Hokuriku Arch Pass: Explore Nagano and Kanazawa on Your Way to Kyoto

Hokuriku Arch Pass: Features and Benefits

Picture courtesy of Klook
While Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto still top the must-visit list in Japan, seasoned travelers have begun to praise the beauty of areas such as Kanazawa or the Tateyama Alpine Gorge and Karuizawa in Nagano. These areas boast authentic Japanese culture, breathtaking natural scenery, and tasty local cuisine.

Thanks to the bullet train on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line, you can visit all these amazing places on your way from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka! The 7-day JR Hokuriku Arch Pass is a convenient travel pass for exploring this region at great value for price.

The Hokuriku Arch Pass costs 24,500 yen when bought from outside Japan and 25,500 when bought in Japan. Passes for children are half the price of adult passes.

Book the JR Hokuriku Arch Pass (7 days)

With the JR Hokuriku Arch Pass, you can board regular and limited-express trains operated by JR in the area covered by the pass (Tokyo, Hokuriku, and Osaka), including bullet trains on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line.

Read on to learn more about the regions that you can explore with the JR Hokuriku Arch Pass: Nagano → Toyama → Kanazawa → Fukui → Kyoto → Osaka.

Nagano: Hot Springs, Nature, and Historic Sites

The Shiraito Falls in Karuizawa. Photo by Pixta
Nagano may be best known for its beautiful alpine climate and lovely skiing but there is so much more to the highest prefectural capital in all of Japan.

Nagano is one of the best destinations for visitors who wish to relax, rejuvenate, and take in breathtaking natural scenery. With many stylish hotels to stay at and the incomparable Karuizawa, a hot spring resort only a short trip away, Nagano will have you feeling refreshed in no time.

Once you've gained your energy, why not take a tour around the famous Matsumoto Castle, go hiking through the beautiful natural scenery of Kamikochi, or take in the impressive ambiance of Zenkoji Temple?

Nagano is a top destination for relaxation amid nature and traditional culture.

Toyama and the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route

Photo by Pixta

The next major stop on the Hokuriku Shinkansen line is Toyama. The city is famous for the Toyama Glass Art Museum and for the scenic sites along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, a trekking route along the Hida Mountains connecting the Toyama and Nagano prefectures.

The Kurobe Dam, the largest dam in Japan, is just one of the highlights of this route. All the main points of interest in this area are easy to reach by cable car, ropeways, and buses.

Kanazawa: Kenrokuen Garden and Beautiful Historic Townscapes

Photo by Pixta
Kanazawa, the capital city of Ishikawa prefecture, is home to beautiful Edo-era (1603-1868) districts and local handicrafts such as Ktani ware and gold-leaf ornamentation, which make excellent souvenirs from Japan.

Kenrokuen Garden, one of Japan's three most scenic gardens, is a must-see in Kanazawa.

Visit the Nagamachi and Nishi Chaya districts to feel the storied historical past of the city. At the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, you can enjoy spectacular exhibits of contemporary art from Japan and the world.

Fukui: A Famous Zen Temple and a Dinosaur Museum

Photo by Pixta

Fukui and neighboring cities like Tsuruga or Katsuyama are hidden gems on the route connecting Kanazawa and Kyoto.

A famous place in the area is Eiheiji Temple, a Zen temple founded in the 13th century. Tucked in a lush cedar forest, this temple has been a training ground for Buddhist monks for centuries.

The region is also known for the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, established here after large numbers of fossils had been discovered in the region. The unique dinosaur species discovered here have been given names that include the word "Fukui" such as Fukuisaurus and the Fukui Raptor.

Kyoto: The Beating Heart of Traditional Japan

Photo by Pixta
The Hokuriku Arch Pass takes you next to Kyoto, the beating heart of Japan's traditional culture, history, and food. Kyoto is packed with many of the historic treasures and storied traditions that Japan is best known for.

Kinkakuji Temple and its Golden Pavilion, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, and Kiyomizudera Temple are just a few of the famous places to visit in Kyoto.

Stop by a place like Nishiki Market to catch a glimpse of daily life in Kyoto and sample traditional snacks and sweets.

Osaka: A Neon Playground with the Best Street Eats

Photo by Pixta
The vibrant city of Osaka is a great place to end your seven-day trip with the Hokuriku Arch Pass. Stop here for a few days to enjoy the entertainment areas of Dotonbori and Umeda, as well as the culinary delights of Shinsekai. Osaka is filled with scrumptious soul foods like takoyaki and okonomiyaki, which are among the must-try staples of Japanese cuisine.

The iconic Osaka Castle Park, along with the beautiful temples and shrines in the city, should not be missed in the cherry blossom or fall foliage season. The city views from Ume Sky Building's Observatory and Harukas 300 are most rewarding.

Explore Japan with the Hokuriku Arch Pass

From rejuvenating hot springs to elegant Japanese culture and everything in between, the new route through the Hokuriku region promises amazing sights, great food, and truly unique travel memories from Japan.

Enjoy exploring Japan with the convenient JR Hokuriku Arch Pass!

Book the JR Hokuriku Arch Pass (7 days)

Main image by Pixta