Adventure Travel Destinations Await Using the Discount Hokuriku Arch Pass

If you’re looking for a way to round out an itinerary in Japan focused mainly on visiting famous landmarks, shopping til you drop, and eating Japan’s incredible cuisine, might I suggest adding a bit of adventure to your trip to Japan? Outdoor adventure to be precise; connecting with the natural beauty of Japan in ways that will get your heart pounding in more ways than one. Here are a few fantastic opportunities to explore scenic places in and around the popular destinations of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, conveniently accessible using the discount rail pass, the Hokuriku Arch Pass.

Unique Views of Tokyo on the Great Kayaking Tour

A kayaking tour in central Tokyo? The views may differ from kayaking on the sea or along a river, but this tour offers a unique adventure on the water only Tokyo can provide. Many visitors don’t realize that the Tokyo Shitamachi, the lowlands of the eastern part of the city, was once the marshy coastline of Tokyo Bay, which evolved into the sprawling urban cityscape along the banks of the Sumida River.

The Tokyo Great Kayaking Tour offers you a chance to see Tokyo from the unique perspective of passing under the famous Nihonbashi Bridge, literally crawling under one of the lowest bridges in Tokyo, the Shige Mori Bridge, and using a “Mini-Panama Canal” lock system that raises and lowers the water level by 2.5 meters with you sitting calmly in your kayak. With tours available from 1 to 3 hours in length, there’s something for kayakers of all ages and physical abilities to enjoy.

Hike the Tunnels and Bridges of the Shinetsu Abandoned Train Line

One of the most unique ways to explore rural Japan is to follow the route of an abandoned train line. The line was renowned for its stunning autumn landscapes and the Megane Bridge, an architectural masterpiece constructed from brick.

The Usui Main Line connected Gunma Prefecture and Nagano Prefecture from 1893 for over 100 years before it was made redundant by the opening of the Hokuriku Shinkansen line in 1997. Now a boon to rural explorers, the line’s 11.2 kilometers of tunnels and bridges can be walked at a pace where you can enjoy both the line’s feats of engineering and lovely seasonal scenery by guided tour. The tour allows visitors to enter the Shinetsu Main Line, which is not open to the public otherwise.

Fresh Air and Alpine Views – Norikura Plateau Trekking

The Norikura Plateau was formed by the volcanic activity of Mt. Norikura, Japan’s 19th highest mountain. The plateau sits at 1,600 meters, providing fresh and cool mountain air, spectacular views of the night sky, and panoramic scenes of the Japanese Alps. From easy 1-2 hour walking courses taking you to spectacular waterfalls, ancient shrines, peaceful forests to vigorous trekking courses to mountain summits, nature lovers of all abilities and interests can enjoy a day trip around Norikura. After a day of physical activity, many visitors elect to relax in one of the many onsen hot springs facilities and enjoy a hearty meal made with satoyama ingredients from the mountain area.

Explore Mysterious Forests of Remote Sado Island

Niigata’s Sado Island has always been a remote place, serving as a destination for political exiles in Japan’s early history. Its remote location ensured that its nature has remained largely untouched over the centuries. In the modern age, however, Sado Island is easily accessible from the main island of Honshu, making it exceptionally attractive for those interested in ecotourism. Thanks to its geographical location on the natural boundary between warm and cold temperate zones, a huge variety of wild plants grow on the island, including species that are normally found at much higher altitudes on mainland Japan.

Take a guided tour into Sado’s primeval forests to see enormous ancient cedars and rare species of plants and animals. Enjoy the changing scenery of spring flowers, summer mist and showers, and autumn foliage as your guide explains the history and ecology of the island.

Dive Into Adventure with Kurobe River Canyoning

Over thousands of years, Toyama’s Kurobe River has carved the Kurobe Gorge, an area of pristine natural beauty well known in Japan. While many visitors flock to see the incredible seasonal scenery and crystal blue waters, adventure travelers can literally dive in with both feet with a canyoning adventure. Under the care of an experienced guide, traverse waterfalls by rope, slide down natural rock waterslides, and jump into the refreshing water as you see the gorge from river level. All the equipment necessary for a safe and comfortable adventure are provided for you, so just bring yourself, your friends, and loved ones and enjoy the natural beauty of Toyama as few experience it.

Enjoy Fairy Tale Scenery in Kakusenkei Gorge

Ishikawa Prefecture’s Kakusenkei Gorge may not be a hiking destination in itself, but for those enjoying a relaxing stay in one of the onsen towns in the area, its an opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of mountain scenery seemingly plucked from a Ghibli film. The view is sensational when the autumn leaves turn fiery red, but is beautiful in every season. This short stroll between Korogi and Kurotani Bridges takes you on stone-lined forest paths, alongside the rumbling Daishoji River, to historic buildings such as a restored samurai residence and a hut dedicated to Japan’s most famous poet, Basho, who composed many haiku about the area.

Along your journey, stop at the Kakusenkei Kawadoko, a rest area of wooden platforms shaded by red umbrellas along the river. Enjoy traditional Japanese sweets and a cup of Kaga Bōcha tea as you enjoy the gorge with all five of your senses.

Hida Satoyama Cycling – Rural Japan Slice of Life

The pace of life of the residents of the Hida Satoyama area of Gifu Prefecture has changed slowly, centered on the annual cycles of agriculture planting and harvesting. Hida Satoyama cycling gives visitors a rare chance to observe and interact with the local people of Hida as they go about their daily lives.

The cycling tour is led by a knowledgeable guide who will take you at a comfortable pace to enjoy scenes of the Japanese countryside, taking opportunities to meet locals, eat delicious regional dishes, and even visit some of the old houses. Get lost in the slower rhythm of life here as you pedal along quietly flowing rivers and golden fields of rice.

Explore Japan’s Pristine Coastline – Wakasaji Sea Kayaking

The Sea of Japan has a reputation for being a roaring lion, but there are plenty of days during the warm weather season when it is a gentle lamb. On those days, Asobo-ya offers kayaking tours along Fukui Prefecture’s Wakasa coastline, one of Japan’s most pristine coastal stretches. Paddle along the transparent blue-green water and see schools of fish and other sea life as you glide above them (there is even a plexiglass clear kayak available during a very limited period). Stop at a small beach or cove for a snack break where you can swim, snorkel, or even do a little fishing.

During the months when the sea is too rough for kayaking, the action moves to nearby Suigetsu Lake, one of the beautiful Mikatagoko Five Lakes of the area, which is separated from the sea by a mere sliver of land.

An E-Bike Tour of Historic Kyoto-by-the-Sea

Many people don’t realize that Kyoto has a coastline along the Sea of Japan, a tremendous shame considering what a beautiful coastline it is. Stretching across seven cities and towns with rugged forest-covered cliffs and emerald-colored waters, the scenery is breathtaking at every turn. That’s what makes it perfect for E-bike touring, where you don’t need to be in Tour de France shape to enjoy a day of enjoying the superb views.

Ine Funayan Fishing Village is a cycling area for riders of all abilities. A National Preservation District for traditional buildings with dozens of funaya, two story fishing structures built right on the water. The perfect geographic conditions of Ine have made it possible for fishermen to dock their boats in their funaya for centuries, with the placid sea conditions and low differential between high and low tides. Enjoy a leisurely ride, eat the freshest seafood, and warm up with a cup of pour-over coffee at one of the old funaya converted into a cafe in the village.

Paddle the Gentle Waters of Lake Biwako on a SUP

Whether you’re a first time SUPer (Stand Up Paddleboarder) or an experienced paddler, Lake Biwako in Shiga Prefecture is a dream location to enjoy a day of SUP. Lake conditions during the warmer months are often calm, and the warm surface temperature of the water beckons you to dive right in. From the western shore of Lake Biwako, let the experienced instructors of GOODTIMES teach you the basics of SUP and soon you’ll be gliding across the lake on your own, surrounded by views of Mt. Minako and the mountains separating Shiga and neighboring Kyoto.

The SUP experience can be tailored to individual needs, or if you want to try something different, GOODTIMES also offers other outdoor adventures such as kayaking to the Instagrammable Shirahige Shrine Torii gate on the lake, or mountain biking tours in the nearby mountains.

Do More, Spend Less with the Hokuriku Arch Pass

Access to these locations and activities is cheaper and more convenient using the Hokuriku Arch Pass, providing unlimited travel for short-term overseas visitors for 7 consecutive days on most Shinkansen, limited express, express and ordinary trains connecting the Tokyo metropolitan area, Kyoto, and Osaka via Hokuriku. The pass also includes services to and from Narita, Haneda, and Kansai International Airports.

Additionally, the pass offers discounts for many other attractions, transportation, and shopping throughout the regions covered by the pass. Details are available on the website.

JR East : Hokuriku Arch Pass | Fares & Passes | JR-EAST (jreast.co.jp)

JR West : Hokuriku Arch Pass (westjr.co.jp)

Be sure to check out our other articles about adventurous travel destinations with the Hokuriku Arch Pass:
Japan’s “New Golden Route” Transforms to “Rainbow Route” with a New Addition in Spring 2024
The New Golden Route: Getting Outdoorsy with the Hokuriku Arch Pass

Purchase the Hokuriku Arch Pass online from outside of Japan for just 24,500 yen or within Japan for 25,500 yen. Remember, only short-term overseas travelers are eligible to purchase this coveted pass, so check the details carefully online.

Sponsored by Tokyo, Gunma Prefecture, Niigata Prefecture, Nagano Prefecture, Toyama Prefecture, Gifu Prefecture, Ishikawa Prefecture, Fukui Prefecture, Shiga Prefecture, Kyoto,  JR EAST, JR WEST