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. Tates pecson says:
    July 26, 2015 at 2:53 am

    Dear Takeshi,

    First of all, thanks for having this helpful blog.

    Can you please advise which is the best train pass we should get, the Haruka&Icoca pass, Kansai pass or somethingelse?

    Day 1 We arrive 8pm from KIX Airport and will take train to our hotel near Shin-Osaka station.

    Day 2 Shin-Osaka – Himeji Castle – Kobe – Shin Osaka
    Day 3 Shin- Osaka – Nara – Osaka downtown – Shin Osaka
    Day 4 Shin- Osaka – Kyoto – Shin Osaka
    Day 5 Shin Osaka – Osaka downtown – Shin Osaka – KIX airport, our flight is at 7pm

    Which is the best pass should we get?

    Thank you,
    Tates

  2. Cynthia says:
    July 20, 2015 at 9:28 pm

    Hello Takeshi,
    Been going through some of your sample itineraries and came up with this:
    Buy 1 Day Osaka Amazing Pass to see Osaka Castle, Aquarium and Umeda Sky
    Buy 1 Day JR West Pass (?) to travel to Hiroshima/Miyaji
    Buy 2 Days Kansai Pass to visit Kyoto and Nara

    We are a family of 4 travelling on Oct. 10.

    1. Can I buy the above passes in Osaka or I need to buy them at Kansai Airport? or before travelling to Japan? We will be arriving late in the evening so we’ll hurry to catch the limousine bus to our hotel.
    2. Do I need to buy all passes by 4? is there a family pass or something?
    3. Oct. 12 is a National Holiday and we intend to visit Hiroshima. Will there be a big crowd then?

    Cheers!

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      July 20, 2015 at 10:30 pm

      Hi Cynthia,

      First of all, if you want to go to Hiroshima, you have to purchase Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kansai-hiroshima-area-pass-perfect-deal-for-the-traveller-who-wants-travel-both-kansai-and-hiroshima.html

      I think you mean Kansai Area Pass 1 day. But this pass does not cover Hiroshima. The coverage of this pass is way smaller to get Hiroshima. Even though Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass is way more expensive than other passes, it’s cheaper than round trip fare by Shinkansen

      If you purchase Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, it’s valid for 5 days. You don’t need to get 2 days Kansai pass. But Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass does not cover subway in Osaka and Kyoto. You have to add single fare or subway pass.

      There is no family deals but if your child is less than 6 years old, it’s free. Any deals are not required.

      Oct 12 will be busy than other days, but it’s not super busy. But if you can change the date, I recommend you to visit there in weekday.

      You can purchase the pass on the spot at KIX. But as you see the link above, online price is cheaper.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Cynthia says:
        July 21, 2015 at 12:16 am

        Hi again Takeshi,

        Our Schedule would be like this:

        Day 1 – late arrival, take Airport Bus Limousine (sat)
        Day 2 – Day trip to Kyoto (Sun)
        Day 3 – Day trip to Nara
        Day 4 – Day trip to Kobe
        Day 5 – Day trip to Hiroshima/Miyaji
        Day 6 – Universal Studios Japan
        Day 7 – Osaka
        Day 8 – Travel to Kansai Airport

        So we just need the following passes: JR Kansai Hiroshima Pass (5Days) and Osaka Amazing Pass (1 day). For Universal Studios Japan, we’ll just buy ticket as we ride right?

        Can you recommend other places to visit other then Kobe when using Kansai Hiroshima Pass?

        Thanks again.

  3. colin says:
    July 15, 2015 at 11:37 am

    I intend to do a day trip from kyoto-Osaka-himeiji-kobe-Osaka. Is the one day pass can cover all the transport for these places?

  4. aju says:
    June 21, 2015 at 9:59 pm

    Hi,
    I will be visiting Osaka/Kyoto in October for 3 days before going to Tokyo.
    i’ve already book a hostel in Kyoto for 2 nights

    Here is my itinenary:
    – arrive Kansai airport in the morning and straight away off to Kyoto for checkin hostel
    – from kyoto i will coming back to Osaka and plan to go to Osaka castle, Umeda Sky Building, Universal Studio, and sightseeing Dotonburi/ShinsaibashC area.
    – then go back to kyoto from Namba station later that night.

    For 2nd&3rd day, ill be doing Kyoto sightseeing and plan to buy Kyoto Sightseeing 2Day Pass Card.
    Is JR West Kansai Area Pass is the best option or u have any other recommendation for my first day?

    thanks

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      June 21, 2015 at 10:37 pm

      Hi Aju,

      I agree with your plan. As you think, Kansai area pass one day is the best option for the 1st day for your trip.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • aju says:
        June 22, 2015 at 10:17 pm

        thanks Takeshi…

        i’m planning to take flight from kyoto to tokyo…which means i need to come back to kansai airport on my 3rd day.

        what is the best option for me to travel from kyoto back to osaka? can i buy ICOCA card and use it? or shuld i just use single fare?

        • Takeshi / JPRail says:
          June 22, 2015 at 11:06 pm

          Hi Aju,

          Now your choice is ICOCA and Haruka round trip ticket.
          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

          Kansai area pass is the best choice for the first day. But ICOCA and Haruka is better for the first and last day than Kansai area pass.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JP Rail

          • aju says:
            June 25, 2015 at 2:04 am

            Hi Takeshi,

            Thanks for the reply.
            now i get a clearer picture.

            So this is what im going to use:

            Day 1: Kansai-Kyoto-Osaka
            1) i will use Haruka from Kansai airport straight to Kyoto.

            2) Get back to Osaka from Kyoto by JR Special Rapid Service (fare 540 yen) (as mentioned in your ICOCA Haruka post).

            3) Use ICOCA for exploring Osaka

            4) If i want to get to Kyoto from Namba, use JR Special Rapid Service

            Day 2: Kyoto
            1) I can use ICOCA for Kyoto sightseeing

            Day 3: Kyoto-Kansai
            1) i will use Haruka from Kyoto straight to Kansai airport

            Takeshi, can u explain more on JR Special Rapid Service? which ill be using on my first day from Kyoto to Osaka/Namba-Kyoto

            thanks

            • Takeshi / JPRail says:
              June 25, 2015 at 12:23 pm

              Hi Aju,

              I think you need to purchase Kyoto city sightseeing card or all day bus pass. You have only 1500 yen in ICOCA. Your ICOCA will be empty after you finish your trip to Osaka. You can add more fund into your ICOCA but ICOCA does not give you any discount. It gives you exactly same value as cash. You may take subways and buses many times. It’s not good idea to use ICOCA for sightseeing in Kyoto. You should have unlimited ride pass for Kyoto.

              You can find more info about Special rapid at the link below:
              https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/rapid-service/special-rapid-service.html

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JP Rail

  5. Joachim says:
    May 10, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am in Japan now. I am intending to travel to Kyoto from Tokyo for a short trip for 3 days 2 nights. Will a 3-day JR Kansai pass work for me for trains from Tokyo to Kyoto and back to Tokyo.

    If not, what’s a better way for me?

    Hear from you soon.

    Thank you.

    Joachim

  6. Yamie says:
    May 7, 2015 at 9:39 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    I am planning a 6 days trip to Osaka end of this month, in which I will be exploring Osaka, Kyoto, Himeji and possibly either Nara or Kobe. With my hotel based in Osaka, how would you suggest I arrange the sequence of these places of interest when I will be using a 3 Day Kansai Thru Pass, a 3 Day Kansai Area Pass and possible a ICOCA card if needed.

    As suggested in your post, Himeji will be best with the JR pass, and Osaka & Kyoto would be best with Kansai Thru Pass. So I would like to ask what about Nara and Kobe? Will JR pass be good enough?

    Thank you so much for your guidance.

    Warm Regards,
    Yamie

  7. Joel says:
    May 6, 2015 at 11:07 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I have my accommodation booked near Imamiya for my 10 days Osaka trip.

    apart from 4 days in Osaka, i intend to travel to Nara, Kobe, Kyoto (2 days), Himeji and Hiroshima.

    I did some initial calculations and it seems that the JR pass (7days) might not be worthwhile for me. will you suggest if i purchase the JR west Kansai pass instead , and if yes can you suggest for which trip should i get? or should i stick to the JR pass?

    Basically my calculation is as below.
    Imamiya – Kobe – JPY 1420
    Imamiya – Kyoto – JPY 3680 (2 days travel)
    Imamiya – Nara – JPY 1120
    Imamiya – Himeji – JPY 3320
    Imamiya – Hiroshima – JPY 11,240
    Total : JPY 20,780

    given each city a day, i will still have a day to use, but i do not believe i will use JPY 8,330 worth of travel (JR pass 29,110 – 20,780).

    Thank you very much for your kind assistance.

    Kind Regards,
    Joel

  8. Yola says:
    May 5, 2015 at 3:45 am

    Hello.. I’d like to ask you about going to osaka and kyoto from tokyo, which JRpass I should buy? Could I use jrpass kansai wide? Thanks

  9. Kim L says:
    May 2, 2015 at 10:57 am

    Hi Takeshi

    We are planning a trip to visit our son in Sept. Will arrive at the Kansai International Airport and need to find our way to Senrioka Station. Can you advise us to the most direct route and easiest route with as little transfers as possible.

    Thank you, Kim

  10. Shannon says:
    April 19, 2015 at 10:35 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I will be in Japan for two months and here is my itinerary:

    Arrive in Tokyo – 5 days
    Fly to Hakodate – 4 days
    Train to Sapporo – 4 days
    Fly to Fukuoka – 3 days
    Train to Hiroshima – 2 days
    Train/bus to Tottori – 2 days
    Train to Kinosaki Yamamotoya – 2 days
    Train to Osaka – 4 days
    Train to Kyoto – stay 2 weeks
    Train to Hamamatsu – stay 3 days

    That’s all I have planned so far but I don’t know the best JR pass I should get! How long after you buy one do you have to use it? Should I get multiple 14 week JR’s? That might be expensive but is the alternative more expensive? Any help you could give would be great!

    Thank you,

    Shannon

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