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,
I’ll be reaching at Osaka airport and direct to Kyoto and stay for be staying for 2 nights, then heading to Osaka and stay 5 nights. During Osaka 6D5N stays, I’m planning to go Kobe, Nara and Nagoya (alrenate, if timing allow) on day trip basis. Finally, taking flight back at Osaka airport.
Based on these itinerary, kindly suggest which cheapest rail pass best suit our travel. By the way, we’re traveling in a group of 7 people.
Thanking you in advance.
All the best.
Hi Finnie,
JR Kansai Area pass or Kansai Thru Pass will be your choice. But you should make more detailed itinerary. Because you may not be able to get the worth of ticket for just round trip among these cities.
Check the following links to get more details:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
If these passes do not meet your itinerary, single fare is your choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello Takeshi,
Thank you for your the valuable information you posted.
My husband and I will be in Osaka from 26-30 April (4nites).
we would like to travel to Mt Koya for 1 day trip.
What do you suggest in terms of Pass? Koyasan World Heritage Pass or the Kansai Thru Pass?
To be honest, i’m confused with all the passes available for visitors. Ideally, we will spend 3 days to explore Osaka then 1 day to Mt. Koya.
Which is the best Pass to buy?
Your help and advice is Much Appreciated.
Many thanks
phebe
Hi Phebe,
Don’t purchase Kansai Thru Pass. Koyasan World Heritage ticket is your choice. If you have one day trip to Koyasan and do other big trip in Kansai area, Kansai Thru Pass will be your choice. But you will do some excursion in Osaka. In this case, you can never get the worth of the price.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi-san,
One-day unlimited Pass, Enjoy Eco Card,
Is this card available at any subway stations vending machine or selected subway stations only?
Thanks
Hi Simon,
Some news stand or convenience stores sell those. But I cannot get the details.
Unlimited pass http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/buy/buy.html
Eco card http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/ticket/image/obj_con02.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello,
What is the best combination of passes for a 14-day stay in Tokyo and Osaka?
I will be travelling in a group of four to Japan on 9th June 2013. We have booked 7 nights’ stay in Tokyo (Shinjuku) and 6 nights in Osaka (Umeda). Our preliminary itinerary would include:
1. Disneyland
2. Tsukiji Fish Market & nearby attractions
3. Harajuku & nearby attractions
4. Tokyo Sky Tree & nearby attractions
5. Mt. Fuji & Hakone & nearby onsen
6. Yokohama
7. Takayama & Shirakawago
8. Nagoya (can be omitted if inconvenient)
9. Kyoto & Nara
10. Osaka
11. Kobe
12. Hiroshima & Miyajima
13. Tateyama Kurobe (if snow corridor is available in June)
Most information I have researched is only on JR Pass. I am contemplating buying a 14-day JR Pass (a whopping 46100 Yen) until I found your postings. I find your advice the best as it combines other companies’ passes too.
Thank you
Nelson
Malaysia
Hi Nelson,
You don’t need 14 days pass. Just 7 days pass is enough for your trip.
For Day 1 to 6, you will stay in Tokyo. You will not have many chances to take long transfer trains. Only Mt. Fuji and Hakone are short excursion. Other spots, like TDL, Harajuku, Skytree, Yokohama can be accessed by commute trains. It doesn’t make sense to use Japan Rail Pass. Single ticket, subway pass or other discounted tickets are available. See the following posts and links to get the details:
If you arrive at Narita, http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/index.html
If you arrive at Haneda in daytime http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-monorail/index.html You cannot purchase this at Haneda in early morning and late evening. Windows are closed.
About subway https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/subway-in-tokyo.html
And it will be very tight trip to go to Hakone and Mt. Fuji in one days. If you go to just Lake Kawaguchi area in one day, it will be comfortable trip. There are too many spots to see in Hakone and Fuji in one day.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-to-go-to-mt-fuji.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-get-hakone-from-tokyo-compare-japan-railway-and-odakyu-lines.html
So you can use 7 days pass for your second half of your trip for 7-13. But I am just wondering you are going to Tateyama Kurobe as day trip. It is not impossible. But it will be a long long trip.
At last, Nara and Kyoto is too much for 1 day. If I were you, I skip Nagoya and spend one day each at Kyoto and Nara.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello there! Your website has been tremendously helpful however I’m still confused about the best ticket(s) for my trip.
I will be in Kansai area for about 4 days. I arrive to KIX around 6:30pm on Day 1 and want to go straight to Kyoto Station. I understand there are several options for this.
On my last day I want to travel from Kyoto to Osaka, do some sightseeing there using subways, and then travel on to KIX airport again in the evening.
So far the Kansai Thru pass (2 days) appeared the best deal for me using it on Day 1 and Day 4 and using bus passes in Kyoto for the two days in between however I kind of wanted to use the Haruka Limited to go to Kyoto on Day 1 to avoid transfers and any hassle as we will just be arriving, which means the pass isn’t a good choice.
If I bought the Icoca + Haruka Discount card, can I use the money on the card to purchase day bus passes with tickets?
What would be the best ticket to buy for the last day, Kyoto-Osaka-Osaka subways-KIX?
I really hope you’ll reply, I’ve been searching the web for days and haven’t come to a solution yet. Thank you!!!!
Hi Diana,
Thanks for your comment about this site.
I think the best option for you is the following:
Day 1 : ICOCA and Haruka
Haruka is the best choice as you think. I don’t know where you will stay in Kyoto. Maybe you can use ICOCA e-money to take subway from JR Kyoto station.
Day 2 and 3 : use city pass
Day 4 : Use ICOCA e-money 1500 yen to transfer to Osaka from Kyoto, Osaka subway and transfer to KIX. I don’t now how much you take subway in Osaka. But 1500 yen is not enough for Kyoto-Osaka (540 yen) and Osaka-KIX (1160 yen) transfer anyway. But you can use 1500 yen e-money for the part of this day’s trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello JR Team,
I am looking for clarification on train travel for myself and a child (11 years old).
We are flying into Osaka Kansai airport on March 14th. We want to take a train to Kyoto where we will be staying until the 17th. We are staying in the Gion area and look forward to sightseeing in that area and perhaps around Kyoto.
On the 17th we need to travel to Tokyo, where we will be sightseeing until our departure on the 19th from Narita. In Tokyo we will be staying near Hiroo on the Hibiya Line.
I have tried to understand all of the various passes but feel quite overwhelmed – some help would be very much appreciated.
Regards,
Marna
Hi Marma,
I think these following option is available for you.
ICOCA and Haruka (one way trip)
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/icoca-haruka/
Haruka do not go to Gion. But there is no way to get Gion from KIX anyway. Access to Kyoto station by Haruka and take taxi or bus to get Gion. This is the fastest and most convenient way to get Kyoto. This ticket includes ICOCA e-money. You can use this to get Subway or any other private lines, such as Hankyu or Keihan in Kyoto.
Single ticket between Kyoto and Tokyo.
There is no available discount ticket. JR Pass is too expensive for one way trip to Tokyo from Kyoto.
Suica and N’ex
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/suica-nex/index.html
This is same kind of ticket as ICOCA and Haruka. It includes Suica e-money. You can use it for subway as well. If you want to take Limousine bus to get Narita on departure day, just purchase Subway pass as you need.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi JR Team,
I will be travelling with my family on Osaka for 4 days and then to Tokyo, wanted to know
If i can use my JR pass for all travel in Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo local transport and bus service and railways.
Do i need to but pass for any local town public transport?
Regards,
Manoj
Hi Manoj,
Please see the following posts:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/best-way-efficient-how-much-can-we-use-japan-rail-pass-in-downtown-tokyo.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-in-kyoto.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
As you read these above, you may need to pay some more on Japan Rail Pass. And if you use JR Pass for one way trip to Tokyo, single fare is cheaper. See the following post:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/compare-japan-rail-pass-with-regular-fare.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you very much for your advice.
I’ll definitely take up your recommendation to go to Yoshino. It’s so beautiful with 30,000 trees blooming. Is it enough just to spend a day there?
May I ask how do I travel from my hotel in Shin Osaka to Yoshino?
What is this Kintetsu Limited Express and how do I reserve 2 seats on it?
As for Kyoto, you said there is no need to buy the Kyoto sightseeing pass, do I need to purchase other types of passes or do I use the ICOCA card to travel around the Higashiyama area and to the west side of Kyoto, Arashiyama?
May I ask if there is any 1 day tour to Yoshino where I can book over the hotel’s counter in Japan?
I’m looking forward to your reply. Thank you.
Regards,
Lai
Hi Lai,
Regarding trip to Yoshino, please see the following link:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4151.html
You can choose departure city from drop down menu at the upper right.
You need to access to Abenobashi by subway Midosuji line and transfer to Tanimachi line at Tennoji. Abenobashi is next station from Tennoji.
You cannot reserve Kintetsu limited express ticket from outside of Japan. Please see the following link to get the details:
http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/useful/limited_express/3-3.html
In regards to Kyoto, you may purchase the pass if you travel both Arashiyama and Higashiyama area. The pass may be cheaper than a single ticket.
At last, I don’t have any information about day tour to Yoshino. You might find it. But I think it is not popular.
I’m sorry but this site gives you only rail trip information. That’s all I can say.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I’ll be traveling to Osaka in Spring 2013. I need your help for my transport planning. Below is my itinerary.
Day 1 (Mar 30) – Arrival in Osaka (Kansai Airport) at around 7 am. I’ve already booked a hotel in Shin Osaka area for 10 nights.
Day 2 to 3 – Roam around Osaka. Going to various places to view cherry blossom. Is it advisable to buy the Icoca & Haruka package (round trip version) ¥4000 to provide transportation from the airport to Shin Osaka and back.
Can I use the Icoca card to travel on the subway Midosuji Line and subway Chuo Line to go to Osaka Castle or do I need to buy the Osaka 1 day pass?
Can I walk from the Castle to Kema Sakuranomiya Park?
Day 4 – Day trip to Kyoto. Must I buy the Kyoto sightseeing pass card? I’m intending to visit places like Philiosopher’s path, Maruyama Park, Arashiyana for cherry blossom.
Day 5 – Day trip to Nara
Day 6 – Day trp to Kobe
Day 7 – ???? Any suggestions?
Looking forward to your reply. Thank you.
Regards,
Lai
Hi Lai,
I think ICOCA and Haruka is the best choice for you. You use ICOCA for JR lins, subways and even other railways, like Hankyu, Hanshin, Kintetsu. So as long as you have e-moeny in your ICOCA, you can take Osaka subway. I don’t think you need to purchase Osaka subway pass.
Regarding Kema Sakuranomiya park, I think you can walk. But I have never walked this route. So I’m not 100% sure.
Regarding Kyoto, you might not need to purchase city pass. If you go to both Higashiyama area (Philiosopher’s path, Maruyama Park) and Arashiyama, it will be very busy trip. You may see other points of interest in Higashiyama area, like Kiyomizu temple, Heian Jingu. Arashiyama is located at other side of Kyoto, west side. You can make it in one day. But if you spend 2 days, it will be more easier. And in Arashiyama, I recommend you to take Sagano Scenic railway.
http://www.sagano-kanko.co.jp/eng/index.htm
You can take train for one way and take boat trip on the way back. This is very popular in cherry blossom season.
If you spend 2 days for Kyoto, you don’t have any extra time in day 7. But if you spend only one day for Kyoto, Yoshino is one of the best spot for cherry blossom in Kansai area.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4150.html
And Himeji is a nice place to visit too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I will be travelling to Osaka on February 2013. I need your opinion for the transport planning.
Below is my itinerary.
Itinerary 1:
Day 1 – Arrival in Osaka (Kansai Airport) at 10.30PM. Overnight in Kyoto.
Day 2 & 3 – Kyoto
Day 4 – Day trip to Nara from Osaka
Day 5 – Day trip to Kobe from Osaka
Day 6 – Day trip to Himeji from Osaka
Day 7 to 11 – Osaka
Day 12 – Osaka to Kansai Airport. Departing time 11:00AM.
or
Itinerary 2:
Day 1 – Arrival in Osaka (Kansai Airport) at 10.30PM. Overnight in Osaka.
Day 2 & 3 – Day trip to Kyoto from Osaka
Day 4 – Day trip to Nara from Osaka
Day 5 – Day trip to Kobe from Osaka
Day 6 – Day trip to Himeji from Osaka
Day 7 to 11 – Osaka
Day 12 – Osaka to Kansai Airport. Departing time 11:00AM.
Base on your experience, which plan is easier, convenience and cost saving.
Looking forward to you soon.
Thank you.
Cheers,
BiingChyuan
Hi BiingChyuan,
Itinerary 2 is cheaper. Because average price of hotels in Osaka is cheaper than Kyoto. If you find your hotel in Shin-Osaka area, it is very convenient and cheaper than staying in Umeda or Namba. You can access Kobe and Kyoto without transfer from Shin-Osaka.
But I recommend you to stay in Kyoto at least one night. Kyoto is completely different from Osaka. This experience will be memorable for you.
If you take Itinerary 2, go to Himeji on day 2 and use JR West Kansai area pass. You cannot get your money worth to use this pass for Kyoto, Kobe and Nara. But if you use this pass for day 1 from KIX to Shin-Osaka by Haruka, and round trip to Himeji from Shin-Osaka, it will give you great value.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your great opinions.
I will plan my itinerary base on your information.
Thanks again.
Cheers,
Biing Chyuan