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.
2013.02.07
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.

Himeji station guide. How to get Himeji castle from the station
Himeji station is the gateway to Himeji castle. There are two stations in Himeji. Those are JR Himeji station and Sanyo-Himeji station. And this station is also the transfer point of the Sanyo Shinkansen and the conventional railway lines. This post shows you the structure of these stations and access to Himeji castle from the station.
jprail.com
2015.07.03

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. Ming says:
    March 18, 2017 at 4:35 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thanks for confirming my ticket choices for my trip in Japan in the other post. I wanted to confirm one thing with you.

    What are the exact lines I’d need to take to get from Osaka to Yoshino? My Hotel will be close to JR Namba. I will be using the Kansai Thru Pass.

    Furthermore, where/when would I need to pay the extra 540 yen for the part that the Kansai Thru Pass does not cover?

    Thanks again!

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      March 18, 2017 at 7:24 am

      Hi Ming,

      Namba (subway Midousuji line) Tennoji / Osakaabenobashi (Kintetu line) Yoshino

      Tennoji and Osakaabenobashi are different name but it’s same location. You can find the signage of “Kitetsu line” when you get Tennoji station by subway. Just follow the sign.

      You can pay for it when you exit Yoshino station. You can show your pass to station staff and you can pay the extra. When you go back, you can purchase a ticket at the vending machine and when you get off at Osakaabenobashi, you can show your pass and pass this extra ticket to the station staff.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Eugene says:
    March 15, 2017 at 11:12 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    I will visiting Osaka this week and will be staying at Nippombashi area. I am planning to go to Kyoto for a day trip to visit Kinkakuji, Arashiyama, Nishiki Market and Fushimi Inari. Which rail pass will be good for us 4 travelling together? I read about the Kansai thru pass but I am not sure if it will be worth taking that for this trip.

    Thank you

  3. Aless Ng says:
    February 4, 2017 at 10:52 am

    HI Takeshi,

    Appreciate if you could give me some advise for my this trip at coming late March to early of April total about 11days.
    As we are very troubled over what pass to purchase will the best way.

    Day 1 :
    Arrive at Tokyo at about afternoon time

    Day 2 & 3: will be going around at Tokyo (should I buy JR pass for 7 days)

    Day 4 : shirakawa go

    Day 5 : himeji, Kobe ( Kansai thru pass)
    Day 6 : mount yoshino
    Day 7 : universal studio

    Day 8 : from Osaka to Hokkaido (plan to take plane , but if you have better advise) will spend about 3 days at Hokkaido

    Day 11: from Hokkaido to Tokyo
    Day 12 : take flight back to my country.

    This above about the overall planning of the route. As would like to seek advise for the better route planning if it too messy ,whether it is more advisable to go shirakawago first or Osaka first. Really appreciate if you could help.

    As for the accommodation will book nearer to the place as soon as we fix the best pass to buy.

    Thanks in advance.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      February 4, 2017 at 6:26 pm

      Hi Aless,

      Before you choose the pass, you need to fix your plan and make sure where you go in Hokkaido.

      Your plan is okay, not messy. Domestic flight is the best way to get Hokkaido from Osaka. It’s too far to get Hokkaido from Osaka. Please see the link below:
      https://jprail.com/destinations/hokkaido-area/how-to-get-sapporo.html

      But if you go Osaka before Shirakawago, you can go back to Tokyo after Shirakawago. You can stay in Tokyo one night and then you can go to Hokkaido by train from Tokyo. If do so, you don’t need to take domestic flight and you can use 14 days JR pass to cover whole part of your trip.

      If you keep current plan and take train to Tokyo on day 11 from Hokkaido, you need 14 days JR pass actually. If you take domestic flight from Hokkaido to Tokyo on day 11, you may need to get another pass for Hokkaido. And also JR Pass 7 days is too expensive for day 2 to 8. Hokuriku Arch Pass is your choice.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/tokyo-osaka-hokuriku-arch-pass-user-guide-clarify-valid-trains-coverage-area-and-compare-single-fare-and-pass.html

      If you save your cost, I recommend you to use 14 days JR pass and take trains to Hokkaido.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Aless says:
        February 20, 2017 at 8:18 pm

        Hi Takeshi,

        Appreciate for your help one the last email, and Sorry for the late replying as was working on the more detail place to visit for the Hokkaido.

        Here finally have decided where to visit in Hokkaido :
        I’m planning to buy Jr Hokkaido for these few days

        1st day – new chitose airport to sapporo

        2nd day – will be visiting at sapporo and otaru, but will go back to stay at Sapporo at night. (Could you tell me where can get the train schedule for sapporo-otaru and otaru -sapporo) so I can decide if it’s possible to rush back to from otaru to sapporo.

        3rd day- from Sapporo to niseko grand hirafu for ski and then stay at hirafu town.

        4th day- from hirafu town to new chitose airport.

        Thank you.

  4. LIM says:
    January 31, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    Hi Takeshi-San,

    We’re booked a trip to Osaka from 3-11 March 2017 and planing to stay at Osaka & will travel to Kyoto & Kobe by train.
    Any suggestion for 8 days trip & most important that my wife & daughter prefer to have 2 days shopping & enjoy good food.

  5. Joe Pan says:
    January 20, 2017 at 3:27 pm

    Hi Takeshi-San,
    I know that the Kyoto sea area pass is terminated, do you know any other pass available or a new one coming for the amanohashidate, maizuru and ine area?
    Thanks Takeshi-San

  6. Wiz says:
    December 24, 2016 at 4:43 am

    Hi Takeshi San! You have been very helpful in all your suggestions. There are so many things learnt by just reading the comments and replies. Thank you for all your help.

    My family and I will be exploring the Kansai region this January and we plan to go to Biwako Valley. I would just like to ask what is the cheapest way to get there and if there are passes like Kanto Wide Area pass which includes the Gala Yuzawa attraction.

    Another question is can I use the visitor’s pass to go to Minoh park. Thank you so much.

  7. Chen says:
    December 18, 2016 at 6:17 pm

    Hi, I want to ask. Which pass should I get for the itinerary. It happens that I will visit Japan during Golden Week. (How it will be around Kansai are? Crowded?)

    Day 1:
    KIX – Namba (drop bags) – Kobe – Mt Rokko – Arima (I want to go to Arima with the mountain cable car )

    Day 2:
    Arima – Kobe – Katsura Villa – Arashiyama – Kyoto St (hotel near Kyoto St)

    Day 3:
    Kyoto (gion, fushimi inari, etc) 1 day whole in Kyoto. If you have suggestions for best route

    Day 4:
    Kyoto – Nara (Nara Park, temple around, any places for suggestion?)
    Back to Osaka Namba at evening

    Day 5:
    Namba – Kaiyukan – Umeda – shopping spots ? (Any idea for best route?)

    Day 6:
    USJ whole day

    Day 7:
    Back to KIX

    Please advise 🙂

    I was thinking to use :

    Hanshin to Kobe, Hankyu to Kyoto, Kintetsu for Kyoto Nara Osaka and Osaka Amazing Pass. Is it better use Kansai Thru pass or buy hanshin hankyu kintetsu pass separately?

    Thanks

  8. Nicole says:
    December 12, 2016 at 3:44 am

    Hi Takeshi san,

    I’ll be traveling to Osaka this Friday. The details of my itinerary as follows:

    ~ 3 adults, 3 kids above 7 years old, 2 kids below 5 years old
    ~ Through out this 9-day trip we’ll also stay in Osaka, an apartment in Dotonbouri, near Nippombashi station.
    ~ Will plan for day trip to Kyoto and Nara from Osaka

    ~ Day 1 (Sat) tour around Dotonbouri and Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade
    ~ Day 2 (Sun) Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Osaka Castle
    ~ Day 3 (Mon) Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade, Amerikamura
    ~ Day 4 (Tues) Day tour to Kyoto. Plan to visit Kiyomizudera Temple No Gion
    ~ Day 5 (Wed) Day tour to Nara. Plan to visit Todaiji Temple and Nara Park
    ~ Day 6 (Thurs) Universal Studios Japan
    ~ Day 7 (Fri) Join Victor, a day trip by bus to Biwako Valley Ski Resort
    ~ Day 8 (Sat) Umeda Sky Building and Dotonbouri
    ~ Day 9 (Sun) Leaving Osaka

    Appreciate your advice which Pass shall we purchase during this 9-day trip (e.g. Kansai Thru Pass, Kansai Wide Area, JR Pass or ICOCA card)? Or combination of any of these Pass + ICOCA card or pay single trip fare?

    Looking forward to your reply, thank you!

    Nic

  9. Richmond says:
    November 24, 2016 at 6:11 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I just got back from Tokyo last month, and i loved it so much! Now im planning to visit Kyoto and Osaka. Regarding the Kansai Thru Pass, does it cover only the ride from Kansai Airport to Osaka/Namba? or it can cover all the way to Kyoto? Here is a draft of my itinerary

    Day 1:
    Arrival at Kansai around 11:30AM
    Depart for Kyoto using Kansai Thru Pass
    Fushima Inari Shrine and
    Kiyomuzi-dera
    Gion for dinner

    Day 2:
    Early visit to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
    Golden Pavilion
    – any more suggestion to visit?
    4PM – Depart for Osaka
    Dotonburi at night
    Any place worth visiting at night?

    Day 3:
    Osaka Castle and Park
    Umeda Sky Building
    Shitennoji
    Around Namba
    Shinshaibashi at night

    Day 4
    free time
    9AM Depart for Kansai Airport for 1:30PM flight.

    Do you recommend us to get the Kansai Thru Pass?

    Thanks,

    Richmond-san

  10. ira says:
    October 23, 2016 at 9:36 pm

    hi tajeshi,
    i need your advises..
    i will travel at the end of november.

    day 1-arrived at kansai airport at 8.30 am.going to kyoto using haraku limited express. i stay at i am home guesthouse(maybe around arashimaya..i will visit arashimaya, kinkakuji and nijo castle
    Day 2-fushi inari/uji/nara(using kansai thru pass 2 day)
    Day3 -kyoto to namba osaka(using OAP)osaka castle,ferris wheel,
    Day 4-Naniwanoyu/Tenjimbashisuji Tsukenkaku/Shitenoji Temple
    Shinsaibashi area
    Nipponbashi Den Den Town
    Tennoji Park
    (using OAP)
    Day 5 -osaka to kobe
    what pass i use?
    Day 6-osaka to kansai airport(using Kansai 1 pass)

    it is ok i using this all pass?
    thanks in advance

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