JR Kansai Area Pass

The JR Kansai Area Pass is a rail pass for exclusive use by foreign visitors to Japan, providing unlimited travel on local JR trains and buses in the Kansai Region around Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe, as well as on the Haruka limited express train to/from Kansai Airport.

Purchase the JR Kansai Area Pass

Below is a map of lines that can be used with the JR Kansai Area Pass (and the three 1-day passes that come with it):

Validity

1. Unlimited use of local JR trains in the designated area in the Kansai Region, including Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Kansai Airport and Himeji (see map above).
2. Use of the Haruka limited express train between Kansai Airport and Kyoto. Pass holders can make up to two seat reservations for the Haruka and use non-reserved seats as many times as they wish. Apart from the Haruka, no other limited express train (or shinkansen) is covered by the pass.
3. Unlimited use of local JR buses between Kyoto Station, Takao and Shuzan.
4. One voucher for a Kyoto Subway One Day Card which allows for one calendar day of unlimited use of the Karasuma and Tozai subway lines during the validity of the Kansai Area Pass. The voucher needs to be exchanged at a subway station's ticket counter or at the Kyoto City Bus & Subway Information Center in front of Kyoto Station.
5. One voucher for a Keihan 1-Day Kyoto Sightseeing Pass which allows for one calendar day of unlimited use of the Keihan Main Line between Demachiyanagi and Iwashimizu-Hachimangu stations, the Keihan Uji Line and the Iwashimizu Hachimangu Sando Cablecar during the validity of the Kansai Area Pass. The voucher needs to be exchanged at Keihan Sanjo, Tofukuji or Uji stations.
6. One voucher for a Hankyu 1-Day Kyoto Line Free Pass which allows for one calendar day of unlimited use of the Hankyu Kyoto Line between Osaka-Umeda, Kyoto-Kawaramachi and Arashiyama and of the Hankyu Senri Line between Tenjinbashisuji-Rokuchome and Kitasenri during the validity of the Kansai Area Pass. The voucher needs to be exchanged at a Hankyu tourist information counter at Osaka-Umeda, Kyoto-Kawaramachi or Kyoto-Karasuma stations.
7. Free use of rental bicycles at designated Ekirin Kun outlets within the covered area.
8. The validity of the pass is based on calendar days (midnight to midnight) as opposed to 24-hour periods.
9. The multiple-day passes are valid on consecutive days.
10. Only foreign visitors to Japan (with temporary visitor status) can use the JR Kansai Area Pass. It cannot be used by residents of Japan.

Points of sale

The JR Kansai Area Pass can be purchased online through various websites or at selected travel agents outside of Japan. The actual pass has to be picked up at a major station in the area covered before use.

Purchase the JR Kansai Area Pass

Seat reservations

The pass can be used to make up to two seat reservations for the Haruka limited express train between Kansai Airport, Osaka and Kyoto. Reservations can be made at selected ticket machines and at ticket offices. The pass cannot be used on reserved seats on any other trains.

Assessment

The JR Kansai Area Pass is generally too expensive to pay off for urban transportation around Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara alone. It usually pays off only if visiting more outlying destinations covered, such as Himeji, Hikone, Iga Ueno or Koka.

Alternative tickets

The more expensive Kansai Railway Pass has a similar coverage area as the JR Kansai Area Pass, but covers a denser network, including the subways of Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. It does not cover JR trains, though. Unlike the JR Kansai Area Pass, it can be used on non-consecutive days. Read our page about passes for the Kansai Region for more information.