This hokuriku can be used in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.. the Tokyo - Osaka shinkansen is not direct but will transit and change trains in Tsuruga, it can still be used from Tokyo to Osaka even though it has to be connected. but the connected trains don't have to be ordered separately, one order can get these 2 trains. the transit time is not long. thunder bird is indeed a feeder for Tsuruga it seems. quite economical if you only want to go to those 2 cities plus Kyoto compared to buying a JR wide pass which is 2 million different.. can also be used for NEX pp Narita trains. so far it's easy and fun to use. delivery doesn't take long to exchange vouchers is also easy.