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
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:
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-day | 2,400 yen | 2,4000 yen | 2,400 yen |
2-day | 4,600 yen | 4,600 yen | 4,600 yen |
3-day | 5,600 yen | 5,600 yen | 5,600 yen |
4-day | 6,800 yen | 6,800 yen | 6,800 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.
- The limited express Haruka (Kansai airport-Tennoji-Shin Osaka-Kyoto, non reserved seat only)
- Special Rapid Service (Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe-Himeji)
- Kansai Airport Rapid Service (Kansai airport-Tennoji-Osaka)
- Yamatoji Rapid Service (Osaka-Tennoji-Nara)
- Miyakoji Rapid Service (Kyoto-Nara)
Of course, you can ride any local trains that are not shown on above list.
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:
Compare cost between pass and single fare. Best way to use.
First of all, please see the fare table for major sections below:
Stations | Osaka | Shin Osaka | Kyoto | Kansai airport | Sannomiya (Kobe) | Nara | Himehji | JR Namba |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Osaka | – | 160 | 540 | 1160 1150 | 390 | 780 | 1450 | 190 |
Shin Osaka | 160 | – | 540 | 1330 1150 | 540 | 890 | 1450 | 210 |
Kyoto | 540 | 540 | – | 1830 1150 | 1050 | 690 | 2210 | 890 |
Kansai airport | 1160 1150 | 1330 1150 | 1830 1150 | – | 1660 1150 | 1660 730 | 2730 1150 | 1030 730 |
Sannomiya (Kobe) | 390 | 540 | 1050 | 1660 1150 | – | 1210 | 950 | 690 |
Nara | 780 | 890 | 690 | 1660 730 | 1210 | – | 2210 | 540 |
Himeji | 1450 | 1450 | 2210 | 2730 1150 | 950 | 2210 | – | 1620 |
JR Namba | 190 | 210 | 890 | 1030 730 | 690 | 540 | 1620 | – |
*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
Hi Takeshi-San
I was searching for the best and most efficient way to go to all the places on our itinerary since we don’t have have enough time and so much to go to.
I was really thinking on whether to get JR west (KANSAI Pass) for the 4 days of stay there , and i was planning to buy the 4 day pass. Would this be a good option? Would appreciate any input or advice u can give us.
This would be our itinerary.
DAY 1 –
KANSAI AIRPORT SHIN OSAKA
DAY 2
SHIN-OSAKA OSAKA CASTLE HIMEJI CASTLE KOBE SHIN-OSAKA
DAY 3
SHIN-OSAKA NARA PARK AND TEMPLES NIJO CASTLE/NISHIKI MARKET SHIN OSAKA
DAY 4
SHIN-OSAKA UNIVERSAL STUDIOS SHIN-OSAKA
DAY 5
SHIN-OSAKA TOKYO AKIHABARA ASAKUSABASHI
DAY 6
MT FUJI TOUR
Thanks!
Hi Jarryd B. P. san,
I think Kansai area pass 3 days is okay. Because it costs only 220 yen from Shin-Osaka to Universal city. Single ticket is cheaper on day 4.
If you intend to take train to Tokyo, you can use Platt Kodama to save some cost.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Greeting Takeshi-san!
Thank you very much for your kind and helpful input .
Kanpai!
No worries, Jarryd B. P. san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
HI Takeshi San, I am currently contemplating between suretto pass, Jr west kansai area pass. Would appreciate any input or advice u have.
Kansai one pass is also a consideration for me.
I am going from 6apr to 15
Day 1- Airport to Namba. Osaka Castle, tennoji area.
Day 2-Kyoto fushimi Inari, kiyomizu dera and return to Osaka.
Day 3-kyoto kinkakuji and arashiyama
Nishimura market. Return to Osaka
Day 4-Kobe- herb garden
Day 5- Osaka Japan mint, Osaka aquarium,dotonbori
Day 6- Nara
Day 7- Himeji and osaka
Day 8- Universal studio Japan
Day 9- Umeda and shinsaibashi
Day 10- Osaka and airport at 10pm.
Thank You
Sean
Hi Sean san,
I recommend you the following deals:
Day 1
Yokoso Osaka ticket
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/yokoso.html
Day 2,3 and 6
Kansai thru pass three days
Day 4
Hanshin tourist pass
http://www.hanshin.co.jp/global/en/tourist/
Day 7
Kansai area pass one day
Single ticket or Kansai one pass for day 8 to 10
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you very much for your help. U mention kansai thru pass for day 2,3 and 6 so it does not have to be consecutive but can use on 3 separate days just to confirm
Hi Sean,
You don’t need to use it in consecutive days.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Hi Takeshi san,
Seek your knowledge on train . So confused!
Accomodation: Osaka
“Day 1:
Nagoya Chubu International airport(8AM), head straight to Yamabe Ryokan at Tenri Nara Station.
Visit Nara Deer Park, Isuien Garden, Todaiji Temple and Higashimuki shopping arcade and Naramachi-no Machiya
Try to get to Floating Garden by 9.45pm”
“Day 2:
Train from Osaka Station to Central Kyoto (day trip)”
“Day 3:One Full Day at Osaka
Breakfast @ Osaka station (or thereabouts)
9am Osaka Castle
Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Arcade
Crab lunch @ Dotonbori Kani Doraku
Aquarium (closes 8pm)
Back to Dotonbori for some street food!
Checkout Osaka Depart for Tokyo
Day 4: Eat Breakfast : Depart For Tokyo Check in.
Day 5,Day 6 : Tokyo
Day 7: Tokyo – Nagoya Chubu Airport(11AM)
Regards,
Hi Benjamin san,
You should use JR pass 7 days. Most part of your trip is covered by JR pass. Please see the link below to find the detailed information:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Greeting Takeshi san,
Thanks for your prompt reply.
Regards,
Ben
No worries, Benjamin san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San
My family and I will be visiting Japan in December for new year. Will there be any changes in the train schedule if I look up into it now?
Also, here is my itinerary:
28th Dec : arrive in Narita
29th Dec : go to Kawaguchiko (stay one night)
30th Dec : back to tokyo (shinjuku)
30-1jan : Tokyo
1 jan : go to Nozawa Onsen
(Still considering to stay or not)
1 jan (evening) : go to Matsumoto to transfer to Takayama
2 Jan : Arrive in Takayama, day trip
To shirakawago (stay in takayama)
3 Jan – 7 jan
Kansai Region
(Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe)
Would you please kindly suggest me what pass I should use? I’ve done some researches and I might consider to purchase Tokyo Subway 3 Days Pass and return bus ticket for Tokyo and around. And for the Kansai, might consider JR West.
Thank you for your help and much appreciated.
Cheers
Corry
Hi Corry san,
You need to use several deals. As you think, you can use subway pass in Tokyo. And I recommend you to use JR East Pass Nagano Niigata and Takayama Hokuriku area pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/jr-east-pass-niigata-and-nagano-flex-5-days-pass-in-14-days-period-to-cover-kanto-region-nagano-and-niigata.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
You can use JR East pass for Narita to Tokyo, trip to Kawaguchiko, Tokyo-Nozawa Onsen-Matsumoto. But you need to add some fare to get Kawaguchiko. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
You need to add single fare to get Takayama from Matsumoto. After arrival in Takayama, you can start using Takayama Hokuriku area pass. But don’t forget to exchange this pass in Tokyo. You cannot activate this pass in Takayama.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
http://touristpass.jp/en/takayama_hokuriku/
In Kansai region, Takayama Hokuriku area pass is not very useful. You may add some other deals. Please see the links below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Timetable will be changed in mid October. But it will not be drastic change.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-san
Thank you for prompt reply.
I see that you did not mention this pass, but should I consider Tokyo Wide pass?and pay single fare to nozawa onsen, matsumoto and takeyama.
Thank you
Regards
Corry
Hi Corry san,
I don’t recommend you to use Tokyo Wide pass + single fare. If you pay single fare for Tokyo to Nozawa onsen and Nozawa onsen to Matsumoto, the cost is around 14,000 yen (base fare + limited express seat fee). It’s way more expensive than JR East pass. JR East Pass does not cover Otsuki to Kawaguchiko. But even if you add single fare for this segment, JR East pass is still cheaper and more convenient. But if you don’t go to Nozawa Onsen, Tokyo wide pass + single fare is considerable. In this case, you need to purchase only Tokyo-Matsumoto single fare only. The cost is much smaller.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Can you advise me which pass i should get this coming April.
2nd: Arrive Kansai airport straight to Kyoto
3rd – 5th: Kyoto sight seeing
5th afternoon: Travel to Osaka
6th – 8th: Visiting Osaka, Kobe and Himeji
9th: To Kansai Airport
I been advised to purchase those tickets below when i arrive Kansai International Airport. Will be great if you able to advise me more better coverage for the trains and bus for the sight seeing zone.
2nd: Kansai Area Pass
3rd – 5th: Purchase the bus and train tickets (without ICOCOA)
5th – 6th: Kansai Thru Pass (3 days pass)**
7th – 8th: Osaka Amazing pass
9th: Kansai Thru Pass (3 Days)**
Hi Hugo san,
If you intend to make some trips by JR train after arrival in Kyoto, Kansai area pass is a good choice. But if you just need to get Kyoto, Haruka discount ticket at 1600 yen is better choice.
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
I think you need to have only 2 days Kansai thru pass for 5th and 6th. Because you can use subway and Nankai railway deal at 1000 yen to get KIX.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/chikatoku.html
If you stay in Namba, you can use one way single ticket for Nankai railway at 920 yen. The difference of 2 days and 3 days Kansai thru pass is 1200 yen. These choices are cheaper than using 3 days pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
I’m tira. Me and my besfriends will be visiting japan on April. I will arrive at Narita Airport. And from Narita airport;
Day 1: Narita to Osaka
Day 2: Osaka
Day 3: Osaka to Nara
Day 4: Osaka to Kyoto
Day 5: Osaka to Tokyo.
Can you please suggest me; which pass is right for us? Because Im Confused. Really appreciate your help.
Thank you!
Hi Tira,
JR Pass 7 days is the best and actually only deal for your trip.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
It covers most part of your trip but you may need to add some fare or other deals because JR pass does not cover subway, city bus and non JR railway. You can find the coverage of JR pass in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo in the links below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
We will be visiting Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe & Himeji. I am not sure if it’s worth it to buy Kansai West JR Pass and ICOCA at the same time. We will be staying in one place only which is near Namba.
Our itinerary as follows:
Day 1 – Kansai Intl Airport to Namba, Osaka
Day 2 & 3 – 2 days trip to Kyoto
Day 4 – Day trip to Kobe & Himeji
Day 5 – Universal Studios Japan
Day 6 – Day trip to Nara (Is it possible to do half day trip to Nara and half day trip to Mount Koya?)
Day 7 & 8 – Osaka
Day 9 – Flight from Kansai Int’l Airport
Appreciate your help. Thank you. 🙂
Cheers,
Jd
Hi Jd,
Please see the link below. All info which you need are shown in this link:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your prompt reply. Is it possible for 1 person to purchase 2 sets of 3-day Kansai Thru Pass to use it on unconsecutive days? So I can use it for 6 days in total.
Cheers,
Jd
Hi Jd,
Yes, you can. You can purchase Kansai thru pass as many as you want.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
I wanted to buy round trip Namba Access rapi:t ticket from Kansai Airport but I don’t know which website to go. I need to buy this ticket in advance right? Hope you can help me out. Thank you.
Regards,
Jd
Hi Jd,
This ticket is available at the designated travel agency only. Please see the link below:
http://www.howto-osaka.com/global/pdf/ticket/nambaRT_travelagency.pdf
You cannot buy this online or after arriving Japan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Me and my friends (from Malaysia) will be visiting Osaka-Kyoto this coming mid april for six days and would like your advise/input as to how do we go about our transportation plan when we are there.
I understand that there are many transportation options available such as ICOCA Haruka, Kansai area pass etc in these 2 cities and got ourselves a little confused as to which one is the best.
Below is our tentative itinerary –
Day 1 – Arrival in Osaka (we plan to go to Rinku premium outlet on our way to Osaka city, we will be staying in the Osaka bay area, near to Osaka kaiyukan. We plan to visit Dotonburi/Shinsaibashi at night.
Day 2 – Universal studios japan (whole day)
Day 3 – To visit Osaka castle and Umeda sky building
Day 4 – to visit Kyoto (our accomodation will be in the Gion area) we plan to visit Fushimi Inari and Kyomizu Dera on this day.
Day 5 – to visit Arashiyama (full day) and plan to go to Kyoto Tower at night
Day 6 – Going back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Looking forward to your advise/input
Thank you
Hi shahrol san,
Kansai thru pass 3 day is recommended for day 1, 4 and 5.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Single ticket for day 2
Osaka Amazing Pass for day 3
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Haruka discount ticket (1600 yen) for day 6
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
My husband, daughter and I will be visiting Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Himeji and our itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Reach Kansai Airport – head straight to Kyoto. Will be staying near JR and metro Nijo stations. Plan to visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Maruyama-Koen Park, Kyoto downtown, Nishiki Market, Fushimi-Inari
Day 2: Kyoto – Arashiyama
Day 3: Kyoto – Golden Pavilion, Daitoku-ji Temple, Pontocho Alley
Day 4: Kyoto – Kurama and Kibune, Northen Higashiyama
Day 5: Day trip to Nara – Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Isuien Garden, Horyu-ji Temple
Day 6: Kobe – Staying at Grand Kobe Station, visit Mount Rokko, Kobe Harbourland
Day 7: Day trip to Himeji Castle
Day 8 – 10: To Osaka from Kobe – Hotel is connected to Keihan Kyobashi train station. To visit Dotonbori, Osaka Aquarium, Castle, Kuchu-Teien, Kuromon Ichiba Market etc
Day 11: Flight home from Kansai Airport
Can you please suggest which pass is right for us? We are so confused. Would greatly appreciate your input.
Thank you!
Hi Syaz san,
Day 1 Haruka discount ticket (1600 yen) can take you to Nijo by limited express haruka to Kyoto and JR local train to Nijo.
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
And when you purchase Haruka discount ticket, add Kansai one pass. You can purchase it at same time.
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/icoca-haruka/
http://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
You can take any trains and any bus services by Kansai one pass. I think 2500 yen fund is enough to cover 4 days in Kyoto. But you can use all day bus pass with Kansai one pass. It’s only 500 yen for one day. If you make three rides by bus, it’s paid off. You can save your fund in the card to take other trains.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
I recommend you to purchase Kansai area pass one day for the trip to Nara.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
On day 1, if your plan is tight, try to visit Fushimi Inari on the way back to Kyoto from Nara. It’s located on the way.
Kansai thru pass 3 days is recommended for day 6 to 8.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
And add deals in Osaka. You can find it in the links below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
If you still have fund in Kansai one pass, of course, you can use it in Osaka or Kobe too. Even if you don’t use the card, you still can show your card at the attractions. You may get some discount.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much for your swift reply! Really appreciate your advice. Wouldn’t have figured them out without you. On top of all that, my husband actually wants to try shinkansen during this trip. Which day or from which city to which city do you think we should be taking?
Hi Syaz,
If you take Shinkansen, day 6 from Kyoto to Shin-Kobe is the best. But if you take Shinkansen, you cannot use Kansai thru pass. You have to buy regular ticket which is around 3500 yen for base fare and seat fee.
You should use Kansai thru pass 2 days for Himeji and Kobe to Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Noted. Thanks so much! Hope you have a great day! 🙂
No worries, Syaz.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I have been reading you site with great interest and there seems to be a few passes that I have and am considering, but we are not too sure where we would get good value with some, such as the JR Kansai area pass (apart from a 1 day pass to use it to go to Himeji as it is cheaper than the return ticket from Osaka to Himeji) but maybe one of the other Kansai passes, we are too confused.
By looking at the below itinerary we have planned, would you suggest any passes to be possible or not? Or are we better to use our ICOCA card and combination of separate tickets, apart from the Koyasan and Hakone? We cannot change any main city, as we are booked the accommodation, but at worse, would consider changing if a pass would be of value in a different itinerary? We are flying into and out of KIX airport, and did like this plan, as we are doing long-short-long-short and city-town-city-town-city kind of trip to break it all up.
Day 1 (Wed) – KIX to Osaka (Yotsubashi subway station – Blue line) – Yokoso! Osaka pass for Rapi:t limited express to Namba, then one way fare to Yotsubashi. Will also buy an ICOCA card to use when needed.
Day 2 (Thu) – Osaka, make use of the 1-day unlimited pass that comes with the Yokoso! Osaka.
Day 3 (Fri) – Day trip to Himeji: Yotsubashi/Nishi-Ohashi subway to JR Osaka > Himeji. Was thinking to buy a 1 day JR Kansai area pass as this is Y2200 and the return ticket to Himeji is Y2980.
Day 4 (Sat) – Osaka
Day 5 (Sun) – Osaka
Day 6 (Mon) – Yotsubashi to Namba; Nankai Namba to Koyasan (Namba > Gokurakubashi > Koyasan on the Koya Limited Express @ 8.42am, will used Koyasan World Heritage ticket).
Day 7 (Tue) – Koyasan to Nara (Koyasan > Gokurakubashi > Hashimoto on Nankai-Koya line, then Hashimoto > Nara on JR Wakayama line); Nara to Shinjuku on overnight bus.
Day 8 (Wed) – Tokyo (Shinjuku to Shimokitazawa).
Day 9 (Thu) – Shimokitazawa > Tokyo Disneyland.
Day 10 (Fri) – Shimokitazawa > Maybe daytrip to Kamakura (will be possibly using the Enoshima Kamakura free pass for this) and Yokohama.
Day 11 (Sat) – Shimokitazawa > Maybe half a day to Mt Takao.
Day 12 (Sun) – Shimokitazawa/Tokyo (in the morning I need to be in Chiyoda area).
Day 13 (Mon) – Shimokitazawa > Hakone-Yumoto, will buy the Hakone free pass for 3 days, as we will spend 2 nights/3days in Hakone.
Day 14 (Tue) – Hakone
Day 15 (Wed) – Miyanoshita > Odawara > Kyoto (Tokaido-Sanyo shinkansen, Hikari), Kyoto >Karasuma Oike > Sanjo (Kyoto subway)
Day 16 (Thu) – Kyoto (Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama, Sagano romantic train and that side of Kyoto); Shijo/Gion.
Day 17 (Fri) – Kyoto (Kiyomizu dera, Fushimi inari and that side of Kyoto).
Day 18 (Sat) – Kyoto > KIX on JR Haruka (will buy a 1-way Haruka ticket with ICOCA discount).
Thanking you for your help and much appreciated.
Cheers,
Michael.
Hi Michael san,
I have a few things to mention to you.
For trip to Himeji, Kansai area pass is the best choice because JR train is the fastest to get there. But you may thing about using Kansai thru pass. You can take subway to get Namba and then you can take Hanshin – Sanyo railway to get Himeji by Knasai thru pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-access-to-himeji-and-kobe-from-osaka.html
The reason why I recommend Kansai thru pass is for trip to Nara from Koyasan. Your planned route is okay. But you can take the following route and those routes are fully covered by Kansai thru pass.
Koyasan – Gokurakubashi – Namba – Osaka-Namba – Kintetsunara – Kyoto
Trip time is not much different even if you go back to Namba. It may be faster actually than your route.
In this case, you don’t need to use Koyasan heritage ticket. You can use 3 days pass. Just add limited express fee to take Nankai railway limited express train.
In Osaka and Kyoto, you can use local deals.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
There is no deals for Takao. You may use ICOCA in Tokyo as well.
And there is no deals for Odawara to Kyoto. Only single fare is your choice. ICOCA cannot be used for long trip, like this.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com