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
- Types, prices and conditions
- Sales location
- Coverage area and valid transportation
- The limited express Haruka and Kansai Airport Rapid train
- Local train services in downtown Osaka
- The limited express Thunderbird (Osaka, Kyoto – Kanazawa)
- Nohi Bus (Kanazawa – Shirakawago – Takayama), Kaetsuno Bus (Shin Takaoka – Shirakawago)
- The Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kanazawa – Toyama)
- The limited express Wide View Hida (Nagoya – Takayama – Toyama)
- Train which is not covered at all or partially
- Compare cost between pass and single fare
- Assessment
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 place | Adult | Child (6-11yrs) |
---|---|---|
Overseas travel agent (Before arrival in Japan) | 14,260 yen | 7,130 yen |
At the designated station (After arrival in Japan | 15,280 yen | 7,640 yen |
Online | 15,280 yen | 7,640 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
The pass covers Osaka, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Shirakawago, Takayama, Gero, Gifu and Nagoya. Please see the coverage map below:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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 seat | 2,500 yen |
Kansai airport – Kyoto by Limited Express NON reserved seat | 3,000 yen |
Osaka – Kanazawa by Limited Express reserved seat | 7,800 yen |
Kyoto – Kanazawa by Limited Express reserved seat | 7,000 yen |
Nagoya – Takayama by Limited Express reserved seat | 6,000 yen |
Toyama – Takayama by Limited Express reserved seat | 3,500 yen |
Toyama – Kanazawa by Hokuriku Shinkansen NON reserved seat | 2,900 yen |
Kanazawa – Shirakawago by Nohi bus | 2,000 yen |
Takayama – Shirakawago by Nohi bus | 2,600 yen |
Kanazawa – Takayama by Nohi bus | 3,600 yen |
Shirakawago – Shin-Takaoka by Kaetsuno bus | 1,800 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
Hi Takeshi-San,
I just wanted to know if I should get the 7 day pass or not, based on the following plan:
Day1) Chubu Centrair International Airport -> Nagoya
Day2) Nagoya -> Gero
Day3) Gero -> Takayama
Day4) Takayama -> Shirakawa -> Takayama
Day5) Takayama -> Nagoya
Day6) Nagoya
Would it be cheaper to buy tickets in Japan, or buy the railpass?
Hi Michael san,
JR pass is too expensive. Takayama Hokuriku area pass is the best choice. You can use it for day 2 to 6. It doesn’t cover airport to Nagoya and other local transportation in Nagoya, such as subway. As long as it covers day 2 to 5, it’s okay.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for this wealth of information. The second part of my trip encompasses a lot of this region however, my biggest concern is booking the Nohi bus as I would have to make an international call to book a month in advance because they don’t take email/online reservations.
I’ll be in this area the first week of April.
Day 12 Kyoto
Day 13 Kyoto – Kanazawa (Thunder bird train, take local bus to accommodation)
Day 14 Kanazawa (sightseeing, walk around)
Day 15 Takayama (Day trip to Shirakawago/Ainokura via Nohi Bus from Kanazawa and accommodation in Takayama)
Day 16 Takayama (hida no sato, sanmachi, maybe gero onsen?)
Day 17 Oku Hida
Is it worth getting the pass? Or should I buy single tickets a month in advance? Is it usually booked out during that time?
Thanks again,
Mai
Hi Mai,
You cannot get the worth of this pass by this trip plan. Regular ticket is cheaper and if you use regular ticket, you can book a seat for Nohi bus online.
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
My family of 4 will be arriving Nagoya on 23 May morning and leaving from Osaka on 31 May. The following is our brief itinerary. Is this itinerary feasible and which JR Pass would you recommend us to take if we want to go on the Alpine route?
Thank you.
Day 1 Nagoya > Matsumoto
Day 2 Matsumoto > Alpine Route > Stay at Toyama
Day 3 Toyama > Takayama
Day 4 Takayama > Shirakawago > Kanazawa (via Nohi Bus)
Day 5 Explore Kanazawa
Day 6 Kanazawa > Kyoto
Day 7 Kyoto
Day 8 Osaka
Day 9 Osaka > Flight back at 10am
Hi Liv san,
Your choice is Takayama Hokuriku area pass only. You can start using it from Toyama on day 3. You have to use a regular ticket for Nagoya-Matsumoto-Shinano Omachi. You may use Tateyama Kurobe option ticket if it’s available in this season:
http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/
Once you get Kyoto, Takayama Hokuriku area pass does not help. You may need to add a local deal in Kyoto and Osaka, and use regular ticket for Kyoto to Osaka. Please see the links below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.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 Takeshi San,
Thank you for your quick response and suggestion. It has helped me in my trip planning.
I’ve did some research and saw the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass as well. Will it cover all our transport from Day 1-3? I would then need to get regular Nohi bus passes for Shirakawago, and regular tickets for Kanazawa to Kyoto.
Will this work and be worth it too?
Hi Liv san,
You may use that pass too. I think it’s better idea because if you use Takayama Hokuriku area pass, Nobi bus is covered but you have to make a call to book a seat. If you use Alpine Matsumoto Takayama pass, you need to pay for Nohi bus but you can book a seat online.
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf
It’s more convenient.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Im planning my trip to shirakawago on May 27-28 from osaka to kanazawa. Just overnight to kanazawa. Is there a bus from kanazawa going to kyoto? I just need a cheap way to go see shirakawa-go from osaka then going back will stop to kyoto before heading to osaka for my return flight.
Arriving kix may24
May 25 osaka aquarium
May 26 somewhere in osaka – hiking
May27-28 kanazawa/shirakawago and kyoto if possible
May29 nara
May 30- dotonbori
May 31- return flight
Thank you
Hi Meanne san,
I am not very familiar with the bus between Kanazawa and Kyoto. It may run on this route but I don’t have any info.
Even if it runs, you have to purchase a ticket for bus to Shirakawago. I think Takayama Hokuriku area pass is cheaper because it covers all. You may use this pass for the last 5 days of your trip. But this pass does not cover Nara. It covers JR train in downtown Osaka. You may get KIX by this pass too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
thank you
will check on it
No worries, Meanne.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
May I trouble you again? I have been doing all my research. The more I look and research, I get confused even more …
Can you check and advise me on the below? Please … :
Arriving at Kansai on 22 April morning – stay in Kyoto from 22-24 and depart to kanazawa on 24 . From here I planned for 1/2 day trip to shirakawa and another day to Kurobe alpine (to murodo and back to kanazawa) . The rest of the free time, I will explore kanazawa. Then on 27, I will depart to Osaka . Depart from Kansai airport on 29th morning. Booked all my hotels.
There’s only transport to consider now. Since my stay is for about 8 days, including day of departure, I would purchase my haruka-Icoca (1 way to Kyoto ) + a reserved seat haruka ticket from tennoji to Kansai airport. Is the reserved seat necessary considering I have bulky luggage and that the golden week is approaching. Right? If so, reserved seat should be done on day of arrival in advance?
The Takayama Hokuriku Pass ticket would be bought online and will be activated on 24 -28 (during my stay on kanazawa) . I presume the journey from Kyoto station to kanazawa and to toyama and back to Osaka are all included. And the bus trip to shirakawa too. Is this period peak period in shirakawa? Can I book/reserve a bus seat a day before my trip to shirakawa?
The train from toyama to the alpine route is not included in the takayama-hokuriku pass, I presume.
I also have another question. Is the takayama-hokuriku pass (5 days) better or is the Kansai-hokuriku pass (7 days) better in my case?
Hi Elaine san,
If you use ICOCA and Haruka, you cannot take a reserved seat. If you really want to take a reserved seat, you have to purchase a regular ticket. But I think non reserved is okay. Golden week will be still one week ahead. Please see the link below to find the info about reserved and non reserved.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/reserved-seat-vs-non-reserved-seat-how-to-get-a-seat-on-non-reserved-car.html
You should book a seat for Nohi bus in advance. It’s busy in all season. You can book it one month prior to departure date. But you need to make a call. You can book it even though you don’t have an actual Takayama Hokuriku area pass. You can tell that you will use it when you book it.
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf
Kansai Hokuriku area pass covers Haruka but does not cover Nohi bus. Takayama Hokuriku area pass is better choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much!
No worries, Elaine san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Can I use the pass from osaka to arashiyama? Since it is a jr line in kyoto?
Hi Jset,
Unfortunately this pass covers only Osaka to Kyoto. You need to pay extra for Kyoto to Saga-Arashiyama even though this segment is JR line.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
Just want to know, if I buy Takayama Hokuriku and after takayama, i’ve plan to go to winter illumination (Nabano No Sato) at Nagoya. from nagoya station to kuwana station is still covered by Takayama Hokuiku Pass or I should buy another train / JR ticket.
Pls your advise.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Thanks
Ulrike Nadia
Hi Ulrike,
It’s not covered. You need to add the fare for Nagoya to Kuwano.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Apologies if this has been covered in your posts but I am quite confused at the moment.
I intend to go from Osaka to Shirakawago on a day trip. I have the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass. Unfortunately Nohi bus is fully reserved.
Seems like I can take the Shin-Takaoka – Shirakawago route with this pass. What would be the best route from Osaka (Namba) to Shin-Takaoka be with the pass?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Nasuha san,
Just pay a few hundred yen to take subway Midousuji line from Namba to Umeda (=JR Osaka). After JR Osaka, you can use the pass to take limited express Thunderbird to Kanazawa and Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Shin-Takaoka. You can take Kaetsuno bus from Shin-Takaoka to Shirakawago.
Technically you can take only JR train from JR-Namba to JR Osaka by this pass. But you need to change trains at Imamiya station and this route is sort of detour route. You should add few extra to take subway and save your time and make your trip easier.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
Can i book Nohi bus from Takayama to Shin Hotaka ropeway. Is this covered by JR Takayama Hokuriku pass.
Do I need to reserve this ticket?
Regards, Mei Ling
Hi Mei Ling san,
I mentioned you Shin Hotaka is outside coverage area of this pass in previous reply. You need to pay on top of Takayama Hokuriku area pass.
Reservation is not accepted for taking this bus.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
Apologies, I didn’t see the earlier reply, that’s why I asked again.
Thank you for replying
Regards, Mei Ling
No worries, Mei Ling san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi!
Just wanted to ask if the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass covers my itinerary below:
Day 1 – Kyoto station – Kanazawa station (via JR thunderbird)
From Kanazawa to Takayama (via Nohi Bus)
Day 2 – Takayama to Shirakawago (via Nohi Bus) and vice versa
Day 3 – Takayama – Toyama – Kanazawa – Shin Osaka
Also, is the pass covered for the following:
Takayama – Nagoya and Nagoya to Toyama – Kanazawa – Shin Osaka
Thank you!
Hi Jessel,
All trips which you mentioned are covered by this pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com