheers,

                      Takeshi / JPRail.com

                    • Rowena says:
                      January 14, 2020 at 6:23 am

                      Hi Takeshi,

                      So let me break it down just to make sure I understood correctly everything that you have shared:

                      If I take the Shirasagi 14 from Fukui to Nagoya, you have advised that I have to pay for Tsuruga to Gifu (¥3420). This is because only the reserved seat fee for the coverage areas of Fukui to Tsuruga and Gifu to Nagoya are covered by the Takayama Hokiriku Pass (without the pass the fare is ¥5810). This means that I have to make sure that two of the four times seat booking are still available for this leg of my travel. May I ask the following questions then:

                      1. Will unreserved seats of the Fukui to Tsuruga and Gifu to Nagoya still be covered by the pass in the event I already used up all 4 reserved seat bookings of my pass?

                      2. Even with separate seat bookings I get the same seat all the way from Fukui to Nagoya because there will be no need to transfer?

                      I apologize if these appears to be obvious quetions but I hope make sure I get all the details correctly =).

                      Thanks for all your help.

                    • Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
                      January 14, 2020 at 10:27 pm

                      Hi Rowena,

                      You have understood correctly. By the way, the extra fare may be varied slightly because there are peak season rate, shoulder season rate and regular season rate. I showed a regular season rate. But it’s a few hunderd yen difference. It’s not a big deal but please keep it in your mind.

                      When you book a seat for Shirasagi 14, show your pass and tell a reservation staff that you understand to pay extra fare for Tsuruga to Gifu. They will issue a seat ticket at same seat from Fukui to Nagoya. You can stay in same seat. You can use non reserved seat if you like.

                      Cheers,

                      Takeshi / JPRail.com

            • Rowena says:
              December 29, 2019 at 11:12 am

              I hope JR will come out with other tourist-friendly deals or amend the existing ones. Wasn’t there something in the news about an all around pass that was intended for tourists especially with the Olympics next year? Or is this completely untrue?

  5. Jess says:
    January 29, 2017 at 6:40 am

    Thanks so much for this useful information!

    Can you kindly check my itinerary below and advise whether the Takayama Hokuriku pass would be better than the JR 14 Day Pass? Dates are for April.

    1st – arrive in Tokyo
    2nd – travel to Osaka
    2nd – 4th – Stay in Osaka
    (day trip to Nara sometime between then)
    5th – head to Kanazawa, stay overnight
    6th – head to Shirakawago, stay overnight
    7th – head to Takayama, stay overnight
    8th – head to Kyoto (not sure if there’s a direct way if using this pass or if using this pass would have to head back to Shirakawago > Kanazawa > Kyoto)
    8th – 10th – Stay in Kyoto
    11th – head to Hakone (considering the Hakone Fuji pass here? would you recommend)
    12th – head to Fuji Five Lakes
    13th – head to Tokyo
    13th – 17th – Stay in Tokyo (would probably need to get the Suica card?)

    So my question is:

    1) Whether I should get the 14 Day JR Pass or whether I should instead get the One Way ticket from Tokyo to Osaka + Takayama Hokuriku Pass + Fuji Hakone Pass + Suica Card?
    2) If the 14 Day Jr Pass is better then what other additional transportation would I need to purchase (eg Suica card, buses from Kanazawa to Shirakawago to Takayama? Is that all?)
    3) Which option is cheapest? Then which option is fastest/most efficient? What would be the price/time difference?
    4) Have I left anything out – really confused with the Japanese transportation system…

    Thank you so much in advanced for your reply!

  6. Joan Pape says:
    January 14, 2017 at 11:53 pm

    We are 4 Australians and will be purchasing a Green 14 day JR Pass. Our accommodation is already booked and our itinerary is as follows
    Tokyo to Takayama (stay 2nights)
    Takayama to Kanazawa (stay 2 nights)
    Kanazawa to Kyoto (stay 3 nights)
    Kyoto to Hiroshima (stay 3 nights)
    Hiroshima to Osaka (stay 1 night)
    Question is – will our JR pass cover all of these trips and how do we know which train to get on? Feeling very confused.

  7. Noora says:
    January 12, 2017 at 10:11 pm

    Hi please help me with this itinerary. We are 4 adults and travel date apr 10-23 2017. In and Out Osaka (Kansai International Airport)

    Please suggest best pass to buy.
    1. Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass?
    (The Kansai-Airport Express “HARUKA”)
    2. Kintetsu Rail Pass?
    3. Single pass?

    Apr 10 – Arrival at Osaka (Kansai International Airport) 8:25am
    Travel to Kanazawa. Overnight at Kanazawa
    Apr 11 – Shirakawago. Overnight at Shirakawago
    Apr 12 – Tagayama. Overnight at Tagayama
    Apr 13 – Travel to Nagoya from Tagayama for 3d2n
    Apr 15 – Travel back to Osaka from Nagoya
    (Osaka, Kyoto,Nara,Kobe) till Apr 23 Apr 23 –
    Apr 23 – Fly back home sweet home

    Thanks in advance

  8. Greyzie says:
    January 10, 2017 at 8:05 am

    Hi please help me with this itinerary if doable. We are 2 adults and 3 kids ages 11,8,6 travel date feb 3-11 2017.

    Please suggest best pass to buy. Initially, I consider shoryudo 3 days but no discount for kids Or the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass?

    Feb 3 day 1 arrival nagoya 550am
    Travel to takayama Takayama visit hida folk village, stay 2 nights( hotel is paid already)

    Feb 5 shirakawago light up overnight
    Feb 6 travel to osaka
    Feb 7 osaka
    Feb 8 travel back to nagoya.
    Thanks in advance

  9. Elaine Yai says:
    January 5, 2017 at 6:28 am

    Nice read. But what if I’m planning for an 8-9 days trip? The pass is only valid for 5 days. Should i do a combination of this pass + kintetsu rail pass? But the kintetsu rail pass won’t cover the trip to kansai airport right? which means I will have to buy a one way returning trip Haruka-icoca back to kansai airport? Or any better idea?

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      January 5, 2017 at 6:44 am

      Hi Elaine,

      Before choosing the deals, you have to make sure how you spend your days in Japan, such as location to stay and route. You don’t need to start using this pass right after you arrive in Kansai airport. If you spend less than 5 days for trip to Takayama, Kanazawa and/or Shirakaawgo, you can use this pass for these trips only. You can use other deals in Osaka, Kyoto and other places in Kansai region.
      There are many other deals available. But you cannot choose it before making the detailed itinerary.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  10. Belle says:
    December 23, 2016 at 9:34 pm

    Hi takeshi,
    im staying near shin immamiya station. I would like to know whether if I use this pass when I arrive kix, can I stop at shin immamiya station? (Arrive 14/2)
    2) can I use this pass to go kyoto on the next day? (15/2)
    3) can I use this pass again to go Kanazawa from Kyoto directly? (16/2)

    Thanks
    Belle

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