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
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,
I need to go kyoto, kobe, himeshi, nara and kinosaki onsen and also exploring osaka city.
What is the best pass I should get.
Thanks
Mandy
Hi Mandy,
Kansai Wide Area Pass is recommended.
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 / JPRail.com
Good day Takeshi San!
My wife and I will be arriving in Osaka on February 8 and we will be spending two nights there and leave for Kyoto. We will be spending six days in Kyoto but during our stay there, we’re also planning a day trip going to Nara. My question is, what’s the best train ticket if we want to travel around these areas? Should we get an ICOCA card? Please do let us know. You’re suggestion would really help us since this is our first time visiting the Kansai region. Thank you!
Here’s our detailed itinerary just to give you an idea about our trip.
Day 1 – 2: Osaka
Day 3 – 8: Kyoto (Day trip to Nara on our 5th day)
Day 9 – 10: Back to Osaka
Hi Jonathan,
Please find the sample itinerary in the link below. It’s same as your trip plan.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-osaka-and-kyoto-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will be visiting Osaka for 7 days in April.
Please help with the choices of transportation.
Here is my tentative itinerary:
– Day 1: Arrive from Kansai Airport at Night, head to Osaka
– Day 2: Universal Studio, back to Osaka at night
– Day 3: Himeji Castle, back to Osaka at night
– Day 4: Nara, back to Osaka at night
– Day 5: Kyoto, maybe staying 1 night
– Day 6: Kyoto, back to Osaka at night
– Day 7: Osaka, leaving from Kansai Airport at night
Thank you for your help!
Ed
Hi Ed,
You can follow the link below basically:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
You may use Kansai thru pass 3 days for day 4 to 7.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
Would like your advice on the best option for my itinearary:
June 18 – Arrive at Osaka ITM, stay at nearby Tomoyoko Inn
June 19 – Osaka to Kii-Tanabe
June 20-24 – Kumano Kodo (Takahara, Chikatsuyu, Yunomine, Nachi-san), take a couple of buses
June 24 – Nachisan to Kii-Katsuura to Osaka
June 24-26 – Sighseeing in Osaka, stay at Tennoji-ku
June 26 – Osaka to Kyoto
June 26-30 – Kyoto (stay at Shimogyo Ward, sidetrips to Nara & Koya-san)
June 30 – Kyoto to Tokyo
July 1-2 – Hike Mt. Fuji
July 3-4 – Tokyo (stay at Nakano-ku)
July 4 – Fly out of NRT
My friends are not doing the Kumano Kodo and will be arriving June 24, can you also let me know what the best transportation option for them is?
Thank you,
Gnet
Hi Gnet,
You may use Kansai Wide Area Pass for the train to Kiitanabe from Osaka and to Osaka from Kiikatsuura.
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
Kansai thru pass for the best choice for Koya san and Nara. But you should visit Koyasan from Osaka. Osaka is much closer to Koyasan than Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
You may use 3 days pass for Nara, Koyasan and Osaka to Kyoto.
For sightseeing in Kyoto and Osaka, please see the links below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
There is no deals available for Kyoto to Tokyo and trip to Fuji. Use single ticket for Kyoto to Tokyo and take express bus to get Fuji.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
http://bus-en.fujikyu.co.jp/highway/detail/id/1
In Tokyo, please see the links below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you so much for your detailed advice, it is definitely a big help for us. One follow up question – the Kansai Wide area pass is only available as a 5-day pass and I am returning to Osaka on the 6th day, so the pass will already have been expired then. It seems too much to purchase 2 5-day pass. Any other option?
Thank you again,
Gnet
Hi Gnet,
Sorry. That is my mistake. Unfortunately only regular ticket is your choice. 2 X this pass is more expensive than single fare as you think.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi San! My daughter and I will be arriving at KIX on Feb. 13 and we will be in Osaka until February 19. We will be staying at Fraser Residence in Namba. If we buy the Icoca-Haruka card, will be able to use it on the Midosuji line? If not, what pass do you suggest? We will not be leaving Osaka as we have been to the other cities near there. Thank you!
Hi Paz san,
You don’t need to use ICOCA and Haruka. You can take Nankai railway to get Namba. Please see the link below to find more info:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
You may also use Kansai One Pass. It’s same type of card as ICOCA. You can take subway Midousuji line and any trains in Kansai area.
http://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I would like to ask for your advice in travelling around Japan using mainly train passes. I will be visiting for 16 days in mid-April with this itinerary in mind:
– Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo via Narita Airport, and staying in Tokyo (Ginza area)
– Days 2 to 4: Explore Tokyo (Tokyo Disney Sea, Ghibli Museum, Sanrio Puroland, Shibuya & Akihabara)
– Day 5: Travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto, and staying in Kyoto
– Days 6 to 8: Explore Kyoto
– Days 9 to 12: Day trips from Kyoto to Osaka & Nara
– Day 13: Travelling from Kyoto to Tokyo, and staying in Tokyo (Ginza)
– Day 14: Day trip to Hakone
– Day 15: Explore Tokyo
– Day 16: Leaving Tokyo via evening flight from Narita Airport
For Tokyo, would it suffice to get Tokyo Subway tickets to travel around the area?
As for Kyoto, would it suffice to get just the Kansai through pass to cover Kyoto, as well as day trips to Osaka and Nara?
For Hakone, I was wondering if it will be better to just pay ‘ala-carte’ for the train rides to the area? Or would a Hakone free pass be justified (though it is a 3-day pass)?
As for trips between Narita Airport and Tokyo, and between Tokyo and Kyoto, do you have any advice on the best route to take? I was reading through the site, and I am not sure if Keisei Skyliner is the way to go for trips between Narita Airport and Tokyo. I have not figured out if there are any train passes to use for the trip between Tokyo and Kyoto.
Please advise, as I am not familiar with Japan’s rail system, with this being my first overseas trip to Japan with my fiancee. Thanks Takeshi san!
Hi Alvin san,
The following deals and tickets are suitable for your trip:
For Narita – Tokyo and sightseeing in Tokyo
Tokyo Shuttle + Tokyo subway ticket combo is the best. This bus goes to Ginza and cheap. You can find this deal in the link below:
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/airport_bus/index.html#anc02
But subway cannot take you to outside downtown, like Disneyland, Puloland, Ghibli. You need to add single fare. So try to gather places in downtown, like Shibuya, Akihabara, Shinjuku, Asakusa by Tokyo subway ticket.
For Kyoto, Osaka, Nara
You can use Kansai thru pass for Osaka and Nara. You may use this pass in Kyoto too. But don’t purchase it just for Kyoto. This pass should be used for outside Kyoto. If you use 3 days pass for Osaka, Nara and Kyoto one day each. But do not buy extra for just Kyoto. City deal is basically okay.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
For Tokyo – Kyoto
Basically no deals is available. I usually recommend 7 days JR pass. But you will spend more than 7 days. 14 days pass is too expensive. If you are okay to spend more time to save your cost, you may consider to use Platt Kodama. It’s slightly cheaper than regular fare.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for the information but i am still a bit confused over what is best for my itinerary.
My current plan is
Day 1: Arrive at Kansai airport and travel to Kyoto direct
Day 2-3: Stay and explore Kyoto
Day 4: Travel in Nara and stay for 1 night
Day 5-7: Back to Kyoto for 3 nights
Day 8: Travel to Shirakawa-go and stay 1 night
Day 9-10: Takayama and stay 2 nights
Day 11: Kanazawa and stay 1 night
Day 12-14: Osaka (leaving in the night)
For the trip from Kyoto to Shirakawa-go to Takayama, Kanazawa and Osaka, i am considering to use the JR Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass for 5 days. But for the rest of the trip, i am not sure what pass is good as i have not finalise whether to travel to othe places as i seem to be spending too much time in Kyoto.
Hope to have your comments on my plan.
Thanks alot.
Hi Hylie,
For arrival day
Haruka discount ticket + Kansai one pass
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/icoca-haruka/
You may use Kansai one pass for travel to Nara and sightseeing in Osaka.
In Kyoto, you can use one the deals in the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
You may add one more deal for the last day.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi /JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Thank u for ur information,
I would like to hear ur advise, i will have this trip :
Day 1 & 2 kyoto
Day 3 osaka
Day 4 osaka USJ
Day 5 osaka to kobe
Day 6 osaka to himeji
Day 7 osaka to nara
Day 8 to kansai airport
Day 5-8 i will use jr west pass
Day 1 & 4 use a single pass
Day 2-3 days pass kyoto osaka
Lookinh forward for ur reply, thank u
Hi Jessica,
Why do you use single ticket for day 1? I agree with your choice other than day 1.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Thank you for the great information you have shared on this site. It has helped a lot to make the itinerary for our planned visit in start of April. I would like to ask for some advice, if I should make any changes to my planned transportations:
Day1: Arrival at Kansai-Airport and a day in Kyoto
Day2: Kyoto
Day3: daytrip to Nara from Kyoto
Day4: travel to Hiroshima and a day there
Day5: day in Hiroshima and Miyajima
Day6: travel to Kinosaki and a day there
Day7: travel to Osaka and day there
Day8: Osaka
Day9: Leaving in the morning at Kansai-Airport
At the moment I am leaning towards ICOCA and Haruka discount tickets for travel to and from the Airport and in the cities and Kansai Hiroshima Area pass for Days 4-8 (I guess it dosen’t stretch for a return to the airport).
I also have a question regarding the Kansai Hiroshima Area pass. Is it legible for travel like this: Hiroshima->Himeji Station->Kinosaki (the last line is JR towards Hamasaki I think)?
Thank you,
Ott
Hi Ott,
Your plan is feasible and I don’t see any issues. You can take Hiroshima-Himeji-Kinosaki route by this pass. I have a few small things to mention to you.
1. You will start using the pass on day 4. But you can start using in on day 3. You can take JR trains between Kyoto and Nara. In Osaka on day 8, you can take JR trains too but you may rely on subway more. So you can use ICOCA on day 8. ICOCA can be used for any trains, JR, subway and non JR. I think ICOCA is better in Osaka.
2. If you stay near subway station in Osaka, Nankai railway deal may be better than Haruka discount ticket on day 9. Please see 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
Hi Takeshi,
I wiil come to osaka with this Itinerary:
day 1 Kansai – Shin-osaka (by Takayama Hokiriku pass)
day 2 Shins-osaka – Shirakawago (by Takayama Hokuriku pass)
day 3 Shirakawago – takayama
day 4 takayama
day 5 – Takayama – shin-osaka
Please suggest which way I should take :
Takayama – toyama – kanazawa – shin osaka (include Takayama Hokuriku pass) or
Takayama Nagayo (Takayama Hokuriku pass) and than Nagoya Shinosaka (what pass should I use?)
Day 6 Osaka city (Osaka pass 1 day?)
Day 7 Universal (Single pass ?)
Day 8 Osaka Kyoto (Kyoto osaka sighseeing pass 2 days ?)
Day 9 Osaka Kyoto
Day 10 Osaka Kansai
Please advise. Thanks Takeshi san. Ellis
Hi Ellis,
If you want to save your cost, you may take Takayama – toyama – kanazawa – shin osaka route. If you go to Nagoya, you have to pay single fare for Nagoya to Shin-Osaka. That costs around 6,500 yen for base fare and Shinkansen seat fee. But trip time of Nagoya route is more than 1.5 hour faster than Toyama-Kanazawa. You can choose whichever you like.
About the deal in Osaka and trip to KIX, please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Kyoto Osaka sightseeing pass is very good deal. But please remember that this pass does not cover local transportation in both Osaka and Kyoto, such as subway and bus. You may have to pay single fare or add another pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com