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
- Coverage area
- Valid trains and lines
- Compare single fare and Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass
- Trip from Narita airport to Kansai airport with stopover at Tokyo, Kanazawa, Shin-Osaka
- Trip between Kanazawa and Tokyo by Hokuriku Shinkansen
- Trip between Nagano and Tokyo by the Shinkansen
- Trip between Karuizawa and Tokyo by Shinkansen
- Trip between Kanazawa and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by the limited express Thunderbird
- Trip between Narita Airport and Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku or Yokohama by Narita Express
- Trip between Haneda Airport and Hamamatsucho by Tokyo Monorail
- Trip between Kyoto and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by Special Rapid, Rapid or Local
- Trip between Kyoto and Nara by Rapid or Local
- Trip between Nara and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by Rapid or Local
- Trip between Sannomiya (Kobe) and Osaka/Shin-Osaka by Special Rapid, Rapid or Local
- Trip between Kyoto and Kansai airport by the limited express Haruka
- Trip between Shin-Osaka and Kansai airport by the limited express Haruka
- Fares in downtown Osaka and Kyoto
- Fares in downtown Tokyo
- Compare Hokuriku Arch Pass and JR Pass ordinary 7-day
- Assessment
Prices and valid period
Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass 7-day
| Purchase outside Japan or online | Purchase inside Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | 25,500 yen | 25,500 yen |
| Child (6-11 years old) | 12,750 yen | 12,750 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
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:
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.
You may think about using Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass if you intend to visit Shirakawago and Takayama too.
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 Pass | JR Pass ordinary 7-day | |
| Price | 24,400 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 Pass | JR Pass ordinary 7-day | |
| Travel time | 5.5 to 6 hours | 3 hours |
| Train | The limited express Thunderbird The Hokuriku Shinkansen (Kagayaki) | The Tokaido Shinkansen (Hikari) |
| Transfer | Once at Kanazawa | Direct |
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
Hi there,
I’m considering whether to buy this Hokuriku Arch Pass or JR Pass for my below itenary?
Nov 10-12: Arrived Narita Airport and travel down to Kyoto
Nov 13-17: Return to Tokyo (might drop by Hakone for day trip) then leave Tokyo on 17 Nov via Narita
Appreciate for your advice please.
Thanks
Hi Alyssa,
You should buy JR pass because if you use Hokurku arch pass, you have to take a route via Kanazawa between Tokyo and Kyoto. You cannot get Kyoto from Tokyo directly. You need to change trains at Kanazawa. And trip time is 2 hours longer than Tokyo-Kyoto direct route. And also if you drop by Hakone, you have to drop by Odawara. Odawara is not covered by Hokuriku arch pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi! Will get JR pass as recommended then. Cheers!
No worries, Alyssa.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I would like to know if it is worth it to get the Hokuriku Arch Pass (7-day) for the following days I am in Japan. Thank you!!!!! =)
Mar 1- Narita Airport to Osaka
Mar 4- Osaka to Kyoto
Mar 8- Kyoto to Tokyo
Mar 14- Tokyo to Narita Airport
Hi Sue,
Unfortunately it doesn’t work. Because it’s valid for 7 days. If you start using it on Mar 1, it will be expired on 7th. You cannot get the worth of it. If you want to use this pass, you have to included Tokyo-Osaka (or Kyoto) round trip in 7 days period.
And also even if you can include it in 7 days period, Hokuriku arch pass is not a good choice. JR Pass 7 days is better choice.
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
It is more expensive but it covers Tokyo-Osaka/Kyoto direct route. If you use Hokuriku arch pass, you have to take the route via Kanazawa. You have to change trains at Kanazawa. And the trip time is 2 hours longer than the direct route which is covered by JR pass only.
If you keep this trip plan, you cannot use either JR pass or Hokuriku arch pass. You have to purchase a regular fare ticket. But you can use some local deals partially, such as Nex Tokyo round trip ticket, subway pass in each places. Please see the links below to find more info:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
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
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi!
Does anyone know if the Hanayome Noren limited express train between Kanazawa and Wakura Onsen is covered under the Hokuriku Arch Pass?
Many thanks!
Hi Vanessa,
It is covered by Hokuriku arch pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello my itinerary is as follows:
1. Haneda – Nagano
2. Nagano – Snow Monkey – Nagano
3. Nagano – Kanazawa – Nagano
4. Nagano – Tateyama Alpine Route – Nagano
5. Nagano – Karuizawa – Nagano
6. Nagano – Matsumoto
Is the Hokuriku Arch Pass better or the JR Pass better for my itinerary?
Thank you.
Hi Janice,
If you need only one way trip to Matsumoto from Nagano, Hokuriku arch pass is better choice but you need to pay a regular fare for Nagano to Matsumoto. This is not covered by Hokuriku arch pass. If you have some more trips after Matsumoto, JR pass may be better choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will stay in matsumoto from the 6th day. This is the rest of my itinerary. Should I still take the Hokuriku Arch Pass?
6. Nagano – Matsumoto
7. Matsumoto (Norikura)
8. Matsumoto (kamikochi)
9. Matsumoto City
10. Matsumoto – Tokyo
11. Tokyo – Kawagoe – Tokyo
12. Tokyo – Haneda
Thank you!
Hi Janice,
You may use Hokuriku arch pass for day 1 to 5 and use a regular fare ticket from day 6. That is most affordable way.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
我的行程暫定
Sept 17 – 23, 由東京去京都/大阪玩7天, 根據以上討論資料, 打算去程和回程在北陸區各停留1晚, 然後在京都/大阪各停留2晚, 請問是否應該用北陸拱型周遊卷? 及在北陸區住那裡較方便? 謝謝
胡
Hi Philip,
Please leave your comment in English.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello, we plan to visit Kyoto/Osaka from Tokyo from Sept. 17-23, based on the discussions above. Then we will stay in Kyoto/Osaka for 2 nights at each city. Where should we stay in Hokuriku area in the middle of our journey both ways? Is it right to use the Hokuriku Arch Pass? Thanks in advance.
Philip
Hi Philip,
Kanazawa is recommended. It’s most popular city for the tourist.
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2167.html
You may use Hokuriku Arch Pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for the detail analysis of the fare. Can I use JR Hokuriku Arch Pass if my itinerary is as below?
30 Oct – arrival at Narita Airport
31 Oct – 2 Nov — Tokyo – Hakone – Tokyo (I know trip to Hakone requires additional fare)
2- 3 Nov — Kyoto (via Kanazawa)
4 – 5 Nov — Osaka
6 Nov — back to Tokyo via Hokuriku route
Thank you in advance
Hi KangSeok,
You may use Hokuriku arch pass. But if you use it, you cannot take Osaka to Tokyo direct route. If you use JR pass, the price is higher but you can take the direct route. Trip time is two hours shorter than Kanazawa route. Of course you can take Kanazawa route by JR pass. And also if you use JR pass, you can get Odawara and then you can use Hakone Free Pass. You can save your cost slightly.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/how-to-build-the-trip-plan-to-hakone-various-sample-itineraries-of-hakone.html
In my opinion, JR pass is better choice but you can choose whichever you like.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hokuriku arch pass covered line from OSAKA to SHINIMAMIYA by JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service for KANSAI AIRPORT ?
because not seen in Map cover lines
Hi Avinar,
It is covered.
The map does not show all stations because it’s too many. Shin-Imamiya is located between Tennoji and Imamiya. And Kansai Airport Rapid Service is the name of train. It is not the name of line.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Hope you have a good day.
this is my trip, as i listed below, which pass is suitable for me to use?
24june – Narita aiport to Osaka
25June- Osaka
26June- Osaka
27June- Kyoto
28June- Kyoto
29June- Tokyo
30June- Tokyo
1Jul – Tokyo
2jul- Tokyo to Narita Airpoert
Oh and if it’s possible to Kobe. Which day should be better to squeeze Kobe on the list.
Thank you so much.
Hi cindyyos san,
JR Pass is more expensive than Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass but JR Pass is recommended:
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
Technically you can use Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass. But if you use this, you have to take the route via Kanazawa. You cannot take Tokyo-Osaka direct route. You will spend 2 more hours than direct route with one stopover at Kanazawa. And you can save 3,000 yen. I don’t think it’s a good deal. JR Pass covers direct route and more comfortable.
If you want to visit Kobe, you should visit from Osaka. Kobe is 30 minutes closer to Osaka than Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Is the Tokyo Hokuriku Arch Pass WORTH IT with the following my trips (you may recommend station and train details):
04 may’18: Narita airport to Ueno Station
05 may’18: Ueno station – tokyo station – kanazawa station
06 may’18: kanazawa station to shirakawa-go (please advise the near station to shirakawa)
07 may’18: kanazawa station to toyama station (explore tateyama kurobe alpine route)
07 may’18: shinano omachi to nagano station and get bavk to kanazawa station
08 may’18: explore kanazawa
09 may’18: kanazawa station to tokyo station
And from tokyo station to tomita station (ashikaga flower park) and back to tokyo station
10 may’18: tokyo station to narita airport
Hi Laura,
I recommend you to use JR pass instead of Hokuriku arch pass because you will go to Ashikaga Flower Park. Even if you take a local train to the park, it costs around 2000 yen for one way. JR pass is cheaper. It’s outside coverage area of Hokuriku arch pass but JR pass covers it.
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
Takayama is the nearest station to Shirakawago but Kanazawa is okay too.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-shirakawa-go-%E7%99%BD%E5%B7%9D%E9%83%B7.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Is the Shinkansen Osaka-Tokyo Hokuriku Arch Pass (7-day) worth it with the following trips (you may recommend station and train details):
10/30 18:00 Narita Express to Tokyo Station
10/31 19:00 to Osaka
11/1 day in Osaka
11/2 day trip to Nara from Osaka
11/3 day trip to Kobe from Osaka
11/4 Osaka to Kyoto
11/5 day in Kyoto
11/6 11:00 Kyoto to Narita Express
Should I purchase it starting 10/31 and ending 11/6? How much would the savings be?
Hi Brenda,
JR Pass is better choice even though it more expensive.
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
Hokuriku Arch Pass does not cover Kyoto/Osaka – Tokyo direct route. If you use this, you have to take the route via Kanazawa. You cannot take direct train and need to change trains at Kanazawa. The trip time is 2.5 hours longer than direct route. You should use JR pass because it covers direct route.
You can use 7 days JR pass for Oct 31 to Nov 6. You can use other deal in the link below if you don’t take Narita Express.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com