JR West Kansai Area Pass is one of the choices for the traveler who stays in Osaka and make some day trips to the surrounding places, such as Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji and Wakayama.
In this post, I would like to share the information about JR West Kansai Area Pass with you. And I will compare the price of the pass and the regular fare. You can find that you can get the worth by your trip or not.
Coverage area
Please refer the map in JR West Kansai Area Pass official site as well to get the detailed map.
The pass covers most of points of interest, such as Osaka (Umeda), Namba, Universal Studio Japan, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama, Kansai airport, Himeji.
Expansion of the coverage area in Kyoto
And also Kansai Area Pass includes the following exchange vouchers:
- Keihan Railways Kyoto Sightseeing Pass 1-day
- Kyoto City Subway 1-day pass
These passes expand the coverage in Kyoto so much:
Kansai Area Pass did not cover Keihan and subway in Kyoto. These lines cover eastern part of Kyoto, such as Gion, Kiyomizudera.
You may exchange the vouchers in the designated stations. Please find the detailed information in the official press release:
JR West official press release
You can use these passes separately.
e.g.
You have Kansai Area Pass 2-day
Day 1 trip to Kyoto and exchange Kyoto city subway pass only
Day 2 trio to Kyoto and exchange Keihan Railway Kyoto sightseeing pass
But in my opinion, you should use these two passes in same day. If you use only JR line and Kyoto city subway line, the coverage are limited.
The places where you cannot go by Kansai Area Pass
Major spots that are not covered by this pass is Mt. Koya. But if you want to go to Mt. Koya, Nankai Railway is the best way. Nankai Railway is not covered by JR West Kansai Area Pass anyway. Nankai Railway’s Koyasan World Heritage Ticket or Kansai Thru Pass is a right choice for trip to Mt. Koya.
Nankai Railway Koyasan World Heritage Ticket
How to use Kansai Thru Pass. Compare pass and single fare.
Who is eligible
Visitors who land as “Temporary Visitor” status can purchase this pass.
Types and prices
Purchasing from the travel agent overseas (Before arrival) | Purchasing from JR West online (Before arrival) | Purchasing from JR West station (After arrival) | |
---|---|---|---|
1-day | 2,400 yen | 2,4000 yen | 2,400 yen |
2-day | 4,600 yen | 4,600 yen | 4,600 yen |
3-day | 5,600 yen | 5,600 yen | 5,600 yen |
4-day | 6,800 yen | 6,800 yen | 6,800 yen |
*Child rate is half of the adult prices above.
*5 year old or younger child is free. Maximum 2 children per one adult.
The pass must be used in consecutive days. The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 O’clock at night (midnight to midnight).
e.g.
If you start to use 3 days pass on May 1, the pass is expired at 23:59 on May 3. The time when you start using does not matter.
If you want to purchase this at the lower price, you can purchase it at authorized travel agents. You can find the dealers list and exchange location at the link below:
JR West Rail Pass Dealer’s list
You also can purchase this pass online through JR West official site. But the price is not much cheaper than the price which is sold at the station.
Valid trains and bus lines
This pass covers all JR local trains and non reserved seat of Limited Express Haruka. You CANNOT ride any other express trains, such as the Tokaido Shinkansen the Sanyo Shinkansen, the limited express Thunderbird. But as long as you travel in Kansai area, Rapid Services Network is enough to cover your trip. It is actually crowded because these trains are the commuters one. But these are fast and frequent. The following list shows you trains that you can ride by JR West Kansai Area Pass.
- The limited express Haruka (Kansai airport-Tennoji-Shin Osaka-Kyoto, non reserved seat only)
- Special Rapid Service (Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe-Himeji)
- Kansai Airport Rapid Service (Kansai airport-Tennoji-Osaka)
- Yamatoji Rapid Service (Osaka-Tennoji-Nara)
- Miyakoji Rapid Service (Kyoto-Nara)
Of course, you can ride any local trains that are not shown on above list.
Hotels and Ryokans in Nara
Hotels in Himeji
Hotels in Kobe
Hotels in Himeji
Hotels in Kansai Airport
On the other hand, JR West Kansai Area Pass does not cover any private railway lines, subway lines and the bus lines. Most of major private railway companies and subway lines are shown on the following list:
- Osaka Metro (Subway)
- Kyoto Municipal Transportation (Subway and city bus)
- Nankai Railway (Namba-Kansai airport, Namba-Mt.Koya)
- Kintetsu Railway (Namba-Nara, Kyoto-Nara)
- Hankyu Railway (Sannomiya-Umeda-Kawaramachi)
- Keihan Railway (Yodoyabashi-Kyobashi-Shijo-Sanjo)
- Hanshin Railway (Namba-Sannomiya, Umeda-Sannomiya-Himeji)
- Sanyo Railway (Umeda-Sannomiya-Akashi-Himeji)
These above railways and bus lines are NOT covered. When you are in Osaka or Kyoto, subway trains and city bus services are very convenient. So you may have to pay a single fare or purchase other pass. This is the biggest disadvantage of JR West Kansai Area Pass. You can find the coverage of this pass in these posts:
Compare cost between pass and single fare. Best way to use.
First of all, please see the fare table for major sections below:
Stations | Osaka | Shin Osaka | Kyoto | Kansai airport | Sannomiya (Kobe) | Nara | Himehji | JR Namba |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Osaka | – | 160 | 540 | 1160 1150 | 390 | 780 | 1450 | 190 |
Shin Osaka | 160 | – | 540 | 1330 1150 | 540 | 890 | 1450 | 210 |
Kyoto | 540 | 540 | – | 1830 1150 | 1050 | 690 | 2210 | 890 |
Kansai airport | 1160 1150 | 1330 1150 | 1830 1150 | – | 1660 1150 | 1660 730 | 2730 1150 | 1030 730 |
Sannomiya (Kobe) | 390 | 540 | 1050 | 1660 1150 | – | 1210 | 950 | 690 |
Nara | 780 | 890 | 690 | 1660 730 | 1210 | – | 2210 | 540 |
Himeji | 1450 | 1450 | 2210 | 2730 1150 | 950 | 2210 | – | 1620 |
JR Namba | 190 | 210 | 890 | 1030 730 | 690 | 540 | 1620 | – |
*If there are two fares, basic fare is shown at the top and limited express surcharge at the bottom. For example, if you travel from Kansai airport to Shin-Osaka, basic fare is 1330 yen and surcharge is 1150 yen.
As you saw the fare table above, most of trips from Kansai airport is very efficient because of limited express Haruka. If you travel to Osaka, Kansai airport rapid may be better than Haruka because Haruka do not stop at Osaka. But if you think about getting on Haruka, Kansai Area Pass is considerable. Even one day pass is cheaper than basic fare + surcharge. If you go to Namba, you can access there by JR trains. But Nankai Railway gives you much better access to Namba. Especially if you think about transfer to subway at Namba, Nankai Railway Namba station is much easier to transfer to most of subway lines. Please see the details at the post, How to access from Kansai airport to downtown Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.
Next, I recommend you to use this pass for the trip to Himeji. Special Rapid Service connects Osaka with Himeji in 62 minutes. This train is the fastest and most frequent service. If you think about Kansai Thru Pass, this pass do not cover JR trains. If you go to Himeji by Kansai Thru Pass, the pass cover all part of your trip to Himeji. But you will spend more than 90 minutes. Kansai Thru Pass is very efficient for the trip to Kyoto or Mt. Koya. But if you go to Himeji, I recommend you to use JR West Kansai Area Pass.
If you go to Kyoto, Nara or Kobe from Osaka, it may not be very efficient. The fare range is between 500 and 1,000 yen. The difference between 1 day pass and 2 days pass is 2,000 yen. If you will purchase 3 days or 4 days, the price difference is 1,000 yen. If you have two trips, from Kansai airport by Haruka and trip to Himeji, you will already make more than 4,000 yen worth. You can use the pass to Kyoto, Kobe or Nara. But if you use 2 days pass for trip from Kansai airport and trip to Kyoto, Nara or Kobe, you may not be able to make more than 4,000 yen worth.
JR West also sell ICOCA and Haruka. This discount ticket include trip from Kansai airport by Haruka and 1,500 yen value e-money in ICOCA prepaid card. If JR West Kansai Area Pass is too expensive for your trip, ICOCA and Haruka may be suitable for your trip. ICOCA can be used for not only JR trains but also Kyoto subway, Osaka subway and other major private railway companies. ICOCA is more flexible than JR West Kansai Area Pass. Please see the details about ICOCA at the post, ICOCA and Haruka ticket. Very flexible and good deal for tourist who stay in Kansai..
At last, if you want to explore some more places, I strongly recommend you JR West Kansai WIDE Area Pass. This pass is available in 4 days pass only. But the area where is covered is much bigger. And limited express train and Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Okayama are covered by this pass. And the price is only 1,000 yen higher than Kansai Area Pass 4 days. I am very happy if you are interested in other places outside of Kansai area.
Comments
Hi Takeshi-San,
May I check if I should get the Kansai-Hiroshima Area pass and Kansai wide area pass for the following itinerary?
Day 1- Arrive at Hiroshima Airport
Staying in Matoba area in Hiroshima
visiting Saijo area.
Day 2 – Miyajima (staying there for 1 night)
Day 3 – back to Hiroshima, lodging at Matoba area.
Day 4- Kobe (lodging at Sannomiya) & visit Arima onsen
Day 5- Kobe – visit Sake Brewery at Nada district & Harbourland (lodging at Sannomiya area)
Day 6 – Kinosaki Onsen
Day 7 – Visit to Izushi Castle and then to Kyoto (lodging near Kyoto Station)
Days 8- 10 Kyoto (Visit Uji/ Arashimaya/ Gion/ Nijo Castle)
Day 11- day trip to Osaka and then back to lodging in Kyoto (near Kyoto Station)
Day 12-14 Osaka (lodging near Shinsaibashi area and Namba area for 1 night) Visit Osaka castle or Himeji castle/ Umeda area/ visit to Nissin cup noodle museum
Day 15 Kansai Airport
Cheers,
Jadyn
Hi Jadyn san,
Yes. Those pass work for your plan.
If you want to visit Himeji castle, you should visit there on day 4 on the way to Kobe or when you are in Kyoto until day 10. Himeji is a bit away from Kyoto and Osaka. When you have Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass or Kansai Wide Area Pass, you can take Shinkansen. It’s much faster.
You may be able to use some Osaka deals. Please see the links below to find it.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html#Osaka_area
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san
I’m travelling to Japan next month and am still rather confused which passes I should get!
My itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Osaka – Namba (Staying there)
Day 2: Himeiji -> Kobe Harbourland -> Mt Rokko -> Arima Onsen -> Back to Osaka, Namba
Day 3: Nara (Kofukuji temple, Nara Park)
Day 4: Osaka, Universal Studios
Day 5: Osaka (Nipponbashi, Shinsaibashi, Dotonburi)
Day 6: Osaka castle, Kaiyukan Aquarium, Umeda Sky building
Day 7: Asahi suita factory, Rinku town
Day 8: Check into hotel near Kyoto Station -> Kinkakuji temple, Nishiki market, Arashiyama
Day 9: Higashiyama, Gion
Day 10: Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kyoto Station
Should i get a kansai thru pass in this case?
Many thanks in advance!
Hi Janelle san,
Kansai thru pass is the primary pass for your trip. You may use 2 X 2 days pass for day 2, 3, 7 and 8.
For day 4, single ticket is okay. And for day 5 and 6, 2 days Amazing pass is the best choice in my opinion.
http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/index.html
You can use all day bus pass for day 9.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Single ticket is okay for day 10 if you visit Fushimi and Kyoto station. But if you move to KIX after Kyoto, you may add Haruka discount ticket for Kyoto to KIX at 1600 yen. Even if you use this, you have to pay single fare to get Inari station to visit Fushimi. Single fare is around 150 yen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Mr. Takeshi,
Sincerely need your advice on the transport for my 9 days Japan itinerary:
Day 1 Osaka (9am)– Tanimachi 4 Chome station (hotel)- Kema Sakuranomiya Park- Dotonbori
Day 2 Osaka – Owl café (Temma station)- Osaka Aquarium
Day 3 Kuromon Ichiba Market – Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum
Day 4 Osaka- Nara- Osaka
Day 5 USJ
Day 6 Osaka-Kobe- Osaka
Day 7 Osaka-Kyoto – Ishiyama (Hotel)- Ninen-zaka & Sannen-zaka – Gion
Day 8 Fushimi Inari Taisha- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove-
Day 9 Nishiki Market- Kinkakuji Temple – Kansai Airport (11.30pm)
Would it be alright to purchase Kansai Thru Pass (Surutto Kansai Pass), JR West Rail Pass – Kansai Area Pass, and ICOCA and Haruka?
Thanks!
Sheng Hui
Hi Sheng,
The following deals are recommended
Day 1 – Yokoso Osaka Ticket
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/yokoso.html
Day 2 – Osaka Kaiyuu Ticket
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/subway/trip-to-osaka-kaiyukan-aquarium-by-osaka-kaiyu-ticket-2.html
Day 3 and 5 – Single ticket
Day 4, 6 and 7 – Kansai thru pass
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Please switch day 8 and 9. On day 8, visit Nishiki market and Kinkakuji, on day 9 Fushimi and Arashiyama
Day 8 – single ticket to Kyoto and all day bus pass
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Day 9 – Kansai area pass one day
You can visit Arashiyama and Fushimi by this pass, and after that, you can take Limited Express Haruka to Kansai airport directly by this pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
i will be traveling from Oita to Fukuoka the first day,
In the second day i will go to Nara
And the third day i will go back to Oita.
What is the best combination of JR tourist pass/what should i buy?
Greetings!
Hi Tinita,
You may use Kyushu rail pass 3 days norther Kyushu type and Sanyo Sanin Area Pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kyushu-rail-pass-the-best-deal-for-rail-trip-in-kyushu-for-oversea-visitors.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/sanyo-sanin-area-pass-it-is-much-better-deal-than-sanyo-area-pass.html
You will travel only three days but even 7 days pass is cheaper than regular fare. There is JR pass to cover all part of this trip too. But this combination is slightly cheaper than JR pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
We have 2 adults and 1 child 9 yrs old travel to Kyoto/Osaka. Please suggest the tickets to/ fro KIX. Thank you.
Day1: KIX -> Kyoto (arrive 4pm) stay near higashino subway station.
Day3:Kyoto-> Osaka (stay at higashimikuni)
Day8: Osaka-> kix.
Hi Ong san,
You may use ICOCA and Haruka one way to Kyoto.
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
You also can use Haruka one way ticket from Shin-Osaka to KIX. Higashimikuni is one station away from Shin-Osaka by subway.
The following link shows you some more info. Please refer it.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Would like to seek your advice please. We’re planning for a 10-day trip in November. We will be based in Kyoto most of the time. The plan is
Day 1 – Kansai International Airport -> Kyoto -> Kinkakuji Temple -> Teramachi and Shin Kyogoku Shopping Arcades
Day 2 – Toei Kyoto Studio Park -> Kiyomizudera Temple -> Higashiyama District -> Ishibe Alley -> Shouren-in
Day 3 – Kyoto -> Nara Park -> Todaiji Temple -> Heijo Palace -> Kyoto
Day 4 – Kyoto -> Nagiso -> Tsumago -> Magome
Day 5 – Magome -> Narai -> Kyoto
Day 6 – Nijo Castle -> Imperial Palace -> Sento Palace -> Philosopher Path -> Ginkakuji Temple -> Gion
Day 7 – Kyoto -> Dotonbori (Osaka) -> Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade (Osaka) -> Kyoto
Day 8 – Kyoto -> Osaka Castle -> Nishinomaru Garden -> Kyoto
Day 9 – Kyoto -> Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Arcade -> Kyoto
Day 10 – Kyoto -> Kansai International Airport
Is this good use of the JR West pass? If it is, when should the pass start? If it is not, what are the alternatives?
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Alaric
Hi Alaric san,
The following deals are recommended.
ICOCA and Haruka for arrival and departure days.
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
ICOCA e-money can be used for trip to Nara.
Kyoto city deals for sightseeing in Kyoto
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Kansai thru pass for trip to Osaka
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
This pass is better than JR West pass. Because this pass covers subway in Osaka. It’s more convenience and more flexible.
Only single ticket is your choice for Kiso valley.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
Thank you for your reply. I checked that our trip from Kyoto to Kiso and back is as follow:
Kyoto station to Nagoya station: 5390 Yen
Nagoya station to Nagiso station: 3160 Yen
Nakatsugawa Station to Kiso-Fukushima station: 2670 Yen
Kiso-Fukushima station to Narai station: 410 Yen
Narai station to Kiso-Fukushima station: 410 Yen
Kiso-Fukushima station to Nagoya station: 4620 Yen
Nagoya station to Kyoto station: 5590 Yen
Is my calculation correct? Is there a cheaper alternative?
Also, our 3-day day trips from Kyoto to Osaka are as follow:
Kyoto to Dotonbori to Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade to Kyoto;
Kyoto to Osaka Castle to Nishinomaru Garden to Kyoto;
Kyoto to Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Arcade to Kyoto.
Is that worthwhile getting the 3-Day Kansai Thru Pass or is it cheaper to use the ICOCA card?
Thank you.
Hi Alaric san,
I think your calculation is correct. These fares are very common regular fare. This is the easiest and the best train. If you take all local trains, you can save some cost but you have to spend many more hours and many changing trains. It’s very inconvenient and not realistic.
Kansai thru pass 3 days is the best choice for 3 days in Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
Thank you for your input. Does that mean that I should use the ICOCA card for the entire trip from kyoto to kiso and back or is there some other pass which I can tap on to reduce the price?
As for the Kansai Thru Pass, do I buy online first or buy upon arrival at Kansai IA?
Thank you.
Regards,
Alaric
Hi Alaric san,
ICOCA cannot be used for a long distance trip. And also most part of Kiso vallye is outside IC card coverage area. So you have to purchase a regular ticket one by one. There is no deals available.
If you take limited express train and want to reserve a seat, you can book and purchase in advance. You can purchase it at any major JR stations.
You can purchase Kansai thru pass on the spot. Even if you purchase it online, you have to exchange it anyway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
I was looking at the recommended Kyoto City Deals for Sightseeing and saw 3 different tickets. Based on our itinerary, which ticket is more appropriate?
1. 1 x Kyoto Sightseeing Two-day Pass Card + 1 x Kyoto Sightseeing One-Day Pass Card
2. Surutto Kansai Miyako Card
3. Traffica Kyoto Card
Thank you.
Hi Alaric san,
I think option 1 is the best. Miyako card and Traffica card do not give you unlimited ride. Those give you exactly same amount of cash payment.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
We noticed that there is a Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass . How is it comparable to the Kansai Thru Pass that you recommended? Thank you.
Regards,
Alaric
Hi Alaric san,
You can get some part of Kyoto by this pass, such as Kiyomizu-Gojo, Fushimi, Gion-Shijo. So if you intend to visit this area only, you can use this pass. But if you visit other part of Kyoto, such as Arashiyama, Nijo, Kinkakuji-temple, Kyoto station area, this pass does not cover. Because this pass covers only Keihan railway.
On the other hand, Kansai thru pass covers Keihan railway, Kyoto subway, Kyoto city bus and other Non JR trains.
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#For_the_travellers_who_use_Kansai_Thru_Pass
And also, you may need to pay for taking subway to get Keihan Railway station in Osaka, such as Yodoyabashi, Kitahama, Temmabashi, Kyobashi. Kansai thru pass covers subway in Osaka too.
Kansai thru pass is more expensive but it covers much more.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Would like to seek your advice please. We’re planning for a 2 weeks trip in November. For the first 5 nights we’ll be based in Shin Imamiya, Osaka . The plan is
Day 1 – arrival at night. Purchase JR Kansai Area 4 days pass, travel to Osaka.
Day2 & 3 – Kyoto trips, using the JR Kansai Area pass, can we use the JR Haruka from Tennoji to Kyoto?
Day 4 – Himeji and back Osaka
Day 5 – Nara and back Osaka, no pass use on this day probably
Day6 – travel to Kanazawa, with Takayama Hokuriku 5 day pass
Day7- Kanazawa
Day8- travel to Takayama via Shirakawago
Day9 – Takayama
Day 10 – travel to Gero
Day 11- Gero to Osaka
Day 12 – To Tokyo.
2 nights in Tokyo.
Is this good use of the 2 JR pass – kansai area and Takayama Hokuriku? Thank you.
Regards,
Dennis
Hi Dennis san,
Kansai area pass is a good idea. You can take Haruka to get Kyoto from Tennoji directly. However it does not cover Kyoto very much. 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
You may need to have Kyoto city deal to take subway and city bus.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
On the other hand, Kansai thru pass covers all.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
However you cannot take JR trains. So you have to take subway to get Yodoyabashi or Umeda to take Hankyu railway or Keihan railway. Haruka is more convenience and much faster. But Kansai thru pass covers all. You can use this pass in unconsecutive days. You can use 3 days pass for 2 days Kyoto and Nara. You can take Nankai railway to get Shin-Imamiya directly from KIX. One day Kansai area pass can be used for Himeji.
By the way, do you really need to go back to Osaka after Gero? If you go to Nagoya and catch Shinkansen, it’s much easier to get Tokyo and cheaper. Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass is expired when you go to Osaka from Gero. You have to add single fare anyway. If you go back to Osaka, you have to pay for Gero to Osaka and Osaka to Tokyo. If you go to Tokyo after Gero, you need to pay only Gero to Tokyo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi. I did the math and your recommendation works out perfectly!
On going back to Osaka yes, we have a domestic flight covered from Osaka to Tokyo as part of transit before flying back to our home country.
I got another question on the Takayama Hokuriku pass vs self drive, let me ask you in your other post about this pass.
Thank you!
Regards,
Dennis
Dear Mr. Takeshi,
On Nov 06, I will have a trip to Japan. The flight arrive at KIX 02:15 a.m and I will take JR train from KIX to Osaka then change to Himeji line, late afternoon I will take train from Himeji to Kyoto,
I checked several options, it seems Kansai Area Pass 01 Day could be the best for my case.
I’m just worry how to calculate 01 day. Your post mentioned “from midnight to midnight”, that should be fine for my case. However, from JR West website https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kansai/
at “Availability and Use” it is said that “The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 a.m. “. Does it mean from noon time 06 to noon time 07?
Would you kindly help me on that information. Thanks.
Hi Long,
Exactly saying, it’s valid from 0:00 to 23:59. 12:00 am is 0:00, right?
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Mr Takeshi
I will visit Japan next month. up to now,still looking for appropriate pass to travel.
this is my itinerary
Day 1 KIX – Dotonbori
Day 2 Osaka Castle – Tempozan/Kaiyukan aquarium
Day 3 Kobe – Nara
Day 4 Namba Park – Universal City Walk – KIX (to Tokyo)
Day 5 Disneyland
Day 6 asakusa – skytree – sumida park – imperial park
Day 7 Ueno – Odaiba
Day 8 Fujiko F Fujio – Yokohama
Day 9 Lake Kawaguchi – ginza
Day 10 Shinjuku – Tokyo governmnet – Harajuku – shibuya – Roppongi – Tokyo tower
Day 11 Chiba – Narita – KIX
Day 12 Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – Tenryu-ji Temple – Golden Pavillion – Gion
Day 13 Fushimi Inari – Nijo Castle – Imperial palace
Day 14 KIX
place we stay
Osaka : Fukushima
Tokyo : Ueno
Kyoto : near Hanazono
as i read your article about pass that used in japan, i will use :
1. Kansai Thru pass –> Osaka and Kobe
2. Tokyo Wide pass –> 3 days (Odaiba, Yokohama, Fuji)
3. Kyoto sightseeing
4. ICOCA or SUICA
5. ICOCA and Haruka : for KIX to Osaka back to KIX
and for Kyoto to KIX back to KIX
6. Osaka Amazing pass : because offers some famous place
maybe you can give suggestion about my pass based on my itinerary.
regards,
Hi Anita,
Overall I agree with your choices. I want to mention a few little things.
Kansai thru pass
I don’t think you need this pass. This pass is too much for sightseeing in Osaka. But if you use only one way ICOCA and Haruka for arrival day and taking Nankai railway from Namba to KIX, 2 days Kansai thru pass will work.
ICOCA and Haruka
As you probably know, you can use ICOCA in Tokyo too. So once you get ICOCA on arrival day, you don’t need to have any other cards.
Tokyo
If you switch day 5 (disney) and day 10, you may use Keisei + subway combo deal.
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/value_ticket/subway.php
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Mr Takeshi
Thanks for your suggestions.
one more question..
If I buy the Haruka-ICOCA round trip, which one is the kind of service section i should take, Kansai to Kyoto or Kansai to Osaka?
Since the first arrival in Kansai, i will go to Osaka. But second arrival in Kansai i will go Kyoto..
thanks,
Hi Anita,
You may purchase ICOCA and Haruka to Tennoji for the first arrival. For second arrival, you may purchase just Haruka discount ticket.
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
If you want to use ICOCA and Haruka for first arrival day (KIX-Osaka) and the last departure day (Kyoto to KIX), round trip deal does not work. You can use one way ICOCA and Haruka for the first arrival day and use Haruka discount ticket as you need.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Mr Takeshi
i need your suggestion. will go to japan for 9days and this is my itinerary
Day 1 Osaka – Kaiyukan Aquarium – Shinsaibashi
Day 2 Osaka – Universal Studio – Dotonbori
Day 3 Nara Park – Todai ji Temple – Kyoto
Day 4 Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – Tenryu-ji Temple – Golden Pavillion – Fushimi Inari – and will go to kobe harbour if i have spare time
Day 5 Kyoto – Tokyo – Disneyland
Day 6 Tokyo – Asakusa – Shibuya – Ginza
Day 7 Gala Yuzawa (all day)
Day 8 Doraemon Museum – mt Fuji
after i read your information about jr pass. i think icoca is most suitable for my itinerary. is it true? need your suggestion.
regards
Deassy
Hi Deassy,
You can use JR pass for the day 1 to 7 or day 2 to 8.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
If you arrive in KIX on day 1 and want to go to Kaiyukan, you can use Yokoso Osaka ticket and start using JR pass on day 2.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/yokoso.html
ICOCA is not a right choice. You can have it to take local train in each cities. But you cannot use it for a long trip, such as Kyoto to Tokyo, Tokyo to Gala. And also it does not give you any discount and unlimited ride.
JR Pass covers most part of your trip. But it does not cover city bus, subway and non JR trains. Please see the link below to find the coverage of JR pass.
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.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
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
I don’t think you have any extra time to visit Kobe on day 4. On day 8, it may be tight to visit both Doraemon museum and Fuji in one day. If you just watch Fuji, you can make it at Lake Kawaguchi.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com