Hokuriku Area Pass
The Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tsuruga to Kurobe-Unazukionsen and JR West lines around Kanazawa, Toyama and Fukui, for 4 days
JR West
Adults from¥7,000Price checked 2026/09/27
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Fares
| Ticket | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| 4 consecutive days | ¥7,000¥1,750 a day | ¥3,500¥875 a day |
Child fares are for ages 6 to 11. From age 12, the adult fare applies. Each pass holder can bring up to two children aged 1 to 5 for free; a third needs a child pass, as does a young child who takes a reserved seat or travels alone. Babies under 1 ride free. Age is counted on the date the exchange order is issued or the pass is bought.
What's covered
- The Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tsuruga and Kurobe-Unazukionsen, in non-reserved seats
- Limited express, rapid and local trains on JR West lines in the area, in non-reserved seats, to places such as Obama, Nanao, Himi, Johana and Echizen-Ono
- West Japan JR Bus local route buses in the area
- The IR Ishikawa Railway between Kanazawa and Tsubata, as a through trip between those two stations
- The Ainokaze Toyama Railway between Toyama and Takaoka, on local trains, as a through trip between those two stations
- The Hapi-Line Fukui between Echizen-Hanando and Fukui, on local trains
- The Hokuriku Shinkansen east of Kurobe-Unazukionsen, towards Tokyo
- Reserved seats, Green Cars, GranClass and private compartments, which need extra tickets
- Trains with reserved seats only
- Getting off at stations in between on the IR Ishikawa, Ainokaze Toyama and Hapi-Line Fukui sections
- West Japan JR Bus expressway buses
How to use it
The pass runs for 4 consecutive days, from 0:00 on the first day to 24:00 on the last. It covers non-reserved seats only. Some trains have no non-reserved seats, so the pass alone can't be used on them.
For a reserved seat, buy the extra ticket at a JR West station before you board: an express ticket on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, or a reserved seat ticket on limited expresses.
On the IR Ishikawa and Ainokaze Toyama sections, the pass only works if you ride the whole way between the two named stations; getting off in between is not covered. Carry your passport with the pass, as staff may ask to see it.
Before you buy
The pass is for holders of a foreign passport who enter Japan as a Temporary Visitor. You can hold only one of the same pass for the same dates.
There are three ways to buy it. Travel agencies outside Japan sell an exchange order, which you exchange for the pass in Japan within 3 months, showing your passport. JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION takes bookings from 10:00 (Japan time) one month before your first day; you collect the pass at a station ticket machine, if your passport has an IC chip, or at a ticket office. Travel agencies in Japan also sell it.
Refunds: an unused pass can be refunded for 10% of the price, at least ¥220. An exchange order goes back to the overseas agency that sold it; a pass already issued can only be refunded at an exchange office in Japan. There are no refunds once the pass is in use.
Questions
Does the Hokuriku Area Pass cover the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tokyo?
No. It covers the Hokuriku Shinkansen only between Tsuruga and Kurobe-Unazukionsen.
Are seat reservations included?
No. The pass covers non-reserved seats. A reserved seat needs an express ticket on the shinkansen, or a reserved seat ticket on limited expresses.
Does it cover buses in Kanazawa?
Yes, West Japan JR Bus local route buses within the area. Expressway buses are not covered.
Can I get off at stations on the IR Ishikawa Railway?
No. The pass covers the IR Ishikawa Railway only for a through trip between Kanazawa and Tsubata.
Do children need their own pass?
Children aged 6 to 11 need a child pass, ¥3,500. Up to two children aged 1 to 5 ride free with each pass holder.
Who can buy it?
Holders of a foreign passport who enter Japan as a Temporary Visitor. You show your passport to receive the pass.
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