How to use JR West Kansai Area Pass. Compare pass and single fare.

Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara
Osaka castle is one of popular spot to see cherry blossom in Osaka. ©Osaka Government Tourism Bureau/©JNTO
2012.10.19
Limited Express Haruka from KIX is covered by this pass.
The limited express Haruka from KIX is covered by this pass.

JR West Kansai Area Pass is one of the choices for the traveler who stays in Osaka and make some day trips to the surrounding places, such as Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji and Wakayama.

In this post, I would like to share the information about JR West Kansai Area Pass with you. And I will compare the price of the pass and the regular fare. You can find that you can get the worth by your trip or not.

Coverage area

Kansai Area pass map
Only major stations are shown in the map.

Please refer the map in JR West Kansai Area Pass official site as well to get the detailed map.

The pass covers most of points of interest, such as Osaka (Umeda), Namba, Universal Studio Japan, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama, Kansai airport, Himeji.

Expansion of the coverage area in Kyoto

And also Kansai Area Pass includes the following exchange vouchers:

  • Keihan Railways Kyoto Sightseeing Pass 1-day
  • Kyoto City Subway 1-day pass

These passes expand the coverage in Kyoto so much:

Green line (subway) and red line (Keihan railway) are additional coverage. (click to view large)

Kansai Area Pass did not cover Keihan and subway in Kyoto. These lines cover eastern part of Kyoto, such as Gion, Kiyomizudera.

You may exchange the vouchers in the designated stations. Please find the detailed information in the official press release:

JR West official press release

You can use these passes separately.

e.g.
You have Kansai Area Pass 2-day
Day 1 trip to Kyoto and exchange Kyoto city subway pass only
Day 2 trio to Kyoto and exchange Keihan Railway Kyoto sightseeing pass

But in my opinion, you should use these two passes in same day. If you use only JR line and Kyoto city subway line, the coverage are limited.

The places where you cannot go by Kansai Area Pass

Major spots that are not covered by this pass is Mt. Koya. But if you want to go to Mt. Koya, Nankai Railway is the best way. Nankai Railway is not covered by JR West Kansai Area Pass anyway. Nankai Railway’s Koyasan World Heritage Ticket or Kansai Thru Pass is a right choice for trip to Mt. Koya.

Nankai Railway Koyasan World Heritage Ticket
How to use Kansai Thru Pass. Compare pass and single fare.

Who is eligible

Visitors who land as “Temporary Visitor” status can purchase this pass.

Types and prices

Purchasing from
the travel agent
overseas
(Before arrival)		Purchasing from
JR West online
(Before arrival)		Purchasing from
JR West station
(After arrival)
1-day2,400 yen2,4000 yen2,400 yen
2-day4,600 yen4,600 yen4,600 yen
3-day5,600 yen5,600 yen5,600 yen
4-day6,800 yen6,800 yen6,800 yen

*Child rate is half of the adult prices above.
*5 year old or younger child is free. Maximum 2 children per one adult.

The pass must be used in consecutive days. The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 O’clock at night (midnight to midnight).

e.g.
If you start to use 3 days pass on May 1, the pass is expired at 23:59 on May 3. The time when you start using does not matter.

If you want to purchase this at the lower price, you can purchase it at authorized travel agents. You can find the dealers list and exchange location at the link below:

JR West Rail Pass Dealer’s list

You also can purchase this pass online through JR West official site. But the price is not much cheaper than the price which is sold at the station.

Valid trains and bus lines

This pass covers all JR local trains and non reserved seat of Limited Express Haruka. You CANNOT ride any other express trains, such as the Tokaido Shinkansen the Sanyo Shinkansen, the limited express Thunderbird. But as long as you travel in Kansai area, Rapid Services Network is enough to cover your trip. It is actually crowded because these trains are the commuters one. But these are fast and frequent. The following list shows you trains that you can ride by JR West Kansai Area Pass.

Of course, you can ride any local trains that are not shown on above list.

Find your hotels in 400 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels and Ryokans in Nara
Hotels in Himeji
Hotels in Kobe
Hotels in Himeji
Hotels in Kansai Airport

On the other hand, JR West Kansai Area Pass does not cover any private railway lines, subway lines and the bus lines. Most of major private railway companies and subway lines are shown on the following list:

  • Osaka Metro (Subway)
  • Kyoto Municipal Transportation (Subway and city bus)
  • Nankai Railway (Namba-Kansai airport, Namba-Mt.Koya)
  • Kintetsu Railway (Namba-Nara, Kyoto-Nara)
  • Hankyu Railway (Sannomiya-Umeda-Kawaramachi)
  • Keihan Railway (Yodoyabashi-Kyobashi-Shijo-Sanjo)
  • Hanshin Railway (Namba-Sannomiya, Umeda-Sannomiya-Himeji)
  • Sanyo Railway (Umeda-Sannomiya-Akashi-Himeji)

These above railways and bus lines are NOT covered. When you are in Osaka or Kyoto, subway trains and city bus services are very convenient. So you may have to pay a single fare or purchase other pass. This is the biggest disadvantage of JR West Kansai Area Pass. You can find the coverage of this pass in these posts:

Kyoto train route guide. How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Kyoto. This post shows you the train network in Kyoto. You can learn how to get the major places in Kyoto.
jprail.com
2013.09.22
Osaka train route guide. How much can we use JR Pass in Osaka? How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots in Osaka?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Osaka. This post shows you the train network in Osaka. You can learn how to get the major places in Osaka.
jprail.com
2013.10.30

Compare cost between pass and single fare. Best way to use.

First of all, please see the fare table for major sections below:

StationsOsakaShin
Osaka		KyotoKansai
airport		Sannomiya
(Kobe)		NaraHimehjiJR Namba
Osaka–1605401160
1150		3907801450190
Shin
Osaka		160–5401330
1150		5408901450210
Kyoto540540–1830
1150		10506902210890
Kansai
airport		1160
1150		1330
1150		1830
1150		–1660
1150		1660
730		2730
1150		1030
730
Sannomiya
(Kobe)		39054010501660
1150		–1210950690
Nara7808906901660
730		1210–2210540
Himeji1450145022102730
1150		9502210–1620
JR Namba1902108901030
730		6905401620–

*If there are two fares, basic fare is shown at the top and limited express surcharge at the bottom. For example, if you travel from Kansai airport to Shin-Osaka, basic fare is 1330 yen and surcharge is 1150 yen.

As you saw the fare table above, most of trips from Kansai airport is very efficient because of limited express Haruka. If you travel to Osaka, Kansai airport rapid may be better than Haruka because Haruka do not stop at Osaka. But if you think about getting on Haruka, Kansai Area Pass is considerable. Even one day pass is cheaper than basic fare + surcharge. If you go to Namba, you can access there by JR trains. But Nankai Railway gives you much better access to Namba. Especially if you think about transfer to subway at Namba, Nankai Railway Namba station is much easier to transfer to most of subway lines. Please see the details at the post, How to access from Kansai airport to downtown Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.

Next, I recommend you to use this pass for the trip to Himeji. Special Rapid Service connects Osaka with Himeji in 62 minutes. This train is the fastest and most frequent service. If you think about Kansai Thru Pass, this pass do not cover JR trains. If you go to Himeji by Kansai Thru Pass, the pass cover all part of your trip to Himeji. But you will spend more than 90 minutes. Kansai Thru Pass is very efficient for the trip to Kyoto or Mt. Koya. But if you go to Himeji, I recommend you to use JR West Kansai Area Pass.

If you go to Kyoto, Nara or Kobe from Osaka, it may not be very efficient. The fare range is between 500 and 1,000 yen. The difference between 1 day pass and 2 days pass is 2,000 yen. If you will purchase 3 days or 4 days, the price difference is 1,000 yen. If you have two trips, from Kansai airport by Haruka and trip to Himeji, you will already make more than 4,000 yen worth. You can use the pass to Kyoto, Kobe or Nara. But if you use 2 days pass for trip from Kansai airport and trip to Kyoto, Nara or Kobe, you may not be able to make more than 4,000 yen worth.

JR West also sell ICOCA and Haruka. This discount ticket include trip from Kansai airport by Haruka and 1,500 yen value e-money in ICOCA prepaid card. If JR West Kansai Area Pass is too expensive for your trip, ICOCA and Haruka may be suitable for your trip. ICOCA can be used for not only JR trains but also Kyoto subway, Osaka subway and other major private railway companies. ICOCA is more flexible than JR West Kansai Area Pass. Please see the details about ICOCA at the post, ICOCA and Haruka ticket. Very flexible and good deal for tourist who stay in Kansai..

At last, if you want to explore some more places, I strongly recommend you JR West Kansai WIDE Area Pass. This pass is available in 4 days pass only. But the area where is covered is much bigger. And limited express train and Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Okayama are covered by this pass. And the price is only 1,000 yen higher than Kansai Area Pass 4 days. I am very happy if you are interested in other places outside of Kansai area.

Comments

  1. Jadyn says:
    November 4, 2016 at 12:21 pm

    Hi Takeshi-San,

    May I check if I should get the Kansai-Hiroshima Area pass and Kansai wide area pass for the following itinerary?

    Day 1- Arrive at Hiroshima Airport
    Staying in Matoba area in Hiroshima
    visiting Saijo area.
    Day 2 – Miyajima (staying there for 1 night)
    Day 3 – back to Hiroshima, lodging at Matoba area.
    Day 4- Kobe (lodging at Sannomiya) & visit Arima onsen
    Day 5- Kobe – visit Sake Brewery at Nada district & Harbourland (lodging at Sannomiya area)
    Day 6 – Kinosaki Onsen
    Day 7 – Visit to Izushi Castle and then to Kyoto (lodging near Kyoto Station)
    Days 8- 10 Kyoto (Visit Uji/ Arashimaya/ Gion/ Nijo Castle)
    Day 11- day trip to Osaka and then back to lodging in Kyoto (near Kyoto Station)
    Day 12-14 Osaka (lodging near Shinsaibashi area and Namba area for 1 night) Visit Osaka castle or Himeji castle/ Umeda area/ visit to Nissin cup noodle museum
    Day 15 Kansai Airport

    Cheers,
    Jadyn

  2. Janelle says:
    October 29, 2016 at 10:14 am

    Hi Takeshi-san

    I’m travelling to Japan next month and am still rather confused which passes I should get!

    My itinerary is as follows:

    Day 1: Osaka – Namba (Staying there)
    Day 2: Himeiji -> Kobe Harbourland -> Mt Rokko -> Arima Onsen -> Back to Osaka, Namba
    Day 3: Nara (Kofukuji temple, Nara Park)
    Day 4: Osaka, Universal Studios
    Day 5: Osaka (Nipponbashi, Shinsaibashi, Dotonburi)
    Day 6: Osaka castle, Kaiyukan Aquarium, Umeda Sky building
    Day 7: Asahi suita factory, Rinku town
    Day 8: Check into hotel near Kyoto Station -> Kinkakuji temple, Nishiki market, Arashiyama
    Day 9: Higashiyama, Gion
    Day 10: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto Station

    Should i get a kansai thru pass in this case?
    Many thanks in advance!

  3. Sheng Hui says:
    October 28, 2016 at 12:14 am

    Dear Mr. Takeshi,

    Sincerely need your advice on the transport for my 9 days Japan itinerary:

    Day 1 Osaka (9am)– Tanimachi 4 Chome station (hotel)- Kema Sakuranomiya Park- Dotonbori
    Day 2 Osaka – Owl café (Temma station)- Osaka Aquarium
    Day 3 Kuromon Ichiba Market – Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum
    Day 4 Osaka- Nara- Osaka
    Day 5 USJ
    Day 6 Osaka-Kobe- Osaka
    Day 7 Osaka-Kyoto – Ishiyama (Hotel)- Ninen-zaka & Sannen-zaka – Gion
    Day 8 Fushimi Inari Taisha- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove-
    Day 9 Nishiki Market- Kinkakuji Temple – Kansai Airport (11.30pm)

    Would it be alright to purchase Kansai Thru Pass (Surutto Kansai Pass), JR West Rail Pass – Kansai Area Pass, and ICOCA and Haruka?

    Thanks!
    Sheng Hui

  4. Tinita says:
    October 11, 2016 at 5:58 pm

    Hello,

    i will be traveling from Oita to Fukuoka the first day,
    In the second day i will go to Nara
    And the third day i will go back to Oita.

    What is the best combination of JR tourist pass/what should i buy?

    Greetings!

  5. Ong says:
    October 10, 2016 at 2:52 am

    Hi Takeshi san,

    We have 2 adults and 1 child 9 yrs old travel to Kyoto/Osaka. Please suggest the tickets to/ fro KIX. Thank you.
    Day1: KIX -> Kyoto (arrive 4pm) stay near higashino subway station.
    Day3:Kyoto-> Osaka (stay at higashimikuni)
    Day8: Osaka-> kix.

  6. Cheong HS says:
    September 30, 2016 at 7:28 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,
    Would like to seek your advice please. We’re planning for a 10-day trip in November. We will be based in Kyoto most of the time. The plan is
    Day 1 – Kansai International Airport -> Kyoto -> Kinkakuji Temple -> Teramachi and Shin Kyogoku Shopping Arcades
    Day 2 – Toei Kyoto Studio Park -> Kiyomizudera Temple -> Higashiyama District -> Ishibe Alley -> Shouren-in
    Day 3 – Kyoto -> Nara Park -> Todaiji Temple -> Heijo Palace -> Kyoto
    Day 4 – Kyoto -> Nagiso -> Tsumago -> Magome
    Day 5 – Magome -> Narai -> Kyoto
    Day 6 – Nijo Castle -> Imperial Palace -> Sento Palace -> Philosopher Path -> Ginkakuji Temple -> Gion
    Day 7 – Kyoto -> Dotonbori (Osaka) -> Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade (Osaka) -> Kyoto
    Day 8 – Kyoto -> Osaka Castle -> Nishinomaru Garden -> Kyoto
    Day 9 – Kyoto -> Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Arcade -> Kyoto
    Day 10 – Kyoto -> Kansai International Airport

    Is this good use of the JR West pass? If it is, when should the pass start? If it is not, what are the alternatives?

    Thank you.

    Yours sincerely,
    Alaric

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      September 30, 2016 at 12:50 pm

      Hi Alaric san,

      The following deals are recommended.

      ICOCA and Haruka for arrival and departure days.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html

      ICOCA e-money can be used for trip to Nara.

      Kyoto city deals for sightseeing in Kyoto
      http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes

      Kansai thru pass for trip to Osaka
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
      This pass is better than JR West pass. Because this pass covers subway in Osaka. It’s more convenience and more flexible.

      Only single ticket is your choice for Kiso valley.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Alaric says:
        October 26, 2016 at 8:21 am

        Dear Takeshi san,

        Thank you for your reply. I checked that our trip from Kyoto to Kiso and back is as follow:
        Kyoto station to Nagoya station: 5390 Yen
        Nagoya station to Nagiso station: 3160 Yen
        Nakatsugawa Station to Kiso-Fukushima station: 2670 Yen
        Kiso-Fukushima station to Narai station: 410 Yen
        Narai station to Kiso-Fukushima station: 410 Yen
        Kiso-Fukushima station to Nagoya station: 4620 Yen
        Nagoya station to Kyoto station: 5590 Yen

        Is my calculation correct? Is there a cheaper alternative?
        Also, our 3-day day trips from Kyoto to Osaka are as follow:
        Kyoto to Dotonbori to Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade to Kyoto;
        Kyoto to Osaka Castle to Nishinomaru Garden to Kyoto;
        Kyoto to Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Arcade to Kyoto.
        Is that worthwhile getting the 3-Day Kansai Thru Pass or is it cheaper to use the ICOCA card?
        Thank you.

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          October 26, 2016 at 4:08 pm

          Hi Alaric san,

          I think your calculation is correct. These fares are very common regular fare. This is the easiest and the best train. If you take all local trains, you can save some cost but you have to spend many more hours and many changing trains. It’s very inconvenient and not realistic.

          Kansai thru pass 3 days is the best choice for 3 days in Kyoto.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Alaric says:
            October 27, 2016 at 8:33 am

            Dear Takeshi san,
            Thank you for your input. Does that mean that I should use the ICOCA card for the entire trip from kyoto to kiso and back or is there some other pass which I can tap on to reduce the price?
            As for the Kansai Thru Pass, do I buy online first or buy upon arrival at Kansai IA?
            Thank you.

            Regards,
            Alaric

            • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
              October 27, 2016 at 11:44 am

              Hi Alaric san,

              ICOCA cannot be used for a long distance trip. And also most part of Kiso vallye is outside IC card coverage area. So you have to purchase a regular ticket one by one. There is no deals available.

              If you take limited express train and want to reserve a seat, you can book and purchase in advance. You can purchase it at any major JR stations.

              You can purchase Kansai thru pass on the spot. Even if you purchase it online, you have to exchange it anyway.

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Alaric says:
            November 1, 2016 at 7:42 am

            Dear Takeshi san,
            I was looking at the recommended Kyoto City Deals for Sightseeing and saw 3 different tickets. Based on our itinerary, which ticket is more appropriate?
            1. 1 x Kyoto Sightseeing Two-day Pass Card + 1 x Kyoto Sightseeing One-Day Pass Card
            2. Surutto Kansai Miyako Card
            3. Traffica Kyoto Card

            Thank you.

          • Alaric says:
            November 13, 2016 at 3:10 am

            Dear Takeshi san,

            We noticed that there is a Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass . How is it comparable to the Kansai Thru Pass that you recommended? Thank you.

            Regards,
            Alaric

  7. Dennis says:
    September 27, 2016 at 5:32 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    Would like to seek your advice please. We’re planning for a 2 weeks trip in November. For the first 5 nights we’ll be based in Shin Imamiya, Osaka . The plan is

    Day 1 – arrival at night. Purchase JR Kansai Area 4 days pass, travel to Osaka.
    Day2 & 3 – Kyoto trips, using the JR Kansai Area pass, can we use the JR Haruka from Tennoji to Kyoto?
    Day 4 – Himeji and back Osaka
    Day 5 – Nara and back Osaka, no pass use on this day probably
    Day6 – travel to Kanazawa, with Takayama Hokuriku 5 day pass
    Day7- Kanazawa
    Day8- travel to Takayama via Shirakawago
    Day9 – Takayama
    Day 10 – travel to Gero
    Day 11- Gero to Osaka
    Day 12 – To Tokyo.
    2 nights in Tokyo.

    Is this good use of the 2 JR pass – kansai area and Takayama Hokuriku? Thank you.

    Regards,
    Dennis

  8. Long says:
    September 23, 2016 at 8:24 pm

    Dear Mr. Takeshi,

    On Nov 06, I will have a trip to Japan. The flight arrive at KIX 02:15 a.m and I will take JR train from KIX to Osaka then change to Himeji line, late afternoon I will take train from Himeji to Kyoto,

    I checked several options, it seems Kansai Area Pass 01 Day could be the best for my case.

    I’m just worry how to calculate 01 day. Your post mentioned “from midnight to midnight”, that should be fine for my case. However, from JR West website https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kansai/
    at “Availability and Use” it is said that “The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 a.m. “. Does it mean from noon time 06 to noon time 07?
    Would you kindly help me on that information. Thanks.

  9. anita dyah says:
    September 19, 2016 at 4:20 am

    Dear Mr Takeshi

    I will visit Japan next month. up to now,still looking for appropriate pass to travel.

    this is my itinerary

    Day 1 KIX – Dotonbori
    Day 2 Osaka Castle – Tempozan/Kaiyukan aquarium
    Day 3 Kobe – Nara
    Day 4 Namba Park – Universal City Walk – KIX (to Tokyo)
    Day 5 Disneyland
    Day 6 asakusa – skytree – sumida park – imperial park
    Day 7 Ueno – Odaiba
    Day 8 Fujiko F Fujio – Yokohama
    Day 9 Lake Kawaguchi – ginza
    Day 10 Shinjuku – Tokyo governmnet – Harajuku – shibuya – Roppongi – Tokyo tower
    Day 11 Chiba – Narita – KIX
    Day 12 Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – Tenryu-ji Temple – Golden Pavillion – Gion
    Day 13 Fushimi Inari – Nijo Castle – Imperial palace
    Day 14 KIX

    place we stay
    Osaka : Fukushima
    Tokyo : Ueno
    Kyoto : near Hanazono

    as i read your article about pass that used in japan, i will use :
    1. Kansai Thru pass –> Osaka and Kobe
    2. Tokyo Wide pass –> 3 days (Odaiba, Yokohama, Fuji)
    3. Kyoto sightseeing
    4. ICOCA or SUICA
    5. ICOCA and Haruka : for KIX to Osaka back to KIX
    and for Kyoto to KIX back to KIX
    6. Osaka Amazing pass : because offers some famous place

    maybe you can give suggestion about my pass based on my itinerary.

    regards,

  10. Deassy says:
    September 4, 2016 at 7:42 pm

    Dear Mr Takeshi

    i need your suggestion. will go to japan for 9days and this is my itinerary

    Day 1 Osaka – Kaiyukan Aquarium – Shinsaibashi
    Day 2 Osaka – Universal Studio – Dotonbori
    Day 3 Nara Park – Todai ji Temple – Kyoto
    Day 4 Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – Tenryu-ji Temple – Golden Pavillion – Fushimi Inari – and will go to kobe harbour if i have spare time
    Day 5 Kyoto – Tokyo – Disneyland
    Day 6 Tokyo – Asakusa – Shibuya – Ginza
    Day 7 Gala Yuzawa (all day)
    Day 8 Doraemon Museum – mt Fuji

    after i read your information about jr pass. i think icoca is most suitable for my itinerary. is it true? need your suggestion.

    regards
    Deassy

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