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, my itinerary for april will be like:
Day 1: arrive in Kyoto from Tokyo and start sightseeing around Kyoto.
Day 2: sightseeing around Kyoto.
Day 3: arrive in Osaka from Kyoto and start sightseeing around Osaka.
Day 4: Universal Studio and sightseeing around Osaka.
Day 5: leave for Kansai Airport.
Can you kindly advice me on what pass to get? thanks
Hi Jinwei,
You may use the deals in the links below in Kyoto, Osaka and Osaka to Kansai airport:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.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
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Single ticket is your choice for Kyoto to Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Ken,
I will travelling to Osaka early July 2018. I would like to seek your advise which is the best passes for my trip there.
My tentative itinerary as belows:
Day 1 : Arrived KIX late afternoon, staying at Daikokucho
Station,tentative to go Namba for dinner and later on
proceed to Umeda Skybuilding .
Day 2 : Universal Studio Japan (1 whole day)
Day 3 : Explore Kyoto( Kiyomizudera Temple, Nishiki Market,
Arashiyama then back to Osaka)
Day 4: Tentative Nara/Kobe (half day) later on back to Osaka
Day 5: Osaka 1 day
Day 6: Late afternoon flight at 4.40pm, checkout at 10am, as
more time , tentative plan Rinku Town before proceed
to Airport
I do some research on the passes available but need your expertise on which best for my trip there.
Thank you.
Regards
Karina
Hi Karina,
Please refer the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7to9-days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi: Here is my tentative itinerary for my upcoming trip:
I will be going to Japan from April 20-29th
Originally my plan was to just use the Nankai train to get to my hotel near Namba on April 20th and then use the 1-day unlimited pass in osaka (April 21st) and then for the rest of the trip I will use a 7-day JR pass. But after reading your forum I am thinking the JR pass may be not worth it and so I need some advice from you!
So here is what I am thinking
April 20th: arrive at Kansai airport 8pm (use Nankai to get to hotel)
April 21st: Osaka (use 1-day unlimited pass)
April 22nd: Osaka (use 1-day unlimited pass)
Is that a good choice for the pass?
April 23rd: Leave Osaka and go to Kyoto in Morning . go to Toei studio park in afternoon
April 24th: Himeji day trip
My question is that for these 2 days is it better to use the Kansai Through pass or the JR WEST Kansai pass? I read somewhere it is complicated to get to kyoto from osaka using the Kansai Through pass especially with luggage. So is it better I use JR pass for these 2 days?
april 25th: arashiyama, kinkakuji, ryoanji
April 26th: kiyomizudera, inari shrine, Gion
April 27th: morning I may go to uji, after leave Kyoto to go to Hakone
For these 3 days I am thinking of using Kansai Through Pass. Is it ok?
For Hakone, I will buy a regular fare from JR rail to Odawara and then buy a Hakone free pass?
April 28: Hakone, then in evening go to Narita
April 29th: leave Japan from Narita airport at 10am
I will buy a regular fare from JR pass to get to Narita?
So do you think buying these multiple passes is better than using the JR 7-day pass?
any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Hi Ken,
If you want to make your trip be easier, you may use JR pass for 22nd to 28th. (I don’t think you need JR pass on 29th) But you have to take the following routes/trains to get the worth:
1. Take Limited Express Haruka from Tennoji to Kyoto
Haruka is most comfortable way to get Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kansai-airport-limited-express-haruka.html
You can get Tennoji by either JR train or subway. JR-Namba station is not located in the center of Namba. Subway is more accessible but subway is not covered by JR pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/namba-stations-guide-how-to-change-the-trains-among-nankai-kintetsu-hanshin-subway-and-jr.html
2. Take Shinkansen for round trip to Himeji, Kyoto to Odawara, Odawara to Tokyo
3. Take Narita Express for Tokyo to Narita airport
4. Take JR trains as much as you can in Kyoto and Osaka
That’s all which you need. I think you will take these trains unless you use JR pass. So it’s not hard to do it and you will get the worth of JR pass.
You can use Osaka amazing pass instead of 1 day pass if you intend to visit many attractions 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
Make sure the coverage of JR pass in Osaka:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
You will use JR pass on 22nd. So try to visit the place where is accessible from JR station on 22nd and the rest of the places can be done on 21st by other pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
thank you so much for your reply Takeshi!
So if I use JR-pass, when I am in Kyoto do you think I need to get the Kyoto subway/buss pass (1200yen) or the bus pass (500yen) to get to places in Kyoto like Gion, Kinkakuji, Kiyomizudera and Toei Studios? Because I read in your other guide that those places you cannot easily reach using JR system.
thanks!
Ken
Hi Ken,
Kyoto city bus pass is recommended. You will not take subway many times.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will be travelling to Osaka this year OCT. As this would be the first time traveling there, I am confuse on which card to purchase.
I will be staying Osaka for about 7days and would like to plan a day trip to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe then back to Osaka on different day. Which card would be the most ideal for me?
Also, I would like to visit USJ for 1 day. Hence I am looking to purchase a card that is convenient and ideal for me to purchase that can be use everywhere .
Would you pls give me some suggestions? Thank you!
Hi Pf,
Please refer the link below. You will find how you manage the trip in Osaka:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7to9-days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for this useful write ups!
However i would like to still seek for your advise on my below itinerary. Can you advise which pass is the best for me.
Thank you.
Stay : TANIMACHIYONCHOME
Nara – 3 Feb (Saturday)
• Nara Park
• Kasuga Taisha Shrine
• Isuien garden
Kyoto – 4 Feb (Sunday)
• Nijo Castle
• Pontochoo Alley
• Kiyomizudera temple
• Fushimi, Inari Taisha Shrine
• Gion
• Sagano Station
• Arrashimaya
Osaka – 5 Feb (Monday)
• USJ & Tempozan Ferris Wheel
• Daimara Umed
• Umeda sky building
• Himeji castle
Namba – 6 Feb (Tuesday)
• Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku tower
• Dotonbori
Hi Ady FS,
You may use Kansai thru pass 3 days for 3 to 5. And regular ticket is okay for 6.
However 5 Feb plan is too packed. It is impossible to visit these places in one day. USJ is a big theme park. You may spend one whole day. Himeji is not very closed to Osaka.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-access-to-himeji-and-kobe-from-osaka.html
You may visit USJ on 6 Feb. It’s much easier.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san
I will be travelling to Japan in early Mar this year.
Our itinerary will be:
Day 1: Land in KIX at evenning and talking ferry to kobe and stay near kosoku kobe station
Day 2: depart from kobe to kyoto
Day 3: sight seeing in kyoto and will stay near gojo station. we plan to go kiyomizu dera with other place of interest near by and fushimi inari taishi
Day 4: arashiyama and golden pavilion
Day 5: back to osaka staying near nipponbashi station.
Day 6: universal studio
Day 7 to day 8: sight seeing around osaka
Day 9: depart from nipponbashi station to kansai airport
As the japan railway system is so complex, we having hard time to do research on which ticket or id card best suit our trip.
Hope you could provide your advise on this. Many thanks in advance for your help
Hi CK san,
There is no deals to cover whole part of your trip. If you have sightseeing in Kyoto and/or Kobe on day 2, sightseeing in Osana and/or Kyoto on day 5, you may use Kansai thru pass 3 days for day 2, 3 and 5.
For day 4, 7 and 8, 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
Regular ticket is okay for day 6. And add Nankai + subway deal for the last day.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/chikatoku.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi good day my name is Mae. I’m going to japan this april. I just want to ask what’s the best card to choose? I’ll be staying in Tokyo for 4 days then travel to Osaka, Nara, Kyoto and Kobe for another 5 days. What card can i choose the best and one that i can use for my entire trip? Thank you!
Hi Mae,
Please see the link below. You will find which pass you need:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-make-the-itinerary-of-tokyo-osaka-one-way-trip.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Good day, Takeshi!
May I seek advice from you regarding which train passes to purchase for our Kansai Trip?
As of now, here is our general itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at KIX and then go to Kyoto
Days 2 to 4: Kyoto Sightseeing
Day 5: Depart from Kyoto and then go to Osaka
Day 6 to 7: Osaka Sightseeing
Day 8: Trip to Nara (from Osaka)
Day 9: Trip to Himeji and Kobe (from Osaka)
Day 10: Departure from KIX
We may change our plan, which will look like this:
Day 6: Trip to Nara (from Osaka)
Day 7: Trip to Himeji and Kobe (from Osaka)
Day 8 to 9: Osaka Sightseeing
Day 10: Depart from KIX
Thank you very much for your time!
Hi Oliver,
You may use ICOCA and Haruka on arrival day. You may remove ICOCA from this deal and add Kansai one pass. ICOCA and Kansai one pass are basically same but Kansai one pass offers discount at attractions:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
https://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
You may use Kansai one pass to take trains in Kyoto. It covers bus too but don’t use it for taking bus. Bus pass is 500 yen for one day. It’s much better deal:
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 thru pass is your choice for day 5, 8 and 9.
In Osaka, you can use other deal:
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you very much for your feedback, Takeshi-san!
At this point, my friends and I are more inclined to apply the changes mentioned above.
Just for confirmation. Do we have to pay extra when we travel from Osaka to Nara using the Kansai Thru Pass? I read one your articles detailing how to use the Kansai Thru Pass. It mentioned that we need to pay extra amount on top of the price of Kansai Thru Pass if we are to board the limited express trains of Kintetsu Railway, which is, If I’m not mistaken, the only railway option under the Kansai Thru Pass when going to Nara. Are there any other train options (i.e. Rapid Trains) in Kintetsu Line that we can board so that we won’t have to pay extra?
Hi Oliver,
Kintetsu railway operates limited express, rapid express, express, local trains. If you take other than limited express, you can take Kintetsu railway to get Nara without any extra charge. Extra charge is required for taking limited express train only.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi!
Once again, thank you so much for the clarification.
If I may ask again, are there any advantages and disadvantages of taking Limited Express Trains over the other train types that you mentioned? I’m specifically concerned with the travel time for each train types. Ideally, we want the fastest travel time.
Another thing that I want to ask about is luggage. Most likely, we will be getting on local subways if we transfer from Kyoto to Osaka. Each of us will likely bring one wheeled luggage. Does bringing luggage in subways allowed? I’m quite aware that subways can be pretty much filled with passengers at certain times. We certainly don’t want to bother other passengers.
Kind Regards,
Oliver
Hi Oliver,
Usually Limited Express is 10 minutes faster than other trains, such as Express. So if you think 510 yes is worth paying to get extra 10 minutes and nice seat, you can go for it.
Subway and most of local trains are always busy in Osaka/Kyoto area. But you can bring the luggage. Actually you have no choices other than taking taxi.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
Could you please advise if the 7-days JR Pass would covered for trips from Narita Airport to Tokyo (4days) and one way bullet train to Osaka (3days) and then to Kansai Airport ?
Many Thanks & Kind Regards, Ann
Hi Ann,
All trips are covered by JR pass. But you may not get the worth of it. 7 days pass price is almost same as round trip fare between Tokyo and Osaka. You will have one way trip. It may not be enough. Please see the link below to find more info:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-make-the-itinerary-of-tokyo-osaka-one-way-trip.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will be travelling to Japan in end Mar/early Apr this year. Our itinerary will be:
Day 1: Land in KIX and stay in Osaka
day 2: travel to Kii-Tanabe and then take a bus along the kumano Kodo to Yunomine onsen
day 3: bus/walk kumano Kodo from Yunomine onsen to Koguchi
day 4: bus/walk kumano Kodo from Koguchi to Nachi or Kii-katsuura
day 5: travel from Kii-katsuura to Ise.
day 6: travel around Ise and lake Toba
day 7: travel to Kobe
day 8: travel to Himeiji
day 9: Osaka
day 10: Osaka & fly back via KIX
Is there any pass I can get that covers all these places? I am not sure if the Kansai Thru Pass covers the buses in the Kumano Kodo area as I can’t find them on the map. Which pass would be the best value for me or should I reschedule my itinerary?
Hi Stephanie,
Kumano Kodo is way far from Kansai thru pass coverage area. You may use Ise Kumano Wakayama tourist pass for day 2 to 6.
http://touristpass.jp/en/ise_kumano/
You can find the deal for KIX-Osaka in the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
You need to pay regular fare to go back to Osaka or Kyoto from Ise. After arriving these cities, you can start using Kansai thru pass or Kansai area pass for trip to Kobe and Himeji.
You may find the deal for sightseeing in Osaka 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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com