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
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for all the tips and information you are providing here!
My plan more or less is like this:
Day 1: Kansai airport – Kobe
Day 2; 3: Kobe
Day 4: Kobe – Nara – Kobe
Day 5: Kobe – Osaka;
Day 6: Osaka – Kyoto – Osaka;
Day 7: Osaka – Kansai airport (and flying for some days in Tokyo)
First few days might be a bit busy, so I am not sure how much time I will have for sightseeing.
In Kobe I will be staying somewhere between Shimin Hiroba station.
So I was planning on buying only ICOCA and Haruka card (as I can use it in Tokyo later).
So my question are: will ICOCA card cover my trips to Kyoto and Nara? Or after all, should I be considering buying a Kansai thru pass (or something else)?
Thanks in advance for your answers,
Sigita
Hi Sigita,
ICOCA and Haruka is not a right choice. Because it’s not a direct transfer to Kobe. Limousine bus is the best way to get Kobe from KIX.
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/KB
Kansai thru pass is the best choice for day 4 to Nara and day 6 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
You can get Nara by Hanshi-Kintetsu direct train service between Sannomiya and Nara. This is covered by this pass. Trip to Kyoto from Osaka is also covered. Please see the link below to find more info about NON JR train network in Kansai area.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
This deal is way cheaper than single fare or using ICOCA. If you visit somewhere in Osaka on day 5, you may think about using 3 days Kansai thru pass. You can take whichever you like, 2 days pass for day 4 and 6, or 3 days pass for day 4 to 6.
If you want to have ICOCA, you can purchase only ICOCA at any JR station in Kansai area.
There are some deals available for Osaka to KIX.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I have browsed through your travelling method in Kansai Area and didnt see any post regarding PASMO card. I know this card is first introduced by JR and finally standardized with other e-cards. Can I assume PASMO = ICOCA and the usage of railway companies also same?
Thank you.
Hi Ling,
Pasmo is now same as ICOCA. But Pasmo is not issued by JR. ICOCA is issued by JR and Pasmo is issued by Non JR railway companies in Kanto area. Kanto is Tokyo and surrounding area, so you cannot purchase Pasmo in Kansai area. If you already have Pasmo in your hand, you can use it. But you cannot add fund into Pasmo card in Kansai area.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi!!
I’m going to Japan in 4 days!! I’m really excited about my trip. But also anxious because of the complexities of the train system.
I’m sharing my itinerary with you and i would love to ask for your help on which pass to buy. By the way my base will be in Osaka (i’m staying near Namba OCAT station)
Day1- arrive at KIX 6 AM, take limousine bus to namba ocat station. Then around 11am i will have a day tour to Nara.
Day2- day tour to Nara
Day3- day tour to Nara
Day4- day tour to Kobe and Himeji
Day5- day tour in Osaka
Day6- to KIX airport via limousine bus.
Please advise me which tour pass to take, please Takeshi.
Thanking you!!
Kai
Hi Kai,
You may use Kansai thru pass 2 days X 2 for the first 4 days.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
If you take Nankai railway to get Namba from KIX instead of bus, it’s covered too. But OCAT is a bit away from Nankai railway Namba.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/namba-stations-guide-how-to-change-the-trains-among-nankai-kintetsu-hanshin-subway-and-jr.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi,
I’m sorry i made a mistake on my itinerary. On Day 2 and Day 3 i will take a day tour to KYOTO (Not Nara as previously stated). Will the Kansai thru pass still work in Kyoto?
Thanks again!!
Kai
Hi Kai,
Kansai thru pass is very convenient in Kyoto too.
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
However if you use Kansai thru pass, 2 days pass is 4000 yen and 3 days pass is 5200 yen. So you have to make 2000 yen or 1740 yen worth a day. Train fare is 200 to 300 yen per trip. Bus fare is 230 yen. So it may be hard to make 2000 yen or 1740 yen worth per day.
The most affordable choice is all day bus pass at 500 yen for one day.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Please check your trip plan and make sure how much you use train and bus.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
I seek your advice on which pass is suitable for my itinerary below:-
Kansai Airport to Kyoto station (Gion Shijo)
Gion Shijo to Arashiyama
Arashiyama to Namba (Umeda)
Namba (Umeda) to Himeji (2-way return)
Namba (Umeda) to Kansai Airport
Thank you.
Hi Eleanor,
Please see the link below. It’s sample itinerary that is almost same as your plan.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
You may use ICOCA and Haruka, and ICOCA can be used for Kyoto to Gion Shijo, Gion Shijo to Arashiyama and Arashiyama to Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
Thank you for your previous response to my inquiry. After browsing through all the articles and post, and from so many options you can have, I am still very much confuse as to what to pick for our upcoming trip to Japan. I hope you can pin down something for us the best option possible to make all my travels within the Kansai area memorable and less stressful. We are starting our trip in Japan in Tokyo but flying in to KIX to explore the Kansai area for 7 days. The following is our schedule;
Day 1,2: Arrive at KIX and spend 2 days in Osaka
Day 3: Travel from Osaka to Nara
Day 4, 5, 6: Travel from Nara to Kyoto for 3 days
Day 7: Travel from Kyoto back to KIX.
I am debating whether to get the ICOCA-HARUKA, Yokoso-Osaka or Yokoso-Kyoto , JR West Kansai and some passes in Kyoto and Osaka to make this trip economical as possible. As always, thank you very much for your most invaluable advice you give your followers all the time. I have enjoyed this site very much.
Sincerely,
Maryceline E.
Hi Maryceline san,
For the first 2 days, it depends on the place to stay. If you stay near JR station, ICOCA and Haruka is the best option. But if you stay near subway station, Yokoso Osaka is the best option.
Single fare or ICOCA is your choice for day 3 to 6. But you may add Kyoto sightseeing card or All day bus pass in Kyoto.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
At last Haruka discount ticket is your choice for the last day. Haruka is most convenient way to get KIX.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
And i will be staying in the area of Kyoto-fu in Kyoto and Mukogawa Station in Osaka.
Hi Zhy,
Basically you can follow my sample itinerary for the first 3 days.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
However you will stay in Mukogawa where is outside Osaka. It takes about 20-30 minutes away from Umeda or Namba by Hanshin Railway. So you can use Kansai thru pass for day 4 and day 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
For day 5 and 6, purchase single ticket from Mukogawa to Umeda and add some deals in Osaka, such as Eco card (subway pass), Amazing pass, Kaiyu ticket. Please find the details at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html#Osaka_area
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will be travelling to Kyoto and Osaka for 7D6N
Day 1 Kansai airport to Kyoto
Day 2 and Day 3 Kyoto
Day 4 Kyoto to Kobe and then to Osaka
Day 5 Osaka
Day 6 Osaka
Day 7 Osaka to Kansai airport
Which passes is the most suitable for me to use?
Thank you
Hi Takeshi,
we are a family of 4 going from kansai airport to kyoto for 3 days then to osaka and nearby places of interest (namba, nara, etc.) for another 3 days.
is the icoca haruka card the best option here? if we get the round trip haruka ticket kansai to kyoto, will we be able to use it going back to kansai from osaka or is there a better way?
thank you!
tony
Hi Tony,
Please see the link below. You will find the solution.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-osaka-and-kyoto-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
We’ll be travelling from
KIX to Kyoto at 5pm 29th Oct, 4days in Kyoto.
2nd of Nov Kyoto to Osaka
5th of Nov Osaka to KIX at 5pm.
What would you suggest?
Thank you
Hi Joshua,
Please refer the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
After landing at Osaka Kansai airport, I will be travelling to Kyoto for two nights then back to Osaka-Namba for 8 nights..
I already have a suica card from last time when I went Tokyo. Can I use that to travel from Kyoto to Osaka ? will I need the icoca card to travel from Airport to Kyoto?
Hi Evelyn,
You don’t need to purchase ICOCA. You can use Suica like ICOCA in Osaka and Kyoto too. If you need to take Haruka, you can purchase only Haruka discount ticket.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you for the reply.
How much will I be saving if I get the package deal compared to jst buying the haruka express? since I can still use the money I paid for ICOCA while taking transport..
Hi Evelyn,
It’s same. Package price is Haruka discount ticket price + ICOCA 2000 yen (1500 yen e-money + 500 yen deposit). Even if you purchase ICOCA and Haruka package, it does not give you any discount.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Awesome thats great help! Thank You.
One last question, in terms of buying the discounted Haruka ticket, do I just go to the JR west counter at Kansai Airport ( where is it located? ) and verify my temporary visit status to get the discounted Haruka express price? Or is it something that will get quite full so I should prebook online ?
Hi Evelyn,
Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/kansai-airport-transportation-guide-find-info-about-station-ticket-airport-bus-and-high-speed-ferry.html
Even if you purchase it online, you have to go to the ticket window and exchange it anyway.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
My friend recently enquired about the Haruka and icoca on the Jr west website and they said ” We regret to inform you that only ICOCA card holder can purchase the HARUKA discount ticket. “. I’m slightly confused because you said I could purchase the Haruka discounted ticket without purchasing icoca, since I already have a suica card… ?
I don’t think so, Evelyn.
Official site says, “If you already have an ICOCA card, you can purchase “HARUKA discount ticket” without buying new ICOCA!” It doesn’t say that ICOCA is required. It doesn’t say that you must show ICOCA when you purchase Haruka discount ticket.
Please see the official site to make sure.
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/icoca-haruka/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com