JR West Launches the WESTER Points Kansai-Hokuriku Free Pass
JR West is releasing the WESTER Points Kansai-Hokuriku Free Pass, a special ticket you get with WESTER Points. It gives unlimited rides for three consecutive days on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, the Limited Express Thunderbird and Shirasagi, and conventional-line local trains centered on Osaka, Kyoto and Shiga. The pass costs 6,000 points for adults and 3,000 points for children. It lets you use saved-up WESTER Points on a rail trip between Kansai and Hokuriku.
At a Glance
- Railway company: JR West
- Product: WESTER Points Kansai-Hokuriku Free Pass
- Deal: Unlimited rides for 3 consecutive days on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, limited express trains and local trains within the free travel area
- Reserved seats: Up to 6 ordinary-car reserved seat uses in total on the Hokuriku Shinkansen and limited express trains
- Points required: 6,000 points (adults) / 3,000 points (children)
- Valid for travel: October 13 – December 24, 2026
- On sale: October 1 – December 22, 2026 (from one month before the travel date up to the travel date)
Free Travel Area: Shinkansen, Limited Express and Local Trains Combined
Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tsuruga – Itoigawa)
The pass covers the Hokuriku Shinkansen between Tsuruga and Itoigawa stations. You can ride the Shinkansen toward Fukui, Kanazawa and Toyama. This section is the backbone of a trip around Hokuriku.
Limited Express Thunderbird (Osaka – Tsuruga)
The Limited Express Thunderbird between Osaka and Tsuruga is also included. Transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen at Tsuruga, and this single pass covers a round trip between Osaka and Hokuriku.
Limited Express Shirasagi (Maibara – Tsuruga)
The Limited Express Shirasagi is covered between Maibara and Tsuruga. You can take it from Maibara in Shiga Prefecture to Tsuruga. Connect to the Hokuriku Shinkansen there, and you have a route to Hokuriku from the Shiga side.
Local Trains (Centered on Osaka, Kyoto and Shiga)
Conventional-line local trains centered on Osaka, Kyoto and Shiga are also unlimited for the three days. You can use them for getting to and from Hokuriku, and also for sightseeing and transfers within Kansai. Check JR West’s official information for the exact lines and stations covered.
Up to 6 Reserved Seats in Total: How to Allocate Them
Within the free travel area, you can use ordinary-car reserved seats on the Hokuriku Shinkansen and limited express trains up to six times in total. The Shinkansen and limited express trains do not have separate allowances. The six uses are shared between them.
Here is an example. If you travel from Osaka to Hokuriku and reserve a seat on each train, the outbound trip uses two (the Thunderbird and the Hokuriku Shinkansen). The return trip uses another two, for a total of four. You could use the remaining two for Shinkansen trips within Hokuriku. More transfers use up your allowance faster, so decide in advance which segments need a reserved seat. Check the official information beforehand for how uses are counted and what happens beyond six.
Validity Period and When to Buy
The pass can be used from October 13 to December 24, 2026. It is valid for three consecutive days, so you must start by December 22 at the latest to fit all three days within the period.
It is on sale from October 1 to December 22. You can buy it from one month before your travel date up to the travel date itself. The period runs from the autumn travel season to just before year-end, so planning is easier if you arrange the pass once your dates are set.
Points Required
The pass requires 6,000 points for adults and 3,000 points for children. You get it with WESTER Points rather than cash, so it is a way to use points earned through everyday shopping and train travel. For three days, it covers:
- The Osaka – Tsuruga limited express
- The Tsuruga – Itoigawa Hokuriku Shinkansen
- Kansai local trains
That gives plenty of flexibility for a round trip between Kansai and Hokuriku.
Sample Itineraries
Hokuriku Loop from Kansai (3 Days)
- Day 1: Take the Limited Express Thunderbird from Osaka to Tsuruga, then transfer to the Hokuriku Shinkansen toward Hokuriku
- Day 2: Explore cities along the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tsuruga – Itoigawa)
- Day 3: Return to Osaka via the Hokuriku Shinkansen and the Thunderbird
Combining Shiga, Kyoto and Hokuriku
- Sightsee around Kyoto and Shiga by local train
- Take the Limited Express Shirasagi from Maibara to Tsuruga, then the Hokuriku Shinkansen to destinations across Hokuriku
- Head back toward Osaka on the Thunderbird
Things to Know Before You Go
- The pass is valid for three consecutive days and must be used on consecutive days.
- Ordinary-car reserved seats on the Shinkansen and limited express trains are limited to six uses in total.
- Covered sections are Tsuruga – Itoigawa on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, Osaka – Tsuruga on the Thunderbird and Maibara – Tsuruga on the Shirasagi. Check in advance how trips beyond these sections are handled.
- You can buy the pass from one month before the travel date up to the travel date. Sales end December 22.
- For the local train area, how to buy, changes, refunds and other details, see JR West’s official information.
Source: https://www.traicy.com/posts/20261002382025/