The Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) underwent a dramatic price increase on October 1st. The new price for the cheapest 7-day pass is now 50,000 yen, which represents a more than 65% price increase. The days of cheap Japan Rail passes are gone, but there are various regional passes, discount one-way tickets, and alternative modes of transportation you can use to save money on your travels.

The Hokuriku Rail Pass is one of the regional passes that can serve as an alternative to the Japan Rail Pass for traveling between Tokyo and Osaka-Kyoto. There are a few key differences between the Hokuriku Rail Pass and the Japan Rail Pass.

What is it?

The Hokuriku Arch Pass allows for unlimited travel on JR lines within the Hokuriku region in Japan. It offers unlimited travel on JR lines within the region. It is designed to explore the Hokuriku region, but you can also use it for traveling between Tokyo and Osaka-Kyoto. It is a joint product of JR West (Osaka area) and JR East (Tokyo area), with sales handled by JR West.

Route:

The train lines available with the Hokuriku Arch Pass are more limited compared to the Japan Rail Pass. With the Hokuriku Arch Pass, your travel options are limited to the Hokuriku Shinkansen and local lines when traveling from Tokyo to Osaka and Kyoto. In contrast, the Japan Rail Pass grants access to the faster and more frequently serviced Tokaido Shinkansen. As shown in the map below, the Hokuriku Shinkansen route, combined with local lines (in orange), follows a longer route of 715km compared to the more commonly used Tokaido Shinkansen (in purple line), which is only 553km. Consequently, the Hokuriku Shinkansen route takes approximately 5.5 to 6 hours, while the Tokaido Shinkansen route covers the shorter distance in just 2.5 hours between the cities.

The pass includes the most frequently used JR lines in the Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka areas, as well as access to Kansai Airport and Narita Airport. This means you can start using the pass right after your flight lands.

Price:

The Hokuriku Arch Pass is priced at 24,500 yen, which is half of the new Japan Rail Pass price. A typical one-way rail trip between Tokyo and Osaka costs 14,920 yen, so making a round trip would essentially cover the cost of the pass. If you are only making a one-way trip, it could still be worth it, especially if you plan to use it from one of the airports in the covered areas and intend to make stops, such as sightseeing in Kanazawa, along the way.

Where to Buy:

You can purchase the pass inside or outside of Japan. If you buy it outside of Japan through official pass dealers, it costs 24,500 yen. However, if you buy it in Japan using the JR West online reservation system, the price is 25,500 yen. I don’t get why JR west is charging extra 1,000 yen for using their reservation system. The list of overseas ticket contract sales offices is available on JR’s website.

If you purchase the pass from an overseas agent, they will provide you with an exchange order, similar to the Japan Rail Pass. Remember to bring it with you, as you will need it to exchange for an actual pass once you arrive in Japan. If you choose to reserve the pass using the JR West online service, you only need to pick it up from one of the listed train stations.

Validity:

The pass is valid for seven consecutive days, allowing you unlimited rides on JR trains within the designated area. There is no 14 day or 21 day passe like the Japan Rail Pass.

Things to watch out:

You won’t be able to see the iconic Mt. Fuji from the train when using the Hokuriku Arch Pass. Additionally, keep in mind that traveling on the Hokuriku Shinkansen and local trains from Kanazawa (or Tsuruga starting from March 2024) takes twice as long as the Tokaido Shinkansen, and you will need to transfer at Kanazawa (or Tsuruga) when traveling between Tokyo and Osaka-Kyoto.

Conclusion:

Overall, the Hokuriku Arch Pass can be a cost-effective and flexible choice for travelers looking to explore both eastern and western Japan, including stops in the Hokuriku region. It’s essential to plan your itinerary carefully to make the most of the pass and ensure it aligns with your travel preferences and schedule.