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
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
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
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
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 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
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
Hi Takeshi-san,
May I know how to use Kansai Thru Pass to go Himeji from Kansai Airport? If i arrive KIX at 9.30am, what is the route and train that should use for me to go Himeji? My plan is go Himeji and Kokoen only. Please help to advise.
As always, thanks for your great support rendered.
Best regards,
PP
Hi PP san,
Take Nankai railway train from KIX to Namba. And then follow the itinerary to Himeji in the post above. Train runs very frequently.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/namba-stations-guide-how-to-change-the-trains-among-nankai-kintetsu-hanshin-subway-and-jr.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/himeji-station-guide-how-to-get-himeji-castle-from-the-station.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I would like to know if I shud purchase the Kansai thru pass. We r just going round Osaka and USJ. Is this the best choice of card to purchase?
Hi Camelia,
Kansai Thru Pass is too much and too expensive for the trip in Osaka only. You may use Osaka city deal. You can find it in the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html#Osaka_area
If you intend to spend one full day in USJ, you don’t need to use any pass for this day. Just single fare is okay.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Mr. Takeshi,
What passes do you recommend in this Itinerary?
Day 1- Osaka City tour & Himeji Castle
Day 2- Kyoto (Gion, Fushimi Inari,Arashimaya,Philosopher’s path, Ginkakuji temple,Kinkakuji temple, Maruyama Park)
Day 3- Dotonburi, City tour
Day 4- Universal studios
Thanks in advance 🙂
Hi Anne,
Kansai thru pass for day 1 and 2
Single ticket or subway pass for day 3
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html
Single ticket is okay for day 4
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much for the help Mr. Takeshi! 🙂
No problem, Anne.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I need your advise whether i need to purchase Kansai Thru Pass & Haruka & Icoca Card? My trip will be 7 days and covered Osaka, Kyoto and Nara. I will consider to buy Osaka Amazing Pass for 2 days as i need to covered on my day 5&6 in Osaka.
Day 1
KLIA 2 – Kansai Airport KIX D7 534
(1500-2225)
Remark: Purchase Osaka Amazing Pass 2 days consecutive at 2F
KIX to Nagaharibashi by Nankai Railway (local train) Last Bus 23:45pm
• Nankai Line – stop at Tengchaya Station (31 mins & 7 stops) – change line to Sakaisuji Line Tengchaya Station K20 — direct to Nagahoribashi Station K16
Day 2 Nara
Shinsaibashi & Namba & Dottonbori
Day 3 Kyoto
Day 4 Kyoto
Day 5 Aqualiner 60 mins river cruise (10am)
Osaka Castle Musuem
Osaka Castle Nishinomaru Garden
Osaka Museum of History
Lunch @ Naniwa Food Theme Park
Board the Santa Maria Cruise (45 mins)
Aquarium Kaiyukan
Walk around Tempozan Marketplace
Day 6 Umeda Sky Building
Tstenkaku
Shinsekai
Five Ferris Wheel (sunset, 430pm)
Day 7 RINKU PREMIUM OUTLET
KIX- KLIA2 D7537
(1655-2255)
Thank You.
Cheers.
Nicole
Hi Nicole,
Kansai thru pass is more recommended for day 2 to 4. ICOCA and Haruka cannot be purchased because of late arrival. Even if you can purchase it, it’s not the perfect deal for you.
If you are okay with transfer from Nankai to subway at Namba, you can use the following deal:
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/chikatoku.html
But if you use this, you have to transfer one more time at Shinsaibashi or Nihonbashi because this deal allows you to change the train from Nankai to subway at Namba only. You can change the subway lines as many as you want.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
My friends and I will be going to Osaka next month.
Can you please help out what train pass should i buy with below itinerary?
Day 1: arrival at Kansai airport then go to Nagahoribashi
Day 2: kyoto sightseeing
Day 3: universal studios
Day 4: osaka sightseeing then fly out in the evening
Thank you so much! 🙂
Hi Rizsa,
Kansai thru pass can cover your trip in day 2 and 4.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Single fare is okay for day 3. You may use one of the deals for day 1 a the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Good afternoon Mr Takeshi
My family of 4 are going to Osaka n coming back from Narita Airport for 11 days 10 nights. I would like to seek your advice on our itinerary in Osaka n Kyoto below:
14 Feb – Arrive Kansai airport @ 1540hrs
– Airport to Namba Subway
– Check in to our accommodation near Namba subway
– Dotonbori
15 Feb – travel to Wakayama
– visit Kuroshio Ichihara mkt n Kishi Stn for “Tama” station master
– go back Namba n visit Shinsaibashi
16 Feb – Osaka Castle
– Nissin Ramen Museum
– Asahi Brewery
– Umeda Street/ floating Gdn
17 Feb – Kuromon Ichiba
– Shitennoji Temple
– Nara
18 Feb – Osaka to Kyoto
– check in to our accommodation near Kyoto station
– kiyomizu temple, fushimi inari shine, Gion
19 Feb – Kyoto
– Arashiyama, bamboo forest, kinkaku-hi temple, pontocho
I would like to know
1) if the above itinerary is ok, in terms of the route arrangement, do I need to change the sequence?
2) it’s worth buying the Kansai Thru pass or just single trip ticket to places that we are visiting?
3) How about the ICOCA card?
4) Should I buy the Yokoso Osaka ticket for 1500 yen from Kansai airport on the arrival? The card comes with 1 day pass using subway n buses. Can I use it on the second day in Osaka? If possible, I will switch my day 3 itinerary to day 2.
After Osaka, we will travel to Kyoto for 2 nights n go to Tokyo on 20 Feb by Shinkansen. We will do a day trip to Mt Fuji on 21 feb n free n easy at Tokyo on 22 n 23 feb n we will go back to Kuala Lumpur from Narita Airport on 24 Feb morning.
Looking forward to your reply. Thanks
Best regards
Khim
Hi Khim,
1. Looking good. Your plan is very organized.
2. You can use Kansai thru pass for Feb 16, 17 and 18. And you need to switch Feb 15 and 16.
3. You may use ICOCA for taking trains. But it does not give you any discount.
4. You may use Yokoso ticket for day 1 (to Namba) and day 2 (subway unlimited ride). But as I mentioned above, you need to change Feb 15 and 16. Wakayama must be covered by Kansai thru pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you Mr Takeshi for your advice.
For my itinerary on 19 Feb at Arashiyama, will I be fully covered if I buy Kyoto day pass or shd I just buy single trip ticket?
For Mt Fuji day trip from Tokyo, noted that there are highway buses departure from Shinjuku to Lake Kawaguchi, do u think this is a better option as compare to taking JR train which need to transfer at Otsuki?
Thanks again for your time and advice.
Hi Khim,
It’s covered by Kyoto deal. But if you want to get Arashiyama easily, take Kefiuku Railway from Uzumasa-Tenjigawa. You can transfer from subway there. You also can take bus that is covered by the deal at Uzumasa-Tenjingawa. But Keifuku railway is faster.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Mr Takeshi for your advice!
No problem, Khim.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, we’ll be going to Osaka on the 19th and I saw in your post that it is possible to go to Nara and Fushimi inari. If I may ask, is it ideal to go to Nara > Fushimi Inari > Kobe (Chinatown)? If so, do you know what train station to ride going from Fushimi Inari to Kobi using the Kansai Thru Pass? Thank you!!
Hi Caryl,
It’s not impossible but very tight because Kobe is located other side of Osaka from Nara and Fushimi.
Please find the map in the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html#Private_Railways_in_Kansai_area
You need to take Keihan (Fushimi Inari-Yodoyabashi), Subway (Yodoyabashi-Umeda) and Hanshin (Umeda-Motomachi). All trains are covered by Kansai thru pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, thanks for that wonderful insight. I forgot to ask, from Nagahoribashi in Osaka, is it better if we go to Fushimi Inari first before Nara or should it be the other way around? Then we go to Kobe after.
Thanks!
Caryl
Hi Caryl,
If you can, Fushimi is first. Because some of Kintetsu railway train from Nara go to Kobe-Sannomiya directly through Hashin railway truck.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html#Kintetsu_Railway
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I just finished doing some research on Nara and found out that the Wakakusa Yamayaki Festival will take place on the same day that we plan to go! What a coincidence, right? So I tweaked our itinerary a bit and went from Nagahoribashi > Kobe > Fushimi Inari > Nara > Back to Nagahoribashi. Do you think it is still doable still using kansai thru pass and what do you think should we ride from one place to another? Still very overwhelmed by the stations in Japan! Thank you so much for this!
Caryl
Hi Caryl,
Anything is possible as long as you are okay with very tight schedule.
As I mentioned, Kobe and Nara are connected directly by Kintetsu-Hanshin railways. These two rail companies share the track. You need to change the train twice from Kobe to Fushimi, at Namaba and Yodoyabashi. But if you want to do it, it’s no choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Mr Takeshi!
I am so thankful for your post but I am still in the dark if I my choice to buy the Kansai Thru Pass is the right decision.
I will be arriving to Osaka this coming week and my first accommodation is in Chuo-ku nishishinsaibashi .
Second day we will spend the entire day in Universal Studios and the third day we plan to use the Kansai Thru Pass to go to
1.Mitsui Outlet Park
2. Himeji Castle
3. Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden and ropeway
The fourth day with the Pass would be spent in Osaka
1. Osaka Castle Park
2. Flower Expo Memorial Park Tsurumi Ryokuchi
3.HATTORI RYOKUCHI PARK
5. Taisha Shrine
6. Umeda Building
and the fifth day we will pack up and go to our next accomodation in Yamashina Kyoto and plan to venture out to Nara and the surrounding Kyoto using the pass as well.
Are the places mentioned above worth buying the Kansai Thru Pass sir?
Thank you so much for your time and attention. Appreciate it.
Hi Wiz,
You don’t need to use Kansai thru pass for 4th day. Enjoy Eco card at 800 yen is enough.
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/library/english/img/obj_con02.pdf
Hatori ryokuchi is outside coverage area and need to add the fare to Ryokuchikoen station. But it’s only 90 yen for one way.
So you can use Kansai thru pass 2 days for 2nd day and 5th day.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi again Takeshi san!
Thank you for your reply which came in due time. I am leaving for Osaka tomorrow! I could not trace back my comment earlier, so I hope you do not mind me writing a new one here.
You advised me to use Kansai Thru Pass for two days. I planned to buy the three day pass. Thank you for suggesting the Eco Card, it is a great saver!
If I were to buy the three day pass, do you think it is worth the value for me to use the last day of the pass to explore Kyoto eg Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji Temple, Togetsu-kyo Bridge, Sagano Bamboo Grove, Philosopher’s Path and Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine. All the places are in random order, by the way.
Or does kyoto offer something like the Osaka Eco card for tourists.
Again, thank you so much Takeshi san. Your posts and your comments have been so helpful to me and to many others. May the generosity and the kindness that you have shown be returned to you many many folds. :o)
Hi Wiz san,
You can go for 3 days. Because Kyoto has same type offer, Kyoto sightseeing card. But it’s 1200 yen for one day. It’s same value as the difference between 3 days and 2 days pass. And Kansai thru pass covers more.
Please find more info at 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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for your superb post! Everything is now clear to me.
I am intending to buy the Kansai Thru Pass for my family and me. My family is temporary tourists but I am a ryu-gakusei. As I saw in Kansai official site, I can also buy the same Thru Pass as my family since I will be considered there “guide”, is it right? I want to use the pass on separate days like Mon-Wed-Fri but I am not sure if a ryugakusei together with his family can buy such ticket?
Hi Triet,
Yes. You can use same pass with your family and separate days as you like.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, Takeshi-san!
I am thinking of 2 ways to tour Kyoto. One is the one you suggested above under the Kyoto highlight. However, I noticed that Nijo Castle is not included in that list.
Do you think this itinerary is possible?
1. Shin-Osaka (Osaka Subway Midosuji Line) Yodoyabashi (Keihan Ltd Exp train) Shichijo / Kiyomizu-Gojo / Gion-Shijo / Sanyo
-Higashima, Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizudera and Gion
2. Gion-Shijo (Keihan) Sanyo (Kyoto Subway) Karasuma Oike (Kyoto SUbway) Nijojo-Mae
– Nijo Castle
3. Nijojo-Mae (kyoto Subway) Karasuma Oike (Kyoto Subway) Kitaoji (Kyoto bus # 101, #102, or M1) Kinkakujido
– Kikakuji Temple
4. Kinkakujido (Kyoto City bus) Kitano-Hakubaicho (Keifuku Railway) Katabiranotsuji (Keifuku Railway) Arashiyama
– Arashiyama
5. Arashiyama (Hankyu train) Katsura (Hankyu train) Minamikata (Osaka subway Midosuji line) Shin-Osaka
– Is this possible?
Do you think this tour is possible? Or should I just skip Nijo Castle and follow you itinerary? I will be availing of the Kansai Thru pass.
Thank you very much!
Michelle
Hi Michelle san,
Yes. You can do it. I think you understand it will be very busy trip. As long as you understand it, anything is possible!
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Mr. Takeshi,
Thanks for all the brilliant work you’re doing explaining! I never knew there were so many different rail lines in Japan!
I would like your advice. I will be visiting Osaka for four days and was planning on purchasing a Kansai Thru Pass for 3 days.
Day 1:
Arrive at Kansai International Airport. Head to Osaka, (Shin-Osaka Station area), unpack and see the sights, have dinner, etc.
Day 2:
Head up to Kyoto to sightsee and come back to Osaka around evening time.
Day 3:
Universal Studios Day
Day 4:
Sightsee Osaka, go shopping, and head back to Kansai airport in the evening.
I understand if I purchase the Kansai Thru Pass, I should be good for 3 days, so I’m planning on using it for Day 1, 2, and 4 when I’m heading out of Osaka. And I am thinking of getting an all day Osaka pass for Day 3 when I’m staying in the city for Universal Studios.
I’m confused about whether the Kansai Thru Pass can be used for the Limited Haraku Line from the airport to the city. So it can’t be used? And am I correct in understanding that the Kansai Thru Pass can’t be used within Osaka on her subway lines?
Thanks for taking the time to provide advice. I really appreciate it!
Hi Sang,
I recommend you to use ICOCA and Haruka instead of Kansai thru pass. If you use Kansai thru pass, you cannot take Haruka because it’s JR. JR is not covered by Kansai thru pass. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks so much for your advice! Will look into it!
Sangbin
No problem, Sangbin.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com