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. shiela says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Me and my 3 companions will be in Japan next week. We plan to visit Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nagoya. We will be arriving at and departing from the Chubu Centrair International Airport. We plan to get the Kintetsu Rail Pass but since the ticketing booth at the airport will br closed by the time we arrive and we have no other means of getting the Kintetsu Rail Pass, is the Kansai Thru Pass a good alternative, savings wise, for us for the Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe leg of our trip? Thank you.

  2. Lee says:

    Hi Takeshi-san, as I will be staying in Amagasaki area from 3-5 Apr 2015, do you recommend buying the Kansai Thru Pass for travel? I understand that week will be cherry blossom week and will be visiting the bamboo grove and shrines near Arashiyama, Imperial Palace Park, Gion/Sanjo areas and Umeda shopping district on first 2 days and third day in Nanba area before going to KIX in the afternoon to catch a domestic flight back to HND.

    Can the KTP card be used to travel between KIX and Amagasaki? Also what is the minimum number of hours to check-in KIX for domestic flights?

    Thanks very much!

    • HI Lee san,

      You will stay in my hometown, Amagasaki! My family live near JR Amagasaki station.

      Anyway if you stay near Hanshin Rwailway (Amagasaki station, Daimotsu or other) or Hankyu Railway (Tsukaguchi, Sonoda, Mukonosou), Kansai thru pass is very conveninet. However if you stay near JR Amagasaki station, you have to take bus to get Hanshin or Hankyu Railawy station. It’s not walking distance among JR, Hanshin and Hankyu stations. Or you will take JR train to get Osaka and transfer to Hankyu railway to get Arashiyama.

      When you go to KIX, it’s same thing. If you stay near Hanshin Amagasaki station, you can get Namba directly. And then transfer to Nankai Railway to get KIX.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  3. Edward Conger says:

    We fly into Kansai airport and will stay in hotel near Kyoto Station. Will be in Kyoto for 2 Days and will use subway and buses. Will then go to Kobe on day three to get on cruise ship. Will Thru Pass work for trip from Kansai Airpot to Kyoto and from Kyoto to Kobe and will it save money?

  4. Ced says:

    Hi Takeshi , like to check with you , Am gonna stay about 5 days in Osaka ( to cover 2 days in kyoto , 1/2 day in Nara ) and 3 days in tokyo .
    Should I choose :

    1) Get open jaw ticket and fly into Kansai airport , then fly out from tokyo airport. purchase the 3 Days Kansai thru pass ( use on first day from airport to Osaka and then days for kyoto , Nara , cos i read is like can use on alternate days instead of continuous ) Plus 1 way JR tickets to tokyo ?

    2 ) Another option is to fly in and out of tokyo and then buy 7 days JR pass from Nartia airport to Shin Osaka , then use JR pass to visit Kyoto and Nara then back to Tokyo.

    Reason : open jaw tickets is more expensive but no need to buy JR pass as it’s only 1 way from osaka to tokyo ?
    2) can get budget flights , but have to travel to and fro from Tokyo – Osaka , then Osaka-tokyo , price will still be slightly cheaper then option 1 .

    Any thots on which would you recommend ? TQ

    • Hi Ced,

      Roughly the difference between 7 days JR pass and single ticket (Shinkansen) + Kansai thru pass 3 days is 10,000 yen. But single ticket and Kansai thru pass combination does not include anything to access to Narita and exploring in Tokyo. You may spend another several thousand yen. On the other hand JR Pass is more flexible and include JR lines in Tokyo, Osaka, Nara. Even though you may need to buy Kyoto city deal. But all day bus pass is only 500 yen per day. Actual difference is roughly 8000 yen.

      In my opinion, if you can purchase open jaw at less than 8000 yen higher than round trip ticket, you can go for it.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  5. novita says:

    Hi takeshi,

    I know I have asked a lot of questions. But still quite confused by to many options of tickets and train lines in Japan. haha..

    1. So If I stay at Ark Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi (closest station is Nagahoribashi), do I need to go to Shin-Osaka Station to get to Kyoto Station? Or should I go to Osaka station then to Kyoto station?
    2. In hyperdia, the only route to Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station is by JR Special Rapid Service, which cost 560 yen (24minutes trip). If I buy Kansai Thru Pass, I won’t be able to use this rite? As Kansai Thru Pass is not valid for JR trains. But on Kansai Thru Pass information, it says it’s for Osaka and Kyoto trip. Which trains then do I take for me to be able to use the Kansai Thru Pass?

    Thanks so much…your website has been very informative and useful for foreigners 🙂

    Novita

  6. MsJupiter says:

    Dear Tanaka,

    Thank you so much for your comprehensive info on the train system in Japan. This will be my first time to Kansai region and despite having read through your advice yet I’m still a bit confused whether I should buy the train passes or single ticket. My party will be 4 adults and 2 children and would appreciate very much if I could have your views on my itinerary below. Tq so much.

    Day 1 – KIX – Osaka
    Day 2 – Kyoto
    Day 3 – Nara & Kyoto
    Day 4 – USJ
    Day 5 – Himeji & Kobe
    Day 6 – Biwako Valley
    Day 7 – Osaka
    Day 8 – Osaka – KIX

  7. ting ting says:

    Dear Tanaka,

    I have read through your website extensively and yet I still have some doubts whether I should by the train passes or single ticket. Please see my trip below and would love to hear your comments. Transport has already been provided for from Kansai Airport to my lodging.

    Day 1: Hotel in Kyoto

    Day 2 : Hiroshima and Miyajima

    Day 3 : Arashimaiya

    Day 4 Nara

    Day 5: Amanohashidate / any other place you recommend otherwise.

    Day 6 : Hotel in Kyoto

    Day 7 : Hotel in Osaka : Kobe & Himeiji -> Buy 1 day JR Kansai Area Pass ?

    Day 8: Hotel in Osaka

    Day 9 : Hotel in Osaka

    Day 10: Osaka – > Midnight Flight Home

    1) Does my trip make sense from a logistic standpoint?
    2) Do you think I need to purchase another other passes other than to Kobe & Himeiji based on my plans above?
    3) If no train passes are needed only single ticket, do I need to reserve them before arriving to Japan, or can I buy them when I reach Kansai Airport?

    I would really appreciate your reply.

  8. Sakuntala says:

    Hi
    For your sample itinerary in kyoto and Nara, all the trains that you show in sample can use KTH?
    I try to set my itinerary with KTP with my confuse about KTP train.
    Thank for your answer
    Sakuntala

  9. Rainbow says:

    I am planning my family trip of three, Kansai this July 2014, what type(s) of passes do you suggest I should get for my itinerary?
    Day 1: Arriving Kansai Airport 15:00, stay in hotel either Shin-Osaka or Wakayama City
    Day 2: Day trip to Wakayama Marine City & Shirahama, return to Osaka hotel
    (Alternative for Day 2 : Rent a car for Osaka – Wakayama – Shirahama – Osaka)
    Day 3: Return trip to Kyoto
    Day 4: Return trip to Kobe
    Day 5: Osaka
    Day 6: Osaka
    Day 7: Leaving Kansai Airport at 18:00

  10. Shimy says:

    Hi takeshi san

    will be travelling to osaka this month end. intend to buy kansai thru pass to travel around osaka, kyoto, nara and mount koya. can i buy multiple kansai thru passes during my trip. currenlty available is only 2 or 3 days pass i might need 4 to 5 days passes, hence need to buy multiple passes

    • Hi Shimy,

      You can purchase it as many as you want. However, when you travel within Osaka and trip to Nara from Osaka, single ticket may be cheaper. As you know, three days pass is 5200 yen. So you have to spend 1740 yen worth or more. If you take Kintetsu train from Osaka-Namba to Nara, round trip fare is 1120 yen. When you go to Kyoto, you have lots of chance to use this pass after you arrive Kyoto, like subway and bus. But in Nara, most of places can be accessed by walk from Nara station.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Shimy says:

        Thank you so much Takeshi san. The information is very helpful. I will then just get the pass when i reach Osaka.

        As for Kobe it is advisable to use the pass? i intend to visit Awaji island too.

        Thanking you in advance.

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