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. Traveller says:
    December 26, 2013 at 2:08 am

    Hi,
    Your site is very informative . But I m still confused by the train system.First of all I would like to know if JR west Kansai pass and Kansai area pass are the same? Here is my plan . Please advise me which pass is suitable for my trip.
    Day 1 . Kansai airport > Shinimamiya > Hotel> visit surrounding OSAKA
    Day 2. Shinimamiya> Kyoto> Shinimamiya > Osaka night life
    Day 3 . Shinimamiya> Kyoto > Nara > Osaka shopping
    Day 4 . Shinimamiya > Kamakura> Tokyo
    Day 5 . Tokyo > Fuji 1 day trip (buy 1 day package)
    Day 6 . Tokyo > Haneda airport
    Please advise me .

  2. Bob says:
    December 9, 2013 at 12:43 am

    Dear Takeshi-san,

    Below my travel plan:

    30th Jan -arrived KIX at 21:30 > Shin Osaka.
    31st Jan – Explore Osaka and Kansai Area (overnight at Shin Osaka)
    1st Feb – Travel to Kyoto (meet up with friend in Japan and travel by car to Nagoya)
    5th Feb – Travel from Nagoya to Tokyo by my own
    6th Feb – Explore Tokyo until 8th Feb noon
    8th Feb – Tokyo – Narita Airport.

    Please advise which pass I should use. If I start use the Kansai Area 2 Days Pass at 21:30 30th Jan, is that still possible to use on 1st Feb? Or I need to take the 3 Days Pass?
    Thanks.

  3. wenarti says:
    December 1, 2013 at 11:43 pm

    Hi Takeshi, I’m glad you have this post.would appreciate if you can assist me which would be the best pass/ticket should i get?
    day1; Tokyo (narita ) to Osaka
    day2; Osaka (stay at Umeda near Osaka station 0.4 km)explore
    day3; Osaka (exploring)
    day4; Osaka – Kobe
    day5; Osaka – Kyoto
    day6; Osaka – Nara
    day7; Osaka – Tokyo( stay at Ikebukoro area)
    day8; Tokyo
    day9; Tokyo – Narita (by Limousin)

    Thank You …….

  4. Rebecca says:
    December 1, 2013 at 8:14 am

    Hi,

    I am planning my Osaka trip:

    Day 1:
    Arriving Kansai Airport – Shinsaibashi

    Day 2:
    Shinsaibashi – Kyoto – Shinsaibashi

    Day3:
    Shinsaibashi – Nara – Shinsaibashi

    Day 4:
    Shinsaibashi – Umedo – Shisaobashi

    Day 5:
    Shisaobashi – RinkuRremium Outlet – Kaisai airport

    Should I buy 3 days JR West Pass for tirst three days?

    Thanks,

    Rebecca

  5. Via says:
    November 17, 2013 at 9:40 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’m glad I was able to read your post regarding JR Kansai Pass. I’m torn between buying the JR Kansai Area Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide. This will be our itinerary:

    Day 01 – KIX to (Osaka (Esaka Station, Suita)
    Day 02 – Osaka (Esaka Station) to Nagoya
    Day 03 – Osaka (Esaka Station) to Kyoto/ Nara
    Day 04 – Osaka (Esaka Station) to Kobe/Himehi
    Day 05 – Osaka (Esaka Station) to Ise
    Day 06 – Osaka to KIX

    Hope to hear from you.

    • JPRail says:
      November 17, 2013 at 10:20 am

      Hi Via,

      Kintetsu Rail Pass is much better choice. Kansai Area Pass does not cover Nagoya and Ise. You have to add some fund to Himeji and Kobe. But Kintetsu pass is still better choice.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Via says:
        November 17, 2013 at 5:39 pm

        Hi Takeshi-san,

        Thank you so much for your immediate reply. Will be in Osaka next week! Hope we can cover all must-see areas. and not get lost on subways and train stations.

        Arigato!

        Via

        • Via says:
          November 22, 2013 at 8:43 am

          Hi Takeshi-san,

          One last, I cant find Esaka Station on the Kintetsu Railway map. Only Osaka-Namba Station. Can we access Esaka station via the Kintetsu Rail Pass. It’s a bit confusing.

          Also, we’re supposed to go to Hotel Granvia in Umeda as the designated pick-up point for a tour. We were told to board the Osaka City Subway Midosuji Line from Esaka Staion towards Nakamozu, alight at Umeda Station. Can we ride the subway using the Kintetsu Rail Pass or we need to purchase another ticket for this. I’d appreciate your reply to this.

          Thanks again Takeshi-san!

          Vida

  6. Chower says:
    August 30, 2013 at 2:12 am

    Hi there, would appreciate if you can assist me on the transportation as i’m quite confused especially at the kansai area:

    Days 1- 3:
    Tokyo: will be using Tokyo Metro pass and Suica

    Day 4:
    Tokyo – Nagano: by JR Shinkansen <- buy seperate tix for shinkansen
    Nagano – Yudanaka: Nagano Electric Railway Ltd Exp <- ??

    Day 5 and 6
    Nagano – Matsumoto: JR Ltd Exp (Wide View) Shinano <- Use Suica
    Matsumoto – Takayama – Shirakawago – Kanazawa: Nohi bus <- by cash
    Kanazawa – Kyoto: JR Ltd Exp Thunderbird <- Use Suica

    Day 7 -8:
    Kyoto: will be using ICOCA for trains/subways and city day pass for bus

    Day 9:
    Kyoto – Nara: Kintetsu Kyoto Line Exp <-??
    Nara – Osaka: Osaka Loop Line/subways/trains <- ??
    Osaka – Kyoto: Hankyu Kyoto Line Ltd Exp <-??

    Day 10:
    Kyoto – Kansai airport <- ??

    1. To Yudanaka: Can i use Suica on the Nagano Electric Railway Ltd Exp train? If not, how do i buy the ticket since i'm coming from Tokyo via shinkansen, do i have to get out of the gates, buy tix then get back in for train to Yudanaka, or can i just top up at the end of the trip ?

    2. For the shinkansen, do i need to reserve online in advance? Or can i buy in the train stations on the day of travel?

    3. For Express or other Limited Express trains, I read "additional tickets must be purchased to use the Suica for travel..", how much for such top ups and where do i get the additional tix?

    3. When in Kyoto, can i use ICOCA cards for all trains including subways? Or can i just use Suica alone for all trains and subways?

    4. Can i use ICOCA or Suica card for trains to Nara and Osaka? Specifically on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line Exp, Osaka trains/subways, and the Hankyu Kyoto Line Exp back to Kyoto?

    5. Can i take the Kansai Airport Rapid Service train to Kansai Airport from Kyoto? Is this route plotted on Hyperdia as i can't seem to find, where do i buy the tix? Also Is there other easier/cheaper ways to go to the airport?

    Hope you can help me on this and apologies for the super long questions, many thanks!

  7. yuuka says:
    August 24, 2013 at 2:04 am

    Hi,

    Thank you for your comprehensive posts on the various rail passes but I’m still very confused which ones would be the most suitable/cheapest for my trip. Hope you would be able to give some advice.

    Day 1 to Day 7 evening: Tokyo (includes Nikko, Mt. Takao+Ghibli Museum, Mt. Fuji&Hakone, Odaiba, Disneyland)
    – I’m currently still considering going on JTB Sunrise Tour for Mt. Fuji/Hakone, do you think it’s worth doing F&E for it too?

    Day 7 night: travel from Tokyo to Matsumoto

    Day 8: Leave Matsumoto for the Alpine Route, and stay the night at Takayama

    Day 9: Nagoya

    Day 10: Kyoto

    Day 11: Osaka (includes 1 day in Osaka, 1 day for Hiroshima/Miyajima, 1 day for Nara+Kobe)

    I’ll be departing from KIX.

    Previously we planned for the Nikko World Heritage Pass but sales are suspended for the moment. Wondering if the JR Kanto Pass would work for us. But it doesn’t seem to cover the route from Shinjuku to Matsumoto. JR East Pass cost 20,000yen and it doesn’t seem worth for my trips?

    Somebody recommended the Kansai Thru Pass to me, but I’m not sure if it or JR West Pass would be better for me. And how can we minimise the cost of travelling to Hiroshima and Miyajima using either Kansai Thru Pass or JR West Pass, since Hiroshima isn’t part of the Kansai region.

    We are planning to stay in near Nanba Station or Sakaisujihonmachi Station.

    Sorry for the disorganised post and tonnes of questions because we are very confused (despite not being the first time in Japan) and our thoughts are just all over the place :\

    Thank you!

    Best regards,
    yuuka

  8. Diana Diane Teo says:
    August 21, 2013 at 1:18 am

    All your information are so details and useful. But somehow, I need some advise from you. This is my draft itinerary:

    Day 1: Kansai Airport – Shin Osaka – Namba
    Day 2: Shin Osaka – Nara
    Day 3: Shin Osaka – Kobe
    Day 4: Shin Osaka – Himeji
    Day 5: Osaka Day Tour
    Day 6: Shin Osaka – Kyoto
    Day 7: Kyoto Day Tour
    Day 8: Kyoto – Kansai International Airport

    From what I plan, I decided to buy JR West Pass for 4 days (From Day 1-Day 4). Then on 5th day, I decide to buy Osaka One-Day Pass which cost 800 yen. But may I know can I go Universal Studio using Osaka One-Day Pass?
    Upon arrived Kyoto on Day 6 and I will be staying there for 2 nights, I decided to either buy Kyoto City bus or maybe Kyoto Sightseeing Pass.

    Only on the last day which is Day 8, from the fare table above, looks like I need to pay 2,980 yen from Kyoto to Kansai Osaka Airport. Can I buy JR West Pass for 1 day for this case, since one visitor can only purchase once per visit, and I already decide to buy the JR West Pass for 4 days in the beginning?

    • JPRail says:
      August 21, 2013 at 6:00 pm

      Hi Diana,

      Thanks for your comment about my website. 🙂

      I recommend you to use ICOCA and Haruka round trip ticket for Day 1 and Day 8. This deal cover for KIX-Shin Osaka and Kyoto-KIX. It’s only 4000 yen. And also it includes 1500 yen e-money in ICOCA. It can be used for almost everything, like JR trains, Kyoto subways/bus, private railways’ trains. Please see the link below to learn more:
      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

      Now you need to purchase only 3 days pass of Kansai West Pass. You can use your 1500 yen ICOCA e-money for day 6 Shin Osaka-Kyoto transfer. But it costs only 540 yen. So you can take some subways or buses in Kyoto on day 6 and you may buy one day pass for day 7. If you still have some fund, you don’t need to purchase the pass.

      How about it? 🙂

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Diana Diane Teo says:
        August 21, 2013 at 8:35 pm

        Thanks a lot for the instant reply. It really helps a lot cause planning around Kansai area, it almost make my head crack. Reading all the map and subway for almost three weeks, haven’t come out with any conclusion on which pass to buy. Really thanks a lot.

        By the way, here’s my last question. Can I go Universal Studio using Osaka One-Day Pass?

  9. Sandra says:
    August 4, 2013 at 9:59 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’m flying to Osaka next Monday (12/08) and saw your post, need your advice which would be the best ticket combination:

    Day 1: Arrive Osaka Kansai Airport around 9pm- ICOCA & Haruka
    Day 2: Explore around Osaka
    Day 3: Osaka-Kyoto day trip
    Day 4: Osaka-Kobe day trip
    Day 5: Osaka-Nara day trip
    Day 6: Osaka-Kansai Airport- ICOCA & Haruka

    Should i get the Kansai Area pass for day 3-5? Thanks!!

  10. V says:
    July 31, 2013 at 8:17 pm

    Hi,

    I am pretty confused about the transport system in Japan too. I am planning to a trip to Osaka but from there i will be exploring several places. Can you please advise me which train pass i should get to be more worth?

    Day 1:
    Arriving Kansai Airport – Tennoji
    Tennoji – Wakayama (Day trip)

    Day 2:
    Tennoji – Himeji – Kobe (Day trip)

    Day 3 – 6:
    Tennoji – Kyoto – Tennoji
    Will be exploring around Kyoto (Central, Eastern, Northern, Southern)

    Day 7:
    Tennoji – Nara (Day trip)

    Day 8:
    Exploring around Osaka

    Day 9:
    Tennoji – Kansai Airport

    Would appreciate your kind help! Thanks! (:(:

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