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,
My family of 5, with an 76 old elderly, will be visiting Kyoto and Osaka in May18. Following is the itinerary:
Day 0: Flight to Osaka
Day 1: Kansai Airport (6am) -> Kyoto Ayashirama
Day 2: Ayashirama -> Kyoto Kawaramachi (noon)
Day 3: Kawaramachi -> Osaka Namba (evening)
Day 4: Namba -> Nara -> Namba
Day 5: Osaka n Surroundings
Day 6: Namba -> Kansai Airport (7.30am)
Would be very much appreciated if you could advice if we should purchase the Kansai Area Pass, or/and any JR rail passes?
In addition, is there any additional cost for reserving of seats?
Thanks!
Gary
Hi Gary,
Please refer the link below. You will find very similar itinerary to your plan:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7to9-days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Nara is included between Osaka and Kyoto in this plan. You have a day trip to Nara from Osaka. But it’s same. You can use ICOCA for this day trip. And just remove Kobe from this sample.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for the very informative post. I must admit, there are so many choices(JR/Haruka/ICOCA) that I really still do not know the best value for such a short trip this coming April. Can you please advise what to get since there are a lot of inconsistencies between the suggested transportation from other blogs.
Day 1: Kansai Airport to Higashiyodogawa Ward, Osaka
Day 2: Kyoto day trip only
Day 3: Universal Studios
Day 4: Half day Osaka tour then back to Kansai airport in the afternoon
Looking forward to share your ideas on this. Thanks!
Hi Princess,
I think ICOCA and Haruka is the best deal for you. You can add Kansai one pass instead of ICOCA. Please see the link below:
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/icoca-haruka/
https://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
Kansai one pass is a sort of ICOCA but it offers discount at many attractions. You may use Kansai one pass to get Kyoto and USJ but you can add Kyoto city bus to save your budget in your Kansai one pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi, i need your advice for my first trip to Osaka, Kyoto
Is it enough just purchase Kansai Area Pass if my itin like this:
Day one : Osaka Dotonburi
Day two: Universal Studio Osaka
Day three : Kyoto full day (Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizudera, Kinkakuji, Arashiyama)
Day four : Himeji Castle, Nara and Osaka Castle if possible when return again to Osaka
Many thanks
Timotius
Hi Timotius,
You may use 2 days pass for day 3 and 4. Single ticket or other local deal is okay for day 1 and 2. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Which pass do you think I should get? JR Pass? Kansai area pass or Kansai thru pass?
Day 1: NRT to KIX (I will do a one way flight to KIX, or should I buy a 7 day JR Pass? I would like to save as much as I can and I think right now the one way flight seems to be the best option)
Day 2: Osaka
Day 3: Himeji and Kobe (these are day trips I will do when I am still staying in Osaka)
Day 4-8: Kyoto
Day 9: Nagoya
Day 10-11: Mt. Fuji
Day 12-13: Tokyo to NRT
Thank you so much!
Hi May,
JR Pass does not work anyway. You may take a flight from Narita to KIX. You can find the deals for each segments in the links below:
KIX-Osaka
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
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
Himeji and Kobe
Kansai area pass (see the post above)
Single ticket for Osaka to Kyoto, Kyoto to Nagoya, Nagoya to Fuji. However you may use Platt Kodama for Kyoto to Nagoya
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
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
Fuji
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Tokyo
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
No deals are available to get Narita.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Cheers,
Takshi / JPRail.com
Dear Mr Takeshi,
I am travelling to Osaka, Kyoto and Nara for 3 days and a half and want to do one day osaka, one day kyoto and one day Nara, below is my itineraries. Please let me know which pass i should get, I’m thinking to get Kansai Thru Pass 3 days unlimited. Please give me your suggestion. Thank you so much.
Day 1: From Kansai airport to Osaka , Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky, Dotombori
Day 2: From Osaka-Kyoto
-Arashiyama, Tenryu-ji Temple, Nishiki Market, Yasaka Shrine, Maruyama Park then back to Osaka
Day 3: From Osaka- Nara
Nara Park and Todaji Temple and then back to Osaka airport
I am wondering if the Kansai Thru Pass will cover the above locations and if its cheaper if i get the Osaka 1 day Pass, Kyoto one day pass and Nara one day pass rather than Kansai Thru Pass. Much appreciate for your help. Thank you.
Hi Nhi,
Kansai thru pass is most affordable choice and easiest to handle. All trips are covered by Kansai thru pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I’m planning a 7 days trip to Osaka, Nara, Himeji. What is the best pass to use and how should I travel for the 3 destinations?
Thanks
Hi Mandy,
Kansai area pass or Kansai thru pass is your choice for Nara and Himeji. Please see the link below to find more info:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
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
For sightseeing in Osaka, please refer the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Which pass should i buy? I will be in Osaka in end May for 6 days staying around Dotonbor.
1. Plan to take a Day Trip Tour to Kyoto & Nara each.
2. Left 4 days to roam around Osaka. Wish to visit these attraction.
– Universal Studio (1 day)
– Ramen Museum in Ikeda
– Osaka Castle
– Shinsekai
– Osaka Aquarium
– Umeda.
Do you think I can squeeze in an Onsen?
Greatly appreciated your advice.
Doreen
Hi Doreen,
Please see the link below. You will find the info which you need.
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, I would like to get your advice on which pass to purchase for a really short Kansai area trip:
Day 1 – Kansai Airport to Osaka Dotonbori area (evening arrival)
Day 2 – Osaka Dotonbori Area to Kyoto Sanjo Station
Day 3 – Kyoto (will probably get a day bus pass)
Day 4 – Kyoto Sanjo station to Nara (in the AM) and back to Kyoto Sanjo
Day 5 – Kyoto Sanjo station to Osaka Umeda area
Day 6 – Osaka Umeda area to Kobe and back to Osaka Umeda
Day 7 – Osaka Umeda area to Kansai Airport
Hi Pearl,
Please see the links below:
KIX-Osaka
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Bus pass is okay for day 3
Kansai thru pass for day 2, 4, 5.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Hashin tourist pass for day 6
http://www.hanshin.co.jp/global/en/tourist/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi I’m wondering if you can advise the best ticket option for my trip:
Day one: Kansai Airport to Kyoto
Day two: Explore Kyoto (may include a trip to Arashiyama)
Day three:Explore Kyoto then travel to Nara
Day four: Explore Nara then travel to Osaka
Day five: explore Osaka then travel to Kansai Airport
Any advise would be great thanks!
Hi Sarah,
You may follow my sample itinerary in the link below. You can find which pass you need.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Pls advice if getting the ICOCA & Haruka pass is the cheapest way of getting around for my itinerary below:
Day 1: Kansai Airport to Kyoto
Day 2-5: Kyoto
Day 5: Kyoto to Osaka Namba area
Day 6: Universal Studio
Day 7: Osaka
Day 8: Nara
Day 9-11: Osaka
Many thanks,
Angeline
Hi Angeline,
You can follow my sample in the link below. It’s almost same as your trip plan.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com