Kansai WIDE Area Pass user guide. The best deal for the traveler who want to travel Kansai and surrounding areas, such as Okayama, Kurashiki, Kinosaki and Kumano.

Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara
Kurashiki Bikan Area is only 15 minutes away from Kurashiki station on foot. ©JTA/ ©JNTO
Kinosaki Onsen is one of most popular hot springs in Japan. ©Toyooka City/©JNTO
Kinosaki Onsen is one of most popular hot springs in Japan. ©Toyooka City/©JNTO

Since Kansai WIDE Area Pass was released in April, 2012, this deal has been very popular for the tourist who wants to travel outside Kansai, like Kinosaki Onsen, Kii peninsula and Okayama/Kurashiki. This pass covers much bigger area than other Kansai area passes, like JR West Kansai Area Pass, Kansai Thru Pass. I am very happy that tourist tries to visit not only Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe but also outside Kansai.

In this post, I would like to show you the details of this pass and make sure the difference from other passes.

Coverage area

Kansai WIDE Area Pass covers not only Kansai area, such as Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Kansai airport, Nara and Himeji but also many places outside Kansai area. I would like to introduce some popular spots. Please see the map below:

Kansai Wide Area Pass coverage map (click to view large)
This 287 series is newer fleet for Limited Express Kounotori. (C) Jonathan Ayre
Limited Express Kounotori and Kinosaki are operated by the newest 287 seires. (C) Jonathan Ayre
  • Kinosaki Onsen (城崎温泉) – One of popular hot springs resort in northern Hyogo prefecture. It can be accessed by limited express Kounotori from Osaka and limited express Kinosaki from Kyoto.
  • Amanohashidate (天橋立) – It is connected directly with Kyoto by limited express Hashidate. You need to pay some extra because this train goes through Non JR line. But even Japan Rail Pass do not cover it either. Please see the details about extra at limited express Hashidate.
  • Shirahama (白浜) – This popular hot springs area is located in Kii peninsula. It can be accessed by limited express Kuroshio from Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and Tennoji.
  • Shingu (新宮) – This town is located at the south end of Kii peninsula. It is the gate town of UNESCO World Hertage Site, “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range”. This can be accessed by limited express Kuroshio from Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and Tennoji too.
  • Okayama (岡山) – This city is located in Chugoku region and have one of three best landscape garden, Kourakuen Garden. It can be accessed by Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka in one hour.
  • Kurashiki (倉敷) – It is 15 minutes away from Okayama by local train. The preserved “Canal Area” is quite popular. There is Shin-Kurashiki station on Sanyo Shinkanse. But this station is not located in Kurashiki area. And Sanyo Shinkansenn between Okayama and Shin-Kurashiki is not covered by Kansai WIDE Area Pass either. Get on local train from Okayama when you get there.
  • Takamatsu (高松) – It is a gate city in Shikoku. It has Takamatsu castle and very popular Udon noodle.
  • Tottori – It is very well known as the city which has the biggest sand dune in Japan.

I recommend you to stay in these places. But you can visit all above spots as day trip. If you are looking for something different in your trip other than Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, Nara and Himeji, this pass gives you access and a huge saving.

Find your hotels in 500 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in Kurashiki
Hotels in Okayama
Hotels in Shirahama

Valid period

You can purchase and use this pass in all year round.

Valid trains and bus routes

Please take a look at the map at Kansai WIDE Area Pass official page one more time. You can take all local, rapid trains and Non Reserved seat on the following express trains.

  • Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin Osaka-Okayama only)
  • Limited Express Haruka (Kansai airport-Shin Osaka/Kyoto)
  • Limited Express Kuroshio (Kyoto/Shin Osaka-Shirahama/Shingu)
  • Limited Express Kounotori (Shin Osaka/Osaka-Kinosaki Onsen)
  • Limited Express Kinosaki (Kyoto-Kinosaki Onsen)
  • Limited Express Hamakaze (Osaka-Tottori)
    This express trains goes to Tottori. And this is only train to get Tottori from Osaka directly. Tottori was not in coverage area but it was included as of mid April, 2017.
  • Limited Express Thunderbird (Osaka-Tsuruga)
    This express trains goes to Kanazawa and Toyama. But these areas are outside of the area where is covered.
  • Limited Express Hashidate (Kyoto-Fukuchiyama)
    This express trains goes to Amanohashidate. You can get Amanohashidate directly from Kyoto by this train. Amanohashidate is located on Kyoto Tango Railway which was not covered by this pass. But as of mid April, 2017,
    the coverage area was expanded. Kyoto Tango Railway is not covered by this pass fully.
  • Limited Express Super Hakuto (Kyoto-Tottori)
    This express trains connects Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Tottori and Kurayoshi. This train is the most convenient and the fastest way to get Tottori from Osaka and Kyoto. JR Pass does not cover this train fully. This train ride is one of the big advantage of Kansai Wide Area Pass.
  • Limited Express Super Inaba (Okayama-Tottori)
    This train connects Okayama and Tottori. It takes same way to get Tottori as Super Hakuto between Kamigori and Tottori. This train is not covered by JR pass fully either. This train ride is one of the big advantage of Kansai Wide Area Pass too.
  • Limited Express Wide View Hida (Osaka-Maibara)
    This express trains goes to Takayama. But this is obviously outside of the area where is covered. And this train is not mentioned on the official page. But technically you can take this train between Osaka and Maibara with no charge. However there is only one round trip a day. It is not much useful.

As of mid April 2017, this pass started to cover JR bus in Kyoto and Fukui. 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.

As I mentioned above, Kyoto Tango Railway is now covered. You also can take Wakayama Dentetsu Railway between Wakayama and Kishi by this pass.

Price

There will be two different prices, purchase outside Japan and inside Japan. If you purchase it outside Japan, price is slightly cheaper. Please see the details at the below:

 Purchasing from the travel agent overseas
(Before arrival)
Purchasing from JR West online
(Before arrival)
Purchasing from JR West station
(After arrival)
Adult10,000 yen10,800 yen11,000 yen
Child
6-11 years
5,000 yen5,400 yen5,500 yen

The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 O’clock at night, midnight to midnight.

Compare with regular fare

This is very attractive price. It is very easy to pay off. The following sample fares includes base fare and non reserved seat limited express surcharge:

  • One way trip from Kansai Airport to Shin Osaka by Limited Express Haruka — 2,330 yen
  • One way trip from Kansai Airport to Kyoto by Limited Express Haruka — 2,850 yen
  • Round trip between Shin Osaka and Himeji by Shinkansen — 6,440 yen
  • Round trip between Shin Osaka and Okayama by Shinkansen — 11,000 yen
  • Round trip between Osaka and Kinosaki Onsen by Limited Express Kounotori — 10,160 yen
  • Round trip between Kyoto and Kinosaki Onsen by Limited Express Kinosaki — 8,640 yen
  • Round trip between Shin Osaka and Shirahama by Limited Express Kuroshio — 10,160 yen
  • Round trip between Shin Osaka and Shingu by Limited Express Kuroshio — 13,380 yen

As you see above, if you take Haruka from Kansai airport to Shin-Osaka and have round trip by Shinkansen to Himeji from Shin-Osaka, it is pay off. It is very very attractive price.

Compare Kansai WIDE Area Pass and other passes

I have already written about JR West Rail Pass – Kansai Area Pass and Kansai Thru Pass (Surutto Kansai Pass). Please refer my post, How to choose discount railway ticket and pass in Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara) area.

Compare Kansai WIDE Area Pass and Kansai Area Pass

You can choose 1 to 4 days from Kansai Area Pass. Please refer the post, How to use JR West Kansai Area Pass. Compare pass and single fare. The prices are 2,060 yen, 4,110 yen, 5,140 yen and 6,170 yen. Kansai Area Pass covers only Kansai area and does not allow you to take any express trains other than Airport Express Train Haruka. I recommend you to use 1 days pass for transfer from Kansai airport to Shin-Osaka/Kyoto. As you saw the regular fare above, 1 day pass rate 2,330 yen is cheaper than one way trip to Shin-Osaka from Kansai airport. But there is ICOCA and Haruka that includes Haruka one way ticket and 1500 yen ICOCA e-money. This is better deal than Kansai Area Pass one day.

If you compare both passes, the price is less than 2,000 yen difference. Kansai WIDE Area Pass covers many more places and more trains. In my opinion, Kansai Wide Area Pass has much greater value than Kansai Area Pass.

Even if you stay and travel in Kansai area only, Kansai Thru Pass may be better choice because it covers subway and bus services in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.

Compare Kansai WIDE Area Pass and Kansai Thru Pass

As I mentioned on my post, How to choose discount railway ticket and pass in Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara) area, Kansai Thru Pass is the best rail pass for sightseeing in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe. This deal includes Kyoto municipal transportation (subway and bus) and Osaka municipal transportation (subway and bus). This is a huge asset to explore in Kyoto and Osaka. Especially you cannot go to any popular spots without subway and bus services in Kyoto. All JR rail passes, Kansai WIDE Area Pass, Kansai Area Pass, even Japan Rail Pass, do not cover any subway and city bus services. Kansai Thru Pass covers all major private rail lines too. In Kansai area, there are many private rail lines. When you go to Kyoto and Nara from Osaka, private lines, Hankyu (Umeda-Kawaramachi), Keihan (Yodoyabashi/Kyobashi-Shijo/Sanjo), Kintetsu (Namba/Tsuruhashi-Nara, Kyoto-Nara) are more convenient.

Conclusion

So if you are sure that you stay and travel in Kansai area only, I don’t recommend you to use Kansai WIDE Area Pass. But if you are interested in the area other than Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, Nara and Himeji to visit, this pass may be suitable for you. Kansai Thru Pass is a good rail pass. But this pass does not cover the area other than Kansai area, such as Kinosaki, Okayama and Shirahama.

If you stay in Kansai area for 3 days or less, you do not have enough time to explore outside Kansai. You should stay and enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara. But if you stay for 4 days or more, you may have an extra time to enjoy both Kansai are and outside of Kansai.

e.g.
If you stay in Osaka for 5 nights,
Day 1 Kansai airport – Shin Osaka (Kansai WIDE Area Pass)
Day 2 Day trip to Shirahama (Kansai WIDE Area Pass)
Day 3 Day trip to Kurashiki (Kansai WIDE Area Pass)
Day 4 Day trip to Kyoto (Kansai Thru Pass)
Day 5 Day trip to Nara (Kansai Thru Pass)
Day 6 Osaka – Kansai airport (Kansai Thru Pass)

In above sample plan, I use Kansai WIDE Area Pass for 3 days only. Of course you can use this pass for day 1 to 5 and add the regular fare or other deal to get Kansai airport. But even though you use Kansai WIDE Area Pass for 3 days, you get your money worth.

I hope this pass encourages you to explore outside Kansai area. I love Kinosaki and Kurashiki. If you have an extra time, I strongly recommend you to visit these places.

Comments

  1. dinnie says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I will be visiting Osaka on this March 1st – 11th with family. For the first 4 nights, Kyoto will be my basis and the remaining 6 nights I will be based in Osaka (Shin Imamiya). I’ve created a rough itinerary (still flexible) and some of the passes. However I still don’t know which pass best for explore Osaka (day 8-10) as well as from Shin-Imamiya to KIX on day 11. I’d need your kind help to review my plan on the passes that will get my money worth. Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated. Thank you 🙂

    Day 1 KIX – Kyoto (Fushimi Inari, Nishiki Market) – ( ICOCA Haruka + Kyoto Bus Pass)
    Day 2 Kyoto (Kiyomizudera, Arashiyama, Gion) – (Kyoto Tourists 1 day Pass – 1200yen)
    Day 3 Kyoto – Biwako Valley/Himeji – (Kansai Wide Pass)
    Day 4 Kyoto – Kinosaki Onsen -Kyoto -(Kansai Wide Pass)
    Day 5 Kyoto – Osaka – Nara – Osaka -(Kansai Wide Pass)
    Day 6 Osaka – Shirahama – (Kansai Wide Pass)
    Day 7 Osaka – Hikone – (Kansai Wide Pass)
    Day 8 Osaka – Universal Studio – (???)
    Day 9 Osaka – Osaka Castle – (???)
    Day 10 Osaka – Shinsaibashi-Namba-Dotomburi – (???)
    Day 11 Osaka (shin Imamiya) – KIX – Home – (???)

    • Hi Dinnie san,

      Day 8 Osaka – Universal Studio – (???)
      I think you will spend whole day there. So single ticket is okay. You may use ICOCA. You have 1500 yen e-money in ICOCA.

      Day 9 Osaka – Osaka Castle – (???)
      If you just visit Osaka castle, single ticket is okay. But if you intend to visit some more places, subway pass is recommended. I think you still have some fund left in your ICOCA card.
      http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html

      Day 10 Osaka – Shinsaibashi-Namba-Dotomburi – (???)
      It is same as day 9. Single ticket or subway pass is your choice.

      Day 11 Osaka (shin Imamiya) – KIX – Home – (???)
      If you want to save your cost, just pay single fare 920 yen to take Nankai railway’s train. If you want to take comfortable train, use rapi:t deal.
      http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/tokuwari.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Faith says:

        Hi Takeshi,

        Thank you for your reply.
        I would like to better understand the JR Kansai Hiroshima Pass. It states that there is unlimited use of non-reserved seats on the Sanyo Shinkansen (including Nozomi and Mizuho) between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima. However, the Tokaido Shinkansen between Kyoto and Osaka is not covered.

        In that case, if I want to travel from Kobe to Hiroshima or Kyoto to Hiroshima, can I still take Nozomi 103 or Nozomi 15 (from Shin Osaka station or Shin Kobe station) using that pass? If not able to use the pass for Nozomi trains, which are the better connection timing?

        Cheers,
        Faith

        • Hi Faith,

          You can take Nozomi from either Shin-Osaka or Shin-Kobe. But Nozomi come from Tokyo and many passengers will stay in the train. Sakura or Mizuho from Shin-Osaka is easier to get a seat.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Dinnie says:

        Thanks so much for your reply Takeshi San! One more question please if you don’t mind, can I buy Kansai Wide Pass during my arrival at KIX (day 1) yet reserve to activate the pass three days later (day 4) as planned on my itinerary?

  2. Faith says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am not sure which pass to use. Will be in Japan for 12 days.

    Below is my itinery:

    22/3 Osaka (KIX – namba)
    24/3 Day trip to Himeji
    25/3 Shinsaibashi (Osaka) to Kinosaki Onsen
    26/3 Kyoto
    28/3 Kobe (motomachi / Sannomiya)
    29/3 Hiroshima/ Miyajima
    1/4 Osaka (Shinsaibashi)
    2/4 KIX

    Is there any way to combine any passes? Traveling with huge luggage and prefer for reserved seats if possible.

    Cheers,
    Faith.

  3. chenchen says:

    Hi.

    Planning travel with the Kansai Wide Area Pass.

    Question: for non-reserved car, if no seats available, we have to stand? Shinkansen train’s non reserved between Shin-Osaka and Okayama, no seat also stand?

    Is it necessary to pay for reserved seats for the Kuroshio departing from Kyoto to Shingu? (We will board at Kyoto.) God chance to get seats on non-reserved? We are travelling in group of 3A+2C.

  4. Brigitte van Kessel says:

    Hello Takeshi,
    I am finding it very confusing to choose the right pass.
    We are arriving in Kansai Airport, travelling to Kyoto for 3 days. On to Kinosaki for a night, Himeji thereafter, Okayama and Naoshima. On day six (excluding our 3 days Kyoto) we have to travel back to Kansai Airport for our International flight. Is this all covered by Kansai Wide Area Pass? Would it be worthwhile to buy two passes for our stay if we would include the Kansai Airport to Kyoto trip, as well? We would be very grateful for your advise.

  5. Laddawan says:

    Hi,

    I’ll be going from Kansai airport to Okayama for 1 and a half day going to the famous garden, Kii plain and Kurashiki. Then I’ll head to Takamatsu for and stay for a week to check out Naoshima Triennial Festival and the islands in the area. After that I’ll have to catch my flight back from Kansai airport.

    My question is if this Kansai Wide Pass worth it. I’m not sure if I have to use it on 5 consecutive days.

    Also is Kii plain the same as Kii peninsula that you mentioned in this post?

    Please advise. Thank you.

    • Hi Laddawan,

      You can use Kansai Wide Area Pass for Kansai airport to Okayama and then to Takamatsu. It’s valid for 5 consecutive days and you need to have single ticket for going back to Kansai airport. There is no deals available for back to KIX.

      Actually I have no idea about Kii plain. I have never heard it. If it’s same location as Kii peninsula, it’s completely different place from Okayama. You cannot go Kii from Okayama.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • laddawan says:

        Thank you for your reply Mr Takeshi. Kii plain is my mistake. Actually it’s Kibi plain.

        • Hi Laddawan,

          In my understanding, Kibi plain is Kobi-Kogen in Japanese. It’s located in northern Okayama prefecture so it’s accessible from Okayama. Trip time is 1 to 2 hours. It depends on which part of Kibi-Kogen you visit.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • laddawan says:

            Thank you for telling me how Kibi plain is called in Japanese. At least i know what it’s called when i want to ask the local for direction. Glad that all of my destinations between Osaka-Takamatsu are all covered by JR Kansai Wide Pass.

            Hope you have a good day Mr. Takeshi

  6. Cheryl says:

    Hi Mr Takeshi,

    I was planning to purchase this pass and would like to utilize it to visit Kinosaki from Osaka.
    Just to check with you, I can use this pass for my ride on Limited Express Hamakaze (Osaka-Kinosaki Onsen) right?
    Because when I view it from the Jr-West website, it only states includes rides on Express Trains ‘HARUKA, KUROSHIO, THUNDERBIRD, KOUNOTORI, SUPER HAKUTO (Kyoto⇔Kamigori) etc”, but not Hamakaze.
    Would appreciate your advice. Thanks!

    Cheryl

    • Hi Cheryl,

      Yes. Hamakaze is covered by this pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

    • Cheryl says:

      Hi Mr Takeshi,
      Thank you for your response. 1 more question, is Shinkansen Hikari ride covered under Kansai wide area pass? If I wanted to take from Kyoto to Himeji? Thanks!
      Cheryl

      • Hi Cheryl,

        This pass covers Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Okayama only. So you can take Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Himeji. But you need to take local or special rapid train between Kyoto and Shin-Osaka.

        Cheers,

        Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Choon Siong says:

    I would to travel from Kyoto to Okuibuki Ski resort (via bus transport departing Omi-Nagaoka Station). I will be purchasing Kansai Wide Area Pass.

    May I know what is the train route and any additional train tickets to be bought?

    Thank you.

    • Hi Choon,

      You can take Special Rapid Service to Maibara and transfer to local train there.
      Extra fare around 200 yen is required for Maibagara to Omi-Nagaoka.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Choose Siong says:

        1. For the recent reply on 6th January for the route from kyoto to maibara.

        Instead of special rapid service, can we take any faster route that involve shinkasen example hidari or kodama?

        2. Does the kansai wide area pass cover Shinkansen Nozomi, Sakura, Kodama, Mizuho, Hikari?

        • Hi Choose,

          1. No. As I mentioned in the post above, this pass does not cover Shinkansen on this segment.
          2. You can take any Shinkansen train’s non reserved seat between Shin-Osaka and Okayama only.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Grace says:

    Hi Takeshi
    Would I be able to take the Nozomi between Shin Osaka & Okayama with the Kansai Wide Area Pass ?

    Many thanks
    Grace

  9. Maggie says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    I’m not sure if the Kansai Wide Area Pass or Kansai Thur Pass is better suited for my itinerary below, could you please give me your recommendation? Thank you for posting great materials on your site!

    Osaka 2 nights March 15-17
    Kii-hongu taish/Yunomine Onsen 2 nights March 17-19
    Kii-tanabe/Shirahama 1 nights March 19-20
    Nara 2 nights March 20-22
    Kyoto 7 nights March 22-29

  10. Giuseppe says:

    Hello Takeshi,

    Thank you for your guides. They are extremely helpful.
    We are looking at buying a Kansei pass but we can’t decide which one is advantageous to get (one pass for the 5 days in Kensai or a shorter term pass and pay excursions individually, etc…) Can you help us out? We are leaving in a few days and honestly, this stuff is far from transparent!

    Itinirary:
    Arrive in Kyoto (hub) and staying for 2 days.
    Go to Nara for a day trip.
    Go to Kinosaki for an overnight stay (ryokan onsen).
    From Kinosaki, go to Osaka for a day.
    Finally, go to KIX (international airport).

    Thanks very so much,

    Giuseppe

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