Kansai WIDE Area Pass user guide. The best deal for the traveler who want to travel Kansai and surrounding areas, such as Okayama, Kurashiki, Kinosaki and Kumano.

Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara
Kurashiki Bikan Area is only 15 minutes away from Kurashiki station on foot. ©JTA/ ©JNTO
2012.04.26
Kinosaki Onsen is one of most popular hot springs in Japan. ©Toyooka City/©JNTO
Kinosaki Onsen is one of most popular hot springs in Japan. ©Toyooka City/©JNTO

Since Kansai WIDE Area Pass was released in April, 2012, this deal has been very popular for the tourist who wants to travel outside Kansai, like Kinosaki Onsen, Kii peninsula and Okayama/Kurashiki. This pass covers much bigger area than other Kansai area passes, like JR West Kansai Area Pass, Kansai Thru Pass. I am very happy that tourist tries to visit not only Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe but also outside Kansai.

In this post, I would like to show you the details of this pass and make sure the difference from other passes.

Coverage area

Kansai WIDE Area Pass covers not only Kansai area, such as Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Kansai airport, Nara and Himeji but also many places outside Kansai area. I would like to introduce some popular spots. Please see the map below:

Kansai Wide Area Pass coverage map (click to view large)
This 287 series is newer fleet for Limited Express Kounotori. (C) Jonathan Ayre
Limited Express Kounotori and Kinosaki are operated by the newest 287 seires. (C) Jonathan Ayre
  • Kinosaki Onsen (城崎温泉) – One of popular hot springs resort in northern Hyogo prefecture. It can be accessed by limited express Kounotori from Osaka and limited express Kinosaki from Kyoto.
  • Amanohashidate (天橋立) – It is connected directly with Kyoto by limited express Hashidate. You need to pay some extra because this train goes through Non JR line. But even Japan Rail Pass do not cover it either. Please see the details about extra at limited express Hashidate.
  • Shirahama (白浜) – This popular hot springs area is located in Kii peninsula. It can be accessed by limited express Kuroshio from Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and Tennoji.
  • Shingu (新宮) – This town is located at the south end of Kii peninsula. It is the gate town of UNESCO World Hertage Site, “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range”. This can be accessed by limited express Kuroshio from Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and Tennoji too.
  • Okayama (岡山) – This city is located in Chugoku region and have one of three best landscape garden, Kourakuen Garden. It can be accessed by Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka in one hour.
  • Kurashiki (倉敷) – It is 15 minutes away from Okayama by local train. The preserved “Canal Area” is quite popular. There is Shin-Kurashiki station on Sanyo Shinkanse. But this station is not located in Kurashiki area. And Sanyo Shinkansenn between Okayama and Shin-Kurashiki is not covered by Kansai WIDE Area Pass either. Get on local train from Okayama when you get there.
  • Takamatsu (高松) – It is a gate city in Shikoku. It has Takamatsu castle and very popular Udon noodle.
  • Tottori – It is very well known as the city which has the biggest sand dune in Japan.

I recommend you to stay in these places. But you can visit all above spots as day trip. If you are looking for something different in your trip other than Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, Nara and Himeji, this pass gives you access and a huge saving.

Find your hotels in 500 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in Kurashiki
Hotels in Okayama
Hotels in Shirahama

Valid period

You can purchase and use this pass in all year round.

Valid trains and bus routes

Please take a look at the map at Kansai WIDE Area Pass official page one more time. You can take all local, rapid trains and Non Reserved seat on the following express trains.

  • Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin Osaka-Okayama only)
  • Limited Express Haruka (Kansai airport-Shin Osaka/Kyoto)
  • Limited Express Kuroshio (Kyoto/Shin Osaka-Shirahama/Shingu)
  • Limited Express Kounotori (Shin Osaka/Osaka-Kinosaki Onsen)
  • Limited Express Kinosaki (Kyoto-Kinosaki Onsen)
  • Limited Express Hamakaze (Osaka-Tottori)
    This express trains goes to Tottori. And this is only train to get Tottori from Osaka directly. Tottori was not in coverage area but it was included as of mid April, 2017.
  • Limited Express Thunderbird (Osaka-Tsuruga)
    This express trains goes to Kanazawa and Toyama. But these areas are outside of the area where is covered.
  • Limited Express Hashidate (Kyoto-Fukuchiyama)
    This express trains goes to Amanohashidate. You can get Amanohashidate directly from Kyoto by this train. Amanohashidate is located on Kyoto Tango Railway which was not covered by this pass. But as of mid April, 2017,
    the coverage area was expanded. Kyoto Tango Railway is not covered by this pass fully.
  • Limited Express Super Hakuto (Kyoto-Tottori)
    This express trains connects Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Tottori and Kurayoshi. This train is the most convenient and the fastest way to get Tottori from Osaka and Kyoto. JR Pass does not cover this train fully. This train ride is one of the big advantage of Kansai Wide Area Pass.
  • Limited Express Super Inaba (Okayama-Tottori)
    This train connects Okayama and Tottori. It takes same way to get Tottori as Super Hakuto between Kamigori and Tottori. This train is not covered by JR pass fully either. This train ride is one of the big advantage of Kansai Wide Area Pass too.
  • Limited Express Wide View Hida (Osaka-Maibara)
    This express trains goes to Takayama. But this is obviously outside of the area where is covered. And this train is not mentioned on the official page. But technically you can take this train between Osaka and Maibara with no charge. However there is only one round trip a day. It is not much useful.

As of mid April 2017, this pass started to cover JR bus in Kyoto and Fukui. 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.

As I mentioned above, Kyoto Tango Railway is now covered. You also can take Wakayama Dentetsu Railway between Wakayama and Kishi by this pass.

Price

There will be two different prices, purchase outside Japan and inside Japan. If you purchase it outside Japan, price is slightly cheaper. Please see the details at the below:

 Purchasing from the travel agent overseas
(Before arrival)		Purchasing from JR West online
(Before arrival)		Purchasing from JR West station
(After arrival)
Adult10,000 yen10,800 yen11,000 yen
Child
6-11 years		5,000 yen5,400 yen5,500 yen

The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 O’clock at night, midnight to midnight.

Compare with regular fare

This is very attractive price. It is very easy to pay off. The following sample fares includes base fare and non reserved seat limited express surcharge:

  • One way trip from Kansai Airport to Shin Osaka by Limited Express Haruka — 2,330 yen
  • One way trip from Kansai Airport to Kyoto by Limited Express Haruka — 2,850 yen
  • Round trip between Shin Osaka and Himeji by Shinkansen — 6,440 yen
  • Round trip between Shin Osaka and Okayama by Shinkansen — 11,000 yen
  • Round trip between Osaka and Kinosaki Onsen by Limited Express Kounotori — 10,160 yen
  • Round trip between Kyoto and Kinosaki Onsen by Limited Express Kinosaki — 8,640 yen
  • Round trip between Shin Osaka and Shirahama by Limited Express Kuroshio — 10,160 yen
  • Round trip between Shin Osaka and Shingu by Limited Express Kuroshio — 13,380 yen

As you see above, if you take Haruka from Kansai airport to Shin-Osaka and have round trip by Shinkansen to Himeji from Shin-Osaka, it is pay off. It is very very attractive price.

Compare Kansai WIDE Area Pass and other passes

I have already written about JR West Rail Pass – Kansai Area Pass and Kansai Thru Pass (Surutto Kansai Pass). Please refer my post, How to choose discount railway ticket and pass in Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara) area.

Compare Kansai WIDE Area Pass and Kansai Area Pass

You can choose 1 to 4 days from Kansai Area Pass. Please refer the post, How to use JR West Kansai Area Pass. Compare pass and single fare. The prices are 2,060 yen, 4,110 yen, 5,140 yen and 6,170 yen. Kansai Area Pass covers only Kansai area and does not allow you to take any express trains other than Airport Express Train Haruka. I recommend you to use 1 days pass for transfer from Kansai airport to Shin-Osaka/Kyoto. As you saw the regular fare above, 1 day pass rate 2,330 yen is cheaper than one way trip to Shin-Osaka from Kansai airport. But there is ICOCA and Haruka that includes Haruka one way ticket and 1500 yen ICOCA e-money. This is better deal than Kansai Area Pass one day.

If you compare both passes, the price is less than 2,000 yen difference. Kansai WIDE Area Pass covers many more places and more trains. In my opinion, Kansai Wide Area Pass has much greater value than Kansai Area Pass.

Even if you stay and travel in Kansai area only, Kansai Thru Pass may be better choice because it covers subway and bus services in Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe.

Compare Kansai WIDE Area Pass and Kansai Thru Pass

As I mentioned on my post, How to choose discount railway ticket and pass in Kansai (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara) area, Kansai Thru Pass is the best rail pass for sightseeing in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe. This deal includes Kyoto municipal transportation (subway and bus) and Osaka municipal transportation (subway and bus). This is a huge asset to explore in Kyoto and Osaka. Especially you cannot go to any popular spots without subway and bus services in Kyoto. All JR rail passes, Kansai WIDE Area Pass, Kansai Area Pass, even Japan Rail Pass, do not cover any subway and city bus services. Kansai Thru Pass covers all major private rail lines too. In Kansai area, there are many private rail lines. When you go to Kyoto and Nara from Osaka, private lines, Hankyu (Umeda-Kawaramachi), Keihan (Yodoyabashi/Kyobashi-Shijo/Sanjo), Kintetsu (Namba/Tsuruhashi-Nara, Kyoto-Nara) are more convenient.

Conclusion

So if you are sure that you stay and travel in Kansai area only, I don’t recommend you to use Kansai WIDE Area Pass. But if you are interested in the area other than Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka, Nara and Himeji to visit, this pass may be suitable for you. Kansai Thru Pass is a good rail pass. But this pass does not cover the area other than Kansai area, such as Kinosaki, Okayama and Shirahama.

If you stay in Kansai area for 3 days or less, you do not have enough time to explore outside Kansai. You should stay and enjoy sightseeing in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara. But if you stay for 4 days or more, you may have an extra time to enjoy both Kansai are and outside of Kansai.

e.g.
If you stay in Osaka for 5 nights,
Day 1 Kansai airport – Shin Osaka (Kansai WIDE Area Pass)
Day 2 Day trip to Shirahama (Kansai WIDE Area Pass)
Day 3 Day trip to Kurashiki (Kansai WIDE Area Pass)
Day 4 Day trip to Kyoto (Kansai Thru Pass)
Day 5 Day trip to Nara (Kansai Thru Pass)
Day 6 Osaka – Kansai airport (Kansai Thru Pass)

In above sample plan, I use Kansai WIDE Area Pass for 3 days only. Of course you can use this pass for day 1 to 5 and add the regular fare or other deal to get Kansai airport. But even though you use Kansai WIDE Area Pass for 3 days, you get your money worth.

I hope this pass encourages you to explore outside Kansai area. I love Kinosaki and Kurashiki. If you have an extra time, I strongly recommend you to visit these places.

Comments

  1. Fern says:
    November 25, 2014 at 11:59 pm

    Hi Mr.Takeshi,

    I am not sure if I can buy both Kansai Wide area and Kansai area pass? Cause it said in the website that one pass per person.
    I was thinking kansai area pass jan 6-8, and wide area pass jan 9-12? Please recommend.

    Jan 6 – arrive osaka airport (kix) 6:00am –> check in hotel at Namba
    7 – Universal Studio
    8 – Check out and head to Kyoto –> check out temples around kyoto (Kiyomizudera/Inari shrine)
    9 – Biwako Valley or Hakodateyama ski area
    10 – Check out and visit golden temple area –> head back to Osaka late afternoon (check in Osaka)
    11 – Nara or Kobe
    12 – airport

    Thank you in advance,
    Fern

  2. SK says:
    October 8, 2014 at 1:51 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    Can I purchase this pass when I am in Japan instead of buying this pass before leaving for Japan (in my country)?

    If I can buy this pass when am in Japan, where can I purchase in Osaka ? And once I bought it in Japan, I assume it is not immediately activated unless I do so – correct me if am wrong?

    Also – how do I go about making seat reservation (if possible)with this pass and normally how many days advance do I need to make the reservation ?
    Thank you,
    K

  3. SK says:
    September 21, 2014 at 8:03 pm

    HI,

    I will be getting this pass to travel around Kansai/day trip. I just saw that you have mentioned this pass will also go all the way to Takayama. ANd as you noted, it was not mentioned at all in the official website. Is there a way that I can confirm that this pass indeed goes all the way to Takayama ?

    PLs advise.

    THanks,
    K

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      September 21, 2014 at 11:16 pm

      Hi SK,

      Takayama is outside of the coverage area. I think you misunderstood the following part of this post.

      “Limited Express Wide View Hida (Osaka-Maibara)
      This express trains goes to Takayama. But this is obviously outside of the area where is covered. And this train is not mentioned on the official page. But technically you can take this train between Osaka and Maibara with no charge. However there is only one round trip a day. It is not much useful.”

      This pass covers this train. But you can take this train between Osaka and Maibara only. You CANNOT get Takayama by this pass.

      If you look for the pass to Takayama from Osaka, Takayama Hokuriku Tourist Pass is recommended.
      http://touristpass.jp/en/takayama-hokuriku/_pdf/takayama-hokuriku.pdf

      You can get Takayama from Osaka via Kanazawa and Shirakawago. This pass is not sold in Japan. There are vendor list in the link above. You have to purchase an exchange order before you come.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  4. Ashley says:
    July 29, 2014 at 6:19 pm

    Hi!

    Can I check if the Kansai wide area pass covers the JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service? As we want to get to Osaka instead of Shin-Osaka, so this train is more direct than the Haruka.

    Thank you!

  5. Sarah says:
    July 23, 2014 at 8:50 pm

    こんにちは！ Great informations!

    I have 2 quick questions.

    Now that my husband has sold our car, learning to get around by bus and trains (and foot aha).

    尼崎市から。。。

    へ〜

    1. Himeji (want to see new renovations of castle!)

    2. Biwako (南) Hikone area

    どうもありがとう thank you in advance

  6. Judy says:
    June 26, 2014 at 7:29 am

    Hello Mr.Takeshi,
    It will be our 2nd visit to Osaka for 2weeks this Nov.. I intend to buy the Kansai Wide Area Pass. I understand it must run 4 days consecutively. We are based near Tanimachi Yonchome and from here will go to1. Kurashiki 2.Omiimazu Stn (Hakodateyama) 3.Mt.Rokko 4.Kyoto .
    Is the KWAP the right choice?
    As for travel from Kansai airport to Tanimachi Yonchome, day 1 and back to airport on last day.do I buy a seperate ICOCA and HARUKA?
    I appreciate your help and advice. Thank you very much.

  7. Anastasiya says:
    June 20, 2014 at 2:36 am

    Dear Takeshi,

    What type of pass will you suggest we should get for following itinerary?

    Day 1: Nara to Koyasan
    Day 2: Koyasan stay
    Day 3: ryokan in Amami, Kawachinagano-shi
    Day 4: Osaka Castle
    Day 4: KIX

    Thank you in advance,
    Anastasiya

  8. Casie says:
    June 11, 2014 at 11:32 am

    Your website is very helpful.

    What type(s) of passes do you suggest I should get for my itinerary in Kansai area this October? Or would single tickets be better?

    Day 1: Kansai Airport to Osaka hotel in Tennoji ward
    Day 2: Around Osaka and return trip to Kobe
    Day 3: Around Osaka and return trip to Himeji
    Day 4: Return trip to Nara
    Day 5: Return trip to Koyasan
    Day 6: Osaka to Kyoto
    Day 7-9: Kyoto mostly
    Day 10: Kyoto to Kansai Airport

    Thanks for your advice!

  9. shayne-chan says:
    May 28, 2014 at 6:52 pm

    Hi,

    I am planning to visit Japan this July. Entry at Tokyo Airport and then exit at Osaka. I’m attending some business matters on Chiba/Tokyo area and then plans to visit the Universal studios before I go home. What is the advisable (and possibly the cheapest) train pass should I use? Only one way Chiba going to Osaka.

  10. Sri says:
    April 24, 2014 at 6:50 am

    Hi Takeshi san,

    Thanks for your reply on my other comment. I intend to purchase both All Shikoku Rail Pass and Kansai Wide Area Pass as I will spend three days in Shikoku and two days in Kansai. I know All Shikoku covers until Kojima. Kansai Wide Area Pass covers from Okayama. My question is if the section between Kojima to Okayama is not covered by any pass at all?

    I will use the All Shikoku pass from Matsuyama station, how do I use it when I board the train? Do I show the pass when boarding non reserved compartment, and then pay the fare adjustment fee when I alight in Okayama? How does it work?

    Thank you in advance.

    Regards,
    Sri

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