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. Fadzlin says:
    March 17, 2015 at 12:12 am

    Hi Takeshi san,

    Thank you for the very informative website. I have some questions to ask you and I hope you can bear with me. I have the following itinerary planned out and I would like to ask you if it is worth getting Kansai Hiroshima 5-day pass.

    Mon (15 June)

    – Arrive Itami Airport
    – Travel to Kyoto to check into accommodation (10 mins drive from JR Kyoto)
    – Explore Kyoto

    Tue (16 June)

    – Explore Kyoto

    Wed (17 June)

    – Explore Kyoto

    Thu (18 June)

    – Leave Kyoto for accommodation in Osaka (near JR Nishikoji)
    – Explore Osaka

    Fri (19 June)

    – Universal Studios Japan day trip
    – Explore Osaka

    Sat (20 June)

    – Leave Osaka for Hiroshima daytrip
    – Visit Peace Park
    – Go Hiroshima Big Arch Stadium to watch Hiroshima Sanfreece match
    – Leave Hiroshima for Osaka

    Sun (21 June)

    – Leave Osaka accommodation for Itami Airport

    My questions are:-

    1) Based on above itinerary, is the Kansai Hiroshima 5 day pass worth getting?

    2) When should I activate it? On the day I depart to Osaka from Kyoto?

    Thanks in advance!

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      March 17, 2015 at 12:49 pm

      Hi Fadzlin,

      As long as you have round trip to Hiroshima from Osaka by Shinkansen, this pass will work. You can activate on 17 June because this is 5 days pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Fadzlin says:
        March 25, 2015 at 12:37 am

        Hi Takeshi san,

        Thank you for your help.

        I will be activating my JR Kansai Hiroshima Pass on 17 June when I leave Kyoto for Osaka as per your suggestion.

        If I activate my pass at JR Kyoto Station, how do I get to my accommodation at JR Nishikujo (in Osaka)? I’ve referred to Google’s routes but they are all hard to understand.

        Thanks!

  2. Kamakshi says:
    March 8, 2015 at 10:17 pm

    Sorry for so many questions.
    If I wish to book a reserved seat from Shin-Osaka with the pass, how much extra should I pay?

    Thanks once again.

  3. Kamakshi says:
    March 8, 2015 at 10:04 pm

    Hello again Takeshi San,

    Thanks for your earlier answer.
    Can I use this pass to go to Koya San? or is it better to take a Koyasan world heritage ticket?

    Thank you
    Kamakshi

  4. Kamakshi says:
    March 8, 2015 at 5:38 am

    Hi My plan is as follows

    Mar 28 -Kyoto City Tour (Mostly will use bus)
    Mar 29 – Osaka Kaiyu, Sanda
    Mar 30 -Nara and Osaka City
    Mar 31 – Arashiyama / Kobe/Himeji
    Apr – 1 Okayama nad further head to hiroshima

    Will this pass pay out. Are there any other interesting places that I can cover in the mean time?

    Thanks

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      March 8, 2015 at 6:58 am

      Hi Kamakshi,

      In my rough calculation, total fares will be almost same as pass value.
      Kinosaki Onsen, Shirahama, Takaumatsu and Kii katsuura are popular spots.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  5. katherine says:
    March 3, 2015 at 1:29 am

    We( 4 adults 1 kids age 5) will be visiting japan this March 25 till 4 Apr. We will first arrive Osaka and stay 2 nites and then heading to Kyoto staying another 2 nites. Then we will proceed to Tokyo. Could you kindly recommend what pass suitable for us . Thank you.

  6. kim says:
    March 2, 2015 at 7:30 pm

    My understanding is that one can use Sanyo Shinkasen with the JR Kansai Hiroshima 5 day pass for travel bet Shin- Osaka and Hiroshima. However in JR’s booking website, under the Valid Train Route, it is stated the valid trains are,” non -reserved seats on Bullet Train “SANYOSHINKANSEN” (Shin-Osaka = Okayama”). Does this mean that we can take the Sanyo Shinkansen to Okayama, and then have to change to a local/rapid train from Okayama to Hiroshima Station

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      March 3, 2015 at 12:34 am

      Hi Kim.

      No. It covers Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima. JR West website says’ “Non-reserved seats on Bullet Train “SANYOSHINKANSEN” (Shin-Osaka⇔Hiroshima)”.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • kim says:
        March 9, 2015 at 10:26 pm

        Thanks Takashima. I have now purchased the pass online and am looking forward to visiting your beautiful country in a week’s time. One more question,

        Can I use the pass to travel from Kinosakinonsen or Toyooka to Amanohashidate, and then onwards to Kyoto via Nishimaizuru. I know there is an extra charge on the KTR section.

        Your response will be much appreciated

  7. Sandy says:
    March 1, 2015 at 9:59 am

    Hi Takeshi

    Just for others’ information and to let you know I have booked the Kansai Hiroshima 5 day pass online. It is now available on the JR West site at:
    https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/ .

    I’m assuming I can pick it up in one of their named stations (I chose Osaka) a few days before it becomes operative. It starts at 12.00am, which terminology is a bit ambiguous, but would seem to be just before 00.01 on the day you want it to start.

    Thanks for your help.

  8. Ingy says:
    February 25, 2015 at 3:12 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    We are planning on a trip to Japan and wondering if this new pass and activate in Kyoto plus single tickets would be better than getting a JR pass?
    The plan is:
    6/4 night – Narita to Tokyo on skyliner
    a few days around Tokyo with day trip to Kamakura
    10/4 travel to Nara
    11/4 Travel to Kyoto
    12/4 Travel to Hiroshima and Miyama
    13/4 Travel to Osaka
    14/4 Leave to Kansai airport from ShinOsaka

  9. Sandy says:
    February 23, 2015 at 12:03 pm

    Hi Takeshi

    I have been trying to find a link to buy the JR Kansai Hiroshima 5 day rail pass online. I can’t find one on the JR West site – perhaps the site hasn’t been updated or perhaps I haven’t looked sufficiently carefully. Any ideas please?

    Apologies if this query is outside your topics.

    Sandy

    • Sandy says:
      February 23, 2015 at 12:42 pm

      Hi Takeshi

      Trying to answer my own question. I thought that since the pass would be operative from 1 March it could be purchased (online) from 4 Feb. From looking at other links I suspect it cannot be purchased online until 1 March. That’s OK for me, I won’t be using it till later in March

      Sandy

      • Takeshi / JPRail says:
        February 23, 2015 at 5:37 pm

        Hi Sandy,

        You are right. They will not update the website until March 1. It’s disappointed but you will be fine anyway.

        Cheers,

        Takeshi / JP Rail

        • Sakuntala says:
          February 23, 2015 at 9:45 pm

          hi
          I will waiting for Hiroshima pass too.In Thailand agency will start to sell Hiroshima pass on 1 March , so i think in other country will be the same .You can buy pass from agency if you want.

  10. Sandy says:
    February 17, 2015 at 1:58 pm

    We are visiting Japan 10-24 March and including Shikoku, then to Okayama, take a day trip to Hiroshima (as you suggest) and eventually leave from Osaka airport. We might buy the All Shikoku pass and note it can take us to Takamatsu and Kojima. We expect to buy the new Kansai Hiroshima area 5 day pass. Can we use the All Shikoku pass to Takamatsu and then use the Kansai Hiroshima pass from there to Okayama without changing trains or inviting trouble with ticket inspectors please?

    What a great site this is!

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