The best of Kansai
Aside from Tokyo, the Kansai region is easily one of the most-visited places in Japan! Home to ultra-popular cities like Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe, with plenty of excitement, yummy food, and beautiful sights to see, it’s no wonder Kansai is a huge must-visit spot. A popular travel route in Kansai typically involves the usual suspects — Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe — but many visitors also like to include certain further destinations in their itinerary.
The big question is, which Kansai transport pass should you get? For those looking to travel extensively by train, a JR Pass or JR Pass Shinkansen are great options to consider. Read the breakdown of each transport pass below to find the perfect one for you!
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Transport Passes
Hankyu Tourist Pass
The Hankyu Tourist Pass is a rail pass which allows unlimited train travel on the Hankyu railway lines which covers Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. Available in 1-day and 2-day options, the Hankyu Tourist Pass is one of the more affordable options.
Valid on:
- Hankyu Railway Kobe Line
- Hankyu Railway Takarazuka Line
- Hankyu Railway Kyoto Line
Not valid on:
- Kobe Rapid Transit Railway
How to use: Purchase your Hankyu Tourist Pass from Klook. When in Japan, show your Klook voucher to redeem the pass. With the physical ticket, you may start using to get unlimited rides within the validity period on the selected railways.
Cities covered: Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe
Who is it for?
The Hankyu Tourist Pass is for you if you’re sightseeing in the Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe area for a day or two. While it’s on the lower end on the price scale, you will only be limited to the selected Hankyu railway networks. So, if it suits your itinerary and sightseeing routes, this rail pass is a great option!
Kansai Thru Pass
The Kansai Thru Pass allows you to enjoy unlimited rides on designated trains, subways, and buses in the Kansai region. Applicable only to foreign visitors to Japan and Japanese nationals who fit the criteria, the Kansai Thru Pass comes in 2-day and 3-day passes.
Valid on:
- Non-JR trains in the Kansai Region which include but are not limited to Hankyu Railway, Hanshin Railway, Keihan Railway, Kintetsu Railway, Nankai Railway, Sanyo Railway, Keifuku Railway, Kobe Railway, Osaka Monorail, subways in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, and more
- Buses in the Kansai Region, like city buses in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, as well as the Nankai, Hankyu, Kintetsu, Wakayama, and Keihan buses
- Selected cable cars in Hieizan and Koyasan
Not valid on:
- Any trains operated by JR
Extra fees are required for:
- Limited express trains of Nankai Railway and Kintetsu Railway
- Premium cars on Keihan Railway
How to use: Purchase your Kansai Thru Pass from Klook. When in Japan, show your Klook e-voucher to redeem the pass. Once you have the physical pass, you may start using it to get unlimited rides within the validity period.
Cities covered: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, Hieizan, and Koyasan. Refer to the complete Kansai Thru Pass transport list for more details.
Who is it for?
The Kansai Thru Pass is very useful and works out to be a better value if you are looking to travel extensively around Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. Compared to the JR Kansai passes, the Kansai Thru Pass covers a denser transport network in Kansai’s most-visited cities, namely Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and more.
Kintetsu Rail Pass
The Kintetsu Rail Pass allows foreign visitors unlimited use of trains on Kintetsu Railways with the exception of limited express trains. Kintetsu Railways is Japan’s largest non-JR railway network and covers a wide network of routes in the region. There’s a “Plus” option which also covers buses around Nara and the Shima Peninsula.
The standard rail pass comes in consecutive 1-day, 2-day, and 5-day options. The ‘plus’ option is available only in the 5-day option.
Valid on:
- Unlimited travel on Kintetsu Railway
- Depending on which pass you pick, the designated zones and additional routes may differ. For a full list, refer to the package details of your chosen Kintetsu Rail Pass
Not valid on:
- Limited express (tokkyu) trains
How to use: Purchase your Kintetsu Rail Pass on Klook. Present your Klook voucher and passport to redeem your physical ticket. The pass is activated upon the first use, and you may start using it to enjoy unlimited rides on the selected networks within the validity period.
Cities covered: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Yoshino, Iga, Yunoyama, Nagoya, Mie, and Ise-Shima
Who is it for?
The Kintetsu Rail Pass is a great option for travelers who are looking to travel mainly in Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. The pass pays off if you’re taking day trips during your validity period between Osaka and Kyoto, Nara, and further destinations like Shima Peninsula, Nagoya, Yoshino, and more.
Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass
The Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass grants you unlimited travel along the Keihan Line and the Otokoyama Cable Line, which runs through Kyoto and Osaka. And it's not called a sightseeing pass for nothing – on top of unlimited travel, you also enjoy special discounts on select attractions around the area! The pass is available in 1-day and 2-day tickets.
Valid on:
- Unlimited travel on the Keihan Line and Otokoyama Cable Line
Not valid on:
- Trains operated by JR
- Seats on premium train cars running the Keihan Line
How to use: Purchase your Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass on Klook. Present your voucher at a Keihan Railway ticket office to claim your printed ticket. After getting your ticket, you can use it for unlimited travel within the covered area and validity period. If you purchased a 2-day pass, you can use it on non-consecutive days.
Cities covered: Kyoto, Osaka
Who is it for?
The Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass is for travelers taking a day trip to Osaka and/or Kyoto to see the historic and iconic landmarks in these cities. Instead of booking and keeping track of multiple train tickets and attraction tickets, you only need one! It also allows for flexible travel options, as the 2-day pass can be used on two separate days. Perfect for those who can't get enough of Osaka and Tokyo in a day!
Osaka Metro Pass
The Osaka Metro Pass is an all-in-one travel pass that gives you unlimited access throughout the Osaka Metro and Osaka City Bus routes. Available in 1-day and 2-day tickets, this pass gets you all around Osaka City plus discounted entry into its popular attractions, including (but not limited to) Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Castle, Kuchu Teien Observatory, the Osaka Tennoji Zoo, and the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel among others.
Valid on:
- Osaka Metro line
- Osaka City Bus line
How to use: Purchase your Osaka Metro Pass on Klook. Once you're in Osaka, Japan, head to an Osaka Metro ticket office, flash your voucher, present your passport, and claim your physical ticket. The pass activates upon first use at any Osaka Metro or Osaka City Bus line and is valid within the day/s of activation.
Cities covered: Osaka
Who is it for? The Osaka Metro Pass is a must-have for easy and hassle-free travel throughout Osaka city. It's a great way to get to know Osaka's culture and iconic landmarks, too, since you can enjoy discounts at its most popular attractions. Also, it's a more affordable option than buying multiple tickets for every one-way trip through the city.
Comparison of Japan Passes
To get a better picture of these Japan passes, we've compiled all the info you need to help you decide which travel pass best suits your travel plans!
Travel Pass | |||||
Cities | Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka | Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hieizan, Himeji, Koyasan, Wakayama | Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Iga, Ise-Shima, Mie, Nagoya, Yoshino, Yunoyama | Kyoto, Osaka | Osaka |
Transportation Covered | Unlimited train travel on: Hankyu Railway Kobe Line Hankyu Railway Kyoto Line Hankyu Railway Takarazuka Line | Unlimited travel on: Non-JR trains in Kansai region Buses in Kansai region Select cable cars in Hieizan and Koyasan | Unlimited travel on: Kintetsu Railway | Unlimited travel on: Keihan Line Otokoyama Cable Line | Unlimited travel on: Osaka Metro Line Osaka City Bus Line |
Validity Period | 1 day or 2 non-consecutive days, until 23:59 of the last day | 2 or 3 non-consecutive days | 1, 2, or 5 consecutive days, and until 23:59 of the last day | 1 or 2 non-consecutive days, and until 23:59 of the last day | 1 day or 2 non-consecutive days |
Price | 1 Day: US$ 5.39 2 Days: US$ 9.25 | 2 Days: US$ 33.69 (adult), $ 16.85 (child) 3 Days: US$ 41.55 (adult), $ 20.79 (child) | 1 Day: US$ 11.55 (adult), $ 5.79 (child) 2 Days: US$ 19.25 (adult), $ 9.65 (child) 5 Days: US$ 28.45 (adult), $ 14.25 (child) | 1 Day: US$ 6.95 2 Days: US$ 10.79 | 1 Day: US$ 4.99 2 Days: US$ 9.25 |
JR Passes
JR West Kansai Pass / JR Kansai Area Pass
Exclusively for foreign tourists to Japan, the JR West Kansai Pass provides unlimited travel on local JR trains and West JR buses in the Kansai region around Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and more for one to four days. It also includes the Kansai-Airport Express Haruka train.
Valid on:
- Non-reserved seats on Kansai-Airport Express Haruka train
- Special Rapid Services, Rapid Services, and local trains on JR-West Conventional lines
- West JR Bus services within the area
Not valid on:
- Shinkansen or other Limited Express trains, except for the Kansai-Airport Haruka train
Separate Express tickets are required for:
- Reserved seats on the Kansai-Airport Express Haruka train
- Reserved and non-reserved seats on other Express trains
How to use: Purchase your JR West Kansai Pass from Klook. When in Japan, show your passport and Klook e-voucher to collect your rail pass. After collection, you may access unlimited journeys within the validity date and valid area. Please present your passport to the station staff when using your rail pass.
Cities covered: Designated Kansai areas — Kansai International Airport, Universal City Station, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, Wakayama, Shiga, Tsuruga, Tennoji, Iga-Ueno, and more. Refer to JR West train route map for more details.
Who is it for?
The JR West Kansai Pass is great if you’re a foreign visitor to Japan who wants to explore the Kansai areas stated above. It’s especially useful and worth it if you combine your Osaka-Kyoto-Nara-Kobe trip with a visit to further destinations like Himeji, Iga-Ueno, and more.
You can opt for the 1-day, 2-day, 3-day or 4-day pass to accommodate your itinerary easily.
JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass
The 5-Day JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass is eligible only for foreign visitors to Japan. With this transport pass, you can get unlimited travel on specified trains and bus lines within the designated Kansai area for five days. Notably, it includes unlimited travel with the Sanyo JR Pass Shinkansen and can be used for non-reserved seats on the Hello Kitty Shinkansen! If you plan to travel extensively in the Kansai region and use the Shinkansen, this JR Pass is an excellent choice.
Valid on:
- Non-reserved seats on Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka to / from Okayama)
- Non-reserved seats on Express Trains Haruka, Kuroshio, Thunderbird, Kounotori, and Super Hakuto (Kyoto to / from Kamigori)
- Special Rapid Services, Rapid Services, and local trains on JR-West Conventional Lines Kyoto Tango Railway, Wakayama Electric Railway, the San’in Main Line between Hamasaka and Tottori, and West JR Bus services within the area
Not valid on:
- Tokaido Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka to / from Tokyo)
- Sanyo Shinkansen (Okayama to / from Hakata)
- Kyushu Shinkansen (Hakata to / from Kagoshima-Chuo)
How to use: Purchase your JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass from Klook. When in Japan, show your passport and Klook e-voucher to collect your rail pass. After collection, you may access unlimited journeys within the validity date and valid area. Please present your passport to the station staff when using your rail pass.
Cities covered: Extensive areas in Kansai region — Kansai International Airport, Universal City Station, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, Wakayama, Kinosaki Onsen, Koyasan, Kurashiki, Shirahama, Takamatsu in Shikoku, and more. Refer to JR Kansai WIDE train route map for more details.
Who is it for?
The JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass is great if you want to explore the Kansai region extensively, especially if you want to add on to your Osaka-Kyoto-Nara-Kobe route with a further trip to Kinosaki Onsen, Okayama, the Kumano Region, and more.
JR Hokuriku Arch Pass
The Hokuriku Arch Pass is valid only for foreign visitors to Japan which provides unlimited travels on JR trains between Tokyo and Osaka via the Hokuriku route. Slightly cheaper than the Whole JR Pass, the Hokuriku Arch Pass is a great alternative for visitors looking to travel between Tokyo and the designated Kansai area.
Valid on:
- Reserved seats on Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tokyo to / from Kanazawa)
- Reserved seats on the Limited Express, Rapid Services, and JR-West Conventional Lines
- Non-reserved seats on Haruka and all Tokyo Monorail Lines within the area
Not valid on:
- Sanyo Shinkansen
- Tokaido Shinkansen
How to use: Purchase your JR Hokuriku Arch Pass from Klook and receive your Exchange Order either by mail or physical pick up. When in Japan, show your passport and Exchange Order to collect your rail pass. After collection, you may access unlimited rides within the validity period and valid area.
Cities covered: Tokyo, Narita International Airport, Kansai International Airport, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Fukui, Kanazawa, Toyama, Nagano, Karuizawa, Tennoji, and more. Refer to the Hokuriku Arch Pass website for more details.
Who is it for?
The Hokuriku Arch Pass is one you should get if you’re looking to extend your trip around Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe, including a roundtrip visit to Tokyo. The pass is only valid for trips between Tokyo and Kyoto / Osaka via the Hokuriku region, as opposed to the more popular Sanyo / Tokaido Shinkansen.
City Passes
ICOCA IC Card
ICOCA is a prepaid IC card that can be used for transportation as well as for shopping in the Kansai region and beyond. It’s a great supplement to a JR Pass, as you use it on transport not covered by your rail pass or on days when your pass is not activated. Much like the Octopus Card in Hong Kong, Easy Card in Taiwan, and EZ-Link in Singapore, simply reload your ICOCA Card when it’s running low on funds.
You can also use your ICOCA to get discounted tickets for the Kansai-Airport Express ‘Haruka’. Here’s a fun fact — ICOCA is a play on the phrase ‘Iko ka’ (行こか) g ‘Shall we go?’ in the local dialect!
Valid for:
Discounted Haruka rail ticket for the Kansai Airport Express (incl. Tennoji, Shin-Osaka, and Kyoto) on presenting your ICOCA card (temporary visitors with foreign passports only)
How to use: Purchase your ICOCA IC Card from station ticket vending machines. You can start using it immediately since it’s already pre-loaded. Before leaving Japan, you can return the card to get a refund of your balance and deposit.
Cities covered: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and more. Simply look out for the ICOCA logo. Refer to the ICOCA user guide for more details.
Who is it for?
The ICOCA card is great for all visitors to Kansai. Even if you’re getting other rail passes, the ICOCA is a great supplement card for transportation not covered by certain travel passes or on days when your passes haven’t been activated or expired.
You can also use it to make purchases in convenience stores, taxi rides, and more. If you have remaining funds in your card, you can also get it refunded together with the deposit!
Osaka Amazing Pass
The Osaka Amazing Pass is a travel pass that not only covers unlimited travel on selected subway, tramway, and bus systems within the city, it also includes free admissions to 30 iconic tourist sites in Osaka within the validity period! It’s available in 1-day and 2-day options.
Valid on:
- Unlimited travel on Osaka Municipal Subway and Osaka City Bus
- Private railways (Hankyu Railway, Hanshin Railway, Keihan Electric Railway, Kinki Nippon Railway, and Nankai Railway)
- Free entry to 30 Osaka attractions as listed on the Osaka Amazing Pass website
Not valid on:
- Travel on the JR transport line
How to use: Purchase your Osaka Amazing Pass on Klook. Present your Klook voucher to redeem your physical ticket. The pass is activated upon the first use of transport or entry to one of the attractions listed.
City covered: Osaka
Who is it for?
The Osaka Amazing Pass is great if you will be in Osaka for a day or two and want to see all the best of the sights without breaking the bank.
Which JR Pass or Travel Pass should I get?
When deciding which pass to get, consider your intended travel area, the cities you want to visit, and your trip duration. If you plan to do a lot of inter-city travel and ride the Shinkansen bullet trains, a JR Pass or JR Pass Shinkansen option is likely your best bet. For travel within specific regions or cities, a more local pass may suffice. Don’t forget, you can always supplement a JR Pass with an IC card like ICOCA for transportation not covered by the pass.
