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. Carol says:

    Hello Takeshi,

    I will be in Tokyo for 4 days and then going to Osaka after but not returning back to Tokyo. What would you say is the best pass to get? It’s all so confusing! We are staying in Morishita in Tokyo. Once We get to Osaka we are there for 1 week and would like to visit Naru, Kyoto, Kobe etc. Appreciate your expertise on this. Thanks

  2. Denise says:

    Hi Takashi

    I will be heading to Japan in Dec and cannot decide if i should get the pass or single ticket.
    We will be staying at the Namba area in Osaka.

    We are also keen on trying the Shinkansen one time. Would you recommend we take it from Osaka to Kyoto or Osaka to Himeji?

    Day 1 – KIX – Namba
    Arrive at KIX in the late afternoon. Plan to just relax and explore the nearby area

    Day 2 & 3 – Explore around Namba, Shinsaibashi, Dobontori, Osaka Castle. We might join a day tour to Hiroshima on one of the day.

    Day 4 – Travel from Namba to Himeji to see the Himeji Castle in the morning and then head over to Kobe after lunch and back to Namba in the evening.

    Day 5 & 6 – Travel from Namba to Kyoto. we will be staying in Kyoto for 2 nights. We plan to visit Kiyomizudera, Gion and Fushimi Inari Shrine. We will be staying near Kyoto station.

    Day 7 – Travel from Kyoto to Nara in the morning. We plan to visit Nara park, Todai ji and then head back to Namba in the afternoon. I read that the Kintetsu-Nara station is the nearest to Nara Park?

    Day 8 – Explore Osaka, visit the Osaka Market.

    Day 9 – Head back to KIX and fly home.

    Thanks in advance!

  3. Shazana says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I will be going to Osaka in May with my family and hope that you can advise on which discount passes we can use. (There are so many!) Nearest station to our accommodation is Daikokucho station. This is our itinerary:

    Day 1: Overnight bus from Tokyo (we reach at Tennoji station); Namba; Osaka Castle; dinner at Noda station
    Day 2: Day trip to Kyoto – Nijo Castle; Nishiki Market; Manga Museum; Kinkaku-ji Temple; Kyoto Imperial Palace
    Day 3: Day trip to Kyoto – Arashiyama; Fushimi Inari Shrine
    Day 4: Day trip to Nara
    Day 5: Free and easy around Osaka. Flight back from Kansai airport at night.

    Any suggestions on our itinerary will be great as well!

    Thank you,
    Shazana

  4. Thu says:

    Hello Takeshi,

    Can you give me some advice for my upcoming visit to Japan. I don’t have too much of a solid plan just yet as I’ve been winging It but for Japan I think I will need a little more preparation.

    I’m flying into Osaka and plan to sight see for a couple of days and make trips to Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara. Then I’m headed to Tokyo. Which pass should I look into getting for my two week visit inJapan?

    Thanks in advance!

  5. Candy says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    I changed my itinerary again and wish to get some advice from you for all the transportation pass that i should get. Please help =)

    D1: KIX- Kyoto

    D2: Kyoto – [Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – Fushimi Inari Taisha – Kiyomizudera – Nishiki Market – Kawaramachi Dori]

    D3: Kyoto – NARA [Kofukuji Temple – Todaiji Temple – Higashimuki Shotengai Shopping Street]—Osaka

    D4: Osaka – Instant Ramen Museum – Kobe [Nankinmachi – Harbourland – Mosaic] – Osaka

    D5: Osaka – Aquarium Kaiyukan – Kuromon Market – Shinsaibashisuji Shopping Street

    D6: Osaka – Universal Studio

    D7: Osaka – Wakayama – Osaka

    D8: Osaka – KIX

    Thank you so much!!

  6. GW says:

    Hi Takeshi San,

    I would like to seek your advice for the best options of transportation for my trip as follow. Appreciate you could assist further.

    22/4: KIX- Kyoto (HARUKA) – Hotel in Shimogyo Ward (one way to Kyoto via JR & Kyoto City Bus day pass)

    23/4: Fushimi Inari Taisha – Kiyomizudera – Gion – Nishiki Market – Shijo street (Kyoto City Bus day pass)
    24/4: Arashiyama – Tenryuji – Kankakuji (Kyoto City Bus day pass)
    25/4: Nijo Castle – Ginkakuji – Tetsugaku no Michi – Kyoto Imperial Palace – Heian Shrine – Pontocho Alley – Kyoto Tower (Kyoto City Bus day pass)

    Based on above, would you be able to advise it is best to get the City Bus pass or Sightseeing pass?

    26/4: Kyoto – Osaka – Hotel near to Taisha stn (I am not sure which would be the best option for this. can you advise)

    27/4: Osaka Castle – Tennoju – Obaka Tenmangu Shrine – Tenjinbashi-suji – Shinsekai (Osaka Visitors’ Pass)
    28/4: Sumiyoshi Taisha – Hozenji Alley – Dontonbori – Shinsaibashi – Kuromon market (Osaka Visitors’ Pass)
    29/4: Nakazakicho – Osaka Station City – Umeda Sky Building – Flea market at Shinjuku’s Central Park (Osaka Visitors’ Pass)

    30/4: Shin-Osaka – KIX (HARUKA) (one way to KIX via JR)

    Is it recommended to get the ICOCA together with HARUKA?

    Your advice is highly appreciated and thanking you in advance.

    GW

    • Hi GW san,

      I recommend you to use Haruka discount ticket for KIX to Kyoto and Tennoji to KIX. You will stay in Taisho which is more closer to Tennoji than Shin-Osaka. You can take a local train on Osaka loop line to Tennoji and then take Haruka.

      And also I recommend you to add Kansai one pass instead ICOCA.
      http://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1

      This is same type of card as ICOCA but you can get a discount at many attractions in Kyoto and Osaka by this card.

      You intend to use Bus Pass in Kyoto. But sometimes train gives you faster and more smooth travel. You can use Kansai one pass when you take a train. You also can use the card when you get Taisho from Kyoto.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Jemi says:

    Hello Takeshi san, after all the readings i did, can you comment if our transportation plan fits our itinerary?

    1. From Nagoya, we will go to Kyoto and stay there for 3 nights. After Kyoto, we will go to Nara (stay 1 night), then go to Osaka-Namba the next day. — plan to use Kintetsu Rail Pass Plus for 5 days.

    2. 3 day tour in Kyoto — plan to use Kyoto Bus One Day Pass only for 3 days

    3. USJ — plan to use roundtrip regular fare, our accommodation is near Namba Sta.

    4. Osaka sight seeing for one day — plan to use Osaka Amazing pass 1 day

    5. Last day in Osaka. Morning we will spend in Kaiyukan and Instant Ramen Museum, then proceed to KIX late in the afternoon — plan to use Yokoso Osaka Ticket

    Are they cheap already or will there be more affordable alternative? Looking forward to your reply. Thank you.

    • Hi Jemi,

      You may use Kintetsu rail pass. But you have to keep the following things in your mind.

      1. You don’t need “Plus”. Just regular Kintetsu Rail Pass is okay because most of places in Nara can be accessed by walk. You cannot get lots of benefit from “Plus”.

      2. You cannot get Kyoto from Nagoya directly. Even if you pay extra fare to get limited express train, you need to change trains at least once. If you take ordinary trains, you have to change at least twice. Please see the link below to find more info about limited express train of Kintetsu railway.
      http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/about/limited_express/

      3. Kintetsu Rail Pass does not cover any local transportation in Kyoto and Osaka, such as subway, city bus as you know. You need to get other deals or single ticket even if you use Kintetsu rail pass. So Kintetsu rail pass does not give you a big discount. It costs about 4000 yen for base fare even if you use single ticket to take Kintetsu railway trains.

      You plan to use Yokoso Osaka train but you cannot. This is available for incoming travelers only. You cannot get it in Osaka. It’s available at only Kansai airport. So you need to use other deals in Osaka and use single ticket from Namba to KIX at 920 yen or using limited express deal if you want to take limited express Rapi:t.
      http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/webtoku.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Christina says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I need your advice, I’m not sure whether I should buy JR pass or Kansai Thru Pass combine with Tokyo Wide Pass, which pass I should choose will be most effective & most economically for below itinerary:
    13-Apr-2017 Evening arrival in Osaka
    14-Apr-2017 Osaka Universal Studio
    15-Apr-2017 Kyoto – Arashima Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizudera Temple, Gion, Poponcho
    16-Apr-2017 Nara, Kobe, Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building, Shinshaibashi
    17-Apr-2017 Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
    18-Apr-2017 Shirakawago, heading to Tokyo
    19-Apr-2017 Ninja Edoland, Ueno Park, Harajuku, Ginza Shibuya – Hachiko, Asakusa Temple, Tokyo Sky Tree, Tokyo Tower
    20-Apr-2017 Kawaguchi, Mt. Fuji, Shibazakura festival
    21-Apr-2017 Disney Sea – Tokyo
    22-Apr-2017 Gala Yuzawa – Tokyo
    23-Apr-2017 Narita airport terminal 2 depart 09:25AM

    Thank you in advance.

    Best Regards,
    Christina

    • Hi Christina,

      The following deals are recommended:

      For arrival day, please see the link below:
      https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html

      Single ticket for USJ

      Kansai thru pass 2 days for 15th and 16th
      *I think you have too many places on 16th.

      JR Pass 7 days from 17th to the end.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Christina says:

        Hi Takeshi,

        Thank you so much for your kind advice.
        I’m sorry I have further question, should I buy Haruka + Icoca to get special discount from Kansai airport? Will this be cheaper than Kansai Thru Pass 2 days?
        Icoca can be refund in Tokyo?
        Thanks

        Best Regards,
        Christina

        • Hi Christina,

          You may use ICOCA and Haruka. But ICOCA does not give you unlimited travel. It gives you same value as cash payment ticket. I think Kansai thru pass is cheaper than using ICOCA. You cannot refund ICOCA in Tokyo. You have to do before you leave Osaka.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Chritina says:

            Hi Takeshi,

            Thank you so much.
            I would like to check with you also for our itinerary 17 – 18 April 2017 to Alpine Kurobe & Shirakawago, we better go to Shirakawago or Alpine Kurobe first? On 17 April evening we have booked hotel in Toyama, 18 April we have booked hotel in Tokyo. So we have to travel to Tokyo on 18 April afternoon or evening after Alpen Kurobe or Shirakawago.
            I heard Alpen Kurobe is one way trip so we have to transfer our luggage using transfer service?
            Kindly help to advice the best route to maximize our JR Pass use.
            Thanks

            Best Regards,
            Christina

            • Hi Christina,

              You may get Shirakawago on 17th from Toyama. You need to take a bus and it’s extra on top of JR Pass. Please see the link below about the bus to Shirakawago.
              https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf

              For alpine route, you can use Tateyama Kurobe option ticket.
              http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/

              You may get Nagano from Toyama by this ticket. After arriving Nagano, you can take Hokuriku Shinkansen to get Tokyo. This Shinkansen trip is covered by JR Pass. You can use luggage transfer service from Toyama to Nagano. Please see the link below:
              http://www.alpen-route.com/en/transport_new/baggage.html

              Cheers,.

              Takeshi / JPRail.com

              • Christina says:

                Hi Takeshi,

                Thank you so much for your kind advice.

                Best Regards,
                Christina

              • Christina says:

                Hi Takeshi,

                I would like to confirm for baggage forwarding service, I should transfer it from Toyama to Shinano Omachi or to Nagano? We’ll finish Alpine Kurobe in Shinano Omachi?
                Thanks

                Best Regards,
                Christina

                • Hi Christina,

                  You can deliver to either place and finish alpine route at either place, Shinano-Omachi or Nagano. But if you follow my plan, you will go to Nagano by express bus from Ogizawa which is covered by Tateyama Kurobe option ticket. You can deliver your luggage to Nagano.

                  You can finish at Shinano-Omachi. But if you take train from Shinano-Omachi, you need to take a local train to Matsumoto and then take limited express to Tokyo. Trip time is longer and one extra transfer. Nagano route is better choice.

                  Cheers,

                  Takeshi / JPRail.com

                  • Christina says:

                    Hi Takeshi-san,

                    Thank you so much for your kind advice, I will send to Nagano follow your best suggestion.
                    I just read about Osaka-Kyoto pass 2 days for only 1,000¥ compare to Osaka pass thru for 2 days at 4,000¥, please kindly advice what is the difference? Which one I should choose for 2 days explore Osaka, Kyoto & probably Kobe if time permit.
                    Thanks

                    Best Regards
                    Christina

  9. Eugene says:

    Hi takeshi San,

    I have a JR Pass. How do I get from Himeji to Kobe?

    Cheers
    Eugene

  10. Rachel says:

    Hi Takeshi-san! I will be going to Japan this week with my family and I’ve been doing research about several passes. There’s just too many of them!

    Can you please help me decide which pass to get?

    Itinerary is as follows:

    Day 0: arrival in Fukuoka at 8PM. Just planning to rest for an early start the next day.

    *we’ll probably just get a single fare ticket for bus/subway going to rented apt. Some of us will ride the cab since we have quite a number of luggages.

    Day 1: tour in Fukuoka- Kushida shrine, Canal city, Dazaifu Tenmangu shrine, Ohori Park, Fukuoka Tower, Tenjin underground mall, nakasu

    *is the fukuoka tourist city pass good for this 1-day tour around fukuoka?

    Day 2: flying out to osaka. We’ll leave some of our luggages at the airport lockers

    *we’ll just get single fare bus/train/subway tickets to the airport

    *arrive in Osaka at 3.30PM, visit shinsaibashi/Dotonburi

    Day 3: tour osaka and nara: visit nara deer park, todai-ji temple, kasuga taisha shrine, osaka castle, umeda sky bldg/harukas, kema sakuranomiya park, dotonburi and shinsaibashi

    Day 4: Kyoto (we wanna try riding a shinkansen, so we’re planning to ride one from osaka to kyoto; not yet sure if going back to osaka we will ride shinkansen again or just stick w subway/other train)

    *Can we book one way shinkansen osaka-kyoto as well as roundtrip tickets online?

    These are the places we plan to visit:
    Visit arashiyama bamboo grove, tenryu-ji temple, kinkaku-ji temple, gion, kiyomizu-dera temple, fushimi inari-taisha shrine, nijo castle

    * is Kansai one pass the best pass to use, in addition to our planned shinkansen ride fr osaka? Or should we get the 3-day kansai thru pass (for day 2,3,4) instead and get a separate ticket for the shinkansen to kyoto?

    Day 5: fly back out to Fukuoka at 12pm, get single fare ticket to the airport,

    * in fukuoka, do last minute shopping at canal city/tenjin/don quixote before flying home at 8pm.

    * we’ll probably settle for single fare tickets again for the last day of our trip going around fukuoka before going home. Or maybe get the 1 day pass.

    So sorry for the very long message. I hope you could help me sort things out 🙂

    Domo Arigato!

    Rachel

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