Kansai Wide Area Pass
Conveniently explore the entirety of the Kansai region with this inclusive rail pass.
This regional rail pass for Japan covers the same area as the Kansai Area Pass, including all JR West trains in the region and travel on the Haruka Express from Kansai Airport to Osaka and Nara.
However, the Kansai Wide Pass also covers a larger area of the region, including the cities of Tottori, Himeji, and Shingu. It also includes passage on the Sanyo Shinkansen between Osaka and Okayama.
In this guide, we outline the benefits of this regional pass, where it can be used, and if it is worth getting over the countrywide JR Pass.
How it works
What is included
When is it good for?
A Kansai Wide Area Pass is valid for 5 consecutive days of travel within the region.
It covers travel between all of the major metropolitan centers in the region, including Himeji, Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Wakayama.
The area also covers natural beauty spots such as Biwako Lake, as well as the cities of Kurashiki, Okayama, and Tottori.
The cost of the pass depends on whether the traveler is aged between 6-11 years (Child Pass) or over the age of 12 (Adult Pass).
Up to 2 infants (defined as minors between 1-5 years of age) can be included on either an adult or children’s Kansai Wide Area Pass free of charge, although a third infant will require their own child’s rail pass. Babies under 1 year of age may travel for free.
However, an infant will also require their own Kansai Wide Area Child Rail Pass if they will occupy their own reserved seat, or if they are traveling by themselves.
Eligibility and validity requirements
To obtain this regional rail pass, the applicant must:
- Hold a valid passport from a foreign country
- Be entering Japan as a Temporary visitor
Note: The Kansai Wide Area Pass is not available for Japanese citizens, even if they hold a valid permanent residence permit for another country.
A Kansai Wide Area Pass may be purchased up to 1 month before the day of first use and is valid from 12 .a.m on that date.
It is valid for 5 days and allows unrestricted travel on the aforementioned services in the region shown on the map. The purchase or exchange of more than one ticket with the same use period by a single customer is not authorized.
Instead of 24-hour intervals, the pass's validity is assessed in days, from midnight to midnight. It doesn't matter when you initially used it; the first day counts as a full day.
Seat Reservations
You can make up to 6 seat reservations with the Kansai Wide Area Pass at no additional cost.
It is mandatory to reserve seating on the following Limited Express trains in advance:
- Kuroshio
- Kounotori
- Kinosaki
- Hashidate
- Maizuru
The Kansai Wide Area Pass is usable on the following train accommodations without a reservation:
Exchange Process
Once the e-ticket has been received by email, you can exchange it at any major station in the Kansai region within 3 months of approval. It is also necessary to present a valid passport to receive the Kansai Wide Area Pass.
The list of JR West ticket offices where you can exchange the Kansai Wide Area Pass is as follows:
Why a Regional Pass?
This regional rail pass is a good investment for visitors who only plan to travel within the Kansai Wide area, as it removes the need to pay for a JR pass for the whole country.
If you are only planning on traveling short distances in/between urban areas like Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe then it may not be worth it.
However, the pass is very good value for money if you are planning to journey to take at least one significant side excursion to a less central location within the coverage area. For example, to Kinosaki Onsen, Okayama, Takamatsu, or the Kumano Region.
Whole Japan Rail Pass
Planning to visit more than one region during your stay in Japan? Find out if a JR Pass for the whole country is a better investment.
Unlimited Access: Roam freely across Japan's regions without restrictions.
Covers all of Japan: The JR Pass covers all JR trains. From the north to the south, it’s the ultimate explorer's ticket.
Full Shinkansen Network: Experience Japan's iconic bullet trains across their extensive routes.
Main Airport Transfers: Easily navigate between cities and major airports, ensuring a smooth journey.