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 Takeshi,
I wanted to buy the JR pass but then I came across the Hokuriku Arch Pass and was thinking of buying this instead. Though the savings may not be that significant, it added up quite a bit since there are 4 of us traveling.
Based on the assessment, I didn’t see any route from Tokyo to Osaka, return so I’m wondering if the Hokuriku Arch Pass is only valid from 1 end to the other only.
Basically, my itinerary is as follow and I need to know if the Hokuriku Arch pass can cover them.
30 Nov Arrive at Haneda (Stay in Tokyo for 4 nights)
– I thought of going to Mount Fuji but apparently it does not cover so may skip that
– Main attractions will be Disney, Shibuya, Harajuku, other city areas
4 Dec Head to Osaka (Stay for 2 nights)
– Universal Studio
– Kyoto
6 Dec Return to Tokyo (Narita Airport)
As you can see, I’m not staying in any city between Tokyo and Osaka so I’m just going to maximize the pass for the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka (return) and trains in both Tokyo and Osaka.
Appreciate if you can enlighten. 🙂
Thank you very much in advance. 🙂
Hi Teana,
You can use Hokuriku Arch Pass for the round trip between Tokyo and Osaka. But as I mentioned at the end of the post, Hokuriku Arch Pass does not cover the direct route between Tokyo and Osaka. You must go through Kanazawa and need to change trains there. The trip time is 2.5 hours longer than the direct route. The direct route is covered by JR pass. If you are okay with this, you can go for Hokuriku Arch Pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, I will be travelling to japan in December 2019 and i am thinking of buying the Hokuriku arch pass.
I will be arriving at Haneda airport.
My itinerary is as follow
1) Haneda to Ueno and stay for 1 night
2) Ueno to Kanzawa for 3 night
3) Kanazawa to Nagano for 7 nights
4) Nagano to Tokyo
I understand that the Hokuriku is only valid for 7 days and will only be able to cover my trip till Nagano and i will need to buy another separate ticket from Nagano back to Tokyo.
So i will like to ask will it be cheaper if i buy separate tickets from
1) Haneda to Ueno
2) Ueno to Kanazawa
3) Kanzawa to Nagano
4) Nagano to Tokyo
Also does the Arch pass cover the the train tickets
1) Haneda to Ueno
2) Local train at Nagano to Nozawa onsen?
With the Arch pass, do i
1) Need to reserve the green car seats online?
2) Need to pay extra for the green car seats?
Will be great if you can help with the questions.
Hi TH,
The best option is JR East Pass Nagano Niigata + extra fare for Joetsumyoko-Kanazawa. Please see the link below to find the info about JR East Pass Nagano Niigata:
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass_n/index.html?src=gnavi
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/jr-east-pass-niigata-and-nagano-flex-5-days-pass-in-14-days-period-to-cover-kanto-region-nagano-and-niigata.html
Kanazawa is outside the coverage area of this pass. Joetsumyoko is the border station on the way to Kanazawa. So you have to pay extra fare for Joetsumyoko to/from Kanazawa. It costs about 6,250 yo 6,500 yen for one way base fare + reserved seat fee. The total cost is around 31,000 yen. This pass is valid for 5 days but you can pick any 5 days for 14 days period. So you have to pay extra but you can use same pass until you get Tokyo.
You can buy this extra fare ticket for Joetsu-Myoko to Kanazawa and Kanazawa to Joetsumyoko when you exchange your pass.
You still can get the worth of Hokuriku arch pass for Haneda-Kanazawa-Nagano. But you have to pay for Nagano to Tokyo which costs about 8,500 yen. So total cost is more than 32,000 yen. It is more expensive choice than my recommended choice.
Both passes covers Haneda to Ueno and the local train to Nozawa onsen.
Green car is not covered by either passes. If you want to get a seat on Green car, you should not use these passes. Because you cannot get the worth of it.
e.g.
Nagano to Tokyo (regular season fare)
base fare 4,070 yen
Reserved seat fee 4,270 yen
Reserved Green seat fee 6,890 yen
JR East Pass covers base fare 4,070 yen and reserved seat fee 4,270 yen. So if you use the pass these fares are covered. But if you take a Green seat, you have to pay 6,890 yen on top of the pass. The pass covers only base fare. The additional fare is not 6,890 – 4,270 = 2,620 yen.
You can book a seat online if you want.
https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx?_ga=1.4778995.1325107855.1421419524
Even if you use JR East Pass, choose Hokuriku Arch Pass when you access this site. Otherwise you cannot choose the route for Ueno to Kanazawa. You will pay extra fare when you pick up a ticket anyway. You will put your credit card info but the coverage fare is not charged.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, I have purchased a Hokuriku Arch Pass and wanted to make a seat reservation online. But for some reason, my credit card was not accepted by JR East. Could you advice if seat reservation is mandatory when riding from Tokyo to Kanazawa? If so, can I still reserve a seat (ordinary seat on Hakutaka) when I arrived in Japan? I am arriving in Tokyo on 23 Oct and plan to take Hokuriku Shinkansen on 25 Oct. I am also concerned that there will not be any tickets available by the time I arrived in Japan. Thank you for your time.
Hi Chris,
If you take the fastest train, “Kagayaki” on Hokuriku Shinkansen, the reservation is required. Usually you can make a reservation 2 days before the travel day. But you may contact your credit card company? I have same experience. Most credit company decline when we use the credit card online at the first visiting site. It might be not caused by JR East. Your credit card company might stop it because of security.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
Thank you very much for your reply and advice. I shall contact my credit card company and hope to resolve this.
No worries, Chris.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
I’m plan to visit Japan on 11-19 April,2020.
Below is my plan:
Day 1 : Reach Haneda airport 8.00am, then direct change train heading to Kanazawa
Day 2: Sightseeing at Kanazawa
Day 3 : Shiragawa-go
Day 4 : Tateyaman Kurobe Alpine route
Day 5 : back to Tokyo
Day 6 : Tokyo Disneyland
Day 7 : Hakenoe
Day 8 : Asakusa/ Odaiba
Day 9 : return flight at Haneda airport
May I know from Haneda to Kanazawa, should I but Hokuriku Arch Pass?
This Hokuriku Arch Pass can use to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route then back to Tokyo?
Thanks.
Hi SW san,
You may use Hokuriku Arch Pass for the first 7 days. Hokuriku Arch Pass does not cover the bus to Shirakawago and any transportation on Alpine route. You have to add the regular fare to take the bus to Shirakawago and add Tateyama Kurobe option ticket:
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf
http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/
On day 7, you plan to visit Hakone. But this pass does not cover the trip to Hakone. You have to add Hakone Free Pass.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/how-to-build-the-trip-plan-to-hakone-various-sample-itineraries-of-hakone.html
Regular fare ticket is okay for day 8 and 9.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi San
I am planning visit Japan with my family on December 2019. Our itin will be like this :
Day 1 : arrive at HANEDA Airport
Tokyo
Day 2 : Tokyo
Day 3 : Kawaguchiko and fujiten snow resort
Day 4 : Disneysea
Day 5 : Toyama and Kanazawa
Day 6 : Shirakawago
Day 7 : Fukui
Day 8 : Kyoto
Day 9 and 10 : Osaka
Departure from Kansai
Is this Hokuriku arch pass suit for me? or better I use Takayama Hokuriku Pass and pay for single fare from Tokyo to Toyama? Is Hokuriku Arch pass cover Nohi bus from Kanazawa to Shirakawago?
Thank you in advance.
Best regards,
Mimi
Hi Mimi san,
The cost of Hokuriku Arch pass + regular fare for Nohi bus to Shirakawago and regular fare for the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Toyama + Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass are almost same. But I recommend you to use Hokuriku arch pass + regular fare for Nohi bus. Because you can take the local train in Kyoto and to DisneySea by Hokuriku arch pass. And you can book the seat of Nohi bus online:
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf
If you use Takayama Hokuriku area pass, Nohi bus is covered but you have to make a call to book a seat
So you may use airport + subway deal for day 1 and 2:
https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/airport_bus/index.html
Just pay a regular fare to take a bus to Kawaguchiko:
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/1/
And then start using Hokuriku arch pass from day 4.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much for your guidance Takeshi San.
Best regards,
Mimi
No worries, Mimi san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
If I plan to use Osaka Amazing Pass for day 9 and day 10, which one better for us to start using the Hokuriku Arch pass on day 2 or day 4?
Thank you,
Mimi
Hi Mimi san,
You may start using it on day 2. You can take JR local train in downtown Tokyo. But Kawaguchiko is not covered by this pass. And also if you start using it on day 4, you can use the pass to get Kansai airport. I think it doesn’t matter to start using it on day 2 or 4.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi San,
I’m planning a 10 day trip, 4-13 Mar 2020, landing and departing from Tokyo Narita Airport.
My plan for the 10 days are :
3 day 2 night trip to takayama and shirakawago,
1 day Odaiba,
1 day using the Toden Arakawa line,
3 days 2 nights in Makuhari messe before departing to narita from there.
Which pass would you recommend? 7-day pass will only cover 1 trip to /from airport. So 8 can’t make up my mind.
Thank you.
YH
Hi YH san,
If you take the train to Takayama from Tokyo, the round trip fare is more than 7-day JR pass price.
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
Even if you use the pass for only one way from Narita to Tokyo, you can get the worth of it. Hokuriku arch pass is cheaper than JR pass 7-day but Hokuriku arch pass does not cover Takayama. JR pass is better choice than Hokuriku arch pass.
You can take Keisei bus from Makuhari to Narita. This is the best route and it is not covered by JR Pass anyway. You can use the search in the link below to find the timetable and the fare of this bus:
http://transfer.navitime.biz/keiseibus-eng/pc/extif/TransferIF
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for your advice!
No worries, YH san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, me and my husband will travel to japan on September this year. we would liket to know which pass is the best for us with this Itinerary :
day 1 : Sep 26 4:20 pm @ Narita airport, go to tokyo
day 2 : Sep 27 8:30 am @ Shinjuku St – Kawaguchi St (Chuo Line (JR)), if i use “Tokyo – Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass” is it covered the trip?
at night go to kyoto by JR train
day 3 : Sep 28 exploring kyoto, go to osaka, go back to kyoto
day 4 : Sep 29 exploring kyoto, go to Kanazawa n Tokyo at night
day 5 : Sep 30 Tokyo to Narita airport 2pm
Is it Tokyo – Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass is the best choice for me?
Hi Indri,
I think Kawaguchi station is on Keihin Tohoku line which is located in Saitama.
https://goo.gl/maps/axJRJ7PfiisBAkNq9
If so, this station is just one station away from the coverage area of Hokuriku arch pass. The fare is only 140 yen so it’s not an issue.
But Hokuriku arch pass does not cover Tokyo-Kyoto direct train. If you use Hokuriku Arch Pass, you have to take Tokyo-Kanazawa-Kyoto route. You cannot get Kyoto from Tokyo directly. The trip times is about 5 hours and must change the trains at Kanazawa. On the other hand, if you use JR pass, the price is 29,100 yen which is higher than Hokuriku Arch Pass. But you can get Kyoto from Tokyo directly by the Tokaido Shinkansen. The trip time is almost half 2 hours 45 minutes.
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
On the way back, you will drop by Kanazawa. JR Pass and Hokuriku arch pass cover this route.
If you move to Kyoto in the night, Tokyo-Kanazawa-Kyoto route may be too much. Please think about it and find which one is better for you.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Good morning Takeshi-San,
I hope you can help me decide the best choice. Below are my route for my trip in Japan.
Day 1 – Tokyo
Day 2-4 – Osaka (Kyoto, Nara Park, Universal Studio Japan)
Day 5-7 – Tokyo (DisneySea, MT Fuji, Hakone Shrine)
I saw the previous comments on 2016 for travelling between Tokyo-Osaka. We have to take two trains and it takes 5/7 hours using Hokuriku Arch Pass. Is still the same for now?
Is it worth to buy Hokuriku Arch Pass than JR Pass nationwide?
Thank You
Hi Bella san,
I recommend you to use JR pass 7-day than Hokuriku arch pass. The trip time between Osaka and Tokyo are quite different by JR pass and Hokuriku arch pass.
JR pass – 3 hours and no change trains
Hokuriku arch pass – 5.5 to 6 hours and need to change trains at Kanazawa
And also you can use JR pass partially when you go to Hakone:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
Hokuriku arch pass does not cover the trip to Hakone at all.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, me and my family will travel to japan on December this year, so confuse on which pass we should use,
Dec 15: 4:50am @ Kansai international airport
Dec 15 (day 1) 8:00am Osaka – Tokyo – Osaka
Dec 16 (day 2) 8:00am osaka – tokyo – osaka
Dec 17 (day3) Osaka
Dec 18 (day 4 ) Osaka
Dec 19(day 5 ) Osaka – (night – Kansai Interntonal Airport)
Hi Joo,
JR pass 7-day is the best 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
Hokuriku Arch Pass is cheaper but this pass does not cover Tokyo-Osaka direct route. JR pass covers the direct route.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Taksehi san
I am taking the train by Thunderbird Limited Express on 29 April from Osaka to Kanazawa. I understand that this is a holiday season in Japan. How can I reserve/book a seat before I come to Japan? Can I used the JR pass or Hokuriku Arch Pass to reserve/book a seat?
Thank you.
Hi Joseph san,
Unfortunately there is no ways to book a ticket before you come to Japan. You have to book it after you arrive in Japan.
You can use either pass to take this train.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com