Kansai train networks guide. How to move between Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Wakayama. Make sure JR lines and non JR lines

Network of JR trains
2011.11.20
Kobe Harborland © Kobe Convention & Visitors Association/© JNTO
Kobe Harborland © Kobe Convention & Visitors Association/© JNTO

As you probably have already known, the train system in Japan is very complicated. Especially in the major cities, there are lots of railways. You might not understand the difference between Japan Railways (JR), subways and private railways.

In Kansai area, such as Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji and Wakayama, many trains runs among these cities. You may be overwhelmed. But it is very important to understand the train system. This is a key to make a trip much more smoothly and save your trip time.

I would like to explain about JR lines and the private railway companies in Kansai area in this post. You may find which train line is the best for your trip.

Overview of train system in Kansai area

Please find the map below. It looks very complicated. I will explain you one by one.

Click to enlarge
Kansai train system map. Click to view large

I tried to make this map as simple as possible. But it still shows you many train lines. This map actually does not show all stations and all train lines. It shows you only major stations, major lines, transfer points and the station where is near popular sightseeing spot.

You have to pick one of those lines. It is complicated but I would like to explain you these train lines one by one.

JR trains

JR used to be Japanese National Railway. It has lines throughout Japan. In Kansai area, JR network has the biggest train network. I would like to show you only JR lines in Kansai area at the map below:

Click to enlarge.
JR conventional line shown in bold blue line and Shinkansen line shown in navy and white dotted line (click to view large)

You can catch JR train right after you arrive in Kansai airport. You can go almost anywhere in Kansai area, like Osaka (both Umeda and Namba), Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Wakayama and Himeji.

If you use JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass, Kansai Wide Area Pass or other JR deal, try to use JR train as much as you can. JR has two kinds of railways, Shinkansen and conventional lines.

Conventional line’s trains in Kansai area

Special Rapid Service operated by JR West 223 series.
Special Rapid Service dominates Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe-Himeji transfer.

There are many train services on the conventional line network.

  • Limited Express, such as Haruka (Kansai airport – Shin Osaka – Kyoto)
  • Rapid
  • Local

Most of you take a rapid train service. This is a sort of commute train but it stops at major stations only. This train service offers you a high speed transfer among cities.

Especially if you want to move among Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Himeji, Special Rapid Service is the fastest and most convenient train service on the conventional line. The trip time for major segments are the following:

  • Osaka / Sannomiya (Kobe) — 22 minutes
  • Osaka / Kyoto — 28 minutes
  • Sannomiya / Kyoto — 50 minutes
  • Osaka / Himeji– 1 hour 10 minutes

Please see the link below to find more information about Special Rapid Service train:

JR Special Rapid Service train between Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and HImeji

There are many more rapid train services in Kansai area, such as Nara, Kansai airport and Wakayama. Please see the link below to get more information about rapid train services in Kansai area:

Kansai area JR rapid train network

The Shinkansen (a.k.a. Bullet Train)

Shinkansen is the high speed train service in Japan. Shinkansen stops at Maibara, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe, Nishiakashi and Himeji in Kansai area.
Shinkansen stops at Maibara, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe, Nishiakashi and Himeji in Kansai area.

Shinkansen is a high speed train service as you probably know. It is much faster than any trains on conventional lines. Shinkansen usually used for long distance transfer, such as Tokyo to Osaka.

What is Shinkansen?

But it can be used for short distance, like Shin-Osaka to Kyoto. It connects Shin-Osaka and Kyoto in 13 minutes, and Shin-Osaka to Shin-Kobe in 15 minutes. This is so fast. But if you leave from Umeda or other stations in Osaka, you may have to add some extra time to transfer at Shin-Osaka. Because Shin-Osaka is one station away from Osaka (Umeda). Let’s compare trip time for Osaka (Umeda) to Kyoto between Shinkansen and Special Rapid Service.

By Special Rapid Service
Osaka – 28 minutes – Kyoto
By Shinkansen
Osaka – 4 minutes – Shin Osaka (5 to 10 minutes for transfer) – 13 minutes – Kyoto

It may take 25 minutes even if you take high speed train, Shinkansen.
Shinkansen is not much faster than Special Rapid Service.

How about trip to Kobe by Shinkansen? In my opinion, it is not a good idea if you think about using Shinkansen from Osaka. It is same situation as trip to Kyoto. You have to move to Shin-Osaka to catch Shinkansen. And also Shin-Kobe station is one station away from Sannomiya by subway.

By Special Rapid Service
Osaka – 22 minutes – Sannomiya
By Shinkansen
Osaka – 4 minutes – Shin Osaka (5 to 10 minutes for transfer) – 15 minutes – Shin Kobe (5 to 10 minutes transfer) – 2 minutes – Sannomiya


View Downtown Kobe in a larger map

In this case, Shinkansen is slower than Special Rapid Service.

If you use JR pass, you can take Shinkansen for this short transfer because it is fully covered by JR pass. It is not worth taking Shinkansen for these short transfers by single fare.

Private Railways in Kansai area

There are many private company’s railways (=NON JR) in Kansai area. Actually these train companies offers more convenient train service than JR trains on many segments. I would like to show you all major company’s lines in Kansai area.

This map shows you only NON JR railways (private railway and subway). Click to enlarge.
This map shows you only NON JR railways (private railway and subway). Click to enlarge.

Kansai Thru Pass is very popular deal to travel in Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Koyasan and Wakayama. This pass covers these Non JR train services. If you make lots of trips by these private train services, you may use Kansai Thru Pass. Please see the link below to find more information about Kansai Thru Pass:

Kansai Thru Pass user guide

Hankyu Railway

9300 series is mainly used for limited express on Kyoto line.
9300 series is mainly used for limited express on Kyoto line.

Hankyu Railway runs Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Takarazuka.

In Osaka, Umeda is the terminal station. Umeda is same location as JR Osaka station. All trains depart from Umeda to all destinations. In Kyoto, you can reach Kawaramachi (near Gion) and Arashiyama. This train service takes you to Sannomiya in Kobe.

This map shows you Hankyu Railway and Osaka Subway Sakaisuji line. Click to enlarge.
Hankyu Railway and Osaka Subway Sakaisuji line shown in bold brown line (Click to view large)

There is no direct scheduled trains between Kyoto and Kobe. You have to change the trains at either Juso or Umeda. Juso is the junction of Kobe line, Kyoto line, and Takarazuka line. This station is only two stations away from Umeda. In the peak period, like spring cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons, the direct train service to Arashiyama from Umeda and/or sometimes from Kobe-Sannomiya are available. But you have to change the trains at Katsura usually when you go to Arashiyama by Hankyu Railway.

Hankyu Railway operates several kinds of trains, like limited express, express, local. But an express supplement is not required for taking any trains, even limited express. It is same category as JR’s Special Rapid Service.

The trip times for major segments are the following:

  • Umeda / Sannomiya — 27 minutes
  • Umeda / Kawaramachi — 43 minutes
  • Umeda / Arashiyama — 45 minutes

I show you Osaka Subway Sakaisuji line in the map above. Because this subway train go through Hankyu Railway line. You may get Kyoto by direct service from many places in downtown Osaka.

Keihan Railway

Keihan Railway limited express has a by-level car in the train set.

Keihan Railway is another way to get Kyoto from Osaka.

At Osaka, Yodoyabashi and Nakanoshima are the terminal stations. But the primary station is Yodoyabashi. Most of express trains depart from Yodoyabashi. And this station is connected with Umeda and Namba by Osaka Subway Midousuji line.You can also take this railway at Kyobashi. You can transfer from JR Osaka Kanjo line at Kyobashi. In Kyoto, Gion-Shijo, Sanjo and Demachiyanagi are the terminal stations. Keihan Railway is most accessible way to visit Higashiyama area directly.

Keihan Railway also runs to Uji. You can transfer the trains at Chushojima.

The map shows only Keihan Railway. Click to enlarge.
Keihan Railway shown in bold green line (Click to view large)
Keihan 8000 series have nice accommodation too. (C) Sonic Rail Garden
Keihan 8000 series have nice accommodation at no extra charge. (C) Sonic Rail Garden

Keihan Railway operates many category of trains, such as limited express, express, semi-express, local. Limited express train has one by-level car in each train set. It also has “Premium car” in each train set. It has much bigger and more comfortable seat.

Seat layout is 2+1. It is 2+2 in other regular car.

Additional fare is 400 or 500 yen required to take a seat in Premium car. The fare is varied by the distance.

You can take all trains without any surcharge other than Premium car seat. This limited express train is same type of service as JR’s Special Rapid Service as well.

The trip time on major sections are the following:

  • Yodoyabashi / Gion-Shijo or Sanjo — 50 minutes
  • Kyobashi / Gion-Shijo or Sanjo — 45 minutes

Hanshin Railway

This 9000 series and most of Hanshin Railway's train equip a bench seat only.
This 9000 series and most of Hanshin Railway’s train equip a bench seat only.

Hanshin Railway connect Osaka and Kobe.

Hanshin has two terminals at two biggest downtown cores in Osaka, Umeda and Namba. At Kobe side, Kobe-Sannomiya and Motomachi are the primary stations.

Hanshin Railway and Sanyo Railway are shown in the map. Click to enlarge.
Hanshin Railway and Sanyo Railway shown in bold red line (Click to view large)

Hanshin Railway lines are very short but this railway connects with other railways at both end. In Kobe, Hanshin is connected with Sanyo Railway. Many express trains go through Himeji via Sanyo Railway. At the other side, Hanshin is connected with Kintetsu Railway at Osaka-Namba station. Many of trains go through Nara from Motomachi or Kobe-Sannomiya via Kintetsu Railway. This is only way to get Nara from Kobe directly. Major direct train services and trip time are the following:

  • Umeda / Sannomiya — 30 minutes
  • Osaka-Namba / Sannomiya — 45-50 minutes
  • Umeda – (Hanshin) – Motomachi – (Sanyo) – Himeji — 95 to 100 minutes
  • Nara – (Kintetsu) – Osaka-Namba – (Hanshin) – Motomachi — 80 minutes

Hanshin Railway operates several kinds of trains, like limited express, express, local. But no extra charge is required to take any trains.

Nankai Railway

Nankai Railway Limited Express Koya
Nankai Railway Limited Express Koya


Nankai Railway is one of major ways to get Osaka from Kansai airport. It also takes you to Wakayama and Gokurakubashi that is the gateway to Koyasan (Mt. Koya).

Koyasan (Mt. Koya) access guide

Nankai Railway has a huge terminal station in Namba, Osaka. Most of trains depart and arrive at this station.

Nankai Railway shown in navy bold line (Click to view large)
Nankai Railway shown in bold navy line. (Click to view large)

Nankai Railway operates several kinds of trains, like limited express, express, local. Express train surcharge is required to take limited express trains. The name of limited express train and the trip time for major segments are the following:

  • Limited Express “Southern” (Osaka-Namba / Wakayamashi) — 1 hour
  • Limited Express “Rapi:t” (Osaka-Namba / Kansai Airport) — 45 to 55 minutes
  • Limited Express “Koya” (Osaka-Namba / Gokurakubashi) — 80 minutes
  • Limited Express “Rinkan” (Osaka-Namba / Hashimoto) — 45 minutes

There are express trains and local trains if you want to avoid paying extra. Actually trip time is not so much different. It depends on the distance. In most of cases, you will spend 10 to 15 minutes extra. But interior is very different. Your seat is reserved if you take limited express and very comfortable. If you take express without surcharge, it is a commute train. You may not be able to get a seat.

*Only limited express “Southern” has two types of seats, limited express seat and commuter car seat. Commute car seat is same as other commute train. This is non reserved seat and express surcharge is not required to take this.

Kintetsu Railway

Kintetsu Railway has the biggest limited express train network in all private railway companies.

Kintetsu Railway operates a train service in the biggest private railway network in Japan. It connects Osaka, Nara, Yoshino, Kyoto, Nagoya and Ise.

In this post, I would like to tell you about Kintetsu Railway network in Kansai area only. If you want the information about trip to Ise / Shima area, please refer the post below:

Ise access guide

Kintetsu Railway only is shown in the map above. Click to enlarge.
Kintetsu Railway shown in bold orange line (Click to view large)

In Osaka, Kintetsu Railway has two terminal stations, such as Osaka-Namba and Osaka-Abenobashi. As I mentioned at the chapter of Hanshin Railway, Kintetsu Railway is connected with Hanshin Railway at Osaka-Namba. You can take direct train service between Kobe and Nara by Hanshin and Kintetsu. You may take Kintetsu Railway train at Tsuruhashi. You can change to JR Osaka Kanjo line at this station.

Kintetsu is also major way to get Nara from Kyoto. Kintetsu Kyoto station is same location as JR Kyoto station. You can transfer from JR and Kyoto subway at Kyoto station very easily. But Kintetsu Railway is connected to Kyoto subway at Takeda station. Some trains go through Kyoto subway Karasuma line.

You can use Kintetsu Railway for Osaka-Kyoto transfer. But it is a detour and there is no direct train services provided between Osaka and Kyoto by Kintetsu Railway. You have to change the trains at Yamato-Saidaiji. If you really want to use Kintetsu Railway, you can take this route. Otherwise it is wasting time and money.

Kintetsu Railway is only way to get Yoshino which is very popular to see cherry blossom. There is a direct train service from Osaka-Abenobashi. If you access to Yoshino from Kyoto, Nara, you have to transfer the trains at least once at Kashihara-Jingumae station.

Kintetsu Railway operates several kinds of trains, like limited express, rapid express, express, local. Express train surcharge is required to take limited express trains. Kintetsu Railway has a big limited express train network. But if you take Kintetsu Railway to get Nara from Osaka or Kyoto, you may not use limited express train because it is such a short ride. If you visit Yoshino, limited express may be your choice. The trip time for major segments are the following:

  • Osaka-Namba / Kintetsu Nara — 40 minutes
  • Kyoto / Kintetsu Nara — 45 minutes
  • Osaka-Abenobashi / Yoshino — 85 minutes (75 minutes by limited express)

How to choose the lines and trains to Kyoto from Osaka

Departure station in Osaka

Where are you going to stay in Osaka? If you will stay in Umeda area, Hankyu and Japan Railway may be your choice. If you stay near Yodoyabashi, Tenmabashi or Kyobashi, Keihan is more accessible. If you stay in Namba or other location in Osaka, you need to take subway line or JR Osaka loop line anyway. Think about arrival station in Kyoto.


View Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe in a larger map

You can find the train network map at the post, Guide to take trains in Osaka. How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots?

Arrival station in Kyoto

Which part of Kyoto do you want to go? JR Special Rapid Service train is the fastest way to get Kyoto.

JR Special Rapid / Osaka – Kyoto 28 minutes
Hankyu Railway Limited Express / Umeda – Kawaramachi 45 minutes
Keihan Railway Limited Express / Yodoyabashi – Gion-Shijo 50 minutes

But most tourist spots in Kyoto are away from JR Kyoto station. You have to take a bus or subway to get there, such as Kinkakuji temple, Kiyomizudera temple, Yasaka Jinja shrine. Only Arashiyama and Nijo castle is accessible by JR trains.

If you want to go to Higashiyama or Gion, such as Kiyomizudera temple, Yasaka Jinja shrine, Philosopher’s Walk, Hankyu Railway and Keihan Railway are more convenient than Japan Railway.

If you are looking for information about all trains in Kyoto, please refer the post below:

Kyoto train guide

How to choose the lines and trains to Kobe from Osaka

Find your hotels in 500 cities throughout Japan!!!

 

Hotels in Kobe (from US$62)
Hotels in Kyoto (from US$56)
Hotels in Osaka (from US$47)

Departure station in Osaka

You have two options, Umeda (JR Osaka) or Namba. If you stay around Umeda area, you can choose from Japan Railway, Hankyu or Hanshin. Hankyu and Hanshin are cheaper than JR but JR is faster.

If you will stay in Namba area, Hanshin Railway is the best choice.

You can find the train network map of Osaka in the post below:

Osaka train guide

Arrival station in Kobe

Which part of Kobe do you want to go? You can go anywhere in Kobe by Japan Railway and Hanshin Electric Railway. Most of trains of Hankyu Railway go to Sannomiya only. If you are looking for the transfer to other area in Kobe, think about JR or Hanshin.
But Kobe is smaller than Kyoto. So it is not much different among JR, Hanshin and Hankyu.

You can find the train network map of Kobe in the post below:

Kobe train guide

How to choose a train service between Kobe and Kyoto

Only JR Special Rapid Service offers you a direct train service. It is the fastest and maybe faster than even Shinkansen. But as I mentioned to you above, JR Kyoto station is away from most tourist spots. On the other hand, Hankyu Railway can take you to Kyoto from Kobe. Hankyu do not offer any scheduled train on this section. But Kawaramachi station is located near Gion and Higashiyama. JR and Hankyu’s trip time are the following.

Sannomiya / JR Kyoto — 50 minutes
Sannomiya / Hankyu Kawaramachi — 65 minutes (change the trains at Juso)

Hankyu is slower. And you have to think about the location in Kyoto. If you stay around JR Kyoto station, JR is the best way. But if you stay in other area, such as Gion, you may spend another 15-20 minutes get JR Kyoto station. Hankyu may be better choice. If you go to Arashiyama in Kyoto, it is same story. Hankyu is better as well.

Assessment

There are many train services and it makes you confused. Please make sure the station where you want to depart from and arrive in before you go. And then, you can find which train you should take.

Comments

  1. Zai says:
    September 8, 2015 at 7:52 pm

    Hi Takeshi.

    Thank you so much for the very detailed write up!
    Can u help to look if my itinerary is okay with the passes(7day JR pass and ICOCA) i intend to get?
    Thank You in advance.

    trip in Dec

    Day 1 – Tokyo
    explore using ICOCA

    Day 2 – Tokyo (usage of JR pass starts here if needed)
    Explore using ICOCA

    Day 3 – Tokyo
    Disneyland (JR pass)

    Day 4- Tokyo -Kyoto (JR pass)
    explore Kyoto (ICOCA or/and JR pass)

    Day 5- Kyoto- Kobe (JR pass)
    Kobe-Nara (JR pass or ICOCA)
    Nara – Kyoto (JR pass or ICOCA)

    Day 6 – Kyoto- Osaka (JR pass)
    explore osaka (ICOCA and/or JR pass)
    Kyoto – Osaka (JR pass)

    Day 7- Kyoto – Tokyo (JR pass)
    explore Tokyo (ICOCA) or might go to GALA YUZAWA ski resort

    Day 8- Narita in the morning

  2. Travis says:
    September 4, 2015 at 1:01 am

    Hi Takeshi San,
    Can you advise which days I should use Kansai Thru Pass and which days I should not? I am staying at a hotel at ShinOsaka for all 6 days.

    Day 1: Osaka
    – Kansai Airport
    – Osaka Castle Park
    – Umeda Sky Building
    – Shinsaibashi Suji
    – Amerika-Mura

    Day 2: Osaka
    – Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
    – Giant Ferris Wheel
    – Tachibana dori (Orange Street)
    – Dotonbori

    Day 3: Osaka to Kyoto to Osaka
    – Hotel at ShinOsaka
    – Horinji Temple
    – Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
    – Nonomiya Shrine
    – Tenryuji Temple
    – Toei Kyoto Studio Park
    – Kinkaku-ji
    – Hotel at ShinOsaka

    Day 4: Osaka to Kyoto to Osaka
    – Hotel at ShinOsaka
    – Kiyomizu-dera Temple
    – Ginkaku-ji
    – Chion-in Temple
    – Gion Corner
    – Hotel at ShinOsaka

    Day 5: Osaka to Kyoto to Osaka
    – Hotel at ShinOsaka
    – Nijo Jo Castle
    – Kyoto Imperial Palace
    – Fushimi Inari Shrine
    – Hotel at ShinOsaka

    Day 6: Osaka to Kyoto to Osaka
    – Hotel at ShinOsaka
    – Todaiji Temple
    – Nara Park
    – Hotel at ShinOsaka

    Day 7: Kansai Airport
    – Hotel at ShinOsaka
    – Kansai Airport

    Thank you!

  3. Jane says:
    September 2, 2015 at 7:27 am

    Hi Takeshi San,
    I just want to know if I visit Ueno from Kyoto what kind of localtrain Should I ride? Manythanks.

  4. Tay says:
    August 31, 2015 at 7:05 am

    Hello Takeshi san,

    I’m not sure if I best post my query here; hope you may assist to advise.

    I would be visit Japan this coming autumn, and bit lost as how to best plan the travelling around. It’s a 12 days trip, with
    – the first and last day only for flight and arriving at/ departing from Osaka
    – plan to spend about 5 days in Kyoto
    – a 1-day day trip to Nara
    – a 1-day day trip to Hijemi and Kobe
    – remaining days in Osaka

    Would like to consult which of the following is more feasible:

    Option 1:
    – transfer right away to Kyoto upon arriving at Osaka on morning Day 2
    – stay at Kyoto for 5 nights, and have day trip to Nara from Kyoto
    – transfer to Osaka thereafter
    – visit Hijemi and Kobe from Osaka
    – depart from Osaka on morning of my last day there

    Option 2:
    – visit Hijemi and Kobe right away after arriving at Osaka, target to reach Kyoto for night accommodation on the very same day
    – stay the next 4 nights at Kyoto, with one of the days having a day trip to Nara
    – transfer to Osaka for the last few days
    – depart from Osaka on morning of my last day there

    Hope you may kindly advice. Also, also would like to ask additional queries as below:
    * Based on my high-level planning, is it a good to purchase Kansai Thru Pass 3-Day for the travelling between the cities? Understand that the pass can be used for 3 non-consecutive days. Is it a good choice to use the tickets on my trips to Hijemi and Kobe (1 day), to Nara (1 day) and 1 more perhaps for transfer from Kyoto back to Osaka?

    * For the travelling inside cities (like visiting in Kyoto, and Osaka), may I just make use of ICOCA?

    Really look forward to your kind reply and help, and thank you so much in advance!!!

  5. Jane says:
    August 30, 2015 at 4:34 am

    Hi Takeshi San,
    We will arrive KIX am. will start exploring Osaka Umeda Sky,Osaka Castle, Tenjinbashi suji whole day stay in Fukishima Ward for a night ,explore Kobe following day then head to Kyoto will stay 2 days in Kyoto for sightseeing . Can you please advise which pass to buy? Thank you.

  6. Nur Chalimah says:
    August 28, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    Hello Takeshi,,
    My friend and I will visit Osaka in early November.
    We will stay in Osaka (It’s near Tennoji). We plan to visit Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Kyoto, Tottori and Wakayama in 12 days.
    This is some of our itinerary:
    – we will go to Conan Town in Tottori
    – exploring Osaka (we will spend 2 days to explore USJ)
    – exploring Kobe
    – exploring Kyoto
    – Exploring Nara
    – Adventure World in Shirahama
    So Can I know Which pass did you recommended to us ?
    Actually I have a plan to buy Kansai Wide Area Pass (5 days), Kansai Area Pass (4 Days) and will buy single fare ticket or ICOCA for the rest day. But after I read some of your post, I think I become confused again.

    I really hope that you will give us some advice.
    Thank you so much.

    Best regards,
    Nur chalimah

  7. Lisa says:
    August 21, 2015 at 7:32 am

    Hi Takeshi San,
    I am going to stay in an apartment near Gojo Station in Central Kyoto for 14 days, below is my itinerary :-
    Day 1 – KIX to Kyoto (ICOCA and Haruka return ticket)
    Day 2 – Kyoto –city sightseeing (City sightseeing card 2 day pass)
    Day 3 – Kyoto –city sightseeing (City sightseeing card 2 day pass)
    Day 4 – Kyoto – mainly Arashiyama region (one day sightseeing pass or single tickets??)
    Day 5 – Kyoto to Osaka (2 Day Amazing Pass)
    Day 6 – Kyoto to Osaka (2 Day Amazing Pass)
    Day 7 – Kyoto to UJI and Nara
    Day 8 – Kyoto to Himej and Kobe (Kansai Area 1 day pass)
    Day 9 – Kyoto to Mt. Koyasan
    Day10 – Kyoto to Kurama and Kibune
    Day 11 – Kyoto to Ohara
    Day 12 – Kyoto to Takao
    Day 13 – Kyoto or Osaka
    Day 14 – Kyoto to KIX to Rinku Town Station (Rinku Premium Outlets) (ICOCA and Haruka return ticket)
    Day 15 KIX – Flying out (free hotel shuttle bus to KIX)
    Is my itinerary looking ok?
    As I am staying near Gojo Station, should I take subway to JR Kyoto station and then JR train to Osaka? Are there any non-JR train that I can take for my days trips Day 7 –Day 12)?
    Your feedback will be highly appreciated.
    Thank you.
    Lisa

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      August 21, 2015 at 5:45 pm

      Hi Lisa,

      You can use Kansai thru pass for day 7, 9 and 13.
      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 can take subway and Kintetsu to get Nara. Uji can be accessed by Keihan via Kintetsu and subway.
      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 transfer to Keihan railway at Tanbabashi.

      When you go to Koyasan, you can take Keihan railway to get Yodoyabashi, and take subway to get Namba. And then you can take Nankai railway to get Mt. Koya. All trains are covered by Kansai thru pass. But it’s a long way to get there. It takes about 2.5 hours one way at least.

      For day 5 and 6, Kansai thru pass may be better than amazing pass. Because amazing pass does not include transfer to Osaka. If you use Kansai thru pass, you can take Kyoto subway/bus, Hankyu (to get Umeda), Keihan (to get Yodoyabashi) and Osaka subway. It includes the transportation that you need. But it does not include admission. It depends on which attraction you want to enter. Roughly saying, if you want to enter more than four attractions a day, amazing pass is cheaper. That’s why I recommend you to use this pass for day 13 to Osaka.

      For day 11 and 12, there is no deal as far as I know. Kansai thru pass can be used for this trip. But single fare is cheaper than pass. Because you just need return transfer by bus.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Lisa says:
        August 22, 2015 at 6:44 am

        Hi Takeshi san,

        Thank you very much for your prompt feedback., they are very helpful.

        I would like to take up your suggestion to use Kansai Thur pass on 6 days . Am I allow to buy two 3-Day pass on the same day? If I bought them on 17/10 from KIX, could I use them on any six days before 31/10? Are JR buses (from Kyoto Station) covered by this pass?

        On Day 4, should I take bus or subway to Arashiyama region from Gojo Station?

        On Day 14, I plan to use my ICOCA and Haruka return ticket to go to KIX and then bus (200 yen) to Rinku Town Station to catch free hotel shuttle bus. Is there any direct train option?

        Thank you.

        • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
          August 22, 2015 at 8:52 am

          Hi Lisa,

          You can have two passes and you don’t need to use in consecutive days. You can pick any days until you leave.
          In Kyoto, traffic is very busy especially in weekend and busy period. I recommend you to take subway as many as you can. It’s much faster.

          for the trip to Rinku town, I recommend you to take Haruka to KIX. Haruka is only train to KIX from Kyoto directly. Even though you have to go back to Rinku town by bus, it’s most convenient and fastest way.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Cezar says:
    August 17, 2015 at 6:52 am

    Hello Takeshi San,
    I find your blog very informative.
    I would like to seek help from you about my IT..I will be arriving in Osaka on Oct 9 @ 8pm and will be leaving Tokyo Oct15 @ 3pm I wish stay at the airport and start my journey in the morning ..maybe a day in osaka 2 days in kyoto and day in kobe then 2 days tokyo where I depart. I like to know what ticket to buy or what railway to choose. Thank you.

  9. Jeannettr says:
    August 12, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    Hello Takeshi san!!!!!

    I truly loved your detailed explanation of JR train and private train in its price and accessibility fr/to the cities. I am traveling to Japan in September. Will travel fr Tokyo to Kyoto then Osaka. I will not travel back to Tokyo as I will leave fr Kansai international airport. I tend to avoid round trip to the same city as to save time. Now my question is, is it worth for me to purchase JR pass as my travel itinerary is the following:

    9/26 arrive in Tokyo Narita Int’l airport
    9/27-10/1 in Tokyo
    10/2-10/5 in Kyoto
    10/6-10/7 in Osaka
    10/8 departure fr Kansai Int”l airport

    I plan to buy 7 days JR pass by taking Hikari to Kyoto and use the pass to travel famous sighseeings in Kyoto also fr Osaka to aur port. But after reading your post, it seems like JR pass isn’t really worth it, right? Please tell me what to do! Thanks so much!! :*)

  10. Alex says:
    August 8, 2015 at 11:43 pm

    Takeshi San

    Noted on your comment, since there’s nothing much to see in Nagoya, shall I make a trip to Nara? What about Osaka? Shall I stay there or Kyoto? In Kyoto shall I stay near to the Kyoto station? In Ueno station Tokyo also have the Shinkansen to Kyoto? Because I intent to stay there when I arrive.

    Cheers
    Alex

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      August 9, 2015 at 12:41 am

      Hi Alex san,

      In my opinion, Osaka or Kyoto is better than Nagoya. Nara is okay but similar to Kyoto.
      Kyoto station is very convenient to stay. Ueno is convenient too but you cannot catch Shinkansen to Kyoto at Ueno. You have to take local train to get Tokyo.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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