KANSAI Area Pass
The Kansai Region
At the center of the political and cultural life of Japan for more than 1000 years due to the presence of the ancient and illustrious imperial capitals, Kyoto and Nara, the Kansai region enjoys an history and heritage like no other.
This multifaceted area offering visitors both the discovery of a multitude of World Heritage Sites and the urban excitement of cities like Osaka and Kobe.
Travel at your own pace and visit the temples and UNESCO treasures of Kyoto and Nara, enjoy the local specialties of Kobe beef and takoyaki, explore Himeji Castle or shop 'til you drop in Osaka. For kids of all ages, Kansai is also home to Universal Studios Japan.
Kansai is known for the warm welcome given by its inhabitants and soothing melodic regional dialect Kansai-ben.
Home to 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
The Kansai region has more sites inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage list than any other region of Japan. The reasons for this is due to its unique role in the history of the country and the remarkable preservation of sites and monuments partly spared by wars and natural disasters.
With the Kansai Area Pass, discover some of the most beautiful sites in Japan during a day or multi-day trip:
- Himeji Castle
- Buddhist monuments in the Horyu-ji region
- Historical monuments of ancient Kyoto (cities of Kyoto, Uji and Otsu)
- Historical monuments of ancient Nara
- Sacred sites and pilgrimage routes in the Kii mountains
- Mozu-Furuichi kofun set: burial mounds of ancient Japan.
Conditions of the Kansai Area Pass
Eligibility
- The Rail Pass user must hold a non-Japanese passport.
※外国での永住権を持っているお客様を含め、日本国籍のお客様は使用できません。
- The Rail Pass user must enter Japan as a "短期滞在 (Temporary Visitor)".
* "短期滞在 (Temporary Visitor) " is a status of residence defined under Japanese immigration law.
- Individual customers are not allowed to purchase or exchange more than one of the same tickets for the same use period.
- You must show your passport to receive the pass.
How can I get the Kansai Area Pass?
- We will send an e-voucher to your email address within 5 business days of your order. If you want to receive it earlier, please contact us. (the e-voucher is not the real ticket, you cannot take trains with the voucher)
- You can print out the e-voucher on A4 size paper, or you can show the voucher on your mobile device at the point of exchange.
You can redeem your voucher for the physical pass in these places:
- Kyoto Station, JR WEST (central exit), Ticket Office, daily from 6:30 am to 9 pm
- Shin-Osaka Station JR WEST (East exit), Ticket Office, daily from 6:30 am to 10 pm
- Osaka Station, JR WEST Ticket Office (East exit), daily from 6:30 am to 10 pm
- Kansai Airport Station, Ticket Office, daily from 5:30 am to 11 pm
- Sannomiya Station (Kobe), central exit, Ticket Office, daily from 6 am to 10pm
- Nara Station, Ticket Office, daily from 8 am to 10 pm
- Wakayama station from 6 am to 9 pm
Validity
What does the JR Kansai Pass include?
- Kansai Airport Express Haruka
- Nara line
- JR Kyoto line
- Gakkentoshi line
- Yamatoji line
- JR-Tozai line
- Osaka Higashi line
- The Osaka Loop Line
- JR-Yumesaki line
- Hanwa line
- JR-Kobe line
- The pass is valid from Kansai Airport, Kyoto and Nara in the East to Himeji in the West
- West JR Bus between Kyoto Station, Takao and Shuzan
- One day voucher for the Kyoto City Subway, Keihan Railway, and Hankyu Railway
What is not included with the pass?
- Shinkansen Bullet Trains and Express Trains (excluding the Haruka) are NOT included in the pass.
- The pass cannot be used on expressway buses.
Seat Reservations
- With this pass, no additional fee is required when reserving seats. Please note there is a maximum of two seat reservations for the Haruka Express between Kyoto and Kansai International Airport.
- 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.
- To reserve a seat, ask the JR West staff at the JR Service Center.
- The JR Kansai Pass is a personal pass. Please always carry your passport when using the pass, as station and train staff may ask to check it.
Cancellation conditions and fees
- An unused voucher is refundable for one year from the date of issue.
- The voucher can only be refunded if it has never been exchanged in Japan.
- A cancellation fee of 15% of the voucher price will be retained.
- Refund is NOT possible for a voucher if we are contacted more than one year from the date of issue.
- Refund is NOT accepted by Japan Experience for a redeemed ticket. Please ask the JR West ticket office staff when you exchange the voucher.
Common Questions