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. Yin Tye says:

    Dear Takeshi san:
    I am planning to visit Osaka this coming 12th August and my plan include a day trip to on 13th August Mt Koya back to Osaka overnight and following day 14th August trip to Kobe and back to Osaka again.
    With reference to your above suggested itineraries using Kansai Thru Pass, can I confirm that if I follow your itineraries it will be more cost savings for me to buy 2 days Kansai thru pass worth 4,000 yen instead of single fare to these places right ? Kobe fare is 2460 yen to/from Namba plusMt Koya 2600 yen from/to Namba which will be 5060 yen ?
    Thank you.
    This pass can I buy in advance in Kansai Airport upon arrival ?

  2. Merry says:

    Hi Takeshi san,

    I’m very sorry to bother you, but can you help me decide on which pass should I take? I’m planning to visit Japan for 12 days with my mom on late september – early october. Here’s the rough itinerary:

    day 1-4 : Tokyo
    day 5 : Tokyo – Kyoto
    day 6-7 : Kyoto
    day 8 : day trip from kyoto to nara
    day 9 : Kyoto – Osaka
    day 10 : day trip from osaka to himeji
    day 11 : Osaka
    day 12 : Osaka

    The problem is, since I’m using student visa, I won’t be able to buy JR Pass and any other passes that require the holder to be tourist. My mom, on the other hand, will be able to buy JR pass. I don’t mind buying regular tiket for the trains as long as it’s efficient to reach the destination, and as long as I can ride the same train with my mom. After the trip, I’m staying in Osaka for school, and my mom will return home. The airport which my mom will use to return home hasn’t been decided yet, between osaka or tokyo, but we’ll try to find ticket from osaka.

    Should my mom just buy JR pass 7 days (activate from day 5 which we’ll travel from tokyo to kyoto), or should she use regular ticket from tokyo to kyoto, and then buy JR west kansai area pass or Kansai thru pass?

    And do you have suggestion if there are any pass that’s suitable for me using my student visa? I plan on using suica card in tokyo, but do you have other suggestion for kansai area?

    I sincerely hope you can help me figure this out, as I’m really overwhelmed by the many amounts off passes in Japan.

    Thanks,
    Merry

  3. Cloud says:

    Dear Takeshi san,

    Thanks a lot for your prompt reply.
    That really helps.
    Say if Day 1 I am visiting Kobe town and Day 2 I am going from Kobe to Osaka.
    Would you still recommend JR Pass?
    The Kansai Thru Pass validity only starts only if I tap it on that day right?
    And could you please kindly let me know is it possible for me to stay overnight at KIX as it’s very late when I arrive Japan?
    And is one way ticket from Kobe to Osaka enough,instead of JR pass/Kansai Thru pass?
    Thanks.

    • Hi Cloud san,

      KIX is open for 24 hours. You can be there.

      For day 2, if you just travel to Osaka, single fare is okay. But if you see many places in Osaka and go back to Kobe, Kansai thru pass may be better. It depends on how much train you take. If you make a round trip to Osaka from Kobe, single fare is cheaper.

      Kansai thru pass is valid for midnight to midnight. So if you start to use it at 23:30, you will spend one day for only 30 minutes.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  4. Cloud says:

    Hi Takeshi san,

    Thanks for putting up so much effort in writing such a detailed post.
    Could I kindly seek your advice in how many days of Kansai Thru pass that I need?
    Day 1:KIX -> Kobe (check in) -> Osaka/Himeji
    Day 2: Kobe -> Kobe
    Day 3-6:Kobe
    Day 7: Osaka (check in)-> Nara
    Day 8: Osaka -> Kyoto
    Day 9: Universal Studios
    Day 10: Osaka City
    Day 11: Osaka
    Day 12: Osaka
    Day 13: Osaka -> KIX

    Thank you so much in advance for your advice!

  5. Dhylan says:

    Dear Takeshi San

    I would like to inquire if you could help me to have a 6 days itinerary with my family and friends, we will be planning our trip this coming 1st June 2015. We will be arriving at Kansai Airport first of June

    sincerely yours

    Dhylan

  6. David Teoh says:

    Ohaiyo Takeshi-san,

    I would like your recommendation for public transportation on my travel itinerary below.

    Day one – arrive at KIX. Travel from KIX to Kobe (tokoyo inn, Sannomiya)
    Day 2 to day 4 – conference in kobe (no transportation required)
    Day 5 – travel from kobe to osaka apartment (namba subway station area). Sightseeing in osaka
    Day 6 – day trip to mt Koya
    Day 7 – day trip to kyoto and nara
    Day 8 – day trip to yamazaki distillery
    Day 9 – sightseeing in osaka
    Day 10 – osaka apartment to KIX

    Thank you very much for taking your time to share with me.

  7. Esther Tan says:

    Dear Takeshi san,

    Can one use the Kansai Thru pass from Osaka to Kansai International Airport? I read that the pass can be used from the airport to Osaka but I couldn’t get information of the reverse route.
    Appreciate your advice.

    Thanks
    Esther

  8. Momo says:

    Hi, Takeshi-San.

    I will be travelling to Japan next week for 1 week trip. Here is my plan:

    Day 1-4: Tokyo
    Day 4: Travel from Tokyo to Osaka
    Day 5: Day trip to Nara and Kyoto from Osaka
    Day 6-7: Osaka

    Could you please give me some comment on my plan and is “Kansai Thru Pass” the best option for me?

    Looking forward for your reply.
    Thank you.

    Momo

    • Hi Momo san,

      It may be. It depends on your plan on day 6. It’s worth using for day trip to Kyoto and Nara on day 5. But Kansai Thru Pass is minimum 2 days. So if you use the pass on day 6 lots, Kansai thru pass will work.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  9. Daihung says:

    Hi Takeshi-San,

    I’m planning a family trip of three (me, my wife and my 3 years old daughter) to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe in next week. We will stay for 8 days near Namba station, Osaka (with the first and last day to/from airport). I am having a hard time finalize my itinerary and whether or not getting the 3 days Kansai Thru Pass, or other one day (Osaka or Kyoto) passes. If you can take a look at my itinerary and give me some suggestions, that would be great.

    Day 1: Arrive at KIX -> hotel near Namba Station
    Day 2: Namba to Nara.
    Day 3: Namba to Kyoto. 金閣寺 -> 龍安寺 -> 仁和寺 -> 京都御苑 -> 平安神宮 (for a special night time cherry blossom view) (use Kansai Thru Pass)
    Day 4: Namba to Kyoto. Kimono fitting experience -> 清水寺 -> 三十三間堂 (use Kansai Thru Pass)
    Day 5: Namba to Kyoto. 伏見稻荷大社 -> 祇園 -> 錦市場 (use Kansai Thru Pass)
    Day 6: Namba to Kobe.
    Day 7: Osaka
    Day 8: Osaka
    Day 9: Airport

    My issue is on Day 3, 4 and 5. Right now I have two options: 1) purhcase JR ticket (for JR Osaka JR Kyoto), and then buy Kyoto one-day pass for bus/subway ride on Day 3, 4, and 5. 2) Use KTP solely. That will take longer time to get to Kyoto, but it should cover most of our travel fee (train/bus) in Osaka and Kyoto on Day 3, 4 and 5.

    Which one do you think is the best way to go?

    Hope to hear from you soon!

    • Hi Daihung,

      I recommend you to use Kansai Thru Pass. Hankyu railway (on the way) and Keihan Railway (way back) are the best way for day 3. Keihan is convenient for day 4 and 5. If you take JR train to get Kyoto, it’s faster between Osaka and Kyoto. But Kyoto station is away from all spots where you want to go. As you think, Kansai thru pass covers all transportation. So Kansai thru pass is the best way.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Daihung says:

        Dear Takeshi san,

        Thank you so much for your quick reply. I will definitely get the KTP when we arrive Osaka next week. I have one more question. I heard that during cherry blossom season, Kyoto is usually pack with tourists and it could be difficult to get on the bus (or even need to wait for a long time due to traffic). Do you have any recommendations for us to get around Kyoto quicker?

        Thanks,
        Daihung

  10. Grace says:

    Hi Takeshi san,

    Thank you so much for taking the time and effort for writing this post! However, I’m still slightly confused and would like to seek your advice regarding how many days of Kansai Thru Pass I should get. I will be spending 2 weeks in Japan:

    Day 1 – 5: Tokyo (with day trip to Hakone)
    Overnight bus to Kyoto
    Day 6: Eastern Kyoto
    Day 7: Arashima, Kyoto
    Day 8: Day trip to Nara from Kyoto
    Day 9: Osaka from Kyoto (Using Kansai Thru Pass)
    Day 10: Osaka
    Day 11: Day trip to Himeji & Kobe from Osaka (using Kansai Thru Pass)
    Day 12: Day trip to Mt. Koya from Osaka (Using Kansai Thru Pass)
    Day 13: Bus back to Tokyo

    Thank you so much for your advice in advance!

    Cheers,
    Grace

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