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Kansai Pass

KANSAI WIDE AREA JR PASS

The JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass for international visitors includes unlimited access to JR trains in the wider Kansai region, Okayama, Takamatsu, Kinosaki Onsen and Wakayama for 5 consecutive days.

From Kyoto or Osaka, you can explore the entire region, from the Sea of Japan on one side to the Pacific Ocean on the other. You can use this pass to visit Kinosaki-onsen, Toyooka, Himeji, Kurashiki, and Tsuruga or the Kumano region. The pass also gives you access to the Kansai International airport.

A child price (6 to 11 years of age) is available for this pass. Access to trains is free for accompanied infants aged 5 years or under.

See details and conditions

Kansai Region

Explore Japan's cultural and spiritual capital Kansai. This multifaceted area offering visitors both the discovery of a multitude of World Heritage Sites, the urban excitement of cities like Osaka and Kobe and the spiritual Kumano Area.

Kansai is known for the warm welcome given by its inhabitants and soothing melodic regional dialect Kansai-ben. In fact, the high-energy people of Kansai are just as famous as the Kansai Area itself.

Osaka and Kobe

Osaka, the largest city in Kansai and the third-largest city in Japan, is known for its high-energy night life and indulgent street food culture. Okonomiyaki and Takoyaki are two delicious staple foods of Osaka that can be enjoyed practically anywhere. For those looking for a day full of fun, Universal Studios Japan resides in the area around Osaka and is a great destination for families and groups of friends alike.

Mentioning Kobe surely generates the image of luxurious, perfectly marbled beef, which is undoubtedly a must-have culinary experience to be had when visiting. But the luxurious feel of Kobe doesn't end with its gastronomy. The city as a whole is noted for its elegant, western-influenced architecture and design that is still distinctly Japanese.

Iconic view of Tsutenaku Tower in Osaka, Japan

@Wikimedia

Kyoto and Nara

Kyoto and Nara, are two popular destinations for experiencing traditional and historic Japan. Kyoto is known for its abundance of well-preserved temples and shrines that blend seamlessly with an elegant and sophisticated modern backdrop. Here, a walk up the hill to see the Kyomizudera and the prominent shopping area around it is a popular activity, often followed immediately by a leisurely time at one of the many stylish and lax cafes to enjoy around the city.

Nara is likely very well-known for its famous deer park where deer roam freely and often take food directly from visitors, bowing to them afterwards. An activity surely to be experienced only in Japan. But Nara offers a rich gastronomic culture as well, as it is home to many renowned sake breweries and is even said to be the birthplace of the famous beverage.

Okayama and Wakayama

As the name suggests, other destinations throughout the Kansai Area are accessible with this rail pass, either via train or bus. Okayama and Wakayama are known as more rural prefectures within Kansai that offer unique sights and scenery. Okayama is also home to a number of historic sights like Kyoto is, including Kibitsu Shrine and the easily-recognizable Okayama Castle. This area is especially easily accessible as the Sanyo Shinkansen can be ridden with the Kansai Wide Area Pass.

Wakayama also boasts its own famous historic castle in the form of Wakayama Castle, but is also well-regarded for water sports as it sits in an area right by the ocean. People from all over Japan and the world travel here to engage in activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and diving. The white, sandy beaches make this an area worthy of travel and is a short trip via rail from other major spots in Kansai.

Nachi Shrine, Wakayama, Japan

@Wallpaper Flare

Okayama Castle, Okayama, Japan

@Wallpaper Flare

Conditions of the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass

Eligibility

Only international tourists who have a temporary visitor entry status for Japan are eligible for this pass.
Japanese passport holders can NOT use this pass.

Exchange

The MCO (Miscellaneous Charges Order) can be exchanged over a 3-month period.
To exchange the voucher (Miscellaneous Charges Order) for the pass you will need your passport.
The activation date of the pass, once the pass has been obtained, can no longer be changed.

JR Exchange Offices:

Kyoto Station, JR WEST (central exit), Ticket Office, daily from 5:30 am to 11 pm.
Shin-Osaka Station, JR WEST (East exit), Ticket Office, daily from 5:30 am to 11:30 pm.
Osaka Station, JR WEST Ticket Office (East exit), daily from 5:30 am to 11 pm.
Kansai Airport Station, Ticket Office, daily from 5:30 am to 11 pm.
Sannomiya Station (Kobe), central exit, Ticket Office, daily from 5:30 am to 11 pm.
Nara Station, Ticket Office, daily from 9 am to 8 pm.
Wakayama Station, Ticket Office, daily from 4.50 am to midnight.
Okayama Station, Ticket Office, daily from 5 am to 11:30 pm.
Tottori Station, Ticket Office, daily from 5:45 am to 11 pm.
Fukuchiyama Station, Ticket Office, daily from 4:30 am to 11 pm.
Takamatsu Station, Ticket Office, 10 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday and 10 am to 5 pm Weekends and holidays.

Validity

What is included with the pass?

Kansai airport express Haruka
JR Nara line
JR Kyoto line
JR Gakkentoshi line
JR Yamatoji line
JR Tozai line
JR Osaka Higashi line
JR Osaka Loop Line
JR Yumesaki line
JR Hanwa line
JR Kobe line
JR Uno line
JR Ako line
JR Bantan line
JR Kakogawa line
JR Fukuchiyama line
JR Sagano Line
JR Maizuru line
JR Obama line
JR Kosei line
JR Hokuriku line
JR Biwako line
JR Manyo-Mahoroba (Sakurai) line
JR Wakayama line
JR Kisei (Kinokuni) line
JR Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka to Okayama)
Chizukyu Express Line
Kyoto Tango Railway
Wakayama Railway
JR Buses between Kyoto Station, Takao and Shuzan, Fukuchiyama and Sonobe and Obama and Omi-Imazu.
The pass is valid on Local, Rapid and Special Rapid trains on conventional JR West lines.
The pass is valid on the following Express Trains: Haruka, Kinosaki, Konotori, Hamakaze, Thunderbird, Kuroshio.
The pass is valid on the Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Okayama.
Seat reservations can be made with no additional cost.

What is not included in the pass?

The pass is NOT valid on the Tokaido Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Kyoto or the Kyushu Shinkansen.

Seat Reservations

You cannot make seat reservations until you have exchanged the pass.
An additional fee is required when reserving seats on Express and Limited trains and Shinkansen Bullet Trains.
Non-reserved Ordinary class cars can be accessed freely. In order to travel in first class (Green cars) you will have to pay additional fees.
To access the platforms, show your pass to the JR West staff located at the platform gates.
For a reserved seat, ask the JR West staff at the ticket office. It is a personal pass.
Always carry your passport when using the pass as station and train staff may check it.

Cancellation conditions and fees

An unused voucher is refundable for one year from the date of issue.
The voucher can be refunded if it has never been exchanged in Japan.
A cancellation fee of 15% of the value of the voucher will be retained.
No refund is possible for a voucher received by us more than one year from the date of issue.
A refund is not possible for a lost or stolen voucher.

Common Questions

Children under the age of 6 years old can travel for free as long as they travel with a pass holder. However they are not entitled to their own seat. If you want your child to have an individual seat, and even if the child is under 6 years old, you will need to buy a children's Japan Rail Pass.

Children between the age of 6 and 11 years old have to travel with a children's Japan Rail Pass. From 12 years old the child will have to travel with an adult Japan Rail Pass.