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
Good day Takeshi,
I am really finding the kintetsu rail pass confusing. My family and I are taking an 11 day trip to Japan. We would be staying in Osaka for 5 days, 3 days in Kyoto, and 3 days in Nagoya. Is using the Kintetsu Rail Pass a good option for our trip? What is the cheapest option to get to Nagoya from Kyoto? Thank you!!
Hi Andrei,
Kintetsu Rail Pass probably does not suit your trip plan. If you use this pass for Osaka to Kyoto and Kyoto to Nagoya, you cannot get the worth of this pass. You must use this pass for some more trips to get the worth. And Kintetsu railway is not the best choice for Osaka to Kyoto and Kyoto to Nagoya. Especially for the trip to Nagoya from Kyoto, you have to change trains at least once. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-transfer-between-nagoya-and-osaka-kyoto-by-train.html#Travel_between_Nagoya_and_Kyoto
Unfortunately there is no deals to cover whole part of your trip. My recommendation is using the local deal, such as subway/bus pass at each cities and use the regular fare ticket for city to city.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-from-kansai-airport-to-downtown-osaka-kyoto-and-kobe.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-osaka.html
https://www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/en/pc/TICKET/TRP0001071.htm
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hi! just want to ask if getting a kintetsu pass to be use primarily for nagoya to osaka trip worth the pass? will be staying in nagoya for 3 days and osaka for another 3 days. Planning to get the 5 days pass. How much would be the additional if i plan to ride the limited express train? Thanks.
Hi Kerwin,
If you intend to use the pass for one way trip from Nagoya to Osaka, you cannot get the worth of it. The regular fare is cheaper. But if you will visit Nara and/or Kyoto, you will get the worth of it. Please find the chapter of “Compare the pass and single fare” in the post above. You can find the limited express seat fee in this chapter too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi there,
I will be arriving in Osaka and planning to go to Kyoto for a few days and taking a one day trip to Nagoya from Kyoto. I’m just wondering if it is a good idea to get the Kintestu rail pass. I might do a side trip to Nara.
Osaka-Kyoto
Kyoto-Nagoya
Nagoya-Kyoto
Kyoto-Osaka
Please advise!
Hi Cissy.
Kintetsu Rail Pass is most affordable way. But when you go to Nagoya from Kyoto, you cannot get there directly. You must change trains at least once even if you add the limited express fee. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-transfer-between-nagoya-and-osaka-kyoto-by-train.html
If you are okay with it, you can use Kintetsu Rail Pass. If you want to get Nagoya easier and faster, you may take the Shinkansen. As I explained in the link above, Platt Kodama is most affordable choice to take the Shinkansen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your reply. So is the Kintetsu Rail Pass and the Platt Kodama the same thing or is it two different passes? So will you be able to take the Shinkansen with the Platt Kodama pass? and what are the trains option to Nagoya with the Kodama pass? You’ve mentioned the adding the limited express fee. How does that work and how much is it to add that? How much faster is the limited express from Kyoto to Nagoya?
Hi Cissy,
Platt Kodama is completely different deal. Please see the link below to find the info about Platt Kodama:
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
Please see the link below the trip time of Kodama and Kintetsu between Kyoto and Nagoya:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-transfer-between-nagoya-and-osaka-kyoto-by-train.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
どうもありがとうございます。 Takeshi!
We have just booked our ticket. Will arrive at Nagoya in the very early morning of 5th April and depart from Nagoya on the 18th. We will probably do Osaka and Kyoto from Nagoya and continue to Tokio, visiting some other places on the way. (maybe Takayama, Nagano. Mt. Fuji?) Need advice here please,. where would you recommend us to go which is not tooo far away from osaka/kyoto or tokyo? we would like to see some places off the beaten track, mostly beatuies of nature.
about the Kintetsu Rail Pass, even though it only covers one trip to Kyoto from Nagoya, isn’t it cheaper than the bullet / fast train tickets?
Hi Mehmet,
Kintetsu rail pass covers only Nagoya to/from Kyoto and Osaka. And also it does not cover any local transportation in Kyoto and Osaka. Therefore I don’t recommend it. I recommend you to use JR pass because it covers Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo. And also if you go to Takayama, it is covered.
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
I cannot say which one is better choice 7-day or 14 day. You will stay in Japan for 14 days but if you stay in Tokyo for the last 7 days, you may use 7-day. 14-day covers all part of your trip. But you may not get the worth of it. At this point, your trip schedule has not been fixed yet. Please make sure where you go and spend how many days at each places.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,
Many thanks for this great article. we are considering to fly into Nagoya airport because it’s much cheaper to do so but to get to Kyoto from Nagoya with fast train is too expensive for us. We plan to spend 6 days in total in Kyoto and Osaka and I think 5 day pass would be great for us? We still don’t know where we will be visiting from osaka and kyoto but i think the price of the pass is great deal. so im stil not sure which trains we can get and most importantly, how often they run! and if we have to book seats all the time (which means extra cost)
we will be staying 12 days in japan and 7 day pass wont be working well for us and 14 day one will be just too expensive.
Looking forward to your thoughts. Thanks a million.
Hi Mehmet,
I think 5-day Kintetsu Rail Pass is not a good choice. Because you will stay in Osaka and Kyoto for 6 days. If you use this pass, it cover only one way from Nagoya to Osaka/Kyoto. You still can use this pass for Kyoto to/from Osaka. But this pass does not cover any other transportation in Osaka and Kyoto, such as subway and city bus. You have to take subway in Osaka and city bus in Kyoto to see these cities. Kintetsu Rail Pass does not help much.
And also, even if you add the extra fare to take the limited express train from Nagoya, you cannot get Kyoto directly. You have to change the trains at least once. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-transfer-between-nagoya-and-osaka-kyoto-by-train.html
So I don’t recommend you to use Kintetsu Rail Pass.
I cannot day that JR Pass 7-day or 14-day suits your trip plan or not. I want to see other part of your trip than staying in Kyoto. But if you want to get the deal for the trip to Kyoto only, Flex Rail Ticket Kyoto may work:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/flex-rail-ticket-the-tokaido-shinkansen-round-trip-deal-between-tokyo-shin-yokohama-nagoya-kyoto-and-shin-osaka-for-all-of-you.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi, hope you are well.
Just wanted to get your opinion on the best and cheapest one way travel from nagoya to Kyoto. Will be in Nagoya for 2 nights and then moving on to Kyoto, I am confused with trains or cheapest way to travel, not sure if the kintetsu pass is worth it.
Hoping to hear from you.
Thanks
Ruthie
Hi Ruthie,
The cheapest way is using Kintetsu rail pass. The best way is taking Shinkansen. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-transfer-between-nagoya-and-osaka-kyoto-by-train.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
We will arriving in Tokyo on 21 October 19 and leaving to Nagoya on morning of 27/10/19.
We will do a 2 day tour to Mt Fuji and Hakone on 23-24/10
We will visit Big Sight Motor show on 25/10
Leave to Nagoya on morning of 27/10 ( we have other tours planned after this to Takayama)
We then leave Nagoya (station) on 4/11/19 to Osaka
We would like to spend 4-7/11 in Osaka but do a day trip to Kyoto also.
What is the best way to travel? Can we use a pass that does not require use on consecutive days but allows us to use pass when we wish?
Would really appreciate your advice.
Pashanie
Hi Pashanie,
There is no deals to cover whole part of your trip. You have to use several deals for each places.
The following deals are recommended:
Airport to Tokyo and sightseeing in Tokyo
https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/airport_bus/index.html
Fuji Hakone
https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/fujihakone/
Tokyo to Nagoya
Regular fare ticket or Platt Kodama
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
Nagoya
Subway day pass or IC card
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/what-is-ic-card-suica-icoca-pasmo-how-to-use-these-cards.html
https://www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/en/pc/TICKET/TRP0001071.htm
Nagoya-Osaka/Kyoto-Nagoya
You may use Kintetsu rail pass but it does not cover the local transportation, such as subway and city bus in Osaka and Kyoto. You have to add the city deals in each city.
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
Sorry I got a little confused on the new offer about airport access.
My family of 6 ( 2 adults + children ages 17, 15, 11, 8) will be arriving Nagoya on Dec 25 evening and go around the area (Osaka/Kyoto/Nara/Kobe) in the next 2 or 3 days before using a 7-day JR Pass to go to Hokkaido (Noboribetsu, Sapporo, Otaru, Hakodate, etc) and return to Tokyo to fly home.
My questions are:
1) What will be the best pass to use to go to Nagoya hotel from airport night-time Dec 25, then 2 or 3 days of train travel to Osaka/Kyoto/Nara/Kobe?
2) Given the holiday dates, will it be hard to get reservations for trains using this pass? Or are there no reserved seats for this pass since it does not come with limited express vouchers anymore?
Thank you in advance for your time, and do not hesitate to give me any other suggestions that would help.
PS. My wife and I did a 10-day Tokyo-Hokkaido-Kansai trip back in Jan 2018 using your site and your replies to my questions and I got crazy value out of my 7-day JR Pass, almost JPY90,000 worth for each person!
Regards,
Benito
Hi Benito san,
1. There is no deals available for Chubu airport to Nagoya. You have to pay a regular fare for this trip.
For the trip to Kobe, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe, it depends on how you travel. Are you going to travel to these places from Nagoya as day trip? If so, you may use 14-day JR pass instead of using 7-day JR pass later. Because the Shinkansen is the best way to get Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. The following link shows you the travel between Nagoya and Osaka/Kyoto:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-transfer-between-nagoya-and-osaka-kyoto-by-train.html
When you go to Kobe, you can get Shin-Kobe station from Nagoya by the Shinkansen too.
If you stay in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and/or Kobe, you may use Kintetsu rail pass. But at this point. I cannot see how you travel these places clearly. I cannot say which one the best one is even if you stay in these places.
2. It depends on the day when you travel. Please see the link below to find more information:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/2019-busiest-period-to-travel-by-train-tips-to-book-your-seat-in-even-during-the-busy-period.html
If you give me more details about your trip plan, I can give you some more suggestions.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Thank you for the quick reply.
I am definitely considering getting a 14 day JR pass even though our trip is just 12 days. I just need to have a rough estimate on whether its more worth it than a 7-day JR pass + other passes (in Kansai/Tokyo area) + regular trains.
With the above in mind, I would like to ask which of the below, if any, are covered by JR pass:
1) Nagoya Airport to Nagoya City
2) Travel inside Nagoya
3) Travel inside Osaka
4) Travel inside Nara
5) Travel inside Kyoto
6) Travel inside Kobe
7) Travel inside Tokyo
8) Tokyo to Narita Airport
Regards,
Benito
Hi Benito san,
I would like to make sure where you stay. Are you going to stay in each cities or stay some cities only? And also I would like to make sure how many days you will spend at each places. I cannot say which option the best is for you at this point. Please tell me more details about your trip. If you can show me your trip plan day by day, that helps me to tell you more info.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi san,
This is a rough plan for our trip.
12/25, Wed
Arrive Nagoya Airport 7pm
12/26, Thu
12/27, Fri
Nagoya/Kyoto/Osaka/Nara
* 2 cities each day
* I know would not be able to see a lot, but my trip just not enough days
* Please suggest where better to stay the night for each night. I am open to staying at different cities each night. Note that next day will be leaving for Tokyo
[START OF 7-DAY JR PASS]
12/28, Sat
Osaka/Kyoto/Nagoya -> Kanazawa -> Shirakawago -> Tokyo
12/29, Sun
Tokyo -> Noboribetsu
12/30, Mon
Noboribetsu -> Sapporo
* When I spoke to you last year about Lake Toya, you mentioned winter time it would not be too interesting. Do you still think its better to skip it?
12/31, Tue
Sapporo -> Otaru -> Sapporo
* We were able to catch the winter festival of Lake Shikotsu last year. Would you know of anything like that on our dates this year?
1/01, Wed
Sapporo -> Asahikawa/Biei/Furano -> Sapporo
* Winter time would it be interesting to see Ashikawa or Biei or Furano? I saw Furano is very nice with lavander fields but obviously not in winter
1/02, Thu
Sapporo -> Hakodate
1/03, Fri
Hakodate -> Tokyo
[END OF 7-DAY JR PASS]
1/04, Sat
1/05, Sun
Tokyo
* Probably 1 day Disney Sea and another day Sanrio Puroland.
* Also considering a day trip or overnight trip to Fuji and/or Hakone
1/06, Mon
Depart Narita Airport 9am
FYI, our family group will be my wife and I, with 4 children ages 17, 15, 11 and 8.
Please advise what pass(es) would be good to use for the days not part of 7-day JR pass. If you have a better suggestion either use a 14-day JR pass or use the 7-day JR pass on other days of the trip, do not hesitate to inform me.
Thank you!
Regards,
Benito
Hi Benito san,
I recommend you to use a regular fare ticket for Nagoya to Osaka by the Shinkansen and you will visit Nagoya and Osaka on the second day. Kintetsu rail pass seems to be the nice choice but you have to move from Nagoya to Osaka quickly. The Shinkansen is the best choice. Even if you take JR trains lots on this day and next day for Nara and Kyoto, it’s not enough to use 14-day JR pass. Just use the regular fare ticket for the Shinkansen to Osaka from Nagoya. I recommend you to stay both night near Shin-Osaka station. On the third day, you can visit Nara and Kytoo and you can 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
On 28th, when you go to Tokyo via Kanazawa, it will be very hard to book a seat because this day is expected to be the busiest day:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/2019-busiest-period-to-travel-by-train-tips-to-book-your-seat-in-even-during-the-busy-period.html
You cannot book a seat online for this trip. All you can do is exchanging JR pass as early as possible after you arrive in Japan. You should do it at Nagoya station on 2nd day.
On 29th when you go to Hokkaido, this day will be very busy too. But you can book a seat online for the trip after this date.
https://www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu/Menu.aspx?_ga=1.4778995.1325107855.1421419524
But you must pick up a ticket by 21:00 on the day before the travel day. You can pick up a ticket at Kanazawa. You should do it there.
I don’t recommend Lake Toya in winter time. Just spend your time in other places.
Biei is nice in the winter season too. The following site is in Japanese but you can find how beautiful it is:
https://www.softbank.jp/sbnews/entry/20161222_01
You have to take a bus from Biei station to get Blue pond and the falls. But the winter information has not been updated yet. Please check the following link after the summer season:
https://www.biei-hokkaido.jp/en/
But some tours and buses will be suspended on 31st and 1st. And many stores and restaurants will be closed early on 31st and closed on 1st. Please be prepared.
If you go to Hakone and/or Fuji, please see the links below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1to3-days/fuji-hakone-one-day-trip-sample-itinerary-you-can-visit-both-lake-kawaguchi-and-hakone-by-day-trip-from-tokyo.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Do you recommend buying Kintetsu 2 day pass if I am going from Osaka – Nara on day 1 and Osaka – Kyoto on day 2? We will not be staying overnight in Nara and Kyoto, only day trips.
For exploring Osaka , we will buy the Osaka Amazing pass.
Arigato Gozaimasu
Hi Shf san,
If you use Kintetsu rail pass 2-day, you have to add some other deal or ticket in Kyoto. Because this pass can take you Kyoto but it is Kyoto station only. If you buy city bus pass (1-day at 600 yen), you can cover most places in Kyoto:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
But the bus is always busy and crowded.
On the other hand, if you use Kansai thru pass, you can take all trains other than JR, such as Keihan railway, Hankyu Railway, Kintetsu Railway, Randen railway, and city bus and subway too. The price is much higher than Kintetsu pass + city bus pass. However it gives you more convenience:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
The choice is yours.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Greetings Takeshi,
I’ll be back in Japan for a quick weekend this fall for the F1 race. Typically, I opt for the JR pass when visiting Japan, but, this is a particularly short visit and I will not be leaving the Osaka/Nagoya/Suzuka area. Many F1 websites recommend the Kintetsu Rail Pass Plus for race visitors, but I have a bit of an unusual itiniary, and I wanted to get your opinion based on my schedule.
I land in Osaka International on Friday, and head directly to Nagoya where I will be staying until Sunday afternoon.
I’ll remain in Nagoya and travel back and fourth to Suzuka Circuit on Saturday and Sunday.
Sunday following the race, I will hurry back to Osaka to catch my flight out of KIX airport (around midnight).
In summary, going from Osaka International to Nagoya Station, and then Nagoya Station to KIX, with time being limited… is Kintetsu Rail Pass Plus a valid option for covering my rail travel, or might this be a task for the JR Pass given the limited time?
Regards,
Greg
Hi Greg,
I think Kintetsu Rail Pass is the best choice. You cannot get the worth of JR pass. And even if you use JR pass, it does not shorten your trip time from Suzuka to Osaka. Because if you use JR pass, you have to go to Nagoya and then take the Shinkansen to Osaka. But if you use Kintetsu Rail Pass, you can go to Osaka-Namba from Shiroko by Kintetsu Railway Limited Express directly. But you have to add the limited express fare. And the train will be very busy. You must reserve your seat in advance. You can book it online:
https://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/about/limited_express/index.html
Kintetsu Rail Pass does not cover Kansai airport to/from Namba. You may add single fare to take rapid train or use the deal to limited express train on Nankai railway:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I am arriving at Nagoya airport at 7pm and transfer straight by train to Osaka. Is kintetsu rail limited express pass a good option? What rail pass do you suggest?
I am staying in Osaka for two full days and travel from Osaka back to Nagoya on the 3rd day. Is the Kintetsu rail pass OK for this purpose?
I will tour around Nagoya via local bus and train for the next 2 days. Is Kintetsu best for local travel?
From the hotel I will leave for Nagoya airport on day 5 and fly out.
Will a 5-day Kintetsu Rail pass ideal for my itinerary? What part of the trip will I not be able to use the pass?
Hi Edgardo,
Kintetsu rail pass is a good choice for Nagoya to/from Osaka. It is recommended.
But this pass does not cover the local transportation in both Osaka and Nagoya. You have to add the local deal, such as subway pass. Please see the link below to find more info:
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://www.kotsu.city.nagoya.jp/en/pc/TICKET/TRP0001071.htm
And also you have to add the fare to take bus or train between the airport and Nagoya station.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/chubu-ngo/chubu-nagoya-airport-transportation-guide-find-info-about-airport-station-and-access-to-nagoya.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com