Wandering Leopard July 2024 – New route with Hokuriku Arch Pass, Kansai wide area pass and planning

July 2024 trip planning

The price increase for the regular JR Pass is a bit much. I still feel it CAN be worth it.. depending on how much you are moving around. I used in March/April of 2024. 7 day pass is more expensive than the original 14 day pass… which definitely is a huge turn off. 

I usually get the JR Pass because I use it to go around and explore. Besides the Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen, you can practically jump on anything JR.. which I totally loved. 

My golden route is usually:

Tokyo, Tochigi, Kawagoe, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Okayama, Takamatsu, Fukuoka and Nagasaki. Usually there are extensions to places such at some of these spots and of course, go around just exploring without even thinking about tickets on the JR lines. 

Now that the price is higher, I’m forced to seek alternatives and do things a bit different than I usually do. This might actually  be a good thing though. 

For my upcoming July trip, I decided to use the Hokuriku Arch pass. This will pretty much skip everything between Tokyo and Kyoto on the Tokaido Shinkansen. The usual route Shizuoka, Yokohama, Nagoya and in between. Instead, it will go to the Hokuriku Arch Region. The pass is also 7 days,

I need to end up in Kansai region to join with my family once they arrive from the Philippines. I decided to use the Hokuriku Arch Pass because it was an opportunity to save money (compared to the JR Pass) and it would force me to go another route. This route would make me go a route I wouldn’t normally do and explore places that are off the beaten path. I will say, I was somewhat disappointed in that I can’t use the local lines around Nagano and Joetsu areas. 

After a quick evaluation, I think having a multi regional pass, like the Hokuriku Arch Pass and with an additional regional pass, such as the Kansai Wide Area Pass, will cover the areas I really want. Not to mention the price might be getting close to the what a 7 day JR Pass, but since you don’t have to start them at the same time, it is great as an extension. 7 days for the HAP and 5 Days with the KWAP). This combination of the 2 passes will cover a lot of the ground I want to cover, but it will also force me to break with my idea of the National JR Pass being the only pass I want. After this trip, I plan to be more regional intead of how I’ve always done with the JR Pass. 

Also noting the 4 Shinkansen trains and their terminal stations. The Kayagaki Shinkansen is Reservation only.

The Kagayaki is the fastest train category along the Hokuriku Shinkansen, operating only in the mornings, late afternoons and evenings. While some operate all the way between Tokyo and Tsuruga, others operate only between Tokyo and Kanazawa. The Kagayaki stops only at major stations and features twelve cars, one of which is Gran Class, the first class service by JR. The Kagayaki is one of the few shinkansen trains without non-reserved seating. A seat reservation is mandatory. When all seats are booked out, standing tickets can be purchased.

The Hakutaka is the slower of the two train categories that run along the entire length of the Hokuriku Shinkansen. It skips many stations between Tokyo and Nagano, but stops at most of the stations beyond Nagano. The Hakutaka features the same train sets as the Kagayaki, but it does offer non-reserved seating.

The Asama, named after the large active volcano on the border between Gunma Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture, runs just between Tokyo and Nagano.

Also named after a famous mountain, Tsurugi trains operate between Tsuruga and Toyama stations, although a few operate only between Tsuruga and Kanazawa. Stopping patterns vary by train, but a majority of trains stop at all stations.

I had to do some research about going to Shiga. The Limited Express Thunderbird travels the left side of Lake Biwa (usual route people take). I wanted to go the opposite side (right side) of Lake Biwa and that uses the Limited Express Shirasagi. If you look at the map below, that is Kasatsu station.

• I added Lake Biwa to this drawing

Reserved seats required.

Side trip to Matsumoto

There are quite a few Local Lines I will use to visit some of the locations I want to go. These are just a few of the local lines by non JR companies that if I have time, I will try to get on. 

• Jomo Electric Railway
• Joshin Electric Railway
• Ueda Dentetsu
• Nagano Dentetsu
• Toyama tramway
• Toyama Electric railway
• Hokuriku railroad
• Echizen railway
• Fukui Hapi Line
• Fukui railway
• Omi railway
• Wakayama electric railway (Kat station)
• There are others that might I will try and ride. 

After much debate, I decided to go with the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass as well. My usual base is Osaka and then I fan out to various day trips while there. Additionally, my family will be arriving as well to Kyoto, so I will eventually need to go there. 

While I looked at a few rail passes, I wanted to reach a few places I haven’t been to and also get to Takamatsu for maybe a dinner (if friends are available). One place I wanted to see on this trip was Amanohashidate in Northern Kyoto and just goin that way was already 10,000 yen… The KWAP covers the Limited Express + the Tango railway, so I can get there without any additional fees.

The map below shows where the limits of the KWAP. Knowing that I can go to Amanohashidate, Tottori, Takamatsu is really amazing. But there is an opportunity to go to Kii-Katsuura, which leads to Nachi Falls…. VERY TEMPTING!!! It’s just a long 3 hour ride. 

I was honestly surprised that Mie prefecture wasn’t covers as much, but that is why I will proabably get the Kintetsu railway pass as well.

Additionally, part of the KWAP is rental bikes (and cars too)!!

Kintetsu Rail Pass (5 days)

My Hokuriku Arch pass will be done after 7 days, but I have an overlap with the Kintetsu rail pass. Since I plan on going around Mie, I figure this would be a good pass to get. 

Tetsuin Quest maps

I didn’t think I would make be able to get some of these tetsuin as the locations were a bit off my radar. That changed as I am using the Arch pass. When I realized that I could possible get some of them, I kind of got excited!

After mapping out the route, I will probably get a few + explore a few places. So let’s start off.

Shinamo Railways – Komoro station is where the tetsuin is sold. I’ll be staying either in Nagano station or Takasaki station areas. 

The next city after Nagano on the pass is Joetsu-Myoko. The local line to Joetsu city is:

Echigo Tokimeki railways – Tetsuin can be picked up at Naoetsu station.

Toki Tetsu-kun

The next tetsuin was one that I was going to pass up, but I figured I was there, so mind as well. It is further out and honestly, I don’t think I will ever come back this way, so I decided to put it on my schedule.

Hokuetsu Express – Tokamachi station

The next tetsuin at Toyama station.  It is for the Ainokaze Toyama railways, which is covered by the Hokuriku Arch Pass (Toyama station to Takaoka station only)

Ainokaze Toyama railways

Ainosuke

Short distance is covered by HAP.

Kanazawa station is the next stop. Also covered with Hokuriku Arch Pass are stations Kanazawa to Tsubata :

Ishikawa Railway

Aimaru-kun

A big question mark if I do this

Noto Railway

The next train is one that I am glad to see. I honestly didn’t think I would spend time in this area, but while here, make the most of it. 

From Tsubata station (IR) to Anamizu station (Noto Railways) is about 2.5hrs one way. It is far and honestly, I’m thinking if I need to go out that way due to time and budget. I really want to go to see Noto Peninsula and buy a few things to help with recovery. If I do it, it will be the earliest I can, so that way I can be back in time to go around. 

Tarumi Railway

This railway is not covered by any of the passes I have. So this will cost some Yen. It’s mentioned on Google Maps that this will take about 1 hour and 14 minutes with a 1 way cost of 1,210 yen.

Shigaraki Kohgen railway

I wasn’t planning on going out this way because it was in the middle of Shiga.. but I realize I need to go out this way regardless because I wanted to visit Koka, another Ninja area. After mapping it out, it looks like I will be able to hit this area!

Ise Railway

A bit more accessible compared to the previous rail line. Suzuka station is the main spot I need to go to. 

Kyoto Tango railway

I was planning on going to Amanohashidate (north Kyoto) anyways and having the Kansai Wide Area Pass, the Tango line to Amanohashidate. 

Hojo Railway

Since I got the KWAP, this has opened up a little bit for me to explore the western part and northern part that I often don’t focus on. 

Chizu Express is covered by the KWAP as it is the station that accesses Tottori. Chizu station is where to get the Tetsuin for Chizu express. The 2 other tetsuin railways are Wakasa railway and Ibara railway. Both not covered by the KWAP, but close enough to go into those directions to get the tetsuin.

 

The furthest station with the KWAP is Kurashiki station. Just a bit further west, is Ibara station. It is about is 1 hour one way. Cost is 1040 yen each way as well. 

 

While just East of Chizu station is Wakasa station for the Wakasa Railway. From Koge station (Yazu). It is 35 mins and 440 yen each way.

 

 

 

Chizu Express

 

Originally, I wasn’t expecting to try and go to Chizu Railway. It is central and a bit out the way (so is Wakasa railway as well). Even on my last trip, I didn’t put it on my radar because of that. Sine the KWAP has it covered, I figure it is perfect timing to get the tetsuin and maybe go to Tottori. 

Toyama has a tram and railway system as well. I want to experience these trains. I also found out there is a local IC card, which I want to add to my collection.