Kansai Thru Pass, Kansai Area Pass or Kansai Wide Area Pass? - Japan


The Kinki Region or known as Kansai is the western region of Japan. The cities in Kansai area are Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Mie, Wakayama and etc. If you travel to many cities in Kansai, purchasing the pass help you to save travel cost. There are several passes that can be used in Kansai region which are Kansai Thru Pass, Kansai Area Pass and Kansai Wide Area Pass. Let's see how differences are.

Kansai Thru Pass enables you to ride subways, private railways and buses throughout the Kansai district (Osaka, Hyogo, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama, Shiga). The Pass is not 24 hours from the first time used. It counts from the first time used as Day 1. It can be used on unconsecuctive days during the validity of card. For example, use the pass on Day 1, Day 3 and Day 4. You may use other pass on Day 2.

A supplement fee has to be paid on limited express trains of Nankai Railway and Kintetsu Railway. 

 
 This photo is previous design of Kansai Thru Pass

Kansai Thru Pass Types and Prices 

2 Days Ticket: Adult 4,000 yen, Child (6-12) 2,000 yen
3 Days Ticket: Adult 5,200 yen, Child (6-12) 2,600 yen

This is what you get; Guidebook, Map, Coupon.
Kansai Thru Pass offers discount coupon for many sightseeing spots. You can check here.

Samples of available railways and buses; Osaka Subway & New Tram & Monorail, Kyoto Subway & Bus, Keihan Line (Partially), Randen, Nankai Line, Hankyu, Hanshin, Wakayama Bus and etc.For more information, please click here.

 

Kansai Area Pass allows you to get the unlimited rides in Kansai Area (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, Wakayama, Shiga, Tsuruga, Iga-Ueno). This pass can be used for getting on JR trains, local JR buses between Kyoto Station, Takao and Shuzan.. The ticket can be purchased in advance and in Japan but the price is different. The validity of pass is based on midnight to midnight and must be on valid on consecutive days.

There are 4 types of Kansai Area Pass: 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, and 4 days.

Validity Period Online Booking / Purchasing from Oversea
Adult Child
1 Day 2200 yen 1100 yen
2 Days 4300 yen 2150 yen
3 Days 5300 yen 2650 yen
4 Days 6300 yen 3150 yen


Validity Period Purchasing in Japan
Adult Child
1 Day 2300 yen 1150 yen
2 Days 4500 yen 2250 yen
3 Days 5500 yen 2750 yen
4 Days 6500 yen 3250 yen

For more information, please click here.




Kansai Wide Area Pass allows to get the unlimited rides on the Sanyo Shinkansen (including Nozomi and Mizuho between Shin-Osaka and Okayama), Limited Express and local trains in the srea with non-reserved seats, Kyoto Tango Railway, Wakayama Electric Railway, West JR Bus. Normally JR Pass does not incluse Nozomi and Mizuho Train.

Valid trains are below;

    - Non-reserved seats on Bullet Train "SANYO SHINKANSEN" (Shin-Osaka⇔Okayama)
    - Non-reserved seats on Express Trains 'HARUKA, KUROSHIO, THUNDERBIRD, KOUNOTORI, SUPER HAKUTO (Kyoto⇔Kamigori) etc.'
    - Special Rapid Services, Rapid Services, and Local trains on JR-WEST Conventional lines
    * A separate fare is required for traveling on SUPER HAKUTO (Kamigori⇔Tottori)
 

* These trains below cannot be used

    - Bullet Train "TOKAIDO SHINKANSEN" (Shin-Osaka⇔Tokyo)
    - Bullet Train "SANYO SHINKANSEN" (Okayama⇔Hakata)
    - Bullet Train "KYUSHU SHINKANSEN" (Hakata⇔Kagoshima-Chuo)
 

Kansai Wide Area Price

5 Days Ticket:
 - Online Book or purchase from travel agent overseas: Adult 9,000 yen, Child 4,500 yen 
 - Purchase in Japan: Adult 9,500 yen,  Child 4,750 yen

For more information, please click here.


Differences among Kansai Thru Pass, Kansai Area Pass and Kansai Wide Area Pass in Conclusion

Kansai Thru Pass is cheaper than Kansai Area and Wide Area Pass but it does not cover the fare of JR. It depends on the areas where you travel to, then calculate the cost. For example, you want to travel to Osaka, Kyoto, Wakayama. You purchase the 2 Days Kansai Thru Pass for taking the train between cities and Enjoy Eco Card 1 Day for unlimited riding subway in Osaka.


Kansai Thru Pass JR Kansai Area Pass JR Kansai Wide Area
Areas Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Wakayama, Shiga Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Wakayama, Shiga, Himeji, Tsuruga, Iga-Ueno Okayama, Takamatsu, Kinosakionsen, Amanohashidate, Tottori, Kishi, Shirahama, Kii-Katsuura and Kansai Area
Validity Period 2,3 Days nonconsecutive day 1,2,3,4 Days (Consecutive Day) 5 Consecutive Days
Shinkansen No No Unreserved seats on the Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Okayama (including Nozomi and Mizuho trains)
Nankai Line Yes No No
Subway Yes No  No
Local JR No Yes Yes



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