Located in the south of Honshu (Japan’s main island), the Kansai region is a popular sightseeing area and home to iconic cities like Kyoto and Osaka. There are various types of rail passes that cover the Kansai area and offer an affordable means of transport. In this article, we’ll introduce each of the different Kansai passes, the areas covered, their validity periods and prices to help you decide which one is right for you.
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How to purchase a Kansai rail pass
Kansai rail passes can be purchased from overseas travel agencies, with an MCO (Miscellaneous Charges Order) or e-ticket issued that can be exchanged for your pass at designated stations once you arrive in Japan. For exchange locations and opening hours, please check here(West Japan Railway sales website).
Rail passes can also be purchased using the West Japan Railway sales website using a credit/debit card or paid using cash at a station window after arriving in Japan (Sanyo-San'in Area pass can only be purchased and paid through credit card online). Your pass can be picked up at designated stations and ticket vending machines, which are outlined in the following link: West Japan Railway Company website
Alternatively, you can purchase a Kansai rail pass at a station window after arriving in Japan using cash or a credit/debit card. Passes can be purchased up to one month before the first day of use, with a small discount applying if you purchase the ticket online or through an overseas travel agent.
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Kansai Area - Regional Passes
There are several passes available for exploring the Kansai region, with the prices, validity period and destinations detailed in the table below (N.B. prices are the sales prices at station ticket windows in Japan). The validity period for each of the passes is quite short, so you may prefer to use the Kansai Area Pass + an additional pass if you want to take your time. Travelers wanting to explore the Sanyo and San'in areas are recommended to purchase the seven-day Sanyo-San’in Area Pass.
Type of Pass Validity Period Price Osaka (including Kansai Airport and USJ) Kyoto Nara Kobe Wakayama Himeji Okayama Tottori Takamatsu (Kagawa prefecture) Hiroshima, Miyajima Hakata (Fukuoka prefecture) Shimonoseki (Yamaguchi prefecture) Matsue (Shimane prefecture) Kansai Area Pass 1-4 consecutive days 2,400-6,800 yen ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ X X X X X X X Kansai WIDE Area Pass 5 consecutive days 10,200 yen ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ X X X X Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass 5 consecutive days 14,700 yen ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ X X X Sanyo-San'in Area Pass 7 consecutive days 20,400 yen ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ![Kansai Area Pass available area]()
Kansai Area Pass available areaPicture Credits:WEST JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY
![Sanyo-San'in Area Pass available area]()
Sanyo-San'in Area Pass available areaPicture Credits:WEST JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY
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Hiroshima and Yamaguchi areas
If you’re interested in exploring the city of Hiroshima and Yamaguchi Prefecture, then the five-day Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass or the Okayama-Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass are recommended.
Type of Pass Validity Period Price Takamatsu (Kagawa prefecture) Okayama Hiroshima, Miyajima Hakata (Fukuoka prefecture) Shimonoseki (Yamaguchi prefecture) Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass 5 consecutive days 12,200 yen X X ○ ○ ○ Okayama-Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass 5 consecutive days 14,700 yen ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ If you’re interested in exploring the city of Hiroshima and Yamaguchi Prefecture, then the five-day Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass or the Okayama-Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass are recommended. After visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the iconic fortress of Hiroshima Castle, continue to the “Kyoto of the West”, Yamaguchi, which is home to Motonosumi Shrine and Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge.
![Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park]()
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park
![Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge]()
Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge
![Motonosumi Shrine]()
Motonosumi Shrine
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Hokuriku Area
If your sightseeing is focused on the Hokuriku region, we recommend the Hokuriku Area Pass. However, if you are arriving at Kansai Airport before exploring the Hokuriku area, then you can purchase the Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass. Stroll through the famous Kenrokuen gardens in Kanazawa (famed for its traditional handicrafts), visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed town of Shirakawa-go and experience the spectacular scenery of the Japanese Alps on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
Type of Pass Validity Period Price Osaka (including Kansai Airport and USJ) Kyoto Nara Kobe Wakayama Himeji Okayama Tottori Fukui Toyama Kanazawa Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass 7 consecutive days 16,290 yen ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Hokuriku Area Pass 4 consecutive days 5,600 yen X X X X X X X X ○ ○ ○ ![Kenrokuen gardens]()
Kenrokuen gardens
![Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route]()
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
- Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
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- Tateyama cho, Nakashinagawa gun, Toyama Prefecture
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- 0764811500
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- Mid-Apr.-end of Nov.
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San’in and Okayama areas
Travelers wanting to explore the San’in and Okayama areas can opt for the four-day San'in-Okayama Area Pass. Witness the 16th-century “Crow Castle” of Okayama and the formal garden of Korakuen before traveling north to experience the sand dunes of Tottori and its Kannonin Temple. To the west sprawl the mountainous landscapes of Shimane, home to one of Japan’s earliest Shinto complexes - Izumo Taisha - and the 17th-century Matsue Castle.
Type of Pass Validity Period Price Osaka (including Kansai Airport and USJ) Kyoto Nara Kobe Wakayama Himeji Tottori Okayama Matsue (Shimane prefecture) San'in-Okayama Area Pass 4 consecutive days 5,600 yen X X X X X X ○ ○ ○ ![Kurashiki City in Okayama]()
Kurashiki City in Okayama
![The Tottori Sand Dunes]()
The Tottori Sand Dunes
![Izumo Taisha]()
Izumo Taisha
- Izumo Oyashiro(Izumo Taisha)
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3.5
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- Shimane Pref. Izumoshi Taishachoukidukihigashi 195
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- 0853533100
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- 6:00-18:00
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