8 Convenient Rail Passes for Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, and Kobe

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Visitors to Japan can use convenient rail passes to explore the Osaka-Kyoto area economically! We introduce the best rail passes with their fares, designated areas of use, advantages, and things you need to know for each travel pass.

Written by

Kousuke DEKI

MATCHA Editer.

Japan's Kansai region is filled with attractive travel destinations, including Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe.

There are various railway companies operating in this area such as JR West, Hankyu, and Keihan Electric Railway. Each company offers their own unique rail pass.

However, these passes can be slightly complicated to use. For example, the Japan Rail Pass cannot be used on other railways than JR. But when used wisely, these travel passes can save you money during your trip.

This article introduces rail passes that are exclusive for western Japan, with details on the areas where each pass can be used, their various advantages, and things you need to know about them.

1. JR Kansai Area Pass: Great for a Basic Trip to Osaka-Kyoto
2. JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass: Explore Western Japan Extensively
3. JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass: Ideal for Visiting Hiroshima from Osaka
4. KANSAI THRU PASS: Valid on Private Railways in the Osaka-Kyoto Area
5. Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass: An Economical Way to Visit the Osaka-Kyoto Area
6. KANSAI ONE PASS: A Prepaid Card with Discounts
7. OSAKA AMAZING PASS: Convenient for Osaka Sightseeing!
8. Kyoto Subway/Bus One-Day Pass: Perfect for Kyoto Sightseeing!
Other Tips

1. JR Kansai Area Pass: Great for a Basic Trip to Osaka-Kyoto

The Kansai Area Pass is an unlimited-use travel pass for the Kansai Region issued by JR West. It's great for a simple trip of up to four days to destinations like Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. Please note that it can't be used to ride the Shinkansen (bullet train).

Areas Covered	Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, Wakayama, Shiga, Kansai International Airport, etc.
Advantages	- You can visit popular destinations in Kansai such as Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara. - From Kansai International Airport, it's possible to get unreserved seating on the Express Train Haruka (stops at Shin-Osaka Station, Kyoto Station, etc.)
Applicable Transportation	JR transportation (excludes private railways) - Kansai Airport Express Train Haruka - Reserved Seating - Regular Trains (including special rapid and rapid service) - West Japan JR Bus - Keihan Electric Railway, Kyoto Municipal Subway, Hankyu Electric Railway (one-day pass)
Fares	1-day: 2,400 yen (half price for children) 2-day: 4,600 yen (half price for children) 3-day: 5,600 yen (half price for children) 4-day: 6,800 yen (half price for children)

Please note:
- You cannot use this pass on non-JR Lines (private railways, etc.) or Shinkansen (bullet train).
- If you made a reservation for your pass overseas, please don't forget to bring your exchange voucher to Japan.

How to Buy the Kansai Area Pass
There are three ways to buy this pass.
1. Make a reservation on the official website. Upon arriving in Japan, pay for the pass at a major JR train station (*).
2. Purchase a voucher at an authorized dealer in your respective country, then exchange it for the pass after arriving in Japan.
3. Upon arrival in Japan, exchange your voucher for the Kansai Area Pass at any major JR train station.

*Kansai Airport Station, Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka Station, Kyoto Station, etc.

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2. JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass: Explore Western Japan Extensively

The JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass is a JR pass that allows you to explore western Japan more extensively than the Kansai Area Pass.

You can visit places like northern Kyoto (Amanohashidate), Okayama Prefecture (Kurashiki), the Shingu area in Wakayama Prefecture that is home to the World Heritage Site Kumano Kodo trail, and Tottori Prefecture and Kagawa's Takamatsu City in Shikoku.

Areas Covered	Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, Wakayama, Okayama, Kagawa, Tottori, Kansai International Airport, etc.
Advantages	- You can cover a broad area in western Japan, including northern Kyoto, Okayama, Tottori, and Kagawa. - It's possible to ride the bullet train from Shin-Osaka to Okayama (reserved seating), as well as limited express trains.
Applicable Transportation	JR transportation (excludes private railways) - Reserved seating on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line (bullet train from Shin Osaka to Okayama) - Reserved seating on limited express trains such as Haruka and Kuroshio. - Regular trains (including special rapid and rapid service) - West Japan JR Bus
Fares	5-day pass: 10,000 yen (children 5,000 yen)

The fares quoted above refer to purchases at a designated travel agency. If you make an online reservation on the JR-West official website, the fare will cost 800 yen more.

Please note:
- This pass cannot be used on non-JR Lines (private railways, etc.)
- The Tokaido Shinkansen (Tokyo to Shin-Osaka) and the Sanyo Shinkansen west of Okayama are not covered by this pass.
- If you made a reservation for your pass overseas, please don't forget to bring your exchange coupon to Japan.

How to Buy the JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass
There are three ways to buy this pass.
1. Reserve your pass on the official website. Upon arriving in Japan, pay for the pass at a major JR train station (*).
2. Purchase a voucher on Klook or at an authorized dealer in your respective country, then exchange it for the pass at any major JR train station after arriving in Japan.
3. Upon arrival in Japan, purchase the pass at any major JR train station.

*Kansai Airport Station, Kyoto Station, Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka Station, etc.

Book your JR Kansai WIDE Area Pass on KLOOK

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JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass: Ideal for Visiting Hiroshima from Osaka

Picture courtesy of Hiroshima Prefecture

The JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass allows you to visit more areas than the Kansai WIDE Area Pass―even as far as Hiroshima.

We recommend this pass for those interested in visiting western Japan, including Hiroshima.

Areas Covered	Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji, Wakayama, Okayama, Kagawa, Tottori, Hiroshima, Kansai International Airport, etc.
Advantages	You can visit Hiroshima and other destinations in western Japan. It's possible to ride the bullet train from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima (reserved seating) and limited express trains.
Applicable Transportation	JR transportation (excludes private railways) - Reserved seating on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line (bullet train from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima) - Reserved seating on limited express trains such as Haruka and Kuroshio. - Regular Trains (including special rapid and rapid service) - JR West Miyajima Ferry - West Japan JR Bus, Chugoku JR Bus
Fares	5-day pass: 15,000 yen (children 7,500 yen)

The quoted fares refer to online pass reservations and purchases at designated travel agencies. If purchases are made after arriving in Japan, the fare will cost 1,000 yen more.

Please note:
- This pass cannot be used on non-JR Lines (private railways, etc.).
- The Tokaido Shinkansen Line (Tokyo to Shin-Osaka) and the Sanyo Shinkansen Line west of Okayama are excluded.
- If you made a reservation for your pass overseas, please don't forget to bring your exchange coupon to Japan.

How to Buy the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass
There are three ways to buy this pass.
1. Reserve your pass on Klook or the official website, then pay at any major JR train station after arriving in Japan (*).
2. Purchase a voucher at an authorized dealer in your respective country, then exchange it for your pass at any major JR train station after arriving in Japan.
3. Upon arrival in Japan, exchange your voucher for the pass at any major JR train station.

*Kansai Airport Station, Kyoto Station, Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka Station, etc.

Book your JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass on KLOOK

In addition, there's the Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass (7-Day: 17,000 yen) that includes Kanazawa and Hokuriku region. There's also the Sanyo-San'in Area Pass (7-Day: 20,000 yen), which takes you as far as Hakata.

Official Website: JR-West Rail Pass

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4. KANSAI THRU PASS: A Pass for Private Railways

The rail passes introduced above are all issued by JR West.

The KANSAI THRU PASS is a travel pass exclusively used on private railways in the Kansai area.

Besides the JR lines, the Kansai region also has a rich network of private railways. In some instances, these private railways are easier to use than conventional rail lines (*).

*: For example, when going to the heart of Kyoto, it's more convenient to use Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line (private) than JR Kyoto Station.

Areas Covered	Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hyogo Prefecture (Kobe, Himeji), Mt. Koya (Koyasan), Kansai International Airport, etc.
Advantages	- Unlimited riding privileges on most of Kansai's private railways - Various privileges such as discounts at more than 350 sightseeing spots.
Applicable Transportation	- Kansai area private railways (excluding JR lines)
Fares	2-day: 4,380 yen (children 2,190 yen) 3-day: 5,400 yen (children 2,700 yen)

Please note:
- This pass cannot be used on JR lines and the Shinkansen bullet train.

How to Buy the KANSAI THRU PASS
- Purchase a voucher on Klook, then exchange it for your pass after arriving in Japan.
- It's also possible to purchase your pass upon arrival in Japan at ticket vendors inside Kansai International Airport and the Namba Tourist Information Center (click here for details).

Book your KANSAI THRU PASS on KLOOK

5. Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass: Economical One-Day or Two-Day Pass for the Osaka-Kyoto Area

The Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass is a pass issued by the Keihan Electric Railway, which connects Osaka with Kyoto. With this pass, it's easy to get to Kyoto's major attractions, including Gion, Kiyomizudera Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, and the Uji area.

We recommend this pass for visitors who wish to visit multiple places in Kyoto efficiently.

Areas Covered	Osaka: Osaka Castle (Temmabashi Station), etc. Kyoto: Gion area (Gion-Shijo Station), Kiyomizudera area (Kiyomizu-Gojo Station), Fushimi Inari area (Fushimi-Inari Station), Uji area (Uji Station)
Advantages	- Reasonable price - You can visit Kyoto's major attractions (Gion, Kiyomizudera Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, etc.)
Applicable Transportation	The Keihan Railway only
Fares	1-day: 900 yen 2-day: 1,400 yen

Please note:
Using this pass, you can only ride the Keihan Railway (JR lines and other private railways are excluded).

How to Buy the Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass
Purchase a voucher on Klook or the official website, then exchange it for your pass at a ticket counter inside one of the Keihan Railway's main stations.

Book your Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass on KLOOK

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6. KANSAI ONE PASS: A Prepaid Card with Discounts

The KANSAI ONE PASS is a prepaid IC card.

Using this card likely won't save you a lot of money. However, once you've charged money to the card, you won't have to worry about buying a ticket every time you change trains on lines operated by different railway companies.

Areas Covered	Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Shiga, Mie, Wakayama area, etc.
Advantages	- Can be used on JR lines and private railway lines, so you can enjoy a worry-free trip. - You won't need to buy train tickets anymore; just hover your prepaid IC card over the ticket gates. - Special privileges available at 200 shopping spots and sightseeing locations, including 60 shops inside Kansai International Airport.
Applicable Transportation	Kansai's main JR and private railway lines
Fares	3,000 yen

Please note:
This card is convenient but it brings no particular discount for tourists. You'll have to recharge it and make sure you have enough money on it to travel around.

Purchase Locations
Kansai Airport Station, JR Kyoto Station, JR Shin-Osaka Station, etc.

Official Website: KANSAI ONE PASS

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7. OSAKA AMAZING PASS: A Subway Pass for Osaka Sightseeing

The OSAKA AMAZING PASS offers unlimited riding privileges on subways and buses that connect Osaka's main sightseeing spots.

It also grants free admission to some sightseeing places, so it's perfect for Osaka-based sightseeing.

Areas Covered	Sightseeing locations within Osaka City (Osaka Castle, Tsutenkaku Tower, Namba, etc.)
Advantages	- Unlimited riding privileges on most subways and buses in Osaka. - Free admission to 50 sightseeing spots, including Osaka Castle and Tsutenkaku Tower
Applicable Transportation	- Osaka subway lines and most Osaka City Bus lines (some exceptions). - Osaka City Hankyu, Hanshin, Keihan, Kintetsu train lines, and some Nankai train lines.
Fares	1-day: 2,800 yen 2-day: 3,600 yen

Please note:
This pass cannot be used on JR train lines.

Sales Locations
The Osaka Amazing Pass can be purchased on Klook. It's also available at Osaka Station's Tourist Information Osaka and at Namba Station's Information Center Namba.

Official Website: OSAKA AMAZING PASS

Additionally, you can buy a ticket ahead of time on Klook for the Express Rapi:t that connects Kansai International Airport with Namba in Osaka. Please be sure to check this out!

Book your OSAKA AMAZING PASS on KLOOK

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8. Kyoto Subway/Bus One-Day Pass: Perfect for Kyoto Sightseeing!

The Kyoto Subway/Bus One-Day Pass is a travel pass for use within Kyoto City.

This pass covers most of Kyoto's major sightseeing spots found in the heart of the city.

As the number of visitors increases, buses often get stuck in traffic congestion. To ensure efficient and enjoyable sightseeing, be sure to combine your bus travels with subways.

Areas Covered	Kyoto's main sightseeing spots (Kinkakuji Temple, Kiyomizudera Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Arashiyama, etc.)
Advantages	- The pass covers almost all of Kyoto City - Special privileges available, including discounts at 60 locations within Kyoto.
Applicable Transportation	- Kyoto Municipal Subway - Municipal buses, Kyoto City buses (some lines are excluded), and Keihan buses (some lines are excluded).
Fares	1-day pass: 1,100 yen

Please note:
- Buses are often crowded, so we recommend taking the subway on weekends and national holidays.
- This pass does not allow you to access the following sightseeing spots: Ohara area (Sanzen-in Temple, Jakko-in Temple), Takao area (Jingo-ji Temple), Kibune-Kurama area (Kifune Shrine, Kurama-dera Temple), etc.

Purchase Locations
This pass can be purchased at various locations, including the Bus Information Center (Japanese Google map) outside JR Kyoto Station's Central Gate (Chuo Gate).

Official Website: Kyoto One-Day Pass

There's also the Subway One-Day Pass (800 yen) and the Bus One-Day Pass (700 yen). These passes are ideal for those traveling exclusively by either subway or bus.

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Other Tips

As featured above, the travel passes you can use in the Kansai region each have their own unique characteristics. Choose the one that best fits your travel plans and use it to make your trip more efficient, enjoyable, and economical!

As an additional tip, those who prefer traveling by highway bus can also benefit from discounts by using the services of Willer Bus! Click on the link below for details:
Let's go to Osaka and Kyoto by bus! Click here for bargain-priced tickets!

Read also

This article is a revised edition (April 2023) of an article originally published on August 3, 2018.
Translated by Greg

Written by

Kousuke DEKI

MATCHA Editer.

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