How to use JR West Kansai Area Pass. Compare pass and single fare.

Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara
Osaka castle is one of popular spot to see cherry blossom in Osaka. ©Osaka Government Tourism Bureau/©JNTO
2012.10.19
Limited Express Haruka from KIX is covered by this pass.
The limited express Haruka from KIX is covered by this pass.

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

Kansai Area pass map
Only major stations are shown in the map.

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:

Green line (subway) and red line (Keihan railway) are additional coverage. (click to view large)

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-day2,400 yen2,4000 yen2,400 yen
2-day4,600 yen4,600 yen4,600 yen
3-day5,600 yen5,600 yen5,600 yen
4-day6,800 yen6,800 yen6,800 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.

Of course, you can ride any local trains that are not shown on above list.

Find your hotels in 400 cities throughout Japan!!!

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:

Kyoto train route guide. How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Kyoto. This post shows you the train network in Kyoto. You can learn how to get the major places in Kyoto.
jprail.com
2013.09.22
Osaka train route guide. How much can we use JR Pass in Osaka? How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots in Osaka?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Osaka. This post shows you the train network in Osaka. You can learn how to get the major places in Osaka.
jprail.com
2013.10.30

Compare cost between pass and single fare. Best way to use.

First of all, please see the fare table for major sections below:

StationsOsakaShin
Osaka		KyotoKansai
airport		Sannomiya
(Kobe)		NaraHimehjiJR Namba
Osaka–1605401160
1150		3907801450190
Shin
Osaka		160–5401330
1150		5408901450210
Kyoto540540–1830
1150		10506902210890
Kansai
airport		1160
1150		1330
1150		1830
1150		–1660
1150		1660
730		2730
1150		1030
730
Sannomiya
(Kobe)		39054010501660
1150		–1210950690
Nara7808906901660
730		1210–2210540
Himeji1450145022102730
1150		9502210–1620
JR Namba1902108901030
730		6905401620–

*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

  1. Cindy Wong says:
    October 10, 2018 at 8:12 pm

    Hi,

    I will staying in Kobe for 4 nights and that will be the start of any travelling.

    Oct 24- Arrive KIX and go straight to Kobe hotel
    Oct 25 -Kyoto
    Oct 26 – Osaka and Kyoto
    Oct 27 – Nara
    Oct 28 – Himeji and leave kobe to KIX airport at 8pm

    I would like to find out if Kansai Thru Pass or Kansai Area Pass is more suitable. I read that Kansai Area Pass covers bus in Kyoto as well, do you think the JR West bus is useful or I should buy a one day bus pass in Kyoto?

    Thank you so much for your advice.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 10, 2018 at 10:10 pm

      Hi Cindy,

      Kansai area pass covers JR bus in Kyoto but it’s not useful. There is only one route and you will rely on city bus much more. Please see the link below to find more info:
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-in-kyoto.html

      Kansai thru pass covers city bus, non JR railway and subway. Please see the link below to find the coverage in Kyoto.
      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

      So for sightseeing in Kyoto, Kansai thru pass is much more useful than Kansai area pass.

      On the other hand, Kansai area pass covers JR train and you can get Kyoto from Kobe directly. This is fast and convenient but most of places in Kyoto is not around Kyoto station. You can get Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari by JR trains.

      So my recommendation is using Kansai thru pass for the first 3 days. But you should switch Nara on 26th and Osaka/Kyoto on 27th. You can get Nara by Hanshin railway and Kintetsu railway from Kobe. Many trains connect Kobe-Sannomiya and Kintetsu Nara station directly. This is most convenient route to get Nara from Kobe and this is covered by Kansai thru pass only. On 24th, you can take Nankai railway from KIX to Namba, and Hanshin railway from Namba to Kobe-Sannomiya or other stations in Kobe. On 25th, try to visit in Kyoto as many as you can. You will visit Kyoto again on 27th by JR Kansai area pass. It covers Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari. So you can leave one or both places for 27th.

      Kansai area pass is also more convenient than Kansai thru pass for visiting Himeji. Trip time is faster. You can take Limited Express Haruka from Shin-Osaka to KIX.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Ivy Gan says:
    October 4, 2018 at 6:20 pm

    Morning Takeshi,

    This is our first time to Osaka / Kyoto, I wish to seek your advise on which pass that we should use for cost saving way for the following itinerary:

    Day 1 – Arrive at Osaka
    Day 2 – Osaka Castle & Dotonbori
    Day 3 – Osaka to Arashiyama (day trip)
    Day 4 – Osaka to Kiyomizu (day trip)
    Day 5 – Osaka to Higashiyama & Fushimi (day trip)
    Day 6 – Osaka Namba & Nipponbashi
    Day 7 – Osaka Hattori Ryokuchi Open Air Museum & Tennoji
    Day 8 – Osaka – Kyoto Railway Museum & Sake Museum (day trip)
    Day 9 – Osaka – Yasaka & Gion & Nishiki Market
    Day 10 – Osaka Expo 70 Park
    Day 11 – USJ
    Day 12 – Back to Malaysia

    Awaiting for your advice.

    Thanks
    Ivy Gan

  3. Mark S says:
    October 4, 2018 at 3:34 am

    Hi Takeshi-san

    I am planning to travel to Otsu from KIX. From Hyperdia the quickest way is to take the Haruka and then change to a special rapid service at Shin-Osaka. It looks like the 1-day Kansai Area Pass will pay off for this.

    To get a seat in the unreserved Haruka car, I simply just go to the train and board the correct car? I do not need to pay any extra fees, the pass will cover everything?

    Thanks

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 4, 2018 at 10:20 am

      Hi Mark san,

      You can use Kansai area pass to take Haruka and Special rapid without any extra. When you take Haruka, it has reserved seat car and unreserved seat car. Please check the signage before you are on board. You can find the signage by the door of the train. It is shown in both Japanese and English.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/signage-and-announcement-in-the-station-and-train.html

      And I also recommend you to change Haruka and Special Rapid at Kyoto. You can change at either Shin-Osaka or Kyoto. But Special Rapid is a commute train and always busy. You may need to stand up. As long as you are in Haruka, you have a seat. Just try to minimize to take Special rapid.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Littleburntwaffles says:
    September 25, 2018 at 9:53 pm

    Hello!
    I’m going osaka soon and need advise on what pass to purchase. I have two ideas in mind. But appreciate your advice too 🙂

    We will stay in shin-Osaka.

    Day 1: Kansai Airport to Shin-Osaka (Haruka reserved seats) / Umeda
    Day 2: USJ
    Day 3: Inari
    Day 4: Osaka
    Day 5-6: Kyoto
    Day 7: Shin-Osaka – Airport

    Would you recommend to use icoca + Haruka ticket for the entire trip

    or

    One way – Haruka (Airport – zhun Osaka) icoca and Kansai area pass?

    My itinerary is mainly using JR train and also the train at Midosuji line.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      September 26, 2018 at 12:18 pm

      Hi Littleburntwaffles,

      I recommend you to use ICOCA and haruka one way and Kansai area pass 3 days for the last 3 days. If you go to Inari on day 3, you can use 4 days pass for the last 4 days.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. Stephanie says:
    August 23, 2018 at 7:08 pm

    Hi which pass will be recommend if these are the places I plan to visit?

    Day 1: arrive KIX airport and go to kyoto. stay overnight in kyoto
    Day 2: kyoto to osaka
    Day 3: osaka
    Day 4: half day trip to nara
    Day 5: day trip to kobe and himeji
    Day 6: hiroshima and mijiyama

    also plan to do a day trip to shirakawago. understand it may take 4hour one way but we’re ok with it.

    if possible also another trip to nagano to see the snow monkeys. also understand it’s another 4hour one way but ok too.

    flexible with the days and the order can change but not sure which pass works best.
    Thanks:)

  6. Miki says:
    August 22, 2018 at 2:31 am

    Hello!
    I’m going osaka soon and need advise on what pass to purchase.

    Day 1: Kansai Airport to Shin-Osaka
    Day 2: Osaka
    Day 3: Osaka-Nara-Osaka
    Day 4: Osaka-Kyoto
    Day 5-6: Kyoto
    Day 7: Kyoto-Osaka
    Day 8-12: Osaka

    I’m going on a budget trip, do i need to get ICOCA card too?
    Many thanks!

  7. Bernadette De Leon says:
    August 21, 2018 at 12:18 pm

    hello!

    Me and my friends will be travelling to Osaka soon. And we cant figure out what Pass should we purchase. Here’s our itinerary. Please help 🙂

    Day 1 Arriving KIX at 855PM. Booked apartment in Bentencho. What pass should we get?

    Day 2 Osaka day tour. We also need a pass here?

    Day 3 – USJ then travel to Nagoya at night. We will stay at my friends husband house there. Is there any train pass that will cover Osaka &Nagoya?

    Day 4 – Day 6 Explore Nagoya. Back to Osaka in the afternoon for our flight home.

    We are all excited but confused on how we can go around without causing too much. please help

    Thanks!

  8. WhyL says:
    August 4, 2018 at 5:17 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    This is my 1st time to Japan, and i’m lost with all the pass usage! (so many choices) Not sure whether this is the most convenient & cost saving way to travel around Japan, do take a look at my itinerary! 🙂

    2 days Osaka- 1 day Nara – 2 days Kyoto – 4 days Tokyo – 3 days Osaka
    Itinerary:
    Day 1 (Sat): Kansai Airport at 5:30pm, will head to umeda.
    -Explore Umeda

    Day 2 (Sun): Still at Umeda
    -9:00am-1:00pm Minoo Park
    -2:00pm to 3:00pm Cup Noodle Museum
    -4:00pm-5:00pm Shinsekai
    -5:30pm-6:30pm Umeda Sky Building
    -6:30pm onwards (free & easy) to visit Pokemon Centre

    Day 3 (Mon): Umeda to Nara [round trip] (what train pass should i use here?)
    -9:00am to 10:30am Arrive Nara (Kintetsu Nara Station)
    -11:00am to 2:00pm Nara Deer Park
    -3:00pm to 5:00pm Higashimuki Shopping Street
    – 6:00pm to 7:30pm Train back to Umeda

    Day 4 (Tue): Osaka to Kyoto
    -8:30am to 9:30am Hankyu Osaka Station to Kawaramachi Station (Kyoto) should i buy the pass at the station itself?
    -11:00pm to 1:00pm Kiyomizu-Dera Temple
    -2:00pm to 4:00pm Nishiki Market/ Daimaru Basement Food Floor
    -4:30pm to 6:00pm Teramachi Shopping Arcade

    Day 5 (Wed): Still in Kyoto
    -8:30am to 11:00am Arashiyama Bamboo Grove/Tenryu-ji Temple
    -12:30pm to 3:00pm Fushimi Inari Shrine
    -4:00pm to 6:00pm Gion

    Day 6 (Thu): Kyoto to Tokyo (what train pass should i buy?)
    -9:00am to 12:30pm Kyoto to Tokyo
    -2:00pm to 5:00pm Asakusa (Senso-Ji Temple)
    – 5:30pm – 7:00pm Ginza

    Day 7 (Fri): In Tokyo
    -10:00am to 1:00pm Tsukiji Fish Market (Shimbashi Station)
    – 1:30pm to 4:30pm Ueno Park (Ueno Station)
    -Free & Easy

    Day 8 (Sat): Still in Tokyo
    -11:00am – 3:00pm Harajuku
    -3:30pm to 8:00pm Shibuya (Meiji-Jinju Shrine)
    -Day 11-12: Tokyo back to Osaka

    Day 9 (Sun): Still in Tokyo
    -11:00am to 2:00pm Kappabashi
    -3:00pm to 6:00pm Shinjuku
    -Free & Easy

    Day 10 (Mon): Tokyo back to Osaka (Namba) (what pass should i buy?)
    -9:00am – 12:00pm Transport to Osaka
    -3:00pm – 4:30pm Osaka Castle
    -5:00pm – 8:00pm Shinsaibashi

    Day 11 (Tue): Osaka
    -Free & Easy (to go Dotonbori)

    Day 12 (Wed): Osaka to KIX Airport
    -11:00am – 12:00pm Transport to KIX Airport
    -Back Home

  9. Yaron Avni says:
    August 1, 2018 at 9:11 am

    Hi,
    I would like to go from KIX to Kyoto after arriving around 13:30 to KIX.
    I will have to use jr West 5 day pass any way because heading Hiroshima. How Should I use this pass to go to Kyoto ?
    I saw there is a bus going from kix to Kyoto which is included.
    Do you recommend using it ?

  10. Albert says:
    May 14, 2018 at 10:25 am

    Hi takashi

    I will wish to seek for your advice pertaining to the pass usage for the following place:

    1) 3p.m into Kansai Airport
    (Should we head straight to Kyoto of stat overnight in Osaka)

    2) Kyoto
    3) Kyoto
    4) Nara day trip-Osaka over night
    5) 3p.m fly out from Kansai airport

    Thanks.

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