The Kaga Regional Collaboration Promotion Council—comprising NEXCO Central Japan and the six cities and towns of Minami-Kaga in Ishikawa Prefecture—began selling “Hayatabi: ‘Welcome to the Land of Kaga Drive Plan,’” a travel package exclusively for ETC-equipped vehicles, on July 8.
The usage period for fiscal year 2026 has been extended to July 15 through December 25 (excluding the Obon holiday, Silver Week, and three-day weekends). The “Expressway Tour Pass,” which offers unlimited use of expressways in the Hokuriku region—including the six cities and towns of Kaga (Nonoichi City, Hakusan City, Kawakita Town, Nomi City, Komatsu City, and Kaga City), and includes a 3,000-yen “Regional Gift Certificate” that can be used at approximately 100 locations, including tourist facilities and restaurants in the six municipalities of Southern Kaga.
The fees for a two-day pass are 8,400 yen for standard cars and 7,000 yen for light vehicles, including motorcycles. This year, a new three-day plan is also available, priced at 8,800 yen for standard cars and 7,300 yen for light vehicles.
For example, if you use Ichinomiya IC as your starting and ending point to enjoy two weekday days of sightseeing in downtown Kanazawa, touring the Kaga area, staying at a hot spring inn, and shopping in downtown Tsuruga, the usual cost would be 14,370 yen (11,370 yen in expressway tolls + 3,000 yen in regional gift certificates). With this plan, however, the total cost is only 8,400 yen (6,900 yen for the Expressway Tour Pass + 1,500 yen in regional gift certificates), representing a 41% savings.
In all cases, you must apply in advance through the official NEXCO Central Japan website.
© Source travel watch