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. Divine says:

    How about if it’s the other way around?
    I arrive at Chubu on 17th and depart from Japan via Kansai on 10/22. Will you still suggest this route or pass?

  2. LYVIA says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Good day.

    Following is my itinerary, the question i would like to ask is whether should i buy the Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass or other pass or separately tickets, please advice:-

    8/11/2018 – Kansai International Airport -> Kyoto (Haruku)
    12/11/2018 – Kyoto -> Kanazawa
    13/11/2018 – Kanazawa -> Shirakawa -> Takayama ( Nohi Bus)
    14/11/2018- Takayama -> Kamikochi->Toyama
    15/11/2018 – Tayama (Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Road) -> Matsumoto
    16/11/2018- Matsumoto -> Narai -> Nagoya -> Osaka
    17/11/2018 – Osaka (Osaka Castle)
    18/11/2018- Osaka (Yamazaki) -> Kansai International Airport

    Thank you.

    • Hi Lyvia,

      You can use Takayama Hoikuriku area pass but you have to go back to Takayama after visiting Kamikochi and take train from Takayama to Toyama. Otherwise you cannot get the worth.

      You may use ICOCA and Haruka for arrival day.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html

      Kansai area pass one day is your option for the last day.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html

      When you are in Osaka and Kyoto, you can use ICOCA. And also you may add some deals in the links below as you need:
      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/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-Kyoto.html

      There is no deals available for other segment. Single ticket is your option.

      The bus to Kamikochi runs until November 15. It will be completely winter season when you get there. Alpine route is open until the end of November but this is completely winter situation too. Don’t expect fall season. You must prepare winter clothing and shoes. These areas may be closed due to severe winter weather. It is not surprised if these places are closed.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Lyvia says:

        Hi Takeshi,

        Thanks for the prompt response.

        If i rearrange the trip as following, it is better ?

        8/11/2018 – KIX -> Shin-Osaka (HARUKA) -> Matsumoto
        9/11/2018 – Matsumoto -> Shinano Omachi ->Origawa (Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Road) ->Tayama
        QUESTION : Can I use Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket ? (But notice stated 7, November is the last valid start day)

        10/11/2018 – Tayama -> Takayama
        11/11/2018- Takayama ->Kamikochi ->Takayama
        12/11/2018 – Takayama ->Shirakawa -> Kanazawa
        Question : This part cover in Takayama Hiokuriju Area Pass?

        13/11/2018 – Kanazawa -> Kyoto
        14/11/2018- Kyoto
        15/11/2018 – Kyoto
        16/11/2018- Kyoto ->Nara ->Osaka
        17/11/2018 – Osaka (Amazing 1 day Pass)
        18/11/2018- Osaka -> KIX

        • Hi Lyvia,

          In regards to the cost, it’s not much different. You can use Takayama Hokuriku area pass from Toyama on 9th Nov. It covers your trip until you get Kyoto on 13th Nov.

          Unfortunately you cannot use Tateyama Kurobe option ticket. Sales period will be end on 7th Nov. You cannot purchase it.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Lyvia says:

            Hi Takeshi,

            Good day.

            For my last few questions:

            Trip from Toyama to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Road back to Toyama or Kanazawa

            Question 1: Toyama to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Road, is it cover under Takayama Hokuriku area pass?

            Question 2: Any transport can back to Toyama/ Kanazawa after the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Road trip ? If yes, it is cover under Takayama Hokuriku area pass or single ticket ?

            Question 3 : Hokuriku Shikansen between Kanazawa and Toyama which is not cover under under Takayama Hokuriku area pass right? Which need to paid extra 2810 yen ?

            Thank you so much.

          • Lyvia says:

            Hi Takeshi,

            For the Nagano to Toyama or Kanazawa which is under Hokuriku Shinkansen, is it cover under Takayama Hokuriku area pass as well ?

            Appreciate for the prompt response.

            Thank you.

            • Hi Lyvia,

              Yes, you can. But there are three kinds of train running, Kagayaki, Hakutaka and Tsurugi. You can take Hakutaka and Tsurugi. This pass covers only non reserved seat on Hokuriku Shinkansen. Kagayaki does not have any non reserved seat car.

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Khoo says:

        Hi Takeshi-san,

        Greetings from Malaysia. We have decided to travel to Chubu Area and Kansai of Japan from 7 Novmeber until 18 Novemebr 2018. We have firmed up our itinerary and planned to purchase Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass (14000 yen, 5 day pass), ICOCA and Haruka and Osaka Amazing Pass and hope the below itinerary covers the travelling cost of using these passes.

        Day 1 – From Kuala Lumpur to Kansai Airport Osaka – Arrival time 2140 (Hotel stay: nearby Airport)

        Day 2 – Tour at Toyama (Hotel stay: Toyama)
        We will take LTD. EXP HARUKA at Kansai Airport Osaka to Shin-Osaka and then take LTD. EXP THUNDERBIRD to Kanazawa. Lastly, we will take SHINKANSEN TSURUGI at Kanazawa to Toyama. All travel cost is covered under Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass.

        Day 3 – Visit to Shirakawago. (Hotel stay: Toyama)
        We will travel from Toyama to Takayama via Ltd. Exp. (Wide View) Hida this is covered by Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass. Then take Nohi Bus at Takayama to Shirakawago to Kanazawa and back to Toyama. Covered by Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass

        Day 4 – Visit to Komikochi. (Hotel stay: Matsumoto)
        We will travel from Toyama to Takayama via Ltd. Exp. (Wide View) Hida this is covered by Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass. Then buy regular ticket from Takayama travel to Hirayu Onsen, round trip ticket to Komikochi and back to Hirayu Onsen. And regular ticket from Hirayu Onsen to Matsumoto.

        Day 5 – Visit Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route (Hotel stay: Toyama)
        We will travel from Matsumoto to Shinano Omachi via JR Oito Line, then to Ogizawa to Murado to Dentetsu Toyama Station. All under regular ticket.

        Day 6 to Day 9 – Visit Kyoto ( Hotel Stay : Kyoto)
        We will take SHINKANSEN TSURUGI from Toyama to Kanazawa then, LTD. EXP THUNDERBIRD to Kyoto. Covered by Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass,

        We will using ICOCA when visit Kyoto.

        Day 10 – Visit Nara (Hotel Stay: Kyoto)
        We will using ICOCA.

        Day 11 – Visit to Osaka (Hotel stay: Osaka)
        Will using Osaka Amazing one day pass.

        Day 12 – Visit Osaka (Yamazaki) using ICOCA and Haruka ticket back to Kansai International Airport.

        I apologise for the lengthy email and look forward to your kind assistance.

        Thank you in advance for your help! Have a good day ^ ^

        Best regards
        Khoo

  3. Esther says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    Thank you for your fast reply..

    From my understanding, its mean i can’t take the nohi bus only with reservation number and takayama hokuriku pass ?

    The reservation number must be change with ticket at takayama terminal bus before i go from takayama to shirakawago ?

    Can i change the reservation number in kanazawa ticket bus centre office, 2 days before i go to shirakawago ?

    Thank you in advance.

  4. Esther says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I already had reserved seat nohi bus for takayama – shirakawago- kanazawa, and they give me reservation number.
    1. Do i need to exchange the reservation number with some ticket/pass ?
    2. If yes, where i can change the reservation number ?
    3. Can i only show the reservation number and takayama hokuriku pass to the driver, before i take the nohi bus ?

    Thank you in advance.

  5. Jessica says:

    Hi,
    My plan is to travel of Osaka Kansai International Airport – Kyoto – Nagoya – Takayama – Shirakawago – Toyama – Osaka within 5 days. Does this pass covers all the trains?

    • Hi Jessica,

      You cannot take train from Kyoto to Nagoya by this pass. You have to pay regular fare for this segment. If you take Shinkansen, regular fare is around 6,000 yen. Other segments are covered.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  6. Jessy says:

    Hi,

    My plan is to travel of Osaka Kansai International Airport – Kyoto – Kanazawa – Shirakawago – Kyoto – Osaka within 5 days. Does this pass covers all the trains?

    • Hi Jessy,

      It covers these train trips. But when you are in Kanazawa, Kyoto and Osaka, you can just drop by. You have to take other trains, subways and/or city bus in these cities to visit tourist spots. But this pass does not cover any local transports.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Esther says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    If i had reserved seat ticket for takayama hokuriku pass, did i need to tap the reserved ticket at ticketing gate ?
    Or only show the pass to the ticketing gate guard ?

    Thank you in advance.

    Thank

  8. Anne says:

    Hi! Looking to travel from Nagoya to these places: Gero Onsen, Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa, and my last stop is actually Karuizawa for ski. Any recommendations on how my route shd be?

  9. Pie says:

    Hello Takeshi, hope you are well. We are based in Osaka. Would like to visit Kanazawa for cherry blossom and explore kyoto and osaka itself. what would you suggest using takayama hokuriku pass. thanks

  10. Esther says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    From kanazawa, with thunderbird we plan to stop at kyoto station Can we take haruka from kyoto station to tennoji station with takayama hokuriku pass ?

    Thank you at advance.

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