The Kansai Thru Pass is a discounted train pass that allows you to travel unlimitedly on local and rapid trains within the Kansai region of Japan, as well as on certain buses and ferries within the region. It’s a great option for tourists who want to see as much of the Kansai region as possible without breaking the bank but note that unlike the Kansai Area Pass you cannot use it on any JR trains which can be a major drawback in some cases.
In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Kansai Thru Pass and help you decide whether it’s the right choice for your trip to Japan.
What is the Kansai Thru Pass?
The Kansai Thru Pass is a train pass that is valid on local and rapid trains within the Kansai region of Japan, which includes the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara. It’s a great option for tourists who want to see as much of the Kansai region as possible without worrying about the cost of individual train tickets.
In addition to trains, the Kansai Thru Pass is also valid on certain buses and ferries within the Kansai region. This means that you can use the pass to travel to popular tourist destinations such as Universal Studios Japan, Koyasan, and Kobe, as well as to get around the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara.
How much does the Kansai Thru Pass cost?
The cost of the Kansai Thru Pass depends on the duration of the pass and the type of pass (ordinary or green). Here are the current prices for the Kansai Thru Pass:
- 3-day Kansai Thru Pass (ordinary): 6,300 yen
- 4-day Kansai Thru Pass (ordinary): 7,200 yen
- 5-day Kansai Thru Pass (ordinary): 8,100 yen
- 3-day Kansai Thru Pass (green): 8,500 yen
- 4-day Kansai Thru Pass (green): 9,800 yen
- 5-day Kansai Thru Pass (green): 11,100 yen
As you can see, the cost of the Kansai Thru Pass depends on the duration of the pass and the type of pass (ordinary or green). The ordinary pass is cheaper than the green pass, but it does not include access to green car seats on trains. The green pass is more expensive, but it includes access to green car seats on trains, which are more spacious and comfortable than ordinary car seats.
Who is eligible to use the Kansai Thru Pass?
The Kansai Thru Pass is available to foreign tourists visiting Japan from overseas. It is not available to Japanese residents or non-resident long-term visitors to Japan.
How to buy the Kansai Thru Pass
There are several ways to buy the Kansai Thru Pass:
- Online: You can buy the Kansai Thru Pass online through various travel agencies and ticketing websites. This is a convenient option because you can buy the pass before you arrive in Japan and have it delivered to your home. However, you’ll need to make sure to allow enough time for delivery, as the pass needs to be shipped from Japan.
- At the airport: You can buy the Kansai Thru Pass at the airport when you arrive in Japan. The pass is available at the following airports: Kansai International Airport, Osaka International Airport, and Itami Airport.
- In person: You can also buy the Kansai Thru Pass in person at various tourist information centers and ticket offices in the Kansai region.
The Kansai Thru Pass is a discounted train pass that is valid on local and rapid trains within the Kansai region of Japan, as well as on certain buses and ferries within the region. It is not valid on JR trains, which are operated by the Japan Railways Group (JR).
What Lines Can The Kansai Thru Pass Be Used On?
Here is a list of some of the lines that the Kansai Thru Pass can be used on:
- Hankyu: The Hankyu line runs between Osaka and Kyoto, with stops in several other cities along the way.
- Hanshin: The Hanshin line runs between Osaka and Kobe, with stops in several other cities along the way.
- Keihan: The Keihan line runs between Osaka and Kyoto, with stops in several other cities along the way.
- Kintetsu: The Kintetsu line runs between Osaka and Nara, with stops in several other cities along the way.
- Nankai: The Nankai line runs between Osaka and Wakayama, with stops in several other cities along the way.
- Osaka Municipal Subway: The Osaka Municipal Subway operates several lines within the city of Osaka.
- Private railways: The Kansai Thru Pass is also valid on several private railways within the Kansai region, including the Kobe Kosoku Railway and the Nara Kotsu Bus.
It’s important to note that the Kansai Thru Pass is not valid on all trains and other transportation within the Kansai region. It’s only valid on local and rapid trains, as well as on certain buses and ferries. If you want to ride on other types of trains or transportation, you’ll need to purchase additional tickets.
How to use the Kansai Thru Pass
Using the Kansai Thru Pass is easy:
- Activate the pass: You’ll need to activate the pass before you can use it. To do this, you’ll need to write your name and the start date of the pass on the back of the pass.
- Show the pass to the train conductor: When you get on a train, you’ll need to show the pass to the conductor. If you’re riding in a green car, you’ll need to show your green pass.
- Validate the pass: You’ll need to validate the pass each time you get on a train. To do this, you’ll need to pass the pass through the automatic ticket gate at the train station.
- Get on the train: Once you’ve validated your pass, you can board the train and start your journey.
Is the Kansai Thru Pass worth it?
Whether the Kansai Thru Pass is worth it depends on your travel plans and budget. If you’re planning to visit multiple cities within the Kansai region and want to save money on train tickets, the Kansai Thru Pass could be a good option for you. However, if you’re only planning to visit one city or don’t plan to use the train much, the Kansai Thru Pass might not be the best value for you.
To decide whether the Kansai Thru Pass is worth it for you, it’s a good idea to do some math and compare the cost of the pass with the cost of individual train tickets. You can use a website like Hyperdia to look up the cost of train tickets between different cities in the Kansai region. By comparing the cost of the pass with the cost of individual tickets, you can determine whether the pass is a good value for you.
Can I Use The Kansai Through Pass On JR Trains?
The Kansai Thru Pass is not valid on JR trains. The Kansai Thru Pass is a discounted train pass that is valid on local and rapid trains within the Kansai region of Japan, as well as on certain buses and ferries within the region. It is not valid on JR trains, which are operated by the Japan Railways Group (JR).
If you want to use JR trains in the Kansai region, you’ll need to purchase a separate pass such as the Kansai Area Pass or the All Japan Rail Pass. The JR Rail Pass is a discounted train pass that is valid on JR trains throughout Japan, including in the Kansai region. There are several types of JR passes available, including regional passes that are valid in specific areas of Japan, such as the Kansai Area Pass.
What’s The Difference Between the Kansai Thru Pass and the Kansai Area Pass?
The Kansai Area Pass and the Kansai Thru Pass are two different train passes that are valid in the Kansai region of Japan. Here are the main differences between the two passes:
- Validity: The Kansai Area Pass is valid on JR trains within the Kansai region, while the Kansai Thru Pass is valid on local and rapid trains within the Kansai region, as well as on certain buses and ferries within the region.
- Price: The Kansai Area Pass is generally more expensive than the Kansai Thru Pass. The cost of the Kansai Area Pass depends on the duration of the pass and the type of pass (ordinary or green), while the cost of the Kansai Thru Pass depends on the duration of the pass and the type of pass (ordinary or green).
- Eligibility: The Kansai Area Pass is available to foreign tourists visiting Japan from overseas, as well as to Japanese residents and non-resident long-term visitors to Japan. The Kansai Thru Pass is only available to foreign tourists visiting Japan from overseas.
- Availability: The Kansai Area Pass is available for purchase in Japan and overseas, while the Kansai Thru Pass is only available for purchase overseas.
So the main difference between the Kansai Area Pass and the Kansai Thru Pass is the type of trains and other transportation that they are valid on. The Kansai Area Pass is valid on JR trains within the Kansai region, while the Kansai Thru Pass is valid on local and rapid trains within the Kansai region, as well as on certain buses and ferries within the region.
Can The Kansai Thru Pass Be Used On Busses?
Yes it can, Here is a list of some of the buses that the Kansai Thru Pass can be used on:
- Nara Kotsu Bus: The Nara Kotsu Bus operates several bus routes within the city of Nara.
- Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau: The Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau operates several bus routes within the city of Osaka.
- Keihan Bus: The Keihan Bus operates several bus routes within the Kansai region.
- Hanshin Bus: The Hanshin Bus operates several bus routes within the Kansai region.
- Kobe Kosoku Bus: The Kobe Kosoku Bus operates several bus routes within the city of Kobe.
The Kansai Thru Pass is not valid on buses operated by the Kyoto City Bus. If you want to ride on the Kyoto City Bus, you’ll need to purchase separate tickets.
