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,
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.
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
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
Hi Ivy,
Please see the link below to find the deal for KIX to/from Osaka.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Kansai thru pass is the choice for trip to Kyoto.
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 see the link below to find the deal for sightseeing 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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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
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
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.
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
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:)
Hi Stephanie,
If you do this itinerary, I recommend you to use ICOCA and Haruka for day 1 and Kansai Hiroshima area pass for day 2 to 6.
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://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kansai-hiroshima-area-pass-perfect-deal-for-the-traveller-who-wants-travel-both-kansai-and-hiroshima.html
If you visit Shirakawago, you have to add Takayama Hokuriku area pass. You don’t need ICOCA and Haruka.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-osaka-or-kyoto.html
If you visit Nagano, you need JR pass. In this case, you need only JR pass. Kansai Hokuriku area pass, Takayama Hokuriku area pass and ICOCA and Haruka are not required. But JR pass does not cover the bus to Shirakawago. You have to add bus fare. The bus to Snow Monkey Park is not covered by any rail pass. Snow Monkey pass is recommend to be added on top of JR pass.
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
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/trip-report/2016-winter-tohoku-chubu-chugoku/trip-to-tohoku-chubu-and-chugoku-in-2016-winter-part-9-visit-snow-monkey-park-in-nagano.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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!
Hi Miki,
Please see the link below and fine a sample itinerary. Basically you can follow this sample itinerary:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7to9-days/sample-itinerary-of-staying-in-osaka-kyoto-and-osaka-8-days.html
In your trip plan, you may use Kansai thru pass 3 days for day 3, 4 and 7.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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!
Hi Bernadett,
ICOCA and Haruka may be recommended for day 1 and 2.
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
Or you can use regular fare ticket for day 1 and add other deal for day 2, such as Osaka amazing pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
For Osaka – Nagoya, you have two choices. If you want to save your budget and okay with spending more trip time, Kintetsu rail pass is recommended:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kintetsu-rail-pass-most-affordable-deal-for-osakakyoto-nagoya-and-access-to-ise.html
Price is higher but faster if you use Platt Kodama.
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
You may use whichever you like. Unfortunately there is no deals to cover whole part of your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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
Hi WhyL,
JR pass 7 days is recommended. It does not give you a big saving but if you use take Shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo and Tokyo to Osaka, these fares are around 28,000 yen. JR Pass 7 days is 29,100 yen but you can take JR local trains in Kyoto, Osaka and Tokyo. I think you can get the worth of it. Please see the link below to find the coverage of JR pass in these cities:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
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
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
I recommend you to use for day 6 to 12. But as you saw the links above, some places cannot be accessed by JR pass. You may need to add the fare to take subway, city bus and/or other non JR trains.
For day 1, take Limousine bus or JR Kansai Airport Rapid train by regular fare.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
For day 2 to 4, you can use 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
For day 5, just use regular fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for the detailed info! ありがとうございます~
Just to clarify, from Kyoto to Tokyo, shinkansen is take from Kyoto station straight to Tokyo station?
You mentioned that JR pass can only use for JR line, so it is advisable to also purchase Suica card?
Is my itinerary feasible or should I rearrange the order to go Kyoto, Nara and Tokyo?
Thank you!
Hi WhyL,
Yes, Shinkansen takes you from Kyoto to Tokyo directly. You can take Hikari on Shinkansen by JR Pass.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/eastbound.pdf
http://english.jr-central.co.jp/info/timetable/_pdf/westbound.pdf
I cannot say that Suica is required or not. It depends on where you go. As I gave you the link of the coverage in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka by JR Pass, some places in these cities can be accessed by JR pass. You can use Kansai one pass instead of Suica if you like. Please see the link below about IC card (Suica, Kansai one pass).
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/what-is-ic-card-suica-icoca-pasmo-how-to-use-these-cards.html
Your itinerary is okay. You don’t need to change it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Grateful for all the information you provided! 🙂
Thank you ~
No worries, WhyL.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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 ?
Hi Yaron,
I think you will use Kansai Hiroshima area pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kansai-hiroshima-area-pass-perfect-deal-for-the-traveller-who-wants-travel-both-kansai-and-hiroshima.html
This does not cover a bus from KIX to Kyoto. You can take limited express Haruka which is covered by this pass.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kansai-airport-limited-express-haruka.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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.
Hi Albert,
You may get Kyoto on arrival day. You have enough time to get there.
Please see the link below to find the info about choosing pass for your trip:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7to9-days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com