There are JR lines and lots of private railway lines, such as Hankyu, Hanshin, Kintetsu and Keihan in Kansai area. There are so many kinds of ticket or passes as well. It makes you confused to choose it.
In this post, I would like to share the information about the discount tickets and passes that cover Kansai area.
- Kansai Thru Pass
- JR West Rail Pass – Kansai Area Pass
- Hankyu Tourist Pass one day and two days
- Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass one day and two days
- Kintetsu Rail Pass one day and two days
- Hanshin Tourist Pass
- Kansai Wide Area Pass
- ICOCA and Kansai One Pass
- For traveler who use national or regional pass
- For the traveler who stay in Kyoto or Osaka and visit inside city only
Kansai Thru Pass
- Online purchasing price (2-day) – Adult : 4,300 yen / Child : 2,150 yen
- Online purchasing price (3-day) – Adult : 5,300 yen / Child : 2,650 yen
- Coverage – All Non JR lines, subway lines and city bus in whole part of Kansai area
- Valid period – 2 or 3 days (not required using in consecutive days)
This is the most recommend one. This pass includes all major private lines and subway lines, such as Hankyu, Hanshin, Keihan, Kintetsu, Nankai, Osaka Metro and Kyoto Subway. You can access Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, Mt. Koya, Kansai airport, Wakayama and many more place. This pass is sold at 5,300 yen for 3-days and 4,300 yen for 2 days. It gives you the greatest value in any railway pass of Kansai area. But if you think about only round trip between Kyoto and Osaka, the regular fare may be cheaper. Please see the details at the post in the link below:
JR West Rail Pass – Kansai Area Pass
- Price (1-day) – Adult : 2,200 yen / Child : 1,100 yen
- Price (2-day) – Adult : 4,300 yen / Child : 2,150 yen
- Price (3-day) – Adult : 5,300 yen / Child : 2,650 yen
- Price (4-day) – Adult : 6,300 yen / Child : 3,150 yen
- Coverage – All JR railway lines in whole part of Kansai area
- Valid period – 1 to 4 days (midnight to midnight)
This pass includes most of JR lines in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe, Himeji and Kansai airport. But the Shinkansen and all express trains are not covered except Kansai airport express “Haruka”. Please see the details about this pass in the link below:
Hankyu Tourist Pass one day and two days
- Price (1-day) – Adult : 700 yen / Child:Not available
- Price (2-day) – Adult : 1,200 yen / Child:not available
- Coverage – All Hankyu railway lines
- Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight) and two days (must be used in consecutive days)
Hankyu Railway operates trains among Umeda (Osaka), Takarazuka, Kawaramachi (Kyoto near Gion), Arashiyama (Kyoto) and Kobe (Sannomiya). The price of this deal is very attractive to cover three cities, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. If you access to Kobe-Sannomiya from Umeda, single fare is 320 yen. If you access to Kyoto-Kawaramachi from Umeda, single fare is 400 yen. You can get the worth of one day pass by one round trip to Kyoto-Kawaramachi from Umeda. If you look for deal to access to just Kobe, Arashiyama and Gion area, this is a good choice.
But if you want to visit all part of Kyoto and many places in Kobe, Kansai Thru Pass is better choice. Because you have to take other train or bus than Hankyu Railway. Kansai Thru Pass covers all.
Please see the link below to find more information:
Hankyu Railway official site- Hankyu Tourist Pass
Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass one day and two days
- Price (1-day) – Adult : 700 yen / Child : 350 yen
- Price (2-day) – Adult : 1,000 yen / Child : 700 yen
- Coverage – All Keihan railway lines
- Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight) and two days (must be used in consecutive days)
Keihan Railway connects Yodoyabashi (Osaka) and Demachiyanagi (Kyoto). It covers Kyoto and Osaka only but the price is cheaper than Hankyu Tourist Pass. And many places in Kyoto are located along Keihan Railway. Fushimi Inari shrine, Uji, Kiyomizu-dera temple and many places in Higashiyama area can be accessed from Keihan Railway stations.
This pass has same issue as Hankyu Tourist Pass. You may have to take subway to get Keihan Railway station in Osaka, such as Yodoyabashi, Nakanoshima, Kitahama, Temmabashi and Kyobashi. And when you visit western part of Kyoto, such as Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji temple, you have to pay extra to access this place. Kansai Thru Pass may be better choice if you have another trip(s).
Please see the link below to find more information about Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass:
Keihan Railway official site – Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass
Kintetsu Rail Pass one day and two days
- Price (1-day) – Adult : 1,500 yen / Child : 750 yen
- Price (2-day) – Adult : 2,500 yen / Child : 1,250 yen
- Coverage – All Keihan railway lines
- Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight) and two days (must be used in consecutive days)
This deals covers Kintetsu Railway in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara.
In Nara, many of places can be accessed by walk from the station. But this deal can take you to Kyoto station only You cannot use this deal to access to most of places in Kyoto.
Please see the link below to find more information about Kintetsu Rail Pass:
Kintetsu Railway official site – Kintetsu Rail Pass
Hanshin Tourist Pass
- Price – Adult:700 yen / Child:Not available
- Coverage – All Hanshin railway lines
- Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight)
Hanshin Railway operate trains among Umeda (Osaka), Osaka-Namba, Kousoku-Kobe and Kobe (Sannomiya). The price of this deal is very attractive. If you access to Kobe-Sannomiya from Osaka-Nmaba, single fare is 410 yen. It is paid off by just one round trip. If you look for deal to access to just Kobe, this is the one for your trip.
However if you access to Arima-Onsen and/or Himeji, Kansai Thru Pass or Kansai Area Pass may be better choice.
Please see the link below to find more information about Hanshin Tourist Pass:
Hanshin Railway official site – Hanshin Tourist Pass
Kansai Wide Area Pass
If you may travel both inside and outside of Kansai area, Kansai Wide Area Pass is the best choice. You can get same coverage as Kansai area pass in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji and Wakayama. And also this pass covers Kinosaki Onsen, Shirahama, Kii-Katsuura, Shingu, Okayama, Kurashiki and even Takamatsu in Shikoku. You can take non reserved seat on limited express trains and Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Okayama. Please find more information in the post below:
ICOCA and Kansai One Pass
![ICOCA is most popular IC card in Kansai area. (C) タンジェント (own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/blue-works.com/jprail/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ICOCA_NEW_CARD-600x387.jpg?resize=600%2C387)
You may use these cards to take any trains and buses in all Kansai area. You can use even other area’s card, such as Suica, Pasmo too. These cards give you convenience. You can avoid to purchase a ticket whenever you make a train trip. You can take any kinds of trains, such as JR, subway and Non JR trains. However these cards do not give you any discount and unlimited ride.
If you meet these following things, IC card is your choice.
1. You intend to visit a few places in a day.
2. You need to take several kinds of trains and buses, like subway, Hankyu, Keihan, JR.
3. You cannot fix your plan and want to have some flexibility.
However if you have day trip to other cities, such as day trip to Kyoto from Osaka, Kansai Thru Pass or Kansai Area Pass is better choice in most of cases.
Kansai One Pass
This is same type of card as ICOCA. You can use this pass by same way as ICOCA. But this card is designed for overseas tourist. Preload amount is 2,500 yen (plus 500 yen deposit and sold at 3,000 yen) and you can get discount at many attractions. ICOCA is sold at any JR stations throughout Kansai area. But Kansai One Pass is sold in the designated stations only. Please see the link below to find the detailed information at official site.
For traveler who use national or regional pass
If you use JR pass (national pass) or other regional deal, such as Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, JR train network in Kansai area is covered. You may have same or better coverage than Kansai Wide Area Pass. If you use these passes, please try to use this pass as much as you can. I think you may add only city deal, such as bus pass in Kyoto.
For the traveler who stay in Kyoto or Osaka and visit inside city only
These above deals are too much for the city sightseeing only. You may find the deals in the links below:
How to choose the best train pass for sightseeing in Kyoto
How to choose the best train pass for sightseeing in Osaka
I hope you get the best deal in this post and enjoy your trip in Kansai area.
Comments
Hi Takeshi-san,
I would like to seek your advice on my itinerary.
Start off from my hotel in Shin-Osaka in the morning and take the JR Kosei line to Hieizan-Sakamoto station via Kyoto. I am planning to go up to Mt Hieizan for koyo. I would like to stroll around leisurely and appreciate the colors.
My question is if half a day trip is sufficient for Mt Hieizan. Will it be a rush for me to go to Shugakuin Imperial villa in the afternoon?
You recommended Kurama and Kibune shrine which is along the Eizan line for koyo. Is it better to visit this place on another day or make my trip after the Shugakuin villa?
Thank you.
Lim
Hi Lim,
It’s possible. But when you go to Shugaukuin after Hieizan, take Eizan ropeway and Eizan cable car to get Yase. Shugakuin is only 3 stations away from Yase by Eizan railway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi San,
My friend and I will travel to osaka this wednesday. Below is our plans during at Osaka.Hope you can advice train pass that can we buy.
Day 1- touchdown KIX(825 am) to hotel at Namba then trip to Nara
Day 2- Trip to Kyoto
Day 3 – Trip to Mt Koya
Day 4- Trib to kobe then to Airport( our flight at 11.35pm)
Appreciate if you can advice the transportation there.. Many thanx
Hi Filea san,
Use Kansai Thru Pass for Day 1, 2 and 4. You can purchase it at KIX.
For Day 3, you can use Koyasan World Heritage ticket.
http://www.nankaikoya.jp/en/stations/ticket.html
You can purchase it at Nankai Namba station.
Cheers.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-san,
Thank you for your advice on Lake Biwa. We’ll heed your advice and spend a few days in Kyoto, including a day trip to Arashiyama.
I’ve heard that Koyasan in Wakayama is famous for its autumn colors. I would like to ask you a few questions,
1) Are we too late for the autumn colors at Koyasan since we’re arriving in Japan on 20 November?
2) Is it advisable to make a day trip to Koyasan from my hotel in Shin Osaka or it is better to stay overnight at Wakayama?
3) I’m wondering if it is feasible to take a day trip and do the whole kii peninsular round trip for the scenery along the coast. Is the scenery along the coast fantastic in November? Do I have time to visit the Nachi Waterfalls?
Thank you.
Lim
Hi Lim,
1. Usually end of OCT to the beginning of Nov is peak.
2. Shin-Osaka is much better to access. Wakayama is not a right choice.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-get-mt-koya.html
3. It is scenic route but I don’t have any info about autumn color leaves along the line. I think it is too far to get Nachi from Osaka in day trip. It takes 4 hours to get there by train.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-get-mt-koya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-san,
I’ll be going to Japan with my wife this coming autumn for 10 days (20 Nov – 30 Nov). We’re nature lovers and are very excited with the change of colours of the maple leaves. The fall foliage looks breathtaking!
I’ve been doing a fair amount of research and have worked out a rough itinerary and I would like to seek your advice on a few issues.
We’re arriving at Kansai Airport in the morning and staying at a hotel in Shin Osaka. My questions are:
1) Is it worth the effort to travel to Otsu for a day trip or even spend a night there? Is Lake Biwa scenic in autumn?
2) How about Hikon? Should we make a day trip there for koyo?
3) I’ve read about these 2 famous koyo spots in Kyoto, Shugakuin and Kastura-in-Rikyu and is considering of replacing the visit to Imperial Palace with these 2 places. What do you think? Is it difficult for foreigners to apply for the visit to these 2 places?
Thank you.
Lim
Hi Lim,
Lake Biwa is not a right place to see Fall color leaves. Hikone is a nice city to visit Hikone castle. But mostly autumn color leaves can be see in mountain side. There are not much color leaves along lake shore.
I recommend you to spend much more time in Kyoto instead of Lake Biwa.
Shugakuin is located at completely other side of Katsurarikyu. You can visit both place in one day if you want. But it will be very busy. There are many more places in Kyoto to visit. Kurama or Kibune shrine is nice place and closed to Syugakuin. Arashiyama is a big name to visit in Kyoto and closed to Katsurarikyu. Kyoto is the best place to see the color leaves. You can see more info at the following link:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi
My partner and I are having a ten day break in the Kansai area next month. We plan stay a few nights in Osaka, 2 in Nara then finishing up with 4 nights in Kyoto . I’m thinking that the one way IOCA & Huraka would be the best option rather than the thru pass or JR West pass : I was wondering if you thought that would that be right or could suggest a better option ?
Regards
Morag
Hi Morag,
I think ICOCA and Haruka is the best option too. But why don’t you use round trip ticket. It’s valid for 2 weeks and Haruka is the best and the fastest way to get KIX from Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thank you Takeshi. I wasn’t sure if I could use the round trip because I’m going to Osaka from the airport then will return to the airport from Kyoto
Morag
No problem, Morag.
Enjoy your trip.
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-san,
Very helpful and nice of you to write this website! Two of my friends and I are going to Japan from Hong Kong in mid May. There are so many transportation passes which makes me confused. May I seek your advise on the transportation and which pass is good for us? Here’s our itinerary:
May 11 Land 名古屋 => 高山
May 12 高山 => 白川鄉 (check around 高山 in the morning, then go to 白川鄉)
May 13 白川鄉 => 高山 (take our luggages) => 京都
May 14 京都 (plan to go 嵯峨野嵐山)
May 15 京都 => 大阪梅田 (check around at 京都 as there’s a festival 葵祭)
May 16 大阪 => 南紀白浜
May 17 南紀白浜 => 大阪梅田
May 18 大阪 => 泉佐野市 (check around at 大阪 and go to Rinku outlet in the afternoon)
May 19 泉佐野市 => 關西空港 (early flight to leave for Hong Kong)
Here comes my questions:
1) Our flight will land at 1510. Should we travel from the airport/名古屋 to 高山 by JR, JR+Nohi Bus or Limited Express Wide View Hida?
2) Again, from 高山 to 京都, should we take JR, JR+Nohi Bus (via 名古屋) or Limited Express Wide View Hida?
3) For the two days in 京都, should we get a bus/metro pass?
4) For round trip between 大阪 and 南紀白浜, should we take railway or 明光高速バス?
5) Is there any pass which fits our itinerary above?
Many thanks in advance!
Mavis
Hi Mavis,
1. It takes only 30 minutes to get Nagoya by Meitetsu train. As long as you arrive on time, you can get Takayama.
Sample schedule
17:06 apt – (meitetsu) – 17:35 Nagoya 17:43 – (Wide View Hida 17) 20:18 Takayama
This is the best connection. But it will be very tight at Nagoya. You should take one earlier train from airport.
2. Wide View Hida and Shinkansen. See “5” below.
3. It depends on your wish list and your hotel location. If you take subway/bus more than 5 times a day, pass may be cheaper.
4. Ltd Exp Kuroshio is the best. see “5” below.
5. I think these following combination is suitable for your trip.
Single ticket from Chubu airport to Nagoya by Meitetsu.
Hidaji Free Kippu for Nagoya-Takayama round trip
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/tickets/value/hidaji/index.html
Single ticket for Shirakawago
Single ticket for Nagoya-Kyoto by Shinkansen
Single ticket or day pass in Kyoto on May 14
Kansai Wide Area Pass for May 15-18 or May 16-19.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/the-newest-jr-west-rail-pass-for-kansai-and-okayama-kurashiki-kinosakai-and-shingu-area-kansai-wide-area-pass.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-san,
Just a note to say thank you. Thanks very much for your useful advice! We had a very good time in Japan. With the pass and all that, it saved us much costs and it’s very convenient! Appreciated your dedicated efforts in maintaining this website and answering people’s questions. You are great! Thanks again! We’ll love to come to Japan again! 🙂
Mavis
Hi Mavis san,
I’m very happy to hear from you. There are many more places in Japan where you MUST see. 🙂
Please travel Japan again. I hope my website will help you for your next trip to Japan.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi San. Could I ask your advice please on what you consider would be the best rail pass. My family (4 adults) will arrive at Kansai International late in the evening on 6JUL13. We will stay at Universal Port. From 6JUL to 13JUL we would like to see sights in Osaka, Kyota, maybe Nara and will travel to Hiroshima. On 13JUL we will travel by train to Tokyo and be in Tokyo until 18JUL. We will sight see in Tokyo and also Mt Fuji. What do you think is the best rail pass for me. Trying to work out whether I should get a 7 day Japan Rail pass for 7JUL-13JUL, or would I be better off getting a 14 day pass for our whole time in Japan, or would it be better to get a regional pass for Kansai and pay for train to Tokyo as single tickets. Thankyou for you help.
Hi John,
As long as you will use 7 days pass for round trip to Hiroshima from Osaka and trip to Tokyo, it will work. But 14 days pass is too much. If you use only one way trip to Tokyo and trip to Fuji in 7 days, it will not be enough. Try to squeeze both Hiroshima and Tokyo part in 7 days. And you may use other regional deals for staying in Kansai area.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi San
I’m traveling to Osaka with my family (2 adults 2 kids – 11 years old and 7 years old) in 22/11/13. I would like to visit Kyoto, Nara and Kobe. Below is my draft itinerary, hope you can advice what type of train and tickets should I buy…
Day 1 – touch down Kansai Airport at 7am. Go to Kyoto
Day 2 – from Kyoto to Nara or Kobe for day trip
Day 3 – from Kyoto to Kobe or Nara for day trip
Day 4 – Kyoto
Day 5 – Kyoto to Osaka (likely staying at Namba area)
Day 6 – Osaka
Day 7 – Osaka
Day 8 – leaving Osaka in the morning
May I know from Kyoto go to Kobe and Nara is easier or staying in Osaka and go to Kobe and Nara for day trip is more convenient? In terms of transportation and time.
Appreciate very much for your advice…
Thanks in advance.
Hi Sara san,
Please see the following link:
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
Osaka is located between Kyoto and Kobe. So Kobe is more accessible from Osaka.
Nara can be accessed from both Kyoto and Osaka.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-access-to-nara-by-japan-rail-pass-if-you-dont-use-jr-pass-kintetsu-railway-is-more-convenient.html
On arrival day, I recommend you to use JR Express “Haruka”. This is only train that goes to Kyoto directly. Especially you will travel with you kids. Try to make it as easy as possible. You have to take taxi, bus or subway to get your hotel. But Haruka is the easiest anyway. You can purchase ICOCA and Haruka at KIX.
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/icoca-haruka/
This ticket includes ICOCA e-money. You can use it for access to Nara, Kobe or transfer to Osaka from Kyoto by JR train.
There are other deals, like Kansai Thru Pass, as you have read above. But you have to travel lots, otherwise you cannot get the worth.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/kansai-thru-pass-sample-itineraries.html
So these passes may not be suitable for your trip. ICOCA and Haruka is your choice first of all. And then you can purchase subway pass in Kyoto or Osaka as you need.
But if you intend to visit many places in one day, Kansai Thru Pass or JR West Kansai Area Pass will be your choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi San
Thanks for the reply.
For ICOCA & Haruka, is recommended to buy one way or round trip in my case?
Can I use it to purchase subway pass in Kyoto and Osaka?
Thanks again!
Hi Sara san,
You can purchase round type if you want to save your budget. But Nankai railway is more convenient if you will stay in Namba area.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-from-kansai-airport-to-downtown-osaka-kyoto-and-kobe.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi San
I would love to visit Nachi Waterfall. However, from what I searched on Google map and Hyperdia, the shortest time journey is 4 hours 38 mins and 3 hours 45 mins respectively. Based on my physical map that I got from a Japan agency, there is a route that says:
“From JR Wakayama Station: Take a limited express on the JR Kisei Main Line for JR Kii-Katsuura Station. 2 hours 30 minutes”
Do you know any shorter route? The above is only for one way and it is going to take 7 hours to go one destination. And I want to visit more places in Wakayama.
I’m staying near Namba (Nankai) or Namba (Subway). May I know the difference between these 2 names? Are they at the same station? I’m confused.
Please advice me. Thank you.
Hi Miyako,
Kii-Katsuura is very far. There is no option other than taking train on Kisei line. The train that you have to take is Kuroshio.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kuroshio-ocean-arrow.html
There are several stations in Namba, Namba (Nankai), Namba (Subway) and Osaka-Namba (Kintetsu and Hashina). Those stations are not completely same location. But it’s only 5 minutes away on foot.
http://goo.gl/maps/TRRZp
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi San
I will arrive Kansai airport at 9plus evening in 3 days’ time. Could I get ICOCA card at this hour? Where can I buy it?
May I know the last train time (direct on Nankai line I think) from Kansai airport to Namba (Subway)?
Thank you.
Hi Miyako,
They open until 23:30.
JR timetable http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/access/train/jr_time.html
Nankai Timetable http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/access/train/nankai_time.html
You can get all other info at Kansai airport website. http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/access/train/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thank you so much for your time! You have confirmed the most important thing for me: fares are confusing, thus just outright buying the 3 week JP Rail pass is the way to go. No mistakes, no guessing, no extra money to dish out. The two links you provided (i.e Hakone pass) are suggested as Mt. Fuji seems the most difficult to navigate by the JR Pass? I’ll take a moment ot review them more thoroughly so I have a better understanding. I’m sure somewhere in there is info on how to get to the 5th station on the mountain. You’re amazing, thank you. Not going until June, so I may contact you again.