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
Kindly advise is that worth for me to buy the Takayama-Hokuriku area tourist pass or Alpine- Takayama -Matsumoto area tourist pass with the following itinerary from Day 1– 5?
Day 1- Kansai Airport – Nagoya (overnight at Nagoya for 1 night)
Day 2- Nagoya – Toyama (reach before 12pm)
– Toyama – Takayama (Day trip- after 1pm and leave before 9pm to toyama- please advise which pass covered this route and better to use which train operated?)
Day 3- Day trip to Tateyama Alpine – Kurobe Dam from Toyama (will need to buy additional tickets for all the transportation if we use the Takayama-hokuriku pass. Understand that alpine-takayama-matsumoto pass does include)
Day 4- Day trip to Kanazawa from Toyama (included in Alpine-takayama-matsumoto pass?)
Day 5- Toyama – Kyoto (included in Takayama Hokuriku pass?
Appreciate if you can advise which pass is better for my upcoming trip in May. Thank you
Hi Sharon san,
I have received your comment regarding Takayama line in different post. I answer all your inquiries here.
Takayama line is the name of railway line and Wide View Hida is one of the trains on Takayama line. Wide View Hida is the limited express train and the fastest train on Takayama line. There are other local trains running on Takayama line.
For your trip, 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
Both Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist pass and Alpine Takayama Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass do not cover Kansai to Nagoya but JR Pass does. This costs is around 8,500 yen.
When you go to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, JR Pass and Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass do not cover. Alpine Takayama Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass does. But you cannot go back to Toyama by this pass. When you go back to Toyama, you have to take an express bus to get Nagano and then take the Shinkansen from Nagano to Toyama. If you use JR pass, it covers the Shinkansen from Nagano to Toyama. This Shinkansen costs is around 7000 yen. You may add Tateyama Kurobe Option Ticket on top of JR pass. It covers the express to Nagano as well.
http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/
(I believe this pass will be on sale in next season again.)
These are the reasons why I recommend JR pass.
At last, if you take Wide View Hida from Nagoya, Takayama is located on the way to Toyama. It does not make any senses to go to Toyama first. If you really want to get Toyama, you can do it. But in this case, you should take the Shinkansen and the limited express Shirasagi to get Toyama. You cannot get Toyama by noon by Wide View Hida.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/limited-express-shirasagi.html
You can use Hyperdia to find all train schedule.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
Appreciate if you can help me a bit on my itinerary below. I’m thinking to buy Takayama Hokuriko tourist area pass & kansai one pass.
I have few questions:
1) Does takayama hokuriko tourist area pass cover local bus in Kanazawa?
2) should I use the takayama hokuriko tourist area pass on the 2nd day onward since we will arrive kansai airport almost 10pm on the 1st day?
1st day arrive go direct to hotel osaka
2nd day Osaka
OSAKA University
Dotonburi
Harukas 300
3rd day Osaka
Todaiji temple
Akashiya brush factory
Nara park
4th day early morning to Kanazawa
Ninjadera
Shirakawago
5th day
Kenrokuen
Heading to kyoto
Fushimi inari
6th day
Arashiyama bamboo groove
Going to airport
Reserved place osaka castle (If got spare time)
Hi Rosdi san,
1. No. You have to add a fare or city bus pass.
2. Yes. You should start using it on day 2. That’s more efficient way of using this pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I would to have your opinion on this. I have booked bus from kanazawa to shirakawago on 1st February 1240pm, however there’s no available seat to return to Kanazawa on that evening. Do you think it’s ok if I just took a gamble to return kanazawa with kaetsuno bus via shin takaoka? How often the bus get full? Appreciate if you can advise. Thanks
Hi Rosdi san,
I think you will be okay because usually the extra bus is prepared when the first bus is full. But it is not guaranteed and it is a gamble anyway. And also you can try to get a ticket to Kanazawa too. Some seats are canceled in the last minutes. Please keep trying to get a seat until you leave Shirakawago.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
Thanks for your informative answer. Appreciate if you can advise if the bus between Toyama & Shirakawago is cover under this pass – Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass? Thanks
Hi Rosdi san,
No, it’s not covered. This pass covers Kanazawa-Shirakawago-Takayama and Takaoka-Johana-Shirakawago only.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-San,
I would be travelling from Nagoya – Takayama/Shirakawa-go – Kyoto – Ōsaka in Jan. Pls advise if it is worth for me to buy the Takayama-Hokuriku area pass to use from Day 1- Day 5 ?
Day 1 – Nagoya airport to Takayama ( Ltd Exp Wide View Hida)
Day 2 – Shirawago (from Takayama) via Nohi Bus
Day 3 – Takayama to Kyoto (Ltd Exp Wide View Hida + Shinkansen?)
Day 4 – Kyoto
Day 5 – Kyoto
Day 6 – Kyoto to Osaka Nankai Namba (JR Special Rapid HIMEJI)
Day 7 – Osaka
Day 8 – Osaka
Day 9 – Nankai Namba to Osaka Airport (Bus or Train?)
Can we take the Shinkasen with this pass? Can we also use it to take the subway/buses for sightseeing in Kyoto?
Thank you in advance for your advice.
Hi Carol san,
Shinkansen from Nagoya to Kyoto is not covered by Takayama Hokuriku area pass. This pass covers Takayama – Toyama – Kanazawa – Kyoto train route or taking Nohi bus to Kanazawa from Takayama via Shirakawago and take train to Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
If you want to take Shinkansen from Nagoya to Kyoto, you have to pay around 6,000 yen extra.
You may use other deals in Kyoto, Osaka and Himeji. 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
Kansai area pass for trip to Himeji
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-san,
Thank you for the reply.
Some change of plan, we would like to go to Shinhotaka Ropeway and Shinagawago during our stay.
11 jan – Check in and tour takayama
12 jan – Shinhotaka Ropeway (advisable in jan winter?)
13 jan – Check out. Nohi bus to Shirakawago. Tour 2-3h. Nohi bus to Kanazawa. Ltd express thunderbird train to Kyoto
However, when I tried to call in to reserve bus tickets. I was told that the afternoon/evening bus tickets from shinkawago to Kanagawa are mostly sold out. The only vacant seats they have leaving Shirakawago to Kanazawa is 1125am which is way too early.
Is there anyway we can still visit Shirakawago and get to Kyoto on that same day? There are still available reserved bus seats from Shinagawago- Toyama. Is this the next best way?
Is there a chance, that people just reserved seats and don’t turn up? We only need 2 seats.
Can non reserved bus tickets be bought the day before travel or they are sold before the bus departs?
Hi Carol san,
You may keep checking the availability just before you leave for Kanazawa. Some passengers might not show up.
If you take a route from Shirakawago to Toyama, you have to pay a full fare. This route is not covered by Takayama Hokuriku area pass. Other option for Takayama Hokuriku area pass is the following route:
Shirakawago (Kaetsuno bus) Shin-Takaoka (Hokuriku Shinkansen) Kanazawa (Thunderbird) Kyoto
This route is fully covered by this pass. Reservation is not required to take Kaetsuno bus. But it will be crowded too. It is first come first serve basis. So when the bus is full. you have take next one. Please see the link below to find the timetable:
https://www.japan-guide.com/bus/gokayama.html
Extra bus may run when it’s full. But I cannot guarantee it. If you really want to secure your seat, just pay extra to take Shirakawago to Toyama route.
If you take a bus which does not require the reservation, you cannot purchase a ticket in advance. When it’s busy season, usually extra bus runs and take all passengers. But I’m not 100% sure of it. Please try to contact Nohi bus to make sure it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
Thank you so much for your advice!
Happy New Year to you in advance!
No worries, Carol san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
After reading all about JR Pass I’m still confuse to decide which JR Pass should I buy for my Japan trip this mid December. I’m considering Takayama – Hokuriku Pass (combine it with Willer Bus and single fare) or Whole JR Pass for the following itinerary:
Day 1 15/12 KIX – Hiroshima by Willer or JR Train
Day 2 16/12 Hiroshima Miyajima
Day 3 17/12 Kyoto
Day 4 18/12 Kyoto
Day 5 19/12 Kanazawa – Shirakawago – Takayama
Day 6 20/12 Takayama – Nagoya – Osaka
Day 7 21/12 USJ
Day 8 22/12 Osaka – KIX
In that short of time, I’m greedy and really want to go to both Hiroshima and Shirakawago. Do you have any suggestion about it?
Thank you,
Yoana
Hi Yoana san,
I recommend you to use 7 days JR pass for the first 7 days. Please take a train to get Hiroshima by Haruka and Shinkansen via Shin-Osaka.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kansai-airport-limited-express-haruka.html
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
It’s covered by JR pass and if you don’t take these, you cannot get the worth of JR pass. And Takayama Hokuriku area pass does not cover Nagoya to Osaka when you go back to Osaka from Takayama. This is another reason why I recommend JR pass more than Takayama Hokuriku area pass.
You may use other deal for Osaka to KIX as you need.
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,
I’ll follow your suggestion. Thank you very much.
No worries, Yoana san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I would be travelling to Nagoya in December and plan to visit Takayama, Shirakawago and Kanazawa before returning to Nagoya. I am thinking of purchasing the Takayama-Hokuriku area pass. My itinerary so far is:
Day 1: Nagoya –> Takayama (via JR Ltd Exp wide view Hida)
Day 2: Takayama –> Shirakawago –> Takayama (via Bus)
Day 3: Takayama –> Kanazawa (via Bus)
Day 4: Kanazawa
Day 5: Kanazawa –> Nagoya (via Ltd Exp Shirasagi)
I would like your comments on my itinerary and also whether I can use the pass to travel directly from Kanazawa to Nagoya using the Ltd Exp Shirasagi. If not, can you help me by suggesting an alternative route that can be used with the pass. Thank you very much!
Regards,
Joyce
Hi Joyce san,
As you thought, Shirasagi is not covered partially. This train runs outside coverage area which is Tsuruga to Gifu. If you take this train, you have to add the fare for Tsuruga to Gifu. It costs 3,000 to 3,500 yen. The fare is varied by the date and the type of seat.
If you don’t want to pay any extra, you have to go to Toyama, and then take Limited Express Wide View Hida. You have to change trains at Toyama. And trip time is much longer than Shirasagi. It takes about 5 hours in total. And also Limited Express Wide View Hida departs from Toyama only three times a day. If you want to make your trip be easier and faster, just pay extra to take Shirasagi.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Thanks for your quick response. I would take your advice to pay for the extra to take Shirasagi. Another question, I read that the pass covers reserved seats for 4 times. Am I able to use reserved seating with the pass for the Limited Express Wide View Hida and the Shirasagi? Thanks.
Regards,
Joyce
Hi Joyce san,
Yes, you can. But you will use twice of 4 times when you take Shirasagi, Kanazawa to Tsuruga and Gifu to Nagoya. When you buy a ticket for Tsuruga to Gifu, please book a seat for Kanazawa to Tsuruga and Gifu to Nagoya at same time. You will be able to book a same seat for Kanazawa to Nagoya. I think you can do it when you exchange your pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I have leave my message before but didn’t get a reply yet or i may have missed out your reply. As i m less than 1 month away to my trip to Japan and i the process of planning to buy local transportations, would appreciate your help to advise me for my itinerary below on bus, train or subways.
Day 1 – 22nd Dec, Sat 9:40pm Osaka Kansai Airport
Direct check-in hotel at Chuo-ku Namba Osaka
(Can advise bus or subway can take to hotel?)
Day 2 – 23rd Dec, Sun Shd I go Universal Studio or Kobe 1st? (base on train passes)
Day 3 – 24th Dec, Mon To Kyoto check in hotel at Kasaboko-cho
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Kiyomizudera Temple
Day 4 – 25th Dec, Tue (Christmas Day) Kyoto
Arashiyama Area
Sagano Scenic Train
Day 5 – 26th Dec, Wed 8:00am Kyoto to Kanazawa
Omicho Market (Open: 9am to 5pm) (lunch)
Kenrokuen Garden (Open: 8am to 5pm)
Day 6 – 27th Dec, Thu Kanazawa to Shrikawago (1/2 day)
Shrikawago to Takayama
Day 7 – 28th Dec, Fri Takayama
Miyagawa Morning Market end at 12 noon.
Sanmachi Suji
Old private house
Day 8 – 29th Dec, Sat Takayama to Osaka (Stay at Osaka, Nihonbashi)
(Should I take Bus? Or train?)
Day 9 – 30th Dec, Sun Osaka to Nara
Day 10 – 31st Dec, Mon (New Year Eve) Osaka to Kobe or Universal
Day 11 – 1st Jan, Tue Osaka till 6pm depart to Osaka Kansai airport (depart at 10:00pm to homebase)
(you help to advise transport to airport)
Looking forward for your reply soon. Thank you in advance.
Regards Linda
Hi Linda san,
I’m sorry to hear that. I checked my comment list but I could not find it. Anyway I answer your inquiry.
For Kansai to/from Namba, you can take Nankai railway train. If you are okay with ordinary train, regular fare is the best. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
I recommend you to use Kansai thru pass for trip to Osaka to Kyoto on day 4, trip to Kobe and trip to Nara.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
You don’t need using Kansai thru pass in the consecutive days. So you can visit Kobe on either day 2 or day 10.
You may use Takayama Hokuriku area pass for day 5 to 8 if you will take a train from Takayama to Osaka via Kanazawa. The most common route for Takayama to Osaka is Takayama-Nagoya-Osaka. But this pass does not cover Nagoya to Osaka. If you use this pass, you have to go back to Kanazawa and take same route as Kyoto to Kanazawa. Otherwise you have to pay extra for Nagoya to Osaka by Shinkansen which is around 6,000 yen.
You have another choice. You may pay a regular fare to take train from Kyoto to Kanazawa, bus from Kanazawa to Shirakawago, Shirakawago to Takayama and Takayama to Osaka. You can find train fare and bus fare for other than Takayama to Osaka in this post above. You can find the fare and timetable for Takayama to Osaka in the link below:
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/highwaybus/osaka_en/
This bus goes to Namba which is one station away from Nippombashi. This is most convenient way. And also you can book a bus ticket online. Actually December 29th will be the busiest day in the year. You must book a ticket in advance. If you use Takayama Hokuriku area pass, you have to book a train ticket for Kanazawa to Osaka after you exchange the pass in Japan. It may be challenging.
So I recommend you to use a regular fare for Kyoto-Kanazawa-Shirakawago-Takayama-Osaka more than using Takayama Hokuriku area pass.
For the rest of your trip, regular fare ticket is okay.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi san,
my trip in December is 7 days that covers Kyoto, Nagoya, Takayama, Shirakawago, Kanazawa, Osaka, and Kansai Airport.
I am considering between The Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass and Takayama – Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass. Which pass is actually a better choice to use in terms of value and traveling time ?
Much appreciated to hear your advise soon as my traveling is in 1st week of Dec.
Thank you very much
Hi Chris san,
Takayama Hokuriku area pass is better choice because it covers Shirakawago and Nagoya. Kansai Hokuriku area pass is longer valid period but it does not cover Nohi bus and Nagoya is completely outside coverage area.
I recommend to use Takayama Hokuriku area pass for other than Osaka and Kyoto. You can add other local deals for these cities:
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
HI Takeshi San,
Thank you for taking time to reply my query.
For the Takayama Hokuriku Pass coverage of Nohi Bus, how do we go about with the reservation of date and seats?
As Kyoto to Nagoya is not covered by this Takayama Hokuriku Pass, can you advise what train tickets I should get for this segment?
If we want to go Nara as daytrip from Kyoto, what is the train / tickets we should get ?
Looking forward to your advise. Thank you.
Hi Chris san,
You have to make a call to book a seat on Nohi bus. You can find the number in the link below:
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf
Regular fare ticket or Platt Kodama is your choice for Nagoya to Kyoto.
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
Regular fare ticket is your choice as well for trip to Nara. You may get Kansai one pass instead using a regular fare ticket in Nara, Kyoto and Osaka.
https://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Would really appreciate your help on my itinerary. I am planning on taking this route in Japan. I have read through your posts for the passes but am a little confused with some.
Below is my itinerary:
Day 1-4: Kansai Airport to Osaka (stay 3 nights)
Day 4-6: Travel Osaka to Kanazawa (stay 2 nights)
Day 6: Travel Kanazawa to Takayama – is it better to visit Shirakawago while on the way to Takayama, or take a day trip from Takayama and visit Ainokura as well?
Day 6-9: Takayama
Day 9-14: Takayama to Kyoto (stay 5 nights)
Day 14: Travel direct from Kyoto to Kansai Airport
Hi Lim san,
For day 1 to 3, please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.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
Takayama Hokuriku area pass is recommended for day 4 to 8.
Nohi bus Takayama to Kyoto on day 9
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/highwaybus/osaka_en/
Please see the link below for day 9 to 14 in Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/KY
You may visit Shirakawago from Takayama or on the way. If you don’t want to visit these places with luggage, you may visit there from Takayama. You can do it from Kanazawa too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san.
Here is my itinerary for this December:
Day 1-2 : Osaka
Day 3 : Kyoto (go back to Osaka)
Day 4 : Osaka to Shirakawago (originally planned to go via Kanazawa, but Takayama seems nicer)
(still Day 4) : Shirakawago to Tokyo
Day 5-7 : Tokyo
I would like to ask you some questions.
Is there a way for the Hokuriku Pass to cover the train (Hida view or something else) from Osaka to Takayama? If yes, then I could use it since day 1 around Osaka dan Kyoto, right?
If it’s based on your explained routes, It would be the best to go Osaka – Kanazawa – Shirakawago – Takayama – Nagoya – Tokyo, but my time is kinda packed. Do you have any suggestion for that?
I’m not considering JR Pass because from my calculation, it’s not worth it then buying single tickets.
Please kindly advise my trip planning. It would be so much appreciated.
Thankyou so much and have a nice day 🙂
Hi Jeremy san,
JR pass may be your choice. Because if you take Osaka-Takayama via Nagoya, and Takayama-Tokyo via Nagoya, total fare is around 25,000 yen. It is still more than 4,000 yen cheaper than JR pass 7 days. However you can use the pass for trip to Kyoto, airport to Osaka, Tokyo to airport. You may be able to make more than 4,000 yen value by these trips.
If you want to see both Takayama and Shirakawago, Kanazawa route does not work. You have to leave Osaka around 6:00 am and you can get Takayama at 10:16 by Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka to Nagoya) and Wide View Hida (Nagoya to Takayama). The last Wide View Hida depart at 18:46 from Takayama and you will be Tokyo around 23:00. You have to take this schedule to see both places.
Takayama Hokuriku area pass covers only Nagoya to Takayama round trip. It does not cover Osaka to Nagoya. So this pass is not very recommended.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Kindly advise is that worth for me to buy this Takayama-Hokuriku area pass with the following itinerary from Day 4 – 8?
Day 1 – Day 3 Tokyo
Day 4 – Travel from Tokyo -> Takayama via Nagoya (Bullet Train Hikari/Nozomi + Ltd Exp Wide View Hida)
Day 5 – Visit Shirawago (from Takayama) – via Nohi Bus
Day 6 – Takayama
Day 7 – Takayama – > Kyoto via Nagoya
Day 8 – Kyoto
Day 9 – Kyoto – > Osaka via Ltd Exp /JR Special Rapid Service HIMEJI
Day 10 to Day 13 – Osaka
Much appreciated to hear from you the soonest as i am travelling this coming Sun 18th Nov 2018. Thanks.
Hi Serene san,
Takayama Hokuriku area pass covers only Nagoya-Takayama-Nagoya only in your trip plan. It does not cover Tokyo to Nagoya and Nagoya to Kyoto. You will can get the worth. Because Nohi bus to Shirakawago is covered by this pass too. If you add a regular fare to take Shinkansen for both segments, your total cost (Takayama Hokuriku pass + additional Shinkansen tickets) is around 31,000 yen
However 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
JR pass does not cover Nohi bus but you can take Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya and Nagoya to Kyoto. If you add round trip bus fare to Shirakawago on top of JR pass, total cost is around 34,000 yen. It is higher than Takayama Hokuriku area pass + additional fare. But JR pass gives you longer coverage and flexibility. You can make some extra side trips easier when you are in Tokyo or Osaka. If you use JR pass, you may use day 1 to 7 or day 4 to 10. It depends on how you spend your time in Tokyo. Kyoto and/or Osaka. You should use JR pass when you make lots of train trips. But if you start using this on arrival day and you arrive in Narita, you can take Narita Express. It’s around 3,000 yen worth. It’s much bigger value than using it for local train rides in the cities.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com