There are several deals for sightseeing in Kyoto. I would like to show you the deals for the tourist who stays in Kyoto and want to visit the places there. I believe you will find most suitable for your trip.
By the way, if you intend to have a day trip to Kyoto from other cities, such as day trip to Kyoto from Osaka, from Kobe, Kansai thru pass and other deals are available. Please find the detailed information about the deal that covers Kyoto and other cities in the link below:
How to choose discount railway ticket and pass in Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara) area
Kyoto City Bus & Kyoto Bus One-Day Pass
- Price – Adult:600 yen / Child:300 yen
- Coverage – Kyoto city bus and Kyoto bus in allocated area
- Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight)
This pass is most affordable deal in Kyoto. It covers the bus lines in most part of Kyoto city. It does not cover any trains and subway lines. Please see the link below to find the bus route map. You will find the allocated area.
The single fare of bus ride is 230 yen. If you make three trips by bus, it is paid off. It is quite easy and this deal is so reasonable.
However the traffic in Kyoto is heavy and Kyoto is very popular city. The bus is stuck by traffic and is behind the schedule very often. Especially when Kyoto hold an event or festival, the bus is very crowded. If you want to visit many places in one day and have very tight schedule, I recommend you to take a train and/or a subway as much as you can. The train is much faster and much more reliable.
Subway, Bus One-day and Two-day Pass
- Price of one day pass – Adult:900 yen / Child:450 yen
- Price of two days pass – Adult:1,700 yen / Child:850 yen
- Coverage – All Kyoto subway lines, Kyoto city bus and Kyoto bus in allocated area
- Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight) or two consecutive days
This deal covers both bus and subway in Kyoto. The subway lines run from west to east and from south to north. This deal gives you more convenience than Kyoto city bus pass and gives you more smooth movement.
If you pay a single fare, it costs 210 to 340 yen to take the subway and 230 yen to take the bus. So if you take a bus or subway more than 4 times a day, this pass is worth the price. Even if you are not sure how many times you make trips in one day, I recommend you to purchase this pass. It is not such a bad deal. You will get more convenient and save your time to calculate the fare at the station.
Please see the links below to find the subway route map and all trains system map in Kyoto.
You also can find the train network in Kyoto in the link below:
Kyoto City Subway One-day Pass
- Price – Adult:600 yen / Child:300 yen
- Coverage – All Kyoto subway lines
- Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight)
This deal covers only subway lines in Kyoto. The price is cheaper than Subway, Bus one day pass but the price difference is only 200 yen. And the coverage of subway pass is very limited. You cannot visit many places in Kyoto by subway only. This pass is not very useful in my opinion.
ICOCA, Kansai One Pass and other IC cards
You may use these cards to take any trains and buses in Kyoto. You can use even other area’s card, such as Suica, Pasmo too. These cards give you convenience. You can avoid to purchase a ticket whenever you make a train trip. You can take any kinds of trains, such as JR, subway and Non JR trains. However these cards do not give you any discount and unlimited travel.
If you meet these following things, IC card is your choice.
- You intend to visit a few places in a day.
- You need to take several kinds of trains and buses, like subway, Hankyu, Keihan, JR.
- You cannot fix your plan and want to have some flexibility.
If you visit three places in bus coverage area, you may need to take a bus at least 4 times. It costs around 800 yen that is much more than Kyoto City Bus & Kyoto Bus One-Day Pass.
Please see the link below to find more information about IC card in the link below:
Kansai One Pass
This is same type of IC card as ICOCA. You can use this pass by same way as ICOCA. But this card is designed for overseas tourist. The preload amount is 2,500 yen (plus 500 yen deposit and sold at 3,000 yen) and you can get a discount at many attractions. ICOCA is sold at any JR stations throughout Kansai area. But Kansai One Pass is sold in the designated stations only. Please see the link below to find the detailed information at official site.
For traveler who visit Osaka and other cities in same day
As I mentioned at the top of this article, there are some deals available, such as Kansai Thru Pass. But if you move other city after sightseeing in Osaka, Kansai Thru Pass and other deals may not be suitable.
e.g.
Sightseeing in Kyoto, move to Osaka and stay (no sightseeing in Osaka)
In this case, the combination of one of the deals in Osaka and single fare between Osaka and Kyoto is usually cheaper than Kansai Thru Pass or other pass. But if you do sightseeing in two cities, Kansai Thru Pass is your choice.
e.g.
Sightseeing in Kyoto, move to Osaka and sightseeing in Osaka
But sightseeing in two cities in one day is very tight and not very recommended.
For traveler who use national or regional pass
If you use JR pass (national pass) or other regional deal, such as Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, JR train network in Kyoto is covered. You may visit some places by these passes, such as Arashiyama, Nijo and Fushimi. You may not have any other passes beside these deals if you intend to visit these places. Please see the link below to find the coverage of these national and regional deals in Kyoto.
I hope this post helps you to find the best deal in Kyoto.
Comments
Hi Takeshi-san,
The nearest stop from my AIRBNB is Osaka Nippombashi subway station. Please advise on the travel passes below, or if i should swap any days around to make full use of the travel passes:
DAY 1 :
Osaka Nippombashi subway – Arima bus stop (Kobe Arima Onsen)
DAY 2:
Arima bus stop – Osaka Nippombashi subway
Osaka Nippombashi subway – Nara day trip
DAY 3:
Dotonbori, Osaka Castle & Umeda sightseeing
DAY 4:
Kaiyukan, Legoland, Tempozan Ferris Wheel
DAY 5:
Osaka Nippombashi subway – USJ one full day
DAY 6:
Osaka Nippombashi subway – Kyoto day trip Arashiyama
Day 7:
Osaka Nippombashi subway – Kyoto day trip Inari Shrine
I am planning to get the following passes:
DAY 1 & DAY 2 – KANSAI THRU PASS (Does this pass includes the Hankyu Highway Bus to Arima bus stop??)
DAY 3 & DAY 4 – OSAKA AMAZING PASS 2-DAY
DAY 5 – Is there a prepaid card that i could use for this whole day to and from USJ? which travel pass should i get?
DAY 6 & DAY 7 – KANSAI THRU PASS
Hope to hear from you as soon as possible as i only have two days before my flight. Thank you so much!
Hi Sammy san,
Kansai thru pass does not cover bus to Arima Onsen. Only regular fare is your choice for trip to Arima onsen. You may use Kansai thru pass 3 days for trip to Nara and Kyoto.
Osaka amazing pass is a good choice. There is no deals for trip to USJ. Just pay as you go by regular fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you Takeshi for your prompt reply. Much appreciated. Have a nice day ahead!
No worries, Sammy.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Your website is excellent. Thank you. Can you tell me the following:
(1) Is it worth it to purchase a 7-day JR Pass for the itinerary below?
(2) If yes to #1, is it worth it to purchase the Green class for travel in early September?
Itinerary:
Days 1-3 = Tokyo
Day 4 = Tokyo to Gora
Day 5 = Gora
Day 6 = Gora to Mt Koya (Day 1 of JR Pass)
Day 7 = Mt Koya to Kyoto (Day 2 of JR Pass)
Days 8-11 = Kyoto (Days 3-6 of JR Pass)
Day 12 = Kyoto to NRT (Day 7 of JR Pass)
Thank you very much.
Hi Dina,
You may use JR pass. But total cost is not much different from 7 days pass price. So do not expect to get a big saving. And you cannot get Mt. Koya by JR pass basically.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-get-mt-koya.html
You also may need to add other deal/ticket in Kyoto because some of places cannot be accessed by JR trains. Please see the link below:
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 use Green pass if you want. Total cost is not much different from total cost as well.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you, Takeshi-san.
No worries, Dina san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Below is my planned trip next Feb and would like your advice for the train passes to get.
Day 1: Arrive Nagoya, travel to Kyoto
Day 2-4: Kyoto
Day 4: Travel to Tokyo
Day 5-7: Tokyo
Thks!
Bee
Hi Bee san,
Actually there are not many choices.
Nagoya airport to Nagoya station
There is no deals from airport to Nagoya station.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/chubu-ngo/chubu-nagoya-airport-transportation-guide-find-info-about-airport-station-and-access-to-nagoya.html
Nagoya to Kyoto, Kyoto to Tokyo
Shinkansen by single ticket is the easiest and the fastest choice for Nagoya to Kyoto. You may use Platt Kodama for Kyoto to Tokyo.
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 really want to save your cost, you can use Kintetsu rail pass for Nagoya to Kyoto, Kyoto to Nagoya and add Platt Kodama for Nagoya to Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kintetsu-rail-pass-most-affordable-deal-for-osakakyoto-nagoya-and-access-to-ise.html
But you cannot get Kyoto from Nagoya by Kintetsu railway. Even if you add limited express fee to take Kintetsu limited express train, you still need to change trains once and spend much more time than Shinkansen.
You need to add city deal in Kyoto and Tokyo anyway. Please see the post above for deal in Kyoto and see the link below about deal in Tokyo.
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 san,
Thks for your advice, shall study the links you’ve provided.
Have a great day ahead!
Rgds
Bee
No worries, Bee san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I’ll be staying in Osaka and would like to visit Kyoto for a day during my trip. I plan to get a Keihan 1-day Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass to visit places like Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera Temple but then I realised it does not connect me to Arashiyama and Kinkaku-ji Temple. So, shall I also get a Kyoto City Bus & Kyoto Bus One-Day Pass?
Hi xinyi san,
You need to add single fare or other deal. If you just want to visit Arashiyama, add single fare for taking Hankyu railway and Keifuku railway.
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
Please find the fare at hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Or you may add all day bus pass to take city bus.
http://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/koho/eng/access/img/pdf/ENG160319(map).pdf
Bus is cheaper but train is faster.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I have a planned trip to OSAKA & KYOTO. Need your help to guide us on which pass to purchase.
Day 1: KIX – KYOTO
Nijojo Mae
Kyoto Manga
Kyoto Tower
Day 2: KYOTO
Inari Fushimi
Arashima + Sagano Train
Day3: KYOTO
Hagashima
Ritsumeikan
KYOTO -> OSAKA
Day 4:HIMEJI + KOBE
Day 5: NARA + DOTONBORI + KURAMON MARKET
Day 6: USJ
Day 7: OSAKA – KIX
What passes would we buy to avoid overpaid?
Thanks a lot!!!
Hi Lin san,
Please see the link below. It shows you sample itinerary which is almost same as your trip.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
You also may use Kansai thru pass 2 days for day 4 and 5.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi
We seem to be having problems getting through to you. This is our third attempted email. I hope you can help us with pass advice for the itinery below because we travel on Thursday. Many Thanks.
We are arriving in Kyoto on 1st June for 5 nights and would like some advice on transport passes during this period. Our Itinery is below (we wrote earlier but not sure it got through).
Day 1. Arrive Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) 18.00 and need to get to central Kyoto. Our Guest House is Sunput Nanajo Mibu 600-8833,Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Shimogyo-ku Nishisuya cho 3-21.
Day 2. Tour of East Kyoto ending somewhere at the Philosopher’s path. Heian jingu shrine for Noh play in the evening.
Day 3. Tour of West Kyoto including Kinkuju-ji and the afternoon at Arashiyama. Nishiki market perhaps later.
Day 4. DayTrip by train to Nara. Gion in the evening.
Day 5. Day trip to Miho museum (bus + train)
Day 6. Morning bus ride to Hiei -zan and back and then leave for Osaka (KIX) to catch 19.00 flight to Nanjing
Hi David,
I have already replied to your inquiry at the link below a few days ago. Please refer it:
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 San,
I hope you read my message before my trip tonight..! Need your last advice on my planning. I used google map for the train routes. Can you advise the best passes I need to get?
Btw, I think previously you mentioned my Day 4 should get kansai thru pass, my routes for day 4 from kyoto to osaka is : From Apartment → Karasuma-Oike Station (Karasuma Line) → Board on Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line for Kintetsu-Nara → 3 Stops (6mins, 210yen) → Walk about 6mins → Kyoto Station (Tokaido-Sanyo Line) → Board on the subway for Himeji via Kosei Line → 2 Stops (23mins, 560yen)
This route does not serves for kansai thru pass right? if it does not, how should i go about? because i googled them and this is what it comes out! ):
Day 1 : ITM to Airbnb → Ichiran Kawaramachi → Pontocho Alley → Shirakawa-Minami Dori → Hanami-koji Street → Back to hotel
Day 2 : Take train to Togetsukyo Bridge → Tenryu-ji Temple → Nonomiya Shrine → Arashiyama Bamboo Grove → Jojakko-ji Temple → Kura Sushi → Back to hotel
Day 3 : Take bus to Nishiki Market → Teramachi & Shinkyogoku → Kiyomizu-dera Temple → Jishu Shrine → Higashiyama District → Kichi Kichi → Gion → Back to hotel
Day 4 : Take train to Fushimi Inari Shrine → back to hotel check-out → Shin-Osaka Station (hotel here) → Sumiyoshi Taisha → Dotonbori → Shinsaibashi → Back to hotel
Day 5 : From Shin-Osaka → Kintetsu-Nara Station → Kofukuji Temple → Todaiji Temple → Nara park → Kasuga Taisha Shrine → Higashimuki Shopping Street → Shinsekai → Back to hotel
Day 6 : USJ
Day 7 : From Shin-Osaka → Kuromon Ichiba Market → Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens → Kitano Street → Nankinmachi → Back to hotel
Day 8 : Check out hotel → Take bus from Shin-Osaka to ITM → Reached Haneda → Check in hotel (Kuramae station) → Sekai cafe oshiage → tokyo skytree → back to hotel
Day 9 : From Kuramae Station → Shinjuku Station → Odawara Station → Hakone-Yumoto Station → Gora Station → Gora Park → Sounzan Station → Owakudani → Togendai Station → Moto-Hakone (Hakone shrine/torii gates) → Back to Shinjuku → Coco Ichibanya shinjuku → Back to hotel
Day 10 : From Kuramae Station → Senso-ji Temple → Nakamise shopping → Gojoten shrine → Ameyoko market → ueno park → back to hotel
Day 11 : From Kuramae Station → Meiji shrine → takeshita street → shibuya → back to hotel
Day 12 : From Kuramae Station → Disneyland
Day 13 : From Kuramae Station → Akihabara → decks tokyo beach → odaiba → ginza → back to hotel
Day 14 : From Kuramae Station → Ikebukuro (street, sunshine city) → Odakyu/Keio Departmental Store/Mylord/Mosaic Street → shinjuku dori → don quijote → tokyo station → yaesu underground mall → back to hotel
Day 15 : From Kuramae Station → Narita airport
Thank you!!
Best regards,
Clara
Hi Clara san,
When you check the route, don’t use google map. It does not care about train company. It shows you the best and the fastest route. Please use hyperdia to search the route by private railway only. The result is covered by Kansai thru pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
For trip between Kyoto and Osaka, you can use Hankyu railway or Keihan railway by Kansai thru pass. Please see the links below.
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
http://www.surutto.com/images/ticket/kansai_thru_pass/english/en_map.pdf
You can take Keihan from Fushimi-Inari, Kiyomizu-Gojo or Gion-Shijo. You can take Hankyu from Karasuma, Kawaramachi or Omiya.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san
Thanks for your quick response! Oh no.. does that means i have to search all over again for my routes?? ): My trip is in less than 24 hrs time! Afraid not enough time to redo my itinerary.. can i ask how about the transportation card i should get for kyoto, osaka, kobe, nara and tokyo? Could you please advise me on this? Thank you!!
Regards
Clara
Hi Clara san,
I understand it’s a big job. But you should do it to save your cost.
Kansai thru pass is the best choice for day 4,5 and 7.
Please see the map in the link which I gave in the previous reply. You can find the route. You don’t need to check the timetable. Train runs very frequently.
In Kyoto, all day bus pass is okay.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Single ticket is okay for USJ.
If you are overwhelmed and make it be easy, just buy Kansai one pass. It does not unlimited ride but it covers all trains.
http://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
You can add fund into the card at any JR stations’ vending machine.
In Tokyo, Tokyo subway ticket is the best.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I dont think i will have sufficient time to do research now. I think we will just stick with google map, hope we wont get lost in japan! 🙁
I Need your urgent advise on kansai thru pass!
You mentioned day 4,5 and 7 use Kansai thru pass. my google map routes as below. Can you please advise me if these be covered under kansai thru pass?
Day 4
Fushimi Inari Shrine 伏見稲荷大社
• From Karasuma-Oike Station (Tozai Line) → 2 Stops → Sanjo Station → Walk about 2mins → Sanjo Station (Keihan Line) → 6 Stops → Fushimi-Inari Station → Walk about mins, 500m
Check-Out
• From Fushimi Inari Taisha → Walk about 6mins, 500m → Fushimi-Inari Station (Keihan Line) → 6 Stops → Sanjo Station → Walk about 2mins → Sanjo Station (Tozai Line) → 2 Stops (32mins, 420yen)
Reached Shin-Osaka Station
• Option 1 (*JR lines) : From Apartment → Karasuma-Oike Station (Karasuma Line) → Board on Kyoto City Subway Karasuma Line for Kintetsu-Nara → 3 Stops → Kyoto Station → Walk about 6mins → Kyoto Station (Tokaido-Sanyo Line) → Board on the subway for Himeji via Kosei Line → 2 Stops (29mins, 770yen)
• Option 2 : From Apartment → Karasuma-Oike Station → Walk about 11mins → Karasuma Station (Hankyu-Kyoto Line) → 24 Stops → Minamikata Station → Walk about 3mins → Nishinakajima-Minamigata Station (Midosuji Line) → 1 Stop (1 hour 15mins, 580yen)
Sumiyoshi Taisha 住吉大社
• Option 1 : From Shin-Osaka Station (Midosuji Line) → 7 Stops → Namba Station → Walk about 7mins → Namba (Nankai Line) → 5 Stops → Sumiyoshitaisha Station → Walk about 2mins, 220m (33mins, 490yen)
• Option 2 : From Shin-Osaka Station (Midosuji Line) → 9 Stops → Dobutsuen-Mae Station → Walk about 2mins → Shin-Imamiya Station (Hankaidenki-Hankai Line) → 11 Stops → Sumiyoshitorii-Mae Station → Walk about 1mins, 130m (42mins, 490yen)
Dotonbori
• From Sumiyoshi Taisha → Walk about 3mins, 220m → Sumiyoshitaishi Station (Nankai Line) → Take the Nankai Main Line Local for Nankai-Namba → 5 Stops → Namba Station → Walk about 10mins, 850m (11mins, 210yen)
Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade
• From Dotonbori → Head west 110m → Turn right 80m → Take the crosswalk 110m → Cross the road 82m → Turn right 21m → Destination will be on the left (4mins)
Back to hotel
• From Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade → Walk about 6 mins → Shisaibashi Station (Midosuji Line) → Take the subway for Senrichuo → 6 Stops → Shin-Osaka Station (19mins, 230yen)
Day 5
Reached Kintetsu-Nara Station
• From Shin-Osaka Station (Midosuji Line) → Take the Osaka City Subway Midosuji Line for Tennoji→ 7 Stops → Namba Station → Walk about 3mins → Osaka-Namba Station (Kinetetsu-Nara Line) → Take the Kintetsu Nara Line Rapid Exp. for Kintetsu-Nara → 3 Stops → Kintetsu-Nara Station (60mins, 840yen)
-skip the middle part since we are walking/taking bus-
Shinsekai
• From Higashimuki Shopping Street → Walk about 3mins, 200m → Kintetsu-Nara Station (Kintetsu-Nara Line) → 9 Stops → Kintetsu-Nippombashi Station → Walk about 2mins → Nippombashi Station (Sakaisuji Line) → Ebisucho Station → Walk about 6mins, 450m (54mins, 740yen)
Back to hotel
• From Shinsekai → Walk about 7mins, 550m → Dobutsuen-Mae Station (Midosuji Line) → 9 Stops → Shin-Osaka Station (27mins, 280yen)
Day 7
Kuromon Ichiba Market
• Option 1 : From Shin-Osaka Station (Midosuji Line) → 7 Stops → Namba Station → About 8mins walk, 700m (34mins, 280yen)
• Option 2 : From Shin-Osaka Station (Midosuji Line) → 9 Stops → Dobutsuen-Mae Station (Sakaiji Line) → 2 Stops → Nippombashi Station → About 2mins walk, 230m (29mins, 280yen)
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens& Ropeway
• From Kuromon Ichiba Market → Walk about 9mins, 700m → Namba Station (Midosuji Line) → 4 Stops → Umeda Station → Walk about 3mins → Osaka Station (Tokaido-Sanyo Line) → 3 Stops → Sannomiya Station → Walk about 16mins, 1.3km (28mins, 1 hour 5mins)
Kitano Street
• From Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens → Take the Robeway down → Head east 63m → Take the elevator down 17m → Turn right 8m → Go down the stairs 64m → Turn right 350m → Take the crosswalk 55m → Turn right 52m → Turn left 280m (12mins walk)
Nankinmachi (Kobe’s Chinatown)
• From Kitanocho → Walk about 14mins, 1.1km → Hankyu Kobe Sannomiya Station (Tokaido-Sanyo Line) → 1 Stop → Motomachi Station → Walk about 4mins, 350m (20mins, 120yen)
Back to hotel
Walk about 10mins to Sannomiya station (hankyu kobe line) > 4 stops > Juso station (hankyu kobe line) > 1 stop > Minamikata station > walk about 3mins > Nishinakajimaminamigata Station (midosuji line) > 1 stop > shin-osaka
thank you so so much!!
cheers,
clara
Hi Clara,
Those following trips are covered.
Day 4
Fushimi Inari Shrine 伏見稲荷大社
• From Karasuma-Oike Station (Tozai Line) → 2 Stops → Sanjo Station → Walk about 2mins → Sanjo Station (Keihan Line) → 6 Stops → Fushimi-Inari Station → Walk about mins, 500m
Check-Out
• From Fushimi Inari Taisha → Walk about 6mins, 500m → Fushimi-Inari Station (Keihan Line) → 6 Stops → Sanjo Station → Walk about 2mins → Sanjo Station (Tozai Line) → 2 Stops (32mins, 420yen)
Reached Shin-Osaka Station
• Option 2 : From Apartment → Karasuma-Oike Station → Walk about 11mins → Karasuma Station (Hankyu-Kyoto Line) → 24 Stops → Minamikata Station → Walk about 3mins → Nishinakajima-Minamigata Station (Midosuji Line) → 1 Stop (1 hour 15mins, 580yen)
Sumiyoshi Taisha 住吉大社
• Option 1 : From Shin-Osaka Station (Midosuji Line) → 7 Stops → Namba Station → Walk about 7mins → Namba (Nankai Line) → 5 Stops → Sumiyoshitaisha Station → Walk about 2mins, 220m (33mins, 490yen)
• Option 2 : From Shin-Osaka Station (Midosuji Line) → 9 Stops → Dobutsuen-Mae Station → Walk about 2mins → Shin-Imamiya Station (Hankaidenki-Hankai Line) → 11 Stops → Sumiyoshitorii-Mae Station → Walk about 1mins, 130m (42mins, 490yen)
*Both trips are covered.
Dotonbori
• From Sumiyoshi Taisha → Walk about 3mins, 220m → Sumiyoshitaishi Station (Nankai Line) → Take the Nankai Main Line Local for Nankai-Namba → 5 Stops → Namba Station → Walk about 10mins, 850m (11mins, 210yen)
Back to hotel
• From Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade → Walk about 6 mins → Shisaibashi Station (Midosuji Line) → Take the subway for Senrichuo → 6 Stops → Shin-Osaka Station (19mins, 230yen)
Day 5
Reached Kintetsu-Nara Station
• From Shin-Osaka Station (Midosuji Line) → Take the Osaka City Subway Midosuji Line for Tennoji→ 7 Stops → Namba Station → Walk about 3mins → Osaka-Namba Station (Kinetetsu-Nara Line) → Take the Kintetsu Nara Line Rapid Exp. for Kintetsu-Nara → 3 Stops → Kintetsu-Nara Station (60mins, 840yen)
Shinsekai
• From Higashimuki Shopping Street → Walk about 3mins, 200m → Kintetsu-Nara Station (Kintetsu-Nara Line) → 9 Stops → Kintetsu-Nippombashi Station → Walk about 2mins → Nippombashi Station (Sakaisuji Line) → Ebisucho Station → Walk about 6mins, 450m (54mins, 740yen)
Back to hotel
• From Shinsekai → Walk about 7mins, 550m → Dobutsuen-Mae Station (Midosuji Line) → 9 Stops → Shin-Osaka Station (27mins, 280yen)
Day 7
Kuromon Ichiba Market
• Option 1 : From Shin-Osaka Station (Midosuji Line) → 7 Stops → Namba Station → About 8mins walk, 700m (34mins, 280yen)
• Option 2 : From Shin-Osaka Station (Midosuji Line) → 9 Stops → Dobutsuen-Mae Station (Sakaiji Line) → 2 Stops → Nippombashi Station → About 2mins walk, 230m (29mins, 280yen)
*Both trips are covered.
For trip between Osaka-Nmaba and Kone-Sannomiya, you can take Hanshin railway. You don’t need to go to Umeda.
http://www.hanshin.co.jp/global/en/
Hanshin railway is covered by Kansai thru pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san
Thank you soo much for your reply!
It seems that all those are covered except for the last part Kobe. We decided to change it to this routings. Can you check if it is all covered? Btw, since we googled it, it shows the transport amount and we calculated the total amount was about 2-2.5k yen lesser than kansai thru pass. But not sure if it is accurate.
Below is the route for day 7, pls advise :
Nunobiki ropeway
From Kuromon Ichiba Market → Walk about 5mins, 300m → Kintetsu-Nippombashi Station (Kintetsu-Nara Line) → 1 Stop → Continue on the same train (Hanshin-Namba Line) → 5 Stops → Continue on the same train (Hanshin Line) → 6 Stops → Kobe-Sannomiya Station → Walk about 6min → Sannomiya Station (Seishin-Yamate Line) → 1 Stop (1hr, 770yen)
Nankinmachi (Kobe’s Chinatown) (Opening Hours: 24Hrs)
• From Kitanocho → Walk about 14mins, 1.1km → Hankyu Kobe Sannomiya Station (Tokaido-Sanyo Line) → 1 Stop → Motomachi Station → Walk about 4mins, 350m (20mins, 120yen)
Kobe Harborland 神戸ハーバーランド (Opening Hours: 10AM – 9PM/10PM)
• From Nankinmachi → Walk about 5mins, 300m → Kyukyoryuchi-Daimarumae Station (Kaigan Line) → 2 Stops (8mins, 210yen)
Back to Hotel
• From Harborland → Walk about 7mins, 550m → Kosoku Kobe Station (Kobekosoku Tetsudo Line) → 2 Stops Continue on the same train (Hankyu-Kobe Line) → 4 Stops → Juso Station (Hankyu-Kobe Line) → 2 Stops Sozenji Station (54mins, 500yen)
2) for the 24 hour ticket subway tokyo, does it covers every single line including the train to narita and haneda airport? Also what is the difference between the 600yen and 900yen ticket? We are not sure which should we get! If it’s 600yen and if it covers the airport lines, it seems that we can get 6 days instead of using icoca card.
3) kyoto all day bus pass, is there an possibility this is not worth? We see online it says it cost 1200yen per pax but it seems like our day 3 does not requires us to travel that much by bus.
Any kind advise from you?
Thanks alot takeshi san!!!
Hi Clara san,
I deleted option 1 from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka because it includes trip by JR train.
You will take Tokaido-Sanyo line between Sannomiya and Motomachi. I think it’s JR and not covered. You can take Hanshin railway instead. Other trips are covered. Please see the link below to get the info about train system in Kobe.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kobe-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
I did not calculate all fares but if so, you can use single fare or ICOCA. But Kansai thru pass gives you flexibility. So it’s totally up to you whether you will use this pass or not.
Tokyo subway ticket does not include trip to either Haneda or Narita.
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
Kyoto bus pass is 500 yen. If you want to take subway and bus pass, it’s 1200 yen. The choice is yours too.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-san,
We are planning to explore Kansai over a 5 day period, culminating in a day trip to Hiroshima. We were looking at the Kansai Hiroshima Area pass. Would this be a good choice to use for travelling up to Kyoto, Himeji, Nara and Kobe? It says that it can be used on the local and rapid trains for these cities and on the Nozomi to Hiroshima. Would it also cover the Nozomi trains to Kyoto?
Thanks in advance.
Ashish
Hi Ashish san,
Kansai Hiroshima area pass is the perfect choice. You can visit all places which you want to go. But you cannot take Shinkansen, such as Nozomi between Shin-Osaka and Kyoto. When you travel between Kyoto and Hiroshima, you have to change trains at Shin-Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Your post does helps the travellers a lot. You introduced a couple of deals that could help travellers to save up during the trip, however I still couldn’t decide which deal or pass fit my itinerary. Appreciate if you could suggest me the best deal or pass:
22/04- Reach KIX at 9am -> Kyoto (stay close to Jujo Station), plan to purchase Kansai One pass + Haruka.
To visit North Kyoto (kinkakuji) and Central Kyoto (nishiki market, pontocho)
23/04- To visit West Kyoto (arashimaya) and Central Kyoto (Nijo Castle)
24/04- To visit East Kyoto (kiyomizudera, Ginkakuji, Higashimaya, Gion)
25/04- To visit South Kyoto (Fushimi Inari)
26/04- Kyoto -> Osaka (stay close to Daikokucho station)
To visit Shinsekai, Tsutenkaku, Dotonburi, Shinsaibashi
27/04- To visit Minoo Park, Umeda sky building
28/04- To visit Osaka castle, Aqua Liner (Might visit Nara)
29/04- Osaka -> KIX through Nankai Railway
Also one question, to visit Nara or not, will make a big difference in choosing the deal or passes?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Chong
Hi Katherine,
Mostly you can use Kansai one pass. There are deals to cover subway and bus in Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
But you intend to visit a few places a day. Probably you don’t have many chances to use the pass. Especially these deals do not cover JR and non JR trains, like Keihan railway, Hankyu railway. Kansai one pass does not give you unlimited travel but you can take any trains and buses n Kyoto. It will be cheaper than using other deals. You may add all day bus pass if you intend to take a bus more than 3 rides. You can use the bus pass to take the bus and use Kansai one pass when you take a train.
For trip to Osaka from Kyoto and sightseeing in Osaka, Kansai one pass may be better choicke than other deals. But Osaka Amazing Pass 2 days is considerable. It gives you admission at many attractions and unlimited ride of subways 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
If you go to Nara, you will use Kansai one pass. It’s same but the cost is extra. You need to add more fund into Kansai one pass anyway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
We’ll be travelling to Osaka on 23.06.2017 to 31.03.2017.
Can you pls advise us on the type of pass to purchase for me & my family (2 adults, 3 kids aged 14,12 & 9) :
-Day 1: From Kansai Airport to Namba Stn (it’s good if inclusive of 1 day unlimited subway in Osaka).
– Day 2: From Osaka to Nara (day trip only) & return to Osaka.
– Day 3: From Osaka to Kyoto (inclusive of subway rides in Kyoto)
– Day 4: Unlimited rides in Kyoto (intend to go to Arashimaya & to take Sagano Romantic Train)
– Day 5: Return to Osaka (unlimited rides within Osaka inclusive visiting places of interest until Day 7)
– Optional: Intend to go to Kobe for day trip from Osaka if permissible in Day 6 or Day 7.
Really appreciate your assistance & advise. Thank you.
Hi Cindy,
Yokoso Osaka ticket for day 1
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/yokoso.html
Kansai thru pass 3 days for day 2, 3 and 5
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Kyoto sightseeing pass for day 4 (see the post above)
Hanshin tourist pass for trip to Kobe
http://www.hanshin.co.jp/global/en/tourist/
For sightseeing in Osaka and trip back to KIX, 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/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
Thks for your info. We really appreciate it.
No worries, Cindy san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
Shall I use Kansas One Pass for the following :
– Nankai Line fr Kansai airport to Nippombashi Stn via Sakaisuji line
– Kintetsu Line fr Nippombashi stn to Nara & vice versa
– Tanimachi 9-chrome Stn to Uemeda stn to Kawaramachi Stn Kyoto via Hankyu line
– Kawaramachi Stn Kyoto Hankyu line to Nagahoribashi stn Osaka via sakaisuji line
– traveling within Nara & kyoto
Is this a proper pass that we shall use? Pls advise. On the last 3 days in Osaka, we prefer to use Osaka Amazing Pass.
As for my 12 years old boy, is he consider adult or kid? Most of the pass is only valid for adults. How about kids? What pass shall we buy?
Appreciate if you can advise us. Thank you.
Hi Cindy san,
You can use Kansai one pass for all trips. But Knasai thru pass covers all trips too. If you take subway, city bus and other trains in Kyoto, Kansai thru pass may be cheaper. Kansai one pass does not give you unlimited ride but Knasai thru pass does.
Adult rate is applied to 12 years old. Child rate is available for 6 to 11 years old.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
Thks for your recommendation on Kansai Thru Pass. Unfortunately we’re not using the pass for 3 continuous days. Therefore Kansai One Pass is still cheaper for us. By the way, do we need to buy these passes in advance or can we buy on the spot. How about Sagano Train ticket? Pls advise.
Hi Cindy san,
Kansai thru pass does not require you to use the pass in consecutive days. You may use it, like Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. If you want to use Kansai one pass, it’s okay. Just for your info.
You must book a ticket for Sagano train. It’s very very popular. If you try to purchase it on the spot, all seats may be booked out and you may not be able to take it. You can book it at the reservation window in JR stations which is called Midori no Madoguchi.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
You can buy other tickets on the spot.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi San. Really appreciate your advise. Looking forward for this wonderful trip.
No worries, Cindy san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com