This is our first trip to Kanazawa, the capital of Ishikawa prefecture.

Kanazawa is situated in the Hokuriku region. Traveling time approximately 3 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen, about 1.5hours to Nagano by Shinkansen for Tateyama Kurobe Dam experience and where our day tour to Shirakawago begins. This is our first base for the next couple of days.

The Capital is home to Omicho market, Kanazawa Castle Park and well-preserved Edo-era Higashi Chaya district.

For this part of the journey, I purchased a 7-days JR Hokuriku Arch Pass for Green cars which cost me approximately AUD416 (equivalent to 40,613yen). I bought this before JR hiked the prices of the JR Passes. All Shinkansen trains from Tokyo to Kanazawa require reservation regardless of Ordinary cars or Green cars. Hokuriku Arch passes only covers Hakutaka Shinkansen.

Note: Japan Rail(JR) has over the years revised their JR passes. In previous years, JR passes come in two forms – consecutive days and non-consecutive days. Now, most JR passes are consecutive days. How does it work? JR Passes are only available to foreigner passport holders. JR Passes can be purchased online and the vouchers to be posted by registered to your postal address. Upon arrival to Japan, bring the vouchers and passports to the JR Office to exchange for the Passes. At the same time, you can make reservations for your train rides. The ‘time-clock’ on the Passes only starts when you first use it for your rides. Tip: plan your trip carefully first before making reservations for train rides. You will not be required to pay should there be a change of mind on a ride. JR, however, encourages travelers to notify them ahead of this and return the tickets so that the seats can be made available to others requiring to travel at that particular time. It is advisable to secure your seat reservations early for Green cars as seats can be limited. If all seats in Green cars are sold out but a traveler holds a JR Green Car Pass, the transport officer will issue you tickets for Ordinary cars instead. What is the difference? Types of seat and leg rest. JR Pass holders of Green cars can enter carriages for Ordinary cars and Green cars. However, JR Pass holders of Ordinary cars cannot enter carriages for Green cars.