As you probably have already known, the train system in Japan is very complicated. Especially in the major cities, there are lots of railways. You might not understand the difference between Japan Railways (JR), subways and private railways.
In Kansai area, such as Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji and Wakayama, many trains runs among these cities. You may be overwhelmed. But it is very important to understand the train system. This is a key to make a trip much more smoothly and save your trip time.
I would like to explain about JR lines and the private railway companies in Kansai area in this post. You may find which train line is the best for your trip.
Overview of train system in Kansai area
Please find the map below. It looks very complicated. I will explain you one by one.
I tried to make this map as simple as possible. But it still shows you many train lines. This map actually does not show all stations and all train lines. It shows you only major stations, major lines, transfer points and the station where is near popular sightseeing spot.
You have to pick one of those lines. It is complicated but I would like to explain you these train lines one by one.
JR trains
JR used to be Japanese National Railway. It has lines throughout Japan. In Kansai area, JR network has the biggest train network. I would like to show you only JR lines in Kansai area at the map below:
You can catch JR train right after you arrive in Kansai airport. You can go almost anywhere in Kansai area, like Osaka (both Umeda and Namba), Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Wakayama and Himeji.
If you use JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass, Kansai Wide Area Pass or other JR deal, try to use JR train as much as you can. JR has two kinds of railways, Shinkansen and conventional lines.
Conventional line’s trains in Kansai area
There are many train services on the conventional line network.
- Limited Express, such as Haruka (Kansai airport – Shin Osaka – Kyoto)
- Rapid
- Local
Most of you take a rapid train service. This is a sort of commute train but it stops at major stations only. This train service offers you a high speed transfer among cities.
Especially if you want to move among Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Himeji, Special Rapid Service is the fastest and most convenient train service on the conventional line. The trip time for major segments are the following:
- Osaka / Sannomiya (Kobe) — 22 minutes
- Osaka / Kyoto — 28 minutes
- Sannomiya / Kyoto — 50 minutes
- Osaka / Himeji– 1 hour 10 minutes
Please see the link below to find more information about Special Rapid Service train:
JR Special Rapid Service train between Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and HImeji
There are many more rapid train services in Kansai area, such as Nara, Kansai airport and Wakayama. Please see the link below to get more information about rapid train services in Kansai area:
Kansai area JR rapid train network
The Shinkansen (a.k.a. Bullet Train)
Shinkansen is a high speed train service as you probably know. It is much faster than any trains on conventional lines. Shinkansen usually used for long distance transfer, such as Tokyo to Osaka.
But it can be used for short distance, like Shin-Osaka to Kyoto. It connects Shin-Osaka and Kyoto in 13 minutes, and Shin-Osaka to Shin-Kobe in 15 minutes. This is so fast. But if you leave from Umeda or other stations in Osaka, you may have to add some extra time to transfer at Shin-Osaka. Because Shin-Osaka is one station away from Osaka (Umeda). Let’s compare trip time for Osaka (Umeda) to Kyoto between Shinkansen and Special Rapid Service.
By Special Rapid Service
Osaka – 28 minutes – Kyoto
By Shinkansen
Osaka – 4 minutes – Shin Osaka (5 to 10 minutes for transfer) – 13 minutes – Kyoto
It may take 25 minutes even if you take high speed train, Shinkansen.
Shinkansen is not much faster than Special Rapid Service.
How about trip to Kobe by Shinkansen? In my opinion, it is not a good idea if you think about using Shinkansen from Osaka. It is same situation as trip to Kyoto. You have to move to Shin-Osaka to catch Shinkansen. And also Shin-Kobe station is one station away from Sannomiya by subway.
By Special Rapid Service
Osaka – 22 minutes – Sannomiya
By Shinkansen
Osaka – 4 minutes – Shin Osaka (5 to 10 minutes for transfer) – 15 minutes – Shin Kobe (5 to 10 minutes transfer) – 2 minutes – Sannomiya
View Downtown Kobe in a larger map
In this case, Shinkansen is slower than Special Rapid Service.
If you use JR pass, you can take Shinkansen for this short transfer because it is fully covered by JR pass. It is not worth taking Shinkansen for these short transfers by single fare.
Private Railways in Kansai area
There are many private company’s railways (=NON JR) in Kansai area. Actually these train companies offers more convenient train service than JR trains on many segments. I would like to show you all major company’s lines in Kansai area.
Kansai Thru Pass is very popular deal to travel in Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Koyasan and Wakayama. This pass covers these Non JR train services. If you make lots of trips by these private train services, you may use Kansai Thru Pass. Please see the link below to find more information about Kansai Thru Pass:
Hankyu Railway
Hankyu Railway runs Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Takarazuka.
In Osaka, Umeda is the terminal station. Umeda is same location as JR Osaka station. All trains depart from Umeda to all destinations. In Kyoto, you can reach Kawaramachi (near Gion) and Arashiyama. This train service takes you to Sannomiya in Kobe.
There is no direct scheduled trains between Kyoto and Kobe. You have to change the trains at either Juso or Umeda. Juso is the junction of Kobe line, Kyoto line, and Takarazuka line. This station is only two stations away from Umeda. In the peak period, like spring cherry blossom and fall foliage seasons, the direct train service to Arashiyama from Umeda and/or sometimes from Kobe-Sannomiya are available. But you have to change the trains at Katsura usually when you go to Arashiyama by Hankyu Railway.
Hankyu Railway operates several kinds of trains, like limited express, express, local. But an express supplement is not required for taking any trains, even limited express. It is same category as JR’s Special Rapid Service.
The trip times for major segments are the following:
- Umeda / Sannomiya — 27 minutes
- Umeda / Kawaramachi — 43 minutes
- Umeda / Arashiyama — 45 minutes
I show you Osaka Subway Sakaisuji line in the map above. Because this subway train go through Hankyu Railway line. You may get Kyoto by direct service from many places in downtown Osaka.
Keihan Railway
Keihan Railway is another way to get Kyoto from Osaka.
At Osaka, Yodoyabashi and Nakanoshima are the terminal stations. But the primary station is Yodoyabashi. Most of express trains depart from Yodoyabashi. And this station is connected with Umeda and Namba by Osaka Subway Midousuji line.You can also take this railway at Kyobashi. You can transfer from JR Osaka Kanjo line at Kyobashi. In Kyoto, Gion-Shijo, Sanjo and Demachiyanagi are the terminal stations. Keihan Railway is most accessible way to visit Higashiyama area directly.
Keihan Railway also runs to Uji. You can transfer the trains at Chushojima.
Keihan Railway operates many category of trains, such as limited express, express, semi-express, local. Limited express train has one by-level car in each train set. It also has “Premium car” in each train set. It has much bigger and more comfortable seat.
Additional fare is 400 or 500 yen required to take a seat in Premium car. The fare is varied by the distance.
You can take all trains without any surcharge other than Premium car seat. This limited express train is same type of service as JR’s Special Rapid Service as well.
The trip time on major sections are the following:
- Yodoyabashi / Gion-Shijo or Sanjo — 50 minutes
- Kyobashi / Gion-Shijo or Sanjo — 45 minutes
Hanshin Railway
Hanshin Railway connect Osaka and Kobe.
Hanshin has two terminals at two biggest downtown cores in Osaka, Umeda and Namba. At Kobe side, Kobe-Sannomiya and Motomachi are the primary stations.
Hanshin Railway lines are very short but this railway connects with other railways at both end. In Kobe, Hanshin is connected with Sanyo Railway. Many express trains go through Himeji via Sanyo Railway. At the other side, Hanshin is connected with Kintetsu Railway at Osaka-Namba station. Many of trains go through Nara from Motomachi or Kobe-Sannomiya via Kintetsu Railway. This is only way to get Nara from Kobe directly. Major direct train services and trip time are the following:
- Umeda / Sannomiya — 30 minutes
- Osaka-Namba / Sannomiya — 45-50 minutes
- Umeda – (Hanshin) – Motomachi – (Sanyo) – Himeji — 95 to 100 minutes
- Nara – (Kintetsu) – Osaka-Namba – (Hanshin) – Motomachi — 80 minutes
Hanshin Railway operates several kinds of trains, like limited express, express, local. But no extra charge is required to take any trains.
Nankai Railway
Nankai Railway is one of major ways to get Osaka from Kansai airport. It also takes you to Wakayama and Gokurakubashi that is the gateway to Koyasan (Mt. Koya).
Koyasan (Mt. Koya) access guide
Nankai Railway has a huge terminal station in Namba, Osaka. Most of trains depart and arrive at this station.
Nankai Railway operates several kinds of trains, like limited express, express, local. Express train surcharge is required to take limited express trains. The name of limited express train and the trip time for major segments are the following:
- Limited Express “Southern” (Osaka-Namba / Wakayamashi) — 1 hour
- Limited Express “Rapi:t” (Osaka-Namba / Kansai Airport) — 45 to 55 minutes
- Limited Express “Koya” (Osaka-Namba / Gokurakubashi) — 80 minutes
- Limited Express “Rinkan” (Osaka-Namba / Hashimoto) — 45 minutes
There are express trains and local trains if you want to avoid paying extra. Actually trip time is not so much different. It depends on the distance. In most of cases, you will spend 10 to 15 minutes extra. But interior is very different. Your seat is reserved if you take limited express and very comfortable. If you take express without surcharge, it is a commute train. You may not be able to get a seat.
*Only limited express “Southern” has two types of seats, limited express seat and commuter car seat. Commute car seat is same as other commute train. This is non reserved seat and express surcharge is not required to take this.
Kintetsu Railway
Kintetsu Railway operates a train service in the biggest private railway network in Japan. It connects Osaka, Nara, Yoshino, Kyoto, Nagoya and Ise.
In this post, I would like to tell you about Kintetsu Railway network in Kansai area only. If you want the information about trip to Ise / Shima area, please refer the post below:
In Osaka, Kintetsu Railway has two terminal stations, such as Osaka-Namba and Osaka-Abenobashi. As I mentioned at the chapter of Hanshin Railway, Kintetsu Railway is connected with Hanshin Railway at Osaka-Namba. You can take direct train service between Kobe and Nara by Hanshin and Kintetsu. You may take Kintetsu Railway train at Tsuruhashi. You can change to JR Osaka Kanjo line at this station.
Kintetsu is also major way to get Nara from Kyoto. Kintetsu Kyoto station is same location as JR Kyoto station. You can transfer from JR and Kyoto subway at Kyoto station very easily. But Kintetsu Railway is connected to Kyoto subway at Takeda station. Some trains go through Kyoto subway Karasuma line.
You can use Kintetsu Railway for Osaka-Kyoto transfer. But it is a detour and there is no direct train services provided between Osaka and Kyoto by Kintetsu Railway. You have to change the trains at Yamato-Saidaiji. If you really want to use Kintetsu Railway, you can take this route. Otherwise it is wasting time and money.
Kintetsu Railway is only way to get Yoshino which is very popular to see cherry blossom. There is a direct train service from Osaka-Abenobashi. If you access to Yoshino from Kyoto, Nara, you have to transfer the trains at least once at Kashihara-Jingumae station.
Kintetsu Railway operates several kinds of trains, like limited express, rapid express, express, local. Express train surcharge is required to take limited express trains. Kintetsu Railway has a big limited express train network. But if you take Kintetsu Railway to get Nara from Osaka or Kyoto, you may not use limited express train because it is such a short ride. If you visit Yoshino, limited express may be your choice. The trip time for major segments are the following:
- Osaka-Namba / Kintetsu Nara — 40 minutes
- Kyoto / Kintetsu Nara — 45 minutes
- Osaka-Abenobashi / Yoshino — 85 minutes (75 minutes by limited express)
How to choose the lines and trains to Kyoto from Osaka
Departure station in Osaka
Where are you going to stay in Osaka? If you will stay in Umeda area, Hankyu and Japan Railway may be your choice. If you stay near Yodoyabashi, Tenmabashi or Kyobashi, Keihan is more accessible. If you stay in Namba or other location in Osaka, you need to take subway line or JR Osaka loop line anyway. Think about arrival station in Kyoto.
View Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe in a larger map
You can find the train network map at the post, Guide to take trains in Osaka. How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots?
Arrival station in Kyoto
Which part of Kyoto do you want to go? JR Special Rapid Service train is the fastest way to get Kyoto.
JR Special Rapid / Osaka – Kyoto 28 minutes
Hankyu Railway Limited Express / Umeda – Kawaramachi 45 minutes
Keihan Railway Limited Express / Yodoyabashi – Gion-Shijo 50 minutes
But most tourist spots in Kyoto are away from JR Kyoto station. You have to take a bus or subway to get there, such as Kinkakuji temple, Kiyomizudera temple, Yasaka Jinja shrine. Only Arashiyama and Nijo castle is accessible by JR trains.
If you want to go to Higashiyama or Gion, such as Kiyomizudera temple, Yasaka Jinja shrine, Philosopher’s Walk, Hankyu Railway and Keihan Railway are more convenient than Japan Railway.
If you are looking for information about all trains in Kyoto, please refer the post below:
How to choose the lines and trains to Kobe from Osaka
Departure station in Osaka
You have two options, Umeda (JR Osaka) or Namba. If you stay around Umeda area, you can choose from Japan Railway, Hankyu or Hanshin. Hankyu and Hanshin are cheaper than JR but JR is faster.
If you will stay in Namba area, Hanshin Railway is the best choice.
You can find the train network map of Osaka in the post below:
Arrival station in Kobe
Which part of Kobe do you want to go? You can go anywhere in Kobe by Japan Railway and Hanshin Electric Railway. Most of trains of Hankyu Railway go to Sannomiya only. If you are looking for the transfer to other area in Kobe, think about JR or Hanshin.
But Kobe is smaller than Kyoto. So it is not much different among JR, Hanshin and Hankyu.
You can find the train network map of Kobe in the post below:
How to choose a train service between Kobe and Kyoto
Only JR Special Rapid Service offers you a direct train service. It is the fastest and maybe faster than even Shinkansen. But as I mentioned to you above, JR Kyoto station is away from most tourist spots. On the other hand, Hankyu Railway can take you to Kyoto from Kobe. Hankyu do not offer any scheduled train on this section. But Kawaramachi station is located near Gion and Higashiyama. JR and Hankyu’s trip time are the following.
Sannomiya / JR Kyoto — 50 minutes
Sannomiya / Hankyu Kawaramachi — 65 minutes (change the trains at Juso)
Hankyu is slower. And you have to think about the location in Kyoto. If you stay around JR Kyoto station, JR is the best way. But if you stay in other area, such as Gion, you may spend another 15-20 minutes get JR Kyoto station. Hankyu may be better choice. If you go to Arashiyama in Kyoto, it is same story. Hankyu is better as well.
Assessment
There are many train services and it makes you confused. Please make sure the station where you want to depart from and arrive in before you go. And then, you can find which train you should take.
Comments
Hi Takeshi-san,
My wife and I will visit Japan from 4Nov to 14Nov and stay 5 nights in Osaka (stay in a hotel closed to Namba Station), 5 nights in Tokyo (stay in a hotel closed to Shinjuku Station). Our itinerary is as follow and just wondering is there any train pass (such as JR Pass) suitable for us :
4Nov – arrived at KIX in Osaka
5-6Nov – shopping & sightseeing in Osaka
7 Nov – day trip to Kyoto
8 Nov – day trip to Kobe
9 Nov – Osaka to Tokyo by Bullet Train
10-12 Nov – shopping & sightseeing in Tokyo
13 Nov – day trip to Mount Fuji
14 Nov – leave from NRT in Tokyo
Kind regards,
Hi Pak san,
Please see the link below how to build your plan and choose the pass.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
Single ticket is only choice for Osaka to Tokyo. Please find more info at the link below:
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
About trip to Fuji, there are many places and many ways to access. Please fine more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
Subway pass or Tokunai pass is okay for Tokyo.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/compare-many-discount-tickets-and-passes-for-sightseeing-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-right-tickets.html
At last, find some info about access to Narita.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/narita/the-list-of-deals-for-access-to-downtown-tokyo-from-narita-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello,Takeshi-san
Thx for the informative site.
We are arriving Narita on 18/12,and will be flying back via osaka on 27/12.
Really appreaciate your suggestion on our itinerary .
18/12-arr narita in evening.
19/12-day tour at tokyo
20/12-day tour at Asakusa
21/12-day tour at Narita.
( Staying at Hotel near narita airport).
22/12-check out and to Osaka.
23/12 -universal studio.
24/12 to 26/12 ( kyoto ,kobe and free & easy.)
Which train pass do you suggest?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Penny san,
I want to make sure how you travel from Tokyo (Narita?) to Osaka. Are you taking a domestic flight?
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hello…
Regards my earliar e mail about travelling to Osaka from Narita.
We are planning to take a train..(1 way).
Because we are flying home from Kix.
Thanks
Hi Penny san,
I was wondering if you take a domestic flight because you will stay in Narita before heading to Osaka.
You can use NEX Tokyo Round trip ticket for 18th and 21st (Narita-Tokyo-Narita).
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/nex_round.html
If you stay in Narita for all night when you are in Tokyo, Kanto area pass is better choice than NEX round trip ticket.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/jr-east-kanto-area-pass-perfect-choice-for-tourist-who-want-to-go-to-fuji-izu-nikko-for-a-day-trip.html
You may use subway pass in Tokyo as you need.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/compare-many-discount-tickets-and-passes-for-sightseeing-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-right-tickets.html
Only single ticket is your choice for Narita to Osaka. There is no deal to cover this segment. JR Pass 7 days covers this but it’s too expensive for one way transfer from Tokyo to Osaka. You need to have round trip between Tokyo and Osaka to use JR pass. You can find more info about single ticket at the link below:
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
Kansai thru pass is most recommended for Kyoto and Kobe. Subway pass is okay for Osaka. Please fine more info about staying in Osaka at the links below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi-San!
I just wanna say thank you for your help. I considered to buy JR Pass and it REALLY HELPED me a lot during my stay in Japan.
Day 1. KIX and I stayed at airport.
Day 2. Osaka. I could go to Nara, although it wasnt planned before.
Day 3. Kyoto. I went to Arashiyama.
Day 4. Still in Tokyo. One day pass ticket was very usable.
Day 5. Nagoya
Day 6. Tokyo
Day 7. Nagoya again and finally I could go to the concert.
Day 8. Osaka for a while before heading to KIX
JR Pass really helped me to do all of this trip so I could save a lot to buy some omiyage from Japan. Once again, thank you very much Takeshi-San 🙂
Hi Nadia san,
I’m very happy to hear that.
I hope you will go back to Japan and travel to other places.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
Thanks so much for your site. It’s really useful, but the trains are still so confusing!
Me and my husband are coming in December over Christmas and NY so think that trains are going to be the easiest to get around in the busy season. Our itinerary is below. Wondering if JP Pass is worth it, and if it’s worth getting the green pass.
14/12: Osaka Airport to Kyoto
17/12: Kyoto to Kinosaki
18/12: Kinosaki to Osaka airport
23/12: Tokyo Narita to Hakuba
27/12: Hakuba to Tokyo (staying in Chiyoda Ward)
Can we use the pass on the monorail in Tokyo? Do you use this much in the city?
02/01: Tokyo to Narita airport
Any help or advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Rowena
Hi Rowena,
Are you going to take a domestic flight from Osaka to Narita?
If so, you may use two different passes at both end.
For Osaka-Kinosaki-Kyoto
Kansai Wide Area Pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/the-newest-jr-west-rail-pass-for-kansai-and-okayama-kurashiki-kinosakai-and-shingu-area-kansai-wide-area-pass.html
For Tokyo oand Hakuba
JR East pass
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/jr-east-pass-flex-5-days-unlimited-travel-within-14-days-in-eastern-japan.html
Even if you don’t take a flight, in Osaka part, it’s same thing. And you may use JR pass instead of JR East Pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Yes, will be taking a flight from Osaka to Narita. Thanks for the info
No problem, Rowena.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I found your website very useful. Thank you.
I will visit Japan on Oct 28 – Nov 2, my itinerary will be:
Oct 28 – arrive Fukuoka
Oct 29 – Fukuoka to Hiroshima / Miyajima
Oct 30 – Hiroshima to Osaka
Oct 31 – Osaka to Kanazawa
Nov 1 – Ainokura Gassho-Zukuri Village / Kanazawa to Osaka
Nov 2 – Leave from Osaka Kansai Airport
I am wondering which rail pass I should buy. Is the 7 days JR Pass the cheapest option?
Many thanks.
Regards,
Kelvin
Hi Kelvin,
7 days JR pass is most affordable choice. There is no deals that is better than JR pass for your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you for your prompt response.
I am wondering if it is better to purchase two separate JR passes:
JR Takayama Hokuriku Pass (5 days)
JR Setouchi Area Pass (5 days)
The total price will be slightly higher than JR 7 day pass but they cover the Nohi bus to Shirakawago and ferry to Miyajima.
Thanks.
Kelvin
Hi Kelvin,
You’re right. Those passes combination is better than JR Pass 7 days even though JR pass covers Miyajima ferry.
Setouchi area pass was totally out of my mind.
Thank for letting me know.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
Really thanks for your website. 🙂
Anyhow, I am struggling to get JR pass or other train pass for my 10 days trip in Japan. Let me show you my itinerary as below:
Day 1 (14/10) – Arrive at KIX
Day 2 (15/10)- Osaka full day visit
Day 3 (16/10)- Travel to Kyoto in the morning and visit
Day 4 – 5 (17 – 18/10)- 2 full days visit at Kyoto. If time is allow, maybe plan to go to Nara.
Day 6 (19/10) – Travel to Hakone and overnight
Day 7 – 10 (20 – 23/10) – Travel to Tokyo and visit
Day 11 (24/10) – Departure back. Flight at 11pm
I highly appreciate your advise, do I need to get a JR pass for 7 days and 3 days using subway reload card or any other pass that you would recommend for my trip.
Thank you in advance~!
Hi Kenix san,
JR Pass does not suit your plan. Let me show you one of my sample itineraries.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/sample-itinerary-of-osaka-kyoto-hakone-fuji-and-tokyo-classic-route.html
The total fare is not much different from this sample itinerary. You can use ICOCA and Haruka on arrival day. Or there are lots of deals available for arrival day.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Single ticket is okay for Osaka to Kyoto and use Kyoto city deal like the sample itinerary above. Single ticket is okay for trip to Nara too.
I used Fuji Hakone Pass in the itinerary above. But if you visit just Hakone, Hakone Free Pass is okay.
http://www.odakyu.jp/english/deels/freepass/hakone/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Wow, this is a very useful website! Thank you!
Just wondering, is there a summary of ALL JR lines?
Still a little confused which are JR lines that I can use a JR pass for. Say if I have to travel using the Tozai line, Keio, Hankyu line, Sakaisuji line, should I just use a Suica instead of a JR pass?
Could I have your email and get your advice on which passes to get for travelling in Japan? Thank you!
Hi Wendy,
I explained about JR and Non JR at the link below. But I don’t mention all trains in Japan because it’s too many to explain.
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#Other_train_services
You need to pay single fare or using Suica or other IC card.
I can answer your inquiry on this website only. I would like to share all info with readers. I don’t want to discuss with any readers personally.
Before you choose the pass, you have to make the detailed itinerary. Otherwise you cannot compare pass and single fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
Thank you so much for the information on your site!
We plan to visit Japan for 10 days 🙂
We were going to get the National JR pass but I am getting confused if we would get the most value out of the JR pass.
We want to go from Osaka to Kyoto.
We also plan to go from Osaka to Tokyo.
We are staying around 10 minutes away from Namba station in Osaka.
We are arriving on 26/10/2015 at KIX airport 7pm. How do you suggest we get to Namba Station from KIX airport?
Hi Darren,
If you have only one way trip from Osaka to Tokyo, JR pass does not suit your trip. One way fare from Osaka to Tokyo by Shinkansen is less than half value of even 7 days pass. You need to have at least one round trip between Osaka and Tokyo to use 7 days pass.
Nankai railway is the best way to get Namba from KIX. It’s not covered by JR pass.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi takeshi-san,
Your website is very helpful for the first time traveller to kansai like me. Many thanks! Fyi, my husband and i will be fully staying in kyoto during our 8 days kansai trip.i would like to know if you could give comments and suggestions on which is the suitable passes for our trip. My initial itinerary would be like:
Day 1: kix to kyoto, mingle around kyoto city (using icoca+haruka round trip pass)
Day 2: arashiyama+northwest kyoto ( should i use regular fare?or could kyoto 1 day bus pass cover it?)
Day 3: kobe+himeji (kansai thru pass 3days)
Day 4: osaka (kansai thru pass 3 days)
Day 5: southeast kyoto+nara (kansai thru pass 3 days)
Day 6: kyoto-northern higashiyama ( kyoto bus day pass)
Day 7: southern higashiyama (kyoto bus day pass)
Day 8: kyoto to kix ( icoca+haruka pass)
Your feedback would be greatly appreciated. Arigato!
Cheers,
Ieka
Hi Ieka san,
Your planning is a good. You made a right choice.
Some area is outside of Kyoto bus pass coverage, like Takao.
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/img/pdf/ENG150321(map)0309.pdf
So you can use ICOCA for outside the coverage area. ICOCA can be used for Kyoto city bus. If your ICOCA is empty, just add single fare.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
1st of all, your website is so amazing. I get a lot of information from here, thank you so much.
I will visit Japan on Oct 3 – 10, my itinerary will be:
Oct 3 – KIX
Oct 4 – Osaka (I already booked a hotel near shinimamiya station)
Oct 5 – Trip to Kyoto (I plan to visit Arashiyama)
Oct 6 – Still in Kyoto (Exploring Kyoto. Staying in Kyoto for 2 nights)
Oct 7 – Tentative, I wrote Nagoya in my itinerary. Actually, I wanna go to Shirakawa-go from Kyoto but Im not sure abt the transportation because I made a plan to take an overnight bus to Tokyo from Nagoya.
Oct 8 – Tokyo (Stay in a hotel near Nippori station)
Oct 9 – Tentative, I wrote Nagoya again because I planned to attend a concert at Aichi prefectural arts theatre.
Oct 10 – Leave (From KIX around 11.45 pm, so I think that Im gonna go around Nagoya for a while)
Im not using JR Pass, considering that I just stay in Tokyo for a day. Do you have any suggestions about my itinerary? Does it make sense this way?
Thank you so much in advance, Takeshi-San 🙂
Hi Nadia san,
I understand that you want to take an overnight bus to save your cost and time. But you need to take a lot of trains and JR pass is only choice to cover all part of trip except arrival day. That means you can take Shinkansen from Nagoya to Tokyo.
If you don’t use JR pass, you have to use single fares and it costs much more than JR pass.
So you still can take overnight bus if you want. You can compare overnight bus and hotel somewhere in maybe Takayama or Nagoya or one more night in Tokyo. But it’s hard to move to Tokyo after Shirakawago from Kyoto. I recommend to stay in Takayama but Nagoya is okay.
You may find another deal to get Osaka from KIX on arrival day.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com