What is the Hokuriku Arch Pass and where does it go?

Learn what the Hokuriku Arch Pass covers between Tokyo and Osaka, how long it lasts, who can buy it, and which trains need extra fees.

Published October 20, 2026 at 6:49 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: The Hokuriku Arch Pass is a 7-day rail pass for foreign visitors that links Tokyo and Osaka in an arc through the Hokuriku region, including Nagano, Toyama, Kanazawa and Fukui. It covers JR East and JR West lines plus a few partner railways, but not the Tokaido Shinkansen. It is typically priced around 35,000 yen for adults, so check the official page.

The pass and its arc-shaped route

The Hokuriku Arch Pass is sold by East Japan Railway Company, known as JR East, for foreign visitors who want to travel between the Tokyo and Osaka areas by a different path from the usual one. Instead of taking the Tokaido Shinkansen along the Pacific coast, the traveler heads north and west through the Hokuriku region on the Japan Sea side, then turns south to Kyoto and Osaka. Plotted on a map, the route makes an arch, which is where the name comes from.

Hokuriku is the region that includes Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui prefectures. Its best-known city is Kanazawa, famous for its preserved districts and a large garden. The Hokuriku Shinkansen connects Tokyo with Kanazawa and continues to Tsuruga in Fukui, and limited express trains carry travelers onward between the Hokuriku region and Kyoto and Osaka.

What is covered

According to the JR East page, the pass covers JR East lines and JR West lines, the Tokyo Monorail (known on the page as the Tokyo Panorama Line), and sections of several partner railways. These include the IR Ishikawa Railway between Kanazawa and Tsubata, where limited express trains are allowed, the Ainokaze Toyama Railway between Takaoka and Toyama, the Noto Railway between Nanao and Wakuraonsen, and the Hapi-Line Fukui between Fukui and Echizen-Hanando.

The page lists destinations such as Nagano, Niigata and Sado, Omiya and Tokyo. Premium seating and some special services may carry extra charges even for pass holders, so the notes on the official page are worth reading. The pass is not a general ticket for every train in the area, so the line list on the official page is the best guide to what is included.

Duration and price

The pass is valid for seven consecutive days, starting on a date the traveler chooses. Days are consecutive, not flexible, so a traveler needs to plan a week of movement rather than a handful of separate day trips. The JR East page lists the adult price at 35,000 yen and the child price (ages 6 to 11) at 17,500 yen, with age based on the purchase date.

Children under 6 who do not need seat reservations do not need a pass, and a passport or similar document is required to prove a child's age. Prices have changed in the past, and other publications may quote older amounts, so the official page is the source to trust. Confirm the number on the day of booking, and remember that a family with several children can see the total change noticeably as the child price is half the adult amount.

Who can use it

The JR East page says the pass is only for foreign visitors with the entry status of Temporary Visitor, the short-stay category given to most tourists on arrival. People living in Japan cannot use it, and the passport is needed when buying and collecting the pass. This is typical of passes made for overseas visitors.

Families, couples and solo travelers can all buy it, and older travelers who like to keep luggage moving by train may appreciate that the route includes direct Tokyo to Kanazawa service on the bullet train. Travelers who plan to return to Tokyo or only travel one way should look carefully at the numbers, since the pass is built for a continuous arc rather than a round trip to one place.

Where it does not go

The Tokaido Shinkansen is not covered, because a different company operates it. Green Car and GranClass seats require a separate fee, youth and student fares are not offered, and only one Hokuriku Arch Pass can be used at a time. Buying overlapping passes of the same type is not allowed.

The pass also does not cover every private railway in the region, so side trips by local lines or buses may need separate tickets. Famous places off the main arc, such as the mountain village of Shirakawa-go, are usually reached by buses that the pass page does not list. Checking the map before choosing sightseeing days prevents surprises. The page lists several partner-line sections, each with its own limits on stations and train types, so reading the line list for each planned day is worthwhile, along with the timetable for any local line.

How to buy and use it

The JR East page directs buyers to the JR East online reservation site, where the pass can be purchased and seats reserved. The page links to separate instructions for buying, using, changing and refunding the pass. After purchase, travelers usually collect the physical pass at a ticket office or machine in Japan with a passport.

Seat reservations are often wise on busy bullet trains, so consider booking as soon as dates are fixed. The JR East page gives an example comparing a trip from Narita Airport through Kanazawa and Nagano and back with regular fares of about 38,000 yen against the 35,000 yen pass. That example shows the pass tends to pay off for loops or long routes rather than short hops. Because the margin in that example is modest, adding extra rides such as an airport transfer can tip the balance, while a slower itinerary with long stays in each city can tip it the other way.

Is it right for your trip

The pass works best for travelers who want to see Kanazawa, perhaps Nagano or Toyama, and finish in Kyoto or Osaka, or the reverse. Someone going only from Tokyo to Kyoto may find the regular route cheaper and quicker, since the arch route is longer by design and is chosen for the scenery and the cities along the way. It also helps to compare it with the wider Japan Rail Pass or with a smaller Hokuriku-only pass sold by JR West.

This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act. A short checklist is to list each leg and its regular fare, add them up, compare with the pass, and confirm the pass is available when you want to travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Hokuriku Arch Pass include the Tokaido Shinkansen?

No. The Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto or Osaka is run by another company and is excluded. The pass is built for the northern route through the Hokuriku region. Travelers who want the Tokaido line need separate tickets or a different pass.

Can children use the pass?

Yes. Children aged 6 to 11 pay a reduced price, listed at half the adult fare on the JR East page. Children under 6 who do not need seat reservations do not need a pass. A passport or similar document may be requested to confirm age.

Can residents of Japan buy the pass?

The JR East page states that the pass is only for foreign visitors with Temporary Visitor status. Residents of Japan are generally not eligible, even if they hold a foreign passport. Anyone unsure should check the eligibility notes on the official page.

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