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
Dear Takeshi
I am at a loss of which travel pass to buy. Grateful for your advice. We are a family of two adults and three kids aged 13, 11 and 8. Our itinerary from 10 Dec to 22 Dec is as follows:
10 Dec: Singapore/ Nagoya
11 Dec: Nagoya/ Kanazawa
12 Dec: Kanazawa/ Shirakawa
13 Dec: Shirakawa/ Takayama
14 Dec: Takayama/ Matsumoto
15 Dec: Matsumoto
16 Dec: Matsumoto/ Kyoto
17 Dec: Kyoto
18 Dec: Kyoto/ Osaka
19 Dec: Osaka/ Nara/ Osaka
20 Dec: Osaka
21 Dec: Osaka/ Nagoya
22 Dec: Nagoya/ Singapore
I would also appreciate any comments you may have on my itinerary. Many thanks!
Hi Dorothy,
You have several deals to cover of your trip partially but you have to use single fare as well.
Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass will cover for Dec 11, 12 and 13.
Kintetsu Rail Pass will cover Dec 18, 19 and 21.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kintetsu-rail-pass-most-affordable-deal-for-osakakyoto-nagoya-and-access-to-ise.html
If Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide will continue to be on sale after October 31, you may use it. It covers airport-Nagoya station round trip as well.
You may add local deals in Kyoto and Osaka as you need.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html
You have to add single fare for other segments.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi
Really appreciate your prompt response and recommendation of Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass for my travel from Nagoya – Kanazawa – Shirakawago – Takayama from Dec 11, 12 and 13.
Grateful for your advice on the following three questions:
1. Does this pass allow me to make advance bookings for my bus travels from Kanazawa to Shirakawago, and then Shirakawago to Takayama?
2. I don’t speak Japanese. Can the advance booking be done online or over the phone?
3. Is advance booking open one month before the actual travel dates?
Look forward to reamceiving your advice once again. Thank you.
Hi Dorothy,
1. Yes.
2. You need to make a call. They speak English.
3. Yes. They accept booking one month prior to departure date.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi
I would appreciate it if I could seek your patience and expertise to address the following questions:
Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass:
1) Does it cover the train service from Chubu Airport to Kanazawa via Nagoya? If not, which pass does?
2) Does it cover the Nohi bus service from Takayama to Shin-Hotaka Ropeway? Is it worth it to buy the Shin-Hotaka Ropeway Pass for the day trip?
3) Does it cover the Nohi bus service from Takayama to Matsumoto?
4) Does it cover the train service from Matsumoto to Jigokudani Monkey Park near Nagano? If not, which pass does?
5) Does it cover the train service from Matsumoto to Kyoto? If not, which pass does?
6) Do I need to buy the pass in Singapore first before I can book the Nohi bus service by phone?
Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide
1) We are traveling from Nagoya – Kanazawa – Shirakawago – Takayama – Matsumoto – Kyoto – Osaka – Nara – Nagoya. Is Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide better than Kintetsu Rail Pass for us?
2) What is the difference between these two Kintetsu Rail passes? I read your explanation but am still not clear. The main difference seems to be Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide covers airport transfers but Kintetsu Rail Pass does not.
Lastly, do you think I still need JR East Pass or JR West Pass on top of the two passes you recommended? Can the two passes you recommended be bought in Singapore.
Your advice will mean a lot for my family. Many thanks!
Warm regards
Dorothy Tay
Hi Dorothy,
Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass
1. Chubu airport to Nagoya is not covered. You can get Kanazawa from Nagoya by this pass, but you have to take the route via Takayama.
2. No. Shin-Hotaka is recommended but I have never used this ropeway pass before. I cannot comment it.
3. No.
4. No.
5. No. Only single ticket is your choice.
6. No, you don’t need to.
Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide
1. Wide includes airport access. Takayama Hokuriku Pass does not. So “Wide” pass is recommended.
2. Exactly.
I think you need to add single fare for Matsumoto-Nagoya (on the way to Kyoto) and city deals, like subway pass in Kyoto and Osaka. Any other JR deals are not required.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi
You are really efficient in responding to questions about transport in Japan. Remarkable. Do allow me to raise further questions about itinerary.
1) If Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass covers the train service from Chubu airport to Kanazawa via Takayama, is it better if I go from Chubu Airport to visit Takayama first before traveling to Kanazawa?
My planned itinerary is as follows:
10 Dec – Chubu Airport to Kanazawa
11 Dec – Kanazawa
12 Dec – Kanazawa to Shirakawago
13 Dec – Shirakawago to Takayama
14 Dec – Takayama to Matsumoto
15 Dec – Matsumoto
16 Dec – Matsumoto to Kyoto
17 Dec – Kyoto
18 Dec – Kyoto
19 Dec – Kyoto to Osaka
20 Dec – Osaka to Nara (day trip)
21 Dec – Osaka to Nagoya
22 Dec – Nagoya to Singapore
2) Really appreciate your comments on my itinerary. Do you think it is better to travel to Matsumoto from Kanazawa than from Takayama?
3) Is there any travel pass that cover train service to and fro Matsumo and Nagano?
Grateful for your help. Many thanks!
Warm regards
Dorothy Tay
Hi Dorothy,
Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass does not cover Chubu airport to Nagoya but Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide does.
If you want to get Matsumoto first after Takayama/Kanazawa, Takayama is more accessible to Matsumoto than Kanazawa. If you get Matsumoto from Kanazawa, you will take Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nagano and then take limited express train or local train to get Matsumoto. On the other hand, Takayama is connected by Nohi bus to Matsumoto directly. So if you drop by Nagano before Matsumoto, Kanazawa is better. Otherwise Takayama is better to access to Matsumoto.
There is no deal to cover Nagano area. Single fare is your choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi San
I have bought the Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide, thanks to your recommendation.
Would you mind suggesting a train on Hyperdia which I can make use of the Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide to travel from Chubu Airport to Kanazawa.
Thank you.
Warm regards
Dorothy Tay
Hi Dorothy,
This pass does not cover Kanazawa. All you can do is using airport access ticket to Nagoya station.
I think you can use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass too. You can use it for access to Kanazawa. Airport access ticket of Kintetsu Rail Pass wide can be used out of 5 days coverage.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san
I have bought the Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass at your recommendation as well. To save cost, would you suggest that I use the Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide to travel from Chubu Airport to Nagoya Station, and then use Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass to travel from Nagoya to Kanazawa? Which train should I look out for to travel from Nagoya Station to Kanazawa? Do I change all my train tickets at Chubu Airport? Many thanks!
Hi Dorothy,
Please see the coverage map above of Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass. There is only one way to get Kanazawa that is the route via Takayama and Toyama.
You will exchange Kintetsu Rail pass at Chubu airport to get airport access ticket. But you cannot exchange Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass. You have to go to Nagoya station to exchange.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I will visit Japan in February 2016. I will arrive in the morning of 16 Feb (Tue) and leave on Feb 19 at 11 a.m. Look like I will have about 3 days and a few hours.
I am interested in this suggested itinerary, would you please advise which itinerary should I keep from these:
Suggested itinerary
Day 1 Nagoya – Takayama
Day 2 Takayama – Shirakawago – Kanazawa
Day 3 Kanazawa – Toyama
Day 4 Toyama – Alpine route – Toyama
Day 5 Toyama – Nagoya
Please also help suggest JR Pass type to buy?
Thank you very much!
Jeab
Hi Jeab,
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route is closed in winter time. So it’s automatically 4 days itinerary now.
On day 3, you have to come back to Nagoya. You cannot get Nagoya airport for 11 am flight from Toyama, Kanazawa and Takayama. So on day 3, your itinerary is Kanazawa-Toyama-Nagoya.
You can use this deal, Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass. But you have to add the fare for airport transfer. It’s not included.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
May I know once the seat being reserved in advance but if we missed the Shinkansen, is there any penalty? Can we still take the next Shinkansen and reserve seat again?
Thank you
Hi Kuan san,
No penalty. You can return your ticket and book new one for later train.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Based on this link
http://touristpass.jp/en/takayama_hokuriku/
It mentioned :
Transport services and routes covered by this pass:
Non-reserved seats of ordinary cars of JR limited express, express, rapid, and ordinary trains between Nagoya － Toyama station (via Tokaido/Takayama lines), between Kanazawa － Kyoto station － stations within Osaka City area (via Hokuriku/Kosei/Tokaido lines), between stations within Osaka City area － Kansai-airport station (via Hanwa/Kansai-airport lines)
Does it mean, we cannot reserved seat on limited express Thunder bird from Osaka/Kyoto to Kanazawa or Nagoya-Takayama-Toyama ??
but on the other hand the site mentioned :
Reserved seats on ordinary cars of JR conventional lines in the area can be used up to four times!
Major examples of using reserved seats on JR trains: Limited Express “Wide View Hida”, Limited Express “Thunderbird”
Which one is true, can you advice ?
Arigatou,
Rio
Hi Rio,
You can make a reservation up to 4 times. So you can book your seat on Thunderbrid and Wide View Hida.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, i will be visiting japan from mid march to mid april. With two toddlers. We will mostly stay in tokyo but wanting to get out of tokyo for a few days. Here is what i have in mind for those days out of tokyo, day1 being day 1 out of tokyo etc.
Day1: tokyo-kanazawa
Day2: kanazawa
Day3: kanazawa-shirakawago
Day4: shirakawago-takayama
Day5:takayama
Day6: takayama
Day7:takayama-osaka
Day8,9,10:osaka-tokyo
Im wondering which rail pass would be the most suitable and/or time efficient for us? The takayama hokuriku sounds like a great choice but it can only be used 5 days. The itinerary is still very flexible, since i have not booked accommodation yet, so if it is better to start from other city and ends the trip (going back to tokyo) from particular city, i am open to change the itineary.
Many thanks in advance
Hi Has,
I think the route is okay. You can do this either from Kanazawa or from Nagoya. As long as you stay in Kanazawa/Shirakawago/Takayama for more than 5 days, you have to add single fare. The easiest way is highway bus. There are some trips from Takayama to Osaka.
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/kyoto_osaka.html
You may use this bus company to get Takayama from Tokyo directly too.
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/tokyo.html
If you use the bus from Tokyo to Takayama, you can start your trip from Takayama to Kanazawa. In this case, you can use Takayama Hokuriku Pass when you leave from Takayama and it will cover until you arrive in Tokyo. This is cheaper.
Some of kids prefer to take train than bus because of motion sickness. Train is more smooth and kids friendly. Kids can move in the train but they cannot do in the bus.
If you take your original route, you have to add the fare to Kanazawa by Shinkansen and need to take a bus or train from Takayama to Osaka. The cost is more than double than Tokyo-Takayama bus route.
Don’t forget to exchange Takayama Hokuriku Pass before leaving Tokyo. You cannot exchange it at either Takayama or Kanazawa.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Many thanks for your helpful and prompt answer. I have another questions I hope you don’t mind.
1. takayama hokuriku pass can not be used for JR Hokuriku from tokyo to kanazawa. am I right?
2.Thank you for mentioning about kids prefer train to bus. i think my kids would prefer train too, bus ride would be too long for them because they are quite young. If I want to go by train, that means no matter which city I start, I would still need to buy single trip fare shinkansen from Tokyo to whichever city I start (takayama/kanazawa/nagoya), and another ticket back to tokyo from wherever the last city is (osaka/nagoya)?
the single fare shinkansen train is quite expensive , and the total of train fare would be close to the price of JR pass 7 days.
For this trip, is it better if I just buy JR pass 7 days and then just add single fare train to go back to tokyo?
Do I have any other options?
once again, your help is much appreciated
Hi Has,
1. No, you cannot.
2. If you complete this trip (Tokyo-Kanazawa/Takayama/Shirakawago-Osaka-Tokyo) in 7 days, JR Pass gives you very good deal. But you will spend more than 7 days. So single ticket and Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass are recommended. Honestly, in my opinion, 3 days is enough for Kanazawa, Shirakawago and Takayama. If you have any special interest in these areas, you may spend 4 or 5 days. But generally 3 days is enough to cover these areas. Some of tourist have done these areas in 2 nights (Kanazawa and Takayama) 3 days easily.
If you shrink your plan of these areas, you may be able to complete Tokyo to Tokyo in 7 days. In this case, you can use JR pass and you can get a great saving. And also these areas are not kids place. Osaka and Tokyo can give kids much more fun.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I plan to visit Kyoto, Takayama, Shirakawago and Osaka this December. Below is my itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Kansai airport, transfer to Kyoto
Day 4: morning – travel from Kyoto to Takayama via Kanazawa and Toyama
Day 6: short trip to Shirakawago
Day 7: travel from Takayama to Osaka back via the same route as day 4, plan to reach in the afternoon
Day 10: Depart from Kansai airport
I am considering to get the Takayama – Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass for day 4 to 7, and use the local transport passes for day 1 to 3 in Kyoto and day 8 to 10 in Osaka. I have 2 questions about this:
1) How much time is required to travel from Kyoto to Takayama, and from Takayama to Osaka if I take the Takayama – Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass?
2) Will my above plan be cheaper compared to getting a JR pass for day 1 to 7, and a local transport pass for day 8 to 10?
Thank you very much for your help! 🙂
Cheers,
WeiJuan
Hi WeiJuan,
1) It takes about 4.5 to 5 hours.
2) Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass is better chocie. And also you can use ICOCA and Haruka round trip ticket for day 1 and 10.
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
We have a family trip of 10 Adults + 5 Children.
Would see if you have any suggestion on which type of pass that we should get?
1st Family : 8Adults + 2 Child (6yrs,7yrs) + 2 Youth (15yrs, 12yrs)
Day 1 – Haneda – Tokyo (Ikebukuro)
Day 2 – Tokyo (Ikebukuro) – Takayama
Day 3 – Takayama – Shirakwago – Takayama
Day 4 – Takayama – Shinhotaka Ropeway – Takayama
Day 5 – Takayama – Tokyo ( stay around in Maihama)
Day 6 – Disney Sea
Day 7 – Tokyo (Maihama) – Tokyo (stay in Shinjuku)
Day 8 – Tokyo
Day 9 – Tokyo
Day 10 – Tokyo (Shinjuku) – Narita Airport
2nd Family : 4Adults + 1 Child
Day 1 – Nagoya Airport – Takayama
Day 2 – Takayama – Shirakwago – Takayama
Day 3 – Takayama – Shinhotaka Ropeway – Takayama
Day 4 – Takayama – Tokyo ( stay around in Maihama)
Day 5 – Disney Sea
Day 6 – Tokyo (Maihama) – Tokyo (stay in Shinjuku)
Day 7 – Tokyo
Day 8 – Tokyo
Day 9 – Tokyo
Day 10 – Tokyo
Day 11 – Tokyo
Day 12 – Tokyo (Shinjuku) – Narita Airport
Hi Pei,
JR pass 7 days is the best choice for 1st party. Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass is the best choice for 2nd party. But 2nd party need to get single fare ticket from Nagoya to Tokyo.
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
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
You may add subway pass for exploring Tokyo as you need. But single fare is okay for Maihama.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/compare-many-discount-tickets-and-passes-for-sightseeing-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-right-tickets.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Below is my itinerary:
Day 1: Chubu Airport -> Nagoya
Day 2: Nagoya -> Korankei -> Nagoya
Day 3: Nagoya -> Gero -> Takayama
Day 4: Takyama -> Shin-hotake -> Takayama
Day 5: Takyama -> Shirakawa -> Hida Furukawa -> Takayama
Day 6: Takayama -> Kyoto
Day 7: Kyoto -> Fushimi Inari Shrine -> Kyoto
Day 8: Kyoto -> Arashiyama Scenic Ride -> Kyoto
Day 9: Kyoto -> Osaka
Day 10: Osaka -> Nara -> Osaka
Day 11: Osaka
Day 12: Osaka -> Kansai Airport
Q1. I intend to get the Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass for Day 2 to 6. I can take from Takayama to Kyoto via Kanazawa, right? May I know what are the timings and how long will it be? Q2. Will it be cheaper if I take the JR Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass for the rest of the journey?
Q3. Is it advisable to get the Kyoto Sightseeing Pass and the Osaka Amazing Pass for the days I’m in these cities?
Deeply appreciated for your help and advice,
Laura 🙂
Hi Laura,
1. Yes. It’s the right way to use this pass.
2. I don’t think so. You need city deals in Osaka and Kyoto beside Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass.
3. If you just visit Sagano Scenic Railway and Fushimi Inari, you don’t need to have any city passes. Just single fare is okay. But if you visit other places in Kyoto with these places, Kyoto sightseeing card is a right choice.
Osaka Amazing Pass is a good deal. But if you visit one or two places on the list, subway pass and pay admission on the spot is better and cheaper.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takashi San,
we are first time to Japan and family of 4 with 2 children, aged 11 and 12 on early December. We do not know Japanese and are prepared to supplement with airport transfer or cab in small area. Please advise which pass combo is best suited for us and whether the itinerary need to be adjusted.
Day1 Arrive Morning 8Am KIX Osaka-Instant Ramen and shopping
Day2 Osaka Universal studio
Day 3 Osaka shopping and Osaka castle
Day4 Stay in Osaka but travel out to Kobe for Kitano district & Kobe Luminarie
Day 5 Stay in Osaka transfer out to Kyoto- Kiyomizu Dera Temple- Tainai- Meguri (dark), Jishu-Jinja, Gion- Shirakawa Area and around Shijo avenue geisha district
Day 6 Stay in Osaka transfer out to Kyoto- Arashiyama,Bamboo Grove, Kinkakuji (Golden Pavillion), Daimaru/ Termachi Shinkyogoku shopping
Day 7- Leave Osaka to Kanazawa, and stay at Shirakwago
Day 8- Leave Shirakawago to Takayama and Shinhotaka Ropeway and stay at an open air Onsen area around Shin hotaka
Day 9 ? Toyama/, Alphine Snowballing/ snow activity for children Roykan
Day 10 Leave for Mount Fuji and stay around the area (or should we make it back to Tokyo and make a day trip out? which save more time)
Day 11 To Tokyo, stay around Disney land and shopping in Tokyo
Day 12 Tokyo
Day 13-15 Disney world, depart from Narita Airport
Not sure about day 9, any suggestion?
Thanks for your advice.
Hi Cheryl san,
For the first 6 days in Osaka, please refer the following post. You may find the deals that you need for these 6 days.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
I’m not sure which deal suits the rest of your plan at this point because plan has not been fixed yet. So let’s try to make it first.
If you want to make your plan be easier, just go to Tokyo after Shin-Hotaka. Gala Yuzawa is very popular site for snow activity.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7690.html
It can be accessed by Shinkansen directly from Tokyo. It has Onsen resort too. You can stay there or make it as day trip whichever you want.
Mt. Fuji can be done as day trip from Tokyo too. Of course you can stay in Lake Kawaguchi area too.
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
If you do these day trips (or one night stay trip from Tokyo), you can use JR pass 7 days from day 7 to 13. I think this is most convenient and easiest way for you. Even if you want to go Yuzawa and/or Fuji as overnight trip, you can pack small and leave most part of your luggage in Tokyo. Luggage may be issue for you.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi!
I would like to ask for some advise about the different passes.
To begin, here’s my planned itinerary..
Day 1: Nagoya
Day 2: Nagoya/Takayama
Day 3: Takayama/ Shirakawago
Day 4: Shirakawago/Gokayama/ Kanazawa
Day 5: Kanazawa/ Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto
Day 7: Kyoto/ Nara/ Osaka
Day 8: Osaka
The ” / ” represent the travelling between the cities..
I was thinking of getting the Takayama-hokuriku area pass, but it’s only valid for 5 days… and I am unsure which 5 days should I use it for. (Is it valid for travel within Nagoya?)
Here’s what I think.. I will probably use it for between Day 1 – Day 5
Day 5/6: Kyoto Sightseeing Card
Day 7: IC card
Day 8: JR one day Kansai Area pass.. to travel within Osaka and to get to the kansai airport.
I also considered the Kintetsu Rail Pass for the last 3 days, and the Kansai Through Pass..
There are too many things going on.. and I am completely lost!
Please help me!
-Jia Ying
Hi Jia,
Actually this pass does not work in either Nagoya and Kyoto. You can use this pass for Kyoto-Osaka. But it will be day 7 and it’s out of coverage period anyway. So you can start using this pass on day 1 or day 2. It’s not an issue.
For day 5 and 6, Kyoto sightseeing card is a good choice. For day 7 and 8, I recommend Kansai thru pass 2 days. You can take Kintetsu railway to get Nara and then to Osaka. You can use Osaka subway as much as you want. I think you will explore Osaka after trip to Nara. Subway is most convenient to explorer in Osaka.
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
You may use this pass on the last day. You can use subway in Osaka and can take Nankai railway to KIX from Namba.
P.S. I have received some of your comments. I removed others and activated only this comment. Your comment will not be shown until I approve. If you leave your comment next time, don’t worry and just leave your comment once. I will approve and it will be shown.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com