jr takayama hokuriku area tourist pass itinerary

Explore Central Japan Region With the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass: A Winter Itinerary Guide

by Aileen Adalid Itineraries , Japan 4 comments

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Japan holds a number of amazing destinations year-round and if there’s one area that you shouldn’t miss, it would be the Central Japan Region which is also called as Chubu Region (中部地方, Chūbu Chihō, Chūbu-nihon) . With such a great expanse, you’re sure to find an abundance of natural sights, unique activities, as well as delicious food in every season; plus, you can even easily plan your next winter holiday by using a Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass !

After all, this pass will grant you unlimited rides on JR local and limited express trains, the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and buses along the route in the Central Region for five (5) consecutive days, thereby giving you the chance to explore a wide range of attractions in different prefectures. And for this blog post, I will introduce the areas covered in the Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass which are Fukui Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, Ishikawa Prefecture, and Toyama Prefecture.

TIP: For sample key highlight spots in Central Japan, check by CJTF .

To help you get started on this Central Japan adventure, below is a helpful travel guide and sample itinerary for 5 days that makes full use of a Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass!

» Quick Travel Planning

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Table of Contents

Central Japan 5-Day Winter Itinerary

NOTE:   The following section is in a  tabbed  format; so, in order to see the next day’s contents for this Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass winter itinerary, just click the headings below.

DAY 1 – All About Nagoya

• • •

CHECK-IN: Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel Our Central Japan trip started at the Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel in Nagoya, the largest city in the Chubu Region. This hotel is conveniently located right above Nagoya Station, making it the best jump-off point for our five-day adventure using a Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass.

Aside from its convenience, Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel also has excellent customer service and large modern rooms, which made our stay amazingly comfortable! The panoramic view of the city that can be perfectly seen in the room also added to its luxurious ambiance.

Now, to jumpstart the day, below are a number of top things to do…

◘◘ See Nagoya TV Tower

Photo by: Shutterstock

From Nagoya Station, we took a 10-minute subway ride to see the Nagoya TV Tower which is only a few minutes’ walk from Oasis 21.

This famous tower was constructed in 1954 and it is considered the first and oldest TV transmission tower in Japan. It was originally built to mark the reconstruction of the city after the second world war and to promote tourism and TV broadcasting in Nagoya at the time. In 2005, it was recognized as one of Japan’s tangible cultural property, a recognition given to tangible cultural products that possess high historic, artistic, and academic value to Japan.

Currently, the tower houses various restaurants, shops, and two observation decks where visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the city for JPY 900. To add, the Nagoya skyline seen from the observatory is considered one of Japan’s Night-view Heritage , so make sure you don’t miss it!

• FOR MORE INFO: Click this link .

◘◘ Try Nagoya-Meshi (Kishimen)

Tasting various cuisines in different areas of Japan is one of the most anticipated activities of any tourist that is visiting the country. That’s why after dropping our things at the hotel, we immediately went to try one of Nagoya’s specialty cuisines: kishimen .

Kishimen is a noodle dish known for its hirauchi (flattened) noodles made from wheat flour, water, and salt. However, don’t be fooled as not all flattened noodle dishes are considered kishimen. By Japanese standards, noodles with a width wider than 4.5mm and a thickness of less than 2.0mm can be called kishimen.

For the full Nagoya experience, kishimen is best eaten in the form of miso -stewed udon.

For those who are not a fan of miso, kishimen can also be enjoyed with pasta sauce, hot soup, or cooled, just like regular udon.

◘◘ Drop by Café Gentiane (Piyorin)

The Japanese’s obsession for cute things does not end in the Kanto area as it is a culture shared all over the country! In Nagoya, the cutest dessert is called piyorin . Coming from the words piyo-piyo (Japanese onomatopoeia for the chirping sound of a chick) and purin (Japanese pudding), piyorin is a chick-shaped custard that can be enjoyed at Café Gentiane , a specialty cafe located along the Tokaido-dori side of Nagoya Station.

Aside from its cute appearance, piyorin is also well-known for using one of the most expensive eggs in the country: Nagoya’s famed cochin eggs. While a custard base topped with vanilla mousse is the original flavor, piyorin also comes in green tea and other limited-edition flavors depending on the season.

◘◘ Shop at Gate Tower

Adjacent to the JR Nagoya Station is the JR Takashimaya Gate Tower Mall. Not to be confused with the JR Nagoya Takashimaya that stands right next to it, the Gate Tower Mall is the one with the bus terminal on the first floor.

After all, what’s unique about the Gate Tower Mall is that it’s a shopping mall that houses stores specializing in cosmetics, fashion, and lifestyle. There are also a select number of cafes and restaurants offering pastries and sandwiches.

• SHOPPING TIP: Located on the 9th and 10th floor of the JR Gate Tower is Bic Camera. Contrary to its name, cameras are not the only things you can buy here. Bic Camera has a wide selection of electronics, game software, and even alcoholic beverages available for purchase. If your total expenditure exceeds a certain value, you can also avail of the tax-free incentive so make sure you have your passport with you when you shop here. . Alternatively, if you’re in the mood for clothes shopping, just go up one floor to get to Uniqlo, and its slightly cheaper-priced sister company, GU, to start rocking that Japanese-style fashion!

NOTE : Pick up your luggage at the hotel before moving to Takayama.

CHECK-IN: Hodakaso Yamano Hotel For the night, we stayed at the Yamano Hotel, a ryokan in the middle of the mountainous area. The highlight of the accommodation is their outdoor bath ( rotenburo ) located outside of the hotel. Take the cable car and go to the ground floor, and you’ll find a wide hot spring bath in the woods where you can enjoy nature. You shouldn’t miss the dinner with Hida beef too!

DAY 2 – Shinhotaka Ropeway, Takayama, Shirakawago & Takaoka

◘◘ Ride the Shinhotaka Ropeway

For another unforgettable Japanese winter experience, try riding the Shinhotaka Ropeway which is the only double-decker ropeway in Japan. If you go to Central Japan in winter, you don’t want to miss out on viewing the magnificent Japanese Alps Mountain Range.

From the hotel, we took the Nohi Bus directly to the ropeway. At the rooftop observatory deck located in the upper station (Nishihotakaguchi Station) at an altitude of around 2,156 meters, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and valleys covered in white snow.

◘◘ Try the Takayama Ramen

Then we back to Takayama for lunch and move on with our trip. We ate chuka soba or locally known as “Takayama Ramen” .

The soba has base broth made with bones, vegetables, and katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) that is enriched with soy sauce and miso. Both the soba and base broth are handmade with different styles representing each restaurant. I personally had a bowl of char siu toppings while my friend had one with raw eggs!

◘◘ Explore Takayama Historical District

After lunch, we explored Takayama’s historical district to see the beautifully preserved Japanese buildings and houses from the 1600s.

Once we’re in the area, we felt as if we’ve traveled back in time with how well-preserved the façade of the structures was! If you’ve watched Japanese period dramas before, you will surely love this place.

Traditional household goods used during the Edo period and local arts and crafts are also exhibited in some of the houses. This area is considered the most scenic as it has a whole street of old homes, shops, coffee houses, and sake breweries. A number of these shops are still operating today so it’s also the perfect spot for a short break.

For a perfect complement to your stroll, you should buy a piece of Hida Beef Nigiri or Hida beef skewers!

• TRIVIA: Hida beef refers to the Kuroge Wagyu breed of cattle raised in Gifu Prefecture known for its high quality (as characterized by its beautiful marbling, color, texture, and taste) . It is said to be one of the best beef brands in Japan so it is definitely a must-try delicacy! . “But I can’t afford such a high-class beef” . Oh, but you can! Although kuroge wagyu is considered to be a high-class beef, it is also a popular ingredient in many “B-class” Japanese gourmet cuisines. In Takayama, you can have a Hida beef croquette for as low as 250 yen! Hida beef can be enjoyed in a steamed bun, broiled skewer, or as a sushi too.

◘◘ Go to Shirakawa-Go

A must-see UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go is famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, whose roofs are constructed at a steep angle to allow heavy snow to fall off easily in winter. While mostly known for the snow-covered houses during winter, Shirakawa-go also offers wonderful views in every season so make sure to visit this place during different times of the year to feel each season’s unique charm.

From Takayama Station, we took the Nohi bus direct to Shirakawa-go Village with the use of our Takayama Hokuriku Pass, which is probably the most popular destination in the Central Japan region! This route is the most preferred access mode to Shirakawa-go and is usually sold out, especially in the winter, so it’s better to reserve your tickets beforehand. Tickets can be exchanged at Nohi Bus Center right next to Takayama Station.

A five-minute shuttle ride for 200 yen (one-way) or a 25-minute walk up the mountain will also lead you to an observation deck overlooking the whole area. This is the place where many famous Instagrammers get their breathtaking photo of the village!

• TIP: You can put your luggage at the coin lockers or luggage of Shirakawago Bus Terminal. They are located at the back of the room or just ask the staff.

◘◘ Visit Takaoka City

After enjoying Shirakawago, we took the World Heritage Bus with the use of our Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass to move to another city: Takaoka. This is the hometown of Fujiko F. Fujio, father of Doraemon , so one can find various places related to the characters.

• Doraemon Tram We took the Doraemon Tram to go eat dinner at a famous local sushi restaurant.
• Toyama Bay Sushi (Dinner) Toyama is located near the sea and is therefore abundant with fresh seafood products. Don’t miss out on enjoying the freshest ingredients that landed directly from the sea at one of the local restaurants. The place we ate was called Iki-zushi氷見寿司 which is well known among the locals. One of the must-try dishes is the white shrimp (shiro-ebi) . They are sweeter and much smaller than normal shrimps.

DAY 3 – Toyama & Takaoka

◘◘ Cruise through Shogawa Gorge, Toyama

In the morning, we took a bus from Takaoka Station going to Shogawa Gorge in order to try a relaxing boat cruise. For just 2,800 yen, you can enjoy the spectacular view of Shogawa Gorge by riding a sightseeing boat that operates on the gorge between Komaki Dam and Omaki Onsen.

The soothing one-hour cruise along the Shogawa gorge offers varying but equally breathtaking views all throughout the year. In winter, you can see the mountain covered in snow, whereas flowers in full bloom adorn them in spring. The summer season highlights the mountains’ lush greenery and in autumn, you get the best seat in enjoying Japan’s autumn leaves.

◘◘ See Zuiryuji Temple

After finishing the sightseeing boat, we went back to visit the Zuiryuji Temple in Takaoka city. It has been designated as a National Treasure and it is a must-see attraction in the city!

The main gate, main hall, and Dharma hall stand in a line, and the temple buildings are laid out symmetrically left and right, interconnected by roofed passageways in a beautiful and powerful sight.

• We ate lunch at Yasuragi-an where they served seasonal dishes. The dishes for February used fresh vegetables and seafood.

◘◘ Use the Doraemon Postbox

After seeing the temple, we took the bus and headed back to Takaoka Station to go to this spot.

On the first floor of the station, we were welcomed by a familiar cat-shoped robot. This giant copper-made Doraemon postbox is considered one of the icons of Takaoka City, which happens to be the birthplace of the manga artist that brought Doraemon to life.

Meanwhile, located on the first floor of the Takaoka Station building, letters and postcards dropped in this postbox are stamped with a commemorative Doraemon postmark. So why not send yourself and your friends a postcard to commemorate your visit to Doraemon’s birth town?

◘◘ Try the Handcraft Experience at Nousaku Factory

From Takaoka Station, we went back to the hotel to take our luggage and then took a taxi to Nousaku Factory for a little cultural immersion.

After all, Takaoka City is historically known as a center of metal casting, and this industry still thrives in the city today and they have a wide range of product variants. In Nousaku Factory, I’m sure you’ll love their cute Doraemon collections! In fact, we even tried making our very own tin item by joining a workshop at the Nousaku Lab.

◘◘ Marvel at Kanazawa Station’s Tsuzumi Gate

After visiting Nousaku Factory, we moved to Shin Takaoka station to catch the Hokuriku Shinkansen toward Kanazawa City ( don’t forget your Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass!) . While there, don’t forget to take a glimpse at the huge Tsuzumi Gate on the entrance that is designed to symbolize the drums played in Noh Theater.

It is said to be an unofficial symbol of Kanazawa and famous for being a combination of traditional wooden design and contemporary style.

At Kagaya, we had Ozen set with dishes made by seasonal ingredients unique to the local area. A tray with sushi, miso soup, and some other traditional dishes were served.

CHECK-IN: Hotel Wing International Premium Kanazawa Ekimae We stayed at the Hotel Wing International Premium near Kanazawa Ekimae. It is a fairly new hotel with a stylish design and ambiance.

DAY 4 – All About Kanazawa

The fourth day is a day for us to enjoy the whole city of Kanazawa. As an old castle town, it is well-known for its well-preserved Edo-era districts, art museums, magnificent gardens, and regional handicrafts. Here, one can try modern experiences while enjoying its beauty from the old days.

◘◘ Walk around Kenrokuen Garden

We exited the Kanazawa Castle ground from the Ishikawa Gate, which led us directly to the Kenrokuen Garden.

This garden is classified as one of Japan’s “ three most beautiful landscape gardens “, so I guess the 320 yen feels like such a huge steal! The spacious grounds used to be the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle and it features a variety of flowering trees of seasonal natural beauty, including the snow-covered landscape with yukitsuri (snow hanging), a method of protecting the branches of the pine trees in the garden to prevent them from breaking due to heavy snow.

◘◘ Go to Kanazawa Castle

Kanazawa Castle used to be the seat of the Maeda Clan, a feudal domain ranking second only to the Tokugawa in terms of size and wealth from 1583 until the end of the Edo Period. Since then, the castle has been extensively rebuilt and renovated due to numerous fire incidents.

In July 2020, restoration of Nezumitamon Gate and Nezumitamon Bridge on the west side of Kanazawa Castle were completed. Today, you’ll love how the castle ground is vast, and the building and gates contain excellent displays on traditional carpentry. Not to mention the garden that has a central pond can be a perfect resting place if you get tired of walking.

◘◘ Visit Gyokusen’an Rest House

Located in the area of Kanazawa Castle Park, this is a small tea house overlooking the Gyokusen’inmaru Garden. I highly suggest sitting down here and having a cup of tea with wagashi or traditional Japanese sweets.

◘◘ Omicho Market

For lunch, we had a ten-minute walk from Nezumintamon to reach Omicho Market, Kanazawa’s largest fresh food market since the Edo period.

We heard that this market offers local specialties such as snow crab and sweet shrimps during the winter season, so we just had to try it! Similar to Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market, hundreds of stalls and restaurants selling fresh seafood are lined up so you can choose which ones you want to try!

◘◘ See Higashi Chaya District

Our last spot in Kanazawa city is no doubt the Higashi Chaya District, said to be one of Kanazawa’s largest geisha districts.

In here, it’s a must to walk around the old chaya (tea house) in a kimono and take a photoshoot for your SNS. Also, this is one of the most unique places in Japan where you can try soft cream with gold leaf!

NOTE : Check out from the hotel and take the Thunderbird express train with your Takayama Hokuriko Area Tourist Pass to head to Awara Onsen in Fukui Prefecture.

CHECK-IN: Awara Onsen Matsuya Sensen From there, take a hotel shuttle bus from Awara Onsen station to the ryokan.

• Awara Hot Spring Footbath: After checking in, we went exploring and checked the FREE public foot bath nearby. Search for “ Ashiyu ” on Google Maps for this place, which is located just in front of Awara Yunomachi station. This decent facility offers several foot baths which are in different shapes and temperatures. . We wanted to try some food too that was being sold at the Yataimura Yukemuri Yokocho right in front of the footbath building, but since we still have our dinner waiting at the ryokan, we only took some photos to note down for the next trip.

DAY 5 – Last Day

◘◘ Go to Fukui Station

For our last day, armed with our Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, we hopped on a hotel shuttle bus and then rode the JR Hokuriku Main Line to Fukui Station!

• Did you know that Katsuyama City in Fukui Prefecture is Japan’s most prominent dinosaur fossil discovery site? In Fukui Station’s West Exit, you can see a 10-meter model of Fukuititan , one of the dinosaurs found in Fukui. A model of the other dinosaur fossils discovered in Fukui, Fukuiraptor and Fukuisaurus, can also be found in Fukui Station.

◘◘ Visit the Dinosaur Museum, Fukui

If you want to learn more about the Fukui dinosaurs, you can also head to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, located almost 1.5 hours away from Fukui Station.

This museum, located in Katsuyama City, is recognized as one of the top dinosaur museums in the world and is the largest of its kind in Japan. Currently, they only let in visitors who have reserved tickets in order to prevent the spreading of COVID-19.

• DINOCAFE The restaurant inside the museum offers western style food, Japanese style including Dino’s characters desserts that will satisfy the visitors including kids, adults and Dino’s lovers.

TIPS FOR THIS TRIP

• Stay at a hotel near the stations so you can leave your luggage there to go sightseeing. Otherwise, there are various coin lockers available at stations and popular tourist spots (i.e. Shirakawago).
• With your Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, it’s important to reserve your seats on the bus to and from Shirakawago because the place is exceedingly popular with travelers and locals.
• Once you arrive at Nagoya Station, you can exchange your Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass at the JR counter. Also, Tourist Pass holders will be able to go past the automatic gate from March 2021.
• Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass holders can reserve seats on the Limited Express train but they need to use the non-reserve seats on Shinkansen trains.

Central Japan Travel Guide

» best time to visit.

Any time and any season!  May it be spring, summer, autumn, or winter, Central Japan or Chubu has a ton of destinations and experiences that can fill your travel needs. For instance, there are breathtaking  sakura  or  cherry blossom viewing  in the spring, great hiking trails in the summer on  Kamikochi , picturesque sightseeing rides in autumn at  Kurobe  Gorge , and exciting ski resorts or attractions in the winter in  Niigata  or through the   Tateyama Kurobe  Alpine Route.

• WINTER: Dec to Feb
• SPRING: March to May
• SUMMER: June to Aug
• AUTUMN: Sept to Nov

– – –

» Getting in to Central Japan

By air.  You can fly to Tokyo’s  Narita  Airport and take a  shinkansen  (bullet train) to any major city in  Chubu with a help of a Japan Rail Pass ; however, your best choice is to fly in directly to Chubu Centrair International Airport — this is Japan’s 3rd major international gateway that’s located on an artificial island 30 minutes south of  Nagoya  (the largest city in Chubu). In order to find the best flight deals from your point of origin, I recommend browsing through  Skyscanner .

By train.  Japan’s railways are well-connected; so if you’re coming from Tokyo, you can easily reach, for instance,  Nagano  on the  Hokuriku Shinkansen  or  Nagoya  on the  Tokaido Shinkansen . If your destination is someplace else, just use  Google Maps  to map out your train route.

» Visa for Japan

If you’re NOT a citizen of any of Japan’s  exempted countries , you are then required to avail a visa beforehand. (If you’re from the Philippines, you can read my guide on how to get a  Japan visa  in Manila  here .)

• Check full visa requirements here as per your nationality.

» Where to Stay (Central Japan Accommodations)

To search for the best hotel accommodation in Japan at the best prices, I suggest cross-checking hotel prices between  Agoda  and  Booking.com . But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses or apartments, you should search through AirBnB .

• Stay at a hotel near train stations so you can easily leave your luggage there to go sightseeing. Another option is to use coin lockers that available at train stations and popular tourist spots (ie, Shirakawago).

» Japan Currency

Japanese yen (JPY / ¥) wherein ¥100 is equal to about USD $1~ / €0.85~ / Php 45~ (this is as of March 2020). In the event that you want to exchange your money for JPY, I highly advise that you do NOT exchange your money at the airport since the rates there are not competitive.

• How to best exchange your currency? Either exchange it at a bank or at a money exchanger in your home country or in Tokyo’s city center. Better yet, just withdraw from an ATM with your debit/credit card — however, you must do one big withdrawal to minimize fees with your bank. Speaking of cards, a lot of Tokyo’s establishments accept credit cards but it’s always advisable to have cash on hand because a lot of smaller shops do not accept international credit cards.

» Cost of Travel in Japan

A lot of people have the misconception that Japan is an expensive destination; however, it is totally possible to travel on a budget! Just take note that accommodation rates typically go up during peak season (March to April in Spring and November in Autumn) .

To give you an idea, you should expect to travel in Japan with an average daily cost of about USD $45~ per person on a budget, or at least $120~ if you want to experience more comfort on activities, tours, hotels, and more. (Values below show low budget to medium budget ranges).

• Hotels: $25 to $120 USD / day
• Food: $12 to $30 USD / day
• Fun: $5 to $20 USD / day
• Transport: US$1 per subway ride*

*FREE subway and bullet train rides if you hold a Japan Rail Pass

» How to Get Around Central Japan

There are several train passes available in Japan that will help you save on transportation costs, but if you are only going to focus on Central Japan or Chubu, I highly recommend that you buy the Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass which gives foreign tourists unlimited rides for 5 days in JR local and limited express trains, Hokuriku Shinkansen, and buses along the route — which then makes it the  PERFECT  pass for this article’s itinerary!

• For more details about the Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, see here . If you are arriving at Nagoya Station, you can easily exchange your Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass at the JR counter. Take note that you can reserve seats on Limited Express trains, but in Shinkansen (bullet) trains, you have to use non-reserve seats.

Meanwhile, when you’re mapping out your day-to-day route with your Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, just use  Google Maps  because it will show in detail the fastest connections you can do (by walking, by car, by bus, and by train).

» Staying Connected in Japan

Japan has one of the fastest internet connections in the world so you’re assured of great connection wherever you go. Hotels and most shops (even convenience stores) offer FREE WiFi connections — but in order to stay connected online at all times during your Japan trip, I recommend getting your own  pocket WiFi  or a  SIM Card .

» Safety in Japan

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world with very low crime rates. I have been traveling solo to this country many times now and I have never felt unsafe even in the late hours of the night — however , this is NO excuse to get too complacent. ‘Little crime’ does not mean ‘no crime’, so stay vigilant and be “street smart” by using your common sense at all times.

Nevertheless, the Japanese people are one of the kindest and most respectful people I have ever met, so solo travelers don’t have much to worry in this amazing country.

• HOW TO: Find the right travel insurance for you

» Helpful Japanese Phrases

Japan may be one of the most developed countries in the world, but a lot of the locals don’t speak English. However, this should not discourage you from traveling to this country because apart from the fact that there are a lot of translation apps that will help you understand and speak Japanese, a lot of the locals are also making the effort to learn and use the English language.

• RELATED READ: Best translation apps for travel

Anyhow, below are some helpful Japanese phrases that will help you along the way! And even if you do encounter a Japanese who can speak English, it doesn’t hurt to say a word or two in their language.

Hello: Konnichiwa ( Kohn-nee-chee-wah ) Thank you (normal): Arigatō. ( Ah-REE-gah-tohh ) Thank you (less formal): Arigatō gozaimas  (Ah-REE-gah-tohh goh-zahy-mahs) Thank you (informal): Dōmo  (DOHH-moh) Yes: Hai  (Hai) No: Iie  (E-eh) Goodbye (long term): Sayōnara  (Sah-yohh-nah-rah) Goodbye (informal): Ja ne  (Jahh neh)

Excuse me: Sumimasen  (Soo-mee-mah-SEN) I’m sorry: Gomen nasai  (Goh-men-nah-sahy) Is there someone here who speaks English?: Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka?  (Dah-reh-kah ey-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs kah?) Help!: Tasukete!  (Tahs-keh-teh!) Cheers!: Kanpai! ( Kan-pie!)

I hope that this Central Japan winter itinerary guide has helped you come up with an amazing plan for your upcoming trip! So don’t ever forget to grab the Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass to make the most of your time, effort, and money.

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Hi there! thanks for the great post

Glad to be of help!

Hi Aileen! How did u travel in the midst of pandemic? We are supposed to travel March 16-24 this year but Cebu Pac cancelled the trip. Is it open traveling to Nagoya right now and what are the requirenents? Pls update me so we can utilise our travel funds (2 TRAVEL FUNDS). Thank you.

Hey Ismael! Sorry for the misleading post, but this was a trip I did before the pandemic. Unfortunately, as of this moment, travel to Japan is still not allowed by the Japanese government for Filipinos. Hopefully, soon you can travel there (as I also want to head over there!). Keep safe!

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JR TAKAYAMA-HOKURIKU AREA TOURIST PASS: Where to Buy, How to Use

Kansai and Chubu are two of the most beautiful regions of Japan. Both are bursting with attractions for almost all types of traveler: countless heritage sites, breathtaking nature, bountiful markets, and irresistible cuisine.

Thanks to the country’s sprawling transportation network, it is easy to get around these two regions. Major cities are connected by efficient railway and highway bus systems. It’s no wonder many travelers include Kansai and Chubu in their Japan itinerary!

While numerous tourist passes are available for exploring each individual region, there are only a few that cover BOTH. One of them is the JR Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass .

Offered by JR Central and JR West, this pass allows the user unlimited rides on JR local and limited express trains, Hokuriku Shinkansen and buses in these areas:

• some areas in Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto, Kansai Airport)
• Hokuriku area (Fukui, Ishikawa, and Toyama)
• Gifu (Gero and Takayama as a jump-off point for Shirakawa-go)

The pass is valid for 5 consecutive days .

This will help you save a considerable amount compared to purchasing regular tickets. For example, for our itinerary, it would have cost us ¥25,000-30,000 without the pass (all non-reserved seats). The pass only costs around half of that and with up to four free reserved seats. We saved a lot using the pass. Here are more information and details about this pass — price, where to buy, how to use, and the coverage.

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

How much is the pass?

You can purchase the pass outside of Japan, online, or when you arrive in Japan. The price varies depending on where you purchase the pass.

• Purchasing Abroad and Online: ¥14,260 (Adult); ¥7,130 (Child)
• Purchasing in Japan: ¥15,280 (Adult); ¥7,640 (Child)
• This pass is only available to foreigners with the “Temporary Visitor” status/visa. The pass is non-transferable. Only the person whose name is on the pass can use it.
• The pass is valid for 5 consecutive days. The validity date is specified on the pass. For example, the validity date on my pass was from February 24 to February 28, 2020.
• Children age is 6-11 years old. 12 years old and above are considered adults already. Children 5 years and below are free, but they will share the seat with the accompanying adult.
• Secure your pass and don’t lose it. It will not be replaced or reissued whether it’s lost or stolen.

Where to Buy

• Purchasing in Japan. You can purchase at the JR ticket office at major railway stations such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Chubu Centrair Airport, Kyoto, Osaka, and Kansai Airport. In our case, we got our pass at Kansai Airport station JR ticket office.

• When purchasing, exchanging or picking up your pass, the people who will actually use the pass should be present. Don’t forget to bring your passport and the MCO (if purchased outside Japan) or your credit card (if online reservation).
• The details you provided for the MCO and the pass cannot be changed or modified.
• Read all the instructions on how to exchange and pick up especially for those who purchased outside Japan and online. Take note of the information that you need to provide and the things to bring upon exchange/pick up.

What are the areas covered by the pass?

Area coverage.

The Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass can be used in these areas in the Kansai and Chubu regions.

• Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya
• Hokuriku Subregion: Ishikawa (Kanazawa), Fukui and Toyama
• Gifu: Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Gero

Note that the pass doesn’t cover all of Chubu or all of Kansai, but only the areas specified above.

Route Coverage

• Unlimited use of JR limited express, express, rapid, and local trains with non-reserved seats between Nagoya and Toyama, Kyoto/Osaka (Shin-Osaka) and Kanazawa, Osaka and Kansai Airport, and within central Osaka.
• Unlimited use of JR Hokuriku Shinkansen with non-reserved seats between Toyama Station and Kanazawa Station.
• Unlimited use of Nohi Bus, Toyama Chitetsu Bus, and Hokutetsu Bus between Takayama Nohi Bus Center, Shirakawa-go, and Kanazawa. Another route is between Takayama Nohi Bus Center, Shirakawa-go, and Toyama.
• Unlimited use of Kaetsuno Bus between Shirakawa-go, Gokayama, and Shin-Takaoka Station.

JR Railway and Bus Lines Coverage

• JR Railways: Tokaido/Takayama Lines (Nagoya-Toyama), Hokuriku/Kosei/Tokaido Lines (Osaka-Kanazawa), Hanwa/Kansai Airport Lines (Osaka-Kansai Airport & Osaka City), and Hokuriku Shinkansen (Toyama-Kanazawa)
• Bus Lines: Nohi Bus, Toyama Chitetsu Bus, Hokutetsu Bus, and Kaetsuno Bus.
• Inclusive of up to four (4) reserved seats on ordinary lines on the limited express trains EXCEPT the Limited Express Haruka and Hokuriku Shinkansen. When you want to use one of the four reserved seating, make sure to go to the JR ticket office to get the free seat ticket.
• Only non-reserved seats for Limited Express “Haruka” (between Osaka and Kansai Airport) and Hokuriku Shinkansen (between Kanazawa and Toyama).
• This pass does not cover Green Car seats or Gran Class seats. It only includes unlimited non-reserved seats plus your four free reserved seats.
• You cannot refund unused reserved seats in case you were not able to avail of all four slots.
• This pass does not cover the ride on Tokaido Shinkansen between Kyoto Station and Shin-Osaka Station.
• For Takayama – Shirakawa-go – Kanazawa Route (+81) 577-32-1688 (Nohi Bus) / (+81) 76-234-0123 (Hokuriku Railway) Office Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• For Takayama – Shirakawa-go – Toyama Route (+81) 577-32-1688 (Nohi Bus) / (+81) 76-433-4890 (Toyama Railway) Office Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Nohi) / 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM (Toyama)
• No prior reservation needed for Kaetsuno Bus.

If you purchase the pass from Klook , you will be presented two options on how you want to get the Exchange Voucher, which you will use to get the pass: Delivery or Airport Pickup . If you opt for pickup, you will be emailed a voucher. Then follow these steps.

If you choose delivery when you book with Klook, you will be sent the Exchange Order. Then, skip to Step 2.

• Upon arrival at the airport, drop by their designated location or store and present your voucher. The staff may also check your passport for confirmation. You will be given an Exchange Order.
• After entering Japan, proceed to the JR Office at major train station and provide the Exchange Order and your passport to the staff. You will be issued the pass, which is valid for five days. You don’t have to use it right away. You will be asked the date when you plan to first use it.
• To use the pass, simply present the pass to the attendant at the manned gate. If it’s your very first time to use the pass, the attendant will stamp a seal on the pass.
• For every succeeding use, all you need to do is show the pass to the staff beside the manned gates. They will not stamp the pass anymore. They’ll just check it.

To use it for trains with reserved seating, drop by the JR counter first before proceeding to the gates. You will be given a ticket, which shows your car number and seat number.

• Always have your passport with you in case the attendant or train car conductor asks for it.
• Plan your itinerary well, so you can plot and determine which train trips to use the four free reserved seats.
• Review the Terms of Use including the guidelines and other concerns like refunds.
• To maximize this pass, plan your itinerary well.
• You may use Hyperdia to track the schedule and to get other information regarding your train rides like the platform number and the type of trains.
• Be mindful of the time and train/bus schedule.

2020 • 3 • 16

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5-days japan itinerary: explore central japan region with the takayama-hokuriku area tourist pass.

Planning a trip to Nagoya and Central Japan Region? In this Japan travel guide with sample 5 days and 4 nights itinerary, I will help you plan your trip and give suggestions on the top things to do, tourist spots and attractions that you could visit in Nagoya, and nearby prefectures such as Gifu, Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui.

Here is a central japan sample itinerary that can help you get the most value out of your takayama-hokuriku pass:, nagoya marriott associa hotel, nagoya-meshi (kishimen).

Nagoya TV Tower

Café Gentiane (Piyorin)

JR Gate Tower

Shopping (uniqlo, bic camera), hodakaso yamano hotel.

Shinhotaka Ropeway

Takayama ramen.

Takayama Historical District

Shirakawa-go

Takaoka City

Doraemon tram.

Toyama Sushi (Dinner)

Route Inn Takaoka

Shogawa gorge, toyama.

Zuiryuji Temple

Doraemon Postbox

Handcraft Experience at Nousaku Factory, Takaoka City

Kanazawa Station, Tsuzumi Gate

Hotel Wing International Premium Kanazawa Ekimae

Kanazawa City

Kenrokuen garden.

Kanazawa Castle, Nezumitamon Gate and Nezumitamon Bridge

Gyokusen’an Rest House

Omicho Market

Higashi Chaya District

Stay at Awara Onsen Matsuya Sensen

Awara hot spring footbath.

Fukui Station

Dinosaur Museum, Fukui

About Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

For more details about this pass please check this link: jr takayama-hokuriku area tourist pass (5 days) ., tips for your central japan trip:.

• Stay at a hotel near the stations so you can leave your luggage there to go sightseeing. Or else, there are various coin lockers available at stations and popular tourist spot (ie, Shirakawago).
• Reserve your seats on bus to and from Shirakawago since the place is exceedingly popular with travelers and locals. Buses are always full.
• Once you arrived in Nagoya Station, you can exchange your Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass at the JR counter. Also, Tourist Pass holders will be able to go pass the automatic gate from March 2021.
• Tourist Pass holders can reserve seats on Limited Express train but need to use the non-reserve seats on Shinkansen trains.
• Plan your itinerary well to save time and be able to explore as many tourist spots and attractions as possible.
• Check the weather and plan for the clothes you will bring. Be sure to be ready for the cold weather if you’re visiting during winter.

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Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass (Complete 5 Days 4 Nights Trip Itinerary)

The Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass (5days) usage starts when you arrived and activate it from Kansai Airport and from there it gives you unlimited rides on certain JR limited express and local lines covering Osaka, Kyoto, Kanazawa, Toyama, Takayama & Nagoya. To learn more about the pass benefits you can refer back this blog entry

Day 1 Route: Kanazawa station  →  Omi-cho Ichiba  →  Kenrokuen  →  Oyama Shrine  →  Nagamachi Samurai District  →  Higashi Chaya

Fun fact: Before Fukui prefecture was called Fukui, the whole area was known as Echizen

Important Note: There are limited large luggage lockers at JR Awara Onsen station. However, if you are staying in Awara Onsen hotels, you can send your bags to your accomodation first.  

Travel Tip: You can store your luggage at the coin lockers located in front of the bus stop before heading down to the cliffs. If you collect travel stamps like I do, there’s some available at the Tojinbo tourist information center.

Day 2 Route: Kakusenkei Gorge → Tojinbo → Yokokan Garden

Travel Tip: Doremon fans, look out for the bronze Doremon shaped post box at Takaoka station. When you post letters out from this postbox, you’ll get a special stamp postmark on it!

Important Note: Shin Takaoka & Takaoka station are 2 different stations!

Important Note: No photography allowed inside the corridors, only outdoors

Day 3 Route: Shogawa Gorge Cruise→ Zuiryuji temple→ Nousaku Factory

• To get a full picturesque view of the iconic thatched roof village, head up the observatory which is a 30 minutes’ walk or a 10 minutes’ shuttle bus ride from the bus depot. The shuttle bus depot itself is close to the main bus terminal/ information center.
• Visit both the Kanda and Wada house to learn more about gassho style architecture up close, it has a great view from 2nd floor too
• Don’t forget to try Hida-beef and Hoba miso, you can get a hearty lunch set serving at Irori restaurant

  Travel Tip: There’s a Shirakawa-go limited stamp available at the main bus terminal/ information center, there are also huge luggage lockers here that can easily fit 2 of me inside lol

Important Note: The library is a public space, please be mindful of others reading/ studying here and not make any loud noises

Day 4 Route: Shirakawa-go → Hida Furukawa  →  Furui Machinami(Sanmachi-dori)  →  Dekonaru-za

Fun Fact: Aside from swords, Seki is also known for their milk and Unagi!

Travel Tip: Lockers in Mino-Ota station are rather small so if your luggage is big like mine you’ll end up having to drag it around Seki. To avoid this from happening, traveling light is the best = cabin size luggage.

Day 5 Route: Miyagawa Morning Market   →   Seki Traditional Swordsmith Museum  → Seki Zenko-ji Temple   →  Nagoya station (end)

If you need another itinerary sample you can check out my older entry HERE . Hope this blog post inspires you to explore more of central Japan!

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13 Unforgettable Things to do in Central Japan with the Takayama-Hokuriku Area JR Tourist Pass

Discover amazing attractions within Chubu region of Japan via the Takayama-Hokuriku Area JR Tourist Pass 🚆!

Did you know Central Japan (also known as the Chubu and Hokuriku region) is made up of nine prefectures? Namely Nagano, Niigata, Gifu, Toyama, Aichi, Shizuoka, Yamanashi, Fukui and Ishikawa.

Each region offers unique experiences we might not find in our usual favourites like Tokyo and Osaka. For instance, visiting famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Gifu and Toyama, or admiring Japan’s largest row of cherry blossom trees in Fukui.

Photo credit: Central Japan Area

Before you start, grab yourself a Takayama-Hokuriku Area JR Tourist Pass . The pass includes unlimited rides on specific JR local and limited express trains, Hokuriku Shinkansen, and buses along the route.

More on the pass at the end, if you’re short on time, here are 13 unforgettable experiences to check off the next time you’re in Japan 🎌!

1) Visit Nagoya Castle’s Hommaru Palace

Like the rest of Japan, central Japan has its fair share of majestic castles 🏯.

An iconic castle is Nagoya Castle which holds the historic Hommaru Palace . The palace was once destroyed in wartime air raids but has been restored to its original state since 2018.

There’s also a wide variety of plants like somei yoshino and weeping cherry trees in the area, accounting for approximately 1,000 cherry blossoms for sightseeing during spring.

Other than Nagoya Castle, also don’t miss Gifu Castle in Gifu City where you’ll get a fantastic view of the Nagara River, Mount Ena, and the Kiso Mountains!

Entrance fee:  ¥500 (~S$6) Opening hours:  9AM – 4:30PM How to get there:  From Nagoya Station, take the Meguru Loop Bus to Nagoya Castle

2) Observe Cormorant Fishing in Kawaramachi District

Here’s a sight you don’t see every day — fishermen using trained birds to catch fish!

The birds are called Cormorants and are used traditionally by the fishermen on the banks of the Nagara River in Gifu City’s Kawaramachi District .

You won’t be able to experience this first-hand, but you can get a closer look on a scheduled boat ride during this fishing season!

For lunch, drop by restaurant Kawaramachi Izumiya , which specialises in a popular local catch called ayu or sweet fish.

After eating to your heart’s content, stroll down the streets of old-fashioned Japanese houses and look out for stores displaying traditional crafts like Gifu Uchiwa (flat fans) and Gifu Wagasa (Japanese umbrellas). Gifu City Cormorant Fishing Cost for viewing boat: ¥3,200 – ¥3,500 (~S$38 – S$41) , depends on time and date Period: 11 May – 15 Oct Time: Varies according to season How to get there: From Gifu Station, take Gifu bus N80 bound for Takatomi or Gifu bus N32/N86 bound for Gifu Park/Takatomi to Nagara-bashi stop and walk 5 mins

3) Tour the Unique Udatsu Wall Historical District

Tour around the Udatsu Wall Historical District in Mino City and you’ll notice walls protruding from either sides of the buildings. Known as udatsu , these were built to prevent the spread of fires from nearby houses.

In fact, as the udatsu structure is so rare in Japan, the national government has named this district an official Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings 😲.

Besides these fire safety walls, there are also artworks of washi or traditional Japanese paper displayed throughout the city.

How to get there:  From Gifu Station, take the JR Hida Line to Mino-Ota Station. After which, take the Nagaragawa Tetsudo Line to Umeyama Station and walk 7 mins

4) Enjoy Beautiful Scenery in Shirakawa-go

Hailed as one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites , Shirakawa-go has around 100 big and small gassho-zukuri houses.

While the area transforms into a scenic winter wonderland when it snows, another great time to visit is during spring — offering views of beautiful cherry blossoms in mid-April to early May.

Fun fact: The gassho-zukuri roofs are designed in a way whereby snow can fall off the sides, as this area is prone to heavy snowfall in the winter.

How to get there:  From Takayama Station, take the express bus and alight at Shirakawa-go Bus Terminal

5) Explore Toyama City via the Toyama Port Tram

The Toyama Port Tram is one of the best ways to get around Toyama City — passing by various tourist attractions such as Toyama Castle and Toyama Glass Art Museum .

Based on Toyama’s local attractions, the carriages are even painted in seven different colours!

The tram runs to the north from Toyama Station through the city, offering a scenic route to travellers as they travel in and even out of the city to Iwase port town.

Cost: ¥210 (~S$2.50) How to get there: Alight at Toyama Station

6) Gaze at Mountains from Afar at Iwasehama Beach

Apart from getting a great sun tan and feeling the sea breeze, visitors are treated to a clear view of Tateyama Mountain Range at Iwasehama Bathing Beach !

The Iwase District is also known for its historic streets, which reflects its past as a flourishing port town since the Edo period — where it once assisted Kitamae cargo ships that crossed the Sea of Japan.

Entrance fee: Free Open period Early July – Late Aug How to get there: From Toyama Station, take Toyama Port Tram to Iwasehama Station

7) Snap Instagrammable Pictures at Tonami Tulip Park

Every spring, Tonami City organises a tulip fair displaying 3,000,000 tulips in full bloom 🌷.

As one of Japan’s leading tulip producers, this impressive number is an easy feat for the city in Toyama Prefecture .

With vibrant colours such as pink, red and yellow, the festival is also the perfect opportunity to take some epic photos for the gram!

Other nearby attractions include the Tulip Tower, an observation deck overlooking the large tulip fields, as well as the Tulip Marche, a nearby market.

*Note: Check the website in advance as the location and schedule vary for each attraction.

Entrance fee: ¥1,300 (~S$15) (During the Tulip Fair) Opening hours: 8:30AM – 5:30PM (Last entry at 5PM) How to get there: From Shin-Takaoka Station, take the JR Johana Line to Tonami Station. Walk 15 mins or take a free shuttle bus to Tonami Tulip Park

8) Indulge in Fresh Seafood at Shinminato Kitokito Market

Find a wide array of fresh seafood such as benizuwai or red snow crab, firefly squid and white shrimp in Shinminato Kitokito Market !

Shiro ebi or white shrimp in particular, is a must-try with its sweet yet rich flavour — living up to its name “Jewel of Toyama Bay”.

It doesn’t take too long to explore the market and once you’re done, head to Kanazawa City for some gold-leaf ice cream 😋. With the Takayama-Hokuriku Area JR Tourist Pass , it’s only a 20-minute ride away on the Hokuriku Shinkansen.

Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM How to get there: From Toyama Station, take the Toyama Buri Kani Bus to Shinminato Kitokito Market

9) Try Gold Leaf Ice Cream in Kanazawa City

Have you ever had ice cream covered in real gold 🍦?

In Kanazawa City , feel like royalty as you taste Gold Leaf Kagayaki Soft Ice Cream at Hakuichi’s various outlets . The “gold leaf” is actually gold that has been made into thin sheets — and yes, it’s perfectly edible! We recommend trying it at its Higashiyama branch after exploring the historic Higashi Chaya District .

Kanazawa is described as Japan’s gold city, producing 99% of the country’s gold leaf. On top of golden desserts, the city is also famous for its gold-leafed jewellery and crafts!

How to get there: From Kanazawa Station East Exit, take the city bus to Hashibacho bus stop and walk 5 mins

10) Travel Back in Time at Kazue-machi Chaya District

Kazue-machi Chaya District is one of three geisha districts in Kanazawa City and when night falls, you might even hear these skilled female entertainers playing Japanese musical instruments like the shamisen (a three-stringed musical instrument) and taiko drums.

As you stroll along streets lined up with traditional tea houses and restaurants, it’s one way to relive Edo-period Japan and escape from the bustling city.

How to get there: From Kanazawa Station East Exit, take the city bus to Hashibacho bus stop

11) Have a Picturesque Picnic in Rojo Park

Boasting a wide variety of plants and flowers, serene ponds and lanterns adorning the walkway — visitors can enjoy Rojo Park’s scenery in every season.

But of course, one of the best times to visit is during Japan’s cherry blossom season , where you can have a picnic under gorgeous pink flowers in full bloom. There are also museums, art galleries and tea houses nearby to explore too!

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours How to get there: 15min walk from Komatsu Station

12) Relax Your Body and Mind at Awara Onsen Town

With a history of over 100 years, Awara Onsen is a famous hot spring town in the Chubu region. Located in Fukui Prefecture, the waters here are said to help elevate certain medical conditions such as rheumatism and dermatitis.

If you’re exhausted from touring the town, there’s also free ashinoyu foot baths nearby the train station to soothe your feet.

How to get there: From Fukui Station, take the Echizen Railway Mikuni Awara Line to Awara-Yunomachi Station

13) Admire Breathtaking Cherry Blossoms Along the Asuwa River

One of Japan’s largest rows of cherry blossom trees can be found lined along the Asuwa River — around 600 trees in total stretching over 2.2km 🌸.

This location is one of Japan’s top 100 best cherry blossom viewing spots and the trees turn into a beautiful pink tunnel from late March to early April.

Running through the heart of Fukui City , they were initially planted as a symbol of hope for restoration after the Fukui earthquake.

Entrance fee: Free Opening hours: 24 hours How to get there: 15min walk from Fukui Station

Bonus: Create Your Own Lacquer Chopsticks at WAKASA

One of the best souvenirs you can take home from here is this — creating your own wakasa -lacquer chopsticks!

Wakasa lacquerware is a traditional Japanese craft hailing from Obama City in the Fukui Prefecture and you can get them made at Hashi no Furusato Kan WAKASA .

Cost: ¥500 – ¥700 (~S$6 – S$8) Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM (Weekdays), 9AM – 4PM (Sun and holidays) How to get there: From Obama Station, take the bus heading Tomari (泊漁) or Tagarasu, alight at Fukutani bus stop and walk 3 mins

Getting Around Central Japan with the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

Don’t get us wrong, Tokyo and Osaka are great places to visit in Japan. But it doesn’t hurt to steer away from familiar tourist spots and dive straight into the heart of the Land of the Rising Sun.

While the Chubu region is accessible by car, plane, and bus, one of the most convenient and fuss-free ways to get around is via train. Especially so with the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass 😉

The pass includes unlimited rides on JR local and limited express trains, Hokuriku Shinkansen and buses along the route.

So start your trip from Osaka or Nagoya and partake in a grand tour of the Kanazawa, Toyama and Gifu areas by hopping on and off the trains!

Cost: – ¥15,280 (~S$180) — purchased online – ¥15,280 (~S$180) — purchased at a train station Validity period: Five consecutive days

Read also: 7-Day Japan Itinerary — Hidden Gems in the Kanto and Chubu Region

Share with us down below what other unforgettable experiences central Japan has to offer!

Featured image credit : Central Japan Area

This post was brought to you by Central Japan Area .

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Traveling to the Central of Japan | Takayama-Hokuriku Area JR Tourist Pass

15 march 2021.

Hello Sweeties ✨ So happy to be back with another blog post. It's been a long time that I didn't share any itinerary in Japan. Remember what I told you guys before?! I said I wanna travel across all the 47 prefectures in Japan and I did visit to 50% prefectures in Japan, the remains one will be continue after the pandemic is over 😢 

There are few prefecture in central Japan which I visited before and strongly recommend for you guys. I did shared about the Gifu itinerary ( click here ) and  Toyama - Ishikawa - Fukui itinerary  ( click here ) before but it's two completely separated itinerary. Since it's all located at the central region of Japan, today I'm gonna share a sample itinerary that can help you to unlock all these prefectures in ONCE 🤫

Remember I shared the JR pass with you guys before, so for this sample itinerary I will be sharing with you on how you can plan your itinerary by visited all these central prefectures and also fully utilizing your Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist JR Pass . The Central Japan Region is a year-round destination that offers an abundance of nature and delicious food every season. It's so much diff from what we normally experience in Tokyo. I remember I visited to the dinosaur museum before in Fukui , it was such an eye opening experience, the famous production of gold leaf in Kanazawa, Ishikawa prefecture, the Hida Town in Gifu prefecture, and last but not least the famous Shirakawa-go as well. 

I'm so excited to share this new itinerary with you guys so after the pandemic over you can refer to this itinerary, travel and unlock these new prefecture with me too. It's best to travel there in Winter as well since the plan included Shirakawa-go as one of the to-do in this recommended itinerary. It looks extra stunning during the winer but make sure to wrap yourself like a bun! HAAHAHA. 

For this itinerary, we will be mainly focus on using Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass to enjoy 5 days of unlimited rides on JR local and limited express trains, the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and buses within the Central Region.  So it's pretty worth to visit via using the pass and can help you to save a lot on the transportation fees. If you need some extra highlight spots within these area, feel free to check out Central Japan Travel Fair official site ( click here ) too. There are lots of recommendations for restaurants and to-visit spots as well.

#ChanwonTips + TOURIST PASS I USED

I guess that's all about the tips! Are you guys ready now? If yes, let me bring you through a virtual tour to Central region in Japan. Here's the recommended sample itinerary that can help you get the most value out of using your  Takayama-Hokuriku Pass .

On the first day, after arriving at Kansai International Airport, just hop on the Haruka Limited Train heading Shin Osaka and transfer to Limited Thunderbird, and it's how the starting of the trip. I'm really excited when I first visit to Fukui because it's so well known for the real dinosaur fossil. The city which hold as Japan's most prominent dinosaur fossil is located at Katsuyama City in Fukui Prefecture and we will be visiting this on the first day of our trip!

Here's one really cool thing you can easily spot it when you walk out from the West Exit in Fukui Station.

* (3) Must-Try:  Amida Soba Yubuan あみだそば   

Next, if you are visiting to Fukui prefecture, one of the must try local food will be this Echizen soba . There are not many local restaurants that offers Echizen soba  I'm always a fan of Soba and this is what normally we can't try it in Malaysia. This soba is quite special because it's made using local ingredients and taste different from the usual soba offered in other areas. So remember to look for this and give it a try if you are visiting to Fukui in the future.

Now here come to the most exciting part ever. I swear this is one of the highlight of this trip especially on your day 1 itinerary. I think it's pretty cool to bring your male friends or your kids here because many of them are a fan of dinosaur! This museum is located almost 1 hour away from Fukui Station. So you may plan your itinerary to this museum after taking your lunch!

This museum, located in Katsuyama City, is recognized as one of the top dinosaur museums in the world and is the largest of its kind in Japan.  They have 10 real skeletons so come and find which one. Currently, they only let visitors who already reserved a ticket to get in, in order to prevent the spreading of COVID-19. 

The second day is a day for Kanazawa where you can leisurely enjoy the whole city. Kanazawa is an old castle town, well-known for its well-preserved Edo-era districts, art museums, magnificent garden and regional handicrafts.  Ishikawa capital Kanazawa is also really famous with its gold foil . In Kanazawa you can spot everything  with gold foil including ice cream or some special dish that added with gold foil on top of your meal lol.  

* (6)Kanazawa Station, Tsuzumi Gate 金沢市  : 

Once arrived at Kanazawa station, don’t forget to catch a glimpse of the huge Tsuzumi Gate. It's designed to symbolise the drums played in Noh Theater, welcoming us at the station here. It is said to be an unofficial symbol of Kanazawa and famous for being a combination of traditional wooden design and contemporary style. 

*Extra*   If you are looking for more recommendation like where to dinner or stay, here's some which you can included into your itinerary too:-

• Kagaya 加賀屋 : At Kagaya, a restaurant just nearby Kanazawa station, you can look for the Ozen set with dishes made by seasonal ingredients unique to the local area. A tray with sushi, miso soup and some other traditional dishes were served.  
• Hotel Wing International Premium Kanazawa Ekimae:  If you are looking for some hotel recommendation you may check out Hotel Wing International Premium near Kanazawa Ekimae. It is a fairly new hotel with stylish design.

On the next day, the itinerary will be moving to a new city. It's Takaoka City and you can spend a half day in Takaoka City and moving to Toyama in the afternoon. One of the special to-do in Takaoka city is visiting our favourite childhood friend. Guess who it is?!!! Hint hint*

A special edition Doraemon Tram!

Yea you didn't see it wrongly, in Takaoka city, there is one tram car designed with full of characters from Doraemon with a blue theme. You can find it at the Manyosen platform. Even inside the tram, the Doraemon wears mask too. Super adorable omg!

* (11) To  Takaoka City   :  

So back to the topic, if you are planning to visit to Takaoka City what you need to do is just, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Takaoka City (Shin Takaoka station then local bus to Takaoka) . Since it's just a half day trip, you are not going to bring along the luggage with you. What I suggest is to left your luggage are at Takaoka station. There are lot of coin locker space for your luggage and then you can enjoy free and easy time without a need to worry about your luggage too.

* (12)  Zuiryuji Temple   :  

If you are a fan of cultural treasure then this is one of the must-visit for you. The Zuiryū-ji temple!! The  building was build about 370 years ago and took 20 years to complete the whole temple. Before you visited the Zuiryuji Temple you can also make a stop at Sakashitamachi Station and walk for some minutes, then you will found an enormous statute of Buddha in the middle of residential area. 

Ps: You can take your lunch at Yasuragi-an, where they served seasonal dishes. The dishes for February are using fresh vegetables and seafood. 

Zuiryuji Temple during the winter

* (15)  Toyama City Public Library and Glass Art Museum   :

After saying bye bye to your luggage, is time to take the local tram car again and we will be visiting the most interesting building in Toyama, the Public Library and Glass Art Museum or Toyama Kirari as how locals called. This building is actually a library with permanent and temporary exhibitions offering by the glass museum. One other highlight is its unique interior with spiral-shaped stairwell style design , continuing from second floor to sixth floor.  

* (16) Fugan Canal Kansui Park/  World's Most Beautiful Starbucks :

There is another famous spot you shouldn’t miss in Toyama, the Funal Canal Kansui Park, a waterside park surrounding a canal (just a 9-minute walk from the North Gate of JR Toyama Station). This park can be enjoyed in every season. During winter time, you will get to see the evening illumination of the Fugan Canal Kansui Park and Tenmon-kyo Bridge too.  

So glad that I visited this place before. This Fugan Canal Kansui Park has a special place in the locals heart. It's so well known because it's one of the World's Most Beautiful Starbucks is located here. Yes right opposite the park lol. Unbelievable right?! 

It's so well known because this Starbucks won the best store design award in 2008 , and provides a good view during all kind of season especially during Sakura and Autumn period. The seating area is surrounded by massive glass windows on three sides, offering a breathtaking views of Fugan Unga Kansui Park. People often come here just to sit around the window and enjoy a cup of hot coffee. Thumbs up for the glass wall because the night and afternoon view is really good! So relaxing and I saw lots of pet owners bring their pet sitting outside of the window talking to their friends.

• Dekonaruzaでこなる座 :  For those who wanted to have a unique experience, you can drop by and visit this small theater. They gather local performers and create outstanding traditional Japanese performance with taiko drum, Shinobue, and shamisen with Japanese dance, lion dance, and sword dance. Guests can also participate in some parts of the show too! 

In Takayama, stay at a hotel near the station is advised. There are some very nice one to choose. Also, luggage can be stored at coin lockers available both at Takayama Station or Nohi Bus Center nearby. Please take care and make sure you not to carry your luggage and walk around Takayama. It will be really troublesome to carry your luggage with you during the winter time.

This is the last day and I guess it's best to wake up a little earlier than usual to visit the nearby Miyagawa market – one of the three majors morning markets in Japan, selling everything from flowers to pickles to fresh produce. It takes place beside Miyagawa River in the old town. On the river side, there are around 50 open-air stalls stretching about 400 metres, from Kaji bridge to Yayoi bridge – a scenic spot for some pictures.

* (20) Hida Furukaw a  飛騨古川 :  

After enjoying the market, it's time take another train to my favourite Hida Furukawa station. If you read my Gifu adventure on finding 'Your Name' Movie Real Life locations in Japan ( Click here to read ) then you will know the reason why everyone are really looking forward to pay a visit to this wonderful Hida Town.

After talking a walk and have lunch in Hida town, it's time to head back again to Osaka.  Since there are no train straight go back to Osaka from Hida Furukawa, you can plan on your own. 

Alternatively, you can take 2 different train from Hida back to Takayama, then Hokuriku Railroad Highway bus heading back to Kanazawa City. In Kanazawa, you can stop for a dessert treat at Fumuroya Café , a speciaty café serving local desserts with made of namafu (rice cake-like pieces of wheat gluten).    

This might look like donuts but they are actually Kuruma-fu , a traditional fu which has been handed down through the ages in Kanazawa, made by gluten.  

After the dessert treat, you may take Thunderbird train head back to Osaka for a night and back to Malaysia on the next day!

I'm done by sharing with you this sample itinerary on how to travel within Central Region in Japan by using  the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass. It's super duper easy and you can also plan according your preference. I hope this itinerary helps you on planning your winter trip to the central region in Japan and with the pass, it really helps to save a lot especially traveling from Osaka prefecture to the rest of the central region prefecture.

So happy to share this with you and hopefully after the pandemic over, we can finally travel without worries and can continue to unlock the new prefectures in Japan too. I want to have my honeymoon in Japan and dip myself into the hot spring onsen! There are so many plan in my brain and we shall wait the day to come! Have a nice day and see you guys again on my next post.

That's all for now. Love. xoxo.

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• Shinkansen Bullet Trains
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Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

• JR East - South Hokkaido Rail Pass
• Explore All Passes

Experience the best of the Takayama and Hokuriku regions seamlessly with one comprehensive travel pass.

If you’re planning to travel between and explore bustling cities like Osaka, Kyoto , and Nagoya, and cultural gems like Kanazawa and Toyama, then the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass could be ideal for your trip to Japan.

This regional rail pass offers unlimited travel on JR services in this region . These include the Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train, the Osaka Loop Line , and bus lines to Shirakawa-go and Gokayama World Heritage sites.

Below, we outline who is eligible for the pass and how to easily get it online . We also break down all the services it covers, and alternative travel passes that may better suit your travel plans .

How it works

Order online

Purchase your Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass online in just a few minutes

Receive the Exchange Order

We deliver to your preferred location: be it your hotel in Japan or your residence.

Obtain Your Pass

Exchange the Order for your Pass at any of the designated JR Exchange Offices .

Begin Your Adventure

Enjoy unlimited rides on JR trains, buses, and more within the Takayama-Hokuriku region.

What is included

The Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass allows unlimited use of:

• JR limited express and local trains between Nagoya, Takayama, and Toyama
• JR limited express and local trains between Osaka and Kanazawa
• The JR Hokuriku Shinkansen between Kanazawa and Toyama
• JR trains in central Osaka, including the Osaka Loop Line
• JR trains between Osaka and Kansai Airport
• The Toyama Chiho Railway
• Buses between Takayama, Toyama and Kanazawa
• Kaetsuno World Heritage buses between Takaoka, Gokayama and Shirakawago

You can use the pass to ride in unreserved seats on ordinary JR train s, including the Thunderbird and Hida Wide View express, as well as the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Toyama to Kanazawa.

You can make up to 6 seat reservations on limited express trains with this pass. Otherwise, seat reservations are not included, and you will have to pay an extra fee to reserve seating .

You can do this either online or at station counters and ticket machines of major JR Central / JR West stations.

Please note that this pass cannot be used to ride the Tokaido Shinkansen between Kyoto and Shin-Osaka station. If you wish to use this service, you will need to pay the regular fare.

When is it good for?

The Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass is valid for 5 consecutive days . It's perfect for:

• Traveling around the Hokuriku region, from Kansai Airport to Kanazawa , Shirakawago, Takayama, and Nagoya.
• Extensively exploring cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, and Nagoya .
• Those planning short trips to locations such as Gero Onsen and Kaga Onsen.
• Travelers who wish to combine cultural experiences with scenic train journeys.

The price of the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass varies based on the age of the traveler. Those between 6-11 years qualify for the Child Pass , while anyone aged 12 and above needs an Adult Pass.

Two infants, aged between 1-5 years, can travel without any charge under the umbrella of an adult or child's Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass. However, a third infant would necessitate its own child's rail pass.

Babies under the age of 1 can journey at no cost . If an infant needs a reserved seat or is traveling solo, they would require their own Takayama-Hokuriku Area Child Rail Pass.

If you’re planning on exclusively traveling on bus services within this area, be aware that the Shoryudo Bus Pass has a comparable coverage area as the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass. However, the Kanazawa-Osaka section is not covered.

Eligibility and validity requirements

This pass is exclusively available for foreign tourists with a "Temporary Visitor" visa for Japan. You must have a passport issued outside of Japan to qualify.

You need to present the same passport you used to apply to exchange the pass. Additionally, you should always carry your passport while traveling and present it to JR officials upon request.

The pass has a validity period of 5 consecutive days and permits unlimited use of the aforementioned services in the area indicated on the map above. It is not permitted for one consumer to buy or exchange multiple tickets with the same validity term.

The pass's validity is determined in days, from midnight to midnight , rather than 24-hour increments. No matter when you first used it, the first day is considered to be a complete day.

Additionally, please bear in mind the following:

• You must produce your pass at a gate with a conductor in order to enter or exit the railway station area. It cannot be utilized at an automatic ticket barrier.
• The pass can be returned in Japan at any station that accepts it for exchange. However, there will be a 10% processing fee.
• A stolen, misplaced, or destroyed rail pass cannot be restored or reissued.
• Your pass must be carried at all times and shown to JR staff members upon request.

Exchange Your Pass

After purchasing online, you can collect the physical pass at major stations in the service region.

Find below a complete list of JR Pass exchange offices for the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass:

Please note that this information is correct at the time of writing, however it may be subject to change .

Why a Regional Pass?

Regional rail passes for Japan offer the following advantages:

• Cost-Effectiveness: Save on travel costs within the specific region.
• Flexibility: Choose from various validity periods.
• Detailed Exploration: Dive deeper into the region's attractions, culture, and history.

For those looking to explore the entirety of Japan, consider the benefits of the Whole Japan Rail Pass.

Whole Japan Rail Pass

Planning to visit more than one region during your stay in Japan? Find out if a JR Pass for the whole country is a better investment.

Unlimited Access: Roam freely across Japan's regions without restrictions.

Covers all of Japan: The JR Pass covers all JR trains . From the north to the south, it’s the ultimate explorer's ticket.

Full Shinkansen Network: Experience Japan's iconic bullet trains across their extensive routes.

Main Airport Transfers: Easily navigate between cities and major airports, ensuring a smooth journey.

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Like History? Then You’ll Love the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

The Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass by JR Central is a rail pass dedicated to foreign tourists. It offers five consecutive days of unlimited travel on JR trains, connecting Nagoya with Takayama and Toyama, and Osaka with Kanazawa and Toyama, as well as on buses to Shirakawa-go.    If you are a pass holder, you can head directly to Shirakawa-go and the neighboring Gokayama region from Kansai International Airport. This famous UNESCO World Heritage Site is popular for its traditional gassho-zukuri houses with steep thatched roofs resembling the hands of Buddhist monks pressed together in prayer. This distinct architectural design was meant to withstand the large amounts of snowfall in the region during winter. In autumn, the compound is filled with red and yellow leaves, lending the best spot for a selfie.

The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, the largest dinosaur museum in Japan located in Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture, is also recognized as one of the world's best dinosaur museums. The museum includes over 40 mounted dinosaur skeletons, a large prehistoric diorama, and an exhibition of our evolution, from the earliest origin of life to the emergence of humankind. The Field Station near the museum attracts many visitors who enjoy excavating dinosaur fossils.

Tsuzumi-mon Gate Kanazawa Station is situated at Ishikawa Prefecture, and is also listed as the landmark of Kanazawa. You will be impressed by its modern design with subtle touches of gold and traditional décor. The Tsuzumi-mon Gate is built with local Japanese cypress and the gigantic Motenashi dome is meant to protect travelers from the rain and snowfall typical to the region. What a beautiful masterpiece! 

Click here for more information on the facilities mentioned in this article.

Tokai https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/tokai/

More information is here!

https://touristpass.jp/en/takayama_hokuriku/index.html

• See Historical Sights Using the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

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• SHIRAKAWAGO Bus Pass(TAKAYAMA departure) Takayama, Shirakwago, Gifu
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Central Pass

TAKAYAMA-HOKURIKU Tourist Pass

Your journey

The JR Takayama Hokuriku Tourist Pass provides access to JR trains in the region as well as buses between Takayama, Shirakawa-go, and Kanazawa for 5 consecutive days.

The cities covered with this pass include Nagoya, Takayama, Shirakawago, Toyama, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Osaka. 

A child price (6 to 11 years of age) is available for this pass. Access to trains is free for accompanied infants and young children aged 5 years or under.

Adults: $126

Children: $63

Hokuriku Region

Nestled in the heart of Japan between the sea and the mountains, the Hokuriku Region is full of cultural and historical treasures.

Visit Kanazawa, the center of contemporary art and traditional products and crafts. The city is also home known to the famous Kenroku-en garden, one of Japan's three most beautiful gardens.

Explore the Japanese Alps by bus (Nohi buses, Hokuetsu buses from Takayama and Kanazawa; Kaetsuno buses from Shin-Takaoka), passing through the well-preserved village of Shirakawa-go, with its traditional thatched roofs, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Be charmed by Takayama, a small mountain town with many traditional houses and artisan shops. This pass will also allow you to travel to Kyoto, Osaka, Kansai Airport and Nagoya but does not cover the  Tokaido Shinkansen between Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka .

Pass holders are allowed four reservations each on limited express trains (excluding reserved seats on "Hakura Airport Express"), and unlimited rides on ordinary trains, non-reserved cars on limited express trains, non-reserved seats in the ordinary cars of the Hokuriku Shinkansen.

Conditions of the Takayama Hokuriku Tourist Pass 

Eligibility .

- A rail pass user must be holding a passport issued by a foreign government.

※外国での永住権を持っているお客様を含め、日本国籍のお客様は使用できません。

- A rail pass user must be entering in Japan as a "短期滞在 (Temporary Visitor) ".

* "短期滞在 (Temporary Visitor) " is a status of residence defined under Japanese immigration law.

- Individual customers are not allowed to purchase or exchange more than one of the same tickets for the same use period.

- You must present your passport to receive a pass.

• We will send the paper voucher to your home address within 5 days. (Paper voucher is not tickets, you cannot use it without exchange)
• Please do not forget to bring your paper voucher to Japan.

You can redeem your voucher for a physical pass in these places.

• Tokyo Station, JR CENTRAL Ticket Office (Yaesu Central), daily from 7:30am to 8:30pm 
• Tokyo Station, JR CENTRAL Ticket Office (Yaesu North), daily from 9am to 7pm
• Tokyo Station, JR TOKAI TOURS, daily from 10am to 7pm
• Shinagawa Station, JR CENTRAL Ticket Office, daily from 9am to 7pm
• Shin-Yokohama Station, JR CENTRAL Ticket Office, daily from 8am to 8:30pm 
• Shin-Yokohama Station, JR TOKAI TOURS, daily from 10am to 6pm 
• Odawara Station, JR CENTRAL Ticket Office, daily from 8am to 8pm
• Atami Station, JR CENTRAL Ticket Office, daily from 6:30am to 9:30pm
• Mishima Station, JR CENTRAL Ticket Office (South), daily from 8am to 8:30pm
• Shin-Fuji Station, JR CENTRAL Ticket Office, daily from 6:30 to 9:30pm
• Shizuoka Station, JR CENTRAL Ticket Office, daily from 8am to 8:30pm
• Kakegawa Station, JR CENTRAL Ticket Office (South), daily from 6am to 8pm
• Hamamatsu Station, JR CENTRAL Ticket Office, daily from 8am to 8:30pm
• Toyohashi Station, JR CENTRAL Ticket Office (East), daily from 6:20 am to 9pm
• Mikawa-Anjo Station , JR CENTRAL Ticket Office (Shinkansen), daily from 9am to 7pm
• Nagoya Station, JR CENTRAL Ticket Office, daily from 6am to 10am and 7pm to 11pm. 
• Nagoya Station, JR Information Center, daily from 10am to 7pm
• Nagoya Station, JR TOKAI TOURS (Nagoya Branch), Weekdays from 8am to 8pm, Weekends from 8am to 7pm
• Nagoya Station, JR TOKAI TOURS (Nagoya Station Hirokoji Exit Branch), Weekdays from 8am to 8pm, Weekends from 8am to 7pm
• Takayama Station, JR CENTRAL TIcket Office, daily from 10am to 6:30pm
• Komatsu Station, JR WEST Ticket Office, daily from 7am to 8pm
• Kanazawa Station, JR WEST Ticket Office, daily from 7am to 8pm
• Toyama Station, JR WEST Ticket Office, daily from 7am to 8pm
• Fukui Station, JR WEST Ticket Office, daily from 7am to 8pm
• Tsuruga Station, JR WEST Ticket Office, daily from 7am to 8pm
• Kyoto Station, JR CENTRAL Ticket Office (Hachijyo), daily from 8:30am to 11pm. 
• Kyoto Station, JR TOKAI TOURS, Weekdays from 8am to 7pm, Weekends from 8am to 8pm.
• Kyoto Station, JR WEST Ticket Office (Central), daily from 6:30am to 9pm
• Kyoto Station, NTA TiS Kyoto Branch, 10am to 12pm/1pm to 4pm (Except Wednesday) 
• Shin-Osaka Station, JR CENTRAL Ticket Office, daily from 5:30am to 11pm
• Shin-Osaka Station, JR TOKAI TOURS, daily from 8:30am to 8pm
• Shin-Osaka Station, JR WEST Ticket Office (East), daily 6am to 10pm
• Shin-Osaka Station, Travel Service Center SHIN-OSAKA (Central), daily from 8am to 8pm
• Osaka Station, JR WEST Ticket Office (Central 12, 13), daily from 6am to 10pm 
• Osaka Station, Nippon Travel Agency TiS Osaka Branch (Travel Service Center OSAKA), daily from 10am to 6pm
• Kansai-airport, JR WEST Ticket Office, daily 5:30am to 11pm.

Validity 

What lines are included with the pass? 

• JR Limited Express, Express and local trains between Kansai Airport, Osaka, Kyoto and Kanazawa.
• JR Limited Express, Express and local trains between Nagoya, Takayama and Toyama Hokuriku Shinkansen line between Toyama and Kanazawa. 
• Nohi Buses and Hokutetsu buses between Kanazawa - Shirakawa-go - Takayama.
• Kaetsuno buses between Shirakawa-go - Gokayama - Shin Takaoka

What is excluded with the pass? 

• The pass is not valid on Kagayaki trains (Hokuriku Shinkansen line).
• The pass is not valid on the Tokaido Shinkansen and sleeper trains.

Seat Reservations

• With the pass, no additional fee is required when reserving seats.
• Reserved Seats in Ordinary car can be used up to 4 times (no reservation possible on Hokuriku Shinkansen and Limited express train Haruka). 
• Non-reserved Ordinary class cars can be accessed freely.
• In order to travel in first class (Green cars) you will have to pay additional fees.
• To access the platforms, show your pass to the staff located at the gate to the platform.
• To reserve a seat, ask the staff at the ticket office.
• Most buses between Takayama and Kanazawa require seat reservation (please refer to this website for more information) This pass is intended for use by a single person.
• Please always carry your passport when using the pass as station or train staff may check it. 

Cancellation conditions and fees

An unused voucher is refundable for one year from the date of issue.

The voucher can be refunded if it has never been exchanged in Japan.

A cancellation fee of 15% of the value of the voucher will be retained.

No refund is possible for a voucher received by us more than one year from the date of issue.

A refund is not possible for a lost or stolen voucher.

Common Questions

Who is eligible for the pass?

Visitors traveling as a tourists who have a temporary visitor entry status are eligible for this pass. Japanese passport holders are not eligible for this pass.

Do you need to purchase a regional pass for babies and children?

Children under the age of 6 years old can travel for free as long as they travel with a pass holder. However they are not entitled to their own seat. If you want your child to have an individual seat, and even if the child is under 6 years old, you will need to buy a children's Japan Rail Pass.

Children between the age of 6 and 11 years old have to travel with a children's Japan Rail Pass. From 12 years old the child will have to travel with an adult Japan Rail Pass.

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• 47 Prefectures

Explore Central Japan with Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

Things have been slowly looking better for Japan and I have spent the first two months of the year busy exploring new places around Japan – virtually or not. The allure of Japan is simply endless. Today, I will be introducing a new itinerary to explore the Central Japan region.

We will be looking at 4 main prefectures: Gifu, Toyama, Ishikawa and Fukui , with Nagoya city as the base for this travel itinerary. The Central Japan Region is a year-round destination that offers an abundance of nature and delicious food every season. My favorite is still winter, though, given the inland of Central Japan gets plenty of snowfall in the colder months, making it a magical wonderland especially for tropical creatures like me!

Plan your next winter holiday in Central Japan by using the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass to enjoy five days of unlimited rides on designated JR local and limited express trains, the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and buses within the Central Region.

You can check some of their highlight spots at the Central Japan Travel Fair specially for Singaporeans!

I am putting together a day-by-day itinerary, including some of the places I have been in the past, and some that I have not and would really love to visit, together with information I hope will be useful for your planning. All of us can’t wait for Japan to open its border again. Here is a sample itinerary that can help you get the most value out of your Takayama-Hokuriku Pass:

Let’s spend the first day exploring Nagoya city, before moving on to Takayama, Gifu prefecture.

STAY: Nagoya Marriott Associa Hotel

If you fly in the day before, this accommodation might be a good choice – directly connected with the JR Nagoya station, this luxurious hotel’s service will sure live up to your expectation being a customer oriented, comfy and extremely convenient accommodation. You may also sample local Nagoya dishes such as Kishimen, Miso Katsu and roasted pork ham from Mikawa.

*Note: Leave your luggage at hotel and pick them up before moving to Takayama

EAT: Nagoya-meshi (Kishimen)

Nagoya has plenty of gourmet surprises for all foodies alike, so don’t make the mistake by sleeping too early – head out to try all Nagoya’s specialty cuisines! One of the most popular choice is  kishimen . Kishimen is a noodle dish known for its hirauchi (flattened) noodles made from wheat flour, water, and salt. However, don’t be fooled as not all flattened noodle dishes are considered kishimen . By Japanese standards, noodles with a width wider than 4.5mm and thickness of less than 2.0mm can be called  kishimen . How very meticulous and Japanese with its strict standards!

For those who are not a fan of miso, kishimen can also be enjoyed with pasta sauce, hot soup, or served cold, which is great for summer time.

SEE: Nagoya TV Tower and Hisaya Odori Park

From Nagoya Station, hop on a 10-minute subway ride that brings you to Nagoya TV Tower, which is only a few minutes’ walk from Oasis 21. The tower was originally built to mark the reconstruction of the city after WWII as a tourist attraction and TV broadcasting tower in Nagoya at the time. Little did I know, this symbol of Nagoya actually preceded my favorite Tokyo Tower as the oldest transmission tower in Japan, built in 1954 by the same professor who also designed Sapporo TV Tower and world icon Tokyo Tower.

Since you are in the area, don’t miss out taking a leisure stroll along Hisaya Odori Park, the hottest stylish hangout in Nagoya City after being renovated at end of September 2020. I was just there when it was newly reopened and was impressed by how trendy it looks now. There are a total of 4 areas in the park with plenty to offer, you can go cafe hopping and check out popular names such as ESPRESSO D WORKS and FabCafe, shop till you drop at fashionable stores or just enjoy the greenery with the Nagoya TV Tower on the background.

SHOP: Uniqlo, Bic Camera

You will never run out of things to shop in Nagoya! You can find mega popular shopping chains such as Uniqlo Bic Camera for pretty much everything you need. Located on the 9th and 10th floor of the JR Gate Tower is Bic Camera which offers a wide selection of electronics, game software, and even alcoholic beverages. If you are in the mood to get fashionable or just happen to need an extra scarf, just go one floor up to Uniqlo and GU, its sister brand which offers even more affordable clothings.

EAT: Café Gentiane (Piyorin)

Now it’s time to leave Nagoya and move on to our next destination. While waiting for your train, why not take a break and indulge in a sweet treat? Cafe Gentiane sits within JR Nagoya station and is home of the adorable and delicious chick shaped Piyorin cake with pudding inside. Each of the cake is handmade using Nagoya Cochin eggs under the skillful hands of artisans. You can either enjoy it fresh at the store or bring it along with you as a train snack or supper at hotel. One piece of cake is priced around ¥380.

MOVE: Nagoya – Takayama

Take Hida Wide View limited express from Nagoya Station to Takayama Station, and then the Nohi bus from Takayama Station to accommodation.

STAY: Hodakaso Yamano Hotel

It’s time to enjoy authentic ryokan-style experience! Take a cable car that leads you to the spacious outdoor area – indulge in a scenic outdoor hot spring in the nature of mountainous Takayama. Of course, when in Takayama, you shouldn’t miss the dinner featuring ultra popular Hida beef too!

This day, we will be exploring the charm of Takayama area, hop over to World Heritage Shirakawago, and we will be taking the Nohi bus rides (included in the pass!) for all the attractions of the day before moving over to Takaoka city of Toyama prefecture.

SEE: Shinhotaka Ropeway

Shinhotaka Ropeway is the only double-decker ropeway in Japan, talk about uniqueness! The highlight of traveling to Central Japan in winter is chance to see the absolutely magnificent Japanese Alps Mountain Range up close. At the rooftop observatory deck located at the upper station (Nishihotakaguchi Station) at an altitude of around 2,156 meters, you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and valleys covered white in pristine snow.

There is also a bakery located on the 2nd floor of Shirakabadaira Station where you can enjoy crispy croissant and enjoy a cuppa of warm liquid hug.

EAT: Takayama Ramen

Ramen is a universal favorite, and in this region, the delish noodle dish is locally known as “Takayama Ramen”. Featuring rich broth made with bones, vegetables, and katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes) enriched with soy sauce and miso, this local dish is a popular lunch option and you may sample different flavors from different restaurants.

SEE: Takayama Historical District

After a hearty bowl of ramen, it’s time to move on to Takayama Historical District. Located near Miyagawa River, this old town of preserved and restored buildings featuring typical dark wood and white-washed warehouse walls remained from the Edo period gives a bonafide historical experience for those who have a penchant for Japanese architecture of the bygone days. Spice up your atmospheric stroll further with a Hida Beef Nigiri or Hida beef skewers easily found along the streets of this charming old town!

EAT: Hida beef

The aforementioned beef is not to be missed when you are in Central Japan region. Gaining nothing short of international fame, Hida beef refers to the Kuroge Wagyu breed of cattle raised in Gifu Prefecture has earned high praises for its excellent quality in terms of colour, texture, beautiful marbling and taste. It is said to be one of the best beef brands in Japan so don’t leave Japan with the regrets of missing out. Even for those whose are on a budget, you can still enjoy this high-class delicacy by going for the many “B-class” Japanese gourmet cuisines. Many popular dishes here use this prized ingredient generously, you can affordably sample a Hida beef croquette for as low as 250 yen! Hida beef can be enjoyed in a steamed bun, broiled skewer, or as a sushi.

SEE: Shirakawa-go

From Takayama Station, take the Nohi bus direct to Shirakawa-go Village, possibly the most popular destination in the Central Japan region. This route is the most preferred access mode to Shirakawa-go and is very fast-selling especially in the winter, so it’s better to reserve your tickets beforehand. Tickets can be exchanged at Nohi Bus Center right next to Takayama Station.

Undoubtedly a must-see UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go is famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, which roofs are constructed at a steep angle to allow heavy snow to fall off easily in winter. While the snow-covered houses during winter time is iconic, Shirakawa-go offers wonderful views in every season so no matter which time of the year you visit, one is for sure guaranteed each season’s unique charm.

A five-minute shuttle ride for 200 yen (one-way) or a 25-minute walk up the mountain will lead you to an observation deck overlooking the whole area. This is the place where all the breathtaking photo of the village you see on Instagram is taken at.

*Note: You can put your luggage at the coin lockers or luggage room near Shirakawago Bus Terminal. They are located at the back of the room or come to ask the staffs for that.

MOVE: Takaoka City

After marveling at the famous world heritage site, it is time to venture to a new prefecture. Take the World Heritage Bus from the village bound for Takaoka City, the hometown of Fujiko F. Fujio – father of Doraemon, so fans of this eternally popular manga character should never miss out the next part of the itinerary!

SEE: Doraemon Tram

Is there another better way to move around town than riding a tram with your childhood friends? To pay homage to one of the greatest manga ever made in history there’s a Doraemon tram running from Takaoka station to Koshinokata Station.

EAT: Toyama Bay Sushi

Some hardcore sushi fans claim that Toyama has the best sushi in Japan, so it’s your chance to see if that holds true.

Surrounded by the abundance of Sea of Japan, Toyama bay produces some of the country’s freshest seafood products. One of the most unique delicacy found in the area is shiro-ebi, a translucent white shrimp so sweet and full of umami that it is lovingly nicknamed the “Jewel of Toyama Bay”.

There are many high-end sushi shops you can splurge on this rare gem of the prefecture, but they are also available in many other wallet-friendly restaurants in the form of tempura and even ramen topping!

SEE: Shogawa Gorge, Toyama

If you are a morning person, consider getting up early and take a bus from Takaoka Station to Shogawa Gorge for a relaxing boat cruise. For 2,800 yen, you can enjoy the spectacular view of Shogawa Gorge by riding a sightseeing boat that operates on the Shogawa Gorge between Komaki Dam and Omaki Onsen.

SEE: Zuiryuji Temple

After a healing excursion, you may opt to visit the Zuiryuji Temple in Takaoka city and have lunch at Yasuragi-an. This National Treasure features an interesting sight where the main gate, Buddha hall, and Dharma hall stand in a line, and the temple buildings are laid out symmetrically left and right, interconnected by roofed passageways in a beautiful and powerful sight.

SEE: Doraemon Postbox

Moving on, hop on a bus heading towards Takaoka Station where you will be greeted by… yes, the giant earless cat we all adore – Doraemon – and it is clad in copper standing tall at Takaoka Station. This is a real postbox where your letters and postcards will be stamped with a commemorative Doraemon postmark. What a lovely surprise souvenir it makes, so considering bringing some postcards over!

DO: Handcraft Experience at Nousaku Factory, Takaoka City

This is the final attraction of the day, and not too far away from Takao Station so you may want to grab your luggage and cab to Nousaku Factory for a little cultural immersion. Takaoka City is historically known as a center of metal casting, and this industry still thrives in the city today. There are also workshops you could join, hand-making your very own tin accessories.

MOVE: Kanazawa Station, Tsuzumi Gate

After visiting Nousaku Factory, let’s move on to Shin-Takaoka station just in time to hop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen bound for Kanazawa City.

Once you arrive at Kanazawa Station, one of the most aesthetically striking train stations in Japan and marvel at the massive Tsuzumi-mon Gate, looking like the form of a traditional torii gate where the pillars looks like Tsuzumi – a drum played in Noh Theater, an art form that flourished in the glorious past of Kanazawa.

EAT: Kagaya

I have never been here before, but I heard good things about this swanky restaurant serving traditional Japanese food conveniently located within the station, so it’s on my list in my next visit to Kanazawa. Anyway, once you are in Kanazawa, don’t worry a thing about food anyway, you will be too spoilt for choice in this gourmet city.

STAY: Hotel Wing International Premium Kanazawa Ekimae

A fairly new hotel with stylish design, credit given to how accessible it is from the station.

One never run short of things to do in Kanazawa city. On the fourth day, we can leisurely spend an entire day just to explore this charming historical old castle town well-known for its well-preserved Edo-era districts, art museums, magnificent garden and regional handicrafts. Here one can try both modern experiences while enjoying its beauty from the days bygone.

SEE: Kenrokuen Garden

From the hotel you can take a community bus to Kenrokuen Garden. Known as one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, the entrance fee of 320 yen feels like a steal! The spacious grounds used to be the outer garden of Kanazawa Castle and feature a variety of flowering trees of seasonal natural beauty, including the snow-covered landscape with yukitsuri (snow hanging), a method of protecting the branches of the pine trees in the garden to prevent them from breaking due to heavy snow.

SEE: Kanazawa Castle, Nezumitamon Gate and Nezumitamon Bridge

Kanazawa Castle used to be seat of the Maeda Clan, a feudal domain ranking second only to the Tokugawa possessions in terms of size and wealth, from 1583 until the end of the Edo Period. Since then, the castle has been extensively rebuilt and renovated due to numerous fire incidents. In July 2020, the restoration of Nezumitamon Gate and Nezumitamon Bridge on the west side of Kanazawa Castle were completed, so do take this chance to admire this ancient heritage in a new light.

EAT: Omicho Market

A 10-minute walk brings you to Omicho Market, Kanazawa’s famous fresh food market. Think of it as Kanazawa’s Tsukiji Market – hundreds of stalls and restaurants selling fresh seafood waiting for your pick!

SEE: Higashi Chaya District

This iconic attraction is no stranger to anyone who has heard of Kanazawa, and is one of Kanazawa’s largest geisha districts. While it’s a little cheesy, dressing up in a kimono and stroll around the old streets does count as one of the most authentic experiences you can have at Higashi Chaya District. For some extra internet points, don’t forget to try out the popular soft cream adorned with gold leaf – a Kanazawa specialty!

MOVE: Awara Onsen

Leave your luggage at the hotel and get back for them at end of the day. Then, take Thunderbird limited express train heading to Awara Onsen in Fukui Prefecture.

STAY: Awara Onsen Matsuya Sensen

Take a hotel shuttle bus from JR Awara Onsen Station to the ryokan.

SEE: Awara Hot Spring Footbath

After checking in and if you still have some time to spare, do check out this free public foot bath located just in front of Awara Yunomachi station. This wonderful facility offers several foot baths which are of different temperature.

How time flies even when you travel virtually! Now are are into the final day of our trip and let’s hop on the shuttle bus and take a short train ride on Hokuriku Main Line back to Fukui Station.

SEE: Fukui Station

What? Jurassic in Japan??

Yes! Did you know that Katsuyama City in Fukui Prefecture is Japan’s most prominent dinosaur fossil discovery site? Right at Fukui Station’s West Exit, you can see a 10-meter model of Fukuititan, one of the dinosaur fossils found in Fukui. It’s worth it to come to the station even just for the ‘grams!

SEE: Yokokan Garden

Have some time to spare? Take a relaxing stroll at this garden near the station before heading to your next destination.

SEE: Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum

If you want to learn more about the Fukui dinosaurs, you can head to the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, located about 1-hour away from Fukui Station. This museum, located in Katsuyama City, is recognized as one of the top dinosaur museums in the world and is the largest of its kind in Japan.

Currently, they only let visitors who already reserved a ticket to get in, in order to prevent the spreading of COVID-19.

EAT: Dino Cafe

Indulge in an adorable dino fare featuring all these extinct creatures. Dino enthusiasts, be it adult or junior, would enjoy a roarsome time here.

About Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

If you’re planning to explore Japan’s Central region, this tourist pass would be your golden passport. Aside from convenience, it can also help you save on transportation cost. Plan your trip well and make the most of it for 5 consecutive days.

You can purchase it on the website below at 15,280 Yen for adults and 7,640 for children.

For more details about the Pass please check this link:

Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass

Tips for the trip: 　

-Once arrived at Nagoya Station, you can exchange your Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass at the JR counter. Also, Tourist Pass holders will be able to go pass the automatic gate from March 2021.

-Stay at a hotel near train stations so you can leave your luggage there and go sightseeing. Otherwise, there are also various coin lockers available at stations and popular tourist spot (ie, Shirakawago).

-Be sure to reserve your seats on the bus to and fro Shirakawago since this is an eternally popular tourist spot!

-Tourist Pass holders can reserve seats on Limited Express train but need to use the non-reserve seats on Shinkansen trains.

That’s all everyone for today. I thank you for joining this amazing virtual tour with me. Till next time guys!

PS: If you enjoy this article, it would mean the world if you could help me support Japan by buying a daikon!

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JR Hokuriku Area Pass

The Hokuriku Area Pass is a rail pass for exclusive use by foreign tourists. It provides four consecutive days of unlimited travel on designated trains, trams and bus lines (including unreserved seats on shinkansen and limited express trains) in the Hokuriku Region . It can be a good pass for exploring the area around Kanazawa , Kaga Onsen , Fukui and surroundings.

• Reduced rates (50% off) apply to children aged 6-11
• Unlimited use of JR trains along the lines shown on the map above, including non-reserved seats on shinkansen and limited express trains.
• Unlimited use of the Echizen Railway and the trams in Toyama and Takaoka .
• Unlimited use of the IR Ishikawa Railway between Kanazawa and Tsubata to access the JR Nanao Line, on the Ainokaze Toyama Railway between Toyama and Takaoka to access the JR Himi and Johana lines, and on the Hapi Line Fukui between Fukui and Echizen-Hanando to access the JR Kuzuryu Line; however, it is not allowed to get on and off at any stations in between. The liner surcharge for Ainokaze Liner trains is not covered.
• Reserved seats are not covered by the pass. If pass holders wish to use a reserved seat, nevertheless, the pass will cover only the base fare , while the limited express fee will have to be paid separately. Note that Kagayaki trains along the Hokuriku Shinkansen carry only reserved seating and cannot be used free of charge by pass holders.
• Unlimited use of local JR buses around Kanazawa .
• The pass is valid on four consecutive calendar days (midnight to midnight).
• Toyama Chiho Railway between Toyama and Tateyama (no stop-overs allowed)
• Selected bus passes for travel from Takaoka to Gokayama and Shirakawago
• 1-day pass of the Kanazawa Loop Bus
• The pass provides discounts on admission to some tourist attractions in the area.
• Only foreign visitors to Japan (with temporary visitor status) can use the JR Hokuriku Area Pass. It cannot be used by residents of Japan.
• The pass can be used only by a single person. It cannot be transferred between multiple persons. The pass holder has to carry his/her passport at all times.

Points of sale

The Hokuriku Area Pass can be purchased online and at selected travel agents outside of Japan. The actual pass has to be picked up at a major station in the area covered before use.

The JR Hokuriku Area Pass is an excellent value for exploring the Hokuriku Region, as it pays off pretty easily. Use in combination with a JR Kansai Wide Area Pass could be worth considering.

Questions? Ask in our forum .

Links and Resources

Hokuriku area pass.