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
- Coverage area
- Valid trains and lines
- Compare single fare and Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass
- Trip from Narita airport to Kansai airport with stopover at Tokyo, Kanazawa, Shin-Osaka
- Trip between Kanazawa and Tokyo by Hokuriku Shinkansen
- Trip between Nagano and Tokyo by the Shinkansen
- Trip between Karuizawa and Tokyo by Shinkansen
- Trip between Kanazawa and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by the limited express Thunderbird
- Trip between Narita Airport and Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku or Yokohama by Narita Express
- Trip between Haneda Airport and Hamamatsucho by Tokyo Monorail
- Trip between Kyoto and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by Special Rapid, Rapid or Local
- Trip between Kyoto and Nara by Rapid or Local
- Trip between Nara and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by Rapid or Local
- Trip between Sannomiya (Kobe) and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by Special Rapid, Rapid or Local
- Trip between Kyoto and Kansai airport by the limited express Haruka
- Trip between Shin-Osaka and Kansai airport by the limited express Haruka
- Fares in downtown Osaka and Kyoto
- Fares in downtown Tokyo
- Compare Hokuriku Arch Pass and JR Pass ordinary 7-day
- Assessment
Prices and valid period
Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass 7-day
Purchase outside Japan or online | Purchase inside Japan | |
---|---|---|
Adult | 25,500 yen | 25,500 yen |
Child (6-11 years old) | 12,750 yen | 12,750 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
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:
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.
You may think about using Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass if you intend to visit Shirakawago and Takayama too.
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 Pass | JR Pass ordinary 7-day | |
Price | 24,400 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 Pass | JR Pass ordinary 7-day | |
Travel time | 5.5 to 6 hours | 3 hours |
Train | The limited express Thunderbird The Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki) | The Tokaido Shinkansen (Hikari) |
Transfer | Once at Kanazawa | Direct |
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
Hi Takeshi-san, may I know which 7-day pass will be more relevant if my itinerary is as below? On which day should I start using the pass or are there any changes I should do with my itinerary? Thank you.
Day 1: arriving at Haneda Airport around midnight.
Day 2: Kamata, Tokyo – Nara
Day 3: Nara – Osaka
Day 4: Osaka
Day 5: Osaka – Kyoto
Day 6 and 7: Kyoto
Day 8: Kyoto – Shibuya
Day 9 to 11: Tokyo area
Day 12: Shibuya – Haneda
Hi Hancheng,
JR pass 7 days is recommended for day 2 to 8.
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
In the post above, I explained about Hokuriku Arch Pass. This is cheaper and you can use this. But this pass does not cover Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto for 3 hours. If you use this pass, you have to take the route via Kanazawa. Trip time is much longer than Tokaido Shinkansen route which is 5.5 hours. And also you have to change the trains. So Hokuriku Arch pass is cheaper but not recommended.
After JR pass is expired in Tokyo, you can use subway pass and single ticket to get Haneda.
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you very much takeshi-san. Your advice is much appreciated. I forgot to mention that I plan to go to Disney sea the day after arriving in shibuya. I will look into the subway information for that.
No worries, Hancheng san.
By the way, subway does not take you Disney Sea. You need to take JR Yamanote line from Shibuya to Tokyo and JR Keiyo line from Tokyo to Maihama.
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, may I know which 7-day pass will be more relevant if my itinerary is as below? On which day should I start using the pass or are there any changes I should do with my itinerary? Thank you.
Day 1 – NRT – Shibuya
Day 2 – Tour around downtown Tokyo (Ueno park, Chidorigafuchi, Nakameguro)
Day 3 – Tsujiki, Akihabara, Shinjuku
Day 4 – Senso-ji, Yoyogi Park, Nihonbashi
Day 5 – Shibuya – Mount Fuji (Kawaguchi?) – Shibuya
Day 6 – Shibuya – Karuizawa – Shibuya
Day 7 – Kyoto
Day 8 – Kyoto (Arashimaya, Kiyomizu-dera)
Day 9 – Nara
Day 10 – Kyoto – Osaka
Day 11 – Osaka
Day 12 – Osaka – Narita
Hi Chum,
I recommend you to use JR pass 7 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
You can start using this 7 days pass on day 6.
You may use Narita airport access + subway pass combo deal for the first 4 days.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/airport_bus/index.html#anc02
You can take express bus to get Lake Kawaguchi.
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/1
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hi takeshi
can you tell me the best and cheapest route to get from narita airport to haneda airport .. knowing that i will reach narita at 1:00pm and i have a flight from haneda to toyama at 6:00 pm ..
Hi Sherif,
Budget bus from Narita to Tokyo station
http://accessnarita.jp/en/home/
Take local train from Tokyo to Hamamatsucho and Monorail from Hamamatsucho to Haneda. Fare for monorail and train is 650 yen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
isnt there a faster way to get to haneda even if it costs more money ?
Hi Sherif,
You can use take limousine bus. It’s not much faster but it’s direct. But it’s pricy.
http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/bus_services/haneda/narita.html#timetable
Or you can take Keisei line. It costs 1760 yen and trip time is around 90 minutes.
http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/bus_services/haneda/narita.html#timetable
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I am trying to decide whether or not this pass is worthwhile.
Day 1 NRT-Shinjuku
Day 2 Shinjuku-Meiji Shrine
Day 3 Shinjuku-Tsukiji Fish Market
Day 4 Shinjuku-Studio Ghibli
Day 5 Shinjuku-Odaiba
Day 6 Shinjuku-Sensoji Temple
Day 7 Shinjuku-Osaka
We have 3 more days in Osaka (including Kyoto, Universal Studios, and Kansai Airport) that the pass will not cover after.
Your insight would be much appreciated. Thank you!
Hi Sharon,
If you leave from Osaka, you cannot use Hokuriku arch pass or other national rail pass. Your choice is local deal and single ticket from Tokyo to Osaka.
You will find a few kinds of subway pass and airport access bus combo deal in the link below:
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/airport_bus/index.html#anc02
Ghibli and Odaiba are not covered by subway pass. So you will visit other than these places in 72 hours period. You may add single fare for access to Ghibli and Odaiba.
You may add single fare from Shinjuku to Osaka. You can take Shinkansen from Shinagawa to Shin-Osaka. If you are okay to take slower train, you can save some by using other deal. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
In Osaka, you can use local deals in the links 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
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi again Takeshi,
I’m sorry! Please disregard my previous comment. I see the Tokyo subway and airport access in the link you sent me.
Unfortunately we may go with a route that will get us to Tokyo faster as we have a limited number of day.
Thank you for all your help, I think I figured out my transportation in Tokyo and Osaka!
Best regards,
Sharon
No worries, Sharon.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I am planning a 14 day trip in Japan. Just wondering if this would be the best pass for me. Will be arriving in Kansai airport and leaving from Narita airport.
Kansai > Osaka > Kyoto > Nagano > Tokyo > Narita
Will this pass be covered? and will it be worth it? Since I am not travelling 2 ways?
Thank you.
Hi Izah,
Please see the chapter of “Trip from Narita airport to Kansai airport with stopover at Tokyo, Kanazawa, Shin-Osaka” in the post above.
You will spend 14 days and you cannot use the pass from the beginning at Kansai to the end at Narita. Single fare may be cheaper. There is no other better choice than this pass. My answer is single fare ticket is the best choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for that.
Do you think it’s worth it getting the 14 days JR pass? It is considerably expensive, to be honest.
Thanks.
Hi Izah,
It does not work either. It’s way more expensive as you think.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I am planning to go to Shirakawago from Kyoto via Takayama. Can Osaka Tokyo Hokuriku Arch Pass be used on LTD. EXP. (WIDEVIEW) HIDA?
Thankyou
Hi Boonthep,
Unfortunately not.
First of all, Takayama is not in coverage area. The route of Wide View Hida is not covered by this pass at all. If you want to use this pass to get Shirakawago, you have to go to Kanazawa.
You need to take a bus to Shirakawago. And this is not covered by this pass either. You can get Takayama by this bus too.
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf
If you want to get Takayama from Kyoto by Wide View Hida, JR pass is the right choice.
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
I have 7 day trip using hikuriku pass
Day 1 kyoto
Day 2 kanazawa
Day 3 tokyo
Day 4 to 6 nagano
Day 7 osaka
Hi Matt,
yes, it works.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
I decided to buy the pass .. and i knew that i will receive an exchange order which i will have to exchange fpr the pass itself at Narita airport … the question is.. if for example i will take the narita express to tokyo .. do i have to go to a reservation office to reserve a seat or I will.just ride the express and show the pass to the officer ?
Hi Sherif,
It depends on the train. But many of express trains have only reserved seat. That means you have to reserve your seat before on board. Some of trains have non reserved seat. If you take these trains, you can get of by just a pass. But your seat is not secured. You may not be able to get a seat. So I recommend you to reserve your seat in advance anyway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I have a 10 day japan trip using this pass
Osaka to kyoto
Osaka to kanazawa
Kanazawa to tokyo
Tokyo to nagano
Nagano to kanazawa
Kanazawa to osaka
Are all routes covered?
Hi Matthew,
As long as you complete it in 7 days, all trips are covered.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I know that I can use this pass to go from narita airport to tokyo station then to toyama ..
The question is : can i use it to do the opposite .. to go from toyama to tokyo through shinkansen and then to narita airport through narita express ?
Thanks
Hi Sherif,
Of course you can. As long as you travel in coverage area, you can take trains any directions and as many as you want.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi takeshi
I entered the arch pass website and tried to purchase it online .. The price shown on the homepage is 24000 yen which is equal to 213 dollars..but when i purchased it it said 313 ..there is additional 100 dollars .. how can that be ?
Hi Ahmed,
Was it shown in USD? I checked it and tried to purchased it a few minutes ago. It was 217 USD.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com