Hokuriku Arch Pass user guide. Clarify valid trains, coverage area and compare single fare and pass

Kanazawa castleRail pass for visitors
2015.12.26
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Osaka are covered by this deal. (C) ©Sue Ann Simon (upper left), Osaka Government Tourism Bureau (lower left), Yasufumi Nish (upper right), Kanazawa City (lower right) and JNTO (all photos)
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Osaka are covered by this deal. (C) ©Sue Ann Simon (upper left), Osaka Government Tourism Bureau (lower left), Yasufumi Nish (upper right), Kanazawa City (lower right) and JNTO (all photos)

This pass covers Narita airport, Tokyo, Nagano, Toyama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe and Kansai airport. It suits the one way trip from Tokyo to Osaka via Hokuriku area, such as Kanazawa. This pass does not cover Tokyo – Osaka/Kyoto direct route by the Shinkansen. It is valid for 7 consecutive days. The valid period is same as JR Pass 7-day. The price is cheaper than JR Pass 7 days but coverage area is much smaller.

In this post, I would like to share the information of Hokuriku Arch Pass with you. And I show you some sample rate and compare the pass value and single fares. I also compare Hokuriku Arch Pass and JR Pass. You may find this suits your plan or not.

Prices and valid period

Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass 7-day

 Purchase outside Japan or onlinePurchase inside Japan
Adult25,500 yen25,500 yen
Child
(6-11 years old)		12,750 yen12,750 yen

*Any child who is 5 years old and/or younger is free but you have to share the seat with child. If you want to have a seat for your child too, you have to purchase a child pass for even younger than 5 years old.

This pass is valid for 7 days only. There is no Green pass choices.

One day means midnight to midnight, technically 0:00 to 23:59. Even if you start using the pass at 23:00. you will spend one full day for just one hour. So try to start in the morning. It does not make sense to start to use in the evening.

Coverage area

Coverage map of Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass (Click to view large)
Coverage map of Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass (Click to view large)

This pass covers the trip between Narita airport and Kansai airport via Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hokuriku area. This pass covers the following major spots in the area.

  • Tokyo
  • Kyoto
  • Osaka
  • Kanazawa
  • Toyama
  • Nagano
  • Karuizawa
  • Nara
  • Kobe

The following places surrounding Tokyo, Osaka and Kanazawa are not located in the coverage area. You CANNOT use this pass to access these following places.

It seems to cover whole part of the trip between Tokyo side and Osaka side via Kanazawa and Toyama. But there are some restrictions. Please see next chapter about valid trains.

Valid trains and lines

The following JR trains are covered by this pass.

  • Narita Express between Narita airport and Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro
    You cannot get Yokohama because it is outside coverage area.
  • The Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kanazawa
  • The limited express Thunderbird between Wakura Onsen, Kanazawa and Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Osaka
  • The limited express Haruka between Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Tennoji and Kansai airport
    But only non reserved seat is covered by this pass.
  • Local and Rapid train in downtown Tokyo area, and between Tokyo and Narita airport
  • Local, Rapid and Special Rapid train in Kansai area (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara)
  • Etsumi-Hoku line between Fukui and Kuzuryuko
  • Nanao line between Tsubata and Nanao
  • Himi line between Takaoka and Himi
  • Johana line between Takaoka and Johana
  • Takayama line between Toyama and Inotani
  • Oito line between Itoigawa and Minami-Otari
  • Rapid Airport Narita between Narita airport and Kinshicho, Tokyo, Shinagawa
  • The limited express Shirasagi between Kanazawa and Maibara
  • The limited express Wide View Hida between Toyama and Inotani, and between Osaka and Maibara
  • The limited express Noto-Kagaribi between Kanazawa and Wakura-Onsen
  • The limited express Hanayome-Noren between Kanazawa and Wakura-Onsen
  • The limited express Dinastar between Kanazawa and Fukui

There are some more limited express trains running in the coverage area. As long as you travel in the coverage area, you can ride these trains as well. But even though the limited express Shirasagi and the limited express Wide View Hida are covered, you cannot get Nagoya by Shirasagi and cannot get Takayama by Wide View Hida either. These places are not in coverage area.

JR deals covers basically JR trains only. But Hokuriku Arch Pass covers some “NON JR” railway trains. The following railways are NON JR companies but those are covered by this Pass.

  • Tokyo Monorail (Haneda airport – Hamamatsucho)
  • IR Ishikawa Railway between Kanazawa and Tsubata
  • Ainokaze-Toyama Railway between Toyama and Takaoka
  • Noto Railway between Nanao and Wakura-Onsen

If you arrive in or depart from Haneda airport, trip by Monorail is fully covered by this pass. But JR East Travel Service Center which is the exchange place of this pass does not open in early morning and late night. Please check the operation hours before you travel.

JR East Travel Service Center Haneda

You cannot make any stopover when you take IR Ishikawa Railway and Ainokaze-Toyama Railway. These coverage are connecting to Himi line, Johana line and Nanao line from Toyama and Kanazawa for your convenience.

In Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, subway and non JR railways are not covered by this pass. You have to add an extra fare or other city deal. Please find some more information in the following posts:

Guide to take trains in Tokyo. How to choose the best deal and the best route by the train.
There are so many train lines and subway lines in downtown Tokyo. It is hard to find the route and the coverage of many deals. This guide shows you the train system, how to find the route and how to choose the deals.
jprail.com
2016.01.24
Kyoto train route guide. How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Kyoto. This post shows you the train network in Kyoto. You can learn how to get the major places in Kyoto.
jprail.com
2013.09.22
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

Compare single fare and Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass

When you think about purchasing this deal, you need to know this is paid off in your trip or not. I show you some sample.
*All rates are based on base fare and reserved seat limited express supplement in regular season.

Trip from Narita airport to Kansai airport with stopover at Tokyo, Kanazawa, Shin-Osaka

Actually if you purchase single fare ticket and limited express surcharge ticket for Narita Express (Narita airport to Tokyo), the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tokyo to Kanazawa), the limited express Thunderbird (Kanazawa to Shin-Osaka) and the limited express Haruka (Shin-Osaka to Kansai airport), total fare is around 23,000 yen. In this case, you have to purchase surcharge ticket for each segments. But you can use one base fare ticket and make stopovers. The ticket is valid for 6 days.

If you use the pass, you can use JR trains when you are in Tokyo and Osaka. So even though single fare and express surcharge combination is cheaper, you may expect to get the worth of this pass by this trip plan. But this pass does not give you a big saving for this itinerary.

Trip between Kanazawa and Tokyo by Hokuriku Shinkansen

Total fares is around 14,000 yen for one way. If you have a round trip between Tokyo and Kanazawa, you can get the worth.

Trip between Nagano and Tokyo by the Shinkansen

Total fare is around 8,500 yen for one way. You need to have some more trips if you want to use this pass.

Trip between Karuizawa and Tokyo by Shinkansen

Total fare is 6,000 yen for one way. This is not enough to use this pass by only this trip.

Trip between Kanazawa and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by the limited express Thunderbird

Total fare is around 8,000 yen for one way. If you have a round trip to Kanazawa from Osaka and do not visit Tokyo, Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass is better choice.

Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass user guide. Perfect deal for the traveler who wants travel to Kansai, Kanazawa and Toyama.
If you travel Kansai area and Hokuriku region, this deal, Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass may suit your trip plan. Please find more information about this deal in this post.
jprail.com
2015.02.08

You may think about using Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass if you intend to visit Shirakawago and Takayama too.

Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass user guide. Perfect deal to travel Takayama, Kanazawa, Toyama, Shirakawago from Nagoya or Osaka
Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass is very popular and convenient to travel Kanazawa, Takayama and Shirakawago. This post explains you how to use this pass.
jprail.com
2015.05.31

Trip between Narita Airport and Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku or Yokohama by Narita Express

The fare is around 3,000 to 3,500 yen.

Trip between Haneda Airport and Hamamatsucho by Tokyo Monorail

Single fare is around 500 yen for one way.

Trip between Kyoto and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by Special Rapid, Rapid or Local

Single fare is around 600 yen for one way.

Trip between Kyoto and Nara by Rapid or Local

Single fare is around 700 yen for one way.

Trip between Nara and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by Rapid or Local

Single fare is around 800 yen for one way.

Trip between Sannomiya (Kobe) and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by Special Rapid, Rapid or Local

Single fare is around 500 yen for one way.

Trip between Kyoto and Kansai airport by the limited express Haruka

Single fare is around 3,000 yen for one way. This fare is based on non reserved seat. Because this pass covers only non reserved seat on this train.

Trip between Shin-Osaka and Kansai airport by the limited express Haruka

Single fare is around 2,500 yen for one way. This fare is based on non reserved seat. Because this pass covers only non reserved seat on this train.

Fares in downtown Osaka and Kyoto

You can take any local trains, like Osaka Kanjo line (to Tennoji, Osakajo, JR-Namba), Yumesaki line (USJ), Sagano line (to Arashiyama) by this pass. The fare is varied by the distance. The fare range is 200 to 300 yen. The train ride in Osaka and Kyoto does help you to get the worth of the pass much.

Fares in downtown Tokyo

You can take any local trains, like Yamanote line, Chuo line by this pass. But the fares in downtown Tokyo is quite reasonable. If you take a local train from Tokyo to Shinjuku, the fare is around 200 yen. When you calculate the fares and compare this pass and single fare, you can ignore the fares in downtown Tokyo. It does not help to get worth very much.

Compare Hokuriku Arch Pass and JR Pass ordinary 7-day

If you have a round trip between Osaka and Tokyo, you may think to use Hokuriku Arch Pass. Because this pass covers both and the price is cheaper than JR Pass 7-day.

Hokuriku Arch PassJR Pass ordinary 7-day
Price24,400 yen (online)29,650 yen

Hokuriku Arch Pass is about 5,000 yen cheaper. This seems to be very attractive. But on the other hand, the trip time between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka is so different too.

Hokuriku Arch PassJR Pass ordinary 7-day
Travel time5.5 to 6 hours3 hours
TrainThe limited express Thunderbird
The Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki)		The Tokaido Shinkansen (Hikari)
TransferOnce at KanazawaDirect

If you drop by Kanazawa, Hokuriku Arch Pass is a good choice. But if you are looking for the deal of Tokyo – Osaka round trip, JR pass is better in my opinion. But the choice is yours. You can use either one.

Assessment

This deal suits the following plan.

  • Narita airport (or Haneda airport) – Tokyo – Kanazawa/Toyama – Tokyo – Narita airport (or Haneda airport)
  • Round trip between Tokyo and Kanazawa
  • Narita airport (or Haneda airport) – Tokyo – Kanazawa/Toyama – Osaka/Kyoto/Nara/Kobe – Kansai airport
  • Narita airport (or Haneda airport) – Tokyo – Kanazawa – Toyama – (Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route) – Nagano – Tokyo
    *Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and bus from Shinano-Omachi to Nagano are not covered by this pass. You have to add Tateyama Kurobe option ticket.
  • Kansai airport – Osaka/Kyoto/Nara/Kobe – Kanazawa/Toyama – Nagano – Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe/Nara – Kansai airport

I hope this post will help you to pick up the right deal for your trip!

Comments

  1. Amy Thean says:
    May 20, 2016 at 1:06 am

    Hi Takeshi-San,

    I hope you can advise me what is the best route and lowest tranasportation fee for my Nov 2016 japan trip.

    My route for my 11day trip as following:

    Day 1 : Narita Airport – Shinjuku (1 night)
    Day 2 : Shinjuku – Nagoya – Takayama （1 night)
    Day 3 : Takayama – Shirawakago (1 night)
    Day 4 & 5: Shirawakago – kyoto (2 night)
    Day 6: Kyoto – Tokyo (5 night)

    Appreciated for your kind assistance and your time.

    Regards,
    Amy Thean

  2. Shy says:
    May 12, 2016 at 2:27 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Can we use Tokyo-Osaka Hokuiriku Arch Pass for subways in kyoto and osaka?

    Thanks & Regards,
    Shy

  3. KT says:
    May 3, 2016 at 1:52 am

    Hi Mr Takeshi,

    Want to check with you, with this pass can we opt for reserve seat on those Shikansen, Limited Express, Rapid Train, Nex .. Etc?
    My itinerary is Osaka – Nara – Kyoto – Kanazawa – Tokyo.
    Where shall we check the accurate time table for all these train if we can reserve the ticket?
    Thanks!

  4. Jan says:
    April 8, 2016 at 8:42 am

    Hi Takeshi san,

    My itinerary for 8 days in Japan is:
    Fly in,out Narita.
    Tokyo(3 nights) –> Toyama (1 night)–> Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route –> Nagano –> Tokyo (3 nights)
    Will make a day trip from tokyo to Mount Fuji for Fuji Shibazakura Festival

    Will i save more from buying the 7 days jr pass, this hokuriku arch pass or just single passes?

    It seems to me that I will save only a little by buying single passes for my trips considering that i have to make return trips from tokyo and narita.

    Please advice the best pass for my itinerary. Thanks in advance 🙂

  5. Mike Luakian says:
    April 4, 2016 at 7:43 pm

    Good morning Takeshi-San, I hope you can help me decide. My route for my trip is:

    Haneda airport -> Nagano (stop for maybe an hour or 2 for sight seeing) -> Kanazawa (stop for maybe an hour or 2 for sight seeing) -> Osaka (to stay 2 nights) -> Kyoto (day trip) -> Osaka -> Kansai airport

    Is this pass worth it?

    Thank you!

    Mike

  6. judy says:
    April 4, 2016 at 10:28 am

    hello,
    i need the help in choosing Hokuriku Arch Pass or 7 days JR pass?
    2. Hokuriku Arch Pass can reach to JR Bishoen in osaka?
    3.if using Hokuriku Arch Pas, can use what apps to sort out the route we able to use if using that selected pass?
    4. or do you have any other suggestions on the pass?
    I will traveling in earlier of May
    Day 1: arrive at kansai airport
    day 2: osaka (1 day osaka amazing pass)
    day 3: osaka to tokyo
    day 4: tokyo
    day 5: tokyo-disneyland
    day 6: tokyo-mount fuji
    day 7: from mt fuji to kyoto
    day 8: osaka-Universal studio
    day 9: departure from kansai airport

  7. Nuj says:
    April 3, 2016 at 8:59 pm

    Hi Takeshi

    It’s me, Nuj.
    I’m planning a trip for November visit. My hotel will be in Kuramae. Followings are the first draft of my itenerary:

    Day 1: Haneda – Kuramae by Toei Asakusa line, which I think it’s more convenient and faster than taking the Monorail to Hamamatsucho.
    Day 2: Ueno – Unazuki Onsen via Kurobe-Unazukionsen
    Day 3: Unazuki Onsen – Kanazawa
    Day 4: Kanazawa – Karuizawa – Ueno
    Day 5: Tokyo

    Total travelling cost for Day2-Day4 is Y34,910 (according to Hyperdia). Is it worth to buy Hokuriku Arch Pass? If not, which pass would you recommend?

    Thank you in advance for your kind assistant.

    Regards,
    Nuj

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      April 3, 2016 at 9:23 pm

      Hi Nuj,

      What’s up?

      I have checked your trip plan. You have chosen the right route. Asakusa line connects Keihin Kyuko. Most of trains go through from Haneda to Kuramae without changing trains. This is the best route.

      Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass is cheaper than single fare as you calculated. If you want save your cost, you can use Monorail and JR line because those are covered by this pass. But as you know, it’s inconvenient than Keikyu-subway connection.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Faith Toy says:
    April 1, 2016 at 3:27 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thank you for helping last time about using the correct travel pass for my trip. My itenary is:
    Osaka 2 nights
    Kyoto 2 nights
    Kanazawa 3 nights – visit Shirakawago
    Toyama 4 nights-visit Alpine route and Kurobe Gorge
    Tokyo 5 nights.
    Fly out of Haneda Airport

    as suggested, Tokyo Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass is the preferred choice for Kanazawa and Toyama but it is only valid for 7 days. We are there 8 days. What should I do?

    Thanks,
    Faith

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      April 1, 2016 at 7:46 pm

      Hi Faith,

      Unfortunately single ticket is only choice for you. As you think, Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch pass is valid for only 7 days. JR pass is available for 14 days but it’s too expensive. Single fare ticket is inconvenient but it’s most affordable choice.

      But you may use local deals, such as subway pass in each cities. And Takayama Kurobe option ticket is available for the trip to alpine route.
      http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Faith Toy says:
        April 3, 2016 at 2:35 am

        Hi Takeshi san,
        Thank you so much for your reply. It is such a relief to have help with this. I will be buying single tickets for Kanazawa and Toyama,, as suggested by yourself since we are there for 8 days.

        For train tickets and Alpine route tickets, do I need to pre book then online or it is okay to buy the tickets on the day itself. I actually prefer to organise all the tickets early since we are travelling with children and it is best to be prepared earlier.

        We are planning to visit Alpine route on May 17th and I have read that it can be very busy during that time of the year.

        Thanks,
        Faith

  9. Jasonboi says:
    March 27, 2016 at 3:41 am

    Hi Takeshi san ,

    The following are my Japan trip itinerary ( 9days )

    Day 1 – Narita Airport > Osaka ( Stay first night )
    Day 2 – Osaka
    Day 3 – Osaka > Kyoto ( 1 day trip only but night will be back to Osaka )
    Day 4 – Osaka > Tokyo
    Day 5 to Day 9 – Tokyo

    I’m still confuse to purchase this new Hokuriku Arch Pass ( 24000Yen ) or purchase JR 7days pass ( 29110Yen ) to travel around with minimum cost ?

    As I compared both Hokuriku Arch Pass and JR 7 days pass travel by different railway route from Tokyo to Osaka ?

    Hope to hear from you soon , kindly need your advise and assistance for my upcoming July 9days trip .

    Thanks and Best Regards ,
    Jason Tan

  10. Mimi says:
    March 24, 2016 at 11:50 pm

    Hi Takeshi san,

    Please help me too. I’m flying into Narita mid April 2016 and this is my (ideal) itinerary:

    1: Narita – Terminal 2 -> Shinjuku (Shinjuku overnight)

    2: Tokyo (Shinjuku overnight)

    3: Shinjuku JR pass to Kawaguchiko station for Shibazakura festival (Shinkuku overnight)

    4: Shinjuku -> Hirosaki castle (Hirosaki overnight)

    5: Hirosaki -> Kanazawa for Toyama Tulip festival (Kanazawa overnight)

    6: Kanazawa Alpine Route (Kanazawa overnight)

    7: Kanazawa -> Kyoto (Kyoto overnight)

    8: Kyoto (Kyoto overnight)

    9: Kyoto -> Osaka (Osaka overnight)

    10: Osaka (Osaka overnight)

    11: Osaka Himeji Castle (Osaka overnight)

    12: Osaka -> Hiroshima & Miyajima island (Hiroshima overnight)

    12: Hiroshima -> Fukuoka Wisetria gardens (Hakata overnight)

    13: Fukuoka (Hakata overnight)

    14: Fukuoka -> Fukuoka airport

    What do you think would be the best combination of rail passes for this itinerary. Any other recommendations/ideas would be greatly appreciated too.

    Thank you so much for your time!

    Mimi

1234…14
Copied title and URL