UPDATED! Japan Rail Pass: The Ultimate Guide (2024 Edition)

Eric, You can overlap a JR West Pass with a JR East Pass as both JR West and JR East are sepearte companies, however if you just travelling between Kyoto and Tokyo it does not make sense unless you are planning to explore the Hokuriku area on the way (as that is the only way that you can directly pass from JR West Kansai region in to JR East territory, and anyway to do that there is the jointly issued pass the Hokuriku Arch Pass which allows travel between Kansai and Tokyo area via Hokuriku, but is basically designed for those who want to explore Hokuriku.

If you just want to travel between Kyoto and Tokyo, this is what it looks like: Quickest way: Tokaido Shinkansen (operator JR Tokai) Nozomi service 2 hrs 12mins cost Y14,170 (Hikari service takes about 2hrs 40mins cost Y13,850) Via Hokuriku: Travelling via Limited Express Thunderbird and Limited Express Thunderbird: (Hokuriku shinkansen Kagayaki service 4 1/2 hrs cost Y18,970 Hakutaka service 5 1/4 hrs same cost: Hokuriku Arch Pass Y30,000 (note: Hokuriku Shinkansen Kagayaki services mostly run early to mid morning and mid to late afternoon)

So travelling from Kyoto to Tokyo buying a Hokuriku Arch Pass does really make sense, unless you are doing multiple stop offs. The pass is designed for people travelling from Tokyo or Kansai who want to explore Hokuriku (lots of places to visit)over the 7 day validity of the ticket and return or go on to either Tokyo or Kansai, or for those who want to do return travel between Tokyo and Kyoto with stops in the Hokuriku region in each direction.

JR West (and JR Tokai) do other passes to travel to the Hokuriku area, but apart from the JR Tokai Alpine-Tateyama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass, none of the other passes connect to JR East territory, and the JR Tokai pass mentioned does not make sense for you as it does not go into Kansai and you need at least a day to travel that route (and it is seasonal)- but is a great pass if you want to do the Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Pass.

My suggestion if you want to visit Kanazawa, is to buy ordinary tickets. With a stop over at Kanazawa will cost you Y20,000 (if you a through basic fare ticket). If you just want to travel between Kyoto and Tokyo, use the Tokaido Shinkansen (you do not see much from the Hokuriku Shinkansen as it much of the way it is in tunnels)

Note: I have based all the above on post March 15th. fares and schedules when the Hokuriku shinkansen extension opens. Also, and importantly, whether any pass is worthwhile, really depends on your travel plans, so as you can see I have made a big assumption which may or may not be true in your case (I would be happy if I am wrong and you do intend exploring the Hokuriku region – there is lots to see!)