How to choose discount railway ticket and pass for the trip in Kansai area

Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara
Katsura river in Arashiyama, Kyoto is very popular in Spring and Fall. ©Yasufumi Nishi/© JNTO
Dotonbori (道頓堀) is one of the popular spot around Osaka Namba area. ©JNTO
Dotonbori (道頓堀) is one of the popular spot around Osaka Namba area. ©JNTO

There are JR lines and lots of private railway lines, such as Hankyu, Hanshin, Kintetsu and Keihan in Kansai area. There are so many kinds of ticket or passes as well. It makes you confused to choose it.

In this post, I would like to share the information about the discount tickets and passes that cover Kansai area.

Kansai Thru Pass

  • Online purchasing price (2-day) – Adult : 4,300 yen / Child : 2,150 yen
  • Online purchasing price (3-day) – Adult : 5,300 yen / Child : 2,650 yen
  • Coverage – All Non JR lines, subway lines and city bus in whole part of Kansai area
  • Valid period – 2 or 3 days (not required using in consecutive days)

This is the most recommend one. This pass includes all major private lines and subway lines, such as Hankyu, Hanshin, Keihan, Kintetsu, Nankai, Osaka Metro and Kyoto Subway. You can access Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, Mt. Koya, Kansai airport, Wakayama and many more place. This pass is sold at 5,300 yen for 3-days and 4,300 yen for 2 days. It gives you the greatest value in any railway pass of Kansai area. But if you think about only round trip between Kyoto and Osaka, the regular fare may be cheaper. Please see the details at the post in the link below:

JR West Rail Pass – Kansai Area Pass

  • Price (1-day) – Adult : 2,200 yen / Child : 1,100 yen
  • Price (2-day) – Adult : 4,300 yen / Child : 2,150 yen
  • Price (3-day) – Adult : 5,300 yen / Child : 2,650 yen
  • Price (4-day) – Adult : 6,300 yen / Child : 3,150 yen
  • Coverage – All JR railway lines in whole part of Kansai area
  • Valid period – 1 to 4 days (midnight to midnight)
Limited Express Haruka connects Kansai airport and Kyoto via Tennoji and Shin-Osaka. This is covered by Kansai area pass.
Limited Express Haruka connects Kansai airport and Kyoto via Tennoji and Shin-Osaka. This is covered by Kansai area pass.

This pass includes most of JR lines in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe, Himeji and Kansai airport. But the Shinkansen and all express trains are not covered except Kansai airport express “Haruka”. Please see the details about this pass in the link below:

Hankyu Tourist Pass one day and two days

  • Price (1-day) – Adult : 700 yen / Child:Not available
  • Price (2-day) – Adult : 1,200 yen / Child:not available
  • Coverage – All Hankyu railway lines
  • Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight) and two days (must be used in consecutive days)

Hankyu Railway operates trains among Umeda (Osaka), Takarazuka, Kawaramachi (Kyoto near Gion), Arashiyama (Kyoto) and Kobe (Sannomiya). The price of this deal is very attractive to cover three cities, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. If you access to Kobe-Sannomiya from Umeda, single fare is 320 yen. If you access to Kyoto-Kawaramachi from Umeda, single fare is 400 yen. You can get the worth of one day pass by one round trip to Kyoto-Kawaramachi from Umeda. If you look for deal to access to just Kobe, Arashiyama and Gion area, this is a good choice.

But if you want to visit all part of Kyoto and many places in Kobe, Kansai Thru Pass is better choice. Because you have to take other train or bus than Hankyu Railway. Kansai Thru Pass covers all.

Please see the link below to find more information:

Hankyu Railway official site- Hankyu Tourist Pass

Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass one day and two days

  • Price (1-day) – Adult : 700 yen / Child : 350 yen
  • Price (2-day) – Adult : 1,000 yen / Child : 700 yen
  • Coverage – All Keihan railway lines
  • Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight) and two days (must be used in consecutive days)

Keihan Railway connects Yodoyabashi (Osaka) and Demachiyanagi (Kyoto). It covers Kyoto and Osaka only but the price is cheaper than Hankyu Tourist Pass. And many places in Kyoto are located along Keihan Railway. Fushimi Inari shrine, Uji, Kiyomizu-dera temple and many places in Higashiyama area can be accessed from Keihan Railway stations.

This pass has same issue as Hankyu Tourist Pass. You may have to take subway to get Keihan Railway station in Osaka, such as Yodoyabashi, Nakanoshima, Kitahama, Temmabashi and Kyobashi. And when you visit western part of Kyoto, such as Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji temple, you have to pay extra to access this place. Kansai Thru Pass may be better choice if you have another trip(s).

Please see the link below to find more information about Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass:

Keihan Railway official site – Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass

Kintetsu Rail Pass one day and two days

  • Price (1-day) – Adult : 1,500 yen / Child : 750 yen
  • Price (2-day) – Adult : 2,500 yen / Child : 1,250 yen
  • Coverage – All Keihan railway lines
  • Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight) and two days (must be used in consecutive days)

This deals covers Kintetsu Railway in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara.

In Nara, many of places can be accessed by walk from the station. But this deal can take you to Kyoto station only You cannot use this deal to access to most of places in Kyoto.

Please see the link below to find more information about Kintetsu Rail Pass:

Kintetsu Railway official site – Kintetsu Rail Pass

Hanshin Tourist Pass

  • Price – Adult:700 yen / Child:Not available
  • Coverage – All Hanshin railway lines
  • Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight)

Hanshin Railway operate trains among Umeda (Osaka), Osaka-Namba, Kousoku-Kobe and Kobe (Sannomiya). The price of this deal is very attractive. If you access to Kobe-Sannomiya from Osaka-Nmaba, single fare is 410 yen. It is paid off by just one round trip. If you look for deal to access to just Kobe, this is the one for your trip.

However if you access to Arima-Onsen and/or Himeji, Kansai Thru Pass or Kansai Area Pass may be better choice.

Please see the link below to find more information about Hanshin Tourist Pass:

Hanshin Railway official site – Hanshin Tourist Pass

Kansai Wide Area Pass

Kyushu Shinkansen Sakura and Mizuho give you direct trainsfer to Shin-Osaka from Kyusyu.
All Shinkansen trains non reserved seat on Sanyo Shinkansen are covered by this deal.

If you may travel both inside and outside of Kansai area, Kansai Wide Area Pass is the best choice. You can get same coverage as Kansai area pass in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji and Wakayama. And also this pass covers Kinosaki Onsen, Shirahama, Kii-Katsuura, Shingu, Okayama, Kurashiki and even Takamatsu in Shikoku. You can take non reserved seat on limited express trains and Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Okayama. Please find more information in the post below:

ICOCA and Kansai One Pass

ICOCA is most popular IC card in Kansai area. (C) タンジェント (own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
ICOCA is most popular IC card in Kansai area. (C) タンジェント (own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

You may use these cards to take any trains and buses in all Kansai area. You can use even other area’s card, such as Suica, Pasmo too. These cards give you convenience. You can avoid to purchase a ticket whenever you make a train trip. You can take any kinds of trains, such as JR, subway and Non JR trains. However these cards do not give you any discount and unlimited ride.

If you meet these following things, IC card is your choice.

1. You intend to visit a few places in a day.
2. You need to take several kinds of trains and buses, like subway, Hankyu, Keihan, JR.
3. You cannot fix your plan and want to have some flexibility.

However if you have day trip to other cities, such as day trip to Kyoto from Osaka, Kansai Thru Pass or Kansai Area Pass is better choice in most of cases.

Kansai One Pass

This is same type of card as ICOCA. You can use this pass by same way as ICOCA. But this card is designed for overseas tourist. Preload amount is 2,500 yen (plus 500 yen deposit and sold at 3,000 yen) and you can get discount at many attractions. ICOCA is sold at any JR stations throughout Kansai area. But Kansai One Pass is sold in the designated stations only. Please see the link below to find the detailed information at official site.

Kansai One Pass official site

For traveler who use national or regional pass

If you use JR pass (national pass) or other regional deal, such as Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, JR train network in Kansai area is covered. You may have same or better coverage than Kansai Wide Area Pass. If you use these passes, please try to use this pass as much as you can. I think you may add only city deal, such as bus pass in Kyoto.

For the traveler who stay in Kyoto or Osaka and visit inside city only

These above deals are too much for the city sightseeing only. You may find the deals in the links below:

How to choose the best train pass for sightseeing in Kyoto
How to choose the best train pass for sightseeing in Osaka

I hope you get the best deal in this post and enjoy your trip in Kansai area.

Comments

  1. Trina says:

    Hi Takeshi san,

    All the information you have given is very helpful, although I am very much overwhelmed with all the types of Transportation available in Osaka and Kyoto.

    My husband and I are travelling out of the country together for the first time. He gave me the task to create our itinerary and choose the best value for money transportation in Osaka & Kyoto.

    I’ve read many articles and websites, but I am still confused on which I should get (ICOCA – HARUKA, Kansai Thru, JR Pass, Amazing Osaka and etc.)

    Your suggestion would be highly appreciated and definitely helpful. Here’s our Itinerary:

    Day 1: Osaka
    Arrive (KIX) 5:30 AM
    Bnb Check in is 2:00PM (1-Chome, 4-13 Laforet Valley, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Tokiwa-cho.)
    Osaka Castle
    Umeda Sky Building
    Nipponbashi Den den town
    Minami Area
    America-mura
    Dotombori
    Tokyu Hands Shinsaibashi

    Day 2: Osaka
    Universal Studios
    Orange Street
    Shinsaibashi

    Day 3: Osaka – Kyoto
    Osaka Central fish market
    Dogusuji-ya Arcade
    Tenjimbashi-suji Shopping street
    Kyoto
    Arashiyama
    Nishijin Textile Center
    Bnb Check in 2:00PM (Kirinokicho, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto-fu)

    Day 4: Kyoto – Yamazaki – Kyoto
    Heian-Jingu Shrine
    Zest Underground Shopping Arcade
    Kamiji Kakimoto Store
    Kyoto Imperial Palace
    Kinkaku-ji Castle
    The Temple of the Dragon at Peace
    Myoshin-Ji Temple
    YAMAZAKI Distillery

    Day 5: Kyoto
    Toji Temple
    Yasaka Shrine
    Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine
    Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    Kodai-ji Temple
    Maruyama Park
    Gion Corner
    Maica
    Pontocho District
    Nishiki Market

    Day 6: Kyoto – Osaka – KIX
    We are undecided if we will go straight to KIX from Kyoto or Osaka since our bnb check out is at 10:00am and our flight leaves 8:00PM in KIX airport. Possibly visit Nara if there is time.

    Thank you very much for taking time out to suggest the best passes for us. I look forward to receiving your reply Takeshi-san.

    Regards,
    Trina

  2. Shian says:

    Hi Takeshi-San,

    Thank you for your info on the trains, they have been very informative but I’m still slightly overwhelmed hope you could help.

    I’ll be heading to Japan on early April with 10 friends and my itinerary are almost the same like your post : “Visit Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Kobe for 5 to 7 days sample itinerary”. But we’ll staying at Kyoto for the first 3 days and follow by 4 days in Osaka.

    I’d like to get your advise on which train tickets to get for my following itinerary:

    Day 1: Arriving Kansai Airport at 8.25pm and straightly go to Kyoto (ICOCA & Haruka + Kyoto Sightseeing Card 2 days pass?)
    Day 2: Sightseeing in Kyoto (Kyoto Sightseeing Card again?)
    Day 3: Nara & Nagoya day trip (please suggest)
    Day 4: From Kyoto to Osaka and staying in Osaka for 4 days. (ICOCA & Haruka + Eco Card?)
    Day 5: Kobe and Hilmeji day trip (Kansai Area Pass 1 day?)
    Day 6: Wakayama day trip (please suggest)
    Day 7: Osaka sightseeing (One Day Unlimited Pass – Eco Card}
    Day 8: Back to Osaka and Kansai Airport (please suggest)

    Are we planning in a right way or would you advise to change the Nagoya day trip to others place?

    Appreciate all the help I can get!

    Thanks & Regards,

  3. Doeen says:

    Hi Takeshi san,

    There is no doubt that your blog is really helpful but I too am in awe and overwhelmed with all the information. Could you please advise the transportation passes that suit my itinerary below?

    My itinerary as follows:
    Day 1: Arrive in Fukuoka airport, and then travel to Beppu. Around Beppu. (Stay 1 night in Beppu, near Beppu station)
    Day 2: Travel back to Fukuoka. Around Fukuoka. (Stay 1 night in Fukuoka, near Tenjin station)
    Day 3: Travel to Osaka. Around Osaka – Umeda area (Stay 2 nights in Osaka, probably near Namba station)
    Day 4: Travel to Nara, and then back to Osaka – Namba area
    Day 5-7: Travel to Kyoto. Around Kyoto – Visiting the Unesco places (Stay 3 nights in Kyoto)
    Day 8: Travel to Kanazawa. Around Kanazawa. (Stay 2 nights in Kanazawa)
    Day 9: Travel to Shirakawa-go/Takayama, and then back to Kanazawa.
    Day 10: Travel to Matsumoto via Alpine route. (Stay 1 night in Matsumoto)
    Day 11: Travel to Tokyo. Around Tokyo – Odaiba (Stay 3 nights in Tokyo, probably near Shinjuku station)
    Day 12: Travel to Mount Fuji, and then back to Tokyo – Ikebukuro/Shinjuku
    Day 13: Around Tokyo – Tsukiji/Disney Sea/Roppongi/Shibuya
    Day 14: Around Tokyo – Harajuku/Asakusa/Ueno/Akihabara
    Day 15: Depart from Narita airport.

    Thank you so much.

  4. Alya says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I and my family plan to visit Japan in May. We’ll stay 3 nights in Osaka (near Kishinosato station), dan 3 nights in Tokyo (near Asakusa station).
    And here’s our itinerary:
    Day 1: Arrive in Kansai at 9 am, and proceed to USJ.
    Day 2: Go to Kyoto, daytrip, then back to Osaka.
    Day 3: Around Osaka.
    Day 4: Go to Tokyo, by shinkansen.
    Day 5: Go to Fuji area by rent car.
    Day 6-7: Around Tokyo.
    Day 7: leaving Tokyo in the afternoon.

    We’d like to have your suggestion about the transportation pass we should choose.
    Thank you.

    Regards,
    Alya.

  5. Lonnie says:

    Hello Takeshi-San,
    Like most people I am in awe and overwhelmed with all the information, even though it is very informative.
    Can you advise if my understanding is correct if I choose the Kyoto Sightseeing Two-day Pass Card and a Suica card for my itinerary? Can I use either to go to Kansai Int’l Airport as well?
    17th April – Haneda Airport to Ueno Park, Akiharbara and
    Kamakura.
    18th April – Not sure at this stage. Waiting on friend’s decision.
    19th April – Already purchased Hotel + Train package from
    Kamakura to Kyoto. 2 nights in Kyoto, hotel in
    Shijokarasuma
    – 1st day: Explore around Kyoto city + surroundings.
    20th April – 2nd day: Day trip to Nara
    21st April – Kyoto to Osaka. Plan to go to Kobe for half day.
    – Return to Osaka. Explore Osaka half day to late
    afternoon.
    – Train to Shinsaibashi Station to Chisun Inn,
    Hommachi.
    22nd April – Shinsaibashi to Kansai International Airport.

    Thanking you in advance.

  6. Michelle Lim says:

    Hi Takeshi San,
    Your blog is really helpful but l’m still a bit overwhelmed hope you could help . We be travelling to Osaka in march our itinerary is Day 1 arriving Kansai Airport in the morning straight to Nara North (we be staying 2 nights in Nara North) Plan to visit Nara west and south.
    Day 3 to 7 – Osaka (we plan to visit the osaka castle aquarium universal studio, dontonbori and etc) is it advisable to get the 2 days kintetsu pass and the 2 days Osaka Amazing pass?
    Thank you in advance for your help.

  7. Joyce says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,
    Your blog is very helpful for our upcoming trip to Japan (this Saturday)!
    I’m just wondering, if me and my husband should get a Kintetsu 2-day pass or Kansai thru pass for 5 days? Here’s our Osaka itinerary:
    Feb 13 – Arrive Kansai airport at 3:55PM. Go to Namba for check-in
    Feb 14 – Go to Awaza for check-in. Visit Osaka Castle, Shi-Tennoji Temple, Dotombori/Shinsaibashi shopping area, Others.
    Feb 15 – Go to Nara sa day trip, then proceed to Kyoto. Visit Nijo castle, Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion) and Arashiyama
    Feb 16 – Stay in Kyoto,visit temples and shrines in Gion and Higashiyama area, such as Yasaka shrine, Kiyomizu-dera temple, Gion-Shijo area, Ginkaku-ji temple
    Feb 17 – Early check-out, go to Mt. Fuji (not sure if we go to Lake Kawaguchiko or Hakone, still researching the most convenient route). Check-in in Shinjuku
    Feb 23 – Flight back to Singapore through Narita.

    We are also planning to buy a Suica or Pasmo card as recommended by our friends.

    Your awesome response is appreciated!

    Thank you!

    Regards,
    Joyce

  8. afiq says:

    Hi,

    im going to travel around osaka for 3days.. is eco card 1day pass x 3 is enough to travel around it? for jr pass, i think im going to pay per use only, since most attraction can be travel via other railways and subways. am i correct?

  9. Vanessa says:

    Hi Takeshi-San, your blog is really helpful with regards to the different cards and passes available. But I’m still a little overwhelmed by which passes I should get.

    My trip will be arriving Osaka (KIX) un the evening of 6th Jan. Thereafter, we’ll be travelling to Kyoto from KIX. From what I understand, the best pass to get is the ICOCA-Haruka card?

    Then on the 9th, we’ll be travelling to osaka from kyoto. Within osaka, we would be visiting places like osaka castle, osaka museum of history, osaka takoyaki museum , museum of oriental ceramics and osaka korean town. Is there any subway pass I should get?

    We’re also planning to squeeze in a day trip to kobe from osaka. For that, would it be better to just get a Jr single trip?

    Thank you so much.

  10. Casandra says:

    Hi Takeshi-San,

    Thank you for your info on the trains; they have been very informative. Still, there really are many choices and I’m still slightly overwhelmed.

    I’ll be heading to Japan next year with 2 friends and I’d like to get your advise on which train tickets to get for my following itinerary:

    Day 1: Arriving Kansai Airport at 11pm and Staying in Osaka,
    Day 2-4: Staying over in Osaka
    (Visiting Kobe on Day 3)
    Day 4-9: Staying over in Kyoto,
    (Visiting Nara on Day 7)
    Day 9: Back to Osaka and Kansai Airport

    Or would you advise to change the Nara and Kobe day trip visits to another day to get the best out of the passes?

    Appreciate all the help I can get!

    Thanks & Regards,
    Cas

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