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. Janice says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am planning to go to Nagoya, Takayama, Shirakawa and Shizuoka in Dec. My itinerary is as follows:

    Day 1: Chubu airport – Nagoya – Shirakawago. Tour around Shirakawago then go to Takayama where i will stay a night.

    Day 2: Takayama – Nagoya – Shizuoka

    Day 3: Shizuoka

    Day 4: Shizuoka (might make a day trip to Izu)

    Day 5: Shizuoka – Nagoya

    Day 6: Nagoya

    Day 7: Nagoya – Chubu Airport.

    Is there a JR pass that will cover buses or trains for Days 1 and 2 and Shinkansen between Nagoya and Shizuoka?

    I am looking at the Shoryudo Bus Pass but I will have to buy the Shinkansen tickets individually.

    Thanks in advance!

    Janice

    • Hi Janice,

      JR pass is better choice than Shoryudo pass as you think. You can take train to Takayama from Nagoya. But JR pass does not cover bus to Shirakawago from Takayama. And also train/bus between Nagoya and Chubu airport is not covered either. Basically JR pass covers only JR trains. It does not cover non JR trains and buses.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail

      • Janice says:

        Thanks for the reply! Which JR pass should I get then?

        • Hi Janice,

          JR pass 7 days is recommended anyway.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Janice says:

            Is the cost of reservation on the Ltd Exp wide view hida train and the shinkansen between nagoya and shizuoka included in the cost of the 7 days JR pass?

            • Yes, it’s included, Janice.

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JPRail.com

              • Janice says:

                Thanks for the reply. I have calculated, train rides to and fro takayama and nagoya plus the shinkansen to and fro nagoya and shizuoka, costs lesser than the cost of a 7 days JR pass (22680 vs 29110).

                And it does not cover the bus ride between takayama and Shirakawago.

                Wouldn’t it be more worthy to get the shoryudo pass + individual shinkansen tickets be better?

                Sorry for the questions.

                • Hi Janice,

                  You are right. I miscalculated. In my calculation, round trip fare to Takayama from Nagoya with limited express reserved seat charge is 12,060 yen. Round trip fare to Shizuoka from Nagoya with Shinkansen reserved seat fee charge is 12,700 yen. It’s different from your calculation but it’s cheaper than JR pass anyway.

                  Cheers,

                  Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Esther says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thank you for your fast repy.

    Is osaka 1 day pass and osaka visitor ticket same ? What the different?

    Thank you in advance.

    Regards,
    Esther.

  3. Michelle says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I would need some advise from you on my itinerary. I will be travelling mid February 2018 and will be using the Takayama hokurika area pass.

    Day 1 – Kansai airport – kanazawa
    Day 2 – kanazawa – Nagoya ( which limited express is available if I use this pass ? )
    Day 3 – Nagoya – takayama
    Day 4 – takayama -shirakawago – takayama
    Day 5 – takayama – shin Osaka via kanazawa

    • Hi Michelle,

      When you go to Nagoya from Kanazawa, limited express Shirasagi from Kanazawa to Maibara and Shinkansen from Maibara to Nagoya is most common way.
      https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/limited-express-shirasagi.html

      However these trains are not covered fully. You need to add around 5,000 yen if you take this route. If you want to get Nagoya without extra, you need to take Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Toyama and Limited Express Wide View Hida from Toyama to Nagoya (or bus from Kanazawa to Takayama via Shirakawago and Limited Express Wide View Hida from Takayama to Nagoya). This route is much slower than Shirasagi. It takes 2 hours+ by Shirasagi and Shinkansen, take 4 hours+ by Shinkansen and Wide View Hida.

      Other segments are covered.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Esther says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thank you again for your reply.

    Where i can buy osaka visitor ticket in kansai airport ? At travel desk or jr ticket office or information center?

    Thank you in advance.

  5. Esther says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thank you for your reply.

    I have another question,

    1. With takayama hokuriku area pass,
    can we change reserved seat i
    already reserved ? Do i need to pay
    charge?

    2. If i miss the train which i had
    reserved, can i go with another
    train with unreserved seat ?

    3. Where i can change my booking
    order of takayama hokuriku area
    pass & kansai 3 day pass at the
    kansai airport ? At the jr west ticket
    office or travel desk or both ?

    4. Can i make reservation for nohi
    bus ( for takayama-shirakawago-
    kanazawa) at kanazawa bus
    terminal ?

    Thank you in advance.

  6. Esther says:

    Hi takeshi,

    I would need some advises on my itinerary at early april 2018

    Day 1 : kansai airport – kanazawa ( by
    Haruka & thunderbird)

    Day 2 : kanazawa.

    Day 3 : kanazawa – takayama ( via
    toyama). By hokuriku
    shinkansen & hida.

    Day 4 : takayama – shirakawago-
    kanazawa- osaka – shin
    imamiya. ( by nohi bus,
    Thunderbird, jr lines)

    Day 5 : shin imamiya, tennoji, kyoto. (
    by jr lines & haruka).
    Kyoto – gion- kyoto ( single fare)
    Kyoto – tennoji- shin imamiya (
    by haruka , jr lines).

    Day 1- 5 : takayama hokuriku area pass.

    Day 6 : osaka ( single fare).
    Day 7 : shin imamiya- tennoji- kyoto-
    arashiyama( by jr, haruka, san
    in line).
    Arashiyama – osaka- shin
    imamiya ( by jr lines).

    Day 8 : shin imamiya, himeji, kobe,
    Shin imamiya. ( by jr kobe line).

    Day 9 : shin imamiya- tennoji- nara (
    by jr lines).
    Nara- tennoji- kansai airport (
    by jr, haruka).

    Day 7-9 : kansai 3 day pass.

    Do you think this pass suitable for my itinerary ?
    Did nohi bus at day 5 operating at saturday & sunday ?

    Thank you in advance.

  7. TAN PEI WEN says:

    Hi,

    I would like to ask which is the best ticket for my itinerary:-

    12/1 (night) – Kansai airport to Osaka
    13/1 – Osaka to Kanazawa
    14/1 – Kanazawa
    15/1 – Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go to Takayama
    16/1 – Takayama
    17/1 – Takayama to Osaka
    18/1 – Osaka
    19/1 – Osaka to Kansai Airport

  8. dendi13 says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I would need some advices on my itinerary to Kansai Area and Shirakawa-go at end of October.

    Day 1
    Arrive Kansai Airport- explore osaka
    Checked in Osaka

    Day 2
    Osaka to Kyoto (East)
    Explore Kyoto- back to Osaka

    Day 3
    Osaka to Kyoto (Arashiyama)
    Explore Kyoto- back to Osaka

    Day 4
    USJ

    Day 5
    Osaka to Nara
    Explore Nara – back to Osaka

    Day 6
    Osaka to Kanazawa(via Thunderbird) -Nohi bus to Shirakawa-go
    Stay at Shirakawa-go

    Day 7
    Shirakawa-go – Kanazawa – Osaka
    Explore Osaka

    As round trip from Osaka-Kanazawa cost 19200 yen while this pass cost only 14000yen. And this pass covers some JR train in Osaka city as well. Do you think this pass is suitable for my itinerary?

    Thank you in advance.

  9. Connie says:

    Hello Takeshi-San

    Would appreciate your advice/suggestion on my itinerary and type of passes for my trip in early December.

    Day 1: Arrive Narita Airport-Hotel, Asakusa & explore Tokyo
    (I’m wondering 24hours Keisei Skyliner & Tokyo Subway Ticket)

    Day 2: Shinagawa-Nagoya-Takayama-Shirakawago

    Day 3: Shirakawago-Gokayama-Toyama-Kanazawa-Kyoto-Kinkakuji-Kiyomizu dera temple-Fushimi Imari Takisha Shrine

    Day 4: Nara Park-Osaka Castle-Dotonbori-Shinsaibashi

    Day 5: Depart from Kansai Airport

    Not sure this itinerary possible to make it in limited days, hope to get your advise.

    Many thanks in advance.

    Thanks,
    Connie

    • Hi Connie san,

      You will use three tickets, Keisei Skyliner & Tokyo Subway Ticket, single ticket for Shinagawa to Nagoya, and Takayama Hokuriku area pass.
      And also you need to add the fare for local transports, such as subway and city bus in Kyoto, Osaka and trip to Nara. These are not covered by Takayama Hokuriku area pass.

      I think day 3 is impossible. You cannot see Gokayama, Toyama, Kanazawa and a few places in Kyoto in one day. If you spend 1-2 hours each at Gokayama, Toyama and Kanazawa, you will be in Kyoto in late afternoon or early evening. It’s too late to start sightseeing in Kyoto.

      In my opinion, you can remove Toyama. And choose either Kanazawa or Gokayama. In Gokayama, Ainokura and Suganuma are popular spots. But you don’t have a time to stop both. Pick up either Ainokura or Suganuma even if you give up Kanazawa. You need at least half day to see Kinkakuji, Kiyomizudera and Fushimi Inari.

      Other part of your trip are okay.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Connie says:

        Hi Takeshi San,

        Thanks for your valuable advice.

        Do you recommend to purchase a Suica card for transportation in Kyoto, Osaka and Nara ?

        Besides, I have made some changes on Day 3 and Day 4 itinerary as follow:

        Day 1: Arrive Narita Airport-Asakusa and explore Tokyo

        Day 2: Shinagawa-Nagoya-Takayama-Shirakawago

        Day 3: Shirakawago-Kanazawa-Kyoto-Kiyomizu dera Temple

        Day 4: Fushimi Inari Takisha Shrine-Osaka-Nara Park-Osaka Castle-Dotonbori-Shinsaibashi

        Day 5: Osaka-Kansai Airport

        I wish to go to Kiyomizu Dera Temple and Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, but I’m not sure my day 3 and day 4 itinerary can make it or not Or Takeshi San have better idea for me?

        Lastly, is this Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass cover from Kyoto to Osaka and Osaka to Kansai Airport?

        Thanks in advance.

        Warmest regards,
        Connie

        • Hi Connie san,

          I think day 4 is too tight. You should visit Nara after Fushimi Inari but if you do so, you need to pay for Kyoto-Inari-Nara-Kami. Kami is on the way to Osaka from Nara. This is not covered by Takayama Hokuriku area pass. Kami is a border station of coverage area. Osaka castle must be next after Nara. And also luggage may be issue. But this is only way to make all places where you want to visit.

          Takayama Hokuriku area pass covers Shin-osaka to KIX.

          I don’t think you need Suica. If you use Suica from Nara to Osaka, you need to get off at Kami. If you don’t use Suica, just buy a ticket for Nara to Kami. You don’t need to exit at Kami.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  10. Kayel says:

    Hi, Takeshi.

    I intend to ride from Namba to Nara on the JR Yamatoji Line. However, I’m aware that this pass only covers up until Kami station.

    With that being said, will I have to disembark at Kami station and purchase an additional ticket for Nara, or, will I be able to pay for the extra charges upon arrival at Nara at the manned ticket gates.

    In which case, if it is too much of a hassle do you reckon that I might as well purchase the tickets from Namba to begin with?

    I’m sorry if my question sounded silly and thank you.

    Regards,
    Kayel

    • Hi Kayel,

      You don’t need to exit at Kami. You can proceed to Nara and pay extra fare which is 470 yen at man’s gate. You can show your pass and they let you know the fare.

      By the way, you can take Kintetsu railway from Namba to Nara at 560 yen. Kintetsu Nara station is closer to the tourist spots than JR Nara station. And in many cases, you need to change trains on the way to Nara from JR Namba by JR trains. If you take Kintetsu, it’s direct and faster. You need to pay only 90 yen extra. That is just recommendation. You can take either way.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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