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,
I am going to Kansai from 4-13 April 2015.
The accomodation is in Nagase throughout the whole journey
(4 minutes walking distance from Nagase Kintetsu Station, 10 mins from JR Nagase).
Itineraries as below:
4 Apr – Reach KIX. Nankai train or Haruka Express to Namba depending on which rail pass to be selected. Dotonbori/Shinsaibashi.
5 Apr – Kyoto
6 Apr – Kyoto
7 Apr – Kobe
8 Apr – Nara
9 Apr – USJ
10 Apr – Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan & Market Place
11 Apr – Nihonbashi & Minami Senba
12 Apr – Tennoji & Osaka Castle
13 Apr – Nagase to KIX
After reading your posts on how to select the best rail pass, I am still confused which to choose among:
(i) Kintetsu rail pass wide/Rail Pass
(ii) Kansai Thru Pass
If my destination from KIX is Namba station, shall I take ICOCA & Haruka or Nankai train?
Kintetsu rail pass wide includes train tickets from KIX as well, is that more worthy?
Since there is JR Nagase station around my apartment, shall I get JR Kansai Area 4-day Pass instead? For the 2 days Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.
Hope you can assist. Thanks
Shell
Hi Shell,
Kansai thru pass is the best choice. You may use 2X3 days pass for Apr 4-8 and 13.
For other days, single fare will be cheaper. But Kansai thru pass is considerable if you drop by other places in Osaka when you visit USJ, Kaiyukan or other places. It depends on how many trips you have.
You may find some info at the link below:
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 / JP Rail
Dear takeshi,
Thanks for your advice.
Something to re-confirm with u, Kansai thru pass covers return trips to and from KIX?
Only nankai train?
For 9 and 10 apr, if i only go to USJ on the first day and Kaiyukan & market place on day 2, is it necessary to get the 2-day Kansai Thru Pass?
Thanks!
Hi Shell,
Nankai Railway is covered by JR pass. But if you take Rapi:t express train, you have to add express surcharge, 510 yen.
You don’t need to use this pass for USJ and Kaiyukan. Single ticket is enough. But if you drop by somewhere before/after these places, Kansai Thru Pass may be better choice. Single ticket must be cheaper than Kansai thru pass if you have just round trip to these places
Cbeers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Did you mean “Nankai Railway is covered by Kansai Thru Pass”? If not, what type of airport train does KTP cover?
Thanks!
Hi Shell,
Yes. Nankai is covered by Kansai thru pass, but JR is not.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, need advise. I am thinking of using ICOCA + Haruka (round trip) for the travelling to and from KIX and Heritage Ticket to and from Koyasan. As for Osaka only, Namba to Nara and Kyoto only use the ICOCA. Is this the best ‘strategy’?
Day 1, KIX to Namba
Day 2, Osaka only – one or few places (no USJ but to Suita)
Day 3, Namba to Nara
Day 4, Namba to Koyasan
Day 5, Koyasan to Namba to Kyoto
Day 6-7, Kyoto only – one or few places
Day 8, Kyoto to KIX
My first time asking a question. Do not need to post but you can reply me via my email instead
Thanks
Hi MC,
First of all, I don’t contact any readers by email directly. So I reply your inquiry here.
Your choice is good. But you can use Kansai Thru Pass for day 4 and 5. It covers all part of your trip from Koyasan to Kyoto by Nankai, suwbay and Keihan (or Hankyu).
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-san,
I really enjoyed reading your posts and detailed analysis.
I am going to Kansai next week, itinerary as follow, what passes would you recommend? ICOCA + Haruka (day 1,2,5&6) & 2-day Kansai Thru (day 3&4)? Or do I need JR West Pass too?
Day 1 – KIX to JR Osaka + going to Namba /Shinsaibashi afterwards
Day 2 – Within Osaka (probably to Osaka Castle area)
Day 3 – Osaka to Nara
Day 4 – Osaka to Kyoto
Day 5 – Universal Studio + Umeda
Day 6 – JR Osaka to KIX
Thank you!
Cheers,
Phoebe
Hi Phoebe san,
Have you read the following post?
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
I believe this post covers all inquiries about your trip
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear takeshi san,
My itinerary is reach nagoya airport on 14th nov..stay 14th n 15th..16th to hiroshima (start use JR pass)..18th to kagoshima n 21st bck to hiroshima 22nd to takayama n 24th bck to nagoya airport.
Wat do u suggest. ..buy one week pass or 2 week pass.
Thank you.
Hi Christine,
You can use 7 days pass for Nov 16 to 22. You can take Nohi bus from Takayama to Nagoya.
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/nagoya.html
The segment between Chubu airport and Nagoya is not covered JR Pass anyway.
I think this is the best and the cheapest way.
And you can book Takayama-Nagoya bus when you stay in Nagoya. You can book over the phone or at Meitetsu bus center near Nagoya station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail.
Thanks takeshi san.
I need ur advice on my last day is in takayama n I need to go nagoya airport. Wat is the train or bus to take n the time of travel.
tq
Hi Christine,
There is only one round trip to airport from Takayama.
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/centrair/index.html
If you can’t take it, you can take Nohi bus to Nagoya as I mentioned in last reply. And then take Meitetsu railway from Nagoya station to Chubu airport.
http://www.centrair.jp/en/to_and_from/access/train.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Im plan to osaka from 7 to 18 Dec. At the moment my itenary is to cover kansai perfecture. My question is which pass is most suitable for me?
Or anybody has better idea other place to visit?
Hi Banii,
Before you choose the pass, you have to decide where you go and where you stay. I hope these following links will give you some idea:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi I am planning a trip to Japan but I am very confused about which pass to buy, so here is my itinerary:
1st Sept – 5th Sept – Tokyo
5th Sept – 7th Sept – Hakone, we want to purchase the Hakone Free Pass but dont know how this works or how to get to Mount Fuji?
7th Sept – 11th Sep – Kyoto, we want to travel to many places around Kyoto, any ideas Kyoto bamboo forest ext
11 Sept – 15th Sept – Osaka, we want to go to Hemije, Kobe ect we were also thinking about going to Hiroshima/ miyajma but not sure if it is to much?
then we fly home on the 15th from Osaka
Please can you help?
Also if we get a JR Rail Pass were thinking about activating it after Hakone so we could get the 7day one?
Many thanks
Neels and Rick
Hi Neels and Rick,
First of all, regarding Hakone, you can see Mt. Fuji from Lake Ashi in Hakone area. But Lake Kawaguchi is most popular place to see Mt. Fuji. Lake Kaaguchi is located at other side of Mt. Fuji. Please see the link below to find more info:
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/course/fujihakone/
If you do this, Fuji Hakone Pass is better choice.
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/fujihakone/
But if you use this pass, you have to give up the last portion of this pass for Odawara-Shijuku. Because you can take Shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto. If you go back to Shinjuku, you will waste time.
If you stay in Hakone, Hakone Free Pass is okay. If you just want to see Mt. Fuji, Hakone is okay.
At last, if you are really sure to visit Hiroshima and Miyajima, you can use JR Pass. This trip must be done. Otherwise JR Pass is way more expensive than single fare. Day trip to Hiroshima from Osaka is not impossible. Of course if you can stay there, it’s much better. But it takes 2 hours to get Hiroshima by Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Will be traveling on Nov 16-21 and this will be our itinerary:
Nov 16- late arrival in KIX (8PM) and directly to Kyoto
Nov 17 – Kyoto (Arashimaya Sagano Scenic Railway/Nijo Castle/Imperial Palace
Nov 18 – Kyoto (Kinkakuji), then transfer to Nara (overnight stay)
Nov 19 – Nara (AM)/Osaka (PM)
Nov 20 – Osaka (USJ)
Nov 21 – Osaka (late flight back home 8PM)
Will it be better if I buy roundtrip HARUKA+ICOCA Card? Also, should I take the Kansai Thru Pass with my itinerary Kyoto-Nara-Osaka (might have a quick lunch tour to Kobe too) or I’d rather take the Kyoto All Day Pass?
Thank you in advance!
🙂 Claire
Hi Claire,
ICOCA and Haruka round trip ticket is highly recommended.
If you are really sure to visit Kobe on Nov 19, Kansai thru pass 2 days is recommended for Nov 18 and 19. If not, single ticket and Kyoto all day bus pass is better.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thank you so much Takeshi!:-) You’re a great help to my DIY Japan trip. More power!ツ
Claire
No problem Claire.
Enjoy your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi san,
we will travel to Japan on Apr 1 – 14, 2015. Plan to buy JR Pass (7 days or 14 days). Below is my itinerary:
Apr 1 – 5 tokyo
Apr 4 go to Nikko (one day trip) buy own train ticket
Apr 5 spent sunday in harajuku
Apr 6 Takayama (start using JR pass)
Apr 7 Takayama – Shiragawako – kanazawa by gus (not covered by JR Pass)
Apr 8 Kanazawa – kyoto with JR pass
Apr 9 Kyoto sightseeing
Apr 10 Kyoto – Nara – Osaka (go to Osaka castle) – Kyoto (use JR Pass)
Apr 11 Kyoto – Hiroshima -Miyajima (use JR Pass)
Apr 12 Hiroshime – Osaka (will go to shinsaibashi and dotonbori) back to Kyoto use JR pass
Apr 13 Kyoto sightseeing
Apr 14 Leave Kyoto to Kansai Airport
My questions is:
Do I need to buy 7 days or 14 days JR pass?
How much is the train ticket from tokyo to Nikko? Where and how to buy it?
Can I use JR west kansai pass to travel from Kyoto station to Kansai airport? Is it direct train or hv to transfer? In view of carrying big luggage. Is there any space to put our luggage in the train?
when travelling inside Osaka, do you recommend to buy single fare trip or is there any one day subway pass?
Thank you very much for your help and regards.
Jane
Hi Jane,
7 days pass is the best choice. 14 days pass is too much and too expensive.
1. For Nikko
If you intend to take a bus to see around/in Nikko, Tobu Nikko Pass is better choice.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/how-to-access-to-nikko-from-tokyo-there-are-three-ways-from-tokyo-shinjuku-and-asakusa.html
You have to go to Asakusa to catch Tobu train and purchase Tobu pass. But this pass covers everyghing.
2. Kansai Area Pass for Kyoto to KIX
You can use this pass and take direct train Haruka to KIX.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kansai-airport-limited-express-haruka.html
3. Osaka
It depend on how many trips you will take subway. Subway pass (Eco card) is sold at 800 yen. You have to take at lease appx 4 trips if you use this pass.
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/ticket/convenient.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Have few questions here regarding the JR West Rail Pass. Firstly, does it cover JR Namba to Osaka Station and from Umahori, Arashiyama Station to Osaka/Kyoto Station? Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks.
Best Regards,
Dunkpitter
Hi Dunkpitter,
Namba to Osaka via Shin-Imamiya and Arashiyama to Kyoto/Osaka are covered. You can find the detailed info at the following links:
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I wonder is Osaka Enjoy Eco Card can be used on Nankai Railway to Sumiyoshi taisha or Hankai Tram to Sumiyoshi Taisha as i couldnt find much info on it?
Hi Dunkpitter,
No., it doesn’t. Eco card covers Osaka subway but not Nankai.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-san,
I will be staying in Shinsabashi, and would like to make a day trip to Kobe.
Is it advisable to buy Hankyu Tourist Pass 2 days pass
By the way. can I use this Hankyu Tourist Pass to make a day trip to Nara and
then back to Shinsabashi?
Pls advise.
Thank you.
Regards,
Mimi
Hi Mimi san,
No. It costs 1200 yen a day. But if you take Hanshi train from Namba, return fare is 820 yen. You have to take subway to Namba, but if you take Hankyu, you have to take subway too. And subway is not covered by this pass.
You can’t use this pass for trip to Nara either. Both Hanshin and Hankyu do not run to Nara.
Single ticket is the best choice for trip to both Nara and Kobe.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail