You may travel in Kansai area only and not travel throughout Japan. You may have one way trip from Osaka to Tokyo. For these travelers, Kansai One Pass/ICOCA and Haruka gives you a good deal for the transfer from Kansai airport to Osaka or Kyoto, and the local sightseeing in Kansai region.
This deal gives you access to Osaka or Kyoto by the limited express Haruka and some preloaded e-money in ICOCA or Kansai One Pass.
I will tell you what this deal is and how to use it in this post.
What is Haruka?
Haruka is the limited express train which offers you a direct transfer from Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Tennoji, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto. This train does not stop at Osaka station (Umeda). But it is only one station away from Shin-Osaka. This is only direct train service to Kyoto from KIX. If you go to Kyoto, I highly recommend to take this train because this is the fastest, most convenient and most reliable choice. Please see the post, Limited Express Haruka to get more details.
How to use ICOCA and Kansai One Pass
These are e-money IC card. This deals included 1500 yen e-money in ICOCA or 2,500 yen e-money if you choose Kansai One Pass.
You can use this e-money not only JR trains but also Osaka subway, Kyoto subway, most of private train companies (Hankyu, Keihan, Kintetsu and many more) and even city bus in major cities, like Kyoto. You can use it to shop in the kiosk in the station, the nationwide convenience store (Lawson, Family Mart, Seven Eleven) and even some of major electronics retail store.
If you go to other major cities, like Tokyo, Nagoya, Sapporo, Hakata, Hiroshima after staying in Kansai area, you still can use ICOCA. So you can take most of trains in the other areas by ICOCA, such as subway in Tokyo, JR train in Sapporo and many more.
What is the difference between ICOCA and Kansai One Pass
Kansai One Pass is basically same type card as ICOCA. But Kansai One Pass is available for an overseas tourist only. And the preload amount is 1,000 yen more than ICOCA.
You can take any trains and most of bus services in Kansai area by this card. The way of using Kansai One Pass is exactly same as ICOCA. The biggest feature of this card is offering a discount at many attractions in Kansai area. ICOCA does not offer any discount at the attraction. If you intend to purchase ICOCA, you should purchase Kansai One Pass instead.
You might think that 2,500 yen e-money is too much for your trip. But as I mentioned, you can use this e-money to buy something eat and/or drink in the major convenience store. It is not hard to spend 2,500 yen. You can include Kansai One Pass in ICOCA and Haruka package instead of ICOCA.
Please see the link below to find the detailed information of Kansai One Pass:
Price
Actually you can get only Haruka discount ticket which is Haruka riding ticket portion of ICOCA and Haruka if you have already got ICOCA card or Kansai One Pass.
ICOCA and Haruka price table
| Destination | Haruka service section | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osaka, Shin-Osaka | KIX – Shin-Osaka | 3,200 | 4,400 |
| Tennoji, JR-Namba | KIX – Tennoji | 3,600 | 5,200 |
| Kyoto, Saga-Arashiyama | KIX – Kyoto | 3,800 | 5,600 |
| Nara | KIX – Tennoji | 3,700 | 5,400 |
| Kobe, Sannomiya | KIX – Shin-Osaka | 3,600 | 5,200 |
Haruka ticket only price table
| Destination | Haruka service section | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osaka, Shin-Osaka | KIX – Shin-Osaka | 1,200 | 2,400 |
| Tennoji, JR-Namba | KIX – Tennoji | 1,600 | 2,200 |
| Kyoto, Saga-Arashiyama | KIX – Kyoto | 1,800 | 3,600 |
| Nara | KIX – Tennoji | 1,700 | 2,400 |
| Kobe, Sannomiya | KIX – Shin-Osaka | 1,600 | 3,200 |
- One way type ticket is only available both direction, such as KIX to Osaka and Osaka to KIX. But only the deal from KIX is available online. You cannot purchase the ticket to KIX online. You have to purchase it at the station after arrival.
- One way type ticket must be used on the day of purchase. Round trip ticket is valid for 14 days.
- ICOCA and Kansai One Pass can be used whenever you want. ICOCA and Kansai One Pass will be expires in case that you will not use these cards in 10 years at all. If you intend to come back to Japan in next 10 years, you still will be able to use same ICOCA or Kansai One Pass in next trip
- Haruka riding portion of this deal can allow you to use non reserved seat of Haruka or the other local and rapid train. You cannot take a reserved seat or the Green seat of Haruka and other limited express trains, such as the Shinkansen.
If your child is 5 years or younger, it is free of charge.
If you want to get only Haruka ticket without purchasing ICOCA or Kansai One Pass, you can buy a ticket at Klook:
Klook.comI will explain a price comparison later.
How about child deal
ICOCA and Haruka is not available for child. But if you travel between Kansai airport and Shin-Osaka or Kyoto, Kansai Area Pass child rate is cheaper than a single fare.
If you want to compare the exact fare and the price of this pass, the single fare table can be found below. The child rate is applied to 6 years to 11 years old. 5 years old or younger child is free if you share your seat with your child. But when you take a train and there are lots of empty seat, you can give a seat to your child.
ICOCA can be purchased itself beside Kansai area pass. You cannot share your ICOCA Card with your child. Child ICOCA is available. But Please see the next chapter.
How to use ICOCA and Kansai One Pass
Most of you use ICOCA or Kansai One Pass to take a train. The biggest advantage of this card is that you do not have to purchase a ticket when you enter the station and take a train. All you have to do is touch your ICOCA or Kansai One Pass at a ticket gate when you enter/exit station. It is automatically calculated and subtract a fare from your ICOCA or Kansai One Pass. You can save your time when you take a train.
Even if you do not have enough fund in your ICOCA, you can still enter the station and take the trains. (But you must have minimum fares plus 500 yen deposit in this card.) You can add more fund before you enter/exit the station. You can add more fund in your ICOCA or Kansai One Pass at other major cities where other IC cards are available, such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Sapporo, Sendai, Nagoya, Hiroshima and Hakata.
Actually 2,000 yen e-money in ICOCA (2,500 yen in Kansai One Pass) that is included in this deal also includes 500 yen deposit. Therefore your fund in your ICOCA is 1,500 yen and 2,500 yen in Kansai One Pass. If you empty this card and do not use it any more, you can get this 500 yen deposit refund at the station. But if you want to keep ICOCA card itself for your souvenir, you cannot get refund. Especially ICOCA card for this deal is designed for the overseas tourist. It looks different from common ICOCA card. There are two versions available, Wind or Thunder God on the screen (National treasure) or No.1 world famous Japanese character ‘Hello Kitty!’.
If you go to other than Kansai area and want to get refund, complete to use this ICOCA when you stay in Kansai area and get refund. You cannot get any refund in the other cities, like Tokyo.
Child ICOCA is sold at 2,000 yen that is 1,500 yen e-money and 500 yen deposit. It has same value as adult ICOCA card. But if your child use Child ICOCA, child fare is deducted to take a train. Child fare is half amount of adult fare. So it takes longer to spend 1,500 yen e-money than using adult ICOCA.
Please see the following link to get some more information about other IC cards:
How to use this deal
This deal includes 1,500 yen ICOCA e-money or 2,500 yen e-money in the card if you choose Kansai One Pass, and one way/round trip to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara or Kobe. You cannot use this deal to Himeji, Wakayama and other than Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe.
If you go to Sannomiya, Kobe and other stations between Kobe and Shin-Osaka, you have to take Haruka to Shin-Osaka and transfer local, rapid or Special Rapid Service at Shin-Osaka. Of course this ticket covers all part of this trip. However the airport limousine bus runs between Kansai airport and Kobe directly. If you go to Kobe, the airport limousine bus is better way. You can find limousine bus information at the link below:
Kansai airport limousine bus between Kansai airport and Kobe
If you go to Nara, Haruka takes you Tennoji. And then you have to change to Yamatoji Rapid Service to get Nara. There is no direct train services to Nara either. This is same as access to Kobe. The airport limousine bus takes you to Nara directly. You can find limousine bus information at the link below:
Kansai airport limousine bus between Kansai airport and Nara
Price comparison to basic fare
Upper rate is basic fare and lower rate is non reserved seat limited express surcharge.
| Adult (12 yrs and up) | Child (6-11 yrs) | |
|---|---|---|
| KIX – Tennoji | 1060 yen 650 yen | 530 yen 330 yen |
| KIX – JR Namba | 1060 yen 650 yen | 530 yen 330 yen |
| KIX – Shin-Osaka | 1360 yen 970 yen | 680 yen 480 yen |
| KIX – Osaka (Umeda) | 1190 yen 970 yen | 590 yen 480 yen |
| KIX – Kyoto | 1880 yen 970 yen | 940 yen 480 yen |
| KIX – Sannomiya | 1710 yen 970 yen | 860 yen 480 yen |
This deal is cheaper for all destinations than the regular fares.
Compare to other deals, Nankai Railway deals, JR West Kansai Area Pass and Kansai Thru Pass
If you travel to Shin-Imamiya or Namba, you can take Nankai Railway. The basic fare is only 930 yen if you take the airport express train. Nankai Namba station is located at central of Namba and it is much better location than JR Namba. Even if you want ICOCA, you can purchase only ICOCA or Kansai One Pass. You can buy one of these cards and start using to take the train from KIX right away.
If you go to somewhere in Osaka, like Shinsaibashi, Nihonbashi, Uehonmachi, by subway, Nankai Namba is much easier location to transfer to subway Namba station. If you have very tight budget, Osaka Subway to Kansai int’l Airport ticket is sold at 1,020 yen. This includes Nankai Railway one way basic fare between Kansai airport and Namba and one way trip to/from any Osaka Metro stations. As I mentioned, basic fare from KIX to Namba by Nankai Railway is 930 yen. Osaka Metro fare is starting at 180 yen. If you have the shortest trip, like from Namba to Shinsaibashi, the total fare (Nankai plus Subway) is 1,110 yen. You can use this deal, Osaka Subway to Kansai int’l Airport ticket for the trip to Umeda where is same location as JR Osaka station. Osaka Metro Midosuji line can take you from Namba to Umeda. This is cheaper than JR basic fare 1,210 yen. If you want to get more information about Osaka Subway to Kansai int’l Airport ticket, please see Nankai Railways website.
If you go to Nara by the train after you arrive in KIX, you may consider to use Nara Access Ticket or Kansai Thru Pass. Kintetsu Railway is better to access to Nara because Kintetsu Nara station is better location than JR Nara station. So I recommend you to use Nara Access Ticket or Kansai Thru Pass to get Nara. Please see the post, How to access to Nara.
If you go to Himeji, JR West Kansai Area Pass is the best and the fastest. Kansai Thru Pass can be used to get Himeji. But it is too many transfers and spend many hours. JR trains, Haruka and Special Rapid Service, are much faster.
I explained all deals for airport access at the link below. Please refer this post too.
Comments
I wanna ask, can i use icoca like suica at tokyo?
Thanks
Hi Tita,
Yes, you can.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Good day!
Very nice article. I just want some clarification, though. We are arriving at KIX airport but exiting Japan via NRT; so obviously, we will have the one-way ICOCA-Haruka. You said it’s only valid for one day but we will be staying in Kyoto for five days. Can we top up ICOCA-Haruka so we can use for the next four days? Or do we need to buy another pass/a different pass? Thanks so much!
Christine
Hi Christine,
ICOCA and Haruka consists of two parts, Haruka ticket for taking limited express Haruka from airport, and ICOCA e-money 1500 yen value. Haruka portion can be used for one day until you exit station. But you can use ICOCA e-money anytime. Actually it’s valid for 10 years. So you may use this e-money to take bus, subway or other way, like spending in convenience store to buy for something to eat.
But 1500 yen is not enough for 4 days in Kyoto I think. Kyoto sightseeing card or all day bus pass is recommended.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Gosh! You are soooo good in explaining. You even went an extra mile of giving me a suggestion. You should be the head of tourism there. Thanks!
Christine
hi takeshi san,
i’ll be arriving at kansai airport at 9.30pm. will i have sufficient time to get to kyoto (hotel mystays kyoto shijo)?
what train shall i take and which ticket should i buy? will be in kyoto for 2 nights after which will be back in osaka for 4 nights.
thanks
meng
Hi Meng,
You can get Kyoto station by either train or bus. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-access-to-osaka-kyoto-and-kobe-from-late-arrival-flight-at-kansai-airport-kix.html
The following sample itinerary give you info about the deals for your trip:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi
Thanks for a very informative site. I have been referring to this site for my upcoming japan trip in june. I find the train fee and structure is quite intimidating but fun ;).
My husband and i will arrive at kansai airport on 17/6 around 8pm. Most probably we will go straight to kyoto from there. We will fly out from kix on 21/6 morning, so we thought of spending the day before in osaka, and travel from there to kix.
My question is, if we buy icoca haruka return package, can we use the outward part going to kyoto, but the return part from osaka-kix?. We will use icoca or single fare from kyoto to osaka.
Thank you.
Hi Azie,
You have to use return part of ICOCA and Haruka for just Osaka to KIX. Because once you exit the station, the ticket will be expired. So you cannot use this portion for Kyoto-Osaka and Osaka-KIX.
You can use ICOCA and Haruka round trip ticket. But if you intend to stay around Namba area in Osaka, Nankai Railway is much more convenient. You can get some deals, like Kanku Tokuwari Rapi:t Ticket at 1130 yen.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
The total cost is a bit higher than ICOCA and Haruka round trip ticket. But there is no direct train from Namba to KIX by JR. It’s worth spending 130 yen to get direct transportation.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello Takeshi,
Thank you for your excellent website full of great information about travelling in Japan!
It has helped a lot with researching the best trains to travel with.
May I ask your opinion on the trip I am planning? I apologise for writing a long message, hopefully it’s not too confusing!
The destinations are –
Day 1: Osaka Kansai airport to Osaka Station
Day 2: Osaka Umeda to Kyoto station, then Kyoto Station to Nara
(2 days in Kyoto)
Day 5: Kyoto to Nagoya, then Nagoya to Matsumoto
Day 6: Matsumoto to Tokyo
From researching I found these options –
1) Osaka Kansai airport to Osaka Station:
JR West Kansai Airport Rapid Express
70 mins, 1190 Yen
2) Osaka Umeda to Kyoto station:
Hankyu Railways Limited Express Kyoto Line
Osaka-Umeda to Karasuma, then subway to Kyoto Station
40 mins, 400 Yen
3) Kyoto Station to Nara Station:
JR West Miyakoji Rapid Train
45 mins, 710 Yen, 15-20 min walk from Nara Park.
(Travel with 1-day Bus Pass in Nara)
4) Kyoto to Nagoya:
JR Tokaido Main Line (Biwako Line)
Kyoto Station to Maibara then transfer to train for Nagoya
2hrs 15 mins, 2590 Yen
OR
the Puratto Kodama Economy Plan from JR Tokai Travel Agency
Kyoto Station to Nagoya
40-60 mins, 4200 Yen.
OR
Shinkansen Nozomi
35 mins, 5800 Yen.
5) Nagoya to Matsumoto:
Shinano Limited Express Wide View Train
Train to Nagano stops at Matsumoto
6) Then lastly, Matsumoto to Tokyo Shinjuku:
JR Limited Express train Azusa/Super Azusa
2.5hrs, 6380 Yen
OR
Highway bus from Matsumoto bus terminal to Keio Highway bus terminal in Tokyo Shinjuku
3hrs, 3500 Yen.
Thank you for reading this far!
What is your opinion of these choices?
Would you have any suggestions for different trains or if the JR Rail Pass or ICOCA card could be more useful instead?
Thank you in advance!
Best regards,
Esther
Hi Esther,
I recommend you to use ICOCA and Haruka for arrival day.
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
Even if you don’t take Haruka, this deal still work. Because 3030 yen price includes trip to Osaka and 1500 yen e-money and 500 yen deposit. If you make this card empty before leave Osaka/Kyoto/Nara, you can get 500 yen refund. So actual price is 2530 yen. 1500 yen ICOCA e-money can be used for any trains (JR, Subway, Hankyu). You can use this card to shop even in convenience store and vending machine in JR station. it’s very easy to make it empty.
You can take Hankyu and subway in Kyoto. Or you can take Special Rapid to get Kyoto from Osaka directly by ICOCA.
You don’t need to save ICOCA money for trip to Nara. Because Kintetsu Rail Pass is recommended to get Nara and Nagoya.
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
If you pay 3800 yen for this pass, you can take luxury express trains to get Nagoya. It’s much nicer than JR local trains and cheaper than Kodama deal. And also it includes Nara too. I’m sure this is the best deal.
There is highway bus between Nagoya and Matsumoto too. But there is no English info.
https://www.alpico.co.jp/access/express/nagano_nagoya/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello again Takeshi,
Thank you so much for your detailed help!
May I check with you, so once we’ve landed in Kansai Airport should we purchase the Kintetsu Rail Pass for going from Kyoto to Nara, and then Kyoto to Nagoya?
Then also purchase an ICOCA card for travelling in Osaka, and to Kyoto?
Our itinerary actually changed a bit, instead of going to Matsumoto we will be going to Takayama from Nagoya, then to Tateyama for the Alpine Route.
I’ve gone through a few of your articles regarding that area, and checking the Alpen Route website.
To get there we would take the earliest train of 5:40AM from Takayama to reach Tateyama Station so that luggage can be delivered to Shinano-Omachi area.
This route would be by JR Takayama Line with a transfer at Dentetsu-Toyama to take the Toyama Chiho Railway Tateyama Line and reach Tateyama – do you think this would be the best way? I’ve read that this route isn’t covered by JR Pass, also.
Does this route take around 2 or 4hrs and cost 2000yen or 4000? Hyperdia and hida.jp show different times and prices, haha.
The Alpine Route tickets are available from Tateyama Station for the whole route?
Then after staying in Shinano-Omachi one night we have changed to visiting Lake Kawaguchi/Mt. Fuji for a few days, and finally travel to Tokyo Shinjuku.
Are these routes best by bus or train?
My apologies for all the questions! Your help is incredibly appreciated, thank you.
Best regards,
Esther
Hi Esther,
Yes. You can purchase ICOCA and Haurka, and Kintetsu Pass at KIX.
You can purchase a ticket at Tateyama but you can purchase it in advance online.
https://tateyama.kurobe.alpen-route.com/ticket/en/start.html
If you go to Tateyama kurobe route, you have to go to Toyama and take Toyama Chiho railway anyway. This is only route by public transportation.
JR train is only way to take you from Shinano-Omachi to Otsuki via Matsumoto. Please find the info at the links below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-for-train-access-to-nagano-matsumoto-and-other-places-in-shinshu-and-surrounding-area.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hai,Takeshi.I go to Osaka on april 24 next month.I live at Shinsaibasi area.I stay at Osaka for 3 days Kyoto 2 days.Can tell me use Kansai Thru pass or ICOCA for my journey in Osaka?
Hi Nelly,
You may use ICOCA and Haruka for arrival and departure days. I think you can add subway pass for both Kyoto and Osaka. When you go to Kyoto from Osaka, you can use ICOCA.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/ticket/convenient.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi San,
Your website has been very helpful and has made me understand how the rail system works a little better.
My sister and I will be travelling to Japan on May 30th. We will be staying in Tokyo for 2 nights before making our way down to Kyoto where we will be staying until the 6th/June until we return to Narita airport to return home to Australia.
In Tokyo we hope to visit Shibuya, Akihabara and Harajuku.
In Kyoto we will be visiting places like the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kiyomizu Temple.
We are also planning to travel down to Osaka to see the Universal Studios as well.
We are going to purchase a JR Pass however I can see in Kyoto that some of the places we are going to visit are on private rail lines or require a bus trip. Should we purchase a ICOCA card instead of a JR pass or should we purchase both?
Hi Deiadre,
You don’t need to purchase ICOCA card. Kyoto bus or subway deal is the best choice. Please find more info at the link below. Even JR pass can be used to visit some places in Kyoto, like Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-access-to-osaka-kyoto-and-kobe-from-late-arrival-flight-at-kansai-airport-kix.html
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
As long as you have bus pass in Kyoto, you can visit anywhere in Kyoto. But traffic is very heavy in Kyoto. Try to take subway or railway as much as you can. Sometime bus is stacked in congestion.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi San, first of all I want to thank you sincerely for this awesome website. It has helped me a lot to understand the complicated rail system and the passes. I thought I should ask you for your advice:
I will arrive in KIX and I want to spend one week in the Kansai area. 4 Nights in Kyoto and 3 Nights in Osaka with day trips to Kobe and Nara from either of these cities. Also, I will travel in Japan for total 3 weeks so I wont be able to use ICOCA for round trip to KIX as it expires in 14 days.
Which passes do you recommend for me? 🙂
Thank you.
Hi Ocean,
For your stay in Kansai area, please find the info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
You can use one way ICOCA and Haruka for above itinerary.
For the rest of 2 weeks, JR Pass may be suitable. But at this point, it’s hard to say the best option. Before choosing pass, you need to build the itinerary and find the best option.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Here is what I was planning 🙂
Day 1 to 4 – Kyoto City and day trips (Kobe?)
Day 4 to 6 – Osaka City and day trips (Nara?)
Day 7 to 14 – Tokyo city mainly and small day trips
Day 14 to 19 – travel using 7 day JR pass with base as Tokyo. Exact destinations undecided
Day 20 – Tokyo to Osaka and fly out
Thank you 🙂
Hi Ocean,
Actually it’s not enough to choose the pass at this point. If you want to get the best and the cheapest deal, you need to find how many times you will take train. Otherwise we cannot compare single fare, local deal and JR Pass.
If you want flexibility, you can go for unlimited ride pass, like JR pass, Kansai thru pass. But if you are sensitive with cost, please make the detailed itinerary.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
1) Absolutely buy the ICOCA/Haruka ROUNDTRIP version 4060yen, save mucho yen going to/from KIX, and I guarantee you will use up all the ICOCA cash buying food and souvenirs (keep the card as souvenir if you want, still good within 10 years return)
2) Buy Kansai Thru Pass at KIX arrival (ones bought inside Kansai can be used on NON-CONSECUTIVE DAYS (3-day version better value, 5200yen adult/2600yen child), you get unlimited rides on many lines and discounts at many attractions
See these sites for more info:
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/icoca-haruka/
http://www.kaakix.co.jp/travel//travel_en.html
http://www.surutto.com/tickets/kansai_thru_english.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357_005.html
Hi Takeshi San,
Our family is planning to travel to Osaka in Apr as follows:
Day 1 – Reach Kansai Airport at about 9.30pm (Hotel is near Umeda/JR Osaka Station)
Day 2 – Onji Station, then to Tennoji Station
Day 3 – Ikeda Station, Namba area
Day 4 – Kyoto (Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Nishiki-koji Street)
Day 5 – Kobe (Arima Onsen, Nankinmachi, Harborland)
Day 6 – Universal Studio
Day 7 – Depart for Kansai Airport in morning
I would like to ask:
1. Would it be better for us to purchase the ICOCA card with Haruka for round trip or single trip? If I did not finish using the Yen 1,500 e-money in the ICOCA, does that mean I can’t do a refund? What happens if I do not have enough e-money to use when I was traveling on the trains?
Where can I purchase the ICOCA and do a refund?
2. For our trips o Kyoto and Kobe, would it be worthwhile to get the Kansai Thru Pass?
If yes, where can I get the pass?
3. For the other days, should I get day pass or use ICOCA card instead?
Thank you.
Hi Josephine,
1) Maybe yes. There are lots of options. I will tell you later.
If you cannot finish 1500 yen e-money, you still can get refund. But handling charge will be subtracted from remaining balance. But you will get at least 500 yen. You can add your fund when you exit the station if balance is not enough.
2) Yes.
3) You can do, but ICOCA does not give you any discount. If you travel lots, try to use subway pass or other deals.
I have a post to talk about staying in Osaka. When you choose the deal, you have to think about your plan after the trip. Do you think you will get other spots in Osaka to eat or walk? If so, you will take subway at least twice. That costs about 500 yen. Anyway please read the following post. I believe it helps you to build your plan.
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 / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi-San
Thank you for taking the time to reply and providing me the information.
I have read your link and in it, it mentions Enjoy Eco Card and Kanku Chikatoku Ticket.
Does these two cards cover the area Onji Station and Ikeda Station? If yes, I suppose Enjoy Eco Card is cheaper?
For my trip to USJ, I may take the cruise from USJ to Tenpozan. So how should I take the train rides from Umeda to USJ and back rom Tenpozan?
From Keihan’s Kiyomizu-Gojo station to Kiyomizudera, is there any bus that I can take which is covered by Kansai Thru Pass?
Thank you and sorry for the numerous questions.
Hi Josephine,
I don’t understand Onji station. Is it Oji station? Anyway Ikeda is not covered and other one may not be covered. Eco card covers only subway lines.
About trip in Osaka, you can find info at the link below:
fhttps://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
You can ride a bus to Kiyomizudera by Kansai thru pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi-san
Thank you for the information. 🙂
No problem, Josephine.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail