I have received inquiries about the trip to Kansai area many times. So I make a basic itinerary that includes Kansai area, such as Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara only. This is 7 days itinerary. But you can shorten or extend as you can.
Now I would like to tell you the best route and most economical deals about this trip.
Day 1 – Kansai airport (KIX) to Kyoto
Kansai One Pass and Haruka one way trip to Kyoto at 4,600 yen.
Overnight around JR Kyoto station
If you arrive in Kyoto early, you can visit somewhere around Kyoto station. Fushimi Inari is only 5 minutes away from Kyoto station. Kyoto Tower is just located in front of Kyoto station. You can use Kansai One Pass to get there.
Day 2 and 3 – Sightseeing in Kyoto
There are several deals available. I recommend you to use both Kansai One Pass and Kyoto City Bus Pass. Kansai One Pass covers city bus too but Kansai One Pass does not give you unlimited travel. It offers only convenience. On the other hand, Kyoto City Bus Pass is sold at 600 yen for one day. You can take a bus as many as you want. You can get the worth of it by only 3 rides. You can use Kansai One Pass only for taking a train and/or a subway.
Kyoto City Bus and Subway Pass (Kyoto Sightseeing Card) is also available. But this does not cover other railways, such as JR, Hankyu, Keihan railways. You will take various trains in Kyoto. Please see the link below to find the train route in Kyoto:
You can get anywhere in downtown Kyoto by bus. It is possible to visit all places only by city bus. However city bus is always crowded and the traffic in Kyoto has been very heavy in these days. I recommend you to take a train or a subway as much as you can.
Kansai One Pass and Bus Pass are the best combination for sightseeing in Kyoto, in my opinion.
Day 4 – Trip to Nara and transfer to Osaka
Visit Nara on the way to Namba, Osaka from Kyoto.
You can take either Kintetsu Railway or JR to get Nara. Both trains depart from Kyoto station. But Kintetsu railway’s Nara station is better location. It is 1 km closer to most of tourist spots in Nara than JR Nara station.
After Nara, you can take either JR or Kintetsu to get Osaka. Please see the link below to find the route to Nara:
Day 5 – Trip to Kobe and Himeji from Osaka
You may use JR Kansai Area Pass one day at 2,200 yen if you book it online in advance. If you buy it online, you have to exchange the pass at Shin-Osaka, Osaka, Kyoto or Kansai airport.
You can purchase this pass at many major stations in downtown Osaka but the price is a bit higher. There is other trains to Kobe and Himeji, like Hanshin railway. But JR is the fastest to get Himeji. Please see the post, How to access to Himeji and Kobe from Osaka to get the details.
Day 6 – Sightseeing in Osaka
There are lots of deals available in Osaka. Please see the link below to find the deal:
How to choose the pass for sightseeing in Osaka
Day 7 – Osaka to Kansai airport (KIX)
If you want to take Haruka again, you can purchase Haruka discount ticket. This discount ticket is available for overseas tourist who has ICOCA or Kansai One Pass only.
ICOCA and Haruka, Kansai One Pass and Haruka
Otherwise you can choose other deal in the link below:
How to choose the deal for trip to/from KIX
I hope this sample helps you to build your trip plan.
Comments
Hello , we have planned the same schedule as you suggested. Intended dates of Travel are from 12th Dec to 19th Dec 2016. We will reach KIX only near 11 pm. Which places ( area ) you recommend to stay : Do we stay 12th , 13th, 14th In Kyoto and from 15th to 19th we stay in Osaka?
1 Day 1 – Kansai airport (KIX) to Kyoto
2 Day 2 – Sightseeing in Kyoto
3 Day 3 – Sightseeing in Kyoto
4 Day 4 – Trip to Nara and transfer to Namba, Osaka
5 Day 5 – Trip to Kobe and Himeji from Osaka
6 Day 6 – Sightseeing in Osaka
7 Day 7 – Namba, Osaka to Kansai airport (KIX)
Appreciate your advise. We are a couple travelling with our daughter aged 9 yrs.
Hi Ashwin,
First of all, I don’t recommend you to get Kyoto on arrival day. There is only one way to get there that is a bus. Please see the link below:
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/KY
There is only one departure available that is 23:40. But you will have only 40 minutes after arrival. It’s too risky to take this bus. You may spend one hour to clear custom and immigration. You will miss this bus and there is no way to get there other than taxi. But taxi fare is super expensive. It costs more than 30,000 yen
I recommend you to stay near airport on arrival day and use ICOCA and Haruka to get Kyoto on next day.
You also can reverse your schedule, KIX-Osaka-Kyoto-KIX.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-osaka-and-kyoto-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
There are midnight bus available to get Namba and Umeda.
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/NB
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/UM
You can do whichever you like but you cannot reach Kyoto on arrival day anyway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
I bought ticket to Kansai for next year, 15 – 25 March 2017, plan to visit Osaka, Nara, Kobe and Kyoto. Seek for your advice on the routine. My concern:-
1) Is the day enough to explore or too many or too short?
2) Worry redundant on the routine, from Kansai to Kyoto or Kansai to Osaka?
3) What type of pass shall you suggest to have?
Looking forward on your reply soon.
Thank you very much!!!
Regards,
Yau San
Hi Yau,
1. In my opinion, one day is okay for Kobe and Nara. Some traveler spend only half day for these. But one day is minimum for Kyoto and Osaka. There are many places to see.
2. Whichever you like. Some traveler stays in Osaka only and make day trips. Please see the links below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-osaka-and-kyoto-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
3. You can find which deal you need in the lines above. You have to decide where you go and how many days you spend for each cities before you choose the pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Could you pls advise which pass should I get for my itinerary.
Day 1-8: Tokyo
Day 8-10: Kyoto
Day 11: Nara day trip
Day 12: Kyoto
Day 12-15: Osaka
Thank you in advance. 🙂
Hi JLau,
You need to use single fare ticket and some deals in the cities. Please see the link below to find the info:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/basic-itinerary-of-tokyo-kyoto-and-osaka-in-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi takeshi, im planning visit osaka wif my family this december. Perhaps you could advice on my itinerary.thanks!
Day 1. Arrive KIX. Head to apt at namba,Osaka.
Day 2. Universal studio, Osaka.
Day 3. Kobe & rokkosan and return back to Osaka.
Day 4. Kyoto (Arashiyama, Tenry-ji Temple, Bamboo Groves & Gion) then back to Osaka.
Day 5. Osaka ( Osaka amazing pass 1 day)
Day 6. Head to KIX.
We are staying at Osaka the whole time. Do i need buy another pass?
Thanks!
Hi Mira,
Kansai thru pass is recommended for Kobe and Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
There are some deals available for KIX to/from Osaka. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi-san,
I am a resident in Japan. So I think I am not eligible to purchase the Icoca or Kansai one pass. I will be arriving at Kansai-airport and living near Gakken Kita Ikoma station in Nara. And I plan to travel to Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Kobe every day from Gakken Kita Ikoma station between Nov 2- Nov 7. Which pass you think will be economical and convenient for my travel. Thank you in advance.
Regards,
Anonya
Hi Anonya san,
You cannot purchase Kansai one pass but you can purchase ICOCA. ICOCA is available for anyone. If you have any other IC card, such as Suica, you can use it in Kansai area too.
ICOCA (or other kinds of IC card) or regular ticket is your choice for city to city transfer. But you can purchase city deal in each cities, such as subway/bus pass. Please see the link below. You can purchase these deals.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html
http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/index.html
http://www.feel-kobe.jp/_en/profile/traffic_service/
(Kansai thru pass is not available for residents any more)
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
I will be visiting Osaka / Kyoto / Nara this November with below itinerary:
Day 1. Arrive KIX at 11:35am. Head to hotel at Osaka (Matsuyamachi station). Stay in Osaka
Day 2. Go to Kyoto from Osaka (Arashiyama, Tenry-ji Temple, Bamboo Groves, Money Park) then back to Osaka
Day 3. Go to Kyoto and Nara from Osaka (Fushimi Inari, Nara) then back to Osaka
Day 4. Go to Kyoto from Osaka (Kinkaju Temple, Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion)
Day 5. Go to Kobe and Himeji from Osaka
Day 6. Stay in Osaka
Day 7. Stay in Osaka
Day 8. Head to airport from Osaka (1:05PM flight)
We are staying at Osaka the whole time. Does the itinerary make sense and what is my best transpo option?
Thanks!
Hi Andy,
You may use Kansai thru pass and Osaka city deal. Please see the link below to find more info:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
I’m planning to visit Japan this coming november with my family. Hope you can help us in determining what passes to use for our itinerary.
Day 1 : Arrive Osaka-Kansai. Stay Uji
Day 2 : Kyoto
Day 3 : Nara
Day 4 : Osaka
Day 5 : Osaka
Day 6 : Back to Malaysia
Hi Woon,
You may use ICOCA and Haruka round trip to Kyoto. Uji is not covered but you can start using ICOCA to get Uji from Kyoto. You have to exit Kyoto station and tap your ICOCA to enter the station.
For day 2, 4 and 5, you need to get these cities from Uji. Kansai thru pass is the best choice.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
But when you go to Nara, JR train is easier to get Nara and Kansai thru pass does not cover JR train. Use ICOCA to get Nara.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Please help which pass would be best for my trip:
Day 1 (June 25 PM) Arrive Narita
Day 2 (June 26) Tokyo
Day 3 (June 27) Tokyo
Day 4 (June 28) Tokyo
Day 5 (June 29) Kyoto
Day 6 (June 30) Kyoto
Day 7 (July 1) Osaka/Kobe/Nara
Day 8 (July 2) Osaka/Kobe/Nara
Day 9 (July 3) Tokyo
Day 10 (July 4 AM) Depart Narita
Is it better to get JR Pass which is $270 or Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass?
Thank you in advance.
Hi Alexander,
JR pass is recommended. Hokuriku Arch Pass is okay but it does not cover Kobe. And also when you move between Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto, trip time by Hokuriku arch pass is about 2 hours longer than JR pass.
So you can use JR Pass 7 days of the last 7 days of your trip. You can find the deal for Tokyo at the links below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi.
I’m planning to visit Japan late March next year with my friends. Hope you can help us in determining what passes to use for our itinerary.
Day 1 KIX to Namba (hotel near dotonbori) – I was advised to take Nankai railway. Is this right?
Day 2 Universal Studios
Day 3 Explore Osaka
Day 4 Nara & Kobe
Day 5 Tokyo
Day 6 Tokyo
Day 7 Kyoto
Day 8 Kyoto
Day 9 Flight back to home base from KIX
Since we’re going to Tokyo we’re planning to buy the 7-day JRPass but we’re confused what other passes we need to buy with the best value for money based on our itinerary.
Hope you can help us.
Thank you very much!
Hi Leann,
You may use JR pass from day 3. For day 1, single fare is okay for Nankai railway ordinary train. If you take limited express Rapi:t (faster and more comfortable), you can use Kanku Tokuwari Rapi:t ticket.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/tokuwari.html
Single ticket is okay for day 2.
Most part of your trip is covered by JR pass from day 3. But JR pass does not cover local bus, subway and non JR trains. Please see the links below to find the coverage of JR Pass.
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
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
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks so much Takeshi! You’re such a great help.
No worries, Leann.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
I saw your blog and find it very informative although I am still confused with the different types of Rail Pass. I need your advise on choosing the right Rail Pass. Below is my 9-day itinerary.
Day 1 (12 Nov) – arrive Hiroshima Airport
Day 2 (13 Nov) – Hiroshima
Day 3 (14 Nov) – Fukuyama
Day 4 (15 Nov) – Kurashiki
Day 5 (16 Nov) – Himeji
Day 6 (17 Nov) – Kyoto
Day 7 (18 Nov) – Arashiyama
Day 8 (19 Nov) – Nara
Day 9 (20 Nov) – Kyoto to KIX Airport
Should I buy a 5- day West JR Pass (Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass) @ Yen 13,000 to use from Day 2 to Day 6 or to buy a ICOCA & HARUKA Pass to use in Kyoto. As I understand it, foreign visitors can only buy 1 pass during one trip. I also need to know if JP West Pass includes the ride on Sanyo Sinkasen (from Himeji to Kyoto). It seems that there is a restriction to ride on the Bullet Train “SANYO SHINKANSEN” (Hiroshima⇔Hakata). So if I leave from Himeji for Kyoto, according to the available train route map on JR website, the Sanyo Sinkasen changes to conventional train route from Sin-Osaka Stn. We probably need to change train. If that is correct, is that money worth to pay for the 5-day West JR Pass?
On another question, I heard that not all trains has space for luggage. Each of us carries a mid-size (26-28”) luggage. So do we have to place it besides the seat. If we don’t buy JR Pass, we can’t reserve seat in advance. Would you suggest we’d better buy the pass for a little more money?
I look forward to your advise.
Regards,
Esther
Hi Esther,
You can use Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass. If you use JR train, like visiting Miyajima, you can start using this pass on day 2. But if you stay in Hiroshima and visit the places in the city, such as Peace Memorial Park, you can start it on day 3.
Actually Sanyo Shinkansen runs between Hakata and Shin-Osaka. So you can take this train to get Shin-Osaka. Fukuyama, Kurashiki and Himeji are located on the way to Shin-Osaka. You can take Shinkansen. Kyoto is connected by Shinkansen too. But from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto is Tokaido Shinkansen that is not covered by this pass. You have to change the trains to Kyoto at Shin-Osaka.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
In Kyoto, you can use city deal.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Single ticket is okay for access to Nara. If you want to use ICOCA, you can purchase ICOCA only at any JR station. But I don’t think you need it.
At last, you can purchase Haruka discount ticket. ICOCA and Haruka combo deal is available for incoming passengers only and it’s sold at Kansai airport. But you can purchase Haruka discount ticket at Kyoto. You can use both Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass and Haruka discount ticket. If you want to use 2 X Kansai Hiroshima pass, it’s not allowed. But you can purchase two different deals.
Even if you use reserved seat, you have to keep your luggage at your space. And also you have to pay full fare of seat fee, not difference between reserved and non reserved. It’s not a smart way to use reserved seat by this pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
Thank you for your detailed and helpful information. I have also lodged an enquiry form with JR but has not received a reply yet. I am so glad to find this platform to solve my queries in such an effecient manner. Thank you again.
Regards,
Esther
No worries, Esther san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
Can I buy the ICOCS & HARUKA at Hiroshima Station? How much money i saved on using the Haruka discount tix?
Hi Esther san,
You cannot purchase it at Hiroshima. You have to purchase it at Osaka, Shin-Osaka, Tennoji, JR-Namba, Kyoto, Sannomiya, Nara, Kansai-airport stations.
You may save around 500 to 1000 yen. It depends on which station you will start using it. You can find an exact fare at Hyperdia and can compare single fare and this deal.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com