Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass user guide. The deal for the traveler who wants travel in Kansai, Hiroshima and the surrounding area.

miyajimaHiroshima and Miyajima
2014.12.24
The landmarks . Tsutenkaku tower (Osaka/left) and Atomic Bomb Dome (Hiroshima/right) ©JNTO (Osaka/left) / ©Hiroshima Convention & Visitors Bureau (Hiroshima/right)
The landmarks . Tsutenkaku tower (Osaka/left) and Atomic Bomb Dome (Hiroshima/right) ©JNTO (Osaka/left) / ©Hiroshima Convention & Visitors Bureau (Hiroshima/right)

As the name tells you, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass covers Kansai area (Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, Wakayama), Hiroshima and many places between these, such as Okayama, Kurashiki. But the coverage is much bigger. This pass covers even Takamatsu in Shikoku, Kinosaki Onsen, Amanohashidate, Kii-Katsuura, Shingu.

I would like to share the information about Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass in this post.

Coverage Area

The coverage area of Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass (Click to enlarge)

This pass covers whole part of Kansai area, such as Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Kansai Airport, Himeji and Wakayama. And it includes Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima. And also this pass includes the conventional lines to Takamatsu in Shikoku, Kinosaki Onsen, Shirahama and Shingu in Kii peninsula, Hikone and Tsuruga too. Of course you can access Himeji, Okayama, Kurashiki, Onomichi, Miyajima and Iwakuni too. In addition, this pass covers Kyoto Tango Railway to Amanohashidate. It is a big benefit to visit northern Hyogo region.

If you want to access to Hakata, Yamaguchi or Sanin area, Sanyo Sanin Area Pass is recommended. But it does not include Kinosaki and Kii area.

Sanyo Sanin Area Pass user guide. The train pass that covers Kansai, Sanyo and Sanin regions
Sanyo Sanin Area Pass covers whole part of Chugoku region, such as Hiroshima, Okayama, Yamaguchi, Shimane, Tottori. It also covers Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe and Himeji. This pass suit the traveler who travel in the west part of mainland. Please check the post to find the detailed information about this pass.
jprail.com
2014.12.24

JR West will also release Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass too. If you need an access to Hiroshima from Hakata side, this pass will be suitable for you.

Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass user guide. The deal for the tourist who travels between Hiroshima, Yamaguchi and Hakata.
Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass is the perfect deal if you access Hiroshima and Yamaguchi from Fukuoka. Please find more information about this pass in this post.
jprail.com
2014.12.24

Other part of Japan, such as Hokkaido, Tokyo, Nagoya, Kanazawa, Takayama, most part of Shikoku and Kyushu are not covered by this Pass. So if you intend to travel throughout Japan or travel to Tokyo, Hokkaido or Kyushu, Japan Rail Pass is maybe more suitable for you.
*Osaka – Tokyo one way trip is not enough to use JR Pass. Please see the the post, Japan Rail Pass user guide. How to use JR Pass to its maximum.

Valid trains, bus services, routes and class

Kyushu Shinkansen Sakura and Mizuho give you direct trainsfer to Shin-Osaka from Kyusyu.
Both Mizuho and Nozomi on Sanyo Shinkansen are covered by this deal.

All daytime trains in coverage area are covered. But reserved seat fee is NOT included as well. You have to take non reserved ordinary seat. Most of limited express and Shinkansen trains have non reserved seat. And Green seat is not covered fully either. If you want to take Green seat, this pass covers base fare only. You have to full of surcharge and Green seat fare.

Overnight option is not available in the coverage area. There are two overnight trains, Sunrise Izumo and Sunrise Seto are depart/arrive in the coverage area. But these trains run to Tokyo. You cannot stay overnight in the coverage ares by this pass.

Miyajima ferry is also covered. You have no problem to access to very popular World Heritage Miyajima.

As of mid April 2017, this pass started to cover JR bus in Kyoto, Fukui and Hiroshima. In Hiroshima, there are some bus routes which are covered by this pass. Especially Hiroshima sightseeing loop bus “Meipuru-pu” is very very useful. You can get most of popular spots in Hiroshima by this bus. Please see the link below:

Hiroshima sightseeing bus Meipuru-pu

In Kyoto, you can get Ryoan-ji temple, Kitano-Tenmangu shrine, Takao area via Nijo. This pass also covers Obamba to/from Omi-Imazu bus service and Sonobe to/from Fukuchiyama bus service.

This pass also started to cover Kyoto Tango railway as of mid April, 2017. You can get Amanohashidate, Miyazu without any extra charge.

When you use this deal, there are a few exceptions. You have to know that before you choose this deal. Please see the below to get the detailed information.

The Tokaido Shinkansen among Maibara, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka

Even though it is in the coverage area, you cannot take Shinkansen train in this segment. Because Tokaido Shinkansen belongs to other JR company, JR Central. It is same JR Group company and many trains go through both areas each other. But technically it is different company. Therefore this deal cannot include this Shinkansen segment. When you depart from Kyoto or Maibara and take Shinkansen, you have to take Special Rapid Service to Shin-Osaka and then transfer to Shinkansen train there.

Find your hotels in 500 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in Hiroshima
Hotels in Okayama

Price, eligibility and how to purchase

This pass is available for temporary visitor only. If you are resident, you can’t purchase it.

JR West is the first company that has different price tag for same product. Please see the below:

Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass 5-day

Purchasing from
the travel agent overseas
(Before arrival)		Purchasing from
JR West online
(Before arrival)		Purchasing from
JR West station
(After arrival)
Adult13,700 yen14,500 yen14,700 yen
Child
(6-11 years old)		6,850 yen7,250 yen7,350 yen

As you have seen, you can purchase this pass after you arrive in Japan. But you have to pay 1000 yen more.

If you want to purchase this pass at the lowest rate, you have to purchase it at authorized travel agents before you come to Japan. You can find the dealers list and exchange location at the link below:

JR West Rail Pass Dealer’s list

You also can purchase this pass online through JR West official site. But the price is not much cheaper than the price which is sold at the station.

Valid period

It is valid for 5 days. One day means midnight to midnight, technically 0:00 to 23:59. So try to start in the morning. It does not make sense to start to use in the evening.

You can purchase this pass only once per visit if you purchase online or inside Japan. If you purchase it at authorized agents outside Japan, you can purchase as many as you want. If you need more coverage, please think about combining with other deals in Kansai area, like Kansai Thru Pass or Kansai Area Pass or pick up other deals, like Japan Rail Pass.

Compare to single fares

Base fare and surcharge for the major segments are the following. Please compare the price of Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass and these fares. If you use Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, these following fare, both base fare and surcharge, are covered.

*All surcharges in the following table are non reserved seat rate.

SegmentBase fareSurcharge
Osaka – Kyoto560 yen–
Osaka – Sannomiya (Kobe)410 yen–
Osaka – Nara800 yen–
Kyoto – Nara710 yen–
Osaka – Himeji1490 yen1730 yen
Osaka – Kansai Airport1190 yen970 yen
Osaka – Okayama3020 yen2480 yen
Osaka – Hiroshima5620 yen4090 yen
Osaka – Miyajimaguchi5940 yen4090 yen
Hiroshima – Miyajimaguchi410 yen–
Miyajimaguchi – Miyajima (Ferry)180 yen–
Osaka – Kinosaki Onsen3350 yen1730 yen
Osaka – Shirahama3350 yen1730 yen
Osaka – Shingu4750 yen1940 yen

*The rate is varied by the season.

As you see, Osaka-Hiroshima one way fare and surcharge total amount is 9,710 yen. So if you have round trip on this segment, it is pay off easily.

Assessment

I believe this deal will be fit to many traveller’s itinerary who stay in Kansai area. If you have a plan to go to Hiroshima when you stay in Kansai area, this pass is the best choice. Hiroshima can be visited as day trip from Osaka or Kyoto.

Day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima from Osaka/Kyoto

I strongly recommend you to stay in Kinosaki Onsen and Shirahama. But these destinations can be accessed as day trip too.

There are so many ways to use this deal. I hope you enjoy in Kansai and Hiroshima area by this deal.

Comments

  1. Tessa Faure says:
    March 29, 2017 at 3:51 am

    Does this JR Kansai-Hiroshima pass allow for use of the Airport Limousine bus from Hiroshima Station / Bus Centre to Hiroshima Airport?

    We need to use our JR pass to get from:
    Osaka to Nara and then Nara on to Kyoto (same day Nara day trip).
    Kyoto to Shin-Osaka and then bullet train on to Hiroshima.
    Use it for the ferry.
    This comes in under 13,000YEN

    We will use a different means to get from Kansai Airport to Osaka as it is outside of our five days to use it for Kyoto-Hiro.

    If it can be used for Limo bus back to Hiro airport then I think it could be worthwhile, but if not, I am not actually sure?!

  2. Alex says:
    March 9, 2017 at 5:20 am

    Hi,

    I am planning to travel from Osaka to Hiroshima to Kyoto to Tokyo but I wont be doing it in a 7 day time frame so I dont want to get the 7-day JR Pass.
    Would it be better to get the 5-day Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass and begin the pass as I leave Osaka, use it as much as I want in Hiroshima (for a day or two as thats how long I am planning to stay) and then use it to get to Kyoto (and use in Kyoto until it expires)?
    Then I would just buy a single fare to get from Kyoto to Tokyo.

    Or is it better to get the 14-day JR pass?

    Thanks

  3. aida says:
    March 5, 2017 at 9:33 pm

    Hi Takeshi-san
    I’m planning my 1st trip to Japan with my sisters. Hoping you can help me please. Our itinerary is as follows:
    Day 1 : Upon arrival at Kansai Airport (to activate a 5-Day Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass). Then travel to Kyoto (overnight in Kyoto).
    Day 2 : Shin-Osaka-Kyoto-Kanazawa-Takayama (overnight in Takayama)
    Day 3 : Takayama-Shirakawago-Ainokura (overnight in Ainokura)
    Day 4 : Ainokura-Shirakawago-Kanazawa-Kyoto
    Day 5 : Kyoto (buy Kyoto sightseeing 2-Day Pass for Northern & Eastern Kyoto on Day 4 and Day 5)
    In the evening, travel to Osaka.

    Day 6 : Osaka (to activate 5-Day JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass at Osaka Station). Then travel to Shin Osaka-Hiroshima-Miyajima (overnight in Miyajima)
    Day 7 : Miyajima-Hiroshima-Himeji-Osaka Castle, Osaka
    Day 8 : Osaka – Arashimaya, Nijo Castle, Fushimi Inari
    Day 9 : Osaka-Nara
    Day 10 : Osaka
    Day 11 : Osaka -Kansai Airport (one-way by Kansai-Airport Express “HARUKA”)

    Thank you.
    Warmest Regards, aida

  4. Joe Pan says:
    March 2, 2017 at 4:57 am

    Hi Takeshi-San,

    I’ve decided to use the 21 and 14 day pass for the later trip, so I may keep the original plan to visit kintaikyo bridge from okayama, but also like to includes onomichi and possibly tomonoura.

    Could you please tell me the best route for these places as I can check the bus from shin-iwakuni to the bridge but not vise versa

    I start at 9am and may prefer to stroll the bridge first then hope to catch some sunset over the sea from onomichi (if not too tight, to Tomo-noura as well)of cause that depends on the convenience of the plan.

    The top sight is onomichi, Tomo-noura is optional.

    Thanks again Takeshi-San
    Cheers

  5. Alex L says:
    February 22, 2017 at 6:41 pm

    Hi Takeshi,
    Hoping you can help me please, my husband and I are going to Japan in May, our itinerary is as follows:
    Narita (as we get in late) 1 night
    Tokyo 3 nights
    Kyoto 1 night
    Hiroshima (& 1/2 day to Miyajima) 1 night
    Osaka 3 nights
    Leave via Kansai.
    Are we better off to get the 7 day JR Rail pass activated after we stay in Narita? or just pay for single tickets Narita – Tokyo, Tokyo – Kyoto, and then get the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass 5 days the day we leave Kyoto?

    Thank you in advance for your help!
    Alex

  6. Ashutosh says:
    February 2, 2017 at 10:01 pm

    Hi,

    We will be in Osaka for 7 nights starting from 11th Feb 2017 and want to cover areas around Osaka. I had the following questions:

    – If we want to visit Hiroshima from Osaka can I use this pass for the Shinkasen travel to Hiroshima from Osaka?

    – I have a son of age 5 years and 2 months old. What type of pass I should buy for him.

    Best regards,
    Ashutosh

  7. dco says:
    January 31, 2017 at 1:12 am

    hi, does kansai hiroshima pass cover koya san?

  8. Quinlan says:
    January 19, 2017 at 9:59 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I need to get from imabari to takamatsu. Does the kansai-hiroshima area pass cover it? Also, does the JR pass cover it?

    Thanks!

  9. jose bernardo says:
    December 29, 2016 at 3:05 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I have a Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass 5 days.

    Early morning we will take a train from Himeji to Kyoto station using our last day for this pass. Our guest house is 10 min walking from Kyoto station. I think we will leave our small trolleys in the station lockers.

    We will stay 4 full days in Kyoto.
    My plan (if we have enough time) is:

    Arashiyama + Nijo Castle + Kitano Tenmangu Shrine

    Kinkaku-ji + Daitoku-ji + Shimogamo + Fushimi-Inari Taisha + Gion at night

    Nishiki market + Higashiyama

    Kibune and Kurama then Higashi Hongan-ji + Nishi Hongan-ji

    Because we still have the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass 5 days what do you recommend to visit first? Start with …?

    For the other 3 days what type of pass do you recommend?
    We prefer to use trains and subways.

    We will be in Kyoto April 7-10 so using a bus should be difficult
    Lots of traffic 🙁

    thank you

    Jose

  10. Ryan Lee says:
    December 19, 2016 at 8:30 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I have a JR Kansai Wide Area Pass but I’m thinking of doing a day trip to Hiroshima. How much extra will I have to pay for the Shinkansen going direct from Shin-Osaka station to Hiroshima/Miyajimaguchi station?

    Cheers,
    Ryan

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