The JR Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass is an unlimited-ride pass for JR Group trains and buses, designed exclusively for foreign tourists. It can be used for 7 consecutive days, letting you ride JR trains (including non-reserved Shinkansen seats and limited express trains) in the Kansai region, Hokuriku region, and Okayama an unlimited number of times. It combines the Kansai Wide Area Pass and the Hokuriku Area Pass into a single pass.
Highlights
• Validity: 7 consecutive days
• Price (per person):
- Adult (age 12 and up): 19,000 yen
- Child (age 6-11): 9,500 yen
• Valid for: JR (designated zone) + some Shinkansen sections + West Japan JR Bus route buses (route buses within the zone only)
• If you want to use a reserved seat, you must reserve it before boarding
• No longer sold at JR Ticket Offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) at stations like before (buy online or through an agency instead)
Who Can Use This Pass (Eligibility)
• Must hold a passport issued by a foreign government
• Must enter Japan with "Temporary Visitor" status (short-term stay)
• Japanese nationals cannot use this pass (even if they have permanent residency in another country)
• You must show your passport when you receive the pass
Areas and Trains Covered (Commonly Used Highlights)
1) Shinkansen You Can Use
• SANYO SHINKANSEN: Shin-Osaka ⇔ Okayama
• HOKURIKU SHINKANSEN: Tsuruga ⇔ Joetsu-Myoko
Note:
- Both Reserved and Non-reserved cars can be used (except trains that are "all reserved," which require a reservation)
- You can ride the Hello Kitty Shinkansen (on the Sanyo Shinkansen route within the pass's coverage)
2) Limited Express (Commonly Used Examples)
• HARUKA (to/from Kansai Airport)
• THUNDERBIRD
• KONOTORI
• And other limited express trains within the designated zone
Note: Some trains are "all reserved" and require a reservation before boarding
3) Regular JR Trains Within the Zone
• Local / Rapid / Special Rapid JR West trains within the area shown on the pass map
4) Buses
• WEST JAPAN JR BUS: Valid for route buses only within the designated area
• Not valid for expressway buses
5) Non-JR Rail Lines the Pass Covers for Certain Sections (Important Conditions Apply)
• IR Ishikawa Railway: Kanazawa - Tsubata
• Ainokaze Toyama Railway: Toyama - Takaoka
• HAPI-LINE FUKUI: Echizen-Hanandō - Fukui
Main condition: The pass is valid only if you ride through the entire designated section; it is not valid if you get off at other stations along the way
Trains and Routes Not Covered (Check Before Planning)
• TOKAIDO SHINKANSEN: Shin-Osaka ⇔ Tokyo (not covered)
• SANYO SHINKANSEN: Okayama ⇔ Hakata (not covered)
• Hokuriku Shinkansen outside the designated zone (e.g., continuing toward Tokyo) is not covered
• Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka ⇔ Kyoto is not covered
• SUPER HAKUTO (Kamigori ⇔ Tottori) and SUPER INABA require a separate ticket (if you want to ride them)
Do You Need to Pay Extra? (Common Mistakes)
• If you want to ride Green Car / GranClass / Sleeper: you need to buy an additional ticket for that car type
• Special seating services in Kansai, such as the A-Seat on some trains, generally require an extra fee (don't assume they're free)
• All-reserved trains: you can't board without a seat reservation
How to Buy the Pass
There are 3 main ways:
1) Buy an Exchange Order (MCO / E-TICKET) from an agency outside Japan
- Must be exchanged for the actual pass in Japan within 3 months
2) Buy via JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION (recommended)
- Must pay by credit card at purchase (cannot pay at the station)
- Virtual cards / numberless cards are not accepted
- Collect the pass at a "ticket machine" or "counter" at the designated pickup location
- If collecting from a machine, you'll need a passport with an IC chip
3) Buy at select agency counters "within Japan"
- This is not the same as buying at a traditional JR Ticket Office at a station
- Always check the list of sales/pickup locations on the official page first
Seat Reservations (Reserved Seat)
• Reservations can be made at a "ticket machine" or "counter" inside the station
• If you bought via JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION: you can reserve online
• Important notes:
- For passes with unlimited reservations: from the 7th reservation onward, you may need to go to a JR counter instead
- For passes bought as "exchange orders / from agency counters," in some cases you cannot "reserve seats at a machine" (plan to go to a counter instead)
What Kind of Trip Suits This Pass
• Great fit: a Kansai trip (Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe/Nara) plus a trip to Hokuriku (Fukui/Kanazawa/Toyama) within 7 days, with several Limited Express/Shinkansen rides
• If you're only staying in Hokuriku for a short time: consider the Hokuriku Area Pass (4 days) instead
• If you're visiting several places outside Kansai's cities (such as Okayama / Tottori / Kinosaki / Amanohashidate): consider the Kansai WIDE Area Pass (5 days) instead
Coverage Area:
(Click to enlarge) Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass route map