Oct–NovJR East merged its Tōhoku and Nagano-Niigata passes into one on 14 March 2026. On the Hokuriku Shinkansen it runs from Tokyo as far as Jōetsu-Myōkō and no further.
Nagano and Myōkō, not Kanazawa. For Hokuriku this is rarely the right pass. It covers Tokyo to Nagano, Iiyama and Jōetsu-Myōkō, so it works for the snow monkeys, Nozawa Onsen and Myōkō. It does not reach Itoigawa, Toyama or Kanazawa. Buy it only if the same five days also take you north into Tōhoku.
The JR East network from Tokyo to Aomori, and on the Hokuriku Shinkansen as far as Jōetsu-Myōkō.
Add the rides you plan. Only the fare we have checked is here, Tokyo to Nagano; the Myōkō and Tōhoku trips are in the worked fares below.
| Trip | Tickets | With the pass | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo ⇄ Nagano return | ¥16,900 | ¥35,000 | Tickets win |
| Tokyo ⇄ Nagano plus Tokyo ⇄ Jōetsu-Myōkō | ¥16,900 + ¥19,320 = ¥36,220 | ¥35,000 | Pass wins by ¥1,220 |
| Tokyo → Nagano → Myōkō → back, then Sendai or Aomori | ¥36,220 before the Tōhoku leg | ¥35,000 | Pass wins |
Tokyo–Nagano ¥8,450 reserved each way after the March 2026 JR East fare rise. If your trip continues west of Myōkō, compare the Arch Pass at the same ¥35,000 for 7 days. A 10-day JR East Pass is ¥50,000.
Tokyo → Nagano from 1h 20m. Zenkō-ji (2027 Gokaichō) on arrival, a night at Shibu Onsen, monkeys at opening time. Snow monkey guide.
Nagano → Iiyama 11 min, then bus. Thirteen free village baths and a ski hill above them. Nozawa Onsen guide.
Iiyama → Jōetsu-Myōkō 12 min. The end of the pass. Akakura for powder and onsen. Myōkō guide.
If Kanazawa is anywhere on your plan, the Arch Pass does this route and keeps going.
Guides that quote it are out of date; sales ended on 13 March 2026.
Unlike the JR West passes, the new JR East Pass takes any non-Japanese passport, visitor or resident. Buy it on the JR East Train Reservation site, at a JR East Travel Service Center or major station, or through an agent abroad; the price is the same.
Kanazawa, Toyama, Itoigawa or Fukui are on the plan. West of Jōetsu-Myōkō is JR West, and the Arch Pass keeps going.
See the pass →A Tokyo ⇄ Nagano return and nothing else. Reserved tickets are far cheaper than ¥35,000.
Buying tickets →The monkeys are the point. It covers the Nagano Dentetsu train that this pass leaves out.
Snow monkey guide →¥35,000 wherever you buy it. Any non-Japanese passport works, visitor or resident.
Nagano, Nozawa and Myōkō, when Tōhoku is on the same trip. Same ¥35,000, bought before you fly.
Buy on Klook ↗Buy online with JR East direct. The price is the same as through an agent.
Buy at the counter in Japan. The price is the same.
Japan eSIM: data from arrival, for seat bookings and bus reservations on the move.
Japan eSIM on Klook ↗No. On the Hokuriku Shinkansen it is valid only from Tokyo to Jōetsu-Myōkō. Kanazawa, Toyama and Itoigawa are in JR West territory.
¥35,000 for 5 consecutive days, or ¥50,000 for 10. It replaced the separate Tōhoku-area and Nagano-Niigata-area passes on 14 March 2026.
It covers the Shinkansen to Nagano but not the Nagano Dentetsu train to Yudanaka. For a Tokyo–Nagano return alone (¥16,900 reserved), single tickets are far cheaper.
Yes. Since 14 March 2026 the pass is sold to holders of any non-Japanese passport, whatever their visa status. The JR West passes (Arch, Kansai-Hokuriku, Hokuriku Area) still need a temporary-visitor stamp.
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