Hokuriku Arch Pass Itinerary: 14 Days from Tokyo to Osaka

Most first-time visitors travel from Tokyo to Kyoto on the Tokaido Shinkansen. It is the fastest route, but it is not the only way to cross Japan.

The Hokuriku route takes you through Nagano, Kanazawa and the hot spring towns of Kaga before reaching Kyoto and Osaka. It is slower than the direct route, but it offers a more varied journey combining large cities, mountain scenery, historic neighborhoods and traditional ryokan stays.

This 14-day Hokuriku Arch Pass itinerary shows you how to place the pass inside a longer trip without rushing from one city to another.

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Hokuriku Arch Pass Itinerary at a Glance

The most efficient way to organize this route is:

Days 1–3: Tokyo
Day 4: Tokyo to Nagano — activate the Hokuriku Arch Pass
Day 5: Nagano and Snow Monkey Park
Day 6: Nagano to Kanazawa
Days 7–8: Kanazawa
Day 9: Kanazawa to Kaga Onsen
Day 10: Kaga Onsen to Kyoto — final day of the pass
Days 11–12: Kyoto
Day 13: Kyoto to Osaka
Day 14: Osaka

This schedule assumes that you leave Japan on Day 15. If you are departing on Day 14, reduce Osaka to one final afternoon and evening.

Book Your Accommodation Along the Route

What Is the Hokuriku Arch Pass?

The Hokuriku Arch Pass is a regional rail pass created for international visitors travelling between the Tokyo and Kansai areas through the Hokuriku region.

As of March 14, 2026, it costs:

Adult: ¥35,000
Child aged 6–11: ¥17,500
Validity: 7 consecutive days

The pass includes reserved seats in ordinary cars on the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tokyo and Tsuruga, covered limited express trains such as the Thunderbird, JR local and rapid trains inside the designated area and the Tokyo Monorail.

The pass does not cover:

• The Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka
• The Sanyo Shinkansen west of Shin-Osaka
• Most private railways and local buses
• Highway buses to Shirakawa-go
• Nagano Dentetsu trains and buses used to reach the Snow Monkey Park

Only foreign visitors entering Japan with Temporary Visitor status are eligible to use it.

Is the Hokuriku Arch Pass Worth It in 2026?

The pass is no longer an automatic bargain.

At ¥35,000, it makes sense when you complete several long journeys within the same seven-day period, such as:

• Tokyo to Nagano
• Nagano to Kanazawa
• Kanazawa to Kaga Onsen
• Kaga Onsen to Kyoto

It becomes more valuable if you also use covered trains around Tokyo, Kansai or other destinations inside the pass area.

However, the pass is usually not worth buying simply as a cheaper way to travel directly from Tokyo to Kyoto. The direct Tokaido Shinkansen is faster, while the Hokuriku route requires travelling through Nagano, Kanazawa and Tsuruga.

The pass is best for people who genuinely want to explore Hokuriku rather than those looking only for transportation between Tokyo and Kyoto.

Prices for individual tickets vary according to the train, seat and travel date. Calculate your complete route before purchasing rather than assuming that every rail pass will save money.

Check the Current Hokuriku Arch Pass Price

When Should You Activate the Pass?

For this itinerary, activate the pass on Day 4, when you leave Tokyo for Nagano.

It will then cover:

Day 4: Tokyo to Nagano
Day 5: Eligible JR travel around Nagano
Day 6: Nagano to Kanazawa
Days 7–8: Eligible JR journeys around Kanazawa
Day 9: Kanazawa to Kaga Onsen
Day 10: Kaga Onsen to Tsuruga and onward to Kyoto

Do not activate it when you arrive in Tokyo unless you are immediately starting the Hokuriku route. Spending the first three days using the pass only for short Tokyo journeys would waste much of its value.

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo

Use your first day to recover from the flight rather than filling it with attractions.

Check into your hotel, obtain an IC card or add a digital Suica to your phone, withdraw some cash and explore the neighborhood around your accommodation.

For a first visit, staying near Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno or Tokyo Station makes the following days easier.

Read also // Where to stay in Tokyo

Day 2: Traditional and Eastern Tokyo

Start in Asakusa with Senso-ji Temple before the area becomes crowded.

Continue toward Ueno, where you can choose between Ueno Park, the Tokyo National Museum and Ameyoko Market. Finish the day among the arcades, electronics stores and anime shops of Akihabara.

A realistic route is:

Asakusa → Ueno → Ameyoko → Akihabara

Avoid adding Shibuya or Shinjuku to the same day. Tokyo looks compact on a map, but stations, transfers and walking distances consume more time than many first-time visitors expect.

Add internal links to your articles about:

• Asakusa
• Ueno
• Akihabara
• Tokyo districts

Day 3: Western Tokyo

Spend the morning around Meiji Jingu and Harajuku.

Walk through Omotesando before continuing toward Shibuya. Visit the crossing, explore the surrounding streets and finish the day at a viewpoint such as Shibuya Sky if you have reserved a suitable time slot.

A possible route is:

Meiji Jingu → Harajuku → Omotesando → Shibuya

Keep the evening flexible. This is your last full Tokyo day before beginning the rail pass itinerary.

Day 4: Tokyo to Nagano

Activate the Hokuriku Arch Pass and take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo or Ueno Station to Nagano.

Depending on the service, the journey takes approximately an hour and a half. Reserved ordinary-class seats are included with the pass.

After checking into your hotel, visit Zenko-ji, Nagano’s most important temple. The approach to the temple is lined with small shops, cafés and stores selling local products.

Spend the evening around Nagano Station and try local soba noodles or oyaki dumplings.

For convenience, choose a hotel close to either Nagano Station or the Zenko-ji area.

Day 5: Snow Monkey Park or Nagano City

The most popular excursion from Nagano is Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park.

Transportation from Nagano to the park uses Nagano Dentetsu trains and local or express buses. These services are not included in the Hokuriku Arch Pass.

A separate Snow Monkey Pass is available and can include Nagano Dentetsu transportation, local buses and park admission, depending on the version selected.

The visit also involves a walk from the bus stop or station to the park. Conditions can be snowy, icy or muddy in winter.

Prefer not to organize the trains and buses yourself? Compare guided Snow Monkey Park tours departing from Nagano.

Travellers who are not interested in the monkeys can instead spend the day visiting Obuse, Matsushiro or additional sights around Nagano.

Day 6: Nagano to Kanazawa

Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Nagano to Kanazawa.

Direct services generally take approximately 70–90 minutes, depending on the train.

After checking in, visit Omicho Market for lunch and continue to the Higashi Chaya district in the afternoon.

Do not try to see all of Kanazawa immediately after arriving. The city deserves at least two complete days, especially if you want to explore its gardens, historic neighborhoods and museums without rushing.

Day 7: Historic Kanazawa

Begin at Kenroku-en shortly after opening.

From the garden, continue to Kanazawa Castle and then walk toward the Nagamachi Samurai District. The preserved walls, narrow streets and former samurai residences give this part of the city a very different atmosphere from Kyoto.

A comfortable itinerary is:

Kenroku-en → Kanazawa Castle → Nagamachi → Korinbo

Finish the day with seafood, Kanazawa curry or local oden.

Day 8: Contemporary Kanazawa or Shirakawa-go

Use the second full day for places you skipped the previous day.

Possible choices include:

• The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art
• D.T. Suzuki Museum
• Myoryuji, commonly known as the Ninja Temple
• Nishi Chaya District
• A traditional craft or gold-leaf experience

Alternatively, take a day trip to Shirakawa-go.

The highway bus between Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go is not included in the Hokuriku Arch Pass. Seats are limited and the buses require advance reservations, particularly during weekends and peak seasons.

For most first-time visitors, I would choose either a relaxed second day in Kanazawa or a full Shirakawa-go excursion—not both on the same day.

Find a Hotel in Central Kanazawa

Day 9: Kanazawa to Kaga Onsen

Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Kagaonsen Station.

Kaga Onsen is not one single resort. It is a group of four hot spring villages: Yamashiro Onsen, Yamanaka Onsen, Katayamazu Onsen and Awazu Onsen.

For a first stay, I would consider:

Yamashiro Onsen for traditional bathhouses, ryokan and easy access to local attractions.

Yamanaka Onsen for a quieter atmosphere, riverside walks and a stronger feeling of being surrounded by nature.

The Hokuriku Arch Pass takes you to Kagaonsen Station, but transportation from the station to your ryokan may require a local bus, taxi or hotel shuttle. Contact your accommodation before arrival because many ryokan offer scheduled transfers.

Do not plan several attractions on this day. The purpose of adding Kaga Onsen is to slow the itinerary down.

Arrive in time to check in, change into your yukata, use the baths and enjoy a traditional dinner at the ryokan.

Book a Ryokan in Kaga Onsen

Day 10: Kaga Onsen to Kyoto

This is the final day of your Hokuriku Arch Pass.

Travel from Kagaonsen to Tsuruga on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. At Tsuruga, transfer to the Limited Express Thunderbird for Kyoto.

Both segments are covered by the pass when using eligible ordinary-class accommodation. Reserved seats should be booked before boarding.

The transfer at Tsuruga is straightforward, but avoid choosing an unnecessarily tight connection when travelling with large luggage.

After arriving in Kyoto, check into your hotel and keep the remainder of the day simple. Walk around Gion, visit Yasaka Shrine or spend the evening along the Kamo River.

The pass expires at the end of this day, but most journeys during the following days can be paid with an IC card or individual tickets.

Day 11: Eastern Kyoto

Start early at Kiyomizu-dera and walk through the historic streets of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka.

Continue toward Kodai-ji, Yasaka Shrine and Gion. In the late afternoon, walk along the Philosopher’s Path or visit Nanzen-ji depending on your energy level.

Do not attempt to combine this route with Arashiyama. They are on opposite sides of the city and are better visited on separate days.

Day 12: Arashiyama or Northern Kyoto

Choose one of two routes.

Option One: Arashiyama

Visit the bamboo grove early, followed by Tenryu-ji and the quieter streets north of the central area.

Option Two: Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji

Visit Kinkaku-ji near opening time, continue to Ryoan-ji and spend the afternoon exploring another part of northern or central Kyoto.

For many travellers, this second option is less exhausting than crossing Kyoto to combine too many famous attractions.

Travellers looking for a more traditional stay can compare Kyoto’s best ryokan and Japanese-style hotels.

Day 13: Kyoto to Osaka

Travel from Kyoto to Osaka using a regular JR train or one of the private railway lines.

Because the Hokuriku Arch Pass has expired, purchase a separate ticket or use your IC card. The journey is inexpensive compared with the longer Shinkansen routes, so extending the rail pass only for this transfer would provide little benefit.

After checking in, explore Kuromon Market, Namba and Dotonbori.

For dinner, try okonomiyaki, takoyaki or kushikatsu.

Read also // Where to stay in Osaka

Day 14: Osaka

Use your final day to explore a different side of Osaka.

Possible combinations include:

Osaka Castle → Tenmabashi → Umeda

or:

Shinsekai → Namba → Dotonbori

Travellers departing from Kansai Airport on Day 15 should stay near Namba, Osaka Station or another area with convenient airport connections.

Avoid treating Osaka purely as an evening destination. Its neighborhoods, food culture and more informal atmosphere provide a useful contrast with Kyoto.

How to Modify This Hokuriku Itinerary

This route can easily be adapted according to the season and your interests.

Replace Nagano with Toyama

Choose Toyama if you are more interested in seafood, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route or the mountain scenery of the northern Alps.

Remember that much of the Alpine Route uses transportation that is not included in the Hokuriku Arch Pass.

Add Fukui

Fukui works well for travellers interested in Eiheiji Temple, traditional crafts, the Dinosaur Museum or the cliffs of Tojinbo.

The extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tsuruga makes the prefecture easier to include between Kanazawa and Kyoto.

Skip the Snow Monkeys Outside Winter

The monkeys can be visited throughout the year, but the classic snowy scenery is seasonal. During warmer months, an additional day in Kanazawa, Toyama or Fukui may provide better value.

Travel in the Opposite Direction

The route also works from Osaka or Kyoto toward Tokyo.

In that case, activate the pass when leaving Kansai and complete the Kyoto–Kaga–Kanazawa–Nagano–Tokyo section within seven consecutive days.

Practical Hokuriku Arch Pass Tips

Reserve the main trains. Reserved ordinary-class seats are included, and some services operate with reserved seating only.

Keep the pass window compact. Place all expensive journeys between Day 4 and Day 10.

Do not assume every train is covered. Several local lines in Hokuriku are operated by non-JR companies and have specific pass rules.

Budget separately for buses. Snow Monkey Park, Shirakawa-go and transfers between Kagaonsen Station and the hot spring villages may require additional tickets.

Consider luggage forwarding. Sending large suitcases from Tokyo to Kanazawa or Kyoto can make the Nagano portion of the journey much easier.

Check the official coverage map again before departure. Rail pass conditions and prices can change.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Hokuriku Arch Pass valid?

The pass is valid for seven consecutive calendar days. You cannot select seven separate travel days within a longer period.

Does the Hokuriku Arch Pass cover the Tokyo to Kyoto Shinkansen?

It does not cover the direct Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kyoto. It covers travel through Nagano, Kanazawa and Tsuruga using the Hokuriku route.

Is the bus from Kanazawa to Shirakawa-go included?

No. The highway bus is not included and should be booked separately. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Is transportation to the Snow Monkey Park included?

No. The Nagano Dentetsu railway and local buses used to reach the park are separate from the Hokuriku Arch Pass. A dedicated Snow Monkey Pass or guided tour may be more convenient.

Can Japanese residents use the pass?

The Hokuriku Arch Pass is intended for foreign passport holders entering Japan with Temporary Visitor status.

Is the Hokuriku Arch Pass cheaper than buying individual tickets?

It depends on your exact itinerary. At the current ¥35,000 price, the pass provides the best value when several long-distance journeys are completed within seven days. Always compare the pass with individual fares before buying.

Need Help Adapting This Route?

Final Thoughts

The Hokuriku Arch Pass should not be seen merely as a discounted ticket between Tokyo and Kyoto.

Its real value is the route it encourages you to follow.

Nagano introduces you to Japan’s mountain culture, Kanazawa offers historic neighborhoods and traditional craftsmanship, and Kaga Onsen provides a genuine break between the country’s major cities.

By activating the pass only when leaving Tokyo, this 14-day itinerary uses the seven-day validity efficiently while maintaining a realistic pace.

It is a strong alternative to the classic Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka itinerary for travellers who want to experience a less obvious and less repetitive side of Japan.