Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass – Essential Rail Pass for Exploring Japan’s Chubu and Hokuriku Regions: Purchase, Exchange, and Usage Guide

Post date: 2025-07-19 | Categories: Japan Travel

The “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass” is a rail pass (JR Pass) jointly offered by JR Central and JR West, designed for foreign tourists exploring Japan’s Chubu and Hokuriku regions by train. If your itinerary starts from Osaka or Nagoya and includes destinations like Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Toyama, Kanazawa, or Gero Onsen—and you’re not driving—this limited JR Pass is a must-have for your travels.

When I visited Shirakawa-go for the illumination festival in 2018, my flight arrived at Kansai Airport. The original plan was to take the JR from Osaka to Kanazawa, explore the city, and then proceed to Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Since winter driving was impractical, I relied on trains and researched JR options beforehand. I discovered that the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass” was both cost-effective and convenient, so I purchased it. Although heavy snow in Hokuriku forced me to cancel the Kanazawa leg and reroute via Nagoya to reach Takayama and Shirakawa-go, my research on this JR Pass proved invaluable. Here, I’ll share my insights.

The core content of this article was originally part of my 2018 post, “Complete Guide to Shirakawa-go Illumination: Dates, Transportation, Tickets, Accommodation, and Itinerary Planning.” While updating the article, I realized that the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass” is useful not only for visiting Shirakawa-go but also for exploring other parts of the Chubu and Hokuriku regions. Thus, I decided to extract and expand the relevant sections into this standalone guide.

Guide to Purchasing, Exchanging, and Using the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

Table of Contents

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1. Coverage, Price, Validity, and Usage Restrictions

The “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass” covers JR trains between Osaka and Nagoya, Shinkansen between Tsuruga and Toyama, and highway buses between Kanazawa/Toyama and Shirakawa-go/Takayama. Specific coverage includes:

JR trains from Kansai Airport to Osaka city;
JR trains within Osaka city;
JR trains from Osaka city to Kyoto;
JR trains from Kyoto to Tsuruga (Note: Only the Hokuriku Main Line on the west side of Lake Biwa is covered. The Tokaido Main Line on the east side, which passes through Omi-Hachiman and Hikone, is excluded, as is the direct route to Nagoya via the Tokaido Line.);
Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tsuruga and Toyama (Note: Previously, this was only between Kanazawa and Toyama.);
JR trains from Toyama to Takayama, Gero Onsen, Gifu, and Nagoya;
Highway buses from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go and Takayama;
Highway buses from Toyama to Shirakawa-go and Takayama;
Highway buses from Takayama to Shirakawa-go and Shin-Takaoka Station.

The price of the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass” is 19,800 yen for adults and half-price (9,900 yen) for children.

The pass is valid for 5 consecutive days. During this period, holders can use the covered transportation unlimitedly, with the following restrictions:

JR trains and Hokuriku Shinkansen are limited to non-reserved seats in standard class, but 6 reserved seat tickets can be issued. These must be obtained at JR station counters before boarding;
Most highway buses between Kanazawa-Shirakawa-go-Takayama, Toyama-Shirakawa-go-Takayama, and Takayama-Shirakawa-go-Shin-Takaoka require reservations, while a few do not.

2. Where to Purchase the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass?

The “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass” can be purchased through four channels:

After arriving in Japan, at designated JR stations and airports;
Before or after arrival, via JR West’s JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION;
Before departure, at authorized travel agencies outside Japan;
Before departure, on Klook or KKday.

Purchases from overseas agencies or platforms like Klook and KKday provide an exchange order, not the actual pass. This must be exchanged for the JR Pass at designated locations in Japan.

The image below shows the exchange order we purchased from JTB. Orders from other sellers will look similar, with only the seller’s name differing.

The exchange order is valid for 3 months and must be converted into the JR Pass within this period. Unused orders can be refunded within a specified timeframe (usually 1 year or 11 months, depending on the seller), but cancellation fees apply, which vary by seller.

There is no purchase limit for the pass, so to avoid cancellation hassles, avoid buying too early. For agency purchases, 2–3 days before departure is sufficient. For Klook or KKday, allow about a week for delivery.

Purchasing the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass on JR West’s Official Website

Starting October 1, 2023, JR Pass prices were standardized globally, eliminating domestic and international price differences. Whether purchased through overseas agencies (including Klook or KKday), station counters, or JR West’s JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION, the price is now the same. So, what’s the difference between buying on JR West’s website and through overseas agencies?

Purchasing on JR West’s website provides the actual “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass,” not an exchange order. However, you still need to collect the physical pass at a designated JR station before use. Since the pass is issued directly, you must set the start date and pickup location at the time of purchase, which reduces flexibility if your plans change.

However, buying the pass directly allows you to reserve JR Limited Express or Shinkansen seats in advance on the JR West booking site, which is the main advantage of this method.

If traveling during peak seasons and concerned about seat availability, or if your itinerary is fixed, consider purchasing the pass on JR West’s website to secure reserved seats in advance.

3. How to Exchange the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass?

Before using the pass, you must exchange it at designated locations in Japan. Major exchange points include the JR West Ticket Office at Kansai Airport, the Central Japan Travel Center at Chubu Centrair Airport, and JR ticket offices at stations like Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, Nagoya, Kanazawa, Toyama, and Takayama.

For arrivals at Kansai Airport, the most convenient exchange location is the JR West Ticket Office outside JR Kansai Airport Station, though queues can be long. If staying in Umeda, you can also exchange at Osaka Station.

For arrivals at Chubu Centrair Airport, exchange at the airport or Nagoya Station. Refer to this Alpine Pass guide for details on Nagoya Station’s exchange process.

To exchange the pass, present the exchange order and each traveler’s passport. Fill out an exchange form and provide the pass holder’s name, nationality, and passport number on the JR Pass. The start date, which cannot be changed later, will be printed on the pass.

Note: Each traveler must sign the exchange form in person. Additionally, JR Passes are only available to foreign tourists entering Japan for short-term visits. Staff may check passports for a short-stay sticker. If eligible for automated immigration gates, avoid using them, as no sticker will be issued.

4. How to Use the Pass for JR Non-Reserved Seats?

The “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass” allows unlimited travel on JR and Shinkansen non-reserved seats between Osaka-Kyoto-Fukui-Kanazawa and Toyama-Takayama-Nagoya, as well as on Shinkansen between Tsuruga and Takayama, during its 5-day validity. Simply show the valid pass when boarding.

At station gates, use the staffed “Manual Gate” (係員改札口) without barriers. Show the JR Pass to the attendant for entry and exit.

Although the pass displays the start date, JR staff will stamp it with the first usage date when you first pass through the gates.

5. How to Reserve JR Limited Express or Shinkansen Seats with the Pass?

In addition to unlimited non-reserved seat travel, the “Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass” allows 6 reserved seat tickets for Limited Express or Shinkansen trains. These tickets display the train number, departure/destination stations, date, time, car number, and seat number. Present only the JR Pass at station gates; the reserved seat ticket is checked onboard by attendants.

For most itineraries, 6 reserved seat tickets are sufficient, as short trips (e.g., Takayama to Hida-Furukawa) rarely require reservations.

Reserved seat tickets can be obtained at any JR station ticket counter by presenting the pass. To avoid miscommunication, prepare a note with train details (departure/destination stations and time). For JR train schedules, refer to this document or JR Central’s timetable search.

When issuing reserved seat tickets, staff will stamp the pass’s “Reserved Seat Issuance” section, noting the date and issuing station.

Reserved seat tickets can be canceled before departure. If plans change, return the ticket and pass to any JR station counter for a refund. Staff will mark the original issuance as canceled. If they forget, remind them—otherwise, the quota won’t be reinstated.

6. How to Use the Pass for Kanazawa-Shirakawa-go-Takayama and Toyama-Shirakawa-go-Takayama Highway Buses?

The pass covers unlimited rides on highway buses operated by Nohi Bus, Hokuriku Railway, and Toyama Chihou Railway on the Kanazawa-Shirakawa-go-Takayama and Toyama-Shirakawa-go-Takayama routes, as well as buses by Kaetsunou Bus from Takaoka to Gokayama and Shirakawa-go.

Most buses from Kanazawa/Toyama to Shirakawa-go/Takayama and vice versa require reservations. Exceptions include buses starting/ending at Shirakawa-go or Hirayu Onsen. Refer to the bus schedule; routes marked with a red “R” require reservations.

For individual tickets, reservations can be made on the English/Chinese “Japan Bus Online” or Japanese “Hatsu Orai Net” sites. However, pass holders must call Nohi Bus (+81-577-32-1688), Hokuriku Railway (+81-762-34-0123), or Toyama Chihou Railway (+81-764-33-4890) to reserve. English is supported by Nohi and Hokuriku, but Toyama requires Japanese. Reservations open 1 month in advance; details here.