I have received many inquiries about Nagoya-Osaka or Kyoto trip. There are lots of travellers who arrive in Chubu (Nagoya) airport and depart from Kansai (Osaka) airport or reverse or arrive in/depart from Chubu. Even if you have round trip between Nagoya and Osaka, JR Pass is too expensive choice. And there is no options to cover both Nagoya and Osaka/Kyoto by JR. One way ticket from Nagoya to Osaka or Kyoto by Shinkansen is very common choice. However JR is not only railway that connect Nagoya, Osaka and Kyoto. Kintetsu Railway that is the biggest private railway company operates many trains among these three cities, Nara, Ise and Yoshino. Kintetsu Railway has very useful deal for the travellers who want to travel in this area.
In this post, I would like to show you Kintetsu Rail Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide.
What is Kintetsu Railway?
In Japan, there are many railway services. This is the biggest reason why you are very confused. Kintetsu Railway is NON JR and the biggest private railway company in Japan. Of course this railway service is not covered by any JR deals, such as JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass. Please see the map below to find Kintetsu Railway network.
Kintetsu Rail Pass covers all part of this network. As you see the map above, you can use this railway to get Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka (Namba, Uehonmachi, Tsuruhashi), Nara, Yoshino and Ise. And this pass includes three vouchers to take Kintetsu Railway Limited Express. Kintetsu Railway Limited Express has very nice accommodation and have same level service as JR’s limited express train. I tell you about detail of this limited express train and coverage below.
You may know about Kansai Thru Pass. This pass covers Kintetsu Railway and other major private railways in Kansai area. But this pass does not include Nagoya and Ise. And it does not include Kintetsu Railway Limited Express train voucher. As long as you travel both Nagoya and Osaka/Kyoto, Kansai Thru Pass is not your first choice. Please find the detailed about Kansai Thru Pass at the link below:
How to use Kansai Thru Pass. Compare pass and single fare.
How good is Kintetsu Railway Limited Express?
Some of major private railway companies operate limited express as commute train without extra charge, such as Hankyu, Keihan and Hanshin. But Kintetsu operates limited express as special train. It has reserved seat only. You have to pay limited express surcharge on top of base fare and this limited express train has same level of interior as JR’s limited express train.
There are many kinds of fleets for limited express trains. But all fleets have 2+2 seat configuration and seat pitch is 1000 to 1050 mm. It is spacious and comfortable.
Especially if you travel between Nagoya and Osaka, trip time is more than 2 hours. The seat and interior are very important factor.
You can take limited express train up to three times by Kintetsu Rail Pass if you use it until the end of September, 2016. After 1st of October, 2016, you have to purchase a separate ticket to take limited express train.
Who is eligible
Visitors who land as “Temporary Visitor” status can purchase this pass. And Japanese who live in foreign country as permanent resident or who are married to a foreigner residing outside of Japan can purchase this deal as well.
Types and prices
A few types of pass, Kintetsu Rail Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass wide are available.
| Types | Purchase outside Japan | Purchase in Japan |
|---|---|---|
| Kintetsu Rail Pass 5-day | 3,700 yen | 3,900 yen |
| Kintetsu Rail Pass Plus 5-day | 4,900 yen | 5,100 yen |
Child price is half amount of the adult price. It applies to child who is 6 to 11 years old. Adult price is applied to 12 years old and up.
5 year old or younger child is free. But when you take Limited Express train, all seats are reserved. You have to share your seat with your child. If you want to have a seat for your child, please purchase child pass for even 5 years old or younger child.
The pass must be used in consecutive days. The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 O’clock at night.
e.g.
If you start to use 5 days pass on May 1, the pass is expired at 23:59 on May 5.
Sales location
If you want to purchase an exchange order before you leave, you can find the authorized travel agent list at the link below:
Kintetsu Rail Pass official site
They may ship the exchange order to you by mail. Please contact the nearest vendor. Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide can be purchased at both Chubu airport and Kansai airport. But Kintetsu Rail Pass can be purchased at Kansai airport only. You can find the sales location in the airport at the link above as well.
Coverage area and valid transportation
Both Kintetsu Rail Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide covers all part of Kintetsu Railway network and include three limited express vouchers.
Kintetsu Rail Pass does not include limited express voucher. The separate ticket for taking limited express train is required.
Some of Kintetsu Railway Limited Express trains have upper class seat. But this pass covers ordinary reserved seat only. And Kintetsu Railway operates Sightseeing Limited Express “Shimakaze”. This train is not covered by this pass either.
If you do not want to pay any extra, you can take rapid express, express, semi express and local trains. These are commute trains. The interior is totally different from the limited express train.
When you take a train among Kyoto, Osaka and Nara, you can use these trains because of the short distance transfer.
Compare the pass and single fare
I would like to show you the fare table. Upper fare is base fare and lower is limited express surcharge.
| station | Osaka (Namba) | Kyoto | Nara | Nagoya | Ise (Toba) |
| Osaka (Namba) | – | 940 900 | 560 510 | 2360 1900 | 2040 1610 |
| Kyoto | 940 900 | – | 620 510 | 2590 1900 | 2280 1610 |
| Nara | 560 510 | 620 510 | – | 2250 1610 | 1940 1610 |
| Nagoya | 2360 1900 | 2590 1900 | 2250 1610 | – | 1710 1320 |
| Ise (Toba) | 2040 1610 | 2280 1610 | 1940 1610 | 1710 1320 | – |
| station | Osaka (Osaka-Abenobashi) | Kyoto | Nara | Nagoya |
| Yoshino | 970 510 | 1230 900 | 850 900 | 2390 2120 |
If you travel from Nagoya to Osaka or Kyoto by limited express by 30th of September, it is higher than Kintetsu Rail Pass at 3800 yen. It is really good deal for the traveller who wants to travel from Nagoya to Kyoto or Osaka. If you go to Ise from Kyoto, Osaka or Nara, it is better deal than single fare too. But if you visit Ise, Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide may be better deal for you. Please see next chapter.
If you travel after 1st of October, limited express voucher will not be included. You must have at least one round trip between Kansai area (Osaka, Nara and Kyoto) and Nagoya or Ise.
Compare cost and trip time between the Shinkansen fare and Kintetsu Rail Pass
Shinkansen is most common way to get Kyoto and Osaka from Nagoya. It is much faster than Kintetsu Railway Limited Express trains. But Shinkansen is much more expensive too. Before you decide to go for Kintetsu Rail Pass, you should compare these trains by cost and time.
Nagoya – Namba
| Trains | Trip time | Fare |
| Kintetsu Railway Limited Express | 2 hrs 30 mins | 3800 yen + Limited express surcharge |
| Shinkansen (Nozomi) and Subway | 1 hr 20 mins | 6840 yen |
Shinkansen and subway combination is much faster but the cost is almost double. And Kintetsu Railway is direct access without any transfer. This is the strongest point.
Nagoya – Osaka (Umeda)
| Trains | Trip time | Fare |
| Kintetsu Railway Limited Express and JR local train | 2 hrs 45 mins | 3800 yen + Limited express surcharge + 180 yen (JR) |
| Shinkansen (Nozomi) and JR local train | 1 hr 10 mins | 6560 yen |
You have to transfer at Shin-Osaka to get Osaka by the Shinkansen. But it is same station and very easy to transfer from the Shinkansen to JR local train. If you take Kintetsu Railway, you can transfer at Tsuruhashi to JR Osaka Kanjo line. It is much easier than transfer at Namba to subway. Tsuruhashi station is much smaller than Namba. JR and Kintetsu stations are connected directly.
Nagoya – Shin-Osaka
| Trains | Trip time | Fare |
| Kintetsu Railway Limited Express and Subway | 3 hrs | 3800 yen + Limited express surcharge + 280 yen (subway) |
| Shinkansen (Nozomi) | 50 mins | 6560 yen |
Shin-Osaka is Shinkansen’s terminal station. Shinkansen is much more accessible than Kintetsu Railway. If you take Kintetsu Railway, you have to transfer at Namba to get subway. And subway fare is extra.
Nagoya – Kyoto
| Trains | Trip time | Fare |
| Kintetsu Railway Limited Express Need to transfer at Yamato-Yagi | 2 hrs 35 mins | 3800 yen + Limited express surcharge |
| Shinkansen (Nozomi) | 36 mins | 5800 yen |
Both Kintetsu Railway and Shinkansen are direct access to Kyoto. Shinkansen is 2 hours faster than Kintetsu Railway Limited Express.
Nagoya – Nara
| Trains | Trip time | Fare |
| Kintetsu Railway Limited Express and Kintetsu local train Need to transfer at Yamato-Yagi | 2 hrs 15 mins | 3800 yen + Limited express surcharge |
| Shinkansen (Nozomi) JR local train | 1 hr 30 mins | 6560 yen |
Shinkansen and JR trains are still faster than Kintetsu Railway. But the difference is smallest in all above cases.
Assessment
If you are really sensitive with cost, Kintetsu Rail Pass is a good choice for even Nagoya to Osaka or reverse one way trip. If you travel from Nagoya to Osaka and visit Nara and Kyoto, this pass gives you a huge savings.
Even though the Shinkansen is much faster, this pass is one of my most recommended deals.
Comments
Hi Takeshi-san,
I’m travelling to Japan this Sept. and I would like to hear your opinion as to what’s the most advisable pass should I get with my itinerary below:
Day 1: Arrival in Nagoya
Day 2: Nagoya
Day 3: Nagashima
Day 4: Nagoya
Day 5: Nagoya – Kyoto (stay in Kyoto or Nara)
Day 6: Nara
Day 7: Osaka (stay in Osaka)
Day 8 : Osaka (travel back to Nagoya)
Day 9 : Depart from Nagoya
Thank you!
Hi Claire san,
You may use Kintetsu rail pass. If you go to Nagashima on day 4 and start using the pass on day 4, you can take Kintetsu railway by this pass to get Kuwana which is the nearest station to Nakashima. You can save some more cost to take bus than taking bus from Nagoya.
http://www.sanco.co.jp/foreign/english/shuttle/nagashima/
You can move among Nagoya, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka by this pass from day 4 to 8. But it does not cover other railways. You need to add other pass, such as bus pass, subway pass in Osaka and Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-nagoya.html
You may need to add single fare and/or other pass in Nagoya too.
http://www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/en/pc/SUBWAY/TRP0001067.htm
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/chubu-ngo/chubu-nagoya-airport-transportation-guide-find-info-about-airport-station-and-access-to-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I am planning to buy Kansai thru pass of 3 days during my trip to Japan by end of this year. I plan to use for day 1, day 3 and day 5. My itinerary is as below.
Day 1- Kansai airport to Kyoto
Day 2 – Buy I day bus pass to travel in Kyoto
Day 3 – Kyoto to Osaka
Day 4 – Buy 1 day pass to travel in Osaka
Day 5 – Osaka to Nara
Please comment on my plan. Kindly advise how to travel from Kansai airport station to Kyoto. Which station to transit and roughly how long of the whole journey by using Kansai thru pass from Kansai airport station to Kyoto station?
Thanks and regards,
Chris
Hi Chris san,
It’s okay to use 3 days Kansai thru pass. But if I were you, I use only two days Kansai thru pass for day 3 and 5, and I use Haruka discount ticket at 1,600 yen.
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
If you use this deal, total cost is 400 yen higher but you can get Kyoto directly from KIX by very comfortable train.
If you use Kansai thru pass, you will take same route as the link below:
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/kyoto.html
And also you need to change from Hankyu to subway at Karasuma/Shijo. So you need to change trains at least 3 times, at Tengachaya, Awaji (or some stations on the way to Kyoto of Hankyu railway) and Karasuma/Shijo. Total trip time is around 2 hours. If you use Haruka discount ticket, it takes 1 hour 10-15 minutes.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
my family of 2 adults, one 8-year-old child and one 2-year-old child will be traveling around Kansai area from Jul 14 till Aug 12. We are flying in and out of Japan from Osaka Kansai international airport. We have booked an apartment in Osaka for the whole time we are in Osaka. We will just do day trip in Kansai Area during that period of time. Could you please advise us what type of pass should we buy?
Thank you
Best Regards
Ha
Hi Ha,
Please see the links below:
For outside Osaka, such as Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Himeji
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
For sightseeing in Osaka
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi!
I’m travelling to Japan this July 31st to August 8th, flying in and out through Kansai Airport.I would like to hear your opinion if Kintetsu Rail Pass is suitable for my itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Kansai Airport -> Osaka. Stay in Osaka
Day 2: Osaka full day tour. Stay in Osaka
Day 3: Osaka full day tour. Stay in Osaka
Day 4: Osaka – > Nara. Nara – > Osaka. Stay in Osaka
Day 5: Osaka -> Kyoto. Stay in Kyoto.
Day 6: Kyoto full day tour. Stay in Kyoto.
Day 7: Kyoto – > Nagoya. Nagoya – > Kyoto. Stay in Kyoto.
Day 8 : Kyoto full day tour. Stay in Kyoto.
Day 9 : Kyoto – > Osaka. Departure from Kansai airport.
I was wondering if you could kindly advise what are the types of passes (Kintetsu/Bus/Local rail?) that would be suitable for my itinerary. I understand some of the rail passes do not cover local transport so I’ll have to purchase local day passes separately. So is there any passes that are suitable for my transport when I am in respected cities?
Let me know what you think. Thank you very much!
Hi Yonnie,
You have two options for Nagoya, Nara and Osaka to Kyoto.
1. Kintetsu rail pass
2. Platt Kodama and Kansai thru pass
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
Kintetsu rail pass is much cheaper. But Kansai thru pass covers more places and more flexible. Platt Kodama is much faster to go to Nagoya. If you go to Kintetsu rail pass, you need to change trains and much slower. And Kintetsu rail pass covers only Kintetsu railway but Kansai thru pass covers subway and city bus too.
So you need choose from these two options.
For other part of your trip, you need to add local deals and airport access deals. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi!
I read in one of the comments about the Kintetsu Railway being on sale during December? Would it be better to purchase it when we arrive in Japan or before we arrive? Our route is when we arrive in Kansai Airport, we will take the train directly to Nagoya, stay there for 2 days, travel to Kyoto and stay there for 3 days. Will the Kintetsu Rail Pass Plus be worth it to buy?
Hoping for your reply! 🙂
Hi Stephanie,
So far it will be on sale until end of Oct. But I think it will be on sale in next period too. In the last year, it was same situation. It was extended but the condition was changed. Please check the official site before you purchase.
http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/ticket/krp.html
Kintetsu rail pass will suit your plan. In my opinion, you don’t need to purchase it in advance. Because you cannot exchange it in Kansai airport. Please see the link below.
http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/ticket/get.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I wish to travel from Kansai airport to Kyoto and from Kyoto to Nagoya then to Osaka
Staying to 2 nights in Kyoto and 2 nites in Nagoya. What is the best travel arrangement?
Hi Jocelyn,
If you want to save your cost, Kintetsu rail pass is the best choice. But you need to change trains at least twice when you go to Kansai airport to Kyoto and also you need to add the fare for Kansai airport to Namba at 920 yen which is not covered by Kintetsu rail pass.
If you want to get convenience, you can use Haruka discount ticket to get Kyoto from Kansai.
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
And also you can use Platt Kodama for Kyoto to Nagoya and Nagoya to Osaka.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
You should make a decision which you take, cost or convenience.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
We will be staying in Japan for 5 days and will arrive in Nagoya stay and go around for 2 days and then travel to Osaka and spend 2 days again.
May I know if you advise that we purchase the Kintetsu rail limited pass from Nagoya to Osaka and just purchase local unlimited train passes separately for Nagoya and Osaka?
Or will purchasing the Kintetsu rail pass be the cheaper alternative?
Please advise.
Thank you so much!
Hi Ana san,
Kintetsu rail pass is not a good idea if you use this pass for Nagoya to Osaka one way only. If you go back to Nagoya after staying in Osaka and use it again, it works.
If you have one way trip, Platt Kodama is recommended.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
You need other local deals in Nagoya and Osaka. Both Kintetsu rail pass and Platt Kodama do not cover local transportation.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
http://www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/en/pc/SUBWAY/TRP0001067.htm
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
How are you? It’s Nuj, again.
I’m planning a trip for this year. Here’s my rough itinerary.
Day 1: Arrive Chubu airport / stay in Nagoya
Day 2: Nagoya – Kii Katsuura / stay Kii Katsuura
Day 3: Kii Katsuura – Ise – Toba / stay Toba
Day 4: Toba – Ise – Nagoya / stay Nagoya
Day 5: Nagoya – Chubu airport
I’ve found this Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Tourist Pass (http://touristpass.jp/en/ise_kumano/) which is the joint offer between JR West and JR Central. Is it a better choice than Kintetsu Rail Pass? Pls comment.
Regards,
Nuj
Hi Nuj,
Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Tourist Pass is the best choice. Kitetsu rail pass covers Ise but not Kii-Katsuura. Kintetsu rail pass is not a right choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi
Thank you for your prompt reply.
I’ll explore more and may come back to you if there is any question. I hope you don’t mind.
Regards,
Nuj
No worries, Nuj.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I’m travelling to Japan between late May & mid June and I have been following your guide for the last two months. Though I’ve discovered a few good tips, I was wondering if you could kindly advise what are the types of passes (Kintetsu/Bus/Local rail?) that would be suitable for my itinerary. I understand some of the rail passes do not cover local transport so I’ll have to purchase local day passes separately.
Day 1: Arrival in Kansai -> Osaka (I understand our hotel provides shuttle bus to & from Osaka Station)
Day 2: Osaka
Day 3: Osaka – Nagoya
Day 4 – 5 : Nagoya
Day 6: Nagoya – Kyoto
Day 7 – 10 : Kyoto
Day 11 : Kyoto – Osaka
Day 12 -14 : Osaka
Day 15 : Departure from Kansai
Thank you for your advice in advance.
Kind Regards,
Judy
Hi Judy san,
You can use Kintetsu rail pass for Osaka-Nagoya and Nagoya-Kyoto. But there is no direct trains provided by Kintetsu from Nagoya to Kyoto. If you want to get easier access, Platt Kodama is recommended.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
If you use Platt Kodama for Nagoya to Kyoto, you should use this for Osaka to Nagoya too. Because you cannot get the worth of Kintetsu rail pass by one way from Osaka to Nagoya.
In Kyoto and Osaka, you may find some local deals in the links below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Single fare is only choice for Kyoto to Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Further to your previous email advising that Platt Kodama would be a better option with regards to my trip travel from Osaka – Nagoya – Kyoto – Osaka, could you please advise if I could purchase the Platt Kodama tickets online? I have just a day and a half in Osaka before travelling to Nagoya, just in case I can’t find my way to the ticket office at Shin-Osaka station 24 hours prior to next day travel.
Many thanks again,
Judy
Hi Judy san,
Unfortunately there is no ways to purchase it online. The only way is purchasing at Shin-Osaka station. If you can’t, unfortunately your choice is single fare ticket. Please see the link of Platt Kodama and you can find how much it will be:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I’m travelling to Japan this June 8 to 14, flying in and out through Chubu Airport. I would like to hear your opinion if Kintetsu Rail Pass is suitable for my itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Chubu -> Osaka. Stay in Osaka
Day 2: Osaka -> Kobe. Stay in Osaka
Day 3: Osaka -> Kyoto. Stay in Kyoto
Day 4: Kyoto full day tour
Day 5: Kyoto -> Nara. Stay in Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto -> Nagoya. Stay in Nagoya
Day 7: Nagoya. Departure from Chubu
I see that you recommend that for travel between Nagoya->Kyoto->Osaka, you advised that it is better to get a limited express . Would you also advise this for my Osaka->Nagoya? Kyoto->Nara? I’m thinking if I should just base in Kyoto and take daytrips to Osaka, Kobe, and Nara.
Let me know what you think. Thank you!
Hi Tricia san,
You can use Kitnetsu rail pass from day 1 to 5. But Kintetsu rail pass does not cover local transportation, such as subway and city bus, in Kyoto and Osaka. You need to add local deals in each cities.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
And also Kobe is outside coverage area. Hanshin tourist pass is most affordable.
http://www.hanshin.co.jp/global/en/tourist/
Limited express fee should be added. Otherwise you have to take ordinary trains with a few train changes. If you pay limited express fee, you can get Osaka-Namba from Nagoya directly.
I recommend you to use Platt Kodama for day 6, Kyoto to Nagoya.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
I don’t recommend you to stay in Osaka or Kyoto only. Because if you use Kintetsu rail pass, you have to change trains at least once between Kyoto and Osaka. There is no direct way by Kintetsu railway. I recommend you to stay in both Osaka and Kyoto. You can save the trip time. Nara can be accessed from either Osaka or Kyoto by Kintetsu railway directly.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thank you for a very informative reply! I just have to buy the Kintetsu Rail Pass 5D and Limited Express tickets for every ride. I’ve actually calculated and found that I can save around 3000yen with the Pass compared to basic fare + limited express ticket! I’ll be exploring your links on sightseeing passes in Kyoto and Osaka to look for the best deal for me. On the other hand, do you have a similar post on this for sightseeing in Nagoya?
Thank you very much!
Best,
Tricia
Hi Tricia san,
Unfortunately I don’t have any post about Nagoya. Pleas see the links below to fine the info:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2155.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com