Use Kansai Railway Pass (formerly Kansai Thru Pass) to tour Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. Check the price and availability on Klook here or on KKDay here.
In a nutshell
- What is the Kansai Railway Pass? Considered as one of the must-have transportation cards in Japan, the Kansai Railway Pass provides unlimited access to the train, subway, and bus network of the Kansai region (comprised of Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama, and Koyasan).
- How much is the Kansai Railway Pass? It starts at around $38 for the 2-day option. Check the pass availability here or the price of the 3-day Kansai Railway Pass here!
- Aside from unlimited transportation, what are the benefits of the Kansai Railway Pass? If you purchase the 2-day or 3-day pass, you’ll get discount coupons to over 350+ attractions and establishments including BicCamera, UCC Coffee Museum, Katsuragisan Ropeway, and more!
- How to use the Kansai Railway Pass? To use the pass on trains, simply insert the pass on the ticket gate. To avail the discounts on over 350+ attractions, restaurants, and establishments, just present the pass at the reception or cashier.
- Is it worth it? The Kansai Railway Pass has been booked more than 200k times, reviewed over 10k times, and has an excellent 4.8/5 star rating on Klook — so, yes, it’s worth it! Click here to read reviews of the Kansai Railway Pass as well as tips to incorporate it into your Japan itinerary.
- Where can I pick up a Kansai Railway Pass? After booking online here, you’ll enjoy convenient pick-up at Kansai International Airport, Osaka Metro, Tourist Information Namba in Osaka, EDION NAMBA MAIN STORE, Kyoto General Tourist Information Center, and more. Learn more about how you can redeem the pass here.
- Universal Studios Japan Deal! Aside from buying a Kansai Railway Pass, maximize your trip to Osaka by getting a Universal Studios Japan™ ticket here 🎉
All About Kansai Railway Pass in Japan
The Kansai Railway Pass, formerly called the Kansai Thru Pass, is a popular tourist pass in Japan that provides an economical way to tour the Kansai region. Designed for foreign travelers, the pass offers unlimited access or rides to the area’s subway, private railway, and bus systems.
With a 2-day or 3-day Kansai Railway Pass, you can easily make your way to the region’s famous attractions, help you save money on transportation costs, AND save time purchasing separate tickets whenever you commute. Think about not having to worry about your travel fare and not having to buy tickets each time you take the bus or train — the Kansai Railway Pass surely makes for a memorable and budget-friendly journey.
What’s more, travelers who use this transportation pass can enjoy discounts offered by over 350+ attractions, restaurants, and establishments. (We’ve listed some of the partner establishments below.)
If you’re already planning your Japan itinerary, click below to see if the Kansai Railway Pass is available on the dates of your travel:
Where can you go with Kansai Railway Pass?
As the name suggests, the pass covers the Kansai region, which is found in the southern end of the main Japanese island Honshū. The Kansai Railway Pass can be used in Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto, as well as Nara, Wakayama, and Koyasan. If you’re planning a trip in and to these areas, you can very well benefit from the transportation savings that the pass offers.
Book a Kansai Railway Pass: Price, Discount, & Pass Combos
The Kansai Railway Pass comes in two options: the 2-day pass and the 3-day pass. Here’s how much they cost and how you can book one at a cheaper price:
1. 2-Day Pass
- INCLUSIONS: Unlimited rides on trains, subways, buses, and more for 2 days (non-consecutive days) & discounts on 350+ attractions, restaurants, and establishments
- PICK-UP LOCATION & HOURS. Collect your Kansai Railway Pass in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kansai International Airport (KIX) at the following locations:
- LIMON Welcome Desk KIX at KIX International Terminal: 9am-7pm
- Hana Tour Kansai Airport Counter at KIX International Terminal: 9am-6pm
- Tourist Information Namba (JTB Osaka Namba): 9am-7pm
- Edion Namba Main Store: 10am-9pm
- Osaka Metro Information Counter Shin-Osaka: 9am-3:30pm
- Kansai Tourist Information Center Kyoto: 10am-5:30pm
- HOW TO REDEEM: Simply show your Klook voucher at any of the pick-up locations above to receive your physical pass! Find more details here.
2. 3-Days Pass
- INCLUSIONS: Unlimited rides on trains, subways, buses, and more for 3 days (non-consecutive days) & discounts on 350+ attractions, restaurants, and establishments
- PICK-UP LOCATION & HOURS. Collect your Kansai Railway Pass in Osaka, Kyoto, and Kansai International Airport (KIX) at the following locations:
- LIMON Welcome Desk KIX at KIX International Terminal: 9am-7pm
- Hana Tour Kansai Airport Counter at KIX International Terminal: 9am-6pm
- Tourist Information Namba (JTB Osaka Namba): 9am-7pm
- Edion Namba Main Store: 10am-9pm
- Osaka Metro Information Counter Shin-Osaka: 9am-3:30pm
- Kansai Tourist Information Center Kyoto: 10am-5:30pm
- HOW TO REDEEM: Simply show your Klook voucher at any of the pick-up locations above to receive your physical pass! Find more details here.
3. Kansai Railway Pass (2 Days) + 4G Japan SIM Card
- PRICE: Book here starting at only $51.6!
- INCLUSIONS: Unlimited rides on trains, subways, buses, and more for 2 days (non-consecutive days), discounts on 350+ attractions, restaurants, and establishments, & 5-day Japan SIM card with unlimited data
- PICK-UP LOCATION & HOURS. Collect your Kansai Railway Pass and Japan SIM card in the following:
- Kansai Railway Pass
- LIMON Welcome Desk KIX at KIX International Terminal: 9am-7pm
- Hana Tour Kansai Airport Counter at KIX International Terminal: 9am-6pm
- Tourist Information Namba (JTB Osaka Namba): 9am-7pm
- Edion Namba Main Store: 10am-9pm
- Osaka Metro Information Counter Shin-Osaka: 9am-3:30pm
- Kansai Tourist Information Center Kyoto: 10am-5:30pm
- Japan SIM Card
- Ninja WIFI Counter, 1/F, International Arrival Lobby, Kansai International Airport, Terminal 1: 8am-9pm
- Kansai Railway Pass
- HOW TO REDEEM: Simply show your Klook voucher at any of the pick-up locations above to receive your physical pass! Find more details here.
4. Kansai Railway Pass (3 Days) + 4G Japan SIM Card
- PRICE: Book here starting at only $58.4!
- INCLUSIONS: Unlimited rides on trains, subways, buses, and more for 3 days (non-consecutive days), discounts on 350+ attractions, restaurants, and establishments, & 5-day Japan SIM card with unlimited data
- PICK-UP LOCATION & HOURS. Collect your Kansai Railway Pass and Japan SIM card in the following:
- Kansai Railway Pass
- LIMON Welcome Desk KIX at KIX International Terminal: 9am-7pm
- Hana Tour Kansai Airport Counter at KIX International Terminal: 9am-6pm
- Tourist Information Namba (JTB Osaka Namba): 9am-7pm
- Edion Namba Main Store: 10am-9pm
- Osaka Metro Information Counter Shin-Osaka: 9am-3:30pm
- Kansai Tourist Information Center Kyoto: 10am-5:30pm
- Japan SIM Card
- Ninja WIFI Counter, 1/F, International Arrival Lobby, Kansai International Airport, Terminal 1: 8am-9pm
- Kansai Railway Pass
- HOW TO REDEEM: Simply show your Klook voucher at any of the pick-up locations above to receive your physical pass! Find more details here.
5. Kansai Railway Pass (2 Days) + ICOCA IC Card
- PRICE: Book here starting at only $47.7!
- INCLUSIONS: Unlimited rides on trains, subways, buses, and more for 2 days (non-consecutive days), discounts on 350+ attractions, restaurants, and establishments, & one ICOCA IC card (pre-loaded with ¥1,500 + deposit of ¥500)
- PICK-UP LOCATION & HOURS. Collect your Kansai Railway Pass and ICOCA IC Card in the following:
- Kansai Railway Pass
- LIMON Welcome Desk KIX at KIX International Terminal: 9am-7pm
- Hana Tour Kansai Airport Counter at KIX International Terminal: 9am-6pm
- Tourist Information Namba (JTB Osaka Namba): 9am-7pm
- Edion Namba Main Store: 10am-9pm
- Osaka Metro Information Counter Shin-Osaka: 9am-3:30pm
- Kansai Tourist Information Center Kyoto: 10am-5:30pm
- ICOCA IC Card
- EasyGo Counter, 1/F International/Domestic Arrival Hall, Kansai International Airport: 9:30am-6:30pm
- Kansai Railway Pass
- HOW TO REDEEM: Simply show your Klook voucher at any of the pick-up locations above to receive your physical pass! Find more details here.
6. Kansai Railway Pass (3 Days) + ICOCA IC Card
- PRICE: Book here starting at only $54.5!
- INCLUSIONS: Unlimited rides on trains, subways, buses, and more for 3 days (non-consecutive days), discounts on 350+ attractions, restaurants, and establishments, & one ICOCA IC card (pre-loaded with ¥1,500 + deposit of ¥500)
- PICK-UP LOCATION & HOURS. Collect your Kansai Railway Pass and ICOCA IC Card in the following:
- Kansai Railway Pass
- LIMON Welcome Desk KIX at KIX International Terminal: 9am-7pm
- Hana Tour Kansai Airport Counter at KIX International Terminal: 9am-6pm
- Tourist Information Namba (JTB Osaka Namba): 9am-7pm
- Edion Namba Main Store: 10am-9pm
- Osaka Metro Information Counter Shin-Osaka: 9am-3:30pm
- Kansai Tourist Information Center Kyoto: 10am-5:30pm
- ICOCA IC Card
- EasyGo Counter, 1/F International/Domestic Arrival Hall, Kansai International Airport: 9:30am-6:30pm
- Kansai Railway Pass
- HOW TO REDEEM: Simply show your Klook voucher at any of the pick-up locations above to receive your physical pass! Find more details here.
How to Use Kansai Railway Pass
After redeeming your physical Kansai Railway Pass in Osaka, Kyoto, or Kansai Airport, here’s how you can use the pass:
- On trains: Insert the pass on the gate or turnstile to activate the pass.
- On buses: Use the payment machine to activate.
- In partner establishments: Simply present your pass at the partner attractions, restaurants, and stores.
Note that the days of use for the Kansai Railway Pass do not need to be consecutive. Also, the Kansai Railway Pass is ONLY available to foreigners traveling in Japan (with a short-stay visa) or Japanese nationals living overseas.
Is the Kansai Pass worth it? Check out these reviews!
“A pass worth buying if you’re on a DIY itinerary to explore Kansai area,” reads a 5-star review left by a traveler who booked a Kansai Railway Pass on Klook. “We traveled to Kobe and Kyoto, but was not able to visit other areas due to hot weather. It was worth it though since it covers unlimited metro and even used it for Nankai line going to airport in our last day. One suggestion though is to extend redemption times in Kainsai airport from 6-7pm to around 10pm to those who are arriving late night like us (arrived 7pm). We exchanged our pass in Edion Mall in Nankai Namba the next day instead since it’s the nearest one in our place. Mall opens at 10am. Overall, great pass! 👌🏼 arigatou gozaimashita 🙇♀️”
Another review also provides how you can pick up your pass and use it on the train:
Use Klook’s Qrcode to go directly to the Osaka Metro office to exchange for a very useful three-day coupon for physical tickets. It can be used on the subway, Keihan, Hanshin, and Hankyu lines. It is very convenient and easy to use!
Finally, here’s another review showing why booking a Kansai Railway Pass is worth it: “This Kansai Railway pass helped us save a lot on transpo expenses around the Kansai area. Although it doesn’t cover JR lines, there are plenty of alternative routes that’s covered by the pass especially around tourist destinations. Definitely a must-have for DIY trips and itineraries!”
Kansai Railway Pass Itinerary Suggestions
If you want to get an idea on the must-visit places in the Kansai Region so you can maximize the use of your 2-day or 3-day Kansai Railway Pass, here are some recommendations:
1. Osaka via Kansai Railway Pass
- Visit Hirokawadera Temple (Temples and Shrine)
- Nearest station: Kintetsu Tondabayashi Station (then Kongo Bus)
- Kansai Railway Pass promotion: ¥100 off admission to garden and Saigyo Kinenkan (open Apr 1–May 10, Oct 20–Nov 30). The presentation of the coupon along with Kansai Railway Pass is required in order to receive the special offer.
- Go to Amami Onsen Nanten-en (Gourmet Dining)
- Hot spring inn that’s 40 minutes away from Osaka Namba. Offers a day spa experience with meal.
- Kansai Railway Pass promotion: Complimentary coffee coupon. The presentation of the coupon along with Kansai Railway Pass is required in order to receive the special offer.
- Amidaike Daikoku Honten (Shopping)
- Nearest Station: Osaka Metro Nishinagahori Station
- Kansai Railway Pass promotion: 10% off purchases (excl. some items). The presentation of the coupon along with Kansai Railway Pass is required in order to receive the special offer.
2. Kyoto via Kansai Railway Pass
- Go to Yogenin Temple (Temples & Shrines)
- Nearest station: Keihan Shichijo Station or Kyoto Municipal Bus Higashiyama Shichijo stop (Hours: 09:00-16:00)
- Kansai Railway Pass promotion: Group discount admission applies. The presentation of the coupon along with Kansai Railway Pass is required in order to receive the special offer.
- Try Yudofu Chikusen or ゆどうふ 竹仙 (Gourmet Dining)
- Savor Saga tofu as well as the landscape in this gourmet restaurant in Kyoto.
- Nearest Station: Kyoto Municipal Bus from Hankyu Saiin Station or Arashiyama Station
- Kansai Railway Pass promotion: free good-luck rosary
- Shichimi Togarashi Honpo Okumura Tofukuji Ekimae or 七味唐がらし本舗おくむら東福寺駅前店 (Shopping)
- Seasonal store open in the autumn. Sells various Kyoto souvenirs aside from Shichimi Togarashi.
- Kansai Railway Pass promotion: 8% off purchases (Open only during autumn foliage. Discount to be applied only on Shichimi Togarashi and Furikake.)
Want to check out the other 250+ attractions that you can visit? Create your itinerary by visiting Kansai Railway Pass’s official website.
Is there a Kansai Railway Pass map that I can download and refer to?
If, at this point, you’re interested to book the Kansai Railway Pass for your epic Japan trip, it’ll be wise to know the areas where you can use the travel card. Here’s a Kansai Railway Pass map that you can review:
Download the Kansai Railway Pass map in English here.
Trains and Buses that ACCEPT the Kansai Railway Pass
For quick reference, here are the train and bus operators that will accept the Kansai Railway Pass:
- Osaka Metro
- Osaka City Bus
- Osaka Monorail
- Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway
- Kyoto Municipal Subway/Bus
- The Midnight Bus is available with Kansai Railway Pass under additional charge
- Randen
- Kobe Rapid Transit
- Kobe Municipal Subway/Bus
- Sanyo Electric Railway
- Semboku Rapid Railway
- Nankai Electric Railway
- Nose Electric Railway
- Hankyu Railway
- Hanshin Electric Railway
- Heizan Sakamoto Cable
- Port Liner/Rokko Liner
- Hokushin Kyuko Railway
- Amagasaki Transportation Service
- Kyoto Bus
- Kintetsu Bus
- Kobe City Transportation Promotion Bus (Route #7)
- Shintetsu Bus
- Sanyo Bus
- Nankai Wing Bus Kanaoka
- Nankai Wing Bus Nanbu
- Nankai Bus
The following transportation lines also accept the Kansai Railway Pass but partially, which means that the pass cannot be used on some of routes and services. The Kansai Railway Pass official website has this note: “When using all of the lines or some of these lines, write down the date of use on the back of the PASS with a permanent ink pen and show it to a member of staff at the time of use. Tickets will not be refunded for suspended services by a transportation company once the ticket has been used.”
- Eizan Electric Railway*
- Kiniki Nippon Railway (Kintetsu)*
- Keihan Electric Railway*
- Itami City Bus*
- Kyoto Keihan Bus*
- Keihan Kyoto Kotsu*
- Keihan Bus*
- Takatsuki City Bus*
Trains and Buses that DO NOT ACCEPT the Kansai Railway Pass
Here are the areas, zones, and operators that do not accept the Kansai Railway Pass, according to this map guide:
- Limousine Bus, Express Bus, Midnight Express Bus
- Kintetsu/Nankai/Semboku Rapid/Keihan Railway Designated Seat Limited Express
- Additional charge will apply to Kansai Railway Pass holders when they choose to take designated seats in these railway companies
- Kinki Nippon Railway (Kintetsu)
- Yoshino Line South of Tsubosakayama, Domyoji Line, Tawaramoto Line, Osaka Line East of Aoyamach
- Keifuku Railway
- Cableway, Ropeway
- Sanyo Electric Railway
- Sumaura Ropeway, all mountain-top facilities
- Nose Electric Railway
- Myoken-no-mori Cable Line
- Kintetsu Bus
- Airport Limousine Bus, Express Bus, Regular Tour Bus
- Keihan Kyoto Kotsu
- Meiji Kokusai Iryo Daigaku Line, Express Bus, Kuzuha-Miyama Line, Sonobe-Miyama Line, Kyoto-Miyama Line
- The Midnight Bus is available with Kansai Railway Pass with additional charge
- Keihan Bus
- Regular Tour Bus, Express Bus, Airport Limousine Bus
- Kansai Railway Pass may be used on the early morning bus and the midnight bus with additional charge
- Kobe City Transportation Promotion Bus
- City Loop, Port Island Campus Line
- Shintetsu Bus
- Kimikage Line
- Sanyo Bus
- Express Bus, Akashi City Community Bus
- Nankai Wing Bus Nanbu
- Local Government’s Community Bus, Express Bus
- Nankai Bus
- Express Bus, Airport limousine bus, other designated seating bus, Midnight Express Bus, International and Domestic Cargo Area Line, Osaka-Sayama City Loop Bus, Izumi City Loop Bus, and other special cases.
- The Midnight Bus accepts the use of Kansai Railway Pass with additional charge.
- Nankai Rinkan Bus
- Tateri Line, Koya-Ryujin Line, Hashimoto Niutsuhime Line, Koya Nouhime Line, Hashimoto City Community Bus
- Hanshin Bus
- Express Bus, Airport Limousine Bus
- Osaka City Bus
- Buses bound for IKEA Tsuruhama or Universal Studios Japan™ may not be used by Kansai Pass Railway holders
- Hankyu Bus
- Midnight Bus, Midnight Express, Express Line, Minoo-Shinmachi Line, Nagaokakyo Loop, Suita City Community Bus, Sakura-Yamanami Bus, Kiyoshi Kojin Line, Mino-o Community Bus, Clean Land Line, Takarazuka Sumire-boen Line, Nagaokakyo-shi Tobu Shakai Jikken Bus, Suita City Football Stadium Line, Umeda-EXPOCITY Line, Nagaoyama-reien Line
- Wakayama Bus
- Express Bus, Airport Limousine Bus, Fujitodai Loop Line
- Wakayama Bus Naga
- Local Government Community Bus
Aside from transportation savings, what else do I get as a Kansai Railway Pass user?
As if the unlimited access to select major public transportation networks is not enough, the Kansai Railway Pass also offers discount coupons in partner establishments along the railway lines. Here are some sample perks:
- Getting 7-8% discount on select purchases at BicCamera, which is a large retailer of electronics as well as beauty therapy equipment, games, toys, and alcohol
- Free fortune telling at Yatadera Temple
- 10% off at Amidaike Daikoku Namba Walk, which is a major leading confectionery shop in Osaka
There’s actually more than 350 Kansai Railway Pass partner establishments and attractions that offer promotions, and you can find them linked here and here.