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
Dear Takeshi San
You run a most informative and amazing site for japan travel
I am planning a trip in near future in Kansai area for seven days with my family (two teenage boys +wife)and I plan to cover Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Kobe and Himeji. For this itinerary, Kansai through Pass along with Kansai Area Pass or single tickets works fine. My question is – if I want to include Hiroshima in my travel, I believe Kansai Hiroshima Area pass is the best choice. However, while it is clearly mentioned that Kansai Through Pass covers local subway and bus travel in Osaka and Kyoto city, I am not sure if Kansai Hiroshima Area pass covers the local travel with in the city or not. If not, then I will have to add additional costs for travel in each city.
Sample itinerary
Arrival 18 Osaka (Late night – so limousine bus to Namba/ Umeda)
19th and 20th – Osaka with Amazing Osaka Pass
Option 1 (Kansai Through Pass)
21nd Early morning to Nara, then to Kyoto (day 1 of pass)
22-23 Kyoto
24th morning Kyoto to Kobe (day 2 of Kansai Through pass) and day sight seeing in Kobe
25th – Day trip Kobe – Himeji (Single trip – I think Kansai Through Pass doesnt cover Himeji) and Kobe – Osaka (Day Three of Kansai Though Pass)
26th- morning (return home) (probably use bus service again as the flight is early morning )
Option 2
Basically on 21st buy Kansai – Hiroshima Area Pass for 5 days and Include Hiroshima on last day after Himeji
Please advise
Many thanks
Gambate Kudasai
Prashant
Hi Prashant san,
I have checked your draft plan. My comments are the following:
For option 1
I don’t see any issues about your choices. You may use Kansai thru pass to get Himeji by Hanshi railway and Sanyo railway. It’s covered by Kansai thru pass fully. However the trip time is much longer than JR trains.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-access-to-himeji-and-kobe-from-osaka.html
For option 2
If you just want to visit Hiroshima, you can do it after Himeji. But if you want to visit both Hiroshima and Miyajima, you may spend one full day. If you combine this trip with Himeji, it will not be feasible. In this case, I recommend you to visit Himeji on 24th with Kobe. It’s much easier.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will follow your advice and use Osaka Amazing Pass for 1 day. I will be arriving in Osaka around 1pm. I plan to go to Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky, Tombori River Cruise, Kuromon Market, and Shitennoji Temple. Do you think I have maximized the pass? Do you think I can do all these with my afternoon? The link that you gave mentioned that there’s a 100 yen discount in Kaiyukan, if I avail of the pass together with the TOKUx2. Can you explain how to avail of the TOKUx2.
Thanks again for bearing with me.
Louie
Louie
Hi Louie,
You can use this pass and I think you can make all places but it will be tight.
TOKUX2 is like discount coupon. You may show your guide book and receive the discount.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Day 4 – leave Kyoto for Namba (hotel), Osaka Castle and Umeda Sky Bldg.
Is there a pass that will cover my transportation from Kawaramachi to Namba (Hankyu Kyoto Line limited express for Umeda, Hankyu Sensi Line for Tengachaya and Osaka City Subways), Osaka Castle and Umeda Sky Bldg, and will give discounts in the entrance fees?
Thanks again
Hi Louie,
There is no deals. Only Amazing pass is considerable.
http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/index.html
But it does not include Hankyu railway and it’s a bit too expensive to visit only two places. If you visit one more places in the list of this deal, it will be paid off.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
On my last day, I will no longer be staying in Shinsaibashi but in Namba. In our earlier correspondences, you suggested I take one way Haruka from Tennoji, bound for KIX. Do you still suggest I do the same if I will now be coming from Namba? Can I also use Kanku Tokuwari Rapi:t limited express? Is there a difference between the 2 passes aside from price, like seats, legroom, and baggage compartments? Where do I Kanku Tokuwari Pass? Do I also buy it a day before I leave?
Thanks again,
Louie
Hi Louie,
Nankai is better than JR from Namba. If you take JR, you need to change the train and inconvenient. You can go for Kanku Tokuwari Rapi:t.
You can purchase it on the spot.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Just to check if I got it right, if I use Kyoto Sightseeing Pass from Nijo Castle back to my hotel in Kawaramachi St. From Nijo (Kyoto), I will take the subway Tozaii Line for Rokujizo, and from Karasumaoike, will take again the subway Karasuma Line for Takeda. Both subway rides will be taken cared of my Kyoto Sightseeing Pass. Then I can choose to walk or ride a bus from Shijo to Karasuma, and this will again be taken cared of by the Kyoto Pass. Once in Karasuma, I will take the Hankyu Kyoto Line Semi Express for Kawaramachi. With this ride, I can opt to pay 150Yen, single fare or use my ICOCA. Is my detailed transportation plan correct?
Hi Louie,
That’s good. You can ready to go.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I am still learning how to use Hyperdia. Is it correct to say that from Nijo Castle to my hotel near Kawaramachi St., if I take trains and subways, it will take me 137 minutes?
If I will use my Kyoto Sightseeing Pass in going to any place in Kyoto, and I want to compare it with the cost of transportation in Hyperdia, I should only check for route a) local trains, b) JR and c) private railway. Am I correct?
As for the Fare Type, I should indicate , ticket and not IC. Am I correct?
Thanks again,
Louie
Hi Louie,
I think you picked wrong “Nijo” or “Kawaramachi”. When you check it at hyperdia. you should input “Nijo (Kyoto)” or “Nijojomae” and “Kawaramachi (Kyoto)”. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
Please see the link below and find the coverage of this pass.
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
This deal covers only subway and city bus. JR is not covered. And other private lines, such as Hankyu, Keihan, Keifuku and Kintetsu are not covered either. But on Hyperdia, you cannot divide subway and private line. So check only private line and local train , and you may find the route. There is no subway stations around Kawaramachi. The nearest station is Shijo. That is same location as Hankyu Karasuma station. You may walk if you have a time. Otherwise you can take a bus and save your cost. You may get almost anywhere in Kyoto by bus.
Please also see the links below to find the subway and bus maps. Both are covered by this deal.
http://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/koho/eng/access/subway.html
http://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/koho/eng/access/img/pdf/ENG150321(map)0309.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Again thanks for your patience.
I will be arriving at Kyoto Station late at night (past 9pm) and the link that you gave stated that the offices where I can buy the Kyoto Sightseeing Pass closes at 7:30pm. Is this pass available online? Is this available at Kansai Airport? Can you suggest a place where I can buy this which is near Kawaramachi St. ( where my hotel is located)
Thanks again.
Louie
Hi Louie,
You can get it at KIX travel desk.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/kansai-airport-transportation-guide-find-info-about-station-ticket-airport-bus-and-high-speed-ferry.html
Otherwise you have to go to JR Kyoto station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Some clarifications, if I have the Kyoto Sightseeing 2 day pass, and I want to go to Nara, which of these routes / transportation will be covered by the pass?
a) Inari station to Nara Station ( JR Nara line local and JR Nara Rapid Service)
After Nara, I plan to go to Arashiyama, what will be covered by the Kyoto Sightseeing 2 day pass?
Louie
Hi Louie,
Nara is not covered by this pass. You can get Takeda (“K15” in the map) by this pass and change to Kintetsu railway there. Please see the map below:
http://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/koho/eng/access/subway.html
Arashiyama can be accessed by subway and bus via Uzumasa-Tenjingawa station (T17).
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I just book my ticket to Osaka (7/12 to 17/12).
And found your page very interesting and helpful.
Could you please suggest me the itinerary ah….
I want to go Universal in Osaka 🙂
Thanks a lot.
Samantha
Hi Samantha,
As I mentioned above comment section, I don’t make an itinerary. But there are several sample itineraries. 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
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/day-trip-to-hiroshima-and-miyajima-from-osakakyoto.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-osaka-or-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I am still finalizing my schedule in Kyoto. I will be staying in Kyoto for 2 full days. 1) Can you help me which tourists spots can be group for the first day and second day. I plan to go to: Ginkakuji, Kiyomizudera, Nishiki Market, Kinkakuji, Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, Pontocho, Gion and Nijo Castle
2) If ever, I like to add Nara to my Kyoto days, where can I include it, Day 1 Kyoto or Day 2 Kyoto?
3) Kindly tell me which tourists destinations should I visit first to maximize my time.
4) I like to ask when I used Hyperdia and typed Shiyakusho-mae, a lot of choices were given. I don’t know what to choose. I read in a blog that for me to reach my hotel I need to go down to Shiyakusho-mae ( Tozai line ). Kindly assist me what I should choose.
Thanks again,
Louie
Hi Louie,
1) Fushimi, Arashiyama and Nijo for day 1 and rest on your list for day 2.
2) Fushimi is easier to combine with Nara because it’s located on the way to Nara. But I cannot say that you can include Nara or not. It depends on how much you want to stay in each places. I think you have no idea now and I have no idea either. You have to decide it on the spot.
3) It’s also hard to say. For day 1, if you go to Nara, you have to go Nara or Fushimi first and then Arashiyama and Nijo. Nijo is located on the way to Arashiyama.
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
On day 2, most of places are located very closed each other.
4) KYOTOSHIYAKUSHOMAE is your location.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com