Purchase your JR Central Takayama-Hokuriku Area Pass and receive your exchange order by post mail.
We facilitate advance reservation for the JR Central Takayama-Hokuriku Area Pass valid for unlimited travel in Chubu and Kansai regions.
Passengers can travel on Shinkansen trains, Limited Express trains, as well as Express, Rapid or Local trains in the available area plus all bus lines in Shirakawago area for 5 consecutive days.
JR Central Takayama-Hokuriku Area Pass (5-day)
Trains operated by JR Central and JR West
Rail services in central Japan are operated by JR Central, whereas rail services in western Japan are operated by JR West.
JR Central and JR West are two of the companies of JR Group dedicated to provide passenger train services in Chubu, Kansai and Chugoku regions in Honshu island.
To achieve a complete coverage of the railway transportation, JR Central and JR West operate several types of intercity trains, including:
- - Shinkansen high-speed rail
- - Limited Express conventional rail
Shinkansen high-speed rail
Shinkansen is the high-speed railway service operated with trains running at a maximum speed of 240–320 km/h.
The Shinkansen lines operated by JR West are the following:
- - Hokuriku Shinkansen between Toyama and Tsuruga
The Hokuriku line operates over the Joetsu and Tohoku lines tracks between Tokyo and Takasaki, then it separates and continues on its own dedicated tracks to Nagano, Kanazawa and Tsuruga. JR West operates the Hokuriku line between Toyama and Tsuruga.
Shinkansen trains are designated by a code name that identifies the class of service followed by one to three numerals. The fast services stop only at key stations, the semi-fast services stop at the major stations, and the local services stop at all stations:
- - In the Hokuriku line, KAGAYAKI is the fast service, HAKUTAKA and ASAMA are the two semi-fast services, and TSURUGI is the local service.
Shinkansen trains are powered by electric multiple units and can carry up to 16 cars per train, arranged in Green Car with business class seats that require advanced reservation and Ordinary Car with standard class seats distributed in Reserved and Non-reserved.
In total, the Shinkansen trains offer three passengers classes: Green Car Seat, Reserved Seat and Non-reserved Seat.
Travellers with Reserved Seat tickets are required to take their numbered seat in the Green Cars or the Ordinary Cars. Travellers with Non-reserved Seat tickets are allowed to take any seat available in the Ordinary Cars designated as Non-reserved. On these cars, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. When all the seats are full, passengers must travel standing on the corridor or the coach entrance without blocking the access to other passengers.
Limited Express conventional rail
JR Central and JR West operate many intercity and regional lines with trains running on conventional rail at a maximum speed of 130-160 km/h.
Given the limited coverage of the Shinkansen network, passengers may need to use conventional trains to reach certain areas of western Japan or travel directly between two cities.
Conventional rail services are classified depending on the stop pattern:
- - Limited Express is the fastest service
- - Express is a semi-fast service stopping at major stations
- - Rapid is a fast service stopping at most stations
- - Local is a slow service stopping at all stations
When travelling on conventional rail, the standard ticket depends on the travel distance and it is the same for all the trains regardless of the number of stops or transfers. The standard ticket allows the passenger to access the platform and board Limited Express trains as well as Express, Rapid or Local trains.
On Limited Express trains, passengers can travel on Non-reserved Seat or Reserved Seat. In case of travelling with Reserved Seat, passengers are required an extra ticket for the Reserved Seat, which is purchased separately from the standard ticket and is inspected by the train conductor on board.
In total, the Limited Express trains offer three passengers classes: Green Car Seat, Reserved Seat and Non-reserved Seat.
Travellers with Reserved Seat tickets are required to take their numbered seat in the Green Cars or the Ordinary Cars. Travellers with Non-reserved Seat tickets are allowed to take any seat available in the Ordinary Cars designated as Non-reserved. On these cars, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. When all the seats are full, passengers must travel standing on the corridor or the coach entrance without blocking the access to other passengers.
On Express, Rapid and Local trains, passengers can travel on Non-reserved Seat.
Buses operated in Shirakawago Area
Nohi Bus, Iruka Kotsu Bus, Kaetsunou Bus and Hokutetsu Bus are Japanese private bus companies connecting Takayama, Shirakawago, Takaoka and Kanazawa.
The most common models of buses are single-deck coaches equipped with reclining seats arranged in 3 or 4 seats per row and capacity for 30 to 40 passengers.
Most seated buses have air-conditioning and some provide a complimentary bottle of water.
On buses that do not require reserved seat, travellers are allowed to take any seat available. On these buses, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. When all the seats are full, passengers are allowed to board the bus and travel standing.
On buses that require reserves seat, a Reserved Seat ticket is required in addition to the bus pass. Reserved Seat tickets can be obtained in advance by presenting the bus pass at the ticket office in the exchange locations. When all the seats are full, passengers can travel on the next bus with seats available.
Getting around Japan by train
The JR Central Takayama-Hokuriku Area Pass is valid for unlimited travel in the available area: Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui, Gifu and Aichi prefectures in Chubu region and Kyoto, Osaka and Shiga prefectures in Kansai region.
Travel with JR Central Takayama-Hokuriku Area Pass
Passengers can travel on Shinkansen trains, Limited Express trains, as well as Express, Rapid or Local trains in the available area for 5 consecutive days.
The rail pass reservation is available 3 months in advance.
JR Central
Hida Limited Express serving Toyama, Takayama, Gifu and Nagoya| Stations | HIDA |
| Toyama | |
| Hayahoshi | |
| Etchu-Yatsuo | |
| Inotani | |
| Hida-Furukawa | |
| Takayama | |
| Kuguno | |
| Hida-Osaka | |
| Hida-Hagiwara | |
| Gero | |
| Hida-Kanayama | |
| Shirakawaguchi | |
| Mino-Ota | |
| Unuma | |
| Gifu | |
| Owari-Ichinomiya | |
| Nagoya |
All trains stop, Some trains stop, — Trains do not stop
JR West
Hokuriku Shinkansen serving Toyama, Kanazawa, Fukui and Tsuruga
| Stations | KAGAYAKI | HAKUTAKA | ASAMA | TSURUGI |
| Joetsumyoko | — | |||
| Itoigawa | — | |||
| Kurobe-Unazukionsen | — | |||
| Toyama | ||||
| Shin-Takaoka | — | |||
| Kanazawa | ||||
| Komatsu | ||||
| Kagaonsen | ||||
| Awaraonsen | ||||
| Fukui | ||||
| Echizen-Takefu | ||||
| Tsuruga |
All trains stop, Some trains stop, — Trains do not stop
| Stations | THUNDERBIRD |
| Osaka | |
| Shin-Osaka | |
| Takatsuki | |
| Kyoto | |
| Katata | |
| Omi-Imazu | |
| Tsuruga |
All trains stop, Some trains stop, — Trains do not stop
| Stations | HARUKA |
| Kansai Airport | |
| Hineno | |
| Izumi-Fuchu | |
| Tennoji | |
| Osaka | |
| Shin-Osaka | |
| Takatsuki | |
| Kyoto |
All trains stop, Some trains stop, — Trains do not stop
The rail pass is not valid for the following trains:
Tokaido Shinkansen serving Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka
Passengers can also travel on buses operated in Shirakawago area for 5 consecutive days. Passengers can travel on buses that do not require reserved seat as well as receive a Reserved Seat ticket for buses that require reserved seat.
The bus pass reservation is available 3 months in advance.
Nohi Bus serving Kanazawa, Takaoka, Takayama and Shirakawago
Iruka Kotsu Bus serving Takaoka, Takayama and Shirakawago
Kaetsunou Bus serving Takaoka, Takayama and Shirakawago
Hokutetsu Bus serving Kanazawa, Takayama and Shirakawago
Destinations
Japan is divided into eight regions: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu.
Chubu region
Chubu region comprises Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, Fukui, Ishikawa, Toyama and Nagano prefectures. This region is served by the Limited Express trains operated by JR Central.
Train routes to Nagoya
Train routes to Takayama
Bus routes to Takayama
Bus routes to Shirakawago
Train routes to Kanazawa
Bus routes to Kanazawa
Kansai region
Kansai region comprises Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo and Shiga prefectures. This region is served by the Limited Express trains operated by JR West.
Train routes to Kyoto
Train routes to Osaka
How to book your rail pass in Japan?
If you are planning a trip to Japan and you want to visit many destinations, purchasing a rail pass is a great way to simplify your travel and save money. This option is cheaper than buying individual train tickets and more flexible as you can plan your itinerary on the go.
We facilitate the purchase of different rail pass with JR Central valid for unlimited travel in Chubu region.
Passengers can travel on Limited Express trains, as well as Express, Rapid or Local trains in the available area for a number of consecutive days.
Select your rail pass
Find the rail pass available for your itinerary and select the most convenient option according to the duration of your journey.
Takayama-Hokuriku Area Pass (5-day)
Passengers can travel on Limited Express trains, as well as Express, Rapid or Local trains in the available area for 5 consecutive days.
Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Area Pass (5-day)
Passengers can travel on Limited Express trains, as well as Express, Rapid or Local trains in the available area for 5 consecutive days.
We accept rail pass reservations from 3 months in advance up to 2 weeks before departure. Note that the rail pass cannot be purchased within Japan and you must receive the mail exchange order (MCO) by post mail before travelling to Japan.
Fill in the passenger and contact details
According to the policy of JR Central, the passenger must meet the following criteria for rail pass reservation.
Passenger must hold a passport issued by a foreign government
− Japanese nationals are not allowed to use this rail pass for tourists.
Passenger must enter Japan as a 短期滞在 (Temporary Visitor)
− Visitor must obtain a Temporary Visitor stamp at Immigration. Do not use the automated gates, as no stamp will be applied on the passport.
− Student permit and work permit holders, permanent residents in Japan are not allowed to use this rail pass for tourists.
In case you meet the criteria of eligibility, please provide the passenger information and the contact details of the person responsible for booking. We will send by email the booking confirmation and the receipt of the delivery of the mail exchange order (MCO).
Finally, you are requested to provide the address where you wish to receive the mail exchange order (MCO) by post mail before travelling to Japan.
Complete your payment
Select your payment method. We accept international credit or debit cards.
Check your itinerary and price breakdown. Confirm that the booking information is correct. Before you proceed to payment, you must read and accept the terms and conditions of booking.
Receive your electronic ticket by email
Once your payment is complete, your reservation will be processed.
In the following 24 hours you will receive the itinerary and booking confirmation by email.
You can also access to Manage your booking via web and download the receipt of the delivery of the mail exchange order (MCO) to your device.
How to use the rail pass?
The exchange order is valid to collect the rail pass at the station. It cannot be used to board the train.
After arriving in Japan, passengers can collect the rail pass by presenting the passport and the mail exchange order (MCO) received by post mail at the ticket office in the exchange locations.
Once exchanged, the rail pass will be associated with the passport and the holder will be able to travel for a number of consecutive days according to the validity indicated in the physical ticket.
Passengers can travel on Shinkansen trains, Limited Express trains, as well as Express, Rapid or Local trains in Non-reserved Seat.
If you wish to travel in Reserved Seat, you must receive your tickets for Reserved seat from the ticket vending machine before boarding.
RECEIVE YOUR EXCHANGE ORDER
Receive your mail exchange order (MCO) by post mail. Remember to carry it with your passport.
PICK UP YOUR RAIL PASS
Collect the rail pass at the ticket office in the exchange locations. To pass through the gates, insert your rail pass or show it to the station officer.
BOARD THE TRAIN
Access the platform, locate your car number corresponding to Non-reserved Seat or Reserved Seat and wait for the boarding call to board the train.