Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

The Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass suits a five-day loop that links Nagoya, Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa. It costs 19,800 yen for adults and 9,900 yen for children aged 6 to 11, and is valid for 5 consecutive days ¹. It does not suit a trip with only one long ride, so total your legs first.

What does the pass cover?

The pass gives unlimited rides on JR local and limited express trains, the Hokuriku Shinkansen and participating buses on the route. Its area includes Nagoya, Toyama, Kanazawa, Takayama and Shirakawa-go ².

Reserved seats on JR limited express trains and the Hokuriku Shinkansen are free up to 6 times ³. Use them on the longer legs, such as the Hida limited express between Nagoya and Takayama.

How much is it in ringgit?

At RM 2.603 per 100 yen on 19 October 2026, the adult pass of 19,800 yen is about RM 515, and the child pass of 9,900 yen is about RM 258 ^{1 4}. Rates move, so convert again near your booking.

Use the ringgit budget tool to place it in your total.

Which legs does it map to?

A typical loop looks like this:

1. Nagoya to Takayama on the Hida limited express.
2. Takayama to Shirakawa-go by bus, as in Shirakawa-go by bus from Takayama, Kanazawa or Nagoya.
3. Shirakawa-go to Kanazawa by bus.
4. Kanazawa onward by the Hokuriku Shinkansen.

Bus rules and reservations vary, so confirm which buses the pass covers before you rely on it. The Takayama and Shirakawa-go trip shape guide shows the overall day plan.

How do you test whether the pass pays off?

1. List every JR and bus leg you will take in the five days.
2. Price each leg as a single ticket from the operator.
3. Add the totals.
4. Compare with 19,800 yen per adult, and subtract nothing for sights you may not reach.
5. Choose the pass only if the single-ticket total is clearly higher.

Our central Japan pass or no pass and regional JR passes versus the nationwide pass guides take you through the comparison.

How do you buy it, and what are the limits?

You can buy it online up to one month before boarding, with sales opening at 10:00 a.m. JST on the same day of the preceding month. It is also sold through a travel agent outside Japan and at station ticket offices in Japan ⁵. Check seat availability on busy dates.

The pass covers its set area only. If your route includes Tokyo to Kyoto, price those legs separately, and read Hokuriku Arch Pass for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.