ICOCA and Haruka, Kansai One Pass and Haruka, and Haruka discount ticket. Very flexible and good deal for tourist who stay in Kansai.

hello kitty harukaOsaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara
Limited Express Haruka at Kansai Airport station
The Limited Express Haruka at Kansai Airport station

You may travel in Kansai area only and not travel throughout Japan. You may have one way trip from Osaka to Tokyo. For these travelers, Kansai One Pass/ICOCA and Haruka gives you a good deal for the transfer from Kansai airport to Osaka or Kyoto, and the local sightseeing in Kansai region.

This deal gives you access to Osaka or Kyoto by the limited express Haruka and some preloaded e-money in ICOCA or Kansai One Pass.

I will tell you what this deal is and how to use it in this post.

What is Haruka?

Limited Express Haruka operation route map

Haruka is the limited express train which offers you a direct transfer from Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Tennoji, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto. This train does not stop at Osaka station (Umeda). But it is only one station away from Shin-Osaka. This is only direct train service to Kyoto from KIX. If you go to Kyoto, I highly recommend to take this train because this is the fastest, most convenient and most reliable choice. Please see the post, Limited Express Haruka to get more details.

How to use ICOCA and Kansai One Pass

These are e-money IC card. This deals included 1500 yen e-money in ICOCA or 2,500 yen e-money if you choose Kansai One Pass.

You can use this e-money not only JR trains but also Osaka subway, Kyoto subway, most of private train companies (Hankyu, Keihan, Kintetsu and many more) and even city bus in major cities, like Kyoto. You can use it to shop in the kiosk in the station, the nationwide convenience store (Lawson, Family Mart, Seven Eleven) and even some of major electronics retail store.

If you go to other major cities, like Tokyo, Nagoya, Sapporo, Hakata, Hiroshima after staying in Kansai area, you still can use ICOCA. So you can take most of trains in the other areas by ICOCA, such as subway in Tokyo, JR train in Sapporo and many more.

What is the difference between ICOCA and Kansai One Pass

Kansai One Pass is basically same type card as ICOCA. But Kansai One Pass is available for an overseas tourist only. And the preload amount is 1,000 yen more than ICOCA.

You can take any trains and most of bus services in Kansai area by this card. The way of using Kansai One Pass is exactly same as ICOCA. The biggest feature of this card is offering a discount at many attractions in Kansai area. ICOCA does not offer any discount at the attraction. If you intend to purchase ICOCA, you should purchase Kansai One Pass instead.

You might think that 2,500 yen e-money is too much for your trip. But as I mentioned, you can use this e-money to buy something eat and/or drink in the major convenience store. It is not hard to spend 2,500 yen. You can include Kansai One Pass in ICOCA and Haruka package instead of ICOCA.

Please see the link below to find the detailed information of Kansai One Pass:

Kansai One Pass official site

Price

Actually you can get only Haruka discount ticket which is Haruka riding ticket portion of ICOCA and Haruka if you have already got ICOCA card or Kansai One Pass.

ICOCA and Haruka price table

DestinationHaruka service sectionOne wayRound trip
Osaka, Shin-OsakaKIX – Shin-Osaka3,2004,400
Tennoji, JR-NambaKIX – Tennoji3,6005,200
Kyoto, Saga-ArashiyamaKIX – Kyoto3,8005,600
NaraKIX – Tennoji3,7005,400
Kobe, SannomiyaKIX – Shin-Osaka3,6005,200

Haruka ticket only price table

DestinationHaruka service sectionOne wayRound trip
Osaka, Shin-OsakaKIX – Shin-Osaka1,2002,400
Tennoji, JR-NambaKIX – Tennoji1,6002,200
Kyoto, Saga-ArashiyamaKIX – Kyoto1,8003,600
NaraKIX – Tennoji1,7002,400
Kobe, SannomiyaKIX – Shin-Osaka1,6003,200
  • One way type ticket is only available both direction, such as KIX to Osaka and Osaka to KIX. But only the deal from KIX is available online. You cannot purchase the ticket to KIX online. You have to purchase it at the station after arrival.
  • One way type ticket must be used on the day of purchase. Round trip ticket is valid for 14 days.
  • ICOCA and Kansai One Pass can be used whenever you want. ICOCA and Kansai One Pass will be expires in case that you will not use these cards in 10 years at all. If you intend to come back to Japan in next 10 years, you still will be able to use same ICOCA or Kansai One Pass in next trip
  • Haruka riding portion of this deal can allow you to use non reserved seat of Haruka or the other local and rapid train. You cannot take a reserved seat or the Green seat of Haruka and other limited express trains, such as the Shinkansen.

If your child is 5 years or younger, it is free of charge.

If you want to get only Haruka ticket without purchasing ICOCA or Kansai One Pass, you can buy a ticket at Klook:

Klook.com

I will explain a price comparison later.

How about child deal

ICOCA and Haruka is not available for child. But if you travel between Kansai airport and Shin-Osaka or Kyoto, Kansai Area Pass child rate is cheaper than a single fare.

If you want to compare the exact fare and the price of this pass, the single fare table can be found below. The child rate is applied to 6 years to 11 years old. 5 years old or younger child is free if you share your seat with your child. But when you take a train and there are lots of empty seat, you can give a seat to your child.

ICOCA can be purchased itself beside Kansai area pass. You cannot share your ICOCA Card with your child. Child ICOCA is available. But Please see the next chapter.

How to use ICOCA and Kansai One Pass

Most of you use ICOCA or Kansai One Pass to take a train. The biggest advantage of this card is that you do not have to purchase a ticket when you enter the station and take a train. All you have to do is touch your ICOCA or Kansai One Pass at a ticket gate when you enter/exit station. It is automatically calculated and subtract a fare from your ICOCA or Kansai One Pass. You can save your time when you take a train.

Even if you do not have enough fund in your ICOCA, you can still enter the station and take the trains. (But you must have minimum fares plus 500 yen deposit in this card.) You can add more fund before you enter/exit the station. You can add more fund in your ICOCA or Kansai One Pass at other major cities where other IC cards are available, such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Sapporo, Sendai, Nagoya, Hiroshima and Hakata.

Actually 2,000 yen e-money in ICOCA (2,500 yen in Kansai One Pass) that is included in this deal also includes 500 yen deposit. Therefore your fund in your ICOCA is 1,500 yen and 2,500 yen in Kansai One Pass. If you empty this card and do not use it any more, you can get this 500 yen deposit refund at the station. But if you want to keep ICOCA card itself for your souvenir, you cannot get refund. Especially ICOCA card for this deal is designed for the overseas tourist. It looks different from common ICOCA card. There are two versions available, Wind or Thunder God on the screen (National treasure) or No.1 world famous Japanese character ‘Hello Kitty!’.

If you go to other than Kansai area and want to get refund, complete to use this ICOCA when you stay in Kansai area and get refund. You cannot get any refund in the other cities, like Tokyo.

Child ICOCA is sold at 2,000 yen that is 1,500 yen e-money and 500 yen deposit. It has same value as adult ICOCA card. But if your child use Child ICOCA, child fare is deducted to take a train. Child fare is half amount of adult fare. So it takes longer to spend 1,500 yen e-money than using adult ICOCA.

Please see the following link to get some more information about other IC cards:

How to use this deal

This deal includes 1,500 yen ICOCA e-money or 2,500 yen e-money in the card if you choose Kansai One Pass, and one way/round trip to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara or Kobe. You cannot use this deal to Himeji, Wakayama and other than Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.

If you go to Sannomiya, Kobe and other stations between Kobe and Shin-Osaka, you have to take Haruka to Shin-Osaka and transfer local, rapid or Special Rapid Service at Shin-Osaka. Of course this ticket covers all part of this trip. However the airport limousine bus runs between Kansai airport and Kobe directly. If you go to Kobe, the airport limousine bus is better way. You can find limousine bus information at the link below:

Kansai airport limousine bus between Kansai airport and Kobe

If you go to Nara, Haruka takes you Tennoji. And then you have to change to Yamatoji Rapid Service to get Nara. There is no direct train services to Nara either. This is same as access to Kobe. The airport limousine bus takes you to Nara directly. You can find limousine bus information at the link below:

Kansai airport limousine bus between Kansai airport and Nara

Price comparison to basic fare

Upper rate is basic fare and lower rate is non reserved seat limited express surcharge.

 Adult (12 yrs and up)Child (6-11 yrs)
KIX – Tennoji1060 yen
650 yen
530 yen
330 yen
KIX – JR Namba1060 yen
650 yen
530 yen
330 yen
KIX – Shin-Osaka1360 yen
970 yen
680 yen
480 yen
KIX – Osaka (Umeda)1190 yen
970 yen
590 yen
480 yen
KIX – Kyoto1880 yen
970 yen
940 yen
480 yen
KIX – Sannomiya1710 yen
970 yen
860 yen
480 yen

This deal is cheaper for all destinations than the regular fares.

Compare to other deals, Nankai Railway deals, JR West Kansai Area Pass and Kansai Thru Pass

If you travel to Shin-Imamiya or Namba, you can take Nankai Railway. The basic fare is only 930 yen if you take the airport express train. Nankai Namba station is located at central of Namba and it is much better location than JR Namba. Even if you want ICOCA, you can purchase only ICOCA or Kansai One Pass. You can buy one of these cards and start using to take the train from KIX right away.

If you go to somewhere in Osaka, like Shinsaibashi, Nihonbashi, Uehonmachi, by subway, Nankai Namba is much easier location to transfer to subway Namba station. If you have very tight budget, Osaka Subway to Kansai int’l Airport ticket is sold at 1,020 yen. This includes Nankai Railway one way basic fare between Kansai airport and Namba and one way trip to/from any Osaka Metro stations. As I mentioned, basic fare from KIX to Namba by Nankai Railway is 930 yen. Osaka Metro fare is starting at 180 yen. If you have the shortest trip, like from Namba to Shinsaibashi, the total fare (Nankai plus Subway) is 1,110 yen. You can use this deal, Osaka Subway to Kansai int’l Airport ticket for the trip to Umeda where is same location as JR Osaka station. Osaka Metro Midosuji line can take you from Namba to Umeda. This is cheaper than JR basic fare 1,210 yen. If you want to get more information about Osaka Subway to Kansai int’l Airport ticket, please see Nankai Railways website.

If you go to Nara by the train after you arrive in KIX, you may consider to use Nara Access Ticket or Kansai Thru Pass. Kintetsu Railway is better to access to Nara because Kintetsu Nara station is better location than JR Nara station. So I recommend you to use Nara Access Ticket or Kansai Thru Pass to get Nara. Please see the post, How to access to Nara.

If you go to Himeji, JR West Kansai Area Pass is the best and the fastest. Kansai Thru Pass can be used to get Himeji. But it is too many transfers and spend many hours. JR trains, Haruka and Special Rapid Service, are much faster.

I explained all deals for airport access at the link below. Please refer this post too.

How to choose the deals for access to/from Kansai Airport

Comments

  1. Ann Mary Go says:

    Hello Takeshi san.

    I read in one of your replies that we can get refund of 500 yen for ICOCA if we empty the card.

    Q1: I am quite confused What if there is still a balance remaining indide the card? Can we refubd iy

  2. Pascale Simon says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I still have my Icoca card that I bought last year (I didn’t ask for refund). I am going back to Japan in May and I would like to know what I must do exactly to get the “Haruka discount ticket”. I don’t have to order it from abroad, is that right ?

    Thanks in advance for your answer !

    Pascale

  3. Tracy says:

    Hi,

    I am planning to travel in Japan for 14 days, starting from KIX and leaving from Tokyo Haneda Airport. I am planning to spend more time in the Kansai area such as Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe before visiting my friend in Fukuoka for 2 days before leaving for Tokyo and spend the rest of my time there. Do you have any recommendation for my plans and whether I should get the Haruka and ICOCA card? I am thinking of getting the JR pass to travel to Fukuoka then to Tokyo as well.

  4. Wendy says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    What is the difference between Pasmo card and ICOCA card???
    Which card is better???
    Can i get Pasmo card at Shin-Osaka???

    Is there any processing fee charged, when returned the card and claimed back the deposit 500 yen???

    My itinerary are as follows:
    14: arrived KIX 22:25pm
    14-15: Osaka
    16: Nara
    17-18: Kyoto
    19: Shirakawago
    20-22: Tokyo
    22: Leaving 23:30pm Haneda Airport

    Plan to use “Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass” 7days pass start@ Nara.

    Do I still need ICOCA card or Pasmo card??

    Best regards,
    Wendy.

    • Hi Wendy,

      ICOCA is JR West’s card and Pasmo is Greater Tokyo private railway’s card. You can use both card for most of trains, such as JR, subway and major private railways.

      You can purchase only ICOCA at Shin-Osaka. Pasmo can be used in Osaka but not sold in Osaka. It’s sold in Greater Tokyo.

      You can get 500 yen refund if you make ICOCA be empty. But you have to get the refund before you leave Kyoto. You have to do it in Kansai area, like Nara, Kyoto and Osaka.

      I don’t think you need it. Single fare is okay becuase you don’t have many chances to use it. In Osaka, subway pass may be better.
      http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. Joane Cheah says:

    Good Day Takeshi
    Please help us on the Pass to Buy.
    We not very sure.Need your help dearly.
    4 Person Traveling
    Reach Kansai Airport
    Day 1.Kansai Airport to Fukushima station.-stay near Fukushima Station. 3 Nights
    Day 4. Travel from Osaka to Toyama Station,
    Day 5 Kurobe Alpine Route.will come down by 4pm to reach Ogizawa then to Shinano Omachi.
    ****Which train should we take -from Shinano Omachi at 5PM.- we are going back to Toyama Station .
    Day 6 At Toyama.
    Day 7. Travel from Toyama to Takayama Station
    Day 9. Travel from Takayama station to Osaka .Stay back
    near Fukushima station.
    Day 10. to Day 13.Travel from Osaka to Nara,Universal Studio
    Do Takashi advise – we use ICOCA ??
    Day 14. Kansai Airport. we must reach airport 8am
    Fast Train??
    Thank you.
    Hope for your advise.
    Joane.

  6. Xuong Rong says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’m taking my Mom (75 years old) for one-week trip to Kansai this late October. Our planed itinerary is:
    Day 1: arrive at KIX, moving to Kyoto
    Day 2-5: staying in Kyoto, day trip to Nara (use one-day bus in these cities)
    Day 6: travelling to Osaka
    Day 7: staying in Osaka
    Day 8: Osaka to KIX
    To safe time on buying ticket for every single trip, I plan to buy ICOCA & Haruka tickets (one way to Kyoto and one way from Osaka) right after arriving to KIX . Is it possible, or you have any other advice? thank you very much for your help!!!!

  7. Wardiah says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    My husband and I are traveling to Osaka at the end of April until 1st week of May. We are planning to use the ICOCA-HARUKA package. Our planned itinerary as below:

    Day 01 – Arrive at KIX at 9.30pm, taking train to our accommodation at Temmabashi.

    Day 02 – Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building, Dotonburi

    Day 03 – Universal Studio Japan

    Day 04 – KYOTO: Sagano Romantic Train, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Gion, Staying one night at Kyoto

    Day 05 – Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Sento Imperial Palace, Nishiki market, back to Osaka

    Day 06 – Shinsaibashi, Dotonburi, Den Den Town

    Day 07 – Americamura, Den Den Town, Namba

    Day 07 – Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Osaka – KIX (departure at 11.15PM)

    My questions are:

    1. Since we arrive at 9.30PM at KIX, which ICOCA-HARUKA pass should we buy? One-way or round trip?
    2. Which route whould you suggest for us to take from KIX to Temmabashi?
    3. Which route would you suggest for us to take from Temmabashi to Kyoto on Day 04?
    4. We are going to Kyoto early in the morning, which place is convenient to visit first, Sagano for the train ride or Arashiyama?
    5. Since our itinerary is quite flexible, we welcome any suggestions for places to visit during our stay in Osaka.

    Thank you in advance.

  8. Shyanne says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    My friend recommended me to your site, I’m travelling in Tokyo, was wondering should i get a pass or pay normal fee for the below route? I heard about suica pass for one day and can ride unlimited train ride – this can be use for all train ride?

    Day 02 >
    Tsukiji fish market >> Ginza >>Akihabara >>Asakusa >>Tokyo Skytree >> Kiyosumi-Shirakawa station

    Day 03 >
    Shinjuku Gyoen >> Harajuku >> Meiji Shrine >> Yoyogi park >> Shibuya >> Kiyosumi-Shirakawa station

    Day 04 >
    Doraemon museum >> ramen noodle museum >>Kiyosumi-Shirakawa station

    Day 05 >
    Kiyosumi-Shirakawa station >> Haneda Airport >> Osaka Aquarium >> Awaza

    Day 06 >
    Osaka Castle

    Day 07 >
    Spa World

    Thanks in advance 🙂

  9. Louie says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thanks for bearing with me and answering my queries. I still have additional questions.

    Q1: I will be arriving at Kansai Airport. Do I need to reserve seats, considering that I will be with my 75 year old mother and will be arriving at around 8pm. As for my return to my country, I will be taking a 10 am flight.

    Q2: Are there luggage compartments in Haruka Limited Express both from KIX and from Tennoji?

    Q3: What are the differences in the seats? How do I reserve?When do you suggest I reserve the seat for Tennoji to Kix?

    Q4: Does the Kyoto Sightseeing Pass cover Arashiyama? If not, is it wise to buy a 1 Day Hanshin Tourist Pass for it?

    Q5: Can I buy Hanshin Tourist Pass at KIX airport when I arrive? I like to buy all my passes all at the same time so that I will not have to line up everytime when I need to buy and use it.

    Q6: What are the advantages of using ICOCA compared to buying single fares? Where can I use ICOCA? If I use Hyperdeia, how do I know that I can use ICOCA, with the route that it suggests?

    Thanks again Takeshi for all your patience and assistance.

    Louie

    • Hi Louie,

      1. If you use ICOCA and Haruka or Haruka discount ticket, you cannot reserve a seat.

      2. Yes.

      3. The seat itself is completely same. I think non reserved seat is okay but if you really want to reserve your seat, you cannot use ICOCA and Haruka, and Haruka discount ticket. You need to purchase a regular ticket.

      4. Yes.

      5. Yes.

      6. Actually ICOCA gives you just convenience. You don’t need to purchase a ticket one by one. But it does not give you any discount. You will spend exactly same amount as single ticket.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  10. karen says:

    Hello,

    I’m planning a trip to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Shirakawago and below is my draft itinerary. Am reading about the transportation lines and got very confused. Appreciate if you can advise on which is the best pass for me to get. We are 2 families of 2A and 2C (youngest 5yo and eldest 11yo)

    Arriving KIX to Osaka, staying in Nankai-Namba area
    Day 1 (22 Dec) – Sumiyoshi-taisha Shrine, Shinsaibashi-suji Shopping Street, Dotonburi, Hozenji Yokocho

    Day 2 (23 Dec) – Kuromon Ichiba (Black Gate Market), Osaka Castle, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

    Day 3 (24 Dec) – Universal Studio Japan

    Day 4 (25 Dec) – travel to Kyoto, Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kinkakuji Template (Golden Pavillion), Gion, Pontocho Alley

    Day 5 (26 Dec) – travel to Kyoto, Nishiki Market, Tenryuji Temple, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Nijo Castle

    Day 6 (27 Dec) – Shinkanzen from Osaka to Kanazawa to Shirakawago
    1 night in Shirakawago

    Day 7 (28 Dec) – Shirakawago to Kanazawa back to Osaka
    Half day trip to Uji

    Day 8 (29 Dec) – Day trip to Nara, Todai-ji Temple, Nara Park, Kofuku-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Grande Shrine, Higashimuki Shopping Street

    Day 9 (30 Dec) – Osaka to KIX

    Questions :
    1. Can the ICOCA and Haruka cover all the places that we intent to visit in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara area?
    2. What are the additional pass that we need to purchase in Kyoto and Nara to travel to the places of interest?
    3. I guess separate Shinkansen ticket need to purchase for round trip to Kanawaza and bus ticket to Shirakawago

    Thanking in advise for your advice

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