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

shirakawago winterRail pass for visitors
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:

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:

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:

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.

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:

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:

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. Koi says:

    Hi Takeshi san,

    I need advise on a draft itinerary I made for my travel to Japan this January:

    20 January – arrival 7pm in Chubu Centrair Nagoya (are there trains leaving at this hour for Kanazawa?)
    21 January – leave Nagoya for Kanazawa
    22 January – Kanazawa/ Shirakawago
    23 January – leave Shirakawago for Takayama by 9pm; and then depart Takayama back to Nagoya at around 11pm
    24 January – depart Nagoya for Philippines by 9am

    Is this doable? What kind of pass should we get that would cover all train rides in these areas? What are these names of these trains (lines)? Are there trains during evenings in all of these areas?

    Thank you so much!

    • Hi Koi san,

      The deal in the post above, Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass is the best choice. You can find the info about train network at the link below:
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
      https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/takayama-kanazawa-and-shirakawago/how-to-get-kanazawa.html

      When you go to Kanazawa from Nagoya, you have to take the route via Takayama and Toyama (or Shirakawago). You cannot take the other route to get Kanazawa.

      On Jan 23, you intend to take the train in the night to go back to Nagoya. But the last train that goes to Nagoya is 18:45 departure (21:02 arr at Nagoya).
      http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/intervaltime.html?dep_node=TAKAYAMA&arv_node=NAGOYA&search_target=intervaltime&diagram=200675&year=2015&month=12&day=1&searchday=20151201

      Otherwise you have to stay in Takayama. And also the last bus that goes back to Takayama from Shirakawago is 17:30.
      http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/shirakawago_kanazawa.html

      If you want to see light up in Shirakawago, you have to stay there. I have heard that some travel agents have day trip tour. But I don’t have any info about the tour.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Koi says:

        Thanks a lot Takeshi! 🙂 I have other questions here

        Most pressing part now of my draft itinerary is getting a bus from Shirakawago to either Takayama or Kanazawa as there would be trains leaving from both cities around 8pm according to Hyperdia.

        Since the light-up event on 23 January starts from 17:30 – 19:30 (20:00 max), I suppose there are other buses leaving, let’s say, around 18:30? An hour is enough for us to experience the light-up event. This is the reason why we will be going to Japan. So if we could just get away with staying in Shirakawago for the evening of 23 January, the geusthouses are all full anyway.

        The Nohi timetable is just confusing to me and the websites for the other bus liners (Gufu Bus) is in Japanese.

        Any thoughts on this, Takeshi?

        • Hi Koi,

          As far as I know, there is no scheduled bus after 17:30. The last Nohi bus leave at 17:30 to either Takayama and Kanazawa.
          I’m not familiar with Gifu bus. But the timetable says there is only one bus and leave Shirakawago at 15:00.

          Some agents have a tour but mostly sold out.
          http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/RBS1G002C/?GN

          Unfortunately I cannot find the solution for you.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Koi says:

            Hi Takeshi,

            Someone referred me to this site saying that i could take the Shirakawago – Toyama night bus although i couldnt undertand as the page is in Japanese. Can you help me with this or at least bear with me until my itinerary is ironed out. 🙂

            http://www01.jrtbinm.co.jp/bus/242/time?dt_month=201601&dt_day=02&ts=93

            • Hi Koi,

              This bus does not go to Shirakawago. Nohi bus now have Toyama – Shirakawago line. But it leave earlier than to Kanazawa or Takayama. I don’t think there is a way to get out Shirakawago after 17:30. I think that’s why all tours are booked out.

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JPRail.com

              • Koi says:

                It’s me again Takeshi-san,

                I have finally finished my itinerary for Nagoya-Kanazawa/Takayama/Shirakawago-Kanazawa-Nagoya trip from 20 – 23 January next year with the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass. We will have Kanazawa as our “home base”. Sharing this to you for any more advice:

                20 January – arrival in Chubu Centrair at 18:55; take the 20:30 Nagoya-Kanazawa train via JR Tokaido Line New Rapid Train for MAIBARA and LTD. EXP SHIRASAGI 63
                Question: is this covered by the pass?

                21 January – explore Kanazawa (whole day)

                22 January – Kanazawa /Takayama via Nohi bus (08:10 – 10:25) and then afternoon trip to Shinhotaka Ropeway; take the Takayama/Kanazawa via Nohi bus (16:30 – 18:45 last trip) or via Toyama bus. Is a quick visit to the Shinhotaka Ropeway doable ( we plan on having a ride on the cable car)?

                23 January – Kanazawa/Shirakawa-go (08:10 – 09:35) via Nohi Bus; depart Shirakawa by 17:00 and take 17:30 Expressway bus for Kanazawa
                *Another option is to rent a car with a driver for the whole day so we could witness the light-up event —> is this possible? are there car rental establishments in Kanazawa that offer this service?

                24 January – Leave Kanazawa for Nagoya with the 05:00 – 07:33 Kanazawa – Nagoya train via LTD. EXP SHIRASAGI 52 and SHINKANSEN HIKARI 506. Is this also covered by the pass?
                *Another option is to take the Hokuriku Dream Nagoya-Go on the evening (22:10 – 06:00 ) of 23 January via JR Tokai bus

                Appreciate if you could give me more insights on this “almost ready” itinerary.

                Thanks a lot!

                Regards,
                Koi

                • Hi Koi,

                  1. Nagoya-Kanazawa transfer
                  Unfortunately Nagoya-Maibara-Kanazawa route is not covered at all. You have to take Nagoya-Takayama-Toyama (or Shirakawago) -Kanazawa route. This is only way to get Kanazawa by this pass.

                  2. Trip to Shin-Hotaka
                  It’s tight but it’s possible. I think you have already checked the timetable to Shin-Hotaka. But I put it just in case.
                  http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/hirayu_shinhotaka.html
                  You will have two hours there but connection time at Takayama is very tight. If the bus is late, you cannot connect it and take later bus. Especially on the way back to Kanazawa, connection time at Takayama is very tight. 16:30 is the last bus to Kanazawa. If you miss, you have to take local train to Toyama and take Shinkansen from Toyama to Kanazawa. It’s covered by this pass.
                  The bus to Shin-Hotaka from Takayama is not covered by this pass.

                  3. Rent a car
                  You cannot use rent a car and hire driver. It’s against a law. I found only one taxi company that provide service in English:
                  http://www.fuji-taxinet.jp/en/
                  But I have never used this company and never heard any reputation. I have no idea how much it is. So I cannot take any responsibility. But they may take you there. Please contact them to find more info if you want.

                  Cheers,

                  Takeshi / JPRail.com

                  • Koi says:

                    Is the Hokuriku Dream Nagoya (JR Tokai bus) covered by the pass? How about the Kanazawa – Nagoya segment?

                    any suggestions really would be helpful. 🙂

                    Thanks as always.

  2. Jessie says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    Thank you for your reply. How does the reservation works? Do I have to pay in advance? I can ask my friend living in Japan to reserve for me but I don’t want to trouble her to reserve/collect the ticket and then have to arrange to meet me to pass to me. If it is just reserve only and I can pick up & pay on that day I will be more than happy to do it.

    Cheers,
    Jessie

  3. Jessie says:

    Hi Takeshi san,

    I would like to travel from Takayama to Kanazawa on 15Dec. I saw from below website – reservation is required. Do you think there will still be empty seats available if I buy om 14Dec when I reach Takayama station? Or is there any way that I can buy the ticket now that I am not in Japan?

    http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/shirakawago_kanazawa.html

    Cheers,
    Jessie

    • Hi Jessie,

      It’s hard to say. I guess it will be okay but not 100% sure.
      The only way to book from outside Japan is making a phone call to reservation center. You can see the phone number in Nohi bus site.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. joseph emmanuel says:

    Hello Takeshi san

    Could you kindly advice us[family of 4 adults] which passes are best passes for our itinerary-

    24/12/2015 pm: arrive Osaka-Kansai airport
    24-27/12/15: see Osaka
    28/12/15: Osaka->Nara->Osaka
    29/12/15: Osaka->Himeji->Hiroshima
    30/12/15: Hiroshima->Kyoto
    31/12/15: 2/01/2016-see Kyoto
    3/01/16: Kyoto->Kanazawa
    4/01/16: see Kanazawa
    5/01/16: Kanazawa->Shirakawago->Takayama
    6/01/16:see Takayama
    07/01/16: Takayama->Tokyo
    7/01/16-15/01/16: see Tokyo with day trips to Matsumoto,Nikko,Hakone+Jigokudani

    Many thanks
    Joseph

  5. icha says:

    Dear Takeshi,

    We are planning to visit Japan in December 5th – 11th 2015. As your information below, we can use JR pass for 7 days.

    Due to our itinerary I would ask you for some advise since i still confuse with the very complicated rute in Japan.

    Here is my itinerary :

    Dec 5th : KIX to Arashiyama
    Arashiyama to Jingu Marutamachi

    Dec 6th : Kyomizudera

    Dec 7th : by tour

    Dec 8th : From Osaka Heading to Takayama at. 16.00

    Dec 9th : From Takayama Heading to Tokyo at 16.00

    Dec 10th : From Tokyo to Lake kawaguchiko
    Back to Tokyo

    Dec 11th : Tokyo to Haneda Airpot

    With our itinerary below do you think its cheaper to buy JR pass?

    And if you dont mind please inform us about the simplest rute to reach that area. I had look at hyperdia but still confused with the line.

    And there are some information about reserved seat. Should we make reservation before or we can book directly?

    Thank you so much for your help.

    Best Regards,

    Icha

  6. Kristie Lim says:

    Hi
    I will like to have some advice on how to travel to these places based on my schedule below:

    28 Dec – from Kyoto to Takayama
    29 Dec – from Takayama to Tokyo

    What passes I should get and the timing for the train.

    Thank you
    Kristie

  7. Selvy says:

    Hi Takeshi san,

    I will be travelling to Japan from 31st Dec 2015 untuk 11 Jan ’16. And planning to visit and stay in Shirakawago from 9 Jan for 2 nights. I am still thinking what pass do i need to take. I bought JR pass, which only has 7 days. so whether i use my JR pass for first 7 days, or last 7 days. i need to travel back to Osaka KIX for my departure back to my hometown.

    My schedule is arranged like this:
    31 Dec – 2 Jan : Osaka
    2 Jan – 5 Jan : Kyoto
    5 Jan – 7 Jan : Tokyo
    7 Jan – 9 Jan : Hakone
    9 Jan – 11 Jan : Shirakawago
    11 Jan at 11pm back to Osaka KIX airport

    Maybe you can help me since i am so confused to purchase the passes (should i need to purchase :takayama – Hokuriku pass?) and Nohi bus ticket from Takayama – Shirakawago, if needed.

    thank you for your kind help.
    selvy

  8. Naii Methakunvudh says:

    Hello Takeshi,
    My nest trip is in April 2016 ,with Takayama Hokuriku Pass,could I board LTD.EXP Shirasagi from Kanazawa to Nagoya?
    If not,could it be possible to pay additional fare only from Tsuruga to Nagoya or from Gifu to Nagoya?
    (My previous plan was Toyama-Nagoya, leave in the morning by Hida Wide View ,but in Hyperdia shows that this train runs only in afternoon time. So I try searching new route which is Toyama-Kanazawa by Hakutaka ,Kanazawa-Nagoya by Shirasagi.

    Thank you.

  9. Jessie says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I plan to book Hirayu Onsen to Shonjuku from WillerExpress.com website. Is this a reliable website to book and make payment online?

    I tried on highwaybus website but they only allow booking from Start point to end point, ie: Takayama to Shinjuku. I could not book from Hirayu Onsen to Shinjuku.

    cheers,
    Jessie

    • Hi Jessie san,

      Willer is one of major bus companies in Japan. They have purchased a private railway company, Kyoto Tango Railway in last year.
      But I have never used this bus before. That’s all I can say.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  10. Ee Jia Ying says:

    Hi!

    I would like to ask for some advise about the different passes.
    To begin, here’s my planned itinerary..

    Day 1: Nagoya
    Day 2: Nagoya/Takayama
    Day 3: Takayama/ Shirakawago
    Day 4: Shirakawago/Gokayama/ Kanazawa
    Day 5: Kanazawa/ Kyoto
    Day 6: Kyoto
    Day 7: Kyoto/ Nara/ Osaka
    Day 8: Osaka

    The ” / ” represent the travelling between the cities..

    Suggested passes:
    Day 1 – Day 5: Takayama -H Pass
    Day 5/6: Kyoto Sightseeing Card
    Day 7/8: Kansai thru pass 2days

    Is this plan ok? 🙂
    However, I think this pass does not cover the airport ride from central Japan to Nagoya, so I would still need to get an IC Card?

    Alternatively, are there any passes that perhaps I should get instead?

    Thank you!!

    • Hi Ee Jia Ying,

      I agree with Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass and Kyoto sightseeing card. But I’m not sure Kansai thru pass is okay or not.
      If you need a ride for Kyoto station to Nara station, and Nara station to Namba, single ticket is cheaper. But if you need to take subway before/after this trip, Kansai thru pass may work. You can take subway after this trip to explore in Osaka. That is a benefit too. But how much do you use this pass on day 8?. Do you intend to make lots of subway trips before going to Kansai airport? As you know, Kansai thru pass 2 days is 4000 yen. You have to make 2000 yen worth per day. Nankai railway fare for Namba to Kansai airport is 920 yen. Approximately you have to make 6 times of subway trip at least before going to the airport.

      If you will make these above trips, you can go for Kansai thru pass. Otherwise you can use single fare on day 7 and Eco card (Osaka subway pass) and single fare to Kansai airport are cheaper.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Ee Jia Ying says:

        Hi Takeshi! Thank you for your response! I will likely travel around Osaka for those last 2 days… My flight back home from Osaka is at 11pm! 🙂

        Just to clarify.. I would still need to get an IC card from the airport to get to Nagoya? 😀

        Thank you so much! I’ll be in Japan on the 1st of Dec and I cannot wait!!

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