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,
My sister and I will be travelling to Japan in less than a week time.
I was thinking of buying Takayama Hokuriku Pass for my Takayama – Shirakawago (day trip) – Takayama – Osaka routes.
In Osaka, I will be using JR Hida, JR Tokaido Line, JR Tokaido-Sanyo Line, JR Osaka Loop Line, JR Touzai Gakkentoshi Line and JR Haruka.
Hence, are all those JR Lines that I have mentioned included in the Takayama Hokuriku Pass?
Any advice provided will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Jamie
Hi Jamie,
How do you get Osaka from Takayama. Please see the map in the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
Are you thinking to take Limited Express Wide View Hida from Takayama to Osaka directly? If so, it’s not covered. When you go to Osaka from Takayama, you have to get Kanazawa first. There are two ways to get Kanazawa via Shirakawago by bus or via Toyama by train.
All lines that you mentioned are covered by this pass as long as you travel in coverage area.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi
My 85 yr old mother (who is reasonably fit) and I are planning a trip to visit Shirakawago in April this year. Can you please give us some options about how to do this? Here is our plan at the moment:
Day 1 – Our departure point is Omiya (can travel into Tokyo) then on to Takayama for a night
Day 2 – Either take a bus to Ogimachi (poss Suganuma and Ainokura – don’t know if you can) Stay overnight at one of these villages
Day 3 – Either stay another night in Takayama or return to Omiya.
I noticed that the Takayama spring festival is on and would love to spend one of the festival nights in Takayama although Im not sure how easy it would be to get accommodation at this time.
I am also thinking about renting a car to get to the Shirakawao and Gokyama villages if the bus service is too difficult.
Your feedback would be appreciated
Hi Katie,
You can take Hokuriku Shinkansen from Omiya to get Toyama, Shin-Takaoka or Kanazawa. You can access Shirakawago or Ogimachi from these stations. Please see the following links:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/bus/gokayama.html
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/shirakawago_kanazawa.html
You don’t need to get Tokyo. You can get Takayama from Toyama too. You need to change the train at Toyama once. I think this is easier than the route via Tokyo and Nagoya.
You may 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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi can I use this pass to ride JR Train inside the city of Osaka?
Hi Joanne,
Please see the following link:
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#JR_Pass_Kansai_Area_Pass_Kansai_WIDE_Area_Pass_Kansai_Hiroshima_Area_Pass_Sanyo_Sanin_Area_Pass_Kansai_Hokuriku_Aea_Pass_Takayama_Hokuriku_Area_Pass
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi San,
Good Morning from Jakarta
I have some questions about this pass Hokuriku Takayama
Please help explanation
1. Do Nohi Bus must reserve.? Can if on the spot just do not have the reserve.?
2. Wherever the location for its reserve Nohi Bus.? There is an office that we could go or just via telephone only.?
3. What is the purpose of “reserve seat up four times”.?
I’m awaiting your confirmation ASAP
Thanks You
Hi Mia,
1. Reservation is required for most of bus. Please see Nohi bus official site. You will find which bus you have book for.
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/shirakawago_kanazawa.html
If space is available when bus depart, you can take it. Otherwise you cannot get on.
2. Basically phone is the best way. They speak English. So don’t worry about communication.
3. It’s for train reservation only. Nohi bus booking is not counted in this 4 times.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Is this pass also cover takayama to kamikochi roundtrip by Nohi Bus?
Thanks
Hest
Hi Hest,
No. It’s outside coverage area.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I just love your site. It is so informative and makes trip planning so much easier for travellers.
It will be my first time to travel to Nagoya and Takayama in the coming January (7-12), but I couldn’t decide my itinerary for my 3D2N stay at Takayama. I want to visit Shirakawago, Kanazawa and maybe Toyama, and will buy the Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass.
Below is what I have in mind. Grateful if you can give me some advice. I am not a morning person, so I don’t plan on taking any 7/8 am buses.
Day 1 (8 Jan, Fri) – Arrive Takayama (by Hida 9) in the afternoon and will tour around the city
Day 2 (9 Jan, Sat) – taking reference from http://www.japan-guide.com/bus/shirakawago.html about the bus schedule
0950 – Takayama to Shirakawa
1225 – Shirakawa to Kanazawa*
1600 – Kanazawa to Takayama*
With this option, I will use 2 reserved seats (marked with *), and the other 2 times will be used for the round trip between Takayama/Toyama and Nagoya. However, I don’t know if it is sufficient to spend just less than 2 hours in Shirakawago.
Also, how do I make reservation for bus apart from calling them? Can I make the reservation a day before at Takayama station? Do I have to exchange tickets with the Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass?
Day 3 (10 Jan, Sun) – Takayama to Toyama (JR), then Toyama back to Nagoya (Hida 20)
How long would you recommend me to stay in Toyama? Would 3 hours be sufficient? I plan to visit the Takayama morning market before heading over to Toyama.
Alternatively, I can ditch my plan to Toyama, and just visit Shirakawa on Day 2 and Kanazawa on Day 3. As I don’t want my trip to be too rushy nor spent too much time on travelling.
What do you think of my itinerary? I would love to hear your suggestions. I also worry if heavy snow will be a problem for travelling by bus and wonder if taking JR will be a better choice for my travel period.
BTW – where can I find the full schedule of Wide View Hida Limited Express trains? I was only be able to search schedule on google map’s schedule explorer function / West JR site with a given time. But I would like to see the whole day train schedule for a better time management.
Finally, for long travelling, will meals be offered on trains? Or do I have to grab bento before hopping on the train? Apologies if you find my question stupid.
Thank you!
Cheers,
Phoebe
Hi Phoebe,
I think it’s very tight in both Kanazawa and Shirakawago. I understand you want to stay in one place, Takayama and make day trip. You don’t need to worry about luggage. But I recommend you to stay in Kanazawa after visiting Shirakawago. You can take later bus to get Kanazawa. You will see Kanazawa in the night and next morning. You may take Kanazawa-Toyama-Nagoya route and you can drop by Toyama. But honestly, Kanazawa is much more attractive than Toyama. If I were you, I cut Toyama and stay in Kanazawa as much as I can. But you have to take this route anyway. Because only this route or bus route to Takayama is covered by this pass.
You can find the timetable at Hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Especially this function is very helpful.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html#Interval_timetable
Meal is not served in the train. You cannot purchase it on board either. Don’t forget to grab something to eat and drink.
Cheers,’
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you so much for your recommendation. I just changed my second night to Kanazawa. This will give me much more flexibility.
A few follow up questions:
1. Is it easy to store luggage in Shirakawago? It will be just a carry on small luggage.
2. Is the Takayama morning marketing worth going? I heard the no. of stalls will drop to 10 in winter.
3. For travelling within Nagoya, is it sufficient to get the 1-day subway pass? Can I get the pass at any subway station?
I am staying at Sakae and plan on travelling to Nagoya Castle, Atsuta Shrine, Toyota Museum, and Sky Promenade by subway. While I can walk to Oasis 21, TV Tower and Osu from my hotel.
Thank you for your help!
Cheers,
Phoebe
Hi Phoebe,
1. Yes. There are lockers. If it’s full, information center can take care of it at same price, about 300-400 yen.
2. I like it. But actually I have no idea in winter time because I have never been there in winter.
3. I agree. Please find more info at the link below:
http://www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/english/english_tickets.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
The reserved bus is so full during my period of travel, luckily I was finally able to make reservations for bus from Takayama to Kanazawa and Kanazawa to Shirakawago, but have to cut down my time spent in Shirakawago.
I wonder what to do, if I couldn’t make it to those “no reservation” buses from Shirakawago to Takayama. Are there trains or even taxi/uber? How much would that be?
I am super worried that I will miss the non-reserved bus……… coz I won’t have anywhere to stay in Shirakawago.
Thank you!
Cheers,
Phoebe
Hi Phoebe,
Unfortunately there is no options other than Nohi bus. I don’t think you can catch any other taxi service from Shirakawago. You MUST take a bus. In the worst case, you have to call up taxi from either Takayama or Kanazawa. I have no idea about cost but it’s super expensive.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Does Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass cover unlimited unreserved seat for:
-LTD. EXP HARUKA
-LTD. EXP THUNDERBIRD
Yes, EK Yeoh.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-san,
I am so glad to chance upon this website after trying hard to figure out how to travel within a few places in Japan.
I need your advice on the travel plan and the type of pass that a family of 4 can buy.
Day 1: Arrive at Kansai Airport and stay near JR Namba (Motomachi,Naniwa-ku)
Day 2: Travel to Kyoto and stay near Kiyomizu-Gojo station
Day 3 – 4: Stay near Kyoto Station (Kyoyumoto Hatoya Zuihokaku)
Kindly advise which day should we visit Kiyomizu Temple, Golden Pavilion, Gion District, Fushimi Inari Shrine and Arashimaya.
Do you think we have the time to visit Nara or we should do that another time?
Day 5: Kyoto to Shiragawa-go and stay at Hirase Onsen
Day 6: Hirase Onsen to Takayama and stay at Takayamaouan
Kindly advise if it is better for us if Day 5 we travel from Kyoto to Hirase Osen, then Day 6 we travel to Shiragawa-go then Takayama?
Day 7: Takayama to Osaka JR Namba (Motomachi,Naniwa-ku)
Day 8: Tour Osaka
Day 9: Depart from Kansai airport in the evening
Look forward to your advice as we will be in Japan next weekend!
Hi Jas,
I recommend you to use two deals.
ICOCA and Haruka one way
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
You may use Haruka or other trains to get Namba. ICOCA money can be used for getting Kyoto next day.
In Kyoto, subway/bus deal is recommended.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
But if you go to Fushimi Inari, JR train is the best way. Subway/bus deal do not cover JR so you can use ICOCA again.
Arashiyama and Fushimi are accessible by JR trains. These two places should be visited in same day.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
If you squeeze Nara, it’s tight but possible. It depends on your schedule.
Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass for day 5 to 9. This is only deal to cover the second half of your trip. You can visit Shirakawago if you go straight there.
But this pass does not cover Nagoya-Kyoto segment. When you go back to Osaka from Takayama, you have to take the route via Toyama and Kanazawa as you see the post above.
And you may use JR trains in Osaka. But you may need to take subway in Osaka.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Thank you very much for your advice. It will save me lots of time trying to figure out the many kinds of passes available.
Upon reaching, I will buy the 2 passes that you recommend for first half of the trip. Since schedule is too tight in Kyoto, I will give Nara a miss in this trip.
I have just bought the Takayma-Hokuriku Tourist Pass. I will pay separately to get from Nagoya to Osaka on the way back. Can I ask when we refer to Hyperdia for JR train tickets, what is the difference between paying for ticket fare, unreserved seat and reserved seat?
Lastly, since Takayama-Hokuriku Pass allows usage of JR in Osaka, any good places which you can advice that we visit in the last 3 days?
Day 7: Reach Osaka JR Namba at 2.30pm
Day 8: Full day in Osaka
Day 9: Leave Osaka JR Namba at 3pm
Regards,
Jas
Hi Jas,
If you want to secure your seat, you can pay reserved seat fee. Shinkansen train has non reserved seat car too. It’s first come and first serve basis. If it’s full, you may have to stand up. It’s very rare that you cannot get a seat unless you travel in peak period. But if you travel with someone, it’s hard to find the seat side by side.
Actually you can get most of places in Osaka by JR trains. Please find the detailed info at the link below:
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,
My sister is planning to purchase the Takayama Horikuru pass.
She arrives in KIX on 11th Dec. Taking the train to Kanazawa from KIX airport.
Spend 2 nights at Kanazawa and then take the train to Takayama on 13th Dec.
Day trip to Shirakawago via NohiBus on 14th Dec.
On 15th Dec, move from Takayama to Kyoto.
Looking at the route, this pass does not cover a direct Nagoya to Kyoto.
What is the best route to travel from Takayama to Kyoto using this pass?
Thanks for your great assistance as always.
Thanks
Janice
Hi Janice,
It’s same route as 11th and 12th. She has to take the route via Toyama and Kanazawa.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you!
No problem, Janice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
First of all, like many others, I would like to say what a great website! Secondly, I would like to ask for some advice about my itinerary and what kind of rail pass to buy:
I have booked our flights, but am yet to book any accommodation.
Arrive in Osaka on 15 Feb at 09:35
Day 1 to 3 : Osaka, Kyoto and Nara
Day 4: Kyoto to Kanazawa with a side trip to Shirakawago
Day 5: Kanazawa to Shibu Onsen at Yamanouchi
Day 6: Shibu Onsen to Tadami (or any other town along the Tadami River)
Day 7: Tadami River Line (stay at Mishima possibly)
Day 8: Continue down to Nikko
Day 9: Nikko to Tokyo
Day 10: Tokyo
Day 11: Day trip Tokyo to Hakone (possibly stay the night)
Day 12: Tokyo
Day 13: Depart from Tokyo on Sat 27 Feb at 11:30
Would the JR Pass make sense? Should I try to squeeze Takayama and Nyuto Onsen or any other place in? I could omit either Kanazawa and Nikko or Shibu Onsen from the itinerary, but would really like to see Shirakawago and views of Mt. Fuji as well as the Tadami River which is is a must.
Any input would be much appreciated. Kind regards
Hi Jonathan,
You can use JR Pass 7 days from day 4 to day 10. In Osaka, Tokyo and Hakone, you may use other deals at 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-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
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
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
You may include Takayama and Nyuto Onsen if you remove Kanazawa and Nikko. You can stay in Takayama on day 4 instead of Kanazawa.
I don’t understand you will stay at Mishima on day 7. Mishima is located in Shizuoka near Mt. Fuji. You can stay somewhere on Tadami line or Aizu-Wakamatsu. Nyuto Onsen is not closed to Tadami or Aizu Wakamatsu. But you can take Tohoku and Akita Shinkansen from Koriyama to get Tazawako. Nyuto Osen can be accessed by bus for 1 hour. Most of buses are connected with Akita Shinkansen arrival time.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com