If you are planning your next trip to Japan’s Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, and Shiga), you might be confused about the best transportation passes to use. After all, with so many train and bus companies in the region offering various passes, choosing the right one for your trip can be a hard task! Therefore we have compiled a list of recommended passes and tickets with high CP values below for you to consider!
The Most Useful Transportation Passes in the Kansai Region
- JR West Kansai Area Pass (1, 2, 3 or 4 Days)
- Kansai Rail Pass
- Osaka Amazing Pass
- Enjoy Eco Card (エンジョイエコカード)
- Hankyu Tourist Pass (阪急全線乗降フリー乗車券)
- Hanshin Tourist Pass (阪神全線乗降フリー乗車券)
- Kyoto Subway and Bus One-Day Pass (京都地下鉄・バス１日券)
- Kyoto Arashiyama 1-Day Pass (京都・嵐山1dayパス)
- Keihan’s Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass (大阪・京都１日観光チケット) and Kyoto Sightseeing 1-Day Pass (京都１日観光チケット)
- Amanohashidate and Ine Free Pass (海の京都 天橋立・伊根フリーパス)
- Kobe Subway 1-Day Pass (神戸地下鉄1日乗車券)
- Kobe 1 or 2-Day Loop Bus Ticket
- Kintetsu Rail Pass 1 or 2-Day
Tips:
☛ Refer to HERE for a table that shows you which prefectures are covered by a certain regional JR Pass issued by JR West.
☛ If you want to exchange your E-ticket or want to use your JR Pass to reserve a seat, refer to HERE for how it can be done at a ticket machine.
JR West Kansai Area Pass (1, 2, 3 or 4 Days)
JR West Kansai Area Pass is one of the best transportation passes in the Kansai region. You can choose from 1, 2, 3 or 4-Day Pass. Any of them allows you to board Kansai Airport’s rapid service, Haruka Express, which travels as far as Kyoto.
A one-way trip from the Kansai Airport to Shin-Osaka Station costs 2,380 yen, almost the same price as a one-day JR West Kansai Area Pass valued at 2,400 yen! In other words, you only need to take one more train trip on the same day for a one-day pass to be worthwhile!
Furthermore, JR West Kansai Area Pass is a set ticket, which also comes with an exchange voucher for a one-day pass for Keihan, Kyoto Municipal Subway (京都市地下鉄), and Hankyū’s Kyoto Line. Note that these one-day passes can only be used within your JR West Kansai Area Pass’s valid period.
Important:
☛ You must be a temporary visitor to purchase the JR West Kansai Area Pass.
☛ The price of the JR West Kansai Area Pass increases from the 1st of October 2023 by around 20%. A 1-Day JR West Kansai Area Pass will cost 2,800 yen.
Tip: You can rent a bicycle for free with JR West Kansai Area Pass. Refer to HERE for more details.
You will also get a discount at a couple of attractions in the Kansai region. Refer to the official website HERE for more information. This also includes the pass’s valid routes.
Where to Purchase JR West Kansai Area Pass
- Purchase online through klook.
- From a JR West ticket counter in a train station, including the Kansai Airport
- Through an overseas travel agent.
- Via JR West’s Website
Kansai Rail Pass
This is a special ticket that overseas tourists can purchase. It replaces the Kansai Thru Pass from April 2024.
The ticket gives you unlimited train rides on most private train lines in the Kansai region on a given day. It also comes with special benefits and discounts at around 200 attractions in the area.
For more information, please refer to the official website HERE. You can purchase Rail Pass via Klook in advance.
Tip: You can use the Kansai Rail Pass on nonconsecutive days during its period of validity!
Important: This ticket does not give you access to JR Railways and Osaka Subway.
Osaka Amazing Pass & Osaka e-Pass
If it is your first time visiting Osaka, the Osaka Amazing Pass is the best pass to save money when exploring Osaka’s main attractions. Not only does the pass covers train and bus fares, but it also allows you to visit around 40 attractions for free. Moreover, discounts and special perks are offered by many facilities and shops in Osaka!
The pass comes in a one or two-day version. Refer to the HERE for information about the train lines and bus routes covered by Osaka Amazing Pass.
Where to Purchase Osaka Amazing Pass
- Purchase online through klook.
- At various sales locations in Osaka.
- Refer to HERE for the list of Osaka Amazing Pass’s Sales Locations.
- Via Osaka Amazing Pass’s Website
Enjoy Eco Card (エンジョイエコカード)
If your Osaka trip focuses on food and you only want to visit a few attractions requiring an admission fee, the Enjoy Eco Card issued by Osaka Metro may be a better option for you. The one-day pass allows unlimited rides on Osaka Metro and Osaka City Bus. While it doesn’t cover the admission fee to any attractions, you will still get a discount at around 30 attractions in Osaka.
The card can be purchased from Osaka Metro’s ticket machine. Refer to the official website HERE for more details about Enjoy Eco Card.
Hankyū Tourist Pass (阪急全線乗降フリー乗車券)
Hankyū Tourist Pass is generally suited for anyone residing in Osaka and wants to travel to Kyoto or Kobe. For example, the 1-day pass will save you money if you make a return trip from Hankyū Umeda to Arashiyama. You can even stop by Kawaramachi (河原町) on the way back for some shopping and dining!
The pass allows unlimited rides on Hankyū’s service within the validity period. Hankyū Tourist Pass also has a 2-day pass.
Where to Purchase Hankyu Tourist Pass
- Purchase online through klook.
- At various sales locations in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe.
- Refer to HERE for the list of Hankyū Tourist Pass‘s Sales Locations.
Hanshin Tourist Pass (阪神・神戸高速全線乗降フリー乗車券)
If your itinerary focuses on Osaka and Kobe, purchase a Hanshin Tourist Pass. The pass only costs 500 yen, and you can enjoy unlimited rides on all of Hanshin’s train lines and Kobe Kosoku Line! With the Hanshin Tourist Pass, you can explore Kobe’s famous attractions, such as Kitano Ijinkan-Gai, and shopping and eating at Motomachi and Nankin-machi. You can also use the pass to get to the foot of Mt. Rokkō.
Where to Purchase Hanshin Tourist Pass
- Purchase online through klook.
- At various sales locations in Osaka and Kyoto.
- Refer to HERE for the list of Hanshin Tourist Pass‘s Sales Locations.
Kyoto Subway and Bus One-Day Pass (京都地下鉄・バス１日券)
Kyoto Subway and Bus One-Day Pass (京都地下鐵・巴士一日券) is probably the ultimate ticket to explore the attractions in Kyoto‘s city center efficiently. The one-day pass gives you the flexibility to utilize the subway lines to avoid traffic jams during peak hours and bus routes to get to attractions that are not close to a station.
Kyoto Subway and Bus One-Day Pass also provide discounts and special perks for around 60 attractions in Kyoto, including the Kyoto Tower, Toei Kyoto Studio Park, and Nijō Castle.
Refer to the subway and bus map HERE for the routes covered by the pass.
Where to Purchase Kyoto Subway and Bus One-Day Pass
Please refer to the official website HERE.
Kyoto Arashiyama 1-Day Pass (京都・嵐山1dayパス)
Arashiyama is a very popular destination in Kyoto. In spring and autumn, Kyoto Arashiyama 1-Day Pass is available for those who want to visit the scenic spots and attractions around Togetsukyo Bridge (渡月橋) and the border Arashiyama area. The pass gives unlimited access to Randen and Kyoto Bus in the Arashiyama and Sagano area if you also want to visit attractions such as Suzumushi-dera (すず虫寺), Daikaku-ji (大覚寺), and Kiyotaki (清滝).
- Kyoto Arashiyama 1-Day Pass’s valid routes include:
- All Hankyū Train’s train line
- All Randen’s train line
- Kyoto Bus in Arashiyama and Sagano Area
- The cost is 1,600 yen.
- You can purchase the pass from all Hankyū’s stations and Randen’s Shijō-Ōmiya Station (四条大宮駅), Katabiranotsuji Station (帷子ノ辻駅), Arashiyama Station (嵐山駅), and Kitanohakubaicho Station (北野白梅町駅).
Keihan’s Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass (大阪・京都１日観光チケット) and Kyoto Sightseeing 1-Day Pass (京都１日観光チケット)
Instead of taking the JR trains, Keihan is another train company that has a station to many popular attractions in Osaka and Kyoto. You can take a Keihan train to visit attractions, such as Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稻荷大社), Fushimi Castle (伏見城), Gion (祇園), and Uji (宇治).
If you are based in Kyoto and only plan to visit the tourist spots in Kyoto, get the Kyoto Sightseeing 1-Day Pass. Otherwise, get a 1 or 2-Day Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass.
- You can purchase the passes via klook.
- For more information about the passes, refer to Keihan’s website HERE.
Amanohashidate and Ine Free Pass (海の京都 天橋立・伊根フリーパス)
While not in Kyoto’s city center, Amanohashidate and Ine Bay are gaining popularity. If you plan to explore Amanohashidate and Ine Bay for one or two days, the Amanohashidate and Ine Free Pass can save you money on transportation and attraction admission fees.
Because the pass covers all the Kyoto Tango’s train routes, you can also use it to board the service crossing the Yuragawa Bridge.
- The package deal includes:
- Kyoto Tango Railway’s normal and rapid services, as well as the unreserved seats on the limited express
- The local bus from Miyazu Station to Amanohashidate and Ine Bay
- Amanohashidate Sightseeing Boat
- Ine Bay Sightseeing Ferry
- Amanohashidate Kasamatsu Park Cable Car and Gondola Lift
Where to Purchase Amanohashidate and Ine Free Pass
- Purchase online through klook.
- Miyazu Tourist Center (宮津案内所)
- Amanohashidate Sightseeing Boat Pier (天橋立桟橋)
- Kyoto Tango Railway’s manned train stations
Kobe Subway 1-Day Pass (神戸地下鉄1日乗車券)
If you are planning your first visit to Kobe, taking Kobe Subway might be the easiest way to explore the city. The subway has only two routes, so it is easy to navigate. You can utilize Kobe Subway to get to attractions such as Kobe Port Tower (神戸ポートタワー), Kobe Haborland (神戶臨海樂園神戸ハーバーランド), and Arima Onsen (有馬温泉).
As it costs at least 280 yen per ride, Kobe Subway 1-Day Pass will be worth purchasing if you plan to take the subway 3 times a day or more.
- Kobe Subway 1-Day Pass costs 830 yen.
- It is valid for all Kobe Subway lines.
- You can purchase it from any of Kobe Subway’s stations.
Kobe 1 or 2-Day Loop Bus Ticket
Another recommended way to explore Kobe is by taking the City Loop Bus. The sightseeing bus circles around Kobe’s main tourist spots, so all you need to do is hop on and off, and you would have visited the city’s iconic attractions by the end of the day!
With the Kobe Loop Bus Ticket, you can board the Loop Bus as many times as you want so if you plan to visit attractions such as Kitano Ijinkan-Gai, Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Nunobiki Falls, and Kobe Port. You will also get a discount or special perks at around 30 spots in Kobe.
For more information, refer to the official website HERE.
Tip: Purchase the Kobe Travel Smart Passport to save on attraction costs. It gives you unlimited access to at least 35 attractions in the city within the validity period!
Kintetsu Rail Pass 1 or 2-Day
If a large portion of your itinerary involves Nara, Kintetsu Railway is the best company to travel with. If you are based in Kyoto or Osaka, you can use the Kintetsu Rail Pass to explore many attractions in Nara by Kintetsu Train or Nara Kotsu Bus.
Aside from Nara’s typical attractions, such as Tōdai-ji (東大寺) and Nara Park, the pass can also be used to explore Mt. Ikoma (生駒山) and the cultural properties in Nishinokyō.
Nara and Ikaruga 1-Day Ticket (奈良・斑鳩1dayチケット)
Nara and Ikaruga 1-Day Ticket is a similar pass to Kintetsu Rail Pass. The difference is that the ticket is issued by different train/subway companies in the Kansai region. For example, there is an Osaka Metro version, a Hankyū version, and a Kyoto Subway version. So depending on where you are based for the day, you can consider getting the Nara and Ikaruga 1-Day Ticket instead of the Kintetsu Rail Pass.
As the price and valid train route differs between different versions, refer to the official website of each company below for more information. Some companies don’t have the pass on their English website, so the Japanese version is linked instead. You can translate it by using Google Chrome’s translation function at the right of the address bar.
- If you read Japanese, you can refer to Kintetsu’s website HERE for a summary of all Nara and Ikaruba 1-Day Ticket versions.
- Osaka Metro’s Nara and Ikaruga 1-Day Ticket
- Hankyu’s Nara and Ikaruga 1-Day Ticket
- Hanshin’s Nara and Ikaruga 1-Day Ticket
- Please refer to the Discount Plus Tickets section on the top menu bar.
- Keihan’s Nara and Ikaruga 1-Day Ticket
- Kyoto Subway’s Nara and Ikaruga 1-Day Ticket
- Kobe Dentetsu’s Nara and Ikaruga 1-Day Ticket
- Osaka Monorail’s Nara and Ikaruga 1-Day Ticket
Nara Kotsu 1 or 2-Day Pass (奈良公園・西の京 世界遺産 1-Day Pass)
The cheapest way to explore Nara is by taking Nara Kotsu’s bus services. While you might run into traffic jams, the company has a bus stop close to the prefecture’s attractions. Depending on where you want to head to and how many days you plan to spend in Nara, you can choose between a 1 or 2-Day Bus Pass.
The 1-Day Bus Pass only costs 500 yen, so it would be worthwhile to get it by taking just 3 bus trips!
Refer to the official website HERE for more information.
How to Get Around Kyoto
Although Kyoto is one of the top destinations in Japan, the transportation system in the city, however, can be quite confusing to firstcomers. As in any city worldwide, you can choose from buses, trains, or subways to get to the popular attractions in Kyoto. But with so many transportation companies operating in this ancient city, which company’s service should you go with?
If you are unfamiliar with Kyoto’s public transportation system, refer to our Guide of How to Get Around in Kyoto to prepare yourself for your upcoming Kyoto trip!
