Japan Rail Pass NowAustralia's No.1 Choice
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Japan Rail Pass NowAustralia's No.1 Choice
This pass links the Kansai cities with the Sea of Japan coast, covering Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe alongside Kanazawa, Fukui and Toyama. Since the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension it has become a much more practical way to combine the two regions.
Seven days across two regions that are geographically close but historically awkward to combine.
Before March 2024 the Hokuriku Shinkansen stopped at Kanazawa and the Thunderbird ran from there to Osaka. The extension pushed the Shinkansen to Tsuruga, so the change point moved south and journey times improved.
Older guides still describe the previous arrangement. If you are following an itinerary written before 2024, check the connection point.
Strong value if your trip genuinely covers both regions. A Kansai base with a two or three day run up to Kanazawa and Toyama is exactly the shape this pass is built for.
If you are only visiting Kanazawa once and returning, price the individual tickets first. Seven days is a long validity to fill.
Kanazawa is the centrepiece, with Kenrokuen garden, the preserved geisha and samurai districts, and Omicho market. Fukui has the dinosaur museum, which is far better than that sounds, and the Zen temple at Eiheiji.
Toyama opens the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route across the mountains, and Takaoka nearby has a great bronze Buddha. Back in Kansai the pass covers Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Himeji.
It covers the section within the pass area, up to Toyama. It does not extend east towards Nagano and Tokyo.
Yes, the Haruka limited express is covered, which is a useful saving at both ends of a trip.
No. Shirakawago is reached by bus from Kanazawa or Takayama and is not covered by this pass.
