[Move] Using the 5 Day JR Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

A trip we had from Nagoya to Osaka via the Hokuriku Arch. As there are a few stops and places that we hope to visit, for instance, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa and Osaka, this pass actually works well for us.

I will be putting down the important details on where to get the ticket, how to exchange your voucher, comparing the cost for different agencies, some of the terms and conditions the pass has, and points that we have to take note of.

5 Day JR Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

Access to Takayama and Hokuriku with a single area pass with unlimited travel within the designated area. Take train rides connecting Nagoya with Takayama and Toyama, and trains from Osaka to Kanazawa and Tomoya, take a bus ride to Shirakawa-go to witness the beauty of this world-renowned town.

Validity date:

5 Consecutive days

Where it covers?

(Source: Tourist Pass)

Trains

• JR Limited Express, Express, Rapid, and Ordinary trains between Nagoya and Toyama, and Osaka and Kanazawa
• Non-reserved seats on JR Hokuriku Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Toyama
• Up to four reserved seats on JR Conventional lines including Limited Express Wide View Hida and Limited Express Thunderbird

Buses

• Nohi Bus/Toyama Chiho Railway/Hokutestu Bus
• Kaetsuno Bus between Shirakawa-go and Shin-Takaoka Station

Not Inclusive Of:

• Tokaido Shinkansen between Kyoto and Shin-Osaka
• Reserved seats on the Haruka Airport Express

Please Note:

• A basic fare and possibly additional fees will be required to travel on the Tokaido Shinkansen
• There will be extra charges for reserved seats on the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Toyama and Kanazawa

Reservation of seats:

Takayama － Kanazawa Buses need to be booked in advance. Inquire with the following bus reservation center to make or change reservations and for information. (English)

• Nohi bus reservation center : 0577-32-1688（9:00 – 18:00）
• Hokutetsu Bus Ticket Office : 076-234-0123（9:00 – 18:00）

Bus timetable:

Takayama ⇔ Shirakawa-go⇔Kanazawa

Shin-Takaoka⇔ Shirakawa-go **No reservation needed**

Cost? 

Adult JPY14,000

Child 7,000

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Where to Purchase Pass?

Not available in Japan. The pass is only available in your home country.

Klook

Total Fee: $172.50 (No delivery fee, collect at the office)

Save the delivery fee and get your ticket here.

JTB

Total Fee:$166+$8 (Delivery Fee)=$174

For more information visit, JTB JR CENTRAL PASS

NTA

Total Fee: $163+10 (Delivery Fee)= $173

**A delivery fee of SGD10 is applicable for other JR area passes.

For more information visit: NTA Japan Rail ticket

Suggestion:

I will suggest getting the Klook ticket which is cheaper and the collection is at CBD area which is convenient, even though NTA price is also quite good. Actually it depends on your own preference, one point to note is Kook can help earn some credit point for your next trip which I feel it is quite worth it.

Additional Information:

• Child ticket: Age 6-11
• 2 children (aged 1-5) may travel free of charge when accompanied by an adult rail pass holder given that they do not occupy a seat, but a third child will require a child rail pass
• Children under 12 months old may travel free of charge
• This rail pass is applicable only for foreign visitors in Japan with a “Temporary Visitor” status
• When you enter Japan, if you use an automated gate, no stamp will be applied to your passport. Either use a manned automated gate or ask a clerk to apply the stamp to your passport.

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Where to exchange the voucher?

We exchange our voucher at Nagoya JR station, JR information Center:

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To Kanazawa

To note: This pass does not allow you to travel directly to Kanazawa, you will need to pay the required basic fare and any additional fees separately. Do take note that additional fees will also be required for reserved seats of the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Toyama to Kanazawa station.

Method 1:

Board the direct train to Kanazawa using Shirasagi from Nagoya station

Ticket Fare

Seat Fee

From Gifu to Tsuruga

Reserved: $1,700

Fare fee

Gifu to Omi-Shiotsu

$1,490

Duration:

178 mins

Pros:

• Faster route
• Do not need to change train

Cons:

• Got to pay more

Method 2:

Change train at Toyama to Kanazawa

**Only non-reserved seat**

Ticket Fare

Seat Fee:

Non-Reserved: $4,220

Reserved: $5,260

Green Car:  $9,360

Duration:

266 Mins

Pros:

• Fees are inside the pass
• No need to pay more

Cons:

• Longer journey
• Got to change train

Suggestion:

From the above method, it is better to choose to pay a little more if you are travelling directly to Kanazawa, and if you are same as me who is travelling with family.

I spoke to the service staff at the ticket office, and I was given these 2 choices, the staff kindly showed me the cost and the time differences. Paying a little more means that you will have a more comfortable journey by not having to transfer train and save more time so that you could explore Kanazawa more.