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?
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:
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
Destination | Haruka service section | One way | Round trip |
---|---|---|---|
Osaka, Shin-Osaka | KIX – Shin-Osaka | 3,200 | 4,400 |
Tennoji, JR-Namba | KIX – Tennoji | 3,600 | 5,200 |
Kyoto, Saga-Arashiyama | KIX – Kyoto | 3,800 | 5,600 |
Nara | KIX – Tennoji | 3,700 | 5,400 |
Kobe, Sannomiya | KIX – Shin-Osaka | 3,600 | 5,200 |
Haruka ticket only price table
Destination | Haruka service section | One way | Round trip |
---|---|---|---|
Osaka, Shin-Osaka | KIX – Shin-Osaka | 1,200 | 2,400 |
Tennoji, JR-Namba | KIX – Tennoji | 1,600 | 2,200 |
Kyoto, Saga-Arashiyama | KIX – Kyoto | 1,800 | 3,600 |
Nara | KIX – Tennoji | 1,700 | 2,400 |
Kobe, Sannomiya | KIX – Shin-Osaka | 1,600 | 3,200 |
- 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.comI 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 – Tennoji | 1060 yen 650 yen | 530 yen 330 yen |
KIX – JR Namba | 1060 yen 650 yen | 530 yen 330 yen |
KIX – Shin-Osaka | 1360 yen 970 yen | 680 yen 480 yen |
KIX – Osaka (Umeda) | 1190 yen 970 yen | 590 yen 480 yen |
KIX – Kyoto | 1880 yen 970 yen | 940 yen 480 yen |
KIX – Sannomiya | 1710 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.
Comments
Hi Takeshi,
I got confuse after reading all the pass available. What pass should I buy for Kansai airport – Osaka ? Im staying at nearest Aikawa station.
Look forward to your reply
Thanks.
Hi Nadia,
Your route is the following:
Kansai airport (Nankai railway) Tengachaya (Osaka subway Sakausuji line) Awaji (Hankyu Railway) Aikawa
You can use Kyoto Access Ticket. I understand you don’t go to Kyoto. Your destination is Aikawa in Osaka. But this deal is slightly cheaper than single fare.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/kyoto.html
Aikawa is two stations away from Awaji. You may be able to get Aikawa from Tengachaya directly. Because many Osaka subway trains go through Hankyu railway. Hankyu Railway and Osaka subway share the track.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I got confuse after reading all the pass available. Im going Osaka in October and I’m staying in Osaka for 7 days and will cover
1) Hiroshima, Nara, Kobe, Kyoto
(Kansai Hiroshima pass) ?
2) Osaka attractions / Namba
(Osaka amazing pass)?
3) universal studio
(Single ticket)?
But I do not know what pass should I buy for Kansai airport- Osaka ? Im staying at hommachi (sakaisuji hommachi station)
Look forward to your reply
Thanks
Hi Belle,
You have picked the right deals.
Sakaisuji-Hommachi is subway station. When you use Kansai Hiroshima Pass, you have to pay single fare to get the nearest subway station. The nearest JR station is Morinomiya. Please find more info at the links below:
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
If you want to start using Kansai Hiroshima Pass, you can use it to get Morinomiya and pay single fare to get Sakaisuji-Hommachi.
If you want to get the easiest and the fastest way to get Sakaisuji-Hommachi from Kansai airport, Nankai railway (airport – Tengachaya) and subway (Tengachaya – Sakaisuji-Hommachi) are the best choice. But there is no deals to cover this route.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks for your reply Takeshi! I have one more question. If I don’t want to go to Hiroshima, means only Nara, Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe, what pass should I buy? There are few passes like Kansai thru pass, wide area pass and Kansai area pass. I’m staying in Osaka whole week. So will these pass be worth?
Hi Belle,
Even if you don’t go to Hirohima, you need JR pass because of Fuji. If you give up both Fuji and Hiroshima, Kansai thru pass may be one of you choices. If you stay in Osaka only and make day trips, please see the link below. You will find the solution.
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 / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I’m not going to Fuji and also Hiroshima. Only day trips to Kobe,Nara, and Kyoto. So I guess Kansai thru pass will be most suitable? And few days in Osaka I’ll just buy Osaka amazing pass. But if from Kansai airport to Osaka (Namba station) what pass is suitable? Is it icoca?
Hi Belle,
Kansai thru pass is most recommended. Osaka amazing pass is also a good choice. You may Nankai railway deal:
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
1) After landing at Kansai International Airport, I would like to purchase the Icoca + Haruka ticket. Using the Haruka, can I fully utilize the Haruka pass to make an onward trip to Arashiyama or I need to pay a surplass upon exiting the JR Saga Arashiyama station?
2)I am planning to use 1-day Osaka Amazing Pass (2,300yen) for my last day on Osaka before flying out at Kansai International Airport. Using this pass, I need to pay extra after arriving at the airport since the pass covers the Nankai line up until the Mikuni station. Then, I came across the 1-day Osaka Amazing Pass Nankai version (2,900yen) which includes train fare to or from Kansai International Airport. My question is does the 1-day Osaka Amazing Pass Nankai version has the same free sightseeing facilities as the 1-day Osaka Amazing Pass? Which is more economical from your point of view?
Thank you in advanced.
Hi Siti,
1. You can take Haruka to Kyoto and change Sagano line train to Saga-Arashiyama. All part of this trip is covered by ICOCA and Haruka. No extra fare is required.
2. Nankai version is cheaper. If you add single fare on top of regular Osaka amazing pass, total cost is more than 3000 yen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks so much for your information! It makes me to understand easier now
No worries, Belle.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
the price of one way Haruka discount ticket from Nara to KIX which is 1400 yen is from Nara station to KIX ? If so , which train should I take from Nara to Tennoji?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Amy,
You can take Yamatoji line rapid or local train.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-to-get-nara-from-osaka-yamatoji-rapid-service.html
If you pay 2050 yen, you can get limousine bus. It’s more expensive but it’s direct.
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/NR
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Can you recommend the best tourist tickets/railpass for my 11 days Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe-Umeda-Nara trip for 4 people?
My itinerary is as follows:
Day 1 – Reach KIX airport & head to Kyoto
Day 2 & 3 – Kyoto area
Day 4 – Kyoto back to Osaka
Day 5 – Kobe
Day 6 & 7 – Universal Studio Japan
Day 8 – Umeda
Day 9 – Nara
Day 10 & 11 – Osaka area
Thanks & regards
Dan
Hi Dan,
The following link shows you one of my sample itineraries that is very similar to your plan.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
On day 5 and 7, those dates are different from my plan. You may use Kansai thru pass 2 days for these dates.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
You may use same deals in the sample itinerary above for other dates.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I am confused with the one way trip and round trip using haruka.
1) is it possible to use one way trip from Shin Osaka to kix when using one way trip? I read from the instruction that this one way trip to KIX cannot be online reserve, it only can purchase at the station? did I interpret wrongly?
2) if I buy round trip, it can be use KIX-KYOTO,then Osaka-KIX? Or it must be KIX-KYOTO-KIX?
Thank you
Hi Vanille,
1. You can use only Haruka discount ticket. You can purchase it at Shin-Osaka station on the spot.
2. You can use KIX-Kyoto round trip for KIX to Kyoto and Shin-Osaka to KIX. But if you purchase two separate deals (KIX to Kyoto ICOCA and Haruka, Shin-Osaka to KIX Haruka discount ticket), it’s will be cheaper (total 4.900 yen).
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
HI,
I will be landing in KIX and plan to head immediately to Kyoto first.
Q1. I have a SUICA card. Can I use it to buy the Jr HARUKA Express ticket at KIX and use it to travel to Kyoto?
Q2. Should I purchase a one-way or round trip ticket? Our plan is to visit Kyoto from Day 1 – Day 4 and then move to Osaka for our remaining 3 days. Therefore, we will be returning to KIX from Osaka, not Kyoto.
Thanks!
Hi Carmen,
1. You cannot use Suica to purchase Haruka discount ticket. You can use Suica for base fare ticket only. You should not use Suica. Just purchase Haruka ticket by cash or credit card to save your cost.
2. No. You should purchase separately. But there are other deals available from Osaka to KIX. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks for your prompt reply!
So if i buy the Haruka ticket separately, I will still get to use my SUICA card on most of the public transportation in Kyoto and Osaka right? I’ve read on the internet that Japan has standardised all cards and they can be used almost anywhere in Japan, so i do not need to buy an ICOCA card?
Thanks again!
Hi Carmen,
Yes. You can use Suica to take any trains in Osaka and Kyoto, such as JR, subway and other non JR trains.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi.. how about compare this deal with the other pass (osaka amazing pass & osaka kaiyun pass), which one is cheaper?
3day i spent in osaka & back to kix. I stay near shin-osaka
Must visit is kaiyun aquarium.
Hi Andy,
Actually you need to have both Kaiyu ticket, and ICOCA and Haruka. You can use Kaiyu ticket when you go to Kaiyukan. ICOCA and Haruka covers transfer between KIX and Shin-Osaka. And 1500 yen ICOCA can be used to take subway when you don’t go to Kaiyukan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi! I have some work to do in Kobe and am extending my trip to Osaka + Kyoto during the time.
I haven’t yet decided if we are to fly to Tokyo and take the train to Osaka/Kobe, or fly directly into KIX. But the tentative itinerary I have for Kansai region is as follows. Would appreciate the advice!!
Day 1 [KIX to Osaka]
Tennoji area , visit Yamazaki distillery
Day 2 [Osaka]
Nipponbashi, Namba, Dotonbori (possibly an onsen visit)
Day 3 [Osaka]
Day trip to Himeji or Nara
Day 4 [Osaka]
Shinsekai
Day 5 [Kobe]
Work-related
But perhaps visit to sake brewery
Day 6 [Kobe]
Work-related
Day time around Kobe
Day 7 [Kobe to Kyoto Day Trip]
Kyoto day trip: bamboo groves, philosophers path, gion, nishiki, pontocho
Return to Kobe to stay.
Day 8 [Kobe to KIX]
My alternative would be Flying into Tokyo on Day 1, staying in Tokyo until Day 4 to Osaka, Day 5 and 6 to Kobe. Day 7 in Kyoto, then Day 8 back to Tokyo for my flight.
I have a preference for speed, and am considering the JR West Kansai pass if I go with the main option of flying into KIX, but am unsure if ICOCA+Haruka might be better?
Thank you so much!!!
Hi miriamxx,
Day 1
Kansai area pass is the best choice. If you arrive in Tokyo and take a train, you have to purchase a single ticket to Osaka from Tokyo. There is no one way deal available.
Day 2 and 4
Single fare may be okay because you will stick around Namba area. All places are within walking distance from Namba.
Day 3
If you go to Himeji, you should go there from Kobe and make a day trip to Kyoto on day 3. Osaka is located between Kobe and Kyoto. If you go to Kyoto from Kobe, you will spend 45 minutes more than trip from Osaka. On the other hand, Kobe is located between Himeji and Osaka. You should go there from Kobe.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
Anyway you may use Kansai thru pass for Kyoto and Himeji (or Nara)
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
You don’t need any passes for day 5 and 6. And you can take bus or high-speed ferry to KIX. Train is not direct and not the best way.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html#Bay_Shuttle_high_speed_ferry
If you arrive and depart at Narita, you can use JR pass 7 days for the last 7 days.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
Your trip plan has not been fixed yet. I recommend you to think about choosing the deal after you have fixed it. I cannot pick the right deal at this point.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
As we think JR railpass is the best for us but we also discovered that JR railpass is not very convenient for some destination
Could you please advice the passes to use based on below itinerary. I believe that Kansai thrupass could be a choice for us too
19th (五) 1st day [ osaka]
Reach accomodation
Go sauna
20th (六) 2nd day [osaka]
Namba,nipponbashi,glicoman bridge, dotonbori street
21st (日) 3rd day [osaka]
Osaka castle, Tsutenkaku, tennoji, shinsekai
22nd (一) 4th day [osaka]
Usj
23rd (二) 5th day [kyoto+nara]
Nijo castle,kinkakuji castle(金), arashimaya(bamboo groove), NARA: todaijii, nara garden/temple
24th (三) 6th day [kyoto]
Kawaramachi,togetsukyu bridge,fushimi inari taisha,kiyomizu dera,ginkakuji castle (银), gion district
25th (四) 7th day
Kobe
26th (五) 8th day [kyoto]
…
27th (六) 9th day [tokyo]
Akihabara,imperial palace,odaiba kaihin koen,rainbow bridge
28th (日) 10th day [tokyo]
Meiji jingu,harajuku tokeshita-dori,tokyo tower
29th (一) 11th
Tokyo to osaka
Thank you
Regards,
Ling
Hi Ling,
As long as you have round trip between Tokyo and Osaka, JR Pass 7 days is your primary choice. You can use 7 days pass for the last 7 days of your trip, 23 to 29.
JR Pass does not cover subway, city bus and non JR railways. So you may need to add city deals. But it covers Arashiyama, Nijo and Fushimi in Kyoto.
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
You can get Nara from Kyoto by JR pass.
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
You may get Kobe from Kyoto by JR pass too.
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
You can use some deals from KIX to Osaka and sightseeing in Osaka. Please see the links below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html#Osaka_area
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com