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,
We will plan to go Osaka and stay at namba, if I want to go to Kyoto from namba nankai station, what is the route and is it easier to buy ICICA card?
Thank you.
Hi If,
There are several routes. It depends on which part of Kyoto you want to go. Please see the following:
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
If you want to purchase ICOCA card only, you can purchase it at any major stations. All stations sell ICOCA in Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi San,
I will be arriving in KIX at 9:20 pm and the last Haruka train to Kyoto leaves at 10:16 pm. Will I have enough time to buy the ICOCA & Haruka and catch the last Haruka to Kyoto?
Where can I buy the ICOCA & Haruka at KIX? If I want to have a reserved seat on Haruka, do I have to pay extra and how much?
If I miss the last Haruka train, what is the next best way for me to get to Kyoto on the same night?
Thank you very much.
Hi Jesmine san,
I cannot be optimistic. Even though I speak Japanese and very familiar with airport, I spend 45 minutes to complete immigration, custom and baggage pick up. I don’t think you can do it in 54 minutes.
ICOCA and Haruka can be purchased at the station. It takes less than 5 minutes to get there from exit of terminal.
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/routemap/pdf/station_kansai-airport.pdf
If you miss last Haruka, take Airport Rapid to Osaka and then transfer to Special Rapid.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-to-get-kansai-airport-and-wakayama-kansai-airport-rapid-service-and-kishuji-rapid-service.html
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/rapid-service/special-rapid-service.html
There is 22:31 departure to Osaka station.
KIX 22:31 – 23:36 Osaka 23:56 – 00:42 Kyoto
I hope your flight arrive earlier and get last Haruka.
Good luck.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
If my SUICA card can be used in Kansai like ICOCA, will i be able to top the credit in an ICOCA machine?
A separate question, if I go to Kiyomizu-Gojo via Keihan, and want to walk around there then go back to Osaka via Sanjo Station, do I need to go on the Kyoto bus or is it a short walk from the station to Kiyomizu-dera (and Shoren-in to Sanjo Station)? Can I buy a bus tiket somewhere in Osaka or do I just pay cash on the spot? Will there be an announcement which i’ll understand at every bus stop?
Sorry for asking so much.
Hi Lutfi,
Yes. You can use it in Kansai area and you can credit in the vending machine too.
You can walk from Kiyomizudera to Sanjo Keihan station if you want. It’s about 3km walk. You can’t buy bus ticket in Osaka. Just pay by cash when you hop in. Most of bus has English announcement.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
I’m be traveling to jpn this Dec. will be buying the icoca n haruka ticket.
1st day – kix to umeda
last day – kyoto to kix
im confused how to use the haruka ticket to umeda station. pls explain how to reach my destination
Hi mimi,
You can take Haruka to Shin-Osaka and transfer to local train there. Osaka is one station away from Shin-Osaka. And it is same location as Umeda.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for your reply. When using haruka ticket, stop at shin-osaka and transfer to local train to osaka. During the transfer, does it incur any further cost?
Pls advise.
Hi Mimi,
It’s fully covered.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thanks Takeshi.
Right now, I am thinking of purchasing the Single or Return, the difference is 1030 Yen
Airport to Kyoto
Namba to Airport (Return)
Regarding the ticket you recommend, do I need to pre-book?
Another option I saw is to use 980 Yen to purchase the Nankai Railway to Airport.
Is there much difference between Nankai Railway and Rapit??
Thanks!
Hi SW,
You don’t need to prebook for Kanku Tokuwari Rapi:t. You can purchase it on the spot.
Rapi:t is a limited express trian of Nankai Railway. If you take Airport express train (not Rapi:t), you need only base fare ticket that is only 920 yen from Namba to KIX. But this is a regular commute train. If you are okay with rit, you can take Airport. If you want to take more comfortable train, like same level of interior, take Rapi:t.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/railway/kix/tokix/traintype.html#kix
Rapi:t
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%8D%97%E6%B5%B750000%E7%B3%BB%E9%9B%BB%E8%BB%8A#mediaviewer/File:Nankai_50000_Rapit_interior.jpg
Airport Express
http://rail.hobidas.com/blog/natori09/nankai8000cabin.jpg
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thanks for the Information.
If I buy the above deal (return package), I will be leaving from JR Namba to the Airport.
Can I use the ticket to travel to Tennoji and join the Haruka Train without paying extra?
Or is there another alternative way?
Thanks!
Hi SW,
You can use it for Haruka from Tennoji. Of course you can take local train from JR-Namba station.
But if you pay another 100 yen, you can use Nankai Railway’s deal, Kanku Tokuwari Rapi:t ticket.
http://www.howto-osaka.com.e.iv.hp.transer.com/top/ticket/railway/tokuwari.html
ICOCA and Haruka round trip 4060 yen.
ICOCA and Haruka one way 3030 yen + Kanku tokuwari rapi:t 1130 yen = 4160 yen
You can get direct access to KIX from Namba by Rapi:t.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for this article, very informative. Just to confirm, can i buy just the ICOCA itself in KIX?
And also, can the ICOCA be reloaded just in case the 1500 runs out and i still need it?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Angie,
Of course, you can purchase ICOCA card only. You can reload the fund any tinme. But it accepts multiples of one thousand yen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello Takeshi,
Good day.
I will be in Kansai for 10 days.
On the 1st day I will be only in Osaka.(will focus on some attractions near Umeda, Shinsaibashi (using Osaka Amazing Pass 1 day-pass)
2nd day – I will go to Kobe From ShinOsaka. In Kobe, I will go to Tetsujin 28, Kobe Port, Sannomiya , Himeji if possible & Mount Rokko at night before we go back to our hotel near Shinosaka station.
3rd day – will be full day in Nara
4 thd day – full day in USJ
5th day, – I will stay in Kyoto. So this day I’m planning to go to Toei Uzumasa/Arashiyama & also try the Sagano romantic sightseeing train
6th day – Will rent a bike & focus on area like Nijo-jo, Kyoto Uni, Gion,
7th day – Might go to Fushimi Inari & mount Koya
8th day – Will shopping some stuffs in Shijo-dori & go to Kiyomizudera at night.
9th day – Back to Osaka & focuses on Tsutenkaku area + Osaka bay port (might be buying the Osaka Pass again)
10th day – Osaka until noon then fly back to my country.
I would like to have your opinion on my itinerary. I hope the transportation can be as minimal as possible. Regarding the Sagano Romantic train, can I get the discount although I didnt buy the JR pass?
For all the 10 days is it okay just to focus on having only ICOCA/Haruka card?
Thank you.
Hi Tina,
Your itinerary is okay. I don’t see any issues.
Regarding pass and deals, I just wrote about staying in Osaka at the following post:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
I hope it will help you.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
10 years! that’s good, I can keep it then 🙂
Thanks for the info, Takeshi San.
No problem, Sid.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi San,
I would like to ask, is there any time limit to refund the Icoca pass if there is balance? and can I get a friend to refund this at JR counter?
Hi Sid,
It’s valid for 10 years. So if you have a plan to come back to Japan, you can keep it.
I think you can ask your friend to refund. But I’m not 100% sure.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail