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
My schedule:
Day 1 Arrive KIX, train to Shin-Imamiya
Day 2 Shin-Imamiya to Himeji and return via Osaka thru Kobe
Day 3 Shin-Imamiya to Kyoto and Kyoto to KIX
Is the Icoca/Haruka pass good for the above schedule?
Thank you!
Hi Russell,
I recommend you Kansai Area Pass 3 days.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
ICOCA and Haruka is a good deal but 1500 yen money in ICOCA is not enough to cover all trips other than access to/from KIX.
Kansai Area Pass 3 days give you unlimited travel and can take Haruka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for you reply. Will I be able to use the Kansai area pass for the Nankai trains?
Thank you!
Hi Russell,
No. It covers only JR trains.
If you want to take Nankai, Kansai thru pass is better choice. But it does not cover any JR trains.
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
Hi Takeshi,
Appreciate your feedback on my up coming itinerary,
Day 1 – Arrive at Kansai Airport early morning, buy ICOCA+ Haruka roundtrip ticket, travel via 1st airport Haruka ticket to Kyoto, exploring Kyoto area the rest of the day
Day 2 – Kyoto to Nara (half day) using 1 day Kintetsu pass, second half of the day , exploring Kyoto
Day 3 – Kyoto to Osaka (buying a single ticket to Osaka)
Day 4 – Osaka
Day 5 – Universal Studio
Day 6 – Mount Koyasan
Day 7 – Kobe
Day 8 – Osaka
Day 9 – Osaka to Kansai airport (using the 2nd Haruka airport express train ticket)
Questions :
1) Should I buy the Osaka 2 day amazing pass since I will going to Osaka castle, umeda sky building, tombori river cruise? It also includes subway and trains fare since the ICOCA only have 1500 yen credit might not be enough fare to travel around?
2) Which train is the best to train from Osaka to Kobe?
3) Haruka airport train roundtrip tickets can be used from Kansai to Kyoto and then Shin Osaka to Kansai?
Many thanks for your kind response.
Hi Ren,
1) That’s a good idea.
2) It depends on the location to stay. Please find more info at the links below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-access-to-himeji-and-kobe-from-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kobe-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
3) Yes, you can
I would like to tell you one more thing. I don’t think you need Kintetsu pass for trip to Nara. One way trip fare is 620 yen. If you spend half day for Nara, you will see the spots around Nara station only. All places can be accessed from the station on foot. I think single fare (620 yen X 2) is cheaper than 1500 yen pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks for your speedy reply and great suggestion.
No problem, Ren.
Enjoy your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, I need your help as to what travel pass/transportation to take ; will be going to Kyoto/nara/Osaka on nov 25-dec 1,2015
Nov 25, 8pm – arrive Kix, go to Kyoto (Hotel Hokke near
Kyoto station)
Nov 26 – Arashiyama , Golden Pavillion, Gion
Nov 27 – Fushimi Inari, Tofoku-ji, Kiyomizudera, Nanzen-ji,
Eikando for nite illumination
Nov 28 – Kyoto imperial palace , Nara, then check out from
Hotel Hokke( near Kyoto station)
Nov 28 – go to Osaka, Hotel Metro 21 (Namba )
Nov 29 – Osaka castle and park, dotonburi
Nov 30 – sightseeing in Osaka(no definite itinerary yet; any
suggestions?)
Dec 1, 5pm – Kix for our flight home.
Is my itinerary feasible? Pls feel free to make suggestions.
Hi Tet,
Your itinerary is good to go. It’s very similar to my sample. Please see the link below and find more info:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
I have posted but I cannot find my comment. Sorry.
Basically, I will arrive at KIX airport. Intention to go Rinku Outlet. Then I will spend 3 nights to at hotel located at Osaka Station. From Osaka Station, I will be travelling to Kyoto Station for another 3 nights. From Kyoto, I will travel back home via Itami Airport in Osaka.
Can you advise what is the best way to travel? Should I get the one way Haruku+Icoca deal, whereby I will pay roundtrip fare from KIX to Rinku and back KIX?
Your advise is greatly appreciated.
Hi Vivien,
I found your original inquiry at the link below and replied.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kansai-airport-limited-express-haruka.html
But I put my reply here too just in case.
I agree with you to use ICOCA and Haruka one way type. This is a good deal for your trip. You can take shuttle bus to Rinku town at 200 yen for one way.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you Takeshi-san,
So, that would means I will pay 200yen to Rinku, and pay another 200yen back to airport. From there, take Haruku to Shin-Osaka, then use ICOCA card to take train from Shin-Osaka to Osaka station. Am I right?
Hi Vivien san,
You are right, but I would like to mention just one thing.
Actually you don’t need to use ICOCA to get Osaka. The portion of Haruka ticket of ICOCA and Haruka covers the trip to Osaka. This portion covers not only Haruka but also local trains in coverage area. As long as you don’t exit the station and make a trip in coverage area, this portion covers your trip to the final destination with any transfers.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi…would like to ask your help for opinion… We (2 adults and 2 kids, 8 & 11 y.o) plan to have a trip in Japan in 3 -16 Jan 2016). Please take a look at our itinary :
D-1 : KIX – Kyoto – Nara – sight seeing downtown Kyoto
D-2 : Kyoto (temples and around….Arashiyama)
D-3 : To Hiroshima (spend the night here) – Miyajima
D-4 : To Osaka, from there day trip to Kobe, Himeji
D-5 : To Universal Studio
D-6 : Kanazawa
D-7 : Shirakawago, Takayama
D-8 : Nagoya
D-9 to D-13 : Tokyo (Day trips to Yokohama, Odaiba, Hakone, Disneylands and around the city)
D-14 : Leave Japan from Haneda
With this itinary we plan to buy JR Pass for 14 days, and we think this deal cover our trip okay…but, I think we’ll need other passes around cities that doesn’t covered by JR Pass…..what do you suggest?
Looking forward for your reply and thank you very much …
Sincerely,
Linda
Hi Linda,
I don’t recommend you to use 14 days JR Pass. I recommend you to use 7 days JR pass for day 3 to 9. Because most of long transfers in your trip are from day 3 (to Hiroshima) to day 9 (to Tokyo). It doesn’t make a sense to use JR pass for other dates, like in Kyoto and Tokyo. Local deals and single fares are fine for these dates.
I recommend you to use the following deals beside JR Pass.
Kansai area pass 1 day for day 1
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
You can ride limited express Haruka that takes you to Kyoto directly from KIX. This pass covers trip to Nara from Kyoto.
Kyoto sightseeing card or all day bus pass on day 2
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
City deal is fine and JR Pass does not help much in Kyoto anyway.
In Tokyo, subway pass or Tokunai pass is okay. Even single fare is fine if you don’t make lots of train trips. Disney and Odaiba are not covered by any Tokyo local deals.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-metropolitan-district-pass-tokyo-tokunai-pass-good-choice-for-sightseeing-in-tokyo.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/tokyo-metropolitan-district-pass-tokyo-tokunai-pass-good-choice-for-sightseeing-in-tokyo.html
Hakone Free pass is the best deal for the trip to Hakone.
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
Single fare is okay for Haneda and Yokohama.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks a lot Takeshi…your suggestion saves a lot in budgetting….
No problem, Linda.
Enjoy your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I plan to travel to osaka and kyoto for 5 days. Will be landed at KIX and stay at Osaka for 2 days. Travel to Kyoto on 3rd day and stay there for 3 days. On the last day, I need to travel from Kyoto to KIX. I was thinking to purchase JR West kansai area 2 days pass and hankyu tourist 3 days pass. Just wonder is this the best combination passes? What do you suggest?
Hi KS,
Can you describe more about your trip? What are you going to visit. If you tell me the detailed plan for each day, I can give you some advice.
At this point, I’m not sure that Hankyu tourist pass and Kansai area pass are the best choice or not.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi,
My planning is as followed:
Day 1: Arrive in KIX, travel to Osaka city, sightseeing around Osaka
Day 2: Travel to Universal Studio Japan
Day 3: Travel to Kyoto, sightseeing around Kyoto city
Day 4: Travel to Kiyomizu-dera, fushimi Inari taisha
Day 5: Hanging around in Kyoto
Day 6: Early morning travel from Kyoto to KIX to catch flight at 10.30am
Kindly advise which passes are the cheapest to purchase. Thanks
Hi KS,
I recommend you to use ICOCA and Haruka round trip ticket. It covers both arrival and departure day trips to Osaka and from Kyoto. ICOCA e-money can be used for trip to USJ and Osaka to Kyoto.
And subway pass for Osaka on day 1 and for Kyoto on day 3 and 5. I think you still have some fund left in ICOCA for trip to Fushimi inari and Kiyomizudera. If it’s not enough, just add single fare.
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Kansai area pass and Hankyu pass do not cover subway. Subway is a key to visit Osaka and Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, can you help me
we plan to go to kyoto from namba station in the morning,
then head to tokyo int he afternoon…can you show us the best route/bus/train to take?
Thank you
Hi Brenda,
Kyoto (JR special rapid) Osaka (subway Midousuji line) Namba
Namba (subway Midousuji line) Shin-Osaka (Shinkansen) Tokyo
You can find the map at the link below:
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Would you be able to give me advise.
Scenario1:
From
day 1 : Tokushima to Namba in the morning and then later in the afternoon Namba to KIX pickup parents, then back to Namba
day 2: Sightseeing in Osaka all day
day 3: Namba to Kyoto and all day in Kyoto sightseeing then in the evening back to Namba
day 4 morning in the Osaka and afternoon back to Tokushima.
Scenario2:
day 1: KIX to Namba
day 2: Sightseeing in Osaka all day
day 3: Namba to Kyoto and all day in Kyoto sightseeing then in the evening back to Namba
day 4 : morning in the Osaka and afternoon go to Tokushima.
Any idea what would be the best ticket to get please?
Thankk you
Hi Michal,
First of all, let’s divide your plan, Kansai part and Osaka-Tokushima part.
Highway bus is the best option for Namba-Tokushima. Some bus companies operate this route but unfortunately there is no companies to provide English info. I found the following link.
http://lazuli.voyage/busride.php?od=1937osaka.ishii
If you are in Tokushima, you can find more info there. This route is the best and the fastest. Taking train is a big detour.
I think you can use Kansai thru pass 2 days for day 1 and 3.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Subway pass or single fare is okay for day 2 and 4. If you ride subway more than 4 times, day pass is cheaper than single fare.
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html
If you intend to visit many places in Osaka, the following deal may be better.
http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/index.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
My planing is
Kix-kyoto (stay for 2day 1night)
Kyoto-osaka (stay 3day 2night)
Osaka-kix
I ask about transpotation kyoto to osaka
If i buy haruka-icoca return, can i use haruka train from kyoto to osaka? And then 3day letter i go to KIX by haruka train (same card)
Hi Andy,
You cannot take Haruka from Kyoto to Osaka. This deal includes round trip between KIX and Kyoto/Osaka, and ICOCA e-money 1500 yen. Once you take Haruka from Kyoto to Osaka, you cannot take Haruka to KIX. Actually even base fare is not covered. You will spend your ICOCA e-money to take Special Rapid train from Kyoto to Osaka. This is the most efficient way.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I’ll be arriving KIX and going to Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe/Nara. My hotel is @ Namba area in Osaka and will be spending 2 days in Osaka, 2 days Kyoto, 1 day Kobe, 1 day Nara and back to Osaka KIX.
May i know if i can just use the ICOCA card for all my subway travels in these areas?
Thanks!
HI Ivan,
ICOCA can be used for any trains, of course subway too. But ICOCA gives you same value as cash. If you travel lots, unlimited ride pass may be better than ICOCA. You may use Kansai thru pass for trip to Kyoto and Nara. Please find more info at the link below:
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