Explore Hidden Gems in Japan with the JR WEST RAIL PASS from Kyoto - 5 Days of Unlimited Travel for Just 12,000 Yen

• Table of Contents
• What is JR WEST RAIL PASS?
• If you want to enjoy the sea, Maizuru (about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes from Kyoto)
• If you want to enjoy northern Kinki, why not base yourself in Fukuchiyama? (1 hour and 20 minutes from Kyoto)
• If you want to enjoy Japanese sake, try Asago City/Yanagase (about 2 hours from Kyoto)
• If you want to enjoy the great outdoors, head to Yabu (about 2 hours from Kyoto) *Get off at Yoka Station
• If you want to enjoy crab, head to Kasumi(about 3 hours and 30 minutes from Kyoto) *Change trains at Kinosaki Onsen
• Let's go see Japan's Machu Picchu (about 2 hours from Kyoto)

What is JR WEST RAIL PASS?

The JR-WEST RAIL PASS is aimed at tourists visiting Japan on a short-term basis, and there are multiple tickets available depending on the area of ​​use, such as the "Kansai Area Pass" and the "Kansai Wide Area Pass." There are also other tickets aimed at tourists visiting Japan on a short-term basis.

For example, the JR-WEST RAIL PASS (Kansai Area Pass) is available for purchase as a one-day unlimited pass starting at 2,800 yen.

The JR-WEST RAIL PASS (Kansai WIDE Area Pass) allows unlimited travel for five days for 12,000 yen.

Purchase JR WEST RAIL PASS here

There are many lesser known and attractive tourist spots within this area. In this article, we will introduce recommended tourist spots for international visitors that can be visited with this pass.

If you want to enjoy the sea, Maizuru (about 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes from Kyoto)

Nishi-Maizuru

It takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes by direct express from Kyoto. You can enjoy the retro shopping street in front of the station, the fishing town area "Yoshiwara Irie" where you can enjoy old-fashioned scenery, the "Maizuru Port Toretore Center" where seafood is cooked right in front of you and you can eat it as grilled seafood or sashimi on the spot, and you can efficiently enjoy Nishi-Maizuru by renting a bicycle at Nishi-Maizuru Station.

Higashi-Maizuru

It takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes by direct express from Kyoto. First, head to Maizuru Red Brick Park. The walking path from the station is equipped with a red brick tunnel and a promenade. Anywhere you see the 12 red brick warehouses is a "photogenic spot". In Red Brick Park, you can not only shop, but also eat the famous "Maizuru Navy Curry".

Maizuru Red Brick Park

1039-2 Kitasui, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture 625-0080

If you want to enjoy northern Kinki, why not base yourself in Fukuchiyama? (1 hour and 20 minutes from Kyoto)

1 hour 20 minutes by express train from Kyoto. Why not use Fukuchiyama as your base to enjoy northern Kinki? Fukuchiyama to Amanohashidate (about 1 hour), Fukuchiyama to Higashi-Maizuru (about 50 minutes), Fukuchiyama to Kinosaki Onsen (about 1 hour 15 minutes), Fukuchiyama to Tamba Sasayama (about 45 minutes). Fukuchiyama is convenient for visiting the sights of northern Kinki. Fukuchiyama's pride is Fukuchiyama Castle, and in spring you can enjoy both the castle and cherry blossoms.

Fukuchiyama Castle Park

620-0035 Kyoto Prefecture, Fukuchiyama City, Uchiki 5

Documents and videos relating to Akechi Mitsuhide and the successive castle lords are on display. The unique stone walls remain from the time of construction, and the castle tower is the only one in northern Kinki. The view of the castle from the watchtower is outstanding.

If you want to enjoy Japanese sake, try Asago City/Yanagase (about 2 hours from Kyoto)

Speaking of sake, "Fushimi (Kyoto City)" and "Nada (Kobe City)" are famous in the Kansai region, but in Yanase, Asago City, Hyogo Prefecture, there are two sake breweries facing each other. Although the sake breweries are made from Hyogo Prefecture-grown sake rice and nearby spring water, they are brewed opposite each other, so you can experience completely different flavors. From Kyoto to Wadayama (about 1 hour and 50 minutes), it is one local train stop from Wadayama and 10 minutes from the station to the brewery. Try tasting sake that is only possible on a train trip.

If you want to enjoy the great outdoors, head to Yabu (about 2 hours from Kyoto) *Get off at Yoka Station

Yabu City has many spots where you can enjoy history and nature. For more information, please see this article.

Bekku Rice Terraces

667-1122 Betsumiya, Yabu City, Hyogo Prefecture

Bekku Rice Terraces are rice terraces that spread out on the middle slope of Mt. Hachibuse. Located at an altitude of 700m, this scenic spot overlooks Mt. Hyonosen, the roof of Hyogo, and is a pristine Japanese landscape that remains to this day. Nearby is Bekku no Ookatsura, a natural monument designated by Hyogo Prefecture, and the abundant spring water that flows from its base irrigates the vast rice paddies, creating a beautiful view of the rice terraces. Photographs of the upside-down Mt. Hyonosen reflected in the rice paddies taken from the Bekumiya rice terraces in early May before rice planting are very popular, and attract many photographers every year.

If you want to enjoy crab, head to Kasumi(about 3 hours and 30 minutes from Kyoto) *Change trains at Kinosaki Onsen

If you want to enjoy delicious crab, we recommend the Kasumi area. For more information about Kasumi, please see the following article.

Amarube Railway Bridge, Amarube Crystal Tower, Amarube Sky Statio...

669-6671 1861-2 Amarube, Kasumi-ku, Kami-cho, Mikata-gun, Hyogo Prefec...

If you visit Amarube, this is a must-see spot! <Amarube Iron Bridge/Amarube Sky Station> The Amarube Iron Bridge has been watching over the JR San'in Main Line for about 100 years since its completion in 1912. In 2010, it was replaced with a new concrete bridge, but the three bridge piers on the JR Amarube Station side were preserved on-site and reborn as the Amarube Iron Bridge "Sky Station" observation facility. There is also a park under the Amarube Bridge, where you can spend a relaxing time in the gazebo that uses the remains of the bridge piers and the grassy Free Square.

Let's go see Japan's Machu Picchu (about 2 hours from Kyoto)

Asago City, home to the ruins of Takeda Castle, also known as the Machu Picchu of Japan, can be reached in about two hours from Kyoto. Please see the following article for information on how to get to Asago City.

Takeda Castle Ruins (Takeda Castle)

669-5252 169 Takeda Kojoyama, Wadayama-cho, Asago-shi, Hyogo Prefectur...

A "castle in the sky" that seems to float on the clouds Takeda Castle Ruins is a mountain castle ruin that has been selected as one of the 100 most famous castles in Japan. When it is enveloped in a sea of ​​clouds on a clear, sunny early morning in late autumn, it truly resembles a castle floating in the sky. The sea of ​​clouds can occur on mornings with good conditions, mainly from September to November, from dawn until around 8:00 a.m.