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
2011.11.27
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:

How to use Kansai Thru Pass. Compare pass and single fare.
Kansai thru pass is one of the best option to travel in Kansai area, such as Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, Wakayama, Koyasan. This post shows you how to use this pass.
jprail.com
2012.10.07

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:

How to use JR West Kansai Area Pass. Compare pass and single fare.
This posts explains you how to use Kansai Area Pass. It is one of JR West rail passes and it covers whole part of Kansai area.
jprail.com
2012.10.19

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:

Kansai WIDE Area Pass user guide. The best deal for the traveler who want to travel Kansai and surrounding areas, such as Okayama, Kurashiki, Kinosaki and Kumano.
Kansai Wide Area Pass offers bigger coverage area than Kansai Area Pass. This pass covers Kansai area and surrounding places, such as Kinosaki, Kurashiki, Okayama, Kii-Katsuura. Please find the details about Kansai Wide Area Pass in this post.
jprail.com
2012.04.26

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.

Find your hotels in 500 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in Kyoto
Hotels in Osaka
Hotels in Kansai International Airport
Hotels in Nara
Hotels in Kobe

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. Yuni says:
    June 21, 2017 at 12:21 am

    Hi Takeshi-san!

    Thank you so much for this very helpful blog! I just would like to ask you what passes would be more economical for my itinerary, or if I should just use an IC card (like Kansai One Pass). My itinerary is like this:

    Day 1: Arrive at KIX at 19:30pm – Osaka: Namba for dinner – Stay in Osaka near Nishitanabe Station
    Day 2: Osaka (from Nishitanabe Station): Osaka Castle – Umeda – Dotonbori – Stay in Osaka near Nishitanabe Station
    Day 3: Universal Studios Japan – Stay in Osaka near Nishitanabe Station
    Day 4: Kyoto: Fushimi Inari – Kiyomizudera – Ginkakuji – Yasaka Shrine- Higashiyama Jisho-ji – Back to Osaka
    Day 5: Kyoto: Arashiyama – Kinkakuji – Nishiki Market – Back to Osaka
    Day 6: Morning at Nara: Todaiji – Nara Park – Hōryūji – Afternoon and Dinner at Kobe – Back to Osaka
    Day 7: Free day at Osaka or possibly Himeji (do you have any suggestions?)
    Day 8: Free day at Osaka – KIX flight out 20:40

    Thank you so much for all your help!

    Yuni

  2. Lee says:
    June 3, 2017 at 1:01 am

    Hi takeshi san,
    Below are my itineraries. I would be glad if u can assist in deciding transportation for my 6days 5 nights trip to kyoto, nara, kobe and osaka. If u can provide fees n duration from one place to another, it would be better.
    Day1: from KIX to haradani-en, kyoto. day1to to day 4 will be staying in here. Should reach around 6pm. Going to gion and nishiki market at night
    Day2: kinkakuji temple, ryoanji temple, arashiyama bamboo grove, shimogamo shrine, nijo castle, kiyomizu dera temple, ninenzeka and fushimi inari shrine
    Day3: nara koen park, todaiji temple, kasuga taisha and hase-dera
    Day4: kobe chinatown, harborland, nunobiki herb garden, kobe fruit & flower park and kitano ijikan street.
    Day 5: from haradani en to nishinari ward, osaka. Going to sumiyoshi tasha, universal studio, tempozan ferris wheel, dotonbori and kuromon market.
    Day6: osaka castle and hep five. Back to nishinari ward and going to KIX.

  3. Ariana says:
    May 20, 2017 at 2:27 am

    Hi Takeshi San,
    Pls kindly review our Itn (Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara),
    we’ll be travelling this June (Me, Hubby, 2 children : 7 & 9 y.o).
    D1 – Arrival Kix 9.30 am – single ride – Overnight Osaka
    – Leave luggage at Namba Sta.
    – Dotonbori, Hozenji Yokocho, Shinsaibasi

    D2 – Osaka Amazing Pass 1 Day for Adult only, kids using Enjoy Eco Pass
    – Osaka Castle, USJ City Walk, Umeda Sky Building, HEP Ferris

    D3 – From Osaka go to Kobe then overnight in Kyoto, using Kansai 2 days pass (1 of 2)
    – Kitano Ijinkan, Kobe Port Area, Nankinmachi, Motomatchi all using Kobe City Loop
    – Go to Kyoto

    D4 – Kyoto City 2 days Pass (1 of 2)
    – Kiyomizu-dera, Gion Area, Fushimi Inari

    D5- Kyoto City 2 days Pass (2 of 2)
    – Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji Temple, Sagano Train, Raillway Museum

    D6 – From Kyoto go to Nara then overnight in Osaka, using Kansai 2 days pass (2 of 2)
    – Go to Nara, Leave luggage at Sta.
    – Nara Park Area
    – Back to Osaka

    D7 – Depart from Kix

    Please kindy advise:
    – should I need any other pass, considering we’ll be travelling w/ kids?
    – would it be to tiring for children to follow our itn?
    – can we leave luggage at nara sta?
    – would it be better to travel by train or bus while in Osaka & Kyoto?
    Many thanks for your help !

  4. Bryan says:
    May 17, 2017 at 8:08 pm

    Hey Mr. Takeshi- San,

    We are coming in on May 22nd evening and leaving on June 1st–KIX airport. *Total of 4 people Still deciding if we should use kate limousine bus to OCAT as it’s a 20 min walk to the place we at. (based in Namba parks for the 9 full days. We currently have passmo cards from our trip last year from Tokyo. We would like to try the shinkansen bullet train from Osaka to Kyoto. What would be the best pass or combination passes for our itinerary? Don’t mind changing the days to the places but we do have reservation on Day 2 and Day 5. Our Itinerary Is :
    Day 1: Destination: Nara
    Nara Deer park
    Toda Ji
    Check out the Naktanidou Mochi
    Explore Nara for a bit then head back to Osaka
    Tennoji Station Area (possibly Abeno Harukas)
    Day 2: Destination: Ikeda/Osaka
    Namba Parls/Namba City in the morning
    13:00pm reservation at Ando Instant Ramen Museum *arrive 15 mins early a. My Cup Ramen and Chicken Ramen
    Osaka Station – Grand Front Osaka /Herbis and area
    Possibly Umeda Sky building at night
    Day 3:Destination: Osaka
    Osaka Castle
    Osaka Museum of History
    Maybe Japan Mint tour ( tour available 25/26 possible date switch with day 4)
    Dotonbori
    Day 4: Destination: Osaka
    Shinsaibashisuji Shopping Street
    Free time not sure what to do this day yet
    Day 5: Destination: Suita 1. Asahi Brewery Tour @ 10am 2. Gundam Square 3. Pokemon Gym 4. Optional National Museum of Ethnology 5. Shin Osaka Station
    Day 6: Destination: Kobe *still Deciding if we should go to Kobe or Kyoto for Toei Studio Park
    Takenaka Museum
    Explore
    Kobe Harborland
    Chinatown
    possibly Nunobiki Waterfall
    Day 7: Destination: Kyoto –West
    Arashiyama
    Bamboo Forest
    Kimono Forest
    Togetsukyō Bridge
    Imperial Palace
    Ginkaku-ji
    Ryoan Ji
    Day 8: Destination Kyoto- East
    Rengeoin Sanjusangendo
    Kyoto Station
    Fushimi Inari Taisha
    Kiyomizu-dera
    Gion Area
    Day 9: Destination: Osaka
    Sakai Crafts Museum *not sure if there’s a tour here to check out the forging of the knifes
    Rinku outlet
    Thank you for checking and for your suggestions
    Regards,
    Bryan

  5. Gee Cee says:
    May 10, 2017 at 2:46 am

    Hi Mr. Takeshi,

    Good day to you!

    What is the best train pass for this Itinerary:

    May 18 (Day 1)
    Arrival at KIX Airport to Nankai, Namba – Which is a better transpo? Train or bus? Since i am with an elderly person.

    May 19 (Day 2)
    Namba to Kyoto – this is a wholeday activity. Planning to visit, Arashiyama, Inari, Gion, and some temple along the way.

    May 20 (Day 3)
    Namba to Nara – halfday
    Osaka/ Dotonbori

    May 21 (Day 4)
    Osaka tour (whole day) planning to go to the fmous tourist spots in Osaka

    May 22 (Day 5)
    Universal Studios – since this is Monday, I am not sure if USJ is open. If it is closed then planning to tour the rest of Osaka.

    May 23 (Day 6)
    Osaka tour

    May 24 (Day 7)
    Nankai, Namba to KIX Airport

    I hope you can help me with what train pass to take or buy. Out trip will be commencing very soon and I am still confused what train pass to buy. Thank you very much and hope you would reply to me. Read most of your entries already. It is very helpful! 🙂

  6. Gladys Chua says:
    May 10, 2017 at 12:28 am

    Hi Mr. Takeshi,

    Good day to you!

    What is the best pass to get if this is my Itinerary?

    Day 1 (May 18, 2017)
    Arrival at KIX to Nankai, Namba – is it better to take the bus or the Nankai rapit? (Since I am with elder people)

    Day 2 (May 19, 2017)
    Namba to Kyoto (whole day) – planning to go to Arashiyama, Fushimi Inara, Gion town, and Kinkaku-ji Temple – what is the best rain pass to take?

    Day 3 (May 20, 2017)
    Namba to Nara (half day) – what is the best train pass to take?
    Osaka

    Day 4 (May 21, 2017)
    Osaka/Dotonbori/Shinshaibashi Area – this day is Sunday – so I am just wondering is Osaka Amazing Pass will be a good choice?

    Day 5 (May 22, 2017)
    Universal Studios – What is the best train pass to take? and do you happen to know if it is open on Mondays?

    Day 6 (May 23, 2017)
    Osaka

    Day 7 (May 24, 2017)
    Nankai, Namba to KIX

    Thank you very much in advance. Your reply would be greatly appreciated! I hope to hear from you soon!

  7. Mary Jane A. Palattao says:
    May 1, 2017 at 6:07 am

    What is the best card to use for this itinerary?
    Day-1 May 3, 2017
    1. Arrival at Osaka Airport 08:00PM (Luggage Collection and Miscellaneous time 1 hour)
    2. Going to Kyoto place near takeda station

    Day-2 May 4, 2017
    List of places to go on this day
    1. Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Free
    2. Kyoto Imperial Palace Free
    3. Kimono Forest (4PM to 9PM) Free
    Shopping centers:
    4. Nishiki Market
    5. Shin Kyogoku Shopping Arcade
    6. Shijo-Dori

    Day-3 May 5, 2017
    Places to visit
    1.Nijo castle (600yen per person) (8:45AM to 5PM)
    2.Kinkaku-ji Temple (400 per person) Timining 9AM-5PM
    3. Ryoanji Temple (¥500) (8am-5pm)
    4. Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
    5. Kyoto International Manga Museum (optional)
    6. Teramachi (shooping area)
    7. Gion district

    Day-4 May 6, 2017
    Nara
    1. Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine1.
    2. Todaiji Temple (Largest temple with a big Buddha Statue)
    2. Nigatsu do
    3. Omizutori (Buddhist Ceremonies including fire and water)
    4. Nara Deer Park (Play with the wild dear, most famous in Nara)
    5. Isuien Garden
    6. Kasuga Grand Shrine
    7. Nara Nagomikan
    8. Go to osaka place near Umeda station

    Day-5 May 7, 2017
    OSAKA
    1. Himeji Castle and Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
    2. Kobe
    3. Shinsekai

    Day-6 May 8,2017
    Osaka
    Places to visit
    1. Osaka Castle and park (9AM to 5PM)
    2. Osaka Museum of History (9:30-5:00PM) 600yen per person.
    3. HEP FIVE FERRIS WHEEL (optional)
    4. UMEDA SKY BUILDING, FLOATING GARDEN OBSERVATORY
    5. Shitennoji Temple
    6. Osaka Aquarium (optional)
    7. The Instant Ramen Museum (optional)
    8. Sumiyoshi Taisha

    Day-7 May 9,2017
    1. Universal Studio
    Shopping Centers:
    2. Dotonbori and namba
    3. Shinsaibashi
    4. Nipponbashi Denden Town

    Day- 8 May 10, 2017
    • Osaka city tour and shopping centers
    • Going to Kansai airport

  8. Elaine says:
    April 30, 2017 at 9:49 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    First, I would like to thank you kindly for writing such helpful articles and taking the time to reply comments! Much appreciated!

    I was hoping you can make some suggestions as to which Kansai pass (JR area vs. Kansai Thru) would be best suited for our itinerary?

    Day 1: Arrive at KIX airport in the morning – travel to airbnb near Shin-Osaka station – explore Osaka.

    Day 2: Explore Himeji and Kobe (including Himeji Castle, Kobe ropeway, Nunobiki falls and Kobe animal kingdom). Return to Osaka.

    Day 3: Depart Osaka and check in Kyoto airbnb (Shimogyo-ku). Explore Kyoto.

    Day 4: Explore Nara. Return to Kyoto. Explore Kyoto.

    Day 5: Depart Kyoto for Nagoya (accommodation in Habashita).

    Thank you once again, I hope to hear from you soon.

    Kind regards,
    Elaine

  9. Andy says:
    April 28, 2017 at 7:22 pm

    Dear Takeshi
    Good afternoon I plan to travel to kyoto / Osaka in May. This is my itinerary
    Day 1 – Arrival in KIX and transfer to Minami ward Kyoto
    Day 2 – Travel to Osaka USJ from Minami and back
    Day 3 – local sight seeing Kyoto
    Day 4 – Minami to Osaka for Day in Osaka and back

    Can you suggest what pass should I buy?

    Thank you for your assistance

  10. gau ban says:
    April 17, 2017 at 4:55 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Here’s our Itinerary,

    KIX to Namba (airbnb room) April 22
    what to buy ticket to get from KIX to Namba (nankai line)?

    April 23 Day 1 – Osaka
    We plan to visit Osaka Castle, Umeda building, kaiyukan, dotonbori, shinsekai – may i know what card/ pass should we buy to have discount?

    April 24 day 2 – USJ
    may i know what card should we use on this day? we will be near Nippombashi station or Namba station.

    April 25 day 3 – Kyoto
    We will be travelling from near namba or nippombashi station to Arashiyama –> Kiyumiza-dera –> Fushimi-Inari. may i know what card/pass should we use to have discount, and also if you give us guide what train to use to travel to this location please 🙂

    April 26 day 4 – going from Namba-Nankai to KIX Airport
    What ticket should we buy

    Hope you help me on this on what access card should we buy to have more discount on traveling these are, Many Thanks

    btw, our house is near denden town, near also in namba-nankai line and nippombashi.

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