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
We are arriving in Kyoto station today from Tokyo and will be leaving Japan from Kansai airport on Sunday. It seems we can’t buy the Haruka and ICOCA deal today since we won’t be using Haruka until Sunday. Would it make sense to buy the ICOCA card today, use it for subways etc in Kyoto, and then get the discount fare for Haruka on Sunday? Thanks for any guidance!
Hi Gina,
I cannot say ICOCA is the best deal or not. It depends on your trip plan. Please see the link below to find the deal in Kyoto. It may help you to decide the best one for you.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
I am going to Japan for 6 days. I purchased Takayama Hokuriku Pass to visit Kanazawa, Takayama and Shirakawago. But I also will stay in Kyoto. Here is my schedule:
Day 1: KIX -> Kyoto arrival
Day 2: Kyoto sightseeing
Day 3: Kyoto to Kanazawa Station -> Shirakawago -> Takayama (stay the night)
Day 4: Takayama -> Kanazawa sightseeing -> Kyoto late arrival( stay the night)
Day 5: Kyoto/Osaka sightseeing
Day 6: Kyoto -> KIX
I need to buy pass for buses in Kyoto. So what I am wondering is if I should purchase Kansai One Pass or ICOCA&Haruka Pass. Last time when I visited Kyoto I purchased 2-day pass but I’ll be staying longer in Kyoto this time. Which pass do you suggest? Thank you!
Hi Gokcen,
It depends on your plan in Kyoto. I think both Kansai one pass and all day bus pass are very useful in Kyoto. Kyoto sightseeing card covers both subway and bus. But you may need to take other trains in Kyoto, such as Hankyu or Keihan. So use all day bus pass for taking bus. When you need to take trains or subways, you can use Kansai one pass.
When you go to Osaka on day 5, you can use Takayama Hokuriku area pass to take JR trains in Osaka. But you may need to take subway in Osaka. You can use Kansai one pass to take subway or other Non JR trains in Osaka too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
May I please seek your advice as to what tourist pass should we use for our 5 days 4 nights trip to Osaka. We’re a family consisting of 4 adults and 1 child so we really want to lessen our transportation expenses and our travel time.
We’re currently staying in an airport hotel near Kansai International Airport.
Our itinerary goes like this:
Day 1: Kyoto Sightseeing
– Golden Pavillion, Inari shrine, and others.
Day 2: Kyoto Sightseeing continuation + Osaka Sightseeing
Day 3: Osaka Sightseeing
Day 4: Free day (probably any area we feel like visiting again)
Is there any pass that would help us lessen the expense and travel time as a family?
Also, I would like to ask if it is easier to access Kyoto tourist spots using the bus? If so, I would like to ask if there is a pass that would save money by using the subway and buses?
Hi Mae,
I recommend you to use Kansai thru pass 2 days for day 1 and 2.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
This covers Keihan railway, Hankyu railway, subway in Osaka and Kyoto, city bus in Osaka and Kyoto. This pass covers all trips in Osaka and Kyoto.
Kyoto Osaka sightseeing pass 2 days is 1000 yen. It’s way cheaper than Kansai thru pass 2 days at 4000 yen.
http://www.keihan.co.jp/travel/en/tickets/special
However this pass covers Keihan railway only. You can access to Gion and Fushimi Inari. But you need to pay for bus or other trains to get other places in Kyoto. And also you need to pay for access to Keihan railway stations in Osaka, such as Yodoyabashi, Kitahama, Kyobashi, Temmabashi.
Kyoto city bus pass is 500 yen for one day. You can visit all places by bus in Kyoto. But traffic in Kyoto is very busy in these days. Trip time is much longer than trains. You may save your cost by this combination. But you will spend more minutes. And you need to pay for several passes and may be complicated. Kansai thru pass is more expensive but it’s easier. But you can choose either way.
For day 3, you can find some deal in the link below:
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 day 4, if you use Kansai thru pass, you may have 3 days pass at 5,200 yen. You can use it for day 4 to access to any places, Kyoto, Osaka or even other place, like Kobe.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi.
Thank you for the quick response. Are these passes accessible at Kansai Airport? If you could suggest another tourist pass that would maximize our time, not complicated to follow for tourists and is easier to access from one tourist spot to another even if it is a bit expensive compared to the one that you provided, what would it be?
For Kyoto, we sort of chose specific tourist spots that we really wanted to go to.
1. Golden Pavillion
2. Inari Shrine
3. Gion Street
4. Arashiyama
5. Kiyomizudera
We plan on leaving early morning tomorrow, around 8 am. Can we finish these tourist spots in Kyoto in a day?
We actually plan on going to Dotonbori for dinner after going to Kyoto.
Hi Mae,
Only Kansai thru pass covers Nankai railway between Kansai airport and Namba.
Kansai thru pass is the best choice and the easiest choice for your trip. You can visit all places on your list in Kyoto by this pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
We’ll be inquiring at the airport today. Thank you for your help.
No worries, Mae.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hiya! Thanks for your detail advice! Super useful page!
I’m still working in my trip (5 days-4 nights) which attempts to be:
1- Arrival at 9 am and go directly to Kyoto – Kyoto sightseeing
2-Nara daytrip and back to Kyoto
3-Sightseeing Kyoto
4-To Osaka in the afternoon
5-Sightseeing in Osaka – back home at 10 pm
In Kyoto we’ll be staying in Kyoto Station area, but I see Haruka stops in a different station in Kyoto. Are there any fast options from KIX to Kyoto main Station?
I also don’t see the point in buying Haruka + ICOCA. The difference of this with only Haruka is 2000 yen. Yet, the ICOCA card comes only with 1500… So Haruka+ICOCA does not pay off… you’d lose 500 yen… Or is there something I am missing?
This said, any pass deal that would be ideal for us bearing in mind that we have to do some train trips: KIX-Kyoto + Kyoto-Nara-Kyoto + Kyoto-Osaka + Osaka-KIX ??
Million thanks in advance!
Paula
Hi Paula,
You can purchase Haruka discount ticket at 1,600 yen. Haruka stops at Kyoto station only in Kyoto. But there is no deals to cover whole part of your trip. You need to use several deals.
You don’t need to have ICOCA. You can use city deal in Kyoto and Osaka.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Single ticket is only choice to cover trip to Nara and trip from Kyoto to Osaka. If you don’t use ICOCA, you can buy a ticket one by one at the vending machine.
For trip to KIX from Osaka, please find the deals in the link below:
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! Please help me which pass to use, Kansai Area Pass or ICOCA on our Osaka-Kyoto trip for 5 days and 4 nights. Our hotel is near Kyoto Station.
Day 1 KIX-Kyoto (hotel)-Osaka Castle-Dotonbori
Day 2 Universal Studios
Day 3 Fushimi inari shrine, kiyomizudera, ginkakuji, higashiyama
Day 4 arashiyama, kinkakuji, nijo castle
*if possible, Include Nara park
Day 5 kyoto-KIX
Thank you very much!
Hi Kay B,
Kansai area pass is recommended. But before choosing duration, you need to decide whether you go to Nara or not.
If you go to Nara, you may choose 3 days pass and switch day 3 and 4. So you can use 3 days pass for the first 3 days. You can use all day bus pass + extra fare for taking train from Kyoto to Inari, Inari to Kiyomizu-Gojo on day 4.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
And add Haruka discount ticket at 1,600 yen for day 5.
If you don’t go to Nara, you need only one day Kansai area pass for day 1 and use ICOCA for day 2 and 4. You don’t need to switch day 3 and 4. For day 3, all day bus pass + extra fare and for day 5, Haruka discount ticket are your choices.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi again! Thank you for your reply. I’d just like to add, I was planning on buying a subway pass instead of a bus pass on our Kyoto tour. Or would you suggest Kyoto Sightseeing Pass Card? Which would get us faster on the different Kyoto attractions? Thank you again! 🙂
Hi Kay B,
You can get most of places in Kyoto by bus. But it is very limited by subway. Please see the links below to find more info:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi! I would just like to summarize.
Day 1
KIX-Kyoto
(Would you recommend ICOCA and Haruka roundtrip?)
Kyoto-Osaka Castle-Dotonbori-Shinsaibashi
(Kansai Area Pass or Kansai Thru?)
Day 2
USJ
(ICOCA or Kansai Pass?)
Day 3
Nijo temple
Arashiyama
Tenryuji Temple
Bamboo grove
Kinkakuji
Day 4
Ginkakuji Temple
Higashiyama
Kiyomizudera
Gion
(For days 3 and 4, would you suggest kyoto sightseeing pass for 2 days?)
Day 5
Kyoto-KIX
Thanks for your help!
Hi Kay B,
As you think, you can purchase round trip Haruka discount ticket (3,200 yen) and Kansai one pass (2,000 yen).
You may use Kansai one pass for day 2 and Kyoto sightseeing card or day 3 and 4.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Thank you so much for all the information! Would you be able to advise me on which combination of deals i should purchase?
Day 1- Arrive in KIX at 9pm, transfer to hostel near Namba (Nakai Railway)
Day 2- Sightseeing in the morning (Osaka, Shitenoji) before going to Kyoto (staying at near Kyoto JR station)
Day 3 – Sightseeing in Kyoto (Kiyomizu Dera, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Nishiji Market, Gion)
Day 4 – Sightseeing in Kyoto (Arashimaya, Tenryu ji, Kinkaku ji, Ryoan ji)
Day 5- Transfer from Kyoto to Osaka (Namba area)
Day 6 – Day trip to Nara
Day 7- Sightseeing at Osaka (Hinori Falls…)
Day 8- Depart from KIX
Would you be able to advise on which combination of passes I should get?
Thank you for our help!
Hi Hui Yan,
I recommend you to use Kansai thru pass 3 days for day 2, 5 and 6.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Single ticket is okay for day 1 and 8. You may have Kansai one pass instead of single ticket.
http://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
In Kyoto, you can use Kansai one pass on day 3 and 4. There are deals to cover subway and bus in Kyoto. But you may take train other than subway mostly. Kansai one pass is better choice.
In Osaka, you can add the deal in in the link below. By the way, I don’t understand where Hinori Falls is.
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,
Thank you so much for your speedy reply!
I realised that my accomodation in Kyoto is walking distance from JR Nishioji station, and the trains under Kansai Thru pass does not reach there. Hence, will it be more economical and practical to use the Kansai One pass instead for my trip between Kyoto and Osaka? If so, then can I also use the Kansai One pass to reach Nara? Then I will not need to get the Kansai Thru Pass
Oops, i meant Minoo Falls in Osaka.
Thank you so much!
Hi Hui Yan,
You can take any trains, JR, Non JR, subway and even city bus by Kansai one pass. So you can get Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and other cities in Kansai area. But Kansai one pass gives you same value as cash payment. It makes your trip be easier but it does not give you any discount.
There are many deals in Osaka and Kyoto. So try to use these deals when you are in Osaka and Kyoto, and try to reduce using Kansai one 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
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
You need to use Kansai one pass to get Minoo Falls. It’s outside coverage area of any deals in Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I have booked for a 7 days Osaka-Kyoto-Nagoya trip.
Days 1-4 (or 5) will be spent in Osaka and Kyoto and will travel to Nagoya on days 6-7 (someone will be hosting us in Nagoya), then travel back to Osaka for the return flight.
I have not booked any accommodation yet, so which locations do you recommend we stay and which tickets will be most useful (Osaka and Kyoto)? I can go with 2 nights in Osaka and 2 nights in Kyoto. Or all 4 nights in Osaka or all 4 nights in Kyoto. Which will be the most non-toxic arrangement that you can recommend? Our only agenda is EAT all the food we have not tried (dotobori) and see all possible sights in Kyoto area. It’s my first time in Japan by the way. 🙂
Thank you!
– Grace
Hi Grace,
I recommend you to stay in Osaka and Kyoto two nights each because you can feel two different city’s atmosphere. But some travelers stay in Osaka only and make day trips outside Osaka, such as Kyoto. You can stay in Kyoto only and day trip to Osaka. But Osaka is more convenient and has more variety of accommodations. So if you stay in one city only, Osaka is better than Kyoto. But you can do whichever you like.
For deals, please see the links below. But you should decide which area you stay first. Shin-Osaka and Namba are recommended in Osaka. Kyoto station is recommended in Kyoto to stay.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Thanks for the information, wish to get your advice on my itinerary and further clarification on the usage of the card, i will visit Japan for 8 days and plan to buy:
1: ICOCA+ One way Haruka (3600yen)
2: Kyoto Buss Only Pass (500yen)
3: Two days Osaka-Kyoto Sightseeing Pass (1000yen)
4: Two days Osaka Amazing Pass (3300yen)
5: One way Haruka from Tennoji to KIX (1100yen)
Day 1: Arrive at Kansai Airport in mid night, plan to stay in the airport for the night.
Day 2: KIX to Kyoto using one way Haruka. May I know which station will this train stop at Kyoto? I plan to move around Kyoto with One day Kyoto Bus Only Pass on this day.
Day 3: Move around Kyoto with Osaka – Kyoto Sightseeing Pass
Day 4: Move around Kyoto with Osaka – Kyoto Sightseeing Pass and use this pass travel back to Osaka, is that possible? If yes, can I alight at Kyobashi station and continue to Shin-Osaka/Namba/Umeda station?
Day 5: One day trip to Kobe using ICOCA travel to Kobe-Sannomiya from Osaka Umeda by Hanshin (320yen X2), can ICOCA use in Kobe?
Day 6: Use Osaka Amazing Pass to move around Osaka
Day 7: Use Osaka Amazing Pass to move around Osaka
Day 8: To KIX using One way Haruka from Tennoji.
Please let me know if the above are possible? Is there any cheaper/efficient way to move around?
Hi Teoh Chee Kee,
You have picked the right deals. But I have a few things to mention to you.
IOCCA and Haruka
You may add Kansai one pass instead of ICOCA. Because you need to take train after arriving Kyobashi by Kyoto-Osaka sightseeing pass. This pass does not cover subway or other trains in Osaka. You can get Kyobashi, Kitahama, Temmabashi or Yodoyabashi. You need to take subway or JR to get these places by single fare or ICOCA or Kansai one pass. Kansai one pass offers discount at many places. You can show this card for entire trip. If you do this, you can purchase Haruka one way ticket (1600 yen) + Kansai one pass (3000 yen). Of course you can use Kansai one pass for trip to Kobe and in Kobe too.
Haruka stops at Kyoto station only.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
your details are very useful.i need some more information,kindly help me out.
1.) Kindly suggest me a BEST 12N/13D itinerary with Time by Time activities(including Train station names & subway names & Bus numbers and Bus station names)
2.) ICOCA & HARUKA Card can be used for Kyoto-Gion shijo station and Kawaramachi and Shijo and other down town stations and subways & Tokyo – downtown stations and same like Hiroshima & Nara and Other areas of japan downtown rail sations+Subways
3.) i like to spend 4days in Kyoto + 2days in Hiroshima + 4days in Tokyo.rest of the days i will plan according to your advice
Hi Senthil,
As per I mention above comment section, I don’t make an itinerary individually. If you accept it, many readers ask me and it’s too much for me. If you make it and show me, I can give you advice. Please understand it.
ICOCA can be used to take any trains and most of bus rides in major cities, such as Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
First of all, great website! And thank you so much for helping everybody. Hope you can give some insights on my traveling too. I am going to Japan for about 11 days,
Osaka – Kyoto – Nara – Tokyo
and I feel like visiting Mt Fuji from Tokyo
Day 1-4 (Staying in Osaka) : KIX – Tennoji + traveling in Osaka
Day 4-7 (Staying in Kyoto) : Kyoto / Nara
Day 7-11 (Staying in Tokyo) : Tokyo + Narita Airport
So my questions are:
1. Since I’m going to travel in Kansai area and from my reading, I’m guessing I should get the 5 days Kintetsu Rail Pass. But, I am going to have 2 extra days and have to travel from KIX to Tennoji. Do you think it is best if I get Kintetsu Rail Pass + ICOCA ?
2. From Kyoto to Tokyo, should I buy any pass or just pay for one-way?
Thank you so much!
– Bella
Hi Bella,
Please see the link below. It shows you the sample itinerary which is almost same as your plan.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/basic-itinerary-of-osaka-kyoto-and-tokyo-in-7-days.html
Actually Kintetsu rail pass is not your choice at all. You can use local deal in each cities as I explained in the link above, such as subway pass. And you can use single ticket or ICOCA to take trains from Osaka to Kyoto.
I recommend single ticket for Kyoto to Tokyo. But you can use Platt Kodama too if you are okay with spending extra hours. Please see the link below:
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
If you go to Fuji, the following link gives you some idea:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com