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JR Pass vs. Hokuriku Arch Pass

odedk
odedk
over 1 year ago
4 answers

Hello, we are 2 families which intend to travel on 28/9 from Tokyo to Kanazawa (by Kagayaki shinkansen), on 30/9 to Kyoto, on 1/10 to Nara and Fushimi-Inari and back to Kyoto, on 3/10 to Osaka and back to Kyoto, on 5/10 to Hiroshima, on 6/10 to Miyajima Island and back to Hiroshima and on 9/10 to Tokyo by shinkansen.
We would appreciate your assistance in recommending to us which pass should we buy:
1. the JR Pass for 14 days, assuming that all the above places and stations are covered by the pass
2. the Hokuriku Arch Pass for 7 days and just buy train and ferry tickets for the rest for our travel as from 5/10 onwards.

We also consider shortening our travel and travel back from Kyoto to Tokyo on the night of 4/10 (since it is included in the 7-days pass). In that case, which pass should we get - the Hokuriku Arch Pass or JR Pass for 7 days (we are 5 adults, 1 child aged 10 and 1 child aged 5).
Thanking you in advance for your assistance.

avatar
Daniel-san
19076 posts
over 1 year ago
Expert

Hi there,

It's an easy choice for me, and that would be using a 14-day JR Pass. This because travel to Hiroshima costs a lot without it, and you can also take the option to travel in Green Class (should you wish).

Having the extra flexibility to travel for 14 days will be a blessing tpp.

Hope this helps!
Daniel

odedk
odedk
4 posts
over 1 year ago

Thank you, Daniel.
Can you please clarify:
1. with the JR pass, can I travel from Tokyo to Kanazawa using the shinkansen Kagayaki 505, from Kanazawa to Kyoto the Thunder Bird 20, from Kyoto to Hiroshima the Nozomi 67 and from Hiroshima to Tokyo the Nozomi 92?

  1. Please provide your reply also with regard to my previous question on the option of shortening our travel and travel back from Kyoto to Tokyo on the night of 4/10 (since it is included in the 7-days pass). In that case, which pass should we get - the Hokuriku Arch Pass or JR Pass for 7 days (we are 5 adults, 1 child aged 10 and 1 child aged 5)?
avatar
Daniel-san
19076 posts
over 1 year ago
Expert

Hi again :)

The Kagayaki and Thunderbird are included.

For travel to Hiroshima/and back to Tokyo. You can use the Sakura and Hikari Shinkansen trains for free, or from Oct 1st pay a bit extra and use the Nozomi trains (price depends on the route).

I don't really recommend the Hokuriku Arch Pass, since you can't use the Tokaido Shinkansen. Meaning it ads a lot of extra time going back to Tokyo.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

odedk
odedk
4 posts
over 1 year ago

Daniel, thanks again for your reply.

It would be much appreciated to receive your input on the following:
1. Assuming holding a 7- or 14-days JR Pass, how much more JPY will I have to add per each pass if I want to change using Sakura / Hikari to Nozomi for each of the following segments (you said “a bit extra”):
a. Kyoto to Hiroshima
b. Kyoto to Tokyo
c. Hiroshima to Tokyo
2. In case I choose to use the Nozomi, how do I do the change?

odedk
odedk
4 posts
over 1 year ago

Daniel, can you relate to my above questions please?

avatar
Daniel-san
19076 posts
over 1 year ago
Expert

Hi again,

1.) It depends on the route (in general, about 1000 yen for the shortest route and 8.000 for the longest possible route). We are in the process of updating the website/blog, so please check back in a few days. I don't have the amounts at hand at the moment.

2.) You can make the changes at any manned ticket window.
Kind regards,
Daniel


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