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
Hello Takeshi,
Thank you so much for your information
I plan to use this pass on my way from Osaka to Nagoya and the information on JR pass said that I can use JR takayama line from Toyama to Takayama and from Takayama to Nagoya.
I believe this pass will cover LTD. EXP (WIDE VIEW) HIDA from Tayama to Nagoya but doe it cover LTD.EXP (WIDE VIEW) HIDA from Toyama to Takayama too?
Thank you so much for your help
Hi Nick,
Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass covers Toyama-Takayama-Nagoya. You can take limited express Wide View Hida on any segment among these stations by this pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
My family and I (2 adults and 2 children, 5 and 9) will be travelling to Japan in May. I am not quitesure which pass we should get and was hoping to get your advice. Our itenary is:
Day 1 – Osaka (2 nights)
Day 3 – Kyoto (2 nights)
Day 5 – Kanazawa (3 nights)
Day 6 – Shirakawago (day trip)
Day 8 – Toyama (3 nights)
Day 9 – Kurobe Gorge (day trip)
Day 10 – Alphine route (day trip)
Day 11- Tokyo (5 nights)
Hi Faith,
ICOCA and Haruka is recommended for Osaka and Kyoto.
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 can use ICOCA for sightseeing in Osaka, and Osaka to Kyoto transfer. Kyoto city deal may be added because ICOCA may not be enough to cover staying in Kyoto.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Tokyo Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass is your choice for Kanazawa and Toyama.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/tokyo-osaka-hokuriku-arch-pass-user-guide-clarify-valid-trains-coverage-area-and-compare-single-fare-and-pass.html
Tateyama Kurobe Option ticket is recommended for alpine route. You need to go through this route to Nagano. But you may come back to Toyama by Shinkansen. It’s covered by Tokyo Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass.
http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/
For staying in Tokyo, please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Single ticket is your choice to the airport.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.con
Hello Takashi-san
Many thanks for taking the time to set up such a useful website and being so helpful to all the queries.
May I trouble you to look at my itinerary below and advise if I should get a 14 day JR Pass or would it be cheaper to buy the tickets individually?
4/7/2016 Narita – Nikko
4/8/2016 Nikko
4/9/2016 Hakone
4/10/2016 Hakone
4/11/2016 Tokyo
4/12/2016 Tokyo
4/13/2016 Tokyo
4/14/2016 Tokyo
4/15/2016 Takayama
4/16/2016 Takayama / Shirakawago
4/17/2016 Takayama
4/18/2016 Tokyo
4/19/2016 Tokyo
4/20/2016 Narita
The issue I need to be back in Tokyo from the 11-14th of Apr, where I won’t be travelling too much – is it worthwhile still to get a 14 Day JR Pass?
One last question – is it better to get to Takayama from Tokyo via Nagoya or Toyama? We are fairly flexible with the time but was wondering is there one route which is more scenic or which we can use the JR Pass?
Thank you so much for any advice you might be able to give
Best wishes
Wei
Hi Wei,
7 days JR pass is okay. Because you can use other deal for Nikko and Hakone.
https://jprail.com/destinations/world-heritage-destinations/how-to-access-to-nikko-from-tokyo-there-are-three-ways-from-tokyo-shinjuku-and-asakusa.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
I recommend you to use Tokyo Wide Pass for the first 3 days of your trip. And you can add Hakone Free Pass at Odawara. Single ticket (Odawara-Shinjuku) will be added after visiting Hakone.
You may use JR pass 7 days for the last 7 days of your trip.
Tokyo-Nagoya-Takayama is more convenient because trains run more frequently. But you can take either route because all part of Takayama line between Toyama and Nagoya are very scenic.
You may drop by Kanazawa if you take Toyama route. It’s very lovely town and worth visiting.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you Takeshi-san for the quick reply.
Just to clarify – does the Hakone Free Pass include the single back to Shinjuku if we buy it in Odawara? Or is it extra?
Thank you again!
Wei
Hi Wei,
If you purchase Hakone Free Pass at Odawara, Odawara-Shinjuku is extra. You need to pay on top of the pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
i’m planning to travel with my wife and 2 kids: 5 & 7 years old.
here is my itinerary:
1) Day 1 to 2 – arrive Kansai airport Stay Osaka
2) Day 3 – Go to takayama stay at takayama
3) Day 4 – Go to Shirakawago + kanazawa daytrip Stay at takayama
4) Day 5 –to 10 go to shinjuku tokyo. Stay at shinjuku tokyo
5) Day 11 – go to haneda airport
Do you think this Hokuriku Area Pass is the best value for my itinerary? I was originally going to go for the Japan Rail Pass, since I will be in Tokyo for another 6 days afterwards, and can utilize the pass while travelling around Tokyo, but it is very expensive.
Could you please check which pass should i use?
Thanks and Regards,
Billy
Hi Billy,
Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass is the best choice. But you have to add single fare from Nagoya to Tokyo. It costs around 11000 yen (base fare and Shinkansen surcharge).
It’s still cheaper than JR pass.
If you travel in/around Tokyo, subway pass or single fare is okay.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
May I know if I can use this pass to Nara from Osaka?
Regards,
Chloe
Hi Chloe,
Unfortunately not. Nara is outside coverage area.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San. I would like to know which pass should I buy to go sightseeing Kyoto and Osaka for 4 days. I have been browsing the net but can’t seem to decide which one to take Thanks
Hi Cynthia,
Local city deals are okay.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hi
about takayam hokurika pass , can I take the ltd exp (wide view) hida direct from Osaka to takayama (dep Osaka 7:58) via gifu and arrive takayama (arr 12:15) or not. and if not how much I need to pay.
thks in advance for yr kind favor.
bgds
kate
Hi Kate,
No. You cannot. You have to pay about 4000 yen for Kyoto-Gifu where is outside coverage area.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Thank you very much for your extensive review. I’m considering which pass is the best for my itinerary:
1. Kyoto > Takayama
2. Takayama > Shirakawago
3. Shirakawago > Tokyo (probably via Kanazawa)
Do you think this Hokuriku Area Pass is the best value for my itinerary? I was originally going to go for the Japan Rail Pass, since I will be in Tokyo for another 7 days afterwards, and can utilize the pass while travelling around Tokyo, but it is very expensive!
Cheers,
Belle
Hi Belle,
Takayama Hokuroku Area Pass is better deal than JR pass. But you have to add about 13000 yen for taking Hokuriku Shinkansen. This pass covers only non reserved seat on Hokuriku Shinkansen between Toyama and Kanazawa. So this additional cost is for Toyama to Tokyo. But even if you pay 13000 yen on top of this pass, it’s still cheaper than JR Pass. And this pass covers Nohi bus to get Shirakawago but JR pass doesn’t.
If you travel in city of Tokyo only, subway deal is enough.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
However if you visit outside Tokyo, such as Hakone, Lake Kawaguchi, Nikko, JR pass may be better. It’s hard to compare at this point. You have to complete your itinerary to pick the right deal.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi san,
I’m planning to stay at Takayama-Kanazawa-Kyoto-Tokyo.
Could i check if this Takayama-Hokuriku Area Pass covers the entire journey between Kyoto and Himeiji stations.
If no, i suppose the JR Kansai Area Pass is a better deal?
Also, would you suggest i get the 7-day JR Pass since i need to take shinkansen between Kyoto-Tokyo.
Thank you for your advice!
Hi Jocelyn san,
JR pass is better choice as you think. It covers all places where you want to visit.
If you intend to visit Shirakawago, JR pass does not cover the bus. But it’s still better deal.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi san.
I realise i missed out informing the length of stay which is Takayama (2days) -Kanazawa (2days)-Kyoto (6days, of which 1day i would like to visit Himeji)-Tokyo (6days).
In this case, should i get both Takayama-Hokuriku Area Pass & JR Kansai Area Pass & also pay the Kyoto-Tokyo Shinkansen separately? Or should i still get JR pass?
Thanks a lot.
Hi Jocelyn,
7 days JR pass cannot cover whole part of your trip. So Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass + Kansai area pass + single fare is your choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi
Sorry, need to seek your advice again.
This is my itinerary:
1) Day 1 – arrive Nagoya. Travel to Takayama. Stay Takayama.
2) Day 2 – Gokayama & Shirakawa-go. Stay Takayama
3) Day 3 – Shin-Hotaka Ropeway. Stay Hirayu Onsen
4) Day 4 – Hida Furukawa + Gero Onsen. Stay Gero
5) Days 5 to 8 – go to Tokyo . Stay Tokyo
6) Days 9 to 10 – back to Nagoya. Stay Nagoya
7) Day 11 – leave Japan
Initially I want to buy Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass and use it for Days 1 to 5. But I just realised the Shinkansen fare from Nagoya to Tokyo is so expensive, Yen 10,360 (unreserved seat) one-way. So, I am not sure if I should buy the 7-day Japan Rail Pass instead (Yen 29,110). But this means I have to pay for the bus rides to Gokayama & Shirakawa-go.
Is there any other discounted rail ticket that covers Nagoya and Tokyo. What is your advice?
Thank you very much.
Regards
LP
Hi Serene,
Unfortunately there is no deal to cover Nagoya-Tokyo trip. If you complete Nagoya to Nagoya in 7 days, 7 days JR pass is recommended. But you will spend 9 days from Nagoya to Nagoya. So JR Pass does not work. Even if you pay single fare for Takayama-Gero-Tokyo and Tokyo-Nagoya, single fare is cheaper than 7 days pass.
At this point, Takayama Hokuriku pass and single fare is the best option. But if you intend to visit outside Tokyo when you are in Tokyo, like trip to Fuji, Nikko, JR Pass will be better option for day 3-9 or day 4-10. In this case, you need to add single fare for Nagoya-Takayama and bus around Takayama.
If you want to save your cost for Nagoya-Tokyo-Nagoya, think about express bus.
https://willerexpress.com/en/
But I have never taken this express bus. So I don’t have any more info about this bus route.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com