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6 Value Transportation Passes for Traveling Around Kansai
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If you’re planning to explore the Kansai region—home to highlights like Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe—make the most of your trip with transportation passes that offer unlimited rides on trains and buses. By saving on travel costs, you can put more of your budget toward accommodations and leisure, making your Kansai journey even more rewarding.
In this article, we’ll introduce passes that are perfect for traveling around Kansai, as well as options that let you extend your trip to other regions such as Hokuriku and Hiroshima. Choose the pass that best fits your travel style and enjoy Kansai sightseeing efficiently.
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3 Value Passes for Traveling Around Kansai
Here are some recommended passes for travelers looking to explore Kansai’s major cities. Perfect for short trips where you want to see a variety of places—such as day trips from Osaka to Kyoto or Nara—these passes make getting around convenient and affordable.
JR-WEST RAIL PASS - Kansai Area Pass
This pass offers unlimited rides for 1 to 4 days within the designated Kansai area, covering the limited express Haruka, local trains (including Rapid and Special Rapid services), and West JR buses.
It also includes up to two reserved seats in ordinary cars on the limited express Haruka.
Additionally, exchange vouchers are provided for one-day passes on Keihan Electric Railway, Kyoto Municipal Subway, and Hankyu Railway.
Note: This pass is available exclusively to short-term stay visitors from overseas.
Kansai Area Pass Free Travel Zone Map
KINTETSU RAIL PASS
The KINTETSU RAIL PASS is a convenient and cost-effective way to travel around areas served by Kintetsu Railway, including Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Nagoya, and Mie (Ise-Shima).
There are four types of passes available, depending on the area you want to explore: 1-day, 2-day, 5-day, and 5-day Plus.
The 1-day pass offers unlimited rides for one day on the section connecting Nara, Osaka, and Kyoto.
KINTETSU RAIL PASS 1day
For those interested in learning more about transportation between major cities in Kansai:
If you’d like detailed information on how to travel between Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara, please refer to the article below.
[For foreign tourists only] Keihan Railway - KYOTO-OSAKA SIGHTSEEING PASS 1day
A convenient one-day free pass for sightseeing in Kyoto and Osaka on Keihan Railway.
With this single ticket, you can travel from Osaka Castle to popular Kyoto destinations such as Fushimi Inari, Uji, and the Gion area!
Note: Proof of short-term stay status in Japan (passport/visa) is required.
Keihan Railway Free Pass (This ticket can only be purchased by foreign tourists.)
3 Recommended Passes for Travelers Exploring Beyond Kansai
For those who want to base their trip around Kansai while also venturing out to regions such as Hokuriku, Hiroshima, or San’in, here are some wide-area passes that make long-distance travel easier and more affordable.
All of these passes are available exclusively to short-term stay international visitors.
Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass
This pass offers unlimited rides for 7 days within the designated Kansai and Hokuriku area. It covers the Hokuriku Shinkansen, Sanyo Shinkansen, limited express trains, local trains (including Rapid and Special Rapid services), as well as Ainokaze Toyama Railway, IR Ishikawa Railway, Happirine Fukui, Noto Railway, Kyoto Tango Railway, Wakayama Electric Railway, and West JR buses.
Ordinary reserved seats can be used as many times as you like. (Please be sure to reserve your seat in advance before boarding when using reserved seating.)
A pass that gives you 7 days of unlimited travel on trains and buses across the Kansai and Hokuriku region
Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass
This pass offers unlimited travel for 5 days within the designated Kansai and Hiroshima area. It covers the Sanyo Shinkansen, limited express trains, local trains (including Rapid and Special Rapid services), Kyoto Tango Railway, Wakayama Electric Railway, West JR buses, JR Chugoku buses, and the JR West Miyajima Ferry.
A pass that gives you 5 days of unlimited rides on trains, buses, and ferries across the Kansai and Hiroshima region
Kansai-San’in Area Pass
Unlimited rides for 7 days within the designated area on the Sanyo Shinkansen, limited express trains, local trains (including Rapid and Special Rapid services), Kyoto Tango Railway, Chizu Express, and West JR buses.
Ordinary reserved seats can be used as many times as you like. (Be sure to reserve your seat in advance before boarding when using reserved seating.)
A pass that offers 7 days of unlimited travel on trains and buses within the Kansai and San’in free travel area
Wrap-up
To make the most of sightseeing in Kansai, it’s important to choose a transportation pass that matches your destinations and length of stay. Used wisely, these passes can help you save on travel costs while making your Kansai trip even more rewarding.
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