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Japan is great in the autumn (October), set up well for solo travelers, has great museums (esp. Tokyo), and would allow you to explore cities ...
Hokuriku Arch Pass
There are also cheaper passes that are region specific or route specific. The <anchor>Hokuriku Arch Pass</anchor> might work well for you as it goes via the quieter Sea of Japan side and is a bit cheaper than the full Japan Rail Pass while still covering the two main destinations of Tokyo and Kyoto. This one is excellent value for Kansai, the region around Osaka/Kyoto/Nara, for example.
Hokuriku Arch Pass
Hokuriku Arch Pass

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# Hokuriku Arch Pass

The **Hokuriku Arch Pass** is a [rail pass](e2357.html) for exclusive use by foreign visitors to Japan, providing unlimited travel on [JR](e2019.html) trains (including [Hokuriku Shinkansen](e2018_nagano.html)) between [Tokyo](e2164.html) and [Osaka](e2157.html) via the less traveled Hokuriku Region. The pass is valid for seven consecutive days.

[![](/g4/arrow.gif)](https://affiliate.japan-experience.com/click?o=4&a=31&link_id=811)[**Purchase the Hokuriku Arch Pass**](https://affiliate.japan-experience.com/click?o=4&a=31&link_id=811)

Hokuriku Arch Pass

**7 days**30,000 yen

- Reduced rates (50% off) apply to children aged 6-11; a green car version is not available.


Below is a simplified map of train lines that can be used with the Hokuriku Arch Pass:

### Validity

1. Unlimited use of [JR](e2019.html) trains between [Tokyo](e2164.html) and [Osaka](e2157.html) via the [Hokuriku Shinkansen](e2018_nagano.html). The pass is also valid on JR trains in central Osaka and central Tokyo, including JR trains to Tokyo's [Narita Airport](e2027.html) and Osaka's [Kansai Airport](e2033.html) and the Tokyo Monorail to Tokyo's [Haneda Airport](e2430.html).
2. In the designated area, you can use all types of JR trains, including the [Hokuriku Shinkansen](e2018_nagano.html) (but not the [Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen](e2018_tokaido.html)), [limited express](e2016.html) trains and local trains.
3. There are a small number of JR trains, which partially run on the tracks of different railway companies. When riding along a [non-JR owned section](e2368.html), pass holders will have to pay the fare for the non-JR section on board of the train or at the station. Only the following non-JR train lines can also be used with the Hokuriku Arch Pass:

   - IR Ishikawa Railway between [Kanazawa](e2167.html) and Tsubata to access the JR Nanao Line
   - Ainokaze Toyama Railway between [Toyama](e7500.html) and [Takaoka](e7525.html)
   - Tokyo Monorail between central Tokyo and [Haneda Airport](e2430.html)
   - Hapi Line Fukui between [Fukui](e6600.html) and Echizen-Hanando to access the JR Kuzuryu Line
4. Seat reservations can be made for free (see details [below](#seat)) except for the [Hayabusa and Komachi](e2018_tohoku.html) trains (between Tokyo and Omiya) which pass holders are allowed to ride only in the non-reserved cars.
5. The pass is valid on seven consecutive days. The validity of the pass is based on calendar days (midnight to midnight) as opposed to 24-hour periods.
6. Pass holders are eligible to various discounts and gifts in the pass' coverage area.
7. Only foreign visitors to Japan (on [temporary visitor](e2221.html) status) can use the Hokuriku Arch Pass. It cannot be used by residents of Japan.

### Points of sale

The Hokuriku Arch Pass can be purchased [online](https://affiliate.japan-experience.com/click?o=4&a=31&link_id=811) through various websites, including the [official JR East website](https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/) and [official JR West website](https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/), and through selected travel agents outside of Japan. The actual pass needs to be picked at a ticket office in Japan before use. An advantage of purchasing through the official websites is that you can pick up your pass also at ticket machines that are equipped with passport readers.

[![](/g4/arrow.gif)](https://affiliate.japan-experience.com/click?o=4&a=31&link_id=811)[**Purchase the Hokuriku Arch Pass**](https://affiliate.japan-experience.com/click?o=4&a=31&link_id=811)

### Seat reservations

Free seat reservations can be made at ticket offices, selected ticket machines and through the [JR East Train Reservation](https://www.eki-net.com/en/jreast-train-reservation/Top/Index) website. Furthermore, those who purchased their pass through the [official JR West website](https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/) can also use the JR West website to make seat reservations, but the website is not very easy to use. Note that there is a limit of six reservations to be made at ticket machines, but no limit for reservations to be made at ticket offices.

### Assessment

The Hokuriku Arch Pass can provide a saving for travelers who make a round trip between [Tokyo](e2164.html) and [Kyoto](e2158.html)/ [Osaka](e2157.html) via the Hokuriku Region instead of via the more popularly traveled [Tokaido Shinkansen](e2018_tokaido.html); however, it won't usually pay off for a one-way trip between the cities. The Hokuriku Arch Pass is of good value to travelers who intend to explore the Hokuriku Region from Tokyo, as it already almost pays off for a simple round trip between Tokyo and [Kanazawa](e2167.html).

**Questions?** Ask in our [forum](/forum/quedisplay.html).

## Links and Resources

### English

[**Hokuriku Arch Pass** Official website by JR West.](https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/hokuriku-arch-pass/) [**Hokuriku Arch Pass** Official website by JR East.](https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pass/hokurikuarch.html)

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