Hokuriku Arch Pass user guide. Clarify valid trains, coverage area and compare single fare and pass

Kanazawa castleRail pass for visitors
2015.12.26
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Osaka are covered by this deal. (C) ©Sue Ann Simon (upper left), Osaka Government Tourism Bureau (lower left), Yasufumi Nish (upper right), Kanazawa City (lower right) and JNTO (all photos)
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Osaka are covered by this deal. (C) ©Sue Ann Simon (upper left), Osaka Government Tourism Bureau (lower left), Yasufumi Nish (upper right), Kanazawa City (lower right) and JNTO (all photos)

This pass covers Narita airport, Tokyo, Nagano, Toyama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe and Kansai airport. It suits the one way trip from Tokyo to Osaka via Hokuriku area, such as Kanazawa. This pass does not cover Tokyo – Osaka/Kyoto direct route by the Shinkansen. It is valid for 7 consecutive days. The valid period is same as JR Pass 7-day. The price is cheaper than JR Pass 7 days but coverage area is much smaller.

In this post, I would like to share the information of Hokuriku Arch Pass with you. And I show you some sample rate and compare the pass value and single fares. I also compare Hokuriku Arch Pass and JR Pass. You may find this suits your plan or not.

Prices and valid period

Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass 7-day

 Purchase outside Japan or onlinePurchase inside Japan
Adult25,500 yen25,500 yen
Child
(6-11 years old)		12,750 yen12,750 yen

*Any child who is 5 years old and/or younger is free but you have to share the seat with child. If you want to have a seat for your child too, you have to purchase a child pass for even younger than 5 years old.

This pass is valid for 7 days only. There is no Green pass choices.

One day means midnight to midnight, technically 0:00 to 23:59. Even if you start using the pass at 23:00. you will spend one full day for just one hour. So try to start in the morning. It does not make sense to start to use in the evening.

Coverage area

Coverage map of Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass (Click to view large)
Coverage map of Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass (Click to view large)

This pass covers the trip between Narita airport and Kansai airport via Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hokuriku area. This pass covers the following major spots in the area.

  • Tokyo
  • Kyoto
  • Osaka
  • Kanazawa
  • Toyama
  • Nagano
  • Karuizawa
  • Nara
  • Kobe

The following places surrounding Tokyo, Osaka and Kanazawa are not located in the coverage area. You CANNOT use this pass to access these following places.

It seems to cover whole part of the trip between Tokyo side and Osaka side via Kanazawa and Toyama. But there are some restrictions. Please see next chapter about valid trains.

Valid trains and lines

The following JR trains are covered by this pass.

  • Narita Express between Narita airport and Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro
    You cannot get Yokohama because it is outside coverage area.
  • The Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kanazawa
  • The limited express Thunderbird between Wakura Onsen, Kanazawa and Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Osaka
  • The limited express Haruka between Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Tennoji and Kansai airport
    But only non reserved seat is covered by this pass.
  • Local and Rapid train in downtown Tokyo area, and between Tokyo and Narita airport
  • Local, Rapid and Special Rapid train in Kansai area (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara)
  • Etsumi-Hoku line between Fukui and Kuzuryuko
  • Nanao line between Tsubata and Nanao
  • Himi line between Takaoka and Himi
  • Johana line between Takaoka and Johana
  • Takayama line between Toyama and Inotani
  • Oito line between Itoigawa and Minami-Otari
  • Rapid Airport Narita between Narita airport and Kinshicho, Tokyo, Shinagawa
  • The limited express Shirasagi between Kanazawa and Maibara
  • The limited express Wide View Hida between Toyama and Inotani, and between Osaka and Maibara
  • The limited express Noto-Kagaribi between Kanazawa and Wakura-Onsen
  • The limited express Hanayome-Noren between Kanazawa and Wakura-Onsen
  • The limited express Dinastar between Kanazawa and Fukui

There are some more limited express trains running in the coverage area. As long as you travel in the coverage area, you can ride these trains as well. But even though the limited express Shirasagi and the limited express Wide View Hida are covered, you cannot get Nagoya by Shirasagi and cannot get Takayama by Wide View Hida either. These places are not in coverage area.

JR deals covers basically JR trains only. But Hokuriku Arch Pass covers some “NON JR” railway trains. The following railways are NON JR companies but those are covered by this Pass.

  • Tokyo Monorail (Haneda airport – Hamamatsucho)
  • IR Ishikawa Railway between Kanazawa and Tsubata
  • Ainokaze-Toyama Railway between Toyama and Takaoka
  • Noto Railway between Nanao and Wakura-Onsen

If you arrive in or depart from Haneda airport, trip by Monorail is fully covered by this pass. But JR East Travel Service Center which is the exchange place of this pass does not open in early morning and late night. Please check the operation hours before you travel.

JR East Travel Service Center Haneda

You cannot make any stopover when you take IR Ishikawa Railway and Ainokaze-Toyama Railway. These coverage are connecting to Himi line, Johana line and Nanao line from Toyama and Kanazawa for your convenience.

In Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, subway and non JR railways are not covered by this pass. You have to add an extra fare or other city deal. Please find some more information in the following posts:

Guide to take trains in Tokyo. How to choose the best deal and the best route by the train.
There are so many train lines and subway lines in downtown Tokyo. It is hard to find the route and the coverage of many deals. This guide shows you the train system, how to find the route and how to choose the deals.
jprail.com
2016.01.24
Kyoto train route guide. How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Kyoto. This post shows you the train network in Kyoto. You can learn how to get the major places in Kyoto.
jprail.com
2013.09.22
Osaka train route guide. How much can we use JR Pass in Osaka? How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots in Osaka?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Osaka. This post shows you the train network in Osaka. You can learn how to get the major places in Osaka.
jprail.com
2013.10.30

Compare single fare and Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass

When you think about purchasing this deal, you need to know this is paid off in your trip or not. I show you some sample.
*All rates are based on base fare and reserved seat limited express supplement in regular season.

Trip from Narita airport to Kansai airport with stopover at Tokyo, Kanazawa, Shin-Osaka

Actually if you purchase single fare ticket and limited express surcharge ticket for Narita Express (Narita airport to Tokyo), the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tokyo to Kanazawa), the limited express Thunderbird (Kanazawa to Shin-Osaka) and the limited express Haruka (Shin-Osaka to Kansai airport), total fare is around 23,000 yen. In this case, you have to purchase surcharge ticket for each segments. But you can use one base fare ticket and make stopovers. The ticket is valid for 6 days.

If you use the pass, you can use JR trains when you are in Tokyo and Osaka. So even though single fare and express surcharge combination is cheaper, you may expect to get the worth of this pass by this trip plan. But this pass does not give you a big saving for this itinerary.

Trip between Kanazawa and Tokyo by Hokuriku Shinkansen

Total fares is around 14,000 yen for one way. If you have a round trip between Tokyo and Kanazawa, you can get the worth.

Trip between Nagano and Tokyo by the Shinkansen

Total fare is around 8,500 yen for one way. You need to have some more trips if you want to use this pass.

Trip between Karuizawa and Tokyo by Shinkansen

Total fare is 6,000 yen for one way. This is not enough to use this pass by only this trip.

Trip between Kanazawa and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by the limited express Thunderbird

Total fare is around 8,000 yen for one way. If you have a round trip to Kanazawa from Osaka and do not visit Tokyo, Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass is better choice.

Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass user guide. Perfect deal for the traveler who wants travel to Kansai, Kanazawa and Toyama.
If you travel Kansai area and Hokuriku region, this deal, Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass may suit your trip plan. Please find more information about this deal in this post.
jprail.com
2015.02.08

You may think about using Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass if you intend to visit Shirakawago and Takayama too.

Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass user guide. Perfect deal to travel Takayama, Kanazawa, Toyama, Shirakawago from Nagoya or Osaka
Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass is very popular and convenient to travel Kanazawa, Takayama and Shirakawago. This post explains you how to use this pass.
jprail.com
2015.05.31

Trip between Narita Airport and Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku or Yokohama by Narita Express

The fare is around 3,000 to 3,500 yen.

Trip between Haneda Airport and Hamamatsucho by Tokyo Monorail

Single fare is around 500 yen for one way.

Trip between Kyoto and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by Special Rapid, Rapid or Local

Single fare is around 600 yen for one way.

Trip between Kyoto and Nara by Rapid or Local

Single fare is around 700 yen for one way.

Trip between Nara and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by Rapid or Local

Single fare is around 800 yen for one way.

Trip between Sannomiya (Kobe) and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by Special Rapid, Rapid or Local

Single fare is around 500 yen for one way.

Trip between Kyoto and Kansai airport by the limited express Haruka

Single fare is around 3,000 yen for one way. This fare is based on non reserved seat. Because this pass covers only non reserved seat on this train.

Trip between Shin-Osaka and Kansai airport by the limited express Haruka

Single fare is around 2,500 yen for one way. This fare is based on non reserved seat. Because this pass covers only non reserved seat on this train.

Fares in downtown Osaka and Kyoto

You can take any local trains, like Osaka Kanjo line (to Tennoji, Osakajo, JR-Namba), Yumesaki line (USJ), Sagano line (to Arashiyama) by this pass. The fare is varied by the distance. The fare range is 200 to 300 yen. The train ride in Osaka and Kyoto does help you to get the worth of the pass much.

Fares in downtown Tokyo

You can take any local trains, like Yamanote line, Chuo line by this pass. But the fares in downtown Tokyo is quite reasonable. If you take a local train from Tokyo to Shinjuku, the fare is around 200 yen. When you calculate the fares and compare this pass and single fare, you can ignore the fares in downtown Tokyo. It does not help to get worth very much.

Compare Hokuriku Arch Pass and JR Pass ordinary 7-day

If you have a round trip between Osaka and Tokyo, you may think to use Hokuriku Arch Pass. Because this pass covers both and the price is cheaper than JR Pass 7-day.

Hokuriku Arch PassJR Pass ordinary 7-day
Price24,400 yen (online)29,650 yen

Hokuriku Arch Pass is about 5,000 yen cheaper. This seems to be very attractive. But on the other hand, the trip time between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka is so different too.

Hokuriku Arch PassJR Pass ordinary 7-day
Travel time5.5 to 6 hours3 hours
TrainThe limited express Thunderbird
The Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki)		The Tokaido Shinkansen (Hikari)
TransferOnce at KanazawaDirect

If you drop by Kanazawa, Hokuriku Arch Pass is a good choice. But if you are looking for the deal of Tokyo – Osaka round trip, JR pass is better in my opinion. But the choice is yours. You can use either one.

Assessment

This deal suits the following plan.

  • Narita airport (or Haneda airport) – Tokyo – Kanazawa/Toyama – Tokyo – Narita airport (or Haneda airport)
  • Round trip between Tokyo and Kanazawa
  • Narita airport (or Haneda airport) – Tokyo – Kanazawa/Toyama – Osaka/Kyoto/Nara/Kobe – Kansai airport
  • Narita airport (or Haneda airport) – Tokyo – Kanazawa – Toyama – (Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route) – Nagano – Tokyo
    *Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route and bus from Shinano-Omachi to Nagano are not covered by this pass. You have to add Tateyama Kurobe option ticket.
  • Kansai airport – Osaka/Kyoto/Nara/Kobe – Kanazawa/Toyama – Nagano – Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe/Nara – Kansai airport

I hope this post will help you to pick up the right deal for your trip!

Comments

  1. Sasivimon Jitwichian says:
    March 24, 2016 at 12:45 am

    Right now I am planning for this coming new year 2017

    28/12 : arrive KIX
    29/12 : USJ
    30/12 : Travel to Kyoto Nara
    31/12 : Trip to Kobe / Himeji
    01/12 : trip to Kanasawa / Shirakawago
    02/12 : Travel to Tokyo
    03/12 : Travel in Tokyo
    04/12 : Narita Airport

    This pass is suitable for this itenararies?

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      March 24, 2016 at 7:28 am

      Hi Sasivimon,

      This pass will be suitable for your trip. But you need to add some fare for Kobe-Himeji and bus to Shiraawago. Both trips are not in coverage area of this pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Cher Yin says:
    March 21, 2016 at 11:39 pm

    Takeshi-san,

    Thank you for your postings. It’s resourceful.

    My plan (Dec) is as follows:

    Day 1 – Narita – Tokyo
    Day 2 – Tokyo
    Day 3 – Tokyo – Kanazawa (Loop Bus)
    Day 4 – Kanazawa – Shirakawa-go – Kanazawa (Bus)
    Day 5 – Kanazawa – Nagano
    Day 6 – Nagano – Tokyo
    Day 7 – Tokyo
    Day 8 – Tokyo – Gala Yuzawa
    Day 9 – Tokyo – Narita

    Since my plan covers Tokyo-Kanazawa, I think Hokuriku Arch Pass is cheaper (Day 3~Day 9). I will use Keisei + 2 day subway pass for the first 2 days.

    You mentioned that this pass covers Local and Rapid train in downtown Tokyo area, does it mean all JR lines in downtown Tokyo or only the stations shown in the map? Ueno is not part of it, for example.

    It does not cover subway and Gala Yuzawa right? But it is still cheaper if I compare to JR East Pass for any 5 days from Day 3 ~ Day 9.

    Please correct me if I am wrong.

    Thank you in advance.

  3. Vinka says:
    March 11, 2016 at 1:40 am

    Hi Takeshi-san!

    I am going to go to Japan this April. My route is like this:

    Day 1: Arrive at Haneda Airport, go to Osaka (sleeping at Osaka)
    Day 2: Universal Studios Osaka (sleeping at Osaka)
    Day 3: Osaka (sleeping at Osaka)
    Day 4: Kyoto (sleeping at Osaka)
    Day 5: Go to Tokyo (sleeping at Tokyo)
    Day 6: Kawaguchiko and Tokyo (sleeping at Tokyo)
    Day 7: Tokyo (sleeping at Tokyo)
    Day 8: Tokyo Disneyland (sleeping at Tokyo)
    Day 9: Tokyo Disneysea (sleeping at Tokyo)
    Day 10: Leaving Japan from Haneda Airport

    We’re planning to use JR Pass & days (for Day 1-7), but a travel agent suggest us to use this Hokuriku Arch Pass.

    My questions are:
    1. Which pass should be the best choice for us?
    2. If we use JR Pass from Tokyo to Osaka and vice versa, it will take about 2 hours 30 minutes by using Hikari shinkansen. What if we use Hokuriku arch pass? How long will it take, since the route on maps looks further than the regular Hikari’s route from Tokyo to Osaka.
    3. Do we need to change trains if we use Hokuriku Arch pass? We don’t want to change trains a lot, since we move from Tokyo to Osaka and back to Tokyo with big luggages.

    Thank you for your assistance.

    Cheers,
    Vinka

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      March 11, 2016 at 6:23 am

      Hi Vinka san,

      1. I have no idea why the agent suggest Hokuriku Arch Pass. JR Pass is better. Hokuriku Arch Pass does not cover Kawaguchiko at all.

      2/3. You have to change the train at Kanazawa. It will take more than 5 hours if you use Hokuriku Shinkansen and limited express Thunderbird from Kanazawa to Osaka. Kanazawa is very nice city and worth visiting. But if you don’t need to visit, this route makes you just wasting time.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Vinka says:
        March 11, 2016 at 9:39 am

        Well.. the travel agent doesn’t know my detailed itinerary. They just know my ‘big view’ routes: Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto-Osaka-Tokyo, so they promote this Hokuriku Arch pass since it’s newer and cheaper.

        But thanks to your suggestion. I’ll still use JR Pass since it’ll be faster. I may go back again to Japan later to see Kanazawa, Shirakawago,Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route etc.. but not for this time since we just have a limited time.

        Thank you so much for your assistance. It helps a lot.

        Cheers,
        Vinka

  4. chenny says:
    March 6, 2016 at 3:50 am

    Hi Mr. Takeshi,

    Kindly advice the best pass for my itinerary below:
    OSAKA(2 nights)–> KYOTO(2 nights)–> TOYAMA(2 nights: one day to Takayama,Shirakawa-Go and the second day to Alpine Route)–> Nagano(one night)–> Tokyo(6 nights)

    thank you so much for your help

    Regards,
    Chenny-Jakarta

  5. lilyanne says:
    March 1, 2016 at 8:57 pm

    Hi Takeshi san,

    I am planning to visit Kanazawa using Hokuriku shinkansen , stay few days here and then go to Wakura onsen.

    I arrive into Narita airport and go direct to kanazawa . Kindly advise is it worth to buy the Arch Pass by hokuriku shinkansen,

    Thank you

    Lilyanne

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      March 1, 2016 at 11:41 pm

      Hi Lilyanne san,

      If you go back to Tokyo from Kanazawa/Wakura Onsen by this pass, it’s recommended. But if you intend to use this pass for just one way from Narita to Kanazawa and Wakura onsen, it’s too expensive. Single fare ticket is cheaper.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  6. WC tieo says:
    February 25, 2016 at 9:28 pm

    Hi Takeshi

    After reading your comment, need some advice for the transportion.
    Any cheaper transport pass for below itinerary during my visit by end of May?

    1. Day 1 – Narita airport to Shinjuku station

    2. Day 2 – Shinjuku to Fuji five lakes + Fuji q highland (return trip)

    3. Day 3 – Shinjuku to Disney sea (return trip)

    4. Day 4 – Shinjuku to Toyama (evening time)

    5. Day 5 – Toyama to Alpine route, then back to Toyama

    6. Day 6 – Toyama to Kanazawa

    7. Day 7 – Kanazawa to Shirakawago

    8. Day 8 – Shirakawago to Takayama

    9. Day 9 – Takayama to Nagoya

    10. Day 10 – Nagoya to Chubu International airport (morning time)

    Really appreciate your help if you could advice me on what cheaper transport pass can be used

  7. Xiao says:
    February 5, 2016 at 6:15 am

    Dear Takeshi, we are planning visit Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka in this April. Do you think this pass is worth to buy? How long will take from Tokyo to Kyoto? Any time table available?

  8. Silvi says:
    January 20, 2016 at 1:15 am

    Hi Takeshi San
    Thankyou for sharing good informations with us here…

    I’m planning to go to japan for 16 days, do you think its enough to cover osaka, kyoto and hokkaido?

    I’m planning to go to Osaka first (visit kobe kyoto and areas around there) then go to Hokkaido, the last is Tokyo. I’m going to buy JRPass for a week only starts from kyoto to hokkaido (as im going to buy other trains deal in osaka and tokyo)
    *my question is, if i’m landing in osaka on 15 Apr, can i use my Jrpass on 18 Apr starting from kyoto?

    Do you have any advice or suggestions for my itinerary?

    Thankyou…

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      January 20, 2016 at 6:49 am

      Hi Silvi san,

      It’s completely no problem to visit all places for 16 days.
      You can use 7 days JR pass from 18 Apr. You also can exchange JR pass when you arrive in KIX if you want. But KIX station is very busy in these day. You may exchange it at Kyoto station. You also can exchange in advance and book all trains after you exchange it too.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  9. Anne says:
    January 17, 2016 at 9:38 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    My itinerary for 14 days in Japan as follow:
    OSAKA –> KYOTO –> HAKONE/GOTEMBA –> TOKYO –> HANEDA

    I have already calculate all those cities with SINGLE FARE by Hyperdia and the result as follow:

    OSAKA Airport –> OSAKA (Namba) = 640 yen
    OSAKA (Namba) –> KYOTO = 560 yen
    KYOTO –> GOTEMBA Premium Outlet = 11,220 yen
    GOTEMBA –> TOKYO (Shinjuku) = 1,940 yen
    TOKYO –> HANEDA AIRPORT = 650 yen
    ——————————————————————–
    TOTAL = 15,010 yen

    And for sightseeing in each city, I’m going to buy:
    OSAKA –> Rainbow Card = 2,000 yen
    KYOTO Sightseeing 2 Day Pass = 2,000 yen
    TOKYO Metro 3 Day Pass = 2,200 yen

    Is this the best fare I choose than 7 Day JR Pass, right? Please correct if any mistake. Thank you.

    Cheers,
    Anne

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      January 17, 2016 at 10:35 am

      Hi Anne,

      It’s correct. You did a good job!
      I just want to mention just one thing. Rainbow card is okay to use subway and private railways but it does not cover JR. But if you have ICOCA, you can use any trains, subway, private lines and JR.
      http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/icoca-haruka/pdf/ICOCA_en.pdf

      You can use it even trains in Tokyo if you want. But when you purchase this, you have to pay 500 yen for deposit. If you want to refund this deposit, you have to make ICOCA empty and apply refund before you leave Kyoto. You can get refund in Kansai area only.

      Anyway, ICOCA is more useful than rainbow card in my opinion. You can use it for Osaka to Kyoto transfer by any trains.
      And also Enjoy Eco card (unlimited subway ride pass) may be better than Rainbow card. Especially if you travel in weekend or holidays, it’s only 600 yen. If you make 3 or more trips by subway, it’s paid off.
      http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/library/english/img/obj_con02.pdf

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  10. KAREN says:
    January 8, 2016 at 6:10 pm

    Hi Takeshi san,

    We are planning to visit the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in May. Would this new pass suit our itinery?!

    We are going to fly into either Narita or Haneda. Then stay a few nights in Tokyo. Planning to start the Alpine Route from Ogizawa and leave via Toyama. Hoping to take the Shinkansen to Osaka and will stay there for a few more nights before leaving from Kansai Airport.

    Thank you in advance.

    Cheers,

    Karen

123…14
Copied title and URL