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
hello,
i need some advices on train pass. i will be going to kansai for 6 days and stay in a hotel near shin osaka station (except for the last night). here’s my itinerary:
day 1
KIX – shin osaka
kobe (sannomiya, motomachi)
umeda
day 2
kyoto
fushimi inari
arashiyama
gion
day 3
around osaka (amagasaki, sakai, ibaraki)
nara
day 4
shinsaibashi, namba, nippombashi, dotonbori, tennoji
day 5
universal studios and surrounding areas (stay at universal city)
day 6
tennoji – kix
should i buy ICOCA & Haruka (for KIX – Shin Osaka – KIX) + Kansai Thru Pass (for day 1, day 2 and day 3)?
Hi Iman,
ICOCA & Haruka is okay and I think 2 days Kansai Thru Pass is enough. You can use ICOCA to get Kobe. And if you don’t exit the station, you can get Kobe by ICOCA & Haruka. Haruka can take you Shin-Osaka but you can transfer Special Rapid train. As long as you don’t exit the station, it’s fully covered.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello,
Great information! I’m hopeing you can help me out. My wife, son, and I are flying into kansai airport traveling to the Chuo ward about six blocks from the castle. The first day were are hanging around Osaka. Second, we’re going to kyoto then back to osaka. Third, kyoto and back again. Fourth, to Nara and back to osaka. Fifth, Kobe then back to the airport. What are your recommendations? Is it worth getting the four day jr kansai area pass for all of us? Thanks for the help.
1 kansai airport – chuo ward osaka
2 chuo ward – kyoto – chuo ward
3 chuo ward – kyoto – chuo ward
4 chuo ward – Nara – chuo ward
5 chuo ward – Kobe – kansai airport
David
Hi David,
I recommend you the following.
Day 1. Kanku Chikatoku Ticket
http://www.howto-osaka.com.e.iv.hp.transer.com/top/ticket/railway/
Day 2,3 and 5 Kansai 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/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Single ticket is fine for day 4 to Nara.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
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
Hi Takeshi,
Good morning.
I’ll be having my vacation in kansai from 23rd to 30th March.
I have done some research on the tourist pass and would like to know your opinion if the pass i’m gonna buy is worth?
23/-3 : KIX-Kyoto
24/03: Kyoto
25/03: Nara
26/03: Osaka
27/03: Kobe
28/03: Osaka (USJ)
29/03: Osaka
30/03: Osaka-KIX
I plan to get the haruka/icoca for my roundtrip travel from kansai to KIX & the remaining 1500yen+top up for JR line
As I’m travelling consecutively from Nara-Osaka-Kobe from 25/03- 27/03, is Kansai Thru Pass (3 days) the best pass?
I heard Himeji is a very famous place and was thinking to make it there for a day trip too. In that case will Kansai Wide area pass be a better option?
Thanks,
Charlie
Hi Charlie,
ICOCA and Haruka is a right choice. But Kansai Thru Pass is doubtful. Please see the following link. Single fare may be cheaper.
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/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/kansai-thru-pass-sample-itineraries.html
It’s very hard to get the worth to make a trip to Kobe and Nara. You may not have many chances to use this pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-san,
I will be planning a trip to Japan in early April 2014 and was very overwhelmed by the different rail passes available. I wished I had done a more thorough research and found your website earlier before making the mistake of buying the JR Kansai Area pass for 4 days and 3 days respectively as this was advised by the travel agency for a 7-day trip in the Kansai region. Now reading the information on your website, I have doubts on my purchase and maybe, buying the Kansai Thru Pass should be better?
So, I hope you can bear with me as I list out a summary of my trip and for any suggestions on changes to my itinerary especially the stay at Osaka / Kyoto in order to maximize the use of my rail pass:
8 Apr – Arrived Narita airport, stay 1 night before fly to Nagoya meet friend.
9 Apr to 12 Apr – Stay in Nagoya for 3 nights. What transport ticket is the best for a tourist during my stay here?
As Central Japan is not covered under the JR Kansai Area Pass, I know I have to buy separate train tickets to travel between Nagoya – Osaka – Kyoto – Nagoya. Checked through Hyperdia that most trains that travel to Osaka are Nozomi trains? Even if I got the JR Rail Pass, it’s not covered. Can a train ticket be bought in advance, say 1 to 2 days at the Nagoya station before my travel date?
12 Apr to 16 Apr – Travel to Osaka from Nagoya. Will stay 4 nights near the JR Kyobashi line. In between these dates, will explore Osaka, and planned day-trips to Kobe (Sannomiya), Nara and maybe Himeji (but read Himeji Castle is under construction – is it still worthwhile to make a trip there?).
16 Apr to 18 Apr – Travel to Kyoto from Osaka. Stay 2 nights – explore Kyoto area.
18 Apr to 19 Apr – Travel back to Nagoya by shinkansen to catch flight home from Centrair airport on 19th morning.
I feel rather reckless in my purchase of the Kansai Area passes and was wondering if I am able to cancel it and get a refund. Considering it doesn’t even cover the JR buses when the travel agency said it does. I think they got confused by thinking it’s the same as a Japan Rail Pass. Also, I seem to understand from the JR West website I can’t change the Exchange Order unless I am in the Kansai region or have I misunderstood? This is inconvenient as I thought I can get it exchange in any JR Exchange offices despite the region.
I apologize for my long comment and your patience to answer my questions as well as others. Thank you in advance for setting-up this website and in my next trip to Japan, I know where to get information for a better itinerary. Arigato gozaimasu!
Best regards,
JoannaC
Hi Joanna san,
At this point, it’s hard to say which pass the best choice is for you. Please check the following:
1. 4 day pass at 6000 yen. So you have to use 1500 yen worth per day.
2. Return trip to Himeji is more than 3200 yen. But I don’t recommend to visit there at this point because of construction.
3. Return trip to Sannomiya (Kobe) is appx 1100 yen. But Kobe can be combined with Himeji.
4. Return trip to Nara is appx 1400 yen.
5. When you stay in Osaka and Kyoto, you may not have many chance to use Kansai Area Pass.
So if you go to Himeji, this pass may work. Otherwise it’s not a good choice. On the other hand, I think Kansai Thru Pass is not a good choice either. It’s too complicated to get Kobe and Himeji by only non JR lines from Kyobashi. Even when you travel to Nara, you have to take JR line to Tsuruhashi from Kyobashi. And also you may not use the worth to use Kansai Thru Pass either. If you go to Kyoto from Osaka everyday, this pass will give you a great deal. However in Kobe and Nara, many places can be accessed by walk. You need to purchase single ticket to get there.
My recommendation is the following:
1. Osaka Eco card for exploring in Osaka
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/ticket/convenient.html
2. Kyoto sightseeing card or all day bus pass for exploring in Kyoto
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html
3. single ticket for all other trips.
In Nagoya, subway pass and bus pass are available.
http://www.nagoya-info.jp/en/access/getting_around_nagoya/discount_tickets_passes/1day.html
These are only choices in Nagoya. But I’m not sure where you want to go in Nagoya and these pass will cover your place or not.
At last, you can purchase JR single tickets in any JR stations in advance. You can book and purchase all ticket at Nagoya, of course.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Appreciate if you can give me some advice which pass should i use for my trip as below.
Day 1: KIX – Kyoto
Day 2: Kyoto
Day 3: kyoto
Day 4: kyoto – Osaka
Day 5: Osaka – Kobe ( Day trip)
Day 6: Osaka – Nara ( Day trip)
Day 7: Osaka
Day 8: Osaka – KIX
Thanks in advanced.
Hi Jack,
ICOCA and Haruka for the first day and the last day.
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
Kyoto city sightseeing card or all day bus pass will be your choice for day 2 to 3. If you make a trip on arrival day, you can use these deals too.
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html
ICOCA e-money can be used for the rest of trips. But 1500 yen e-money is not enough to cover the rest of your trip. You may put some fund into ICOCA or simply to purchase single fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thank sir for fast reply.
Regarding the ICOCA and Haruka card, instead i take single trip, is it fine if round trip is purchased so i can use it for KIX to Kyoto and later the end from Shin-osaka to KIX again? and the balance i may use for as u said to Kobe and coming back to Osaka.
and if i wanna put Nara in between my itinerary mentioned KIX-Kyoto-Kobe-Osaka-KIX, where should i put? is Nara much nearer to Osaka or maybe i can stop by at Nara when im heading to Kobe? is it adviseable? or when im already in Osaka i can make a return trip to Nara just like that?
Thank you.
Hi Fakhru,
You can use round trip of ICOCA and Haruka. When you go back to KIX, you don’t need to go to Shin-Osaka. Tennoji is much closer to Namba. If you can take a train from JR Namba, you still have to transfer from local train to Haruka. But you don’t need to pay any extra. Haruka ticket covers JR Namba-(local train)-Tennoji-(Haruka)-KIX.
Your itinerary is already packed. I don’t recommend you to go to Nara. But if you really want to squeeze Nara, March 6 at Osaka is the best. I don’t recommend you to squeeze Nara when you go to Kobe. It’s different direction.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-access-to-nara-by-japan-rail-pass-if-you-dont-use-jr-pass-kintetsu-railway-is-more-convenient.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hai there, i need some advice from you
My itinerary
3rd March 2014, reaching KIX at 11pm , sleep at the airport
4th March 2014, catch the first train to Kyoto. Sleep one night at Kyoto.
5th March 2014, heading to Kobe for but coming back to Osaka (booked hotel at Namba)
6th March 2014, One day visit at Osaka ( Osaka Unlimited Pass is wise idea?)
7th March 2014, Heading to KIX flight at 11am
So from KIX i should buy Kansai Area Pass to go to Kyoto or simply single fare tix using Hankyu? and i’ll buy Kyoto Sighseeing Pass is a good choice right?
Then the next day if from Kyoto to Kobe what is the best (cheapest) way because by evening i’ll coming back to Osaka, so spend maybe 6-8 hours in Kobe.
And Kansai Area Pass can be used for going back to kansai Airport also right?
Please advice, thank you.
Hi Fakhru,
I recommend you to use the following tickets:
ICOCA and Haruka
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
This will cover yourt trip from KIX to Kyoto and you can use ICOCA e-money to get the train from Kyoto to Sannnomiya (JR/1050 yen) and Sannomiya to Osaka-Namba (Hanshin railway/400 yen).
Enjoy Eco card
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/ticket/convenient.html
If you intend to visit many attractions, Osaka Unlimited Pass is a good choice. Otherwise just one day pass (Enjoy Eco card) is enough.
For Namba to KIX, single ticket is the cheapest choice. If you want to take limited express train, Rapi:t Tokuwari ticket is a good choice:
http://www.howto-osaka.com.e.iv.hp.transer.com/top/ticket/railway/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I need your advise concerning organization of my travelling in Japan.
I will arrive in Kansai Airport on 25 March in the morning. Then I will immediately go to Kyoto and stay there till 28 March, when I plan to go to Tokyo by train. On 6 April I will go to Osaka also by train and finally on 8 April I will leave Japan from Kansai Airport.
While staying in Kyoto I wish to visit Nara and during stay in Tokyo perhaps I would like to go to Hakone and Kamakura (not sure yet).
At first I thought of buying JR Pass for 14 days, but since most of the time I will spend in Tokyo, I think JR pass would cost me more than regular tickets. I guess the most economic solution will be JR West Kansai Area Pass for the first 3 or 4 days for travelling from the airport to Kyoto by Haruka, sightseeing in Kyoto and going to and from Nara. For travels Kyoto-Tokyo, Tokyo-Osaka and Osaka-Kansai I intend to buy regular tickets.
Please let me know, if my planning is correct.
Or maybe for the stay in Osaka I should rather buy Kansai Thru Pass? Can I have JR West Kansai Area Pass and Kansai Thru Pass during one stay in Japan? If so, can I buy them both on my arrival at the airport?
Do I understand correctly, that I can use Suica card in Kyoto and Osaka/
I will be very much obliged for your comments and advices.
Greetings,
Anna
Hi Anna,
You are right.
7 days pass will work if you complete Kyoto-Tokyo round trip in 7 days. Otherwise single fare is cheaper than 14 days pass.
If you have one more long trip, such as Hiroshima, Takayama or Kanazawa, 14 days pass be suitable for your trip.
At this point, ICOCA and Haruka one way ticket is recommended for your trip to Kyoto from Kansai and one day trip to Nara.
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
It costs 3000 yen and cheaper than 2 days Kansai area pass at 4000 yen. You can use ICOCA for not only JR trains but also Kyoto subway and other private railway’s trains. ICOCA can be used in Tokyo too. 1500 yen e-money is preloaded and you can add some more fund anytime in Kansai area major JR stations. If you make ICOCA empty before you leave Japan, you can get 500 yen refund. (So it costs actually 2500 yen)
You can purchase ICOCA and Haruka at Kansai airport.
Kansai Thru Pass is very convenient. But you must make lots of trips. Otherwise you can’t make 1900 yen worth a day. (2 days pass is 3800 yen)
Kyoto sightseeing city pass or all day bus pass is better for excursion in Kyoto.
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html
At last, these following links may help you to build your plan.
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/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/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/subway-in-tokyo.html
http://www.howto-osaka.com.e.iv.hp.transer.com/top/ticket/railway/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I hope you can give me some advise on my itinerary:
28 Apr 2014 – 715AM – Arrive Kansai airport
I plan to visit Kyoto on this day, and planning to take a midnight bus from Kyoto to Shinjuku on the same day. I am interested to visit Kinkakuji & Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Question 1: The best option for this is to buy JR WEST Kansai area 1 day pass @ 2000yen, from Kansai airport to Kyoto station via Haruka correct? The only additional ticket which i need will be subway to Kitaoji station for visit to Kinkakuji? As JR WEST Kansai area 1 day pass should cover Fushimi Inari Shrine by using JR Nara line to Inari station?
Question 2: Do you think it is possible to do a whole 1 day to visit Kiyomizudera, Kinkakuji & Fushimi Inari Shrine ? How would you suggest this itinerary to be?
Thanks !
Hi Michael,
I think ICOCA and Haruka one way pass is better than Kansai Pass one day. ICOCA and Haruka is 1000 yen more than pass. But ICOCA 1500 yen money is included and this can be used for subway. And also, if you make ICOCA empty, you can return ICOCA to JR and get 500 yen refund. So it costs actually not 3000 yen but 2500 yen.
Especially if you go to Kiyomizudera, you can take Keihan after Fushimi Inari to Kiyomizu-GOjo station. This can be covered by ICOCA too.
If you don’t go to Kiymizudera, Kansai Area Pass is cheaper. But if you go to Kiyomizudera, ICOCA and Haruka is better. I think you can go to three places in one day.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thank you Takeshi for the input !
How would you suggest to visit all 3 places ?
Will it be Kyoto station –> Kinkakuji via subway –>Fushimi via JR inari station –> Kiyomizudera via Keihan ?
Hi Michael,
Your route is correct. After visiting Kiyomizudera, take Keihan from Kiyomizugojo to Shichijo. It’s within walking distance from JR Kyoto station.
https://goo.gl/maps/aciwy
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, I’m planning to visit Osaka and Kyoto in February. Im hoping you can assist me to find the best pass/ticket during my trip. So this is my itinerary:
Day 1
KIX-Osaka (Hearton Nishi Umeda Station)
Osaka Castle
Day 2
Kyoto Trip
Day 3 and Day 4
Will explore around Osaka
Day 5
Osaka-KIX
I know since Haruka did not go to Osaka station, so is it wise to buy the Osaka unlimited pass for Day 1?
For Day 2 and 3, I am thinking of buying the 2 day kansai thru pass. Or should I just get a single ticket for Osaka-Kyoto then buy the Kyoto unlimited pass? And then for osaka i can just buy the one day pass which cost 600 yen on weekends? And then on Day 5, I should buy a single ticket again?
Thank you.
Hi Fina,
Even though Haruka does not stop at Osaka. But I recommend you to use ICOCA and Haruka round trip tikcet. This deal cannot be ignored. Especially ICOCA 1500 yen e-money is very useful. You can use this to get Kyoto from Osaka by JR. Or if you go to Arashiyama you can use ICOCA for Hankyu train from Umeda.
I’m not sure Osaka Unlimited Pass is your choice or not. Many attractions are included in this deal. If you visit many attractions, this deal is a good choice. But it does not include any transfer from KIX. ICOCA and Haruka is still useful.
Kansai Thru Pass may be your choice. But it depends on you itinerary in Kyoto. 2 day pass is 3800 yen. If you get Kyoto by Hankyu, the fare is 390 yen one way. If you take subway or train at least 5 times in Kyoto to get worth 1900 yen or up. Make sure your wish list in Kyoto and find how many times you will take bus and train in Kyoto. If you go for Kansai Thru Pass, you can use ICOCA for subway in Osaka.
So try to build your detail itinerary and make sure where you want to go.
And then you will find the most suitable deal for your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail