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
Can I use ICOCA to go from kyoto to hikone than hikone to maibara, if I use JR Biwako Line? Thanks.
Hi Chris,
Yes, you can.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
I am going to KIX on 5 Apr 2014. The flight arrival is late, around 1030pm. With the possibility of me NOT able to catch the Nankai Line to Namba station is high. But i am still trying my best with no check in luggage. Therefore, the worst case would be taking a night bus to Namba Park.
My stay in Japan would include visitation to Osaka and Kyoto and returning back to KIX after 7 days holiday by train to catch 2100 flight. During my stay in Japan, I am planning to do sightseeing and wanted to have discount card for places of interest as well.
Due to the above limitation, what card should i purchase?
Hi Paul,
Probably Kansai Thru Pass is the best. But it’s hard to say. Sometimes single ticket is cheaper. It depends on your itinerary and how many times you take train.
Before you pick pass or single ticket, you have to build the detailed itinerary and then you will be able to find which pass or single ticket is the best choice.
These following links may help you to think about the plan.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
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/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.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 / JP Rail
Hi, where can i buy the icoca and child icoca card at kix? Thanks
Hi C Wang,
As I mentioned, you can purchase it at JR Kansai airport station ticket window.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, i will be going to Osaka this end of March. I plan to visit Kyoto,& Nara too. Where can i buy the icoca card and child icoca in KIX? Do i need to buy one for each adult and child? Can i just buy one for adult and one for child ? Thanks
Hi C Wang,
You can purchase it at JR Kansai Airport station. There is only one ticket boose.
ICOCA card can be used for only one person. You can’t share your card with any other person.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, Is the ICOCA card usable also in nagano and matsumoto cities?
Hi mct,
Unfortunately not.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello Takeshi / JP Rail,
I’m visiting this 20 March, my main visit is Kyoto (2 day) and Osaka (2/3 Day) and maybe Fukui (day trip).
Should I get the Kansai Airport “Haraku” ticket round trip plus ICOCA card at 4,000 yen for me to commute from KIX to Kyoto then return from Osaka to KIX? I think I save about 2,900 yen (single standard trip calculation)
I will use either ICOCA or Kyoto City Day trip ticket to move around in Kyoto. Is the Kyoto City Day trip unlimited or is charge card?
Is it easy to use ICOCA card in Osaka mainly going to Osaka Musuem, Castle, Dontoburi, etc.
Also, I’m interested to visit the Fukui Dinasour Musuem – but the tickets are very expensive (seem like equal to Universal Studio entrance fee). Do you have any suggestion?
From my understanding is to from Kyoto Station take Thunderbird to Fukui Station. Then from Fukui Station to Echizen Railway Katsuyama-Eiheiji. Then take a bus or taxi to the museum.
My son following date of birth, in travelling time is 5 years old 6 months. But following year is 6 years old. May I know in Japan Railway – he consider children fare or he can sit on my lap?
Thank you!
Hi Mary,
ICOCA and Haruka is the best choice for you. You should save ICOCA in Kyoto and use Kyoto sightseeing card or all day bus pass. Those give you unlimited ride.
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html
If you use ICOCA in Kyoto, you will use all 1500 yen e-money easily. It’s not a smart way. You can use ICOCA when you move from Kyoto to Osaka. And as you guess, you can use it for taking subway in Osaka.
Regarding Fukui, I heard lots of good reputation. But I have never been there. I can’t judge which it’s worth while visiting or not.
One adult passenger can take up to 2 children who are younger than 6 years old. When you take local train in Kyoto and Osaka, you don’t worry about. When you take Haruka and Thunderbird, you don’t need to pay for your son if you put him on your lap. But I don’t think it’s realistic. I have 5 years old daughter. When I travelled in Japan with her last year, I bought child fare Japan Rail Pass for her. She was 4 years old at that time. But she was too big to sit on my lap.
When you take a train, if there are lots of empty seats, your son can take one own seat. But nobody knows how busy train will be.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi
Can I travel from KIX all the way to Maibara or Hikone on the IOCA and Haruka ticket? If not, should I change train at Kyoto? I intend to visit Hikone and Lake Biwa, so which station should I get off and where should I spent the night? I will touch down at KIX at 7.15am, so what time will I reach?
Do you think a one-day JR west pass will be better choice than the IOCA/Haruka ticket?
Thank you in advance for your advice.
Hi KC Liow,
Both ICOCA and Haruka, and Kansai West Pass do not cover Maibara and Hikone. You will be allowed to make a trip to Kyoto. I think ICOCA and Haruka is better because you can use ICOCA to get Hikone. Some of Haruka go to Maibara. But you have to get off at Kyoto and also you have to exit Kyoto station. And then reenter Kyoto station by ICOCA. Otherwise ICOCA does not record arrival point.
Usually Otsu is a gateway to visit Lake Biwa. But it depends on where you want to see.
You will find a timetable at Hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
When you search it at Hyperdia, try to find KIX-Kyoto and then Kyoto-Hikone or Otsu. Otherwise it will show you direct Haruka from KIX to Hikone.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
hello.
i’m kinda confuse with the fares.
if i pay for one-way trip = 3000 yen, and i took Haruka to Kyoto from KIX, does that mean, i dont have to top up the fare KIX-Kyoto?
and the ICOCA card balance still 1500 when i arrive in Kyoto?
or does it still deduct the balance in card when we use haruka from KIX to Kyoto?
since in this sample itinerary -> KIX – Kyoto – Umeda – KIX plus day trip to Kobe , u said total use for ICOCA is 1320 yen only.
is the same for round trip? KIX-Kyoto, Osaka-KIX?
Hi afie
ICOCA and Haruka includes Haruka ticket and ICOCA e-money. It’s totally separated. When you get Kyoto, you have full amount in ICOCA.
I think you forgot to add limited express surcharge. When you take Haruka, limited express surcharge is added on base fare. But if you use local train, only base fare is required. If you need an exact fare, please check it at Hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
oops… T money card in the photo is korean IC card.
Thanks for letting me know, Nasuno.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello Takeshi san,
I’m going to Japan this March.
I’ll be arriving at KIX then will straightly going to Nagoya via train.
if i buy ICOCA, will it cover in Nagoya too?
if yes, how it is work? please advise.
My itinerary will be something like this –
Day 1-4 : KIX – Nagoya (stay in Nagoya Aichi)
Day 5-9 : Nagoya – Shin Osaka (stay in Osaka)
(somewhere between day 5-9, i will go to Kyoto for a day sight seeing.)
Thank You in advance.
Hi pinat,
ICOCA can be used in Nagoya. But you can’t use ICOCA for KIX-Nagoya trip. There is a border between Osaka and Nagoya. You can’t cross the border by ICOCA and same kind of IC cards.
So you can use ICOCA when you stay in Nagoya to take local train. You have to have different ticket to Nagoya. I recommend you to use ICOCA and Haruka deal.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
This deal covers your trip from KIX to Kyoto. And you add the fare for Kyoto to Nagoya. I think this is the fastest and the best deal.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail