I have received many inquiries about Nagoya-Osaka or Kyoto trip. There are lots of travellers who arrive in Chubu (Nagoya) airport and depart from Kansai (Osaka) airport or reverse or arrive in/depart from Chubu. Even if you have round trip between Nagoya and Osaka, JR Pass is too expensive choice. And there is no options to cover both Nagoya and Osaka/Kyoto by JR. One way ticket from Nagoya to Osaka or Kyoto by Shinkansen is very common choice. However JR is not only railway that connect Nagoya, Osaka and Kyoto. Kintetsu Railway that is the biggest private railway company operates many trains among these three cities, Nara, Ise and Yoshino. Kintetsu Railway has very useful deal for the travellers who want to travel in this area.
In this post, I would like to show you Kintetsu Rail Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide.
What is Kintetsu Railway?
In Japan, there are many railway services. This is the biggest reason why you are very confused. Kintetsu Railway is NON JR and the biggest private railway company in Japan. Of course this railway service is not covered by any JR deals, such as JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass. Please see the map below to find Kintetsu Railway network.
Kintetsu Rail Pass covers all part of this network. As you see the map above, you can use this railway to get Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka (Namba, Uehonmachi, Tsuruhashi), Nara, Yoshino and Ise. And this pass includes three vouchers to take Kintetsu Railway Limited Express. Kintetsu Railway Limited Express has very nice accommodation and have same level service as JR’s limited express train. I tell you about detail of this limited express train and coverage below.
You may know about Kansai Thru Pass. This pass covers Kintetsu Railway and other major private railways in Kansai area. But this pass does not include Nagoya and Ise. And it does not include Kintetsu Railway Limited Express train voucher. As long as you travel both Nagoya and Osaka/Kyoto, Kansai Thru Pass is not your first choice. Please find the detailed about Kansai Thru Pass at the link below:
How to use Kansai Thru Pass. Compare pass and single fare.
How good is Kintetsu Railway Limited Express?
Some of major private railway companies operate limited express as commute train without extra charge, such as Hankyu, Keihan and Hanshin. But Kintetsu operates limited express as special train. It has reserved seat only. You have to pay limited express surcharge on top of base fare and this limited express train has same level of interior as JR’s limited express train.
There are many kinds of fleets for limited express trains. But all fleets have 2+2 seat configuration and seat pitch is 1000 to 1050 mm. It is spacious and comfortable.
Especially if you travel between Nagoya and Osaka, trip time is more than 2 hours. The seat and interior are very important factor.
You can take limited express train up to three times by Kintetsu Rail Pass if you use it until the end of September, 2016. After 1st of October, 2016, you have to purchase a separate ticket to take limited express train.
Who is eligible
Visitors who land as “Temporary Visitor” status can purchase this pass. And Japanese who live in foreign country as permanent resident or who are married to a foreigner residing outside of Japan can purchase this deal as well.
Types and prices
A few types of pass, Kintetsu Rail Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass wide are available.
Types | Purchase outside Japan | Purchase in Japan |
---|---|---|
Kintetsu Rail Pass 5-day | 3,700 yen | 3,900 yen |
Kintetsu Rail Pass Plus 5-day | 4,900 yen | 5,100 yen |
Child price is half amount of the adult price. It applies to child who is 6 to 11 years old. Adult price is applied to 12 years old and up.
5 year old or younger child is free. But when you take Limited Express train, all seats are reserved. You have to share your seat with your child. If you want to have a seat for your child, please purchase child pass for even 5 years old or younger child.
The pass must be used in consecutive days. The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 O’clock at night.
e.g.
If you start to use 5 days pass on May 1, the pass is expired at 23:59 on May 5.
Sales location
If you want to purchase an exchange order before you leave, you can find the authorized travel agent list at the link below:
Kintetsu Rail Pass official site
They may ship the exchange order to you by mail. Please contact the nearest vendor. Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide can be purchased at both Chubu airport and Kansai airport. But Kintetsu Rail Pass can be purchased at Kansai airport only. You can find the sales location in the airport at the link above as well.
Coverage area and valid transportation
Both Kintetsu Rail Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide covers all part of Kintetsu Railway network and include three limited express vouchers.
Kintetsu Rail Pass does not include limited express voucher. The separate ticket for taking limited express train is required.
Some of Kintetsu Railway Limited Express trains have upper class seat. But this pass covers ordinary reserved seat only. And Kintetsu Railway operates Sightseeing Limited Express “Shimakaze”. This train is not covered by this pass either.
If you do not want to pay any extra, you can take rapid express, express, semi express and local trains. These are commute trains. The interior is totally different from the limited express train.
When you take a train among Kyoto, Osaka and Nara, you can use these trains because of the short distance transfer.
Compare the pass and single fare
I would like to show you the fare table. Upper fare is base fare and lower is limited express surcharge.
station | Osaka (Namba) | Kyoto | Nara | Nagoya | Ise (Toba) |
Osaka (Namba) | – | 940 900 | 560 510 | 2360 1900 | 2040 1610 |
Kyoto | 940 900 | – | 620 510 | 2590 1900 | 2280 1610 |
Nara | 560 510 | 620 510 | – | 2250 1610 | 1940 1610 |
Nagoya | 2360 1900 | 2590 1900 | 2250 1610 | – | 1710 1320 |
Ise (Toba) | 2040 1610 | 2280 1610 | 1940 1610 | 1710 1320 | – |
station | Osaka (Osaka-Abenobashi) | Kyoto | Nara | Nagoya |
Yoshino | 970 510 | 1230 900 | 850 900 | 2390 2120 |
If you travel from Nagoya to Osaka or Kyoto by limited express by 30th of September, it is higher than Kintetsu Rail Pass at 3800 yen. It is really good deal for the traveller who wants to travel from Nagoya to Kyoto or Osaka. If you go to Ise from Kyoto, Osaka or Nara, it is better deal than single fare too. But if you visit Ise, Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide may be better deal for you. Please see next chapter.
If you travel after 1st of October, limited express voucher will not be included. You must have at least one round trip between Kansai area (Osaka, Nara and Kyoto) and Nagoya or Ise.
Compare cost and trip time between the Shinkansen fare and Kintetsu Rail Pass
Shinkansen is most common way to get Kyoto and Osaka from Nagoya. It is much faster than Kintetsu Railway Limited Express trains. But Shinkansen is much more expensive too. Before you decide to go for Kintetsu Rail Pass, you should compare these trains by cost and time.
Nagoya – Namba
Trains | Trip time | Fare |
Kintetsu Railway Limited Express | 2 hrs 30 mins | 3800 yen + Limited express surcharge |
Shinkansen (Nozomi) and Subway | 1 hr 20 mins | 6840 yen |
Shinkansen and subway combination is much faster but the cost is almost double. And Kintetsu Railway is direct access without any transfer. This is the strongest point.
Nagoya – Osaka (Umeda)
Trains | Trip time | Fare |
Kintetsu Railway Limited Express and JR local train | 2 hrs 45 mins | 3800 yen + Limited express surcharge + 180 yen (JR) |
Shinkansen (Nozomi) and JR local train | 1 hr 10 mins | 6560 yen |
You have to transfer at Shin-Osaka to get Osaka by the Shinkansen. But it is same station and very easy to transfer from the Shinkansen to JR local train. If you take Kintetsu Railway, you can transfer at Tsuruhashi to JR Osaka Kanjo line. It is much easier than transfer at Namba to subway. Tsuruhashi station is much smaller than Namba. JR and Kintetsu stations are connected directly.
Nagoya – Shin-Osaka
Trains | Trip time | Fare |
Kintetsu Railway Limited Express and Subway | 3 hrs | 3800 yen + Limited express surcharge + 280 yen (subway) |
Shinkansen (Nozomi) | 50 mins | 6560 yen |
Shin-Osaka is Shinkansen’s terminal station. Shinkansen is much more accessible than Kintetsu Railway. If you take Kintetsu Railway, you have to transfer at Namba to get subway. And subway fare is extra.
Nagoya – Kyoto
Trains | Trip time | Fare |
Kintetsu Railway Limited Express Need to transfer at Yamato-Yagi | 2 hrs 35 mins | 3800 yen + Limited express surcharge |
Shinkansen (Nozomi) | 36 mins | 5800 yen |
Both Kintetsu Railway and Shinkansen are direct access to Kyoto. Shinkansen is 2 hours faster than Kintetsu Railway Limited Express.
Nagoya – Nara
Trains | Trip time | Fare |
Kintetsu Railway Limited Express and Kintetsu local train Need to transfer at Yamato-Yagi | 2 hrs 15 mins | 3800 yen + Limited express surcharge |
Shinkansen (Nozomi) JR local train | 1 hr 30 mins | 6560 yen |
Shinkansen and JR trains are still faster than Kintetsu Railway. But the difference is smallest in all above cases.
Assessment
If you are really sensitive with cost, Kintetsu Rail Pass is a good choice for even Nagoya to Osaka or reverse one way trip. If you travel from Nagoya to Osaka and visit Nara and Kyoto, this pass gives you a huge savings.
Even though the Shinkansen is much faster, this pass is one of my most recommended deals.
Comments
Hi Takeshi
Day 1: KIX Airport to Nagoya (Staying in Nagoya)
Day 2 & 3: Nagoya
Day 4: Kyoto (Staying in Kyoto)
Day 5: Nara
Day 6: Kyoto
Day 7: Kobe + Himeji (Staying in Osaka)
Day 8 & 9: Osaka
Day 10: KIX airport back Home Sweet Home
Note: The itinerary above is flexible and can be change to best suit the railway pass timing/schedule.
May I know which pass will be best suitable for me please? Thank you!
Hi J,
Kintetus Rail Pass is most suitable. But it does not cover train from KIX to Namba. You need to pay for it separately. And also this pass does not cover any local transports in Kyoto, such as subway, city bus. You may need to add other deal:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
You also need to add limited express surcharge for Osaka-Namba to Nagoya, and Nagoya to Kyoto. If you don’t add surcharge, you need to change trains many times and trip time is much longer.
Even though you need to add many things, Kintetsu rail pass is the best choice for day 1 to 5 anyway.
For day 6, add local deal in Kyoto too. For day 7, you may use Kansai area pass one day:
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
For day 8 and 9, 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 day 10, please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi! May I ask if I change my itinerary to below, which pass will be best suitable for me please? Or just ICOCA will do?
Day 1: KIX Airport to Kyoto (Staying in Kyoto)
Day 2 & 3: Kyoyo
Day 4: Kyoto to Osaka (Staying in Osaka)
Day 5: Nara
Day 6 and 7: Kobe + Himeji
Day 8 & 9: Osaka
Day 10: KIX airport back Home Sweet Home
Note: The itinerary above is flexible and can be change to best suit the railway pass timing/schedule.
Thank you!
Hi J,
Please see the link below. You will find the sample itinerary which is almost same as your trip 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
Dear Takeshi San,
We’re spending our winter break in Japan for 21 days. Here’s our planned itinerary and hope you can help us make our trip fun, stress free and budget friendly.
We are a family of 4 (3 adults & 1Kid)
December 17 arrival – Nippori area
Dec 17 – Dec 27 Tokyo area
Tokyo
Yokohama
Kamakura
Asakusa
Please help us find the most affordable free pass
Dec 27 Tokyo to Kyoto
any bus transport?
Dec 29 – Kyoto to Osaka
Dec 30 – Day trip to Nara
Dec 31- Dau trip to Nagoya? Any suggestions?
Jan 1 – Osaka area
Jan 2 – Osaka to Tokyo- any bus transport?
Jan 3 -4 Tokyo
Jan 5 – Narita
Thank you very much and hoping to hear from you
Hi Chinita,
First of all, I haven’t take bus between Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto in more than 10 years. I don’t have any updated info. You may find the bus info at the link below. But I cannot say more than that.
https://willerexpress.com/en/
You may use these deals in each places:
Narita-Tokyo
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Yokohama/Kamakura
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/yokohama-and-kamakura-access-guide-find-the-right-deal-and-route-from-your-place-to-stay.html
For Kyoto to Osaka, trip to Nara and trip to Nagoya, Kintetsu rail pass is the best as you read the above. But this does not cover any local transports in Osaka and Kyoto, such as city bus and subway. You must add other deal on top of Kintetsu rail pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
We are travelling to Osaka via Nagoya on Oct 9-18.
I just want to know if it is better for us to get the Kintetsu Rail Pass going to Nagoya or to stick to the highway bus? Thanks.
Hi Jesy,
I’m not familiar with highway bus, so I cannot compare which one the better option is for you.
But if you use Kintetsu rail pass, one way trip from Nagoya to Osaka is not enough to get the worth. If you go to other place, such as Nara, you may get the worth.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san!
Thanks for the very useful article. I’m figuring out what the best way is to travel round Tokyo-Nagoya-Kyoto-Osaka-Nara for 17 days.
Day 1-6 Tokyo+ mt fuji
Day 7 Tokyo-Nagoya
Day 8-12 Kyoto
Day 13-15 Osaka+ Nara
Day 16 Osaka- Tokyo
Because I’m spending 9 days in Kensai and Nagoya, I’m not sure if I should get a pass or bus or buy tickets separately. Please give me some advice! ><
Thank you soooo much!
Hi Cherie,
I recommend you to use regular ticket for round trip to Fuji, Tokyo-Nagoya, Nagoya-Kyoto, Kyoto-Osaka, Osaka-Tokyo. As you think, you will spend 9 days. 7 days JR pass is too short and 14 days JR pass is too expensive. However if you visit somewhere outside Tokyo or Osaka, you may use 14 days pass. But extra trip from Tokyo and/or Osaka must be a big trip. You need to have these trips or similar in the links below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-tokyo.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-tokyo.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/day-trip-to-hiroshima-and-miyajima-from-osakakyoto.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-kanazawa-and-shirakawago-from-osaka-or-kyoto.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/sample-itinerary-of-day-trip-to-tateyama-kurobe-alpine-route-from-nagoya-and-osaka-kyoto.html
Nara, Kobe, Yokohama are very closed to Tokyo or Osaka. But these cities are too closed. Day trip to these places are not enough.
If you don’t want to have these trips, you should use single ticket for city to city.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
And find the local deal in each cities:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you! The links are very useful 🙂
No worries, Cherie.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi 🙂
I would just like to clarify… If I buy the Kintetsu Rail Pass and plan to travel within 5 days:
3800 Kintetsu Rail Pass
1900 Limited Express Train Ticket (Nagoya to Osaka)
1900 Limited Express Train Ticket (Osaka to Nagoya)
= 7,600 Total Kintetsu Fare (excluding local train usage)
Is this correct?
Thanks,
Nabie 🙂
That’s right, Nabie.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
We’re going to Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Nagoya for 10 days.
Families members are 2 adult 1 teenager and 1 toddler.
Planning :
Day 1 KIX –> Nagoya (what is the convenience rouge ) ?
Day 1-4 –> Nagoya
Day 4-6 –> Kyoto & Nara
Day 7-10 –> Osaka
May I know what is your recommendation of Pass we should purchase ?
Many Thanks
Cherrybun
Hi Cherrybun san,
Before choosing the pass, please make sure these following things:
1. Are you going to stay in Nara or Kyoto on day 4 to 6, or staying in Nagoya and make day trips?
2. How about day 7 to 10? Are you going to stay in Osaka or day trip from Nagoya?
3. How do you stay in Nagoya from day 1 to 4. Are you going to travel outside Nagoya or staying in inside Nagoya only? If you go to outside Nagoya, where do you go?
4. Are you going to leave Japan from KIX on day 10?
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
We’ll be in Japan for 5 days. We’ll primarily based in Nagoya, I would like to know the best and cheapest way to go to these places:
Day 1 and 2 – Nagoya tour
Day 3 – Kyoto
Day 4 – Osaka and Nara
Day 5 – Flight in the morning
Please recommend the best train and pass to use for these. Thanks so much!
Hi Jason san,
The cheapest option is Kintetsu rail pass. The best option is Platt Kodama for getting Kyoto and Osaka. And add other deals in each cities.
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
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Even if you use Kintetsu rail pass, it covers Nara but you need to add single fare or other deal in Osaka and Kyoto. Kitetsu rail pass does not cover any local transportation in Kyoto and Osaka.
You need to add subway pass or single ticket in Nagoya.
http://www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/en/pc/SUBWAY/TRP0001067.htm
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshin san,
So I can use the Kintetsu rail pass from Nagoya to Kyoto/Osaka without additional fare?
Hi Jason san,
Yes, you can. But you should add limited express surcharge to take limited express train. If you don’t, you can take only ordinary train. It’s slow and you need to change trains several times. Please see the fare table in the post above to make sure how much you need to add.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san-
We are going to japan for 5 days from nagoya airport to osaka.
what is the cheapest way?
Hi Joa san,
If you look for one way, bus may be most affordable.
https://willerexpress.com/st/3/en/pc/bus/route/tokai/all/
If you look for round trip, Kintetsu rail pass is the best.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takesshi – san,
We are going to Japan this November for 10 days,
Here is our plans:
Day 1 – arrived Kansai Airport then proceed to Kyoto.
Day 4 – From Kyoto to Nagoya.
Day 5 – From Nagoya to Ramayana and Shirawago.
Day 6 – From Nagoya to Nara then Osaka.
Day 9 – Osaka to Kansai Airport.
Please advise will it be better for JR pass or Kintetsu pass cheaper and give me some suggestions, thanks
Hi Ooi san,
Kintetsu Rail Pass is most affordable choice for day 4 to 6. However it take two more hours than Shinkansen from Kyoto to Nagoya. Please see “Compare cost and trip time between Shinkansen fare and Kintetsu Rail Pass” in the post above. If you are okay with it, you can use Kintetsu rail pass. But you still need to add KIX to Kyoto, sightseeing in Osaka and Kyoto, trip to Takayama (you mentioned Ramayama but I guess it’s Takayama) and Shirakawago, Osaka to KIX.
ICOCA and Haruka for KIX to Kyoto
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
Takayama Hokuriku area pass for trip to Takayama and Shirakawago
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
Other deals available for Osaka to KIX
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Kyoto and Osaka deal
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
If you want to get Nagoya by Shinkansen from Kyoto, give up using Kintetsu rail pass and use JR pass 7 days for the first 7 days.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
In this case, you need to add bus fare for Takayama to Shirakawago.
https://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/highwaybus/shirakawago.pdf
When you go to Nara by JR pass, you can get Osaka from Nagoya first and deposit your baggage at hotel in Osaka and then go to Nara. It’s easier.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
We’re going back to Japan for 11 days this November. Here’s our planned itinerary:
Day 1 and 2 – Nagoya
Day 3 – Kyoto (staying in Nagoya at night)
Day 4 – Osaka and Nara (staying in Nagoya at night)
Day 5 – Tokyo (overnight)
Day 6 to 9 – Hokkaido:
Sapporo
Furano
Otaru
Day 10 and 11 – Nagoya
Will it be better if we purchase Kintetsu Rail Pass for Days 1-4? Planning to get JR unlimited Pass for Days 5-11. Will that be sufficient or do you have any other suggestions?
Hi Michael san,
You can use Kintetsu rail pass and JR pass 7 days. But when you go to Kyoto, you cannot get Kyoto directly by Kintetsu. You have to change trains at least twice if you take an ordinary train. Even if you pay limited express fee, you still need to change trains once.
On the other hand, if you use JR pass 14 days, it’s much more expensive. But you can use Shinkansen to get Kyoto and Osaka. It takes less than hour and direct. But you spend at least 2.5 hours to use Kintetsu to get Kyoto with at least one transfer by limited express train.
Kintetsu rail pass does not cover any local transportation in Osaka and Kyoto. JR Pass is not perfect but you can visit several places in these cities.
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/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
In my opinion, JR pass is more convenient and worth using it. If you add limited express fee to get Kyoto and Osaka by Kintetsu rail pass and add local deal in these cities, the difference between Kintetsu rail pass + local deal + limited express fee and JR pass 14 days is around 10,000 yen. Kintetsu rail pass + extra is still cheaper but the choice is yours.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com