Kansai Thru Pass sample itineraries

1 to 3 days
There are lots of NON JR trains in Kansai. Most of them can be taken by Kansai Thru Pass.
There are lots of NON JR trains in Kansai. Most of them can be taken by Kansai Thru Pass.
There are lots of NON JR trains in Kansai. Most of them can be taken by Kansai Thru Pass.

If you visit Osaka and make some day trips to outside Osaka, such as Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Kansai Thru Pass is a good deal. But as I explained about this pass on the post, How to use Kansai Thru Pass. Compare pass and single fare, you have to make many train and/or bus trips. And I compared a regular fare and the price of pass in the link above. But it may be complicated for you. You may be overwhelmed.

I will show you some sample itineraries by using Kansai Thru Pass in this post. I hope this post let you understand this pass easier.

Ride a train/bus for 2,000 yen worth or more in one day

The price of pass is 4,000 yen for 2-day and 5,200 yen for 3-day. You have to make the worth at least 2,000 yen value per day (1,740 yen per day for 3-day pass) by making train trips, bus trips and/or getting discount at attraction. Otherwise you cannot make the worth of the pass.

All following itineraries require 1,800 yen total fare or more. You will get a discount at many attractions. If you can pick two or three itineraries to combine and you will get the worth of Kansai Thru Pass.

In all sample itineraries, departure time is around 9:00 am. Of course you can start earlier if you want. But some attractions open around 10:00 am. Please check the hours of the attractions that you want to visit when you make your trip plan.

Himeji, Kobe and Tarumi

Of course, spring is a good season to visit Himeji castle. ©JNTO
Of course, spring is a good season to visit Himeji castle. ©JNTO

If you go to Himeji and Kobe in one day, this pass gives you a great deal.

Visit Mitsui Outlet Park Marine Pia Kobe

Depart from Namaba : Namba 09:10 (Hanshin train) 09:30 Amagasaki 09:36 (Hanshin train) 10:27 Sanyo Tarumi (840 yen)
Depart from Umeda : Umeda 09:27 (Hanshin train) 10:27 Sanyo Tarumi (750 yen)

You can skip this place if you are not a shopping spree. The reason why I put it in this itinerary is that the trip is too long if we go to Himeji directly by Hanshin and Sanyo railways.

But you can see the world longest suspension bridge, Akashi Ohashi bridge here. And you can shop and eat here. I think it is nice place to take a break. It is only 9 minutes away from the station by foot. If you skip this spot, you can spend more time at Kobe or Himeji. You can stop by there on the way to Kobe from Himeji as the lunch break.

Himeji Castle and the lunch break.

Sanyo Tarumi 12:00 (Sanyo train) 12:39 Sanyo Himeji (740 yen)

You can get 20% off for Himeji Castle admission by Kansai Thru Pass. Himeji Castle is about 20 minutes away from the station. You can walk but it is too long, you can take a bus. But the bus fare is not covered by Kansai Thru Pass.

Please see the post below to find more information about Himeji.

Visit Kobe

Sanyo Himeji 15:04 (Sanyo train) 16:08 Sannomiya (Walk) Sannoiya Hanadokeimae 16:20 (Kobe subway) 16:24 (940 yen + 200 yen = 1140 yen)

You can enjoy Kobe port cruise if you want. You can get a discount for cruise and Kobe Port tower. You can have a dinner at Kobe before heading back to Osaka.

To Namba : Sannomiya 20:11 (Hanshin train) 20:34 Amagasaki 20:39 (Hanshin) 20:59 Namba (400 yen)
To Umeda : 20:11 (Hanshin train) 20:42 Umeda (310 yen)

Total fare is 3120 yen from/to Namba and 2940 yen from/to Umeda.

Kobe and Arima hot springs

Taiko-hashi bridge in Arima hot springs. If you want to stay, it is a nice place too. © Kobe Convention & Visitors Association/© JNTO
Taiko-hashi bridge in Arima hot springs. If you want to stay, it is a nice place too. © Kobe Convention & Visitors Association/© JNTO

Arima hot springs is one of most three famous hot springs and one of the three oldest hot springs. Actually it is most accessible hot springs from Osaka. You can stay there but I put this hot springs as day use in this trip.

Visit Arima hot springs, Kinnoyu (Gold springs), Ginnoyu (Silver springs) or Taiko no Yu.

From Umeda : Umeda 09:03 (Hanshin train) 09:36 Sannomiya 09:49 (Kobe subway and Hokushin Kyuko) 10:00 Tanigami 10:06 (Kobe railway train) 10:17 Arimaguchi 10:19 (Kobe railway train) 10:23 Arima Onsen (310 yen + 900 yen = 1210 yen)
From Namba : Namba 08:45 (Hanshin train) 09:02 Amagasaki 09:07 (Hanshin train) 09:32 Sannomiya 09:49 (Kobe subway and Hokushin Kyuko) 10:00 Tanigami 10:06 (Kobe railway train) 10:17 Arimaguchi 10:19 (Kobe railway train) 10:23 Arima Onsen (400 yen + 900 yen = 1300 yen)

You can get discount to go these hot springs. These hot springs open from 9:00 am. By the way, Taiko is a name of title of Hideyoshi Toyotomi.

If you want to have more relaxation, you can use daily plan of high end hotels. Arima Grand Hotel has daily hot springs use plan around 4,000 yen.

Visit Kobe

Arima Onsen 14:09 (Kobe railway train) 14:13 Arimaguchi 14:29 (Kobe railway train) 14:39 14:41 Tanigami (Hokushin Kyuko and Kobe subway) 14:51 Sannomiya (900 yen)

You can visit anywhere in Kobe you want, such as Kitano, Kobe port.

To Namba : Sannomiya 20:11 (Hanshin train) 20:34 Amagasaki 20:39 (Hanshin) 20:59 Namba (400 yen)
To Umeda : 20:11 (Hanshin train) 20:42 Umeda (310 yen)

Total fare is 2600 yen from/to Namba and 2420 yen from/to Umeda.

Kyoto Highlight

Autumn in Arashiyama is breathtaking. ©Akira Okada/©JNTO
Autumn in Arashiyama is breathtaking. ©Akira Okada/©JNTO

You can complete most of Kyoto Must-See spots in one day!

From Namba : Namba 08:59 (Osaka subway Midosuji line) 09:05 Yodoyabashi 09:10 (Keihan Ltd Exp train) 09:58 Shichijo (200 yen + 600 yen = 800 yen)
From Umeda : Umeda 9:01 (Osaka subway Midosuji line) 09:05 Yodoyabashi 09:10 (Keihan Ltd Exp train) 09:58 Shichijo (200 yen + 600 yen = 800 yen)

Shichijo, Kiyomizu-Gojo, Gion-Shijo and Sanjo are the gateway station to Higashiyama area. There are tons of spots there. It is impossible to visit most of spots in half day. If you really want to see this area, don’t try this itinerary. Actually even one full day is not enough to cover most of spot.
In this itinerary, I assume to visit Sanjusankendo (三十三間堂), Kiyomizudera temple (清水寺) and Yasaka Jinja shrine (八坂神社).

Kawaramachi 13:05 (Hankyu train) 13:06 Karasuma 13:09 (Kyoto subway Karasuma line) 13:19 Kitaoji (Kyoto bus 12-20 minutes) Kinkakujido (金閣寺道) bus stop (150 yen + 250 yen + 220 yen = 620 yen)

Actually Kyoto city bus #12 goes straight to Kinkakujido bus stop from Kawaramachi or Sanjo-Keihan. This is the easiest. But it is affected by traffic congestion. When you explore Kyoto, try to use trains as much as possible. That is a key to save your time. From Kitaoji to Kinkakujido, you can take #101, #102 or M1. Bus comes every 10 to 15 minutes. Kikakuji temple is 5 minutes walk from bus stop.

Kikakujido (Kyoto city bus 5 minutes) Kitano-Hakubaicho 15:06 (Keifuku railway a.k.a. “Randen”) 15:17 Katabiranotsuji 15:25 (Keifuku railway a.k.a. “Randen”) 15:32 Arashiyama (220 yen + 200 yen = 420 yen)

Kitano-Hakubaisho station is only 3 bus stops away from Kikakujido. You can walk if you want. It takes about 20 minutes. Keifuku railway is a small local railway. It is like a street car.
In Arashiyama, you don’t have much time to visit temples and shrines. You can walk along Katsura river. And you may be able to ride Sagano sightseeing tram night train. But Sagano sightseeing train is not covered by Kansai Thru Pass.

Arashiyama 20:03 (Hankyu train) 20:11 Katsura 20:21 (Hankyu train) 20:55 Umeda 21:00 (Osaka subway Midosuji line) 21:08 Namba (390 yen. If you go to Namba, add 230 yen for subway)

If you have just round trip to Kyoto, it is not enough to use Kansai Thru Pass. But if you visit several places, this pass gives you a great deal.

Total fare is 2230 yen from/to Umeda and 2460 yen from/to Namba.

Nara and south Kyoto one day

There are a big number of Torii at Fushimi Inari shrine. ©Kyoto Convention Bureau /©JNTO
There are a big number of Torii at Fushimi Inari shrine. ©Kyoto Convention Bureau /©JNTO

If you visit only Nara, it is not enough to get 1800 yen worth. So I combine south Kyoto and Nara because it is the closet place from Nara.

From Namba : Osaka-Namba 09:01 (Kintetsu railway Rapid Express) 09:39 Kintetsu-Nara (540 yen)
From Umeda : Umeda 8:45 (Osaka subway Midosuji line) 08:54 Namba (walk) Osaka-Namba 09:01 (Kintetsu railway Rapid Express) 09:39 Kintetsu-Nara (230 yen + 540 yen = 770 yen)

Subway Namba station is very close to Kintetsu Osaka-Namba station. If you miss 9:01 train, next train comes in 10 minutes.

Most of places in Nara can be accessed by walk from the station. Please see the post, How to access to Nara by Japan Rail Pass. If you don’t use JR Pass, Kintetsu Railway is more convenient to get more details.

Nara 13:43 (Kintetsu railway Rapid Express) 14:24 Kintetsu-Tanbabashi (walk) Tanbabashi 14:33 (Keihan railway local train) 14:40 Fushimi-Inari (540 yen + 200 yen = 740 yen)

Kintetsu-Tanbabashi station is located at same place as Keihan’s Tanbabashi station. 9 minutes is way enough to transfer. Both stations are not big terminal stations. You cannot miss it.

Fushimi Inari shrine is 10 minutes away from the station.

Fushimi-Inari 15:39 (Keihan railway local train) 15:54 Chushojima 16:04 (Keihan train Uji line local train) 16:18 Uji (300 yen)

Uji 18:02 (Keihan railway Uji line local train) 18:16 Chushojima 18:21 (Keihan railwa Limited Express) 19:04 Yodoyabashi (Osaka subway Midousuji line 10 minutes ride) Namba or Umeda (400 yen + 200 yen = 600 yen)

Total fare is 2180 yen to/from Namba and 2410 yen to/from Umeda.

If you have more, you can go to Gion in Kyoto. After you finish Uji sightseeing, you can take the train to Gion-Shijo at Chushojima.

Uji 18:02 (Keihan railway Uji line local train) 18:16 Chushojima 18:21 (Keihan railwa Limited Express) 18:33 Gion-Shijo

You can enjoy dinner and walk in Kyoto if you want. The last train departs at 23:06 from Gion-Shijo. You can transfer subway at Yodoyabashi from this last train. You still have lots of time for Gion, Kyoto.

Yoshino. Recommended for cherry blossom season

Yoshino must be the best Sakura spot in Japan! ©NARA TOURISM FEDERATION/©JNTO
Yoshino must be the best Sakura spot in Japan! ©NARA TOURISM FEDERATION/©JNTO

Yoshino is located at south part of Nara. It is very famous as cherry blossom viewing spots. But the pass does not cover all part of the trip to Yoshino. You have to pay some extra to get there.

From Namba : Namba 08:56 (Osaka subway Midousuji line) 09:03 Tennoji (walk) Abenobashi 09:20 (Kintetsu railway Express train) 10:53 Yoshino (230 yen + 690 yen = 920 yen)
From Umeda : Umeda 08:47 (Osaka subway Midousuji line) 09:03 Tennoji (walk) Abenobashi 09:20 (Kintetsu railway Express train) 10:53 Yoshino (270 yen + 690 yen = 960 yen)

The pass cover the trip to Tsubosakayama station. It is still 50 minutes away from Yoshino. The extra fare is 420 yen for one way.

Once you arrive in Yoshino, you can enjoy as much as you want until the last train depart at 22:12.

Total fare is 1840 yen to/from Namba and 1920 yen to/from Umeda.
*Above fare is the worth that is covered by the pass. You need to pay another 840 yen on top.

Mt. Koya one day trip

There are lots of places to see in Mt. Koya. ©JNTO
There are lots of places to see in Mt. Koya. ©JNTO

If you want to visit Mt. Koya as day trip, Kansai Thru Pass is one of the choice. But if you want to stay in Mt. Koya, Koyasan World Heritage Ticket is much better choice.

From Namba : Namba 09:01 (Osaka subway Midousuji line) 09:49 Hashimoto 09:54 (Kintetsu railway Express train) 10:31 Gokurakubashi 10:36 (Cabel car) 10:41 Koyasan (850 yen + 380 yen = 1230 yen)
From Umeda : Umeda 08:47 (Osaka subway Midousuji line) 08:56 Namba 09:01 (Osaka subway Midousuji line) 09:49 Hashimoto 09:54 (Kintetsu railway Express train) 10:31 Gokurakubashi 10:36 (Cabel car) 10:41 Koyasan (230 yen + 850 yen + 380 yen = 1460 yen)

You can get the worth easily to have just return trip to Mt. Koya. And also you can take a bus and get some discount at several temples there.

Total fare is 2460 yen to/from Namba and 2920 yen to/from Umeda.

Comments

  1. Ellie says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    Thank you for your very helpful guides. I am looking at a two week trip from Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo in Nov, and would appreciate if you could provide advice on travel plans. My planned itinerary is as below,

    D1: Travel from Itami Airport to Osaka city (Hotel: Namba station)
    -Planning to take airport limousine bus to hotel
    -Shinsaibashi-Dotonburi area only

    D2: Osaka
    -Kuromon Ichiba market
    -Osaka Castle

    D3: Day trip to Universal Studios Japan

    D4: Day trip to Himeiji-Kobe or Kobe-Himeiji
    -either way is ok but planning lunch at Kobe
    -Lunch at Kobe Sannomiya area

    D5: Travel from Osaka to Nara to Kyoto (Hotel: Kyoto station)
    -Nara deer park
    -Todaiji temple
    -Kyoto station area only

    D6: Fushimi Inari
    -Nishiki market
    -Fushimi Inari
    -Gion

    D7: Arashiyama
    -Tenryu-ji
    -Arashiyama bamboo grove

    D8: Higashiyama
    -Kiyomizu-dera
    -Nanzen-ji
    -Philosopher’s walk
    -Dinner at Gion area

    D9: Travel from Kyoto to Tokyo (Hotel: Shinjuku station)
    -Kinkaku-ji
    -Tokyo Shinjuku station area only

    D10: Day trip to Disneysea

    D11: Day trip to Hakone-Mt Fuji

    D12: Central and Southern Tokyo
    -Tsukiji
    -Ginza
    -Roppongi

    D13: Western Tokyo
    -Harajuku
    -Shibuya
    -Yebisu

    D14: Northern Tokyo
    -Asakusa
    -Ueno

    D15: Travel from Tokyo to Haneda Airport
    -planning to take airport limousine from hotel to airport

    I am currently considering Osaka 1 day pass on D2, single trip to USJ on D3, single Shinkansen from Kyoto-Tokyo, and simply using suica for the entire Tokyo segment. I am unsure about Kansai Thru Pass to cover trips to Kobe, Nara and Kyoto. Would you recommend Kansai Thru Pass or Kansai Area Pass, and for how long? Also, would you recommend passes for travel within Kyoto or single trips?

    Any other feedback on the itinerary would also be appreciated.

    Thanks in advance! 🙂

  2. Wilson Kwong says:

    I’ve just came back from traveling around Kansai Region for 30 days. It’s pretty relaxed, and since I’ve used this page as reference point, I’d like to contribute a little back.

    I’ve purchased 4 different passes.
    Kansai Thru Pass 3 Days (5200 Yen from Japan)
    5 Days JR West Wide Area Pass (from Malaysia Yen 9000)
    Kintetsu 5 Days Rail Pass (without Bus – from Namba Yen 3800)
    2 Days Amazing Osaka Pass (3200 Yen from Japan)

    When I reached Osaka, I bought a local JR train ticket into Osaka for less than 1000 Yen.

    For 2 days, I used the Amazing Osaka Pass, which includes a lot of free entrance to touristic places, and boat rides, Ferris Wheels, etc. And do not miss the 2 Onsens included, remember to bring your own towels or you’d be charged 400-600 Yen to buy/rent. The 2 day Amazing Osaka Pass includes unlimited rides on Subway, City operated bus, and New Tram, which is really useful. It doesn’t cover other private lines.

    After the 2 days, we just bought 1 Day Visit Osaka Pass 500 Yen, which covers Subway, City Bus, and New Tram. Or you could just buy them for 800 Yen weekday pass, 600 Yen weekend pass.

    On our last day before we left Osaka, we activated Day 1 of our Kansai Thru Pass to visit Koyasan. It includes Limited Express on Keihan Line, and the Koyasan Cable Car all the way to the top, and the Koyasan local bus. The very same evening, we traveled back to Osaka, pick up our luggages, and left for Kyoto. This Kansai Thru Pass paid its value back on the very first day itself.

    Once we’re in Kyoto, we purchased only their daily bus ticket for 500 Yen. This only includes Kyoto Bus and Kyoto City Bus, remember that, it does not cover private buses. Subway isn’t included, but bus covers all major sites, better coverage than subways.

    On the last night in Kyoto, we activated the JR Pass (5 Days – must be consecutive) to visit Okayama and Kurashiki.

    On the very next morning, we used the JR pass to travel (Day 2) to Kinosaki Onsen, checked in at 2 separate Ryokans with private Onsens and enjoyed 5 public baths (2 were closed, 1 renovation, and another one closed due to damages caused by typhoon which occured 2 days before we arrived).

    We then used Day 3 of our JR Pass to visit Amanohashidate. We strolled around town and bought tickets locally, for a roundtrip boat ride across the other side, and round trip ticket on the chairlift all the way to the top for super scenic views. Then back to Kinosakionsen to enjoy onsens again.

    On the very last day at Kinosaki onsen, we woke up early, visited Obama and Tsuruga, went back to Kinosakionsen to pick up our luggage, and went to Osaka.

    We then enjoyed Osaka for a few more days, enjoyed all their good food, etc. Bought Kintetsu 5 Days pass, without bus for 3800 Yen. Activated it (5 Days consecutive) to travel to Nagoya. Please take note this pass does not include Limited Express seat reservation, if you want to have a Seat Reservation you need to pay addtional 1800 Yen. So we took the local line.

    We stayed in Nagoya for 3 nights, on Day 4 of Kintetsu Pass, we went to Nara, stayed a night, and used the pass on Day 5 back to Osaka again.

    From Osaka, we activated Kansai Thru Pass Day 2 for Himeji (on Limited Express Non-reserved seats) but the Kansai Thru Pass doesn’t cover local bus in Himeji (it’s a small town, can be easily enjoyed in foot) and Kobe (bus included), at late evening, a final visit to Arima Onsen just for Taiko No Yu Onsen (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) then back to Osaka.

    Day 3 (last day of Kansai Thru Pass) is used for visiting Osaka and back to Airport on Keihan line.

    Those are the summaries of how I used those passes for maximum efficiency and cost savings.

    Now, as for recommendations, these are the places where I highly recommend visiting.

    Osaka:-
    – make full use of Amazing Osaka Pass, follow the recommended 2 days itinerary, which we did, and you will not regret it a single bit.
    – Namba/Dotonbori walking tour, do not miss. Ha Chan is very good at explaining/recommending touristic places and good food.
    – Osaka is the heart of the kitchen of Japan. Great food everywhere.
    – Must try Okonomiyaki (highly recommend Chitose and Fukutaro), and also Takoyaki, Ramen (Ichiran, Golden Dragon, Ippudo).

    Kyoto:-
    – Fushimi Inari, we spent half a day hiking all the way up on Mount Inari (at least 3-4 hours) and enjoy sunset.
    – Ginkakuji and Kinkakuji
    – Arashiyama, Bamboo Groves, Monkey Park, Tenryuji, Tennoji, etc.
    – Must try Tonkatsu (Katsukura)

    Kinosaki Onsen
    – Enjoy all 7 Public Baths
    – Cable Car to the top for scenic view and temple
    – Enjoy Onsen boiled eggs
    – Foot baths all over town
    – Beautiful Onsen Town

    Okayama
    – Castle, Temple, Shrines, and a beautiful garden worth visiting.

    Kobe
    – Beautiful garden, China Town, Western Town (residence of diplomats in the early 1900’s in their original state).

    Nara
    – Most beautiful temple in whole Japan, the world’s largest wooden structure, housing the largest bronze Buddha in whole Japan. Do not miss the free English tour provided by trainee guides, it’s free, you will not miss it.
    – Deer park, deers everywhere.

    Himeji
    – The most beautiful castle in whole of Japan. Do not miss this.

    Nagoya
    – Toyota Museum, do not miss this, totally worth it. Please take note that a free English guided tour is provided at 2pm everyday. Do not miss it. It’s super interesting and you’d appreciate the history of Toyota, how they started with textiles manufacturing, turning into the World’s Largest Automobile Manufacturer.
    – Castle
    – Unagi Unagi Unagi – Must try

    Arima Onsen
    – Must not miss this. It’s considered as the MOTHER OF ALL ONSENS IN JAPAN. Just kidding, it’s one of the Top 3 must visit Onsens in the entire Japan. The Gold and Silver Onsens are unique only to this place.

    Conclusion:-
    We’ve stayed in Japan for a very long time just for Kansai, but we took it leisurely, enjoyed as much as we could without rushing.

    There are a lot of castles, gardens, temples, shrines, Onsens in Japan, they’re all quite similar. But if you have to visit only the best, the followings are my recommendations of MUST SEE / DO NOT MISS.

    Castle : Himeji Castle

    Temple: Nara Todaiji and Koyasan Okunoin (take a stroll pass the cemetaries, nothing haunting at all, in fact it’s super peaceful). Kyoto Ginkakuji and Kinkakuji
    Shrine: Mother of all shrines Fushimi Inari (trust me, spend the entire afternoon till sunset there, hike up Fushimi Inari, enjoy the sunset, you will not regret it)

    Garden: Osaka Tenryuji, Kyoto Ginkakuji & Kinkakuji, and there is a free garden you can visit at Nara on the way walking to Todaiji. Okayama’s Korakuen is totally worth a visit on its own.

    Scenic View: Kyoto’s Mount Inari (do not miss hiking to the top, the view and sunset is absolutely breathtaking). Amanohashidate is also worth visiting from Kinosaki on a daytrip.

    Food: If you’re a food lover, Osaka is definitely the place you need to be.

    Onsen: Kinosaki Onsen is a beautiful pedestrian town, filled with 7 beautiful public baths and footbaths all over town. Highly recommend you spend at least a night in a Japanese style Ryokan with half board (includes Saisaki Breakfast and Dinner).

    Animal Lovers: Nara, deer deer everywhere. You don’t even need to look for them, as they’re all over the city.

    Hope my guide would be of great help to other users who are seeking recommendations.

    Cheers, and thanks the owner of this website for the guide, and I hope my contribution would be appreciated.

    • Hi Wilson,

      Thank you very very much for sharing your experience. It is very interesting and I’m pretty sure that your feedback help other readers to build the trip plan.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Michelle Teh says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I will be arriving in Kansai International Airport on 16 Oct 2017 and transfer to Kyoto for 3 days and subsequently back to Osaka on 19 Oct 2017.
    My question here is what is the most cost saving pass for me to purchase ? From Kansai Airport > Kyoto Station > Shin-Osaka Station > Kansai Airport .

    Been knowing that there is JR Pass, Kansai thru Pass and ICOCA. Which one should i getting once i reach Kansai Airport ?

  4. Salin says:

    Dear Takeshi,
    I am Salin from Singapore.
    I will arrive Kansai Airport at 4pm on 25 Oct and staying in Osaka throughout till 29 Oct night flight.
    My airbnb is located near Kuromon Ichiba Market
    I hope you can help to advise if it is worth getting the Kansai Thru Pass 3 days and how I could/ should plan the route for below places of interests:
    Osaka Castle
    Himeiji castle
    Instant Ramen Museum
    Nara Park
    Todaiji Temple
    Kyoto Arashiyama Orgel Museum
    Higashiyama District
    Kiyomizudera Temple
    Fushimi Inari Shrine
    Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
    Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
    Gion District
    Nishiki Market

    Greatly appreciate your help and many thanks in advance!

    • Hi Salin,

      On the first day, you may use Yokoso Osaka ticket.
      http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/yokoso.html

      You can use subway portion of this ticket on day 2. You can visit Osaka castle and other places.

      Kansai thru pass 3 days will work for the last 3 days. Use it for Kyoto, Nara and Himeji. You can use one day for Nara and Fushimi and may be Gion area/Nishiki market if you still have time after Fushimi Inari. On 2nd day visit other places in Kyoto. And on the last day, visit Himeji and Ramen museum.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Salin says:

        Thank you very much Takeshi San. Your advice definitely helps! Can i also confirm that for last day if I use kansai thru pass to airport I have to pay additional for the limited express?

        • Hi Salin san,

          Kansai thru pass covers only base fare. So if you take limited express “Rapi:t”, you need to pay at least 510 yen extra for seat surcharge. You can take only rapid train without extra.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. Ean says:

    Hi Takeshi

    I am from Australia. Will be visiting Kyoto/Takayama/Tokyo at the end of November. My schedule as below:

    29/11 Arrv Kansai Airport at 0850
    Kansai to Kyoto Station
    Base in Kyoto

    29/11 – 4/12 Kyoto Sightseeing including 1 day to Nara
    04/12 – 8/12 Kyoto/Takayama
    8/12 to 12/12 Takayama/Tokyo – city tour, Hakone/Mt
    Fuji/Nikko
    12/12 Tokyo/Sydney

    My plan to purchase:

    1) 4 day Kansai Thru Pass
    2) 7 day JR Pass
    3) one way JR to Takayama

    Would appreciate your suggestions.
    Thanking you in advance.

  6. Xinyan says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’m contemplating if i should get the 3 days kansai thru pass for my trip as i don’t think i travel alot in a day. Following my itinerary. Will be staying in Osaka throughout.

    7/10- Arrival KIX > APA Hotel Namba Shinsabashi. Rest of day spend in Osaka. ( using Yokoso Osaka tix)
    8/10- Go kyoto Arashiyama> hozugawa boat ride>tenruji temple. (Kansai thru pass)
    9/10- Go kobe area > Mitsui outlet (Kansai thru pass)
    10/10- USJ (Pay as per ride)
    11/10- Go Mt. Rokko > Arima Onsen (Kansai thru pass)
    12/10- Dep for KIX (Kanku webtoku)

    Do you think its worth getting 3 days Kansai thru pass or i should i get use ICOCA instead? Looking forward to your advise. Thanks!

    Xinyan

  7. Wilson says:

    I’ve just arrived Osaka.

    Purchased 3 different passes

    Osaka 2 Days Amazing Pass (which I’ve activated and used)

    Kansai Thru Pass 3 Days (Not activated yet)

    Kansai Wide Area Pass 5 Days (Not activated yet)

    From my understanding, Kansai Thru Pass can be used on non-consecutive days. Whereas Kansai Wide Area Pass must be used on consecutive days.

    I’ve covered most of Osaka already, and I’m staying in Osaka for another 2 days.

    What would you recommend for our itinerary? Time is something we have abundance of, as we have 3 more weeks to spare before we go home.

    Thanks.

  8. Sherry says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am getting confused with all the passes and don’t know which one to get. On a high-level, the following is our planned trip per day. Appreciate if you can suggest the type of passes we should get for our trip in the most economical way.

    1 12:20AM-5:25AM Flight fr Manila to Osaka KIX
    Osaka KIX to Kyoto Station
    Kyoto sightseeing
    2 Kyoto sightseeing
    3 Kyoto sightseeing (or Osaka sightseeing)
    4 Kyoto to Osaka KIX
    12:00PM-1:55PM – Flight fr Osaka KIX to Sapporo CTS
    5 Sapporo sightseeing
    6 Sapporo sightseeing
    7 2:30PM-4:50PM – Flight fr Sapporo CTS to Osaka KIX
    Osaka KIX to Shin-Osaka Station
    8 Shin-Osaka to Himeji
    Himeji to Shin-Osaka
    Osaka sightseeing (if time permits)
    9 Shin-Osaka to Kobe
    Kobe to Shin-Osaka
    Osaka sightseeing (if time permits)
    10 Osaka sightseeing
    11 Shin-Osaka to Osaka KIX
    1:05PM-4:40PM Osaka KIX to Manila

    Home base in Kyoto (days 1 to 4) – near Kyoto Station
    Home base in Osaka (days 7 to 11)- near Shin-Osaka Station

    Going to Kobe and Himeji from Shin-Osaka, in case we would like to take Shinkansen, what is your proposed pass?

    Thank you so much in advance.

    • Hi Sherry,

      You may use Haruka discount ticket and Kansai one pass for staying in Kyoto.
      http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/icoca-haruka/
      https://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1

      For staying in Sapporo, there is no deals available. You may use Kansai one pass in Sapporo to take JR trains and subways.

      For staying in Osaka, you may use Kansai wide area pass.
      http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kansai_wide/

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Sherry says:

        Thank you so much for your reply, Takeshi! Much appreciated. We’re ok with JR Kansai Wide Area for our stay in Osaka.

        May I clarify if the JR Kansai Area 1-day pass covers travel from Osaka-KIX to Kyoto and JR trains in Kyoto for our day 1 (going to JR Uji and JR Saga-Arashiyama stations, and back to Kyoto station)? And another JR Kansai Area 1-day pass from Kyoto back to Osaka-KIX? Does this work?

        Many thanks in advance again! Good day!

        • Hi Sherry,

          You may use Kansai area pass one day for day 1. You also can use Kansai area pass for Kyoto to KIX. But if you use the pass for only Kyoto to KIX, Haruka discount ticket (1,600 yen) is cheaper than Kansai area pass one day (2,200 yen).

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Sherry says:

            Great, Takeshi! Just a clarification on the Haruka discount ticket, can I buy one-way Haruka discount ticket without purchasing Kansai One-pass or ICOCA?

            There is also a note on the website that I can only buy one round-trip Haruka per person. I just would like to confirm that there is no problem with buying the following for each person in our family:
            1. 1-day JR Kansai Area Pass
            2. One-way Haruka discount ticket
            3. 5-day JR Kansai Wide Area Pass
            We intend to use 1 and 2 above for our first leg: Osaka KIX – Kyoto, then Kyoto – Osaka KIX.
            We intend to use 3 above for our last leg: Osaka KIX – Shin-Osaka, then Shin-Osaka – Osaka KIX.

            Thank you so much, Takeshi! Your suggestions are much appreciated.

          • Sherry says:

            Hi again Takeshi,

            Instead of using JR Kansai Wide Area Pass from Day 7 to Day 11 of my itinerary, can we use 4-day JR Kansai Area Pass instead and 1-day JR Kansai Area Pass to serve same purpose? Can we use Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Himeji and Kobe with either JR Kansai Wide Area Pass or JR Kansai Area Pass? Combination JR Kansai Area Pass seem to be cheaper if it can serve our purpose.

            Thank you so much again!

  9. John Ng says:

    Hi
    I am John from Singapore . We are family of 3 people
    We are stay at WEEKLY UEHONMACHI HOEL , near Namba station
    Please advise how can we use Kansai Thru Pass 3 days type to go Day (1)Sannomiya Station Kobe ,Day (2) Sannezaka Kyoto and Day (3) Osaka castle and Osaka Mitusi Outlet park.
    Thank very much
    John And Family

  10. Hoang Anh says:

    Dear Takeshi,
    This is Anh from Vietnam. I am planning to travel to Kansai area in 5 days. My schedule is shown as below:
    Day 1: 15h40 Friday, arrive at Kansai Airport and check in hotel at Osaka
    Day 2: Go to Kyoto (I like to go to the furthest place first)
    Day 3: Travel around Osaka
    Day 4: Visit Kobe City
    Day 5: Check out hotel and return home at 11 am
    After reading your articles, I think I should use Kansai Thru Pass for 3 days (2,3,4), and I am not sure about day 1&2, just catch 1 way trip in day 1 to hotel and day 2 back to KIX, maybe?
    Could you leave any comments for my plan?
    Thank you very much

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