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 San,
I’m planning for a trip with my 2 kids, 6 and below. We’ll arrive in KIX 5 plus in the morning and will travel to Kyoto (Higashiyama)where we will be based from 31st May to 4th june ( intend to do a day trip to Nara within this few days) and will travel to Osaka on 31st and base in Osaka(namba) from 4th to 8th June and make our way back to KIX on the 8th from Osaka. Yet to plan in detail but the will be a fairly relaxed trip that we can slowly enjoy Japan and not feel bashed at the end of each day. Will like yo know what will your recommendation be in terms of getting the passes or cards.
Thank you!
Hi Lee san,
You may get some idea in the link below. It shows the sample itinerary for Kyoto + Osaka.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
Would you know the best transpo option witg this itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive @NRT, stay in Tokyo
Day 2: Disney
Day 3-6: Yokohama
Day 7: Travel to Osaka
Day 8-9: Osaka
Day 10: Travel to Kyoto
Day 11-13: Kyoto
Day 14: Travel to Tokyo
Day 15: Tokyo
Day 16: To Mt. Fuji
Day 17: Tokyo
Day 18: Departure from NRT
Thank you,
Jeanette
Hi Jeanette,
There is no deals to cover whole part of your trip. You may use local deals at each cities and single fare ticket for city to city. The following deals are recommended:
Narita-Tokyo and sightseeing in Tokyo
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
You may use Suica for Tokyo-Yokohama, Osaka-Kyoto and may be sightseeing in the cities.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html?src=gnavi
*You cannot use Suica for long transfer, such as Yokohama to Osaka, Kyoto to Tokyo.
Osaka
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Kyoto
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Fuji
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I am planning my trip to kyoto and osaka and i need help on what passes to buy or if need to buy at all.
here is my itinerary,
Day 1: arrive at NGO airport around 9pm (so i understandt i will no longer be able to purchase platt kodama ticket for next day)
Day 2: take kodama to Kyoto (hotel near Karawamachi station)
Arashimaya/Okochi garden
Day 3: Ginkaku-ji temple/Kiyomizu temple/Kodai-ji and Gion
Day 4: Fushimi-Inari/Tokufu-ji
take Hankyu train to Osaka (hotel near Nipponbashi stn)
(I don’t know which pass would be best to buy for Kyoto whether to buy just a day pass or a sight-seeing pass or the Kansai thru pass)
Day 5: Osaka day tour (use Amazing 1 day pass)
Day 6: Universal Studios
Day 7: take Kodama train to Nagoya using Platt Kodama (will I be able to choose the time of the train?)
Thank you for your help! 🙂
Hi Jeffrey san,
You will pay single fare to get Kyoto on day 2. So you can take Nozomi if you want. Nozomi is faster than Kodama. The fare is around 6000 yen to take Nozomi. If you take Kodama, the fare is around 5000 yen. Trip time is 15 to 20 minutes faster than Kodama. You can choose whichever you want.
For day 2 and 3, you can use Kyoto sightseeing card 2 days at 2000 yen. On day 4, I think single fare is okay. Kansai thru pass is too expensive to use. Both Fushimi Inari and Tofukuji can be accessed by Keihan railway from Gion-Shijo. Keihan railway is not covered by Kyoto sightseeing card. Gion-Shijo is located within walking distance from Kawaramachi.
You may use Kansai one pass instead of single fare ticket.
http://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
You can take any trains, subways and most of city bus by this card. But this card gives you same value as cash payment.
Amazing pass is a right choice. And you can use Kansai one pass to get USJ and Shin-Osaka when you take Kodama.
You can choose the train when you purchase Platt Kodama.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I forgot to mention about kintetsu 5 day pass. I read about it here too and would you recommend it for my itinerary? What I like about this pass is that it has a free roundtrip voucher to and from NGO airport. However, I’m thinking that it would take longer travel time between nagoya kyoto and osaka.
Thanks again!
Hi Jeffrey san,
No, it doesn’t work. I noticed this but I did not recommend it because if you use this, it covers only one way between Nagoya and Osaka/Kyoto. It’s not enough. And also if you use this pass, you need to add limited express charge and need to change trains when you go to Kyoto even if you add limited express fee. It’s not very convenient even though price is attractive.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi!
I will be going to Kyoto on november and I will be staying at a hotel near the Kawaramachi station of the Hankyu-Kyoto line.
I planned a 3-day itinerary for Kyoto…
Day 1: Kinkakuji temple and Arashimaya
Day 2: Kiyomizudera, Kodai-ji, Maruyama Park
Day 3: Fushimi Shrine and Tokufu-ji
At first I thought of using the 2-day sightseeing pass for Day 1 and 2 but will I be able to use it for Arashimaya?
Do I need to buy a sightseeing pass for my itinerary or just buy tickets as I go around?
Thank you!
Hi Jeffrey,
You may use Kyoto sightseeing pass one day for day 1. But you can get Arashiyama by bus only. Please see the bus map in the link below:
http://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/koho/eng/access/img/pdf/ENG160319(map).pdf
You cannot get Arashiyama by subway. You need to take a bus eventually. Bus pass is only 500 yen for one day. If you want to save your cost, just use bus pass.
On day 2, you can walk. All places can be accessed by walk. There are lots of other temples, shrines and shops.
On day 3, you can take Keihan railway from Gion-Shijo to Tofuji and Fushimi-Inari. Only single ticket is your choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi!
I’ve been doing my research on which buses/trains to use to go around my itinerary in Kyoto.
Day 1: Higayashima District – mostly walking as you had said most places here are accesible by walk.
Day 2: Kinkakuji and Arashimaya – Here I researched that I will be taking Bus 101 from Nishiki market to Kinkakuji. From Kinkakuji going to Arashimaya I will take bus 205 and JR Sagano Line. then from there I can take JR Sagano to Kyoto and Karasuma subway to our hotel.
Day 3: Fushimi and Tofuku-ji – Here i will take Keihan Line. Then i will take Hankyu from Kyoto to Osaka in the afternoon.
Do I need to buy any pass for my itinerary or can I use what you mention the Kansai Pass? Is this both for Kyoto and Osaka?
Thank you so much for your help!
Hi Jeffrey,
You don’t need any passes. Single ticket is your choice. You will pay one by one.
You may use Kansai one pass instead. It does not give you unlimited ride. It gives you same value as cash payment but you don’t need to buy ticket one by one. You can take any trains and any city buses. You just tap your card to take a bus and enter ticket gate at train station. It offers discount at many attractions. When you need more fund, you can add more fund at the vending machine in JR station.
https://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
I need your advice on our upcoming trip to Japan Osaka and Kansai area. We will be in kansai for 8 days and have difficulty finding the best train tickets for our trip. Rough detail of our trip as below. We will be staying at an airbnb in Osaka throughout the 8 days and had to consider traveling back to Osaka everyday.
Day 1: Arrive at Osaka by overnight bus. Check in airbnb. Tour Osaka.
Day 2-7: We planned to go to kyoto for 2 days, Nara for 1 day, 3 days in Osaka (possible to add in a half day in Himeiji?). Is this a good plan for first trip to Kansai? We felt that the Kansai thru pass may not be worth it and also considered Osaka amazing pass, Keihan Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing pass and Hanshin tourist pass. But how should we combine the passes together?
Day 8: Check out airbnb. Tour Osaka. Take overnight bus back to Tokyo.
One issue is we have to travel back to Osaka every trip we make out of Osaka as our airbnb is in Osaka. Please advice and thank you very much.
Hi John san,
Kansai thru pass works for outside Osaka, such as Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Himeji. 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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
I am visiting this April. I will be staying in a hostel in Namba for the whole duration of the trip. My itinerary looks like this:
Day 1: Arrival at KIX at around 5:30AM. Transfer to Namba. Tour around Osaka in the afternoon.
Day 2: Tour of Osaka
Day 3: USJ and other places in Osaka
Day 4: Tour of Kyoto
Day 5: Tour of Kyoto
Day 6: Tour of Kyoto and then Nara in the afternoon
Day 7: Tour of Himeji and Kobe
Day 8: Tour of Hiroshima
Day 7: Namba to KIX
Would appreciate if you could recommend the most cost effective pass/es for this kind of itinerary.
Thank you!
Hi David,
Yokoso Osaka ticket for day 1, one of the city deals for day 2 and single ticket for day 3. Please see the link below:
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/yokoso.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Kyoto-Osaka sightseeing pass for day 4. You can use this to visit eastern part of Kyoto, such as Gion, Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu dera.
http://www.keihan.co.jp/travel/en/tickets/special
But you may need to add to take bus and subway in Osaka and Kyoto.
You can use Kansai Hiroshima area pass for day 5 to the end.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kansai-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-for-the-traveller-who-wants-travel-to-kansai-kanazawa-and-toyama.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
My itinerary is as below:
Staying in Kyoto
Day 1-Kansai Airport to Kyoto station (Use Haraku pass)
Kyoto Imperial Palace, Fushimi Inari Taisha (Use Kyoto subway 1 day card)
Day 2-Kinkakuji, Kodaiji Temple, Kiyomizudera (Use Kansai One Pass)
Day 3-Arashiyama (Use Kansai One Pass)
Day 4-Himeji, Kobe day trip (JR Kansai Area Pass)
Day 5-Kyoto to Osaka, Nijo Castle
Staying in Osaka
Day 6- Shitennoji, Shinsekai, Hozenji (Use Osaka Amazing pass Day 1)
Day 7-Osaka Castle, Okawa river cruise, Umeda Sky Building, HEP 5 Ferris Wheel (Osaka Amazing pass Day 2)
Day 8- Kyoto day trip (philosopher’s path, okazaki canal)
Day 9-Nara day trip
Day 10-Osaka
Day 11-Airport (Haraku pass)
Please kindly advise on the Passes to get. Thank you in advance.
Hi Shing,
Why you have day trip to Himeji and Kobe from Kyoto on day 4 and Kyoto day trip from Osaka on day 8? You will waste your time. You may swap day 4 and 8. Himeji and Kobe are much closer to Osaka than Kyoto. You still can use Kansai area pass one day for Himeji and Kobe. You may use Kansai area pass 2 days for Nara too. You also can use Kansai thru pass 2 days. Trip time to Himeji is much longer if you use Kansai thru pass. But it covers subway in Osaka. If you complete your trip early, you can visit some more places in Osaka. You also can take subway in Kobe by Kansai thru pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
Thank you for your prompt reply. I’ll be staying in Kyoto from 28th till 1st April. I’ve been following the sakura forecast closely and it seems that the first bloom will start on 1st April. I wouldn’t want to miss the sakura in Kyoto and that is why I decided to have a day trip to Kyoto from Osaka on 4th April. Please kindly advise. Thanks.
Hi Shing san,
Now I understand why. So I recommend you to swap trip to Nara and trip to Himeji. Nara is much closer to Kyoto than Himeji.
You can use Kansai thru pass for trip to Nara and trip to Kyoto on day 8. You still can use Kansai area pass to Himeji and Kobe. But you can use Knasai thru pass 3 days for Nara, Kyoto and Himeji. Trip time to Himeji by Kansai thru pass is much longer than Kansai area pass.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-access-to-himeji-and-kobe-from-osaka.html
But it’s way cheaper. The choice is yours.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
May I have your advice on choosing the best option of JR / train passes that will suit my plan to Japan?
My itinerary is below:
Day 1 – Hakone to Osaka (namba-osaka)
Day 2 – Kyoto and Nara day trip
Day 3 – Iga-Ueno day trip
Day 4 – Universal Studios
Day 5 – Spend a day in Osaka
Day 6 – Osaka (namba-osaka) to Kansai International Airport
Look forward to hear from you. Thank you.
Hi Phyl san,
There is no deals available for Hakone to Osaka. Only single ticket is your choice.
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
Kansai thru pass is your choice for day 2 and 3. But when you go to Iga Ueno, you have to pay extra after you get Iga-Kambe.
http://www.surutto.com/images/ticket/kansai_thru_pass/english/en_map.pdf
There is no line shown in the map in the link above. But Iga railway runs from Iga-Kambe to Iga-Ueno. This line is not covered.
Single ticket is okay for day 4 but you can find some deals for day 5 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-osaka.html
You can use single fare ticket (920 yen) if you take Nankai railway ordinary train or use the deal to take limited express train “Rapi:t”.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/webtoku.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Good Morning Takeshi san,
Many thanks for your response to my questions earlier.
Because we have changed our tinerary to the followings
Day 1 – Tokyo (Narita International) to Ginza
Day 2 – Tokyo city
Day 3 – Yokohama day trip
Day 4 – Tokyo city
Day 5 – Tokyo to Kyoto
Day 6 – Kyoto and Nara, then to Osaka (namba-osaka)
Day 7– Iga-Ueno day trip
Day 8 – Universal Studios
Day 9 – Osaka city
Day 10 – Osaka city
Day 11 – Osaka (namba-osaka) to Kansai International Airport
Could you please help to advise the JR / train passes again?
Thank you.
Hi Phyl san,
First of all, you should swap day 3 and 4. You will go to Yokohama on day 4. And you can use Tokyo shuttle bus and subway pass 48 hours deal for day 1 to 3.
http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/airport_bus/index.html
For the trip to Yokohama, single fare is your choice.
For Tokyo to Kyoto, single fare or Platt Kodama is your choice.
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
You may use same deals after day 6 in previous reply.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
Please kindly recommend what Passes/Lines I would require to buy
My itinerary is as follow:
14th March – Arrive KIX at 4pm
14-17th March – Stay at Osaka Kamishinjo Station
– Lucky Owl Cafe, Dotonbori
– Umeda Sky Building
– Osaka Castle
– Glico Man
– Universal Studio Japan
– Namba Station
– Nakatsu Statin
– Shinsaibashi Station
– Ikeda Station
17-20th – Stay at Kyoto (and Nara Day Trip)
– Yamashina Station / Higashino Station
– OmuRice
– Fushimi Inari
– Buses
21-22nd – Kobe/Himeji
– Arima Onsen
– Sannomiya Center Gai Shopping Street
– Ikuta Shrine
– Chinatown (Nankinmachi)
22nd-23rd – Return to Osaka Tenjimbashi station
23rd March – Return SG
Thanks & Regards
Jas
Hi Jas,
The following deals are suggested.
Kyoto Access Ticket for arrival day
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/kyoto.html
You don’t go to Kyoto but this is the cheapest deal to get Kamishinjo.
Kansai thru pass for for Osaka-Kyoto, Nara day trip, Kyoto-Kobe
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Osaka city deal for sightseeing in Osaka
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Kyoto city deal for sightseeing in Kyoto
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Kansai one pass
http://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
When you don’t use the deal, you can use this instead of cash payment. When you go to Osaka city from Kamishinjo, you need to use this card because most of deals in Osaka is subway pass. It does not cover Hankyu railway from Kamishinjo. You need to get Umeda first.
Nankai-subway deal for departure day
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/chikatoku.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Morning Takeshi-San
Thanks for your reply.
Just wondering If I can just use Kansai Thru Pass throughout my trip in Kansai i.e (Osaka- Kyoto) /change to Umeda/Osaka city/ Kyoto City/ Nara/ Kobe/ Himeiji since Kansai Thru Pass covers all the Subways, Buses, Railway Lines?
Your opinion pls?
Hi Jasmine,
Kansai thru pass covers all trains and bus except JR lines in Kansai area. You can find how you move among the cities by Kansai thru pass 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
And also this pass covers city bus and subways in the cities.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Can i get suggestion on which passes is best for my trip to japan. Before the trip i hv plan to purchase jr rail pass for 7 days with line as follows.
Day 1 & 2
Haneda – osaka (namba-osaka castle -osaka tenmagu shrine -tenjinbashi suji – minoo park -shinseikai -kuromon ichiba market -shinsaibashi- nishitenma)
Day 3 & 4
Osaka – kyoto ( sakyo-ku- kiyomizudera -higashimaya – philosopher path -gion – shijyo -maruyama park -fushimi inari -arashiyama -daogoji
Day 5
Kyoto – nara ( todaiji temple – nara park – chikunrinin – yoshinoyama) – hakone – ito station
Day 6 – 8
Ueno – around tokyo – haneda airport
Hi Kelly san,
You can use JR pass 7 days from day 1 to 7. Add single fare to get Haneda on day 8.
JR pass covers most part of your trip. But it does not cover subway, city bus and Non JR trains. You need to add some extra fare or day pass in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo. Please see 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
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Thank you for such useful website.
Since there are many choices, I’d rather have your expertise in choosing which transportation.
I will be visiting Osaka for 8 days, and will only stay in Osaka and take day trips from Osaka.
My itinerary is as follow:
Day 1 – Arrive KIX at 2PM, head to Kyoto straight from airport, then back to Osaka at night
Day 2- Kyoto day trip
Day 3 – Himeji day trip
Day 4 – Nara day trip
Day 5 – Universal Studios
Day 6 – Aquarium
Day 7 – Spend the day in Osaka
Day 8 – Depart from KIX at 5:30pm
Thanks for your help in advance!
Hi Edmund san,
All info which you need are in the link below. Please take a look. 🙂
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