How to use Kansai Thru Pass. Compare pass and single fare.

Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara
Dotonbori(道頓堀) is most popular spot in downtown Osaka.
Dotonbori(道頓堀) is most popular spot in downtown Osaka.

Kansai Thru Pass is one of the best pass if you travel in Kansai area. This pass offers the unlimited travel of most non JR trains, the subway lines and most local bus services. It covers most part of this region, such as Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, Nara, Wakayama, Koyasan and Himeji.

In this post, I would like to explain this pass and you will find how to use this pass.

Who is eligible

The overseas tourist with short stay status and Japanese who lives abroad as a permanent resident can purchase it. And also a person with overseas tourist as a guide can purchase this pass.

Types and prices

2-day pass and 3-day pass are available. If you purchase it online, the price is slightly cheaper.

Purchasing online

TYPESAdultChild (6-12yrs)
2-Day4,380 yen2,190 yen
3-Day5,400 yen2,700 yen

Purchasing in Japan

TYPESAdultChild (6-12yrs)
2-Day4,480 yen2,240 yen
3-Day5,600 yen2,800 yen

You can use this pass on unconsecutive days on the sales period.

e.g.
Day 1 – Day trip to Kyoto from Osaka (Kansai Thru Pass the first day of 3-day)
Day 2 – Visit USJ (not use Kansai Thru Pass)
Day 3 – Day trip to Koyasan from Osaka (Kansai Thru Pass the second day of 3-day)
Day 4 – Stay in Osaka (not use Kansai Thru Pass)
Day 5 – Day trip to Kobe and Himeji (Kansai Thru Pass the third day of 3-day)

The sales period is usually year by year, April to March in next year. Actually you can pick any three days (two days for two days pass) in this sales period. The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 O’clock at night.

Under 6 years is free of charge. You are not required to buy the pass for the child who is 0 to 5 years old.

How to purchase

If you want to buy it in advance online, you can refer the official site of Kansai Thru Pass:

Kansai Thru Pass official site – Internet Purchase

You also can purchase it at Klook. Klook is one of the biggest ticket seller. You can buy it at your country’s currency. The price may be cheaper than Kansai Thru Pass official site:

Kansai Thru Pass online purchasing by Klook

You also can purchase this pass at Kansai Airport Tourist Information Center and other many visitor centers in Kansai area. Please see the list of sales location in the Kansai Thru Pass official site:

Kansai Thru Pass official site – Where to buy in Japan

I would like to show you price comparison between pass and single fare later in this post.

Coverage area

Please refer the map in Kansai Thru Pass official site.

The pass covers most of Kansai area, such as Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama, Kansai airport, Osaka airport, Kobe airport, Himeji, Mt. Koya and Otsu (beside Biwako lake)

You can go almost every popular spots by this pass without any extra fares. As long as I know, there are a few major spots where cannot be accessed by this pass.

USJ (Universal Studio Japan)

You have to take JR Yumesaki line to get Universal City station. This pass does not cover JR train. The nearest station where you can get by Kansai Thru Pass is Nishikujo. Please find the information about the train network in the link below:

Yoshino

Yoshino is popular to see the cherry blossom in the spring season. Kintetsu Railway connects Osaka-Abenobashi (same location as Tennoji) and Yoshino. Kansai Thru Pass covers Kintetsu Railway but it does not cover whole lines of Kintetsu Railway. Yoshino is outside the coverage area of this pass. You have to add the fare for Tsubosakayama to Yoshino which is the segment outside the coverage area.

The extra fare is 430 yen for one way. You can pay this extra fare when you exit Yoshino station. You can show your Kansai Thru Pass at the gate with the station staff. The staff collects the fare. You can buy the ticket to Tsubosakayama when you leave Yoshino. You can show both the ticket and Kansai Thru Pass when you arrive in Osaka-Abenobashi or other stations where you want to get off.

Nagoya

Nagoya is not in Kansai region and it is completely outside the coverage area as you probably understand. But Kansai Thru Pass covers Kintetsu Railway and Kintetsu Railway runs between Osaka-Namba and Nagoya. Sometimes it makes you get confusing. Kintetsu Railway is the biggest private railway companies in Japan. Kansai Thru Pass does not cover whole part of Kintetsu Railway network. Kansai Thru Pass covers Kintetsu Railway in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara only.

Valid trains and bus lines

Kansai Thru Pass does not include the limited express surcharge. You have to pay additional to take Nankai Airport Express Rapi:t (in the photo above), Kintetsu railway limited express trains.

The pass covers most of non JR railway lines, all subway lines in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, and most local/city bus services. You can find the full list of the coverage transportation in the official site. I show you the major services here.

  • Nankai railway (Osaka, Koyasan, Kansai airport and Wakayama)
  • Hankyu railway (Osaka, Mino, Kobe, Kyoto and Takarazuka)
  • Hanshin railway (Osaka, Kobe)
  • Keihan railway (Osaka, Kyoto, Otsu, Uji)
  • Kintetsu railway (Osaka, Nara, Kyoto)
  • Sanyo railway (Kobe, Himeji)
  • Kobe railway (Kobe, Arima onsen, Sanda)
  • Keifuku railway, a.k.a. Randen (Arashiyama)
  • Eizan railway (Kifune, Hieizan)
  • Osaka Metro subway and city bus
  • Kyoto city subway and city bus
  • Kobe city subway and city bus
  • Osaka Monorail (Itami airport)
  • Kobe Portliner (Kobe airport)

Any JR lines are not covered by Kansai Thru Pass. Please see the link below to find the information of the train network in Kansai area:

Highway bus and Airport limousine bus are not covered by Kansai Thru Pass. And the limited express seat fee requires on top of Kansai Thru Pass to take the following trains:

  • Kintetsu Railway limited express trains among Osaka-Namba, Osaka-Uehonmachi, Tsuruhashi, Kyoto and Nara
  • Nankai Railway limited express “Rapi:t” between Kansai airport, Tengachaya, Shin-Imamiya and Namba
  • Nankai Railway limited express “Koya” and “Rinkan” between Namba and Hashimoto/Gokurakubashi
  • Nankai Railway sightseeing train “Tenku” between Hashimoto and Gokurakubashi
  • Nankai Railway limited express “Southern” between Namba and Wakayama
    This train has non reserved seat too. If you ride on non reserved seat car, no extra charge is required. But accommodation is completely different. Reserved seat is an express train seat but non reserved seat is a commute trains’ interior. You may have to stand up.
  • Keihan Railway limited express Premium car
    This train has non reserved seat too. Non reserved seat is not bad but reserved seat is much bigger.

Other railway company, such as, Hankyu, Hanshin, Sanyo, operate the limited express trains. But these trains are just the fastest train. Some of trains have better interior than a local train. But any extra charge is not required.

Compare cost between pass and single fare

Kaiyukan aquarium is one of the most popular venues in Osaka. You can access there by Osaka Metro Chuo line. Kansai Thru Pass covers all lines of Osaka Metro. ©JNTO

I show you some trip plans and compare the cost. Actually it is not easy to spend same cost as 2-day pass at 4,300 yen.

Kansai airport to Osaka (Namba and other area in downtown)

If you go to Namba area, Nankai railway is the best choice. The fare is 920 yen. But as I mentioned above, you have to pay another 520 yen at least to take the Limited Express “Rapi:t”. Of course there are many express trains without any extra charge between Kansai airport and Namba. If you want to save the money, don’t take Rapi:t.

You can transfer to most of subway lines at Namba. You can access to most of places in downtown Osaka by subway. Subway fare is from 200 yen. If you go to Umeda from Namba, fare is 230 yen. But if you will stay in Shin-Osaka area, consider to take limited express Haruka. It gives you direct access there. Even if you stay in Umeda area, JR Kansai Airport Rapid takes you JR Osaka station (Umeda) directly. Please refer the post, How to access from Kansai airport to downtown Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.

If you use one of two days in Kansai Thru Pass, you need to spend another 3,000 yen on next day. Otherwise it is hard to get your money worth. I think it is not a good idea to use the pass for Kansai airport access. I recommend you to use Rapi:t Tokudane Return-trip ticket (round trip by Rapi:t between Namab/Shin-Imamiya/Tengachaya and Kansai airport) or
Kanku Chikatoku ticket (Nankai railway base fare from Kansai airport to Namba and subway one way ticket) at 980 yen.

Kansai airport to Kyoto

Actually it is not a good idea. Total fare is 1,550 yen. You can spend more than access to Osaka. But there is no direct train. The best way to Kyoto from Kansai airport is the following:

Kansai airport -> (Nankai) -> Tengachaya -> (Osaka subway Sakisuji line/Hankyu) -> Awaji -> (Hankyu) -> Kawaramachi

Subway Sakaisuji line and Hankyu go through the trains each other. But usually you need to transfer the train at Awaji. You have to transfer at least twice at Tengachaya and Awaji. And there are only commute trains between Tengachaya and Kawaramachi. And also if you stay around JR Kyoto station area, you need to transfer to Kyoto subway at Karasuma. I think it is too much right after you arrive by international flight. If you really want to take this route (Nankai-Subway-Hankyu), you can use Kyoto Access Ticket at 1,200 yen. This gives you better deal. You may be stay in Kyoto on next day for sightseeing. You can purchase Kyoto city pass (subway and city bus) at 1,200 yen for one day. Total cost will be much cheaper than Kansai Thru Pass.

But I recommend to use JR lines instead of above route, especially limited express Haruka. That train take you to Kyoto directly. It is much more comfortable and there are a few good deal, JR West Kansai area pass and ICOCA and Haruka. Please refer the post, Direct access to Shin Osaka, Kyoto from Kansai airport, Kansai Airport Limited Express “Haruka”.

Kansai airport to Kobe

There is no direct access as well. Total fare is 1,290 yen. Kobe Access Ticket at 1,100 yen is also available. If you want to save your days of Kansai Thru Pass, this ticket gives you better deal. The fastest and easiest way it the following:

Kansai airport -> (Nankai) -> Namba -> (Walk) -> Osaka-Namba -> (Hanshin) -> Sannomiya (Average travel time is 100 minutes)

If you take Rapi:t, travel time is getting 5 to 10 minutes shorter. Hanshin’s Osaka-Namba station is not far from Nankai Namba station. But you need to exit from Nankai station and walk about 5 minutes at least.

If you take JR trains, single fare is 1,660 yen. And travel time is almost same.

Kansai airport -> (limited express Haruka) -> Shin-Osaka -> (Special Rapid) -> Sannomiya (Average travel time is 90 minutes)
or
Kansai airport -> (Kansai Airport Rapid) -> Osaka -> (Special Rapid) -> Sannomiya (Average travel time is 105 minutes)

If you worry about transfer at Namba, I recommend you to take JR. You still need to transfer the train even if you take JR trains. But you can transfer the trains in the station. There are many more signs and it is obviously easier.

Kansai airport to Nara

There is no direct access as well. Total fare is 1,430 yen. Nara Access Ticket at 1,200 yen is available as well. If you want to save your days of Kansai Thru Pass, this ticket gives you better deal. The fastest and easiest way it the following:

Kansai airport -> (Nankai) -> Namba -> (Walk) -> Osaka-Namba -> (Kintetsu) -> Nara (Average travel time is 100 minutes)

If you take Rapi:t, travel time is getting 5 to 10 minutes shorter. Kintetsu’s Osaka-Namba station is same station as Hanshin Osaka-Namba station. These two railway companies’s trains go through each other. You need to exit from Nankai station to get Kintetsu Osaka-Namba station and walk about 5 minutes at least.

If you take JR trains, single fare is 1,660 yen. And travel time is a bit shorter than Nankai-Kintetsu combination. If you take Haruka, you can save another 10 to 15 minutes.

Kansai airport -> (limited express Haruka) -> Tennoji -> (Yamatohji Rapid) -> Nara (Average travel time is 75 minutes)
or
Kansai airport -> (Kansai Airport Rapid) -> Tennoji -> (Yamatoji Rapid) -> Nara (Average travel time is 90 minutes)

Transfer at Tennoji by JR trains are much easier than transfer at Namba between Nankai station and Kintetsu station.

Day trip to Kyoto from Osaka

Kiyomizudera is one of most popular temple in Kyoto Higashiyama area. ©Sue Ann Simon/©JNTO

Hankyu Railway and Keihan Railway take you to Kyoto from Umeda by Hankyu, from Yodoyabashi, Tenmabashi and Kyobashi by Keihan. One way fare to Kyoto is about 400 yen. Most of you take subway or city bus for sightseeing in Kyoto. If you purchase one day city pass for subway and city bus, it is 1,200 yen for one day and 2,000 yen for 2 days. But Kansai Thru Pass includes Kyoto subway and city bus.
So if you use Kansai Thru Pass for this trip, you can spend 2,000 yen worth at least. But if you have same trip in two days in row, total cost is 2,000 yen (Kyoto 2 days pass) + 1,600 yen (Keihan or Hankyu two round trips) = 3,600 yen. Actually Kansai Thru Pass 2 days is not cheaper. There are still some more cases that you can spend more.
*If you stay in Namba or other areas and need to take Osaka subway to get Hankyu or Keihan station, you will spend another 200 yen worth. At result, Kansai Thru Pass may be cheaper.
*If you go to Arashiyama and other areas (Kyomizudera temple, Kinkakuji temple, etc) in one day, you may be take Keifuku Railway, subway and bus in one day. Keifuku Railway runs among Arashiyama, Kitano-Hakubaicho (near Kintakuji) and Shijo-Omiya. Basic fare is only 200 yen. But this 200 yen makes your cost of Kansai Thru Pass cheaper than regular fare.
*If you go to Kurama by Eizan Railway, one way fare is 410 yen. If you go to Kurama, Kansai Thru Pass is the best choice.

Day trip to Kyoto from Kobe

The only difference from day trip to Kyoto from Osaka is round trip fare to Kyoto. One way is 600 yen by Hankyu. But Hankyu do not have any direct train from Sannomiya (downtown Kobe) to Kyoto. You need to transfer the train at Juso (junction of Kyoto line and Kobe line) or Umeda. One day total cost (Hankyu fare+Kyoto 1 day Pass) is 2,400 yen. It is smart way to use Kansai Thru Pass.

Day trip to Nara from Osaka or Kyoto

Actually Nara is very accessible by Kintetsu Railway from both Kyoto and Osaka. You can catch Kintetsu train at Osaka-Namba, Kintetsu-Nihonbashi, Osaka-Uehonmachi and Tsuruhashi. Osaka-Namba station is located within walking distance from Nankai Namba and Subway Namba. And also Kintetsu-Nihonbashi is same location as Subway Nihobashi, Osaka-Uehonmachi is same location as Subway Tanimachi Kyuchome and Tsuruhashi is same location as JR Osaka Kanjo line Tsuruhashi.

On way fare from Namba/Kintetsu-Nihonbashi/Osaka-Uehonmachi to Nara is 540 yen and travel time is 40 minutes. Travel time and fare from Tsuruhashi to Nara are 480 yen and 35 minutes.

If you access to Nara from Kyoto, you can use Kintetsu line too. Kintetsu Kyoto station is exactly same location as JR Kyoto station. One way fare is 610 yen and travel time is 50 minutes.

But actually most of popular spots are within walking distance from Kintetsu Nara station. Please refer the post, How to access to Nara by Japan Rail Pass. If you don’t use JR Pass, Kintetsu Railway is more convenient. to get the details about Nara. If you access to the spots where is located at other than city center of Nara, like Houryuju temple, Heiankyo, you need to get some more trips. But as long as you see the spots around Nara stations, Kansai Thru Pass is not the best choice. Total fare is too low to use Kansai Thru Pass.

Day trip to Kobe from Osaka or Kyoto

You can get discount when you go in Port tower at Harborland by Kansai Thru Pass. ©JNTO

Sannomiya (downtown Kobe) can be accessed by Hankyu or Hanshin. From Umeda, both Hanshin and Hankyu have stations. Travel time and fare are completely same. Those are 310 yen and 30 minutes.

If you depart from Namba, you can catch Hanshin train at Osaka-Namba. Travel time is 40 minutes and fare is 400 yen.

If you depart from Kyoto, it is reverse way from Kobe to Kyoto. You can take Hankyu but you need to transfer at Juso or Umeda. Travel time is 70 minutes and one way fare is 600 yen.

As you see, return fare to Kobe is not so expensive. If you want to use Kansai Thru Pass for trip to Kobe, you need to take extra transportation in Kobe. There are Kobe subway and Port Liner. You can take subway to Harborland (Kobe port waterfront area) and Port Liner to Port Island. Basic fare starts at 200 yen. If you have several trip, you can make around 500 yen value.

Day trip to Himeji from Osaka, Kobe or Kyoto

Himeji Castle is most beautiful castle in Japan. It is well know as UNESCO World Heritage Site. ©JNTO

Sanyo Railway runs train service between Sannomiya (Kobe) and Sanyo-Himeji (same place as JR Himeji station). Both Sanyo and Hanshin go through the train each other. “Direct Limited Express” connects Hanshin Umeda with Sanyo-Himeji directly. Some of Sanyo trains operate to Hankyu Sannomiya station too. You can transfer from/to Sanyo and Hankyu at Sannomiya station.

If you access from Sannomiya (Kobe) or Umeda, you can take Direct Limited Service to Sanyo-Himeji. If you access from Kyoto, the easiest way is using Hankyu to Sannomiya and transfer to Sanyo trains. Travel time and one way fare are the following:

From Sannomiya to Sanyo-Himeji – 60-65 minutes / 940 yen
From Umeda to Sanyo-Himeji – 90-100 minutes / 1,450 yen
From Kawaramachi (Kyoto) to Sanyo-Himeji via Hankyu Sannomiya – 130 minutes / 1,540 yen

If you use Kansai Thru Pass for trip to Himeji, you can easily get more value than price of pass. However, if you use JR trains Special Rapid Service, it is so much faster.

Kyoto -(28 minutes)- Osaka -(22 minutes)- Sannomiya -(40 minutes)- Himeji

Special Rapid Service is operated between Himeji and Kyoto directly. It is 30 minutes shorter between Osaka and Himeji, and 40 minutes faster between Kyoto and Himeji. It is much faster and more convenient. So JR West Kansai Area Pass may be considerable. JR’s return fare between Osaka and Himeji is 2,900 yen. It is much cheaper than 1 day Kansai Area Pass at 2,000 yen.

Day or overnight trip to Mt. Koya

Nankai Railway connects Namba with Mt. Koya. This train is the easiest and the fastest to get Mt. Koya. Please refer the post, How to access World Heritage Mt. Koya. Japan Rail Pass can be used to get Mt. Koya?.

One way fare from Namba to Mt. Koya is 1,230 yen by Nankai Railway and Nankai Koyasan Cable Car. If you want to take Limited Express “Koya”, you need to pay express surcharge, 760 yen. This surcharge is not included in Kansai Thru Pass. And also Kansai Thru Pass cover most of local bus lines on Mt. Koya. So you can get maximum value to use the pass for the trip to Mt. Koya.

However if you stay in Mt. Koya, you spend 2 days. It is very hard to get same value as Kansai Thru Pass 2 days at 3,800 yen. It is very hard to get the value of 3 days either. If you have overnight trip to Mt. Koya, please think about Koyasan-World Heritage Ticket. It includes return fare, local bus and limited express surcharge too. Of course you can use this ticket for day trip too.

Assesment

If you use Kansai Thru Pass for trip to Kyoto, Himeji and Mt. Koya, you must get more value than price. On the other hand, it is hard to get the value for trip to Kobe and Nara basically. And you have to compare Kansai Thru Pass and other pass/ticket, such as JR West Kansai Area Pass, Koyasan-World Heritage Ticket for trip to Mt. Koya or Himeji.

However this pass is still useful. Because you might use the pass after you finish your day trip. Especially if you stay in Osaka, you might have a lots of chance to take Osaka subway after you finish day trip for shopping or dining. Minimum fare of Osaka subway is 200 yen. For example, if you have return trip to Shinsaibashi from Namba, it costs 400 yen. You can make 1,000 yen value easily for just using Osaka subway.

And also you can get discount at more than 350 attractions by Kansai Thru Pass. This is a big benefit, like 100 yen discount at Kaiyukan aquarium, Osaka castle, and many more.
Full list of facilities where you can get benefit (PDF file)

If you stay in Kansai area for 4 or more days, think about using multiple passes, such as Kansai Thru Pass and JR West Kansai Area Pass. I hope this post will help you to find the best and most economical way.

Comments

  1. Addy says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thanks for the very informative help in this blog.

    I will be travelling to Kansai this Dec and would like to get your expert opinion on what passes would be best for the following itinerary:

    Day 1: Osaka: Osaka Castle – Umeda – Dotonbori – Back to Namba
    Day 2: Namba to Kyoto: Yamazaki Distillery – Kyoto Distillery – Fushimi Inari – Stay in Kyoto
    Day 3: Kyoto: Kiyomizudera- Yasaka Shrine- Higashiyama Jisho-ji – Stay in Kyoto
    Day 4: Kyoto: Arashiyama – Kinkakuji – Nishiki Market – Stay in Kyoto
    Day 5: Kyoto to Nara to Osaka: Todaiji – Nara Park – Hōryūji – Stay in Namba
    Day 6: Osaka to Kobe to Osaka: to Himeji Castle – Stay in Namba

    Thanks for your help in advance!

  2. Chadi Abdo says:

    Dear Takeshi, thank you so much for the blog. This information is wonderful!
    Based on my itenerary below, I understand that the best way is to take I&H from kansai airport to Kyoto, then 1 day JR west kansai rail pass for the day trip to Himeji, & koyasan world heritage ticket for the trip to mount Koya.

    Do you agree?
    Would we need other tickets/day passes during our trip? Can you please advise?

    & can all the above be bought in Japan, or should we buy them in advance online?
    (9day trip to this wonderful place)

    Day 1- Kansai Airport ; transfer to Kyoto (hotel). Spend day around hotel near Gion
    Day 2 -Eastern Kyoto Full Day. I understood this is all walking distance.
    Day 3 -Arashiyama full day (Tenryuji Temple, bamboo groves, monkey park, the quiet streets and small temples in the quaint, rural district north of Arashiyama. boat ride down the river).
    Day 4 – Northern Kyoto Half Day (Kinkakuji, Ryoanji, Zen garden)
    Day 5 -Nara Daytrip (full day)
    Day 6 -Himeji Daytrip. I was told I should use a 1-day JR West Kansai Rail Pass to take the “special rapid” train to Himeji and spend a half day visiting Himeji Castle. Spend the rest of the day in Osaka.
    Day 7-Osaka Bay Area and Kita District
    Travel to the Osaka Bay Area, Visit Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan),kids plaza, Eat Lunch at Tempozan Marketplace, Travel from Osaka Bay Area to the Kita District, Explore the Kita District, Travel to the Osaka Castle Area, Visit Osaka Castle, Dinner in Kita, Minami or Central Osaka.
    Day 8- osaka other options – Minami District and Tennoji
    Explore Minami, Dotombori Area and Lunch, Visit Hozenji Yokocho, Walk through Doguyasuji Arcade, Visit Den-Den Town, Eat dinner in Minami, Check out the evening views from the Abeno Harukas 300 observation decks in Tennoji
    or visit universal studios
    Day 9- Depart from Kansai Airport

  3. Nina Angela Zarraga says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    First off thank you for being such a great help to people like us who’s really confused with the Japan Rail System. Thank you!

    It’s my first time in Japan and I just wanted to get your opinion on which Train Pass to buy. Here’s our itinerary:

    Day 1 – Arrive at Chubu Airport. Proceed to Osaka
    – Arrive at Osaka.
    – Check-in at Airbnb near Nippombashi Station
    – Tour Osaka in the afternoon

    Day 2 – Osaka to Kyoto. Day tour in Kyoto. Go back to Osaka

    Day 3 – USJ

    Day 4 – Osaka to Nara in the morning. Go back to Osaka
    – Go back to Nagoya at lunch time

    Day 5 – LEGOLAND. Go back to Chubu Airport in the afternoon

    Which do you think is better considering that we are coming and going back to Chubu Airport : Kintetsu 5-Days Rail Pass or ride Willer Bus to Osaka – Nagoya then buy Kansai Thru Pass with other packages?

    Appreciate your help. Thank you!!

    – Nina

  4. Mel says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    Thank you for your effort for all these information. Nevertheless, I will need your advise on whether should i get 3 day Kansai Thru pass or other passes in combination.
    FYI,
    1. I have JR pass because i will be making a round trip from Tokyo.
    2. I will be staying at Umeda and making day trips to Kyoto.

    Day 1 (Osaka):
    Kuromon Ichibi Market, Namba, Dontobori, Shisnsaibashi

    Day 2 (Kyoto & Osaka):
    Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Philosopher’s path, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Nishiki Market, Gion > back to Umeda/Namba

    Day 3 (Kyoto):
    From Umeda, Arashiyama, Kinkakuji-Temple, Nishiki Market, Nijo Castle, Gion > to tokyo

    I might add on spots if time permits.
    Would really appreciate your help!

    Cheers
    Mel

  5. Malena Rojas says:

    Hello takeshi. My name is Malena, i m from Peru. I will go to japan on october, this is my third visit to japan but it s gonna be my first time using Kansai Thru Pass. I will stay in osaka. I will visit nara, kobe, mt koya, kyoto. Kansai Thru Pass covers all the way to Mt. Koya and also the buses at koyasan? I m a little confused if i need to pay extra or not at the nankai railway line. Are there differents categories at nankai railway line? If i don t want to take the Limited Express and pay extra 760 yen, what other train can i use that it is include at the kansai thru pass? Thank you for your help

  6. Polly says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    Hello! I hope you don’t mind helping me with the passes. We will be in Osaka from May 20-27. My itinerary is as follows:
    Day 1 Arrive Kansai at 9pm – Kix to Nippombashi Stn (staying near nippombashi stn)
    Day 2 Dotonbori / Kuromon area
    Day 3 Osaka-Kyoto : Arashimaya / Fushimi Inari / Nishiki Market, Nijo Castle (or Kyoto Imperial Palace). Back to Osaka
    Day 4 USJ
    Day 5 Osaka Aquarium / Tempozan Ferris Wheel / Harukas / namba park
    Day 6 Osaka Castle / tenjinbashi-suji shopping street / umeda Sky / Shinsaibshi
    Day 7 Namba area / Kix

    Thank you very very much for your help. I really appreciate it.

  7. Dana says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Does the Kansai thru Pass cover the Kintetsu Nara Line that is Rapid Express (490yen)? I don’t know if this train is reserved seat or not….

    Most important, does the Kansai Thru Pass have the same bus coverage as Kyoto Sightseeing Pass? I don’t want to have to buy another Kyoto Bus Day Pass after I already have Kansai Thru Pass.. I checked the website, but I don’t understand what kind of buses in Kyoto are covered by it. I know there are 3 kinds of buses (Kyoto bus, Kyoto city bus, and Raku bus), yet on their official website, I only see Kyoto Bus covered, and I have no idea what’s KYOTO KEIHAN BUS and KEIHAN KYOTO KOTSU (on their website). Does this mean Kyoto City Bus is not covered by Kansai Thru Pass?
    I having been researching for weeks, but I can’t figure out this coverage. And I am leaving in a week. Help… Thank you!

    • Hi Dana,

      Kansai thru pass covers Kintetsu railway to Nara. Rapid Express is a sort of commute train. It does not have any reserved seat.

      Kansai thru pass covers Kyoto city subway and bus. The coverage of this pass includes “KYOTO MUNICIPAL SUBWAY/BUS”. This is Kyoto city bus and subway. So Kansai thru pass has same coverage of Kyoto city sightseeing card and more, like Keihan railway, Hankyu railway, Randen, Eizan railway.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Dana says:

        Thank you so much for responding!!

        Another question sorry.
        Regarding the day Passes (Osaka visitor ticket, Kyoto Bus day Pass, Kyoto Sightseeing Pass), how is a day calculate?
        Is it by 24hr period after activation? or by the last train/bus (which means if I activate it in the evening, I can only use it for a few hours)?

        This is my itinerary:
        Day 1: Kobe to Kyoto (via Hankyu or JR) early morning. Kyoto day. Will maybe get Kyoto Sightseeing Pass.
        Day 2: Kyoto whole day
        Day 3: Kyoto in the morning, then Kyoto to Osaka (via Hankyu line), Osaka in the afternoon/evening
        Day 4: day trip to Nara (via Kintetsu Nara or JR), Osaka in the evening.
        Day 5: Osaka in the morning, then departure with Nankai Airport line

        I think I will use subway three times a day in Osaka (if I am going to two places and back to hotel).
        Can’t figure out how much transport cost I will have in Kyoto, but most likely three times or 4 times at day (going out to two attractions and back to hotel).

        Do you think Kansai thru Pass may work for me on day 2, 3, 4? Problem is not knowing how much transport within city could cost me…. or I can get Kyoto Sightseeing and Osaka day Pass….

        Thank you for your time. Your website is very informative.

        • Hi Dana,

          I recommend you to use Kansai thru pass 3 days for day 1,3 and 4. You don’t need to use it in 3 consecutive days.

          Day pass in Osaka and Kyoto are available for midnight to midnight. So as you think, if you start to use it in the evening, it’s expired at a few hours later.

          I recommend you to have day pass in Osaka and Kyoto anyway. It’s easy and flexible. Or you may use Kansai one pass. It does not offers unlimited travel but you can take any trains, subways and buses.
          http://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Lisa says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    Can you help me please. I will stay in Osaka from June 1-5 and stay in area Nishinari-ku. So far the plan is:

    June 1:
    Arrive from Hakone, check in, then just wander around in Osaka

    June 2:
    USJ

    June 3:
    Kyoto, Arashimaya-Fushimi Inari-Gion and back to Osaka

    June 4:
    Daytrip to Kobe then head back to Osaka

    June 5:
    Check out and head to KIX

    With this schedule, should I get Kansai Thru pass for 3days or just 2days?

    Thanks a lot

  9. Jessica says:

    Hi Takeshi san,

    I will go to Osaka for 6 days on 2 December to 9 December 2017. And I stay at Osaka, my accommodation is at Naniwa-ku, nearest station is Nankai Namba.

    Our planned itinerary is as below:-

    2 Dec 17 – Day 1:
    KIX – Osaka (Nankai Namba) (Arrival at night)

    3 Dec 17 – Day 2:
    Osaka – Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, America-Mura

    4 Dec 17 – Day 3:
    Kyoto (west, central & east) (Arashimaya, Kinkakuji, Nishiki Market, Nijo Castle, Kiyomizudera Temple, Ginkakuji, Gion,) -> Back to Osaka

    5 Dec 17 – Day 4:
    Kyoto & Nara (Fushimi Inari, Nara Park) -> Back to Osaka

    6 Dec 17 – Day 5:
    Himeji (Himeji Castle) (half day) – Back to Osaka

    7 Dec 17 – Day 6:
    Osaka – Kuromon Market etc

    8 Dec 17 – Day 7:
    Osaka – Momofuku DIY Ramen Museum, Den Den Town, Shinsekai

    9 Dec 17 – Day 8:
    Osaka (Nankai Namba) – KIX

    I’m not sure which pass I should get. It is Kansai thru pass, JR Kansai Area, Icoca or Kintetsu Rail Pass. I will be doing day trips to Kyoto, Nara & Himeji from Namba, Osaka.

    Thanks for your help.

  10. Mark Hawken says:

    Hi Takeshi This pass thing is enough to make your head spin. Can you help me. We arrive 2130 10 May at Kansai Airport and have to get to Namba where we are staying for 2 nights then we will travel to Kyoto on the 12 May returning to Kansai Airport on 14 to travel back to Okinawa early on the 15 May. What is the best for us.

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