Japan's Osaka and Kyoto, among others in the Kansai region. Among the many discounted tickets sold for tourists traveling around multiple prefectures, the "Surutto KANSAI KANSAI RAILWAY PASS" (hereinafter referred to as "KANSAI RAILWAY PASS") will be added to the lineup from March 2024.
In addition to unlimited rides on the target railway lines, the "KANSAI RAILWAY PASS" also offers benefits at various facilities. In this article, we will explain everything from basic information to recommended usage. If you are planning to visit the Kansai region in the future, please read to the end!
💡Purchase your 'KANSAI RAILWAY PASS' here:
※The information featured in this article is as of March 2024. Please check the official website or other sources for the latest information.
※The prices mentioned in the article are all general rates for one adult
※If you purchase or reserve products introduced in the article, a portion of the sales may be returned to FUN! JAPAN.
What is the 'KANSAI RAILWAY PASS' that can be used in Osaka, Kyoto, etc.?
Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama, Hyogo, Shiga's designated railway lines and sections will be available for unlimited rides with the new "Surutto KANSAI RAILWAY PASS" (hereinafter referred to as "KANSAI RAILWAY PASS") for foreign tourists, which will be on sale from March 2024.
You can choose from a "2day ticket" (Adults 5,600 yen, Children 2,800 yen) or a "3day ticket" (Adults 7,000 yen, Children 3,500 yen). The biggest feature is that you can use it non-consecutively within the valid period. You can ride just by passing it through the automatic ticket gate, so if you have one, you can move around without worrying about transportation costs. Plus, it's nice to be able to save the trouble of buying tickets for each railway line when transferring.
💡The "KANSAI THRU PASS (KTP)" which has been sold since 2016, has ended sales on March 31, 2024, and the final valid date will be May 31, 2024. For those considering purchasing after April 2024, consider buying the "KANSAI RAILWAY PASS".
With the "KANSAI RAILWAY PASS", you can enjoy unlimited rides on the Nankai Electric Railway, Osaka Metro, and more!
The biggest feature of the 'KANSAI RAILWAY PASS' is that it covers designated lines of 19 railway companies, including Osaka Metro and Kinki Nippon Railway. Not only does it cover lines that enter major stations such as Namba Station, Umeda Station, Kyoto Station, and Kintetsu Nara Station, but it also includes the Nankai Electric Railway Airport Line (Rapit Express*, Airport Express, Local) departing and arriving at Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Kansai Airport Station.
※An additional express fee of 520 yen will be charged
Please note that JR lines are not covered by the "KANSAI RAILWAY PASS". If you plan to use the JR Yumesaki Line that connects to Universal Studios Japan🄬 (USJ), the Osaka Loop Line that runs through the center of Osaka, or the Kansai Airport Rapid Service that connects Kansai International Airport and the Osaka area, an additional fee will be required.
Examples of railway lines covered by the "KANSAI RAILWAY PASS"
| Covered Railway Lines | Example of Stop Stations | |
| Osaka Metro | All lines ※Excluding Cosmosquare Station to Yumeshima Station after the opening of Yumeshima Station | 【Osaka】 Umeda Station, |
| Kinki Nippon Railway (Kintetsu) | Namba Line, | 【Osaka】 Osaka Namba Station, 【Kyoto】 Kyoto Station, 【Nara】 |
| Hankyu Railway | All Lines | 【Osaka】 Osaka Umeda Station, 【Kyoto】 Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, 【Hyogo】 Kobe Sannomiya Station, |
| Hanshin Electric Railway | All lines | 【Osaka】 Osaka Namba Station, 【Hyogo】 Kobe Sannomiya Station, |
| Nankai Electric Railway | All lines | 【Osaka】 Namba Station, 【Wakayama】 Wakayamashi Station, |
| Kyoto Municipal Subway | All Lines | 【Kyoto】 Kyoto Station, |
In addition to the above, Kobe Municipal Subway, Kobe Electric Railway, Hieizan Railway (Sakamoto Cable), and Eizan Electric Railway are also included in the unlimited ride. For more information, please check from the official "Surutto KANSAI" website.
Osaka Castle Tower and Kyoto Tower! Tourist spots where you can receive benefits from "KANSAI RAILWAY PASS"
Another feature of the "KANSAI RAILWAY PASS" is that by simply presenting the ticket you used on the day, you can receive benefits and privileges at about 200 facilities along the line.
The lineup includes many classic spots representing the Kansai region, such as tourist facilities, retail stores, and shrines and temples. The benefits vary depending on the facility, such as receiving discounts on admission fees or getting novelties. If used well, there's no doubt it will enhance your Kansai trip!
© Hieizan Enryakuji
The following are representative facilities where you can receive benefits with the "KANSAI RAILWAY PASS" (as of March 2024).
| Prefecture | Example of Benefit Facility | Benefits & Discounts |
| Osaka |
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| Kyoto |
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| Hyogo |
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| Nara |
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| Shiga |
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| Wakayama |
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Who is the "KANSAI RAILWAY PASS" recommended for?
When calculating the selling price of the "KANSAI RAILWAY PASS" on a daily basis, the "2day ticket" is about 2,800 yen per day, and the "3day ticket" is about 2,333 yen per day. This pass would be most effectively utilized on days that include long-distance travel across prefectures or travel from Kansai International Airport to your destination.
When checking the transportation costs to your destination, transfer guide sites and apps such as "NAVITIME", "Ekitan", and "Yahoo! Transit" are useful. By entering the departure and arrival stations, the optimal route and guidance for the railway lines to be used are displayed, making it a great help in planning railway travel.
Where to buy the "KANSAI RAILWAY PASS" and sales details
- Selling price:
[2day ticket] Adults 5,600 yen, Children 2,800 yen
[3day ticket] Adults 7,000 yen, Children 3,500 yen - Sales period: March 1, 2024 (Mon) - March 31, 2025 (Mon)
- Validity period: April 1, 2024 (Mon) - May 31, 2025 (Sat)
*In countries outside Japan, exchange vouchers will be sold in advance from March 1, 2024 (Fri). Exchanges are possible from April 1, 2024 (Mon) - Selling locations:
[In Japan] Osaka Metro Information Counter (Namba Station), Osaka Metro Commuter Pass Sales Office (Umeda Station, Namba Station, Tennoji Station), Kansai Tourist Information Center (Kansai International Airport, Kyoto Tower), Nankai Kansai Airport Station, etc.
*When purchasing at a sales location in Japan, you need to present your passport
[Outside Japan] Travel agencies in each country - Official website: https://www.surutto.com/kansai_rw/en/index.html
💡Purchase your 'KANSAI RAILWAY PASS' here:
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