JR KANSAI HIROSHIMA Area Pass

How to use the JR KANSAI HIROSHIMA Area Pass?

Delivery

• An e-voucher (QR code) on a PDF-file will be sent to you by email; please check your junk mail
• The voucher will be sent within 5 business days. If you need it sooner, please contact us.
• No physical document will be sent to you by post

Exchange

In order to take the trains, you have to exchange your e-voucher and receive the physical pass. Exchange can be done at one of the locations below, at either a machine or counter.

During the exchange:

• You'll need to present your passport.
• You'll have to choose an activation date. It can be a later date than the date you exchange the pass (up to 30 days in the future).
• The days of validity will be counted from the activation date to the last day at 23:59pm.
• Once you have the pass, you can ask to reserve seats in the trains you plan to take.

Your e-voucher must be exchanged within 3 months (90 days) of purchase.

Validity 

The pass is valid for 5 consecutive days with unlimited access to a majority of the JR-operated trains that run through the area, including the Shinkansen. 

An unlimited number of seat reservations can be made with the pass. 

Cancellation 

This product is non-refundable. We will not refund you after your order.

Eligibility

✅ Tourists or Business travelers who have a Temporary Visitor entry status are eligible for this pass.

❌ Japanese passport holders and foreigners living in Japan can’t use this pass.

The Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Kurashiki and Hiroshima regions

The JR KANSAI HIROSHIMA Area Pass allows you to travel with ease among some of Japan's most sought-after destinations: Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Himeji, Kurashiki, and Hiroshima. It includes the use of the Sanyo Shinkansen, the high-speed line that connects Shin-Osaka to Hakata, passing through Okayama, Hiroshima, and Kokura, and it grants access to the Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen trains, which are normally off-limits with the Japan Rail Pass. Each of the areas covered by the pass offers a unique and different experience, from the cultural richness of Kyoto to the urban dynamism of Osaka, to the historical beauty of Hiroshima.

Kyoto, located in the Kansai region, is known for its many Buddhist temples, gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines, and traditional tea houses. It's a city that breathes history and culture, with famous sites such as the golden temple of Kinkaku-ji and Fushimi Inari Taisha with its thousands of torii gates.

Osaka, the third-largest metropolis in Japan after Tokyo and Yokohama, is renowned for its modern food culture and bustling nightlife. The Dotonbori district is particularly popular for its restaurants and neon signs, while Osaka Castle offers a glimpse into the city's history.

Kobe, a cosmopolitan port city nestled between the sea and mountains, is famous for Kobe beef, sake breweries, and its Chinatown district, while Himeji Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage site, an architectural masterpiece from Japan's feudal era.

Kurashiki in Okayama, with its Bikan historical quarter, transports visitors back to the Edo period with its merchant houses and picturesque canals. 

Lastly, Hiroshima, a city that bears the heavy scars of its past, offers visitors the opportunity to reflect on the consequences of war. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, and Peace Memorial Museum are poignant sites not to be missed.

With the JR KANSAI HIROSHIMA Area Pass, you have the freedom to explore these five destinations. Here is our suggested itinerary to follow with this pass.

It's also a great place to sample kaiseki cuisine, a traditional form of Japanese meal that consists of multiple small dishes delicately prepared.

The vast gardens surrounding the castle are particularly beautiful during sakura season, when cherry blossoms add a splash of color. Also, explore Osaka's Kaiyukan Aquarium, one of the largest and most impressive in the world, where you can get up close with a wide variety of marine creatures, from whale sharks to penguins.

If you opt for Himeji, your primary destination will be Himeji Castle, often considered the most spectacular of Japan's twelve original castles still standing. Nicknamed the "White Heron" due to its striking white exterior, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a remarkable example of 17th-century Japanese castle architecture. Take a stroll through the castle gardens, full of cherry trees, for a particularly memorable experience during sakura season.

For a more modern experience, the Okayama Prefecture Contemporary Art Museum, also located in Kurashiki, offers a variety of temporary and permanent exhibitions featuring works by contemporary artists from around the world.