Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass user guide. The deal for the traveler who wants travel in Kansai, Hiroshima and the surrounding area.

miyajimaHiroshima and Miyajima
2014.12.24
The landmarks . Tsutenkaku tower (Osaka/left) and Atomic Bomb Dome (Hiroshima/right) ©JNTO (Osaka/left) / ©Hiroshima Convention & Visitors Bureau (Hiroshima/right)
The landmarks . Tsutenkaku tower (Osaka/left) and Atomic Bomb Dome (Hiroshima/right) ©JNTO (Osaka/left) / ©Hiroshima Convention & Visitors Bureau (Hiroshima/right)

As the name tells you, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass covers Kansai area (Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, Wakayama), Hiroshima and many places between these, such as Okayama, Kurashiki. But the coverage is much bigger. This pass covers even Takamatsu in Shikoku, Kinosaki Onsen, Amanohashidate, Kii-Katsuura, Shingu.

I would like to share the information about Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass in this post.

Coverage Area

The coverage area of Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass (Click to enlarge)

This pass covers whole part of Kansai area, such as Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Kansai Airport, Himeji and Wakayama. And it includes Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima. And also this pass includes the conventional lines to Takamatsu in Shikoku, Kinosaki Onsen, Shirahama and Shingu in Kii peninsula, Hikone and Tsuruga too. Of course you can access Himeji, Okayama, Kurashiki, Onomichi, Miyajima and Iwakuni too. In addition, this pass covers Kyoto Tango Railway to Amanohashidate. It is a big benefit to visit northern Hyogo region.

If you want to access to Hakata, Yamaguchi or Sanin area, Sanyo Sanin Area Pass is recommended. But it does not include Kinosaki and Kii area.

Sanyo Sanin Area Pass user guide. The train pass that covers Kansai, Sanyo and Sanin regions
Sanyo Sanin Area Pass covers whole part of Chugoku region, such as Hiroshima, Okayama, Yamaguchi, Shimane, Tottori. It also covers Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Himeji. This pass suit the traveler who travel in the west part of mainland. Please check the post to find the detailed information about this pass.
jprail.com
2014.12.24

JR West will also release Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass too. If you need an access to Hiroshima from Hakata side, this pass will be suitable for you.

Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass user guide. The deal for the tourist who travels between Hiroshima, Yamaguchi and Hakata.
Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass is the perfect deal if you access Hiroshima and Yamaguchi from Fukuoka. Please find more information about this pass in this post.
jprail.com
2014.12.24

Other part of Japan, such as Hokkaido, Tokyo, Nagoya, Kanazawa, Takayama, most part of Shikoku and Kyushu are not covered by this Pass. So if you intend to travel throughout Japan or travel to Tokyo, Hokkaido or Kyushu, Japan Rail Pass is maybe more suitable for you.
*Osaka – Tokyo one way trip is not enough to use JR Pass. Please see the the post, Japan Rail Pass user guide. How to use JR Pass to its maximum.

Valid trains, bus services, routes and class

Kyushu Shinkansen Sakura and Mizuho give you direct trainsfer to Shin-Osaka from Kyusyu.
Both Mizuho and Nozomi on Sanyo Shinkansen are covered by this deal.

All daytime trains in coverage area are covered. But reserved seat fee is NOT included as well. You have to take non reserved ordinary seat. Most of limited express and Shinkansen trains have non reserved seat. And Green seat is not covered fully either. If you want to take Green seat, this pass covers base fare only. You have to full of surcharge and Green seat fare.

Overnight option is not available in the coverage area. There are two overnight trains, Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto are depart/arrive in the coverage area. But these trains run to Tokyo. You cannot stay overnight in the coverage ares by this pass.

Miyajima ferry is also covered. You have no problem to access to very popular World Heritage Miyajima.

As of mid April 2017, this pass started to cover JR bus in Kyoto, Fukui and Hiroshima. In Hiroshima, there are some bus routes which are covered by this pass. Especially Hiroshima sightseeing loop bus “Meipuru-pu” is very very useful. You can get most of popular spots in Hiroshima by this bus. Please see the link below:

Hiroshima sightseeing bus Meipuru-pu

In Kyoto, you can get Ryoan-ji temple, Kitano-Tenmangu shrine, Takao area via Nijo. This pass also covers Obamba to/from Omi-Imazu bus service and Sonobe to/from Fukuchiyama bus service.

This pass also started to cover Kyoto Tango railway as of mid April, 2017. You can get Amanohashidate, Miyazu without any extra charge.

When you use this deal, there are a few exceptions. You have to know that before you choose this deal. Please see the below to get the detailed information.

The Tokaido Shinkansen among Maibara, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka

Even though it is in the coverage area, you cannot take Shinkansen train in this segment. Because Tokaido Shinkansen belongs to other JR company, JR Central. It is same JR Group company and many trains go through both areas each other. But technically it is different company. Therefore this deal cannot include this Shinkansen segment. When you depart from Kyoto or Maibara and take Shinkansen, you have to take Special Rapid Service to Shin-Osaka and then transfer to Shinkansen train there.

Find your hotels in 500 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in Hiroshima
Hotels in Okayama

Price, eligibility and how to purchase

This pass is available for temporary visitor only. If you are resident, you can’t purchase it.

JR West is the first company that has different price tag for same product. Please see the below:

Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass 5-day

Purchasing from
the travel agent overseas
(Before arrival)		Purchasing from
JR West online
(Before arrival)		Purchasing from
JR West station
(After arrival)
Adult13,700 yen14,500 yen14,700 yen
Child
(6-11 years old)		6,850 yen7,250 yen7,350 yen

As you have seen, you can purchase this pass after you arrive in Japan. But you have to pay 1000 yen more.

If you want to purchase this pass at the lowest rate, you have to purchase it at authorized travel agents before you come to Japan. 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 period

It is valid for 5 days. One day means midnight to midnight, technically 0:00 to 23:59. So try to start in the morning. It does not make sense to start to use in the evening.

You can purchase this pass only once per visit if you purchase online or inside Japan. If you purchase it at authorized agents outside Japan, you can purchase as many as you want. If you need more coverage, please think about combining with other deals in Kansai area, like Kansai Thru Pass or Kansai Area Pass or pick up other deals, like Japan Rail Pass.

Compare to single fares

Base fare and surcharge for the major segments are the following. Please compare the price of Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass and these fares. If you use Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, these following fare, both base fare and surcharge, are covered.

*All surcharges in the following table are non reserved seat rate.

SegmentBase fareSurcharge
Osaka – Kyoto560 yen–
Osaka – Sannomiya (Kobe)410 yen–
Osaka – Nara800 yen–
Kyoto – Nara710 yen–
Osaka – Himeji1490 yen1730 yen
Osaka – Kansai Airport1190 yen970 yen
Osaka – Okayama3020 yen2480 yen
Osaka – Hiroshima5620 yen4090 yen
Osaka – Miyajimaguchi5940 yen4090 yen
Hiroshima – Miyajimaguchi410 yen–
Miyajimaguchi – Miyajima (Ferry)180 yen–
Osaka – Kinosaki Onsen3350 yen1730 yen
Osaka – Shirahama3350 yen1730 yen
Osaka – Shingu4750 yen1940 yen

*The rate is varied by the season.

As you see, Osaka-Hiroshima one way fare and surcharge total amount is 9,710 yen. So if you have round trip on this segment, it is pay off easily.

Assessment

I believe this deal will be fit to many traveller’s itinerary who stay in Kansai area. If you have a plan to go to Hiroshima when you stay in Kansai area, this pass is the best choice. Hiroshima can be visited as day trip from Osaka or Kyoto.

Day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima from Osaka/Kyoto

I strongly recommend you to stay in Kinosaki Onsen and Shirahama. But these destinations can be accessed as day trip too.

There are so many ways to use this deal. I hope you enjoy in Kansai and Hiroshima area by this deal.

Comments

  1. CL says:
    October 31, 2015 at 7:15 pm

    We are planning to take Limited Exp. Hamakaze 1 from Himeji to KinosakiOnsen. Do you think we should get the reserved seat as the journey is going to take us about 1.5 hours.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 31, 2015 at 11:05 pm

      Hi CL,

      It’s hard to tell. But sometimes non reserved seat are full before Hamakaze arrive at Himeji. If you really secure your seat, you should book it.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • CL says:
        November 1, 2015 at 3:06 pm

        Hi Takeshi,
        Thank you for your response. In your opinion, do you think it’s worthwhile for us to go to Himeji for 2 hours then only depart to KinosakiOnsen and pay the reserve seat fee or we skip Himeji and directly go to Kinosakionsen from Shin-Osaka by LTD. EXP KONOTORI 3 and save the reserve seat fee?

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          November 1, 2015 at 7:44 pm

          Hi CL,

          Himeji is highly recommended. But I don’t think it’s worth paying reserved seat fee to just drop by Himeji. It’s a gamble. If you don’t want any small risks, you have to skip.

          If you can drop by Himeji on the way back, or visit there in other day, you may solve your issue.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Caddy says:
    October 29, 2015 at 9:25 pm

    Hi,
    Will it be possible to pay extra for seat reservation (including the Haruka and the Shinkansen nozomi) from Kansai Airport to Miyajima with the Kansai & Hiroshima Pass? If so, how much it costs?
    Thank you very much.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 29, 2015 at 11:46 pm

      Hi Caddy,

      It’s not a good idea. Because the difference between reserved seat and non reserve seat is 500 yen. But if you use reserved seat by this pass, you have to pay full charge of reserved seat fee with limited express supplement. It costs around 5000 yen for one way. Single ticket is cheaper.

      There are lots of trains that depart from Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima. There are lots of trains that depart from Hakata and Tokyo too. But many of seats are occupied on these trains. But if you pick the trains that depart from Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima, it’s empty when train comes to the platform. It’s very easy to get a seat. The following links shows you the timetable of Shinkansen. You can find Hiroshima departure and Shin-Osaka departure trains.
      http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
      http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Caddy says:
        October 31, 2015 at 1:20 am

        Hello Takeshi,

        Thank you very much for your advise.

        On the return trip I will travel from Hiroshima to Kyoto with the Kansai & Hiroshima Pass.

        Does the pass cover the whole journey from Hiroshima to Kyoto with Nozomi, Sakura, Hikari, Mizuho or Kodama Shinkansen? I am confused that some people said that the segment of Shin- Osaka to Kyoto does not cover in the pass with the mentioned Shinkansen. So, I have to change Haruka express train/local express from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto. I have noticed that Kyoto is on the route of the mentioned Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Tokyo.

        If it is the case, I am wondering whether I can pay extra to keep the seat to Kyoto. If so, how much it will cost and I should buy the supplement ticket in the train or before on board?

        Thank you very much

        Caddy

  3. Carolina Fonseca says:
    October 24, 2015 at 3:29 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thank you for this great article and responses to comments! Great read for someone travelling to Kansai area.

    I am trying to decide which pass would be best for my trip, and would be very grateful if you could help!

    My partner and I are travelling to Japan on Nov 5th, and our itinerary is:

    Day 1 – Arrive at Kansai Int. Airport in the evening, travel to Hiroshima
    Day 2 – Go to Miyajima for the day
    Day 3 – Spend day in Hiroshima, go to Himeji
    Day 4 – Spend day in Himeji, travel to Kyoto
    Day 5 – Spend the day in Kyoto
    Day 6 – Travel to Koyasan
    Day 7 – Travel to Nara, then back to Osaka to the airport

    I am currently trying to compare and choose between:
    1. Japan Rail Pass (¥29,110, 7 days) OR
    2. Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass (¥13,000, 5 days) PLUS the extra tickets needed to travel on Day 6 and 7 (to Nara and Kansai Airport) – which I calculated to be around ¥3,000.

    Would the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass cover our travel from Day 1 to Day 5? I find it a bit difficult to understand what is covered by this pass! There is a big difference in price between the two options, so I wonder if the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass would be more limited and not cover as much as the Japan Rail Pass.

    Thank you in advance for your help.

    Carolina

  4. Karen Chin says:
    October 20, 2015 at 12:59 am

    Hi. I will be traveling from Osaka to Hiroshima to Miyajima and back to Osaka again.

    Can I use the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass (5 Days) throughout the trip?

    From Kansai Airport, what train do I take to Shin-Osaka? I believe I can take the JR Sanyo Sinkansen to Hiroshima. Am i right?

    Does the KAnsai Hiroshima Area Pass includes any bus trips?

    Thank you.

    Regards,
    Karen

  5. waiwai says:
    October 14, 2015 at 11:00 pm

    Hi Takeshi

    I am planning to travel from Kansai airport to Hiroshima and spend 6 days there. Would that mean I could not able to use Kansai Hiroshima Pass while it is only valid for 5 days? As such, should I buy return Kansai-Hiroshima ticket instead and what is the price?

    Cheers
    Waiwai

  6. Lucy says:
    October 14, 2015 at 1:27 am

    Hi,

    Does the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass cover all JR train lines in the Kansai Hiroshima region? Also, does it include local buses in Kyoto and Osaka as well?

    Thanks in advance for your reply.

  7. Rose says:
    October 5, 2015 at 7:53 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am planning on visiting Hiroshima with the Kansai Hiroshima Pass. Just like to confirm the Base fare and Surcharge (Ltd Express Ticket) unreserved are covered by the pass?

    Thanks for your help.

    Regards,
    Rose

  8. Belinda Salazar says:
    October 1, 2015 at 6:53 pm

    Hello Takeshi.

    Thank you for your very good site and information included.

    Could you please help me with information on what is the best Japan Rail Pass to get. We plan to go March 21-26, 2015. We plan to visit:
    Day 1 – Osaka
    Day 2 and 3 – Hiroshima
    Day 4 and 5 – Kyoto and Nara

    I am a bit confused with areas that are not included in the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass. I hope our itinerary will be ok with the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass. Kindly advise also what would be best to do for trains that we might not be able to take in this Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass. I asked information from our travel agent who recommended Sanyo Sanin Area Pass but I find it much more expensive and may include areas that we don’t really plan to visit.

    Thank you very much. Arigatou gozaimasu.

  9. Simon Overall says:
    September 26, 2015 at 7:06 pm

    Hi there – love the website.

    Just want to clarify something:

    I have this pass for a trip next month:

    https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/kansai_hiroshima/

    So few questions:

    1. I can this use this on any bullet train from Hiroshima to Osaka, but in non reserved seats including getting to JR Namba? Or do I need to purchase another ticket to then get to Namba?

    2. I can only then use the pass for the JR Haruka Airport train on JR lines only?

    Cheers!

  10. Chris says:
    September 24, 2015 at 3:49 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I would like to confirm if the Kansai Hiroshima Area pass covers the following:

    1. Can I also take the Nozomi & Mizuho train from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima & back? I assume Hikari, Sakura and Kodama trains are all included.

    2. Can I take Limited Express Haruka (unreserved) from Tennoji to Kansai airport?

    3. Can I take trains on the local JR line in Kyoto?

    Thank you in advance for your time and help!

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