#117 Hokuriku Arch Pass
A Pass that could contribute significantly to a second Golden Route in Japan.
Whenever you visit any country for the first time, there is always a typical tourist route, the so-called "Golden Route." In Japan, the golden route for a first-time visitor to Japan is usually a one-week course that begins with an arrival at Narita or Haneda Airport, a few nights in Tokyo, then sightseeing in Kyoto or Osaka, and then the return trip home. However, with the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Tsuruga, another golden route has recently been forming. This new situation is evident in data based on human flow. Special passes are being sold to symbolize this situation, targeting travelers from Tokyo to Kansai, bypassing Hokuriku on the Shinkansen. The "Hokuriku Arch Pass" is sold by JR West and JR East Japan. Although it may seem like a big detour for travelers going to the Kansai region of Kyoto and Osaka, it is a very economical pass worth considering for some travelers. This week, I will consider the advantages of the Hokuriku Arch Pass and how you can use it effectively. In particular, it should offer significant advantages over the Japan Rail Pass, which has undergone a considerable price hike.
What is the Hokuriku Arch Pass?
The Hokuriku Arch Pass connects Tokyo with Kyoto, Osaka, and other areas in the Kansai region through the Hokuriku Shinkansen and conventional lines.
The pass allows unlimited travel on the free sections, but an additional fee is required for the green cars of the Shinkansen and limited express trains.
A passport proving foreign citizenship is required for purchase.
The validity period is seven days from the start of use.
The most crucial point is that you can't use the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka. The Hokuriku Shinkansen will be used.
The price for foreign tourists is 30,000 yen for seven days, which shows. The seven-day trip for foreign travelers is from Tokyo to Kyoto or Osaka via Hokuriku, stopping at Kanazawa or Toyama on the outward or return journey.
Travelers for whom the Hokuriku Arch Pass is suitable
Travelers who have time and want to save money by combining round-trip Hokuriku Shinkansen and limited express trains on conventional lines.
It is suitable for those who want to stop in Fukui, Ishikawa, and Toyama prefectures on their way to or from Kyoto or Osaka.
It is suitable for those who use the same cities to enter and exit from/arrive at Tokyo or Osaka.
Travelers who do not prioritize time on their itinerary
As you can see from the above, since the Hokuriku route is unfamiliar to most travelers, this pass will likely be chosen by repeat travelers traveling for the second time or more. You would transfer the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Tsuruga in Fukui Prefecture to a conventional express train. The journey takes about five hours from Tokyo to Kyoto via Kanazawa, which is unsuitable for everyone. However, it is a better way to see another side of Japan, Hokuriku, than the Tokaido Shinkansen, known as the "golden route. Experts who analyze human flow say that the Hokuriku route (Kanazawa route) has the potential to become a new golden route.
Advantages of the Hokuriku Arch Pass
30,000 yen is by far the lowest price for a seven-day pass.
Number of attractions in the free area (Karuizawa, Nagano, Toyama, Kanazawa, Fukui, etc.)
The free ride section includes major international airports such as Narita, Haneda, and Kansai.
Comparison of itineraries
If you choose Hokuriku Arch Pass, you will need to carefully consider your itinerary because of the required time.
As a model, if you start in Tokyo for three nights(2 days for sightseeing), four nights in Kyoto/Osaka, two nights in Kanazawa, and one night in Tokyo after returning to Tokyo, the total trip would be ten nights and 11 days, which would give you some leeway. If you carry a large suitcase, you do not want to change accommodations in Kyoto and Osaka as much as possible in the Kansai region. With this pass, it is possible to make a daily trip between Kyoto and Osaka in 30 minutes by JR train.
If you take the Tokaido Shinkansen, you can save time and spend more time in Kyoto and Osaka, but you may also choose to go a little farther and visit Hokuriku. In winter, Hokuriku offers an abundance of seafood, especially crab. It all depends on how much time you have.
Finally
Another way to look at this pass is that it is a product that JR West and JR East, which sells the pass, can use to send tourists coming to Tokyo via the Hokuriku route (Toyama, Kanazawa, Fukui) to tourist destinations such as Kyoto and Osaka. Visiting Kansai via Hokuriku is a detour, but emphasizing new destinations and economic benefits can disperse tourists who choose the Tokaido Shinkansen route. This option would kill two birds with one stone by opening up a new market and counteracting overtourism.
Although the price of the free pass has increased, the Japan Rail Pass is still by far the most well-known. Tourists visiting Japan must research what new passes are available in advance and use them effectively. Such passes will become increasingly important, especially if you are a repeat visitor to Japan for the second time or more.
The earthquake that struck on New Year's Day this year has left the affected areas in a state of slow recovery. The increase in the number of tourists and the money they bring to the area should help in no small way with reconstruction efforts.
Thank you for this overview! I’m visiting Japan for the first time in November and had no idea about these passes. Very helpful info 😌
Thank you so much for this article, I had never heard of this pass before and I definitely want to try it!