This 9-day Japan train itinerary travels from Tokyo to Osaka by taking the scenic northern route through Nagano and the Hokuriku region instead of using the direct Tokaido Shinkansen.
Along the way, you can visit Nagano, Kanazawa, Hikone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Kobe while making strategic use of the 7-Day Hokuriku Arch Pass.
9-Day Route at a Glance
Tokyo → Nagano → Kanazawa → Hikone → Kyoto → Nara → Osaka → Kobe → Osaka
The Hokuriku Arch Pass is activated on Day 2 and used through Day 8, leaving Day 1 in Tokyo and Day 9 in Osaka outside the seven-day validity period.
If you would rather travel directly between the two cities, see our Tokyo to Osaka by Shinkansen guide.
9-Day Hokuriku Arch Pass Itinerary Overview
| Day | Route | Pass | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Tokyo | Not activated | Tokyo |
| Day 2 | Tokyo → Nagano | Pass Day 1 | Nagano |
| Day 3 | Nagano → Kanazawa | Pass Day 2 | Kanazawa |
| Day 4 | Kanazawa → Tsuruga → Hikone → Kyoto | Pass Day 3 | Kyoto |
| Day 5 | Kyoto | Pass Day 4 | Kyoto |
| Day 6 | Kyoto → Nara → Osaka | Pass Day 5 | Osaka |
| Day 7 | Osaka | Pass Day 6 | Osaka |
| Day 8 | Kobe day trip | Pass Day 7 | Osaka |
| Day 9 | Osaka / onward travel | Pass expired | Osaka or departure |
Hokuriku Arch Pass: Quick Facts
| Validity | 7 consecutive days |
|---|---|
| Adult Price | ¥35,000 |
| Child Price | ¥17,500 |
| Main Route | Tokyo → Nagano → Toyama → Kanazawa → Fukui → Tsuruga → Kyoto / Osaka area |
| Hokuriku Shinkansen | Covered between Tokyo and Tsuruga |
| Reserved Seats | Ordinary reserved seating included on eligible trains |
| Tokaido Shinkansen | Not covered |
Why Take the Hokuriku Route?
This pass is designed for travelers who want to travel between Tokyo and Kansai via Nagano and the Hokuriku region instead of taking the direct Tokaido Shinkansen.
It is especially useful when places such as Nagano, Toyama, Kanazawa, Fukui or Lake Biwa are destinations in their own right rather than simply stops on the way to Kyoto or Osaka.
Important: Change Trains at Tsuruga
The Hokuriku Shinkansen now runs as far as Tsuruga. There is no longer a direct limited express from Kanazawa to Kyoto or Osaka.
Travelers continuing toward Kansai transfer at Tsuruga to an eligible JR conventional-line service such as the Limited Express Thunderbird toward Kyoto and Osaka, or the Limited Express Shirasagi toward Maibara where appropriate.
Is the Hokuriku Arch Pass Worth It for This 9-Day Itinerary?
This itinerary is specifically designed around the Hokuriku Arch Pass, using its seven consecutive validity days for the journey from Tokyo through Nagano and Kanazawa to Kyoto and Osaka.
Major Rail Journeys Covered on This Route
- Tokyo → Nagano
- Nagano → Kanazawa
- Kanazawa → Tsuruga
- Tsuruga → Hikone → Kyoto
- Kyoto → Nara → Osaka
- Travel within the eligible Kansai coverage area
- Osaka → Kobe → Osaka
Activate the Pass on Day 2
Day 1 is spent sightseeing locally in Tokyo, so there is little benefit in using one of the seven pass days immediately. Activating the pass on Day 2 keeps it valid through the Kobe day trip on Day 8.
The Hokuriku Arch Pass is particularly useful for travelers who genuinely want to visit Nagano, Kanazawa and the Hokuriku region on their way between Tokyo and Kansai. If your only goal is to travel directly between Tokyo and Kyoto or Osaka, individual Tokaido Shinkansen tickets may be more practical.
See our JR Regional Passes Guide for other regional pass options.
Day 1: Tokyo
Begin the itinerary in Tokyo and spend your first day exploring the city before activating the Hokuriku Arch Pass.
Suggested Tokyo Highlights
- Asakusa and Senso-ji
- Ueno and Ameyoko
- Tokyo Station and Marunouchi
- Shibuya or Shinjuku in the evening
Don’t Activate the Pass Yet
Use an IC card or individual fares for local transportation in Tokyo. Saving the Hokuriku Arch Pass until Day 2 allows all seven validity days to cover the intercity portion of this itinerary.
Overnight: Tokyo
Day 2: Tokyo to Nagano
Activate your Hokuriku Arch Pass and travel from Tokyo to Nagano on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. This marks the beginning of the northern route toward Kanazawa and the Hokuriku region.
Suggested Nagano Highlights
- Zenko-ji Temple
- Nakamise-dori approach to the temple
- Central Nagano around the station
- Local soba and regional cuisine
Pass Day 1
The Tokyo to Nagano journey is covered by the Hokuriku Arch Pass and is an ideal first long-distance trip after activating it.
If the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park is a priority, I recommend adding more time in Nagano rather than squeezing it into this afternoon. Getting to the park involves additional local transportation and walking.
Overnight: Nagano
Day 3: Nagano to Kanazawa
Continue west from Nagano to Kanazawa on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. This is one of the easiest travel days on the itinerary and gives you plenty of time to begin exploring Kanazawa after arrival.
Suggested Kanazawa Highlights
- Kenrokuen Garden
- Kanazawa Castle Park
- Higashi Chaya District
- Omicho Market
- Nagamachi samurai district
Pass Day 2
The Hokuriku Shinkansen journey from Nagano to Kanazawa is covered by the Hokuriku Arch Pass, including eligible ordinary-car reserved seating.
Kanazawa is one of the main reasons to choose this route instead of the direct Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo and Kansai. Try to leave enough time for both the major sights and the city’s food and traditional districts.
Overnight: Kanazawa
Day 4: Kanazawa to Hikone to Kyoto
Leave Kanazawa in the morning and travel south through Fukui to Tsuruga on the Hokuriku Shinkansen. From Tsuruga, continue toward Hikone before finishing the day in Kyoto.
Morning: Kanazawa to Hikone
- Take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kanazawa to Tsuruga
- Transfer at Tsuruga to an eligible JR conventional-line service
- A practical option is the Limited Express Shirasagi toward Maibara
- Transfer at Maibara for the short JR journey to Hikone
- Leave luggage in a station locker if needed
Suggested Hikone Highlights
- Hikone Castle
- Genkyuen Garden
- Castle Road
- Views toward Lake Biwa
Important Route Change
Older Japan travel guides may describe a direct limited express from Kanazawa toward Kyoto or Osaka. That routing changed when the Hokuriku Shinkansen was extended to Tsuruga.
Today, travel from Kanazawa toward Kansai involves taking the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tsuruga and transferring there to a conventional JR service.
Why Stop in Hikone?
Hikone is directly within the broader Hokuriku Arch Pass travel area and makes a useful intermediate stop between Hokuriku and Kyoto.
It also gives this itinerary a very different experience from the usual Tokyo–Kanazawa–Kyoto route, with one of Japan’s surviving original castles and views around Lake Biwa.
After sightseeing, continue from Hikone to Kyoto on eligible JR conventional trains.
Pass Day: 3
Overnight: Kyoto
Day 5: Kyoto
Spend a full day exploring Kyoto. Since the city has attractions spread across several different areas, it is better to focus on a few priorities rather than trying to see everything in one day.
Suggested Kyoto Highlights
- Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Kiyomizu-dera
- Higashiyama
- Gion
- Kinkaku-ji or Arashiyama if time allows
Pass Day 4
The Hokuriku Arch Pass remains valid today, but you may still need local buses, subways or other non-JR transportation for some Kyoto attractions. An IC card is useful for those journeys.
Kyoto is one of the places where adding an extra day can significantly improve the itinerary. If you have more than nine days, this is one of the first stops I would extend.
Overnight: Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto to Nara to Osaka
Leave Kyoto in the morning and travel to Nara for a half-day visit before continuing to Osaka later in the day.
Suggested Nara Highlights
- Nara Park
- Todai-ji
- Kasuga Taisha
- Kofuku-ji
- Naramachi, if time allows
If you are traveling with luggage, consider using a station locker in Nara or forwarding larger bags directly from Kyoto to your Osaka hotel.
Pass Day 5
Eligible JR travel between Kyoto, Nara and Osaka falls within the Kansai-side coverage area of the Hokuriku Arch Pass. Use an IC card or separate fares for any non-JR local transportation you need.
Continue to Osaka in the afternoon or early evening. After checking in, spend the evening around Dotonbori, Namba or Umeda.
Overnight: Osaka
Day 7: Osaka
Spend a full day exploring Osaka. The city is compact enough to combine sightseeing, shopping and food without needing a complicated itinerary.
Suggested Osaka Highlights
- Osaka Castle
- Kuromon Market
- Dotonbori
- Namba
- Umeda and the Osaka Station area
Pass Day 6
Your Hokuriku Arch Pass is still valid, although much of today’s local sightseeing may involve subways or private railways that are not covered. An IC card is useful for those trips.
Overnight: Osaka
Day 8: Kobe Day Trip from Osaka
Use the final day of your Hokuriku Arch Pass for a day trip to Kobe, a compact port city with historic neighborhoods, waterfront attractions and excellent food.
Suggested Kobe Highlights
- Kitano historic district
- Nankinmachi Chinatown
- Meriken Park
- Kobe Harborland
- Nunobiki Herb Gardens, if time allows
Pass Day 7
This is the final day of the seven-day validity period. Eligible JR travel between Osaka and Kobe is covered, making the day trip a convenient way to use the pass through its final day.
Return to Osaka in the evening.
Overnight: Osaka
Day 9: Osaka and Onward Travel
Your Hokuriku Arch Pass has now expired, so use this final day for local sightseeing in Osaka or continue to your next destination with separate tickets.
Where to Go Next
- Stay another night in Osaka
- Return to Kyoto
- Continue west toward Hiroshima
- Travel to Kansai International Airport
- Continue elsewhere in Japan with a separate ticket
Returning to Tokyo?
The Hokuriku Arch Pass is no longer valid on Day 9, so you will need a separate ticket if you are returning to Tokyo. The direct Tokaido Shinkansen is usually the most practical option.
Overnight: Osaka or departure
Where to Stay on This 9-Day Hokuriku Arch Pass Itinerary
Staying near major JR stations makes this itinerary much easier, especially because you will be changing cities several times.
| City | Convenient Area | Why Stay There? |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Tokyo Station or Ueno | Convenient for the Hokuriku Shinkansen departure toward Nagano. |
| Nagano | Nagano Station | Easy access to the Shinkansen, local transport and Zenko-ji. |
| Kanazawa | Kanazawa Station | Convenient for arrival, departure, buses and luggage handling. |
| Kyoto | Kyoto Station | Best for rail connections to Hikone, Nara and Osaka. |
| Osaka | Umeda, Namba or Osaka Station area | Central for sightseeing and convenient for the Kobe day trip. |
Hotel Tip
On a multi-city rail trip, staying within walking distance of a major station can save a surprising amount of time and make luggage transfers much easier.
Final Tips for This Hokuriku Arch Pass Itinerary
- Activate the Hokuriku Arch Pass on Day 2 so its seven consecutive validity days cover the main intercity portion of the trip.
- Do not use the Tokaido Shinkansen expecting it to be covered by the Hokuriku Arch Pass.
- Check current connections between Kanazawa, Tsuruga and Kansai before travel, as older guides may still show outdated direct services.
- Pack light or consider luggage forwarding when changing hotels.
- Use an IC card for subways, buses and private railways that are not included in the pass.
- Reserve seats for longer journeys during busy travel periods.
- If your only goal is to travel directly between Tokyo and Kyoto or Osaka, compare individual Tokaido Shinkansen tickets before buying this pass.
Have More Than 9 Days?
Add an extra night in Kanazawa or Kyoto rather than adding too many more cities. Both destinations reward slower travel and reducing the number of hotel changes makes this itinerary more relaxed.
You could also use an extra day to explore one of the scenic rail experiences around Chubu and Hokuriku.
Hokuriku Arch Pass Itinerary FAQ
Is the Hokuriku Arch Pass worth it for this itinerary?
It is worth comparing because this route is specifically designed around travel from Tokyo to Kansai via Nagano, Kanazawa and Hokuriku. The value comes from using the covered route rather than taking the direct Tokaido Shinkansen.
Can I use the Hokuriku Arch Pass on the Tokaido Shinkansen?
No. The Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka is not included in the Hokuriku Arch Pass.
Can I travel directly from Kanazawa to Kyoto?
The old direct limited-express routing has changed. Travel now involves the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tsuruga and an onward connection toward Kyoto and Osaka.
Why activate the pass on Day 2?
Day 1 is devoted to local sightseeing in Tokyo. Activating the seven-day pass on Day 2 keeps it valid through the Kobe day trip on Day 8.
Can I reverse this itinerary and start in Osaka?
Yes. The route can be traveled in reverse from Osaka or Kyoto toward Kanazawa, Nagano and Tokyo. Just plan the seven consecutive pass days around your main intercity journeys.
Is this itinerary suitable for first-time visitors?
Yes, particularly for travelers who want to combine Tokyo and Kansai with destinations such as Nagano and Kanazawa rather than following only the standard direct Tokyo–Kyoto route.
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Compare the cost of your planned train journeys with the current JR Pass price. Depending on your route, individual tickets or a regional pass may offer better value.
Check Current JR Pass PricesAbout Train Travel Japan
Train Travel Japan is written from firsthand experience traveling throughout Japan by rail. I am a Japanese native based in Canada and have traveled to all 47 prefectures of Japan over more than 30 years.
My goal is to make Japan train travel easier to understand, especially for international visitors planning JR Pass trips, regional rail journeys and independent itineraries.