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. Mel Tan says:
    April 5, 2017 at 2:13 am

    hi Takeshi,my trip is
    day 1: Arrive Haneda Airport, transfer to Nagano
    day 2: Visit the Alpine route and end day at Kanazawa
    day 3: Visit to shirakawago-takayama
    day 4 -6: Travel to kyoto, Nara
    day7 : Day trip to Osaka
    day 8: Travel to Nagoya and day trip to Kiso valley
    day 9: Return to Tokyo
    day 10: Visit the Suji Shibazakura festival
    day 11: Yokohama day trip
    day 12-13: Tokyo

    I can’t seem to figure out if I should get a 14 days JR pass or a 7days Arch pass then return to Tokyo via Nagoya by single trips. Please advise which is cheaper way to travel 🙂

    Big Thank-You!
    Mel

  2. Marie Thomson says:
    April 1, 2017 at 5:15 pm

    良い一日 Takeshi,

    my daughter and I will be in Japan for 15 days April 17-May 1, 2017.

    from April 20 thru 26th we will be traveling from Tokyo to Kamakura (short stop) then Kyoto (3 nights) then Osaka (2 nights), then Mount Koya (1 night), Nara (short stop) and back to Tokyo.

    I initially planned on getting a full access Japan Pass for 7 days until I read about Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass 7 days . I would like to save money if possible so I hope this Pass will cover our travel plans.

    Can you confirm this for me?

    Thank you in advance!! we are so excited I am counting the days down.

    Marie

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      April 1, 2017 at 8:01 pm

      Hi Marie,

      I recommend you JR pass more than Hokuriku Arch Pass because Hokuriku Arch Pass does not cover Kamakura. And also if you use this pass, you have to go through Kanazawa. You cannot get Kyoto from Tokyo directly. Trip time is 2.5 hours longer than direct route and need to change trains at Kanazawa. JR Pass covers direct route and it covers Kamakrua as well. If price is much cheaper, Hokuriku Arch Pass may be considerable. But the difference is a few thousand yen. In my opinion, you will lose many things to save a few extra cost. JR pass is the best choice.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Dwi Santosa says:
    March 30, 2017 at 1:21 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thank you so much for providing such a good article.
    I am traveling to Japan from 11April-19April 2017

    Below are my itinerary:
    Day 1 : Kansai Airport to Namba Area and then stay a night in Osaka

    Day 2 : Travel from Osaka To Kyoto. Will stay in Kyoto for 2 nights and do some famous tourist sightseeing

    Day 4: Travel from Kyoto to Tokyo

    Day 5 : Will do a day tour to “Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route” (Can I use Hokuriku Arch Pass for this?)

    Day 6-7 : Do some tourist sighseeing in Tokyo

    Day 8 : Will go to Disney Sea

    Day 9: Going to Narita Terminal 2 Aiport in the morning to catch a plane back home

    So what do you think, Takeshi?
    Should I purchase Hokuriku Arch Pass? Or do you have other recommended option?

    Thank you in advance!

    Best Regards,
    San

  4. Betty says:
    March 21, 2017 at 4:14 am

    Hi Takeshi!
    Me and a group of friends will be travelling to Japan on 19-27 April.This is our itinerary
    19 April : arrived Tokyo Haneda at 9 am,directly go to Osaka
    20 April : Osaka-Tateyama alpine-Osaka
    21 April : Osaka-Toyama-Shirakawago-Osaka
    22 April : Osaka-Kyoto-Osaka
    23 April : Osaka -Tokyo
    24 April : Go to Ashikaga Flower Park
    25 April : Tokyo Downtown
    26 April : Tokyo Downtown
    27 April : Back to Haneda

    Please advise, what pass should we buy?since 7days expired on 26 April,we get suica card,can we used this to Ashikaga Flower Park if we used tokyo osaka hokuriku arch pass?
    We are not planning to Mt. Fuji though.

    Many thanks for your suggestion.
    Regards
    Betty

  5. Ain Ishak says:
    March 20, 2017 at 10:33 pm

    Hi Takeshi-san.

    I am planning to go to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and I will get the Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket. I am still thinking to combine the ticket with Hokuriku Arch Pass or JR 7 days pass. What’s your opinion?
    Here’s my plan (14-22 April)
    Day 1: Narita Airport (NRT), landed evening, will stay in hotel near airport.
    Day 2: NRT – Tokyo Station – Toyama Station – Alpine route.
    Day 3: Alpine route
    Day 4: Kanazawa or Nagano
    Day 5: Toyama – Tokyo
    Day 6: Tokyo city
    Day 7: Lake Kawaguchi
    Day 8: Gotemba Outlet
    Day 9: Tokyo – NRT

    I am not sure whether I can use Hokuriku Arch Pass in Joban Line in Tokyo city too?

    Thank you in advance for your attention.

  6. Joyce Yong says:
    March 18, 2017 at 8:25 am

    Hi, we are planning a trip to osaka, visiting Shirakawago, tateyama kurobe alpin, then to mount fuji, and back to osaka during 26th november until 9th December back to Singapore. Is it advisable to buy this pass? Is the trip ok? Thank you.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      March 18, 2017 at 10:03 am

      Hi Joyce,

      I think JR pass 7 days is better choice than Hokuriku Arch Pass. Because when you go back to Osaka from Fuji, you can take Shinkansen to go back to Osaka directly. If you use Hokuriku arch pass, you have to go back to Tokyo and then take the route via Kanazawa. It’s a big detour and you will spend a few more extra hours with multiple transfers. It’s not a good choice.

      By the way, Tateyama Kurobe alpine route is open until the end of November. But it may be closed due to severe winter conditions. It’s not rare in November. Alpine route is completely winter condition in November.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Min says:
    March 18, 2017 at 4:33 am

    Hi takeshi,

    I plan to go osaka on mid on 10 april,my trip is
    Day 1 osaka (osaka castle etc)
    Day 2 0saka (universal studio)
    Day 3 osaka (dotonburi,etc)
    Day 4 kyoto
    Day 5 kyoto
    Day6 takayama(shirakawago)
    Day 7 toyama
    Day 8 toyama ( tateyama kurobe alpin)
    Day9 kansai airport(izumisano)
    Day 10 kansai airport

    I plan to use takayama horikuri tourist pass from day 5 to 9
    ,but i still not sure what pass i have to use from day 1 to 5? (Its more cheaper to use pass or use suica card?),and can i use suica card at osaka or tokyo?at Kyoto,its better use train or bus going around?
    Thanks

  8. rose says:
    March 14, 2017 at 1:27 am

    hi Takeshi,my trip is
    day 1:osaka
    day 2:nara
    day 3:kyoto
    day 4 :kyoto
    day 5kanazawa–shirakawago-takayama
    day 6 toyama-takaoka-tokyo
    day 7: gala yuzawa
    day8-9 :fuji and hakone
    day 10-13 tokyo
    which pass should i take that suitable for my plan?
    i am planing take hokuriku arch from day 1 to 7 but confused how to go to toyama from takayama.can you give me advise fo that or maybe should i change my plan ?

  9. Kardi says:
    February 23, 2017 at 8:35 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I will be in Japan for the next 3 months and I was wondering which pass would you recommend for my itinerary below,

    Mid march – Kansai airport to Kyotango
    April – Kyotango to Kyoto
    April – Kyoto to Shin Osaka
    May- Shin Osaka to Atami
    May- Atami to Narita Airport

    Thank you!

  10. Julie says:
    February 23, 2017 at 6:39 pm

    Hi Takeshi
    My main travel is
    Day1 Kansai airport to Kyoto
    Day4 Kyoto to Yamanouchi
    Day6 Yamanouchi to Tokyo
    Day7 Ghibli museum
    Day10 Narita airport
    Would the arch pass be suitable?
    Thankyou

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