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
Dear Takeshi-san,
I have a more detailed itinerary and want to know your ticket suggestions.
day 1: Arrival at Kix- Nippombashi station: this is where our hostel is located.
day 2: Nippombashi –Kyoto– Nippombanshi:
DIY tour at Ginkakuji –> Philosopher’s path–>Nanzenji–>Heian Shrine–>Yasaka–> Kodaji–.Kiyomizudera–> Gion
day 3: Nippombashi –Kyoto– Nippombanshi: : Arashiyama and Fushimi Inari
day 4: Osaka to Nagoya
Thank you!
-Grace
Hi Grace san,
You may use the following deals:
Nankai railway + subway deal for day 1
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/chikatoku.html
Kansai thru pass for day 2 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
Platt Kodama for day 4
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/platt-kodama-one-way-deal-among-tokyo-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-by-shinkansen.html
*You need to pay single fare for subway to get Shin-Osaka station. And also you need to purchase it at Shin-Osaka in advance. You cannot purchase it in other station and cannot buy it on the day of trip either.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Could you please advise on what kind of pass I should get based on my itinerary below?
1) KIX to Osaka-shi
2) Osaka
3) Osaka- Kyoto
4,5) Kyoto
6) Kyoto – Yokohama
Thank you
Anh-Dao Gahr
Hi Anh-Dao Gahr,
Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/basic-itinerary-of-osaka-kyoto-and-tokyo-in-7-days.html
In the sample itinerary above, it’s Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo. So just change to Yokohama instead of Tokyo.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
Will be flying into and out of KIX and be based out of Osaka near the Tennoji station. Based on your information, I’m going purchase the round trip ICOCA and Haruka combo. Here’s our itinerary:
Day 1: Arrived KIX 6 PM and limited express to hotel.
2: Tour Osaka
3: Kyoto
4: Kyoto
5: Nara
6: Mt Koya
7: Osaka
8: Fly home out of KIX
Is there any pass(s) that would be cost effective or buy individual tickets using the ICOCA card? How about using the 3 day Kansai Thru Pass for touring Osaka and Kyoto?
Thanks Dale
Hi Dale,
ICOCA and Haruka is a good choice but you may add Kansai one pass instead of ICOCA. It’s same type of card as ICOCA but it offers discount at many attractions.
https://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
For sightseeing in Osaka on day 2 and 7, there are lots of deals. You may not need to use Kansai one pass if you make trips by subway more than 4 times a day. Please see 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 the trips to Nara and Kyoto, you have two choices, Kansai thru pass or Kansai area pass.
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
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Please see the link below to learn the coverage of those passes.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
Kansai thru pass has better coverage in Kyoto. You don’t need to add anything on top of Kansai thru pass. You can take even city bus by this pass. But you need to change trains when you get Kyoto and Nara.
On the other hand, Kansai area pass does not cover city bus and subway in Kyoto. It covers only Arashiyama, Nijo and Fushimi. You need to add other pass or use Kansai one pass. However you can take Haruka from Tennoji to Kyoto. It’s direct and more comfortable. When you get Nara, you can take Yamatoji rapid train from Tennoji to Nara. It’s a sort of commute train and not like Haruka but it’s direct.
So it’s convenient VS comfort. You can choose whichever you like.
For Mt. Koya, you may use Koyasan world heritage ticket.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/koyasan.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi.
Question of using Kansai area pass on the Limited Express Haruka. I can hop on at Tennoji station to Kyoto and back for a daytrip? The time on the pass start at first use or pickup at KIX.
Thank you, Dale F
Hi Dale,
You can hop on non reserved seat car of Haruka by Kansai area pass. You don’t need to do anything before taking this train.
When you pick up the pass, you will choose the date when you want to start.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I would like to cover Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe in 8 days during mid-Oct. How would you recommend me on the rail route to take?
Thanks.
Hi Suki,
You may find some idea in the links below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
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,
Thank you for the great articles. However, I am still confused on what pass should I take. I will be visiting Kansai on January 2018, could you please advise on what kind of pass should I get based on my itinerary below?
Day 1: KIX (Arrival 3.30pm) – heading to Kyoto
Day 2: Kyoto – Arashiyama
Day 3: Kyoto – Hirogawara – Kyoto
Day 4: Heading to Osaka – Nara – Osaka
Day 5: USJ
Day 6: Osaka – Kobe – Himeji – Osaka
Day 7: Osaka – KIX (depart at 10pm)
Hope to get reply from you soon. Thank you..!
Hi Fitri,
Please see the link below. It shows you sample itinerary which is same as your plan.
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,
Thanks alot for all the helpful tips, will you be able to give me some advice for my trip April 2018.
Day 1 – KIX 6am – Kyoto
Day 2/3 – Kyoto
Day 4 – Kyoto – Osaka
Day 5 – Osaka – Nara
Day 6 – Osaka
Day 7 – Osaka – KIX
Is that any pass that cover for train/bus and entrance ticket for Kyoto & Osaka?
Thanks again for your help.
Hi Lilian,
Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-kyoto-osaka-nara-and-kobe-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
In this sample, Nara is put between Osaka and Kyoto but it’s same thing if you visit from Osaka as day trip. You can use ICOCA. And also now Kansai one pass is available. It’s same type card as ICOCA but Kansai one pass gives you discount at many attraction. You may add Kansai one pass.
http://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
And remove just the part of Kobe in the sample and it looks same as your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
Could you please advise on what kind of pass I should get based on my itinerary below?
Day 1: KIX Arrival 7 a.m.- heading to Kyoto Station
Day 2: Kyoto
Day 3: Kyoto to Osaka
Day 4, 5: Osaka
Day 6: Osaka to Tokyo
Day 7 – 10: Tokyo
Day 11: Tokyo to Haneda Airport
Thanks!
Hi Cheryl,
You may use ICOCA and Haruka for the first 3 days. After that, please follow the sample in the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-make-the-itinerary-of-tokyo-osaka-one-way-trip.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Thank you for your suggestions!
Regards,
Cheryl
No worries, Cheryl.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I intend to travel from Kansai Airport (KIX) –> Kyoto (2 nights) —-> Osaka (2 nights) —-> KIX.
I read through your article and comments and I’m deciding whether to purchase the Haruka one-way or round trip as my hotel will be at the Osaka station. I’ve read that there is a direct JR airport rapid from Osaka station to KIX, is that a recommended option or the Haruka from Shin-Osaka station is better. Could you advise me?
Another thing, for Kansai One pass and the Haruka discount tickets, do I have to make a reservation online before my trip or I can purchase it directly at the JR ticket office at KIX when I arrive?
Thank you.
Regards,
Joyce
Hi Joyce,
You can purchase Haruka discount ticket and Kansai one pass at Kansai airport station on the spot. But if you book it online, it may be faster to receive it at the station.
I recommend you to use one way Haruka discount ticket/Kansai one pass to Kyoto. Even if you take rapid train to Kansai airport from Osaka, you can use Haruka discount ticket from Tennoji to Kansai at 1,100 yen. Actually you can start using this at Osaka to take local train or rapid train. You can change trains at Tennoji if you like. You can keep riding on rapid train to Kansai if you want. Regular fare is 1,190 yen from Oaska to Kansai. Haruka ticket is cheaper.
And if you stay in other than Osaka station, there are lots of other deals available.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Is it true that you can purchase the HARUKA discount ticket without an ICOCA or any IC card?
Ye, you can, FY.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
Could you please advice me which is best for me on my osaka-kyoto-Kobe itinerary?
Day1: KIX arrival 945pm – heading to Osaka Dotombori
Day2: USJ
Day3: Osaka- Kyoto
Day4: Kyoto-Nara
Day5: Kyoto
Day6: Kyoto- Kobe
Day7: Kobe- Osaka- Kobe
Day8: Kobe- KiX
This will be a draft of my itinerary. As I’m confirmed which transport pass will fit our needs most, among this one, Kansai Thru Pass and ICOCA and Haruka ticket? Please advice
Hi Regina,
Single ticket is only choice for arrival day because your arrival time is late.
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
Single ticket for bus is also your choice for departure day.
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/KB
Single ticket is okay for day 2 and you can get Kansai one pass instead.
http://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
Kansai thru pass 3 days is the best for day 3, 6 and 7.
You can find city deal for day 5 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-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com