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.?

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!

Railway lines covered by the 'KANSAI RAILWAY PASS'

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,
Shinsaibashi Station,
Namba Station,
Shin-Osaka Station, etc.

Kinki Nippon Railway (Kintetsu)

Namba Line,
Osaka Line,
Nara Line, etc. All 15 lines

【Osaka】

Osaka Namba Station,
Osaka Abenobashi Station, etc.

【Kyoto】

Kyoto Station,
Jujo Station, etc.

【Nara】
Kintetsu Nara Station, etc.

Hankyu Railway
All Lines

【Osaka】

Osaka Umeda Station,
Juso Station etc.

【Kyoto】

Kyoto Kawaramachi Station,
Arashiyama Station etc.

【Hyogo】

Kobe Sannomiya Station,
Kosoku Kobe Station etc.

Hanshin Electric Railway
All lines

【Osaka】

Osaka Namba Station,
Osaka Umeda Station, etc.

【Hyogo】

Kobe Sannomiya Station,
Kosoku Kobe Station etc.

Nankai Electric Railway
All lines

【Osaka】

Namba Station,
Sakai Station,
Kansai Airport Station, etc.

【Wakayama】

Wakayamashi Station,
Koyasan Station, etc.

Kyoto Municipal Subway
All Lines

【Kyoto】

Kyoto Station,
Karasuma Oike Station, etc.

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"

Osaka Castle, Kyoto Tower
(Left) Osaka Castle (Right) Kyoto Tower

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!

Nara Kasuga Taisha Shrine Nakamon corridor, Shiga Hieizan Enryakuji Temple
(Left) Nara Kasuga Taisha Shrine Nakamon corridor (Right) Shiga Hieizan Enryakuji Temple 

© Hieizan Enryakuji

The following are representative facilities where you can receive benefits with the "KANSAI RAILWAY PASS" (as of March 2024).

PrefectureExample of Benefit Facility
Benefits & Discounts
Osaka
  1. Osaka Castle Main Castle Tower
  2. Umeda Sky Building Sky Garden Observatory
  3. Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel
  1. 60 yen OFF admission fee(600 yen→540 yen)
  2. 10% OFF admission fee(1,500 yen→1,350 yen)
  3. 100 yen OFF general ticket(900 yen→800 yen)
Kyoto
  1. Kyoto Tower
  2. Byodo-in Temple
  1. 50 yen OFF admission fee(900 yen→850 yen)
  2. Free gift
Hyogo
  1. Himeji Castle
  2. Arima Onsen Taiko-no-yu
  1. 20% OFF admission fee(1,000 yen→800 yen)
  2. Discount on admission fee
    [Weekdays] 500 yen OFF(2,750 yen→2,250 yen)
    [Sat, Sun, Holidays] 500 yen OFF(2,970 yen→2,470 yen)
    [Specific days] 500 yen OFF(3,300 yen→2,800 yen)
    *An additional bath tax of 75 yen will be charged
Nara
  1. Kasuga Taisha Shrine
  2. Kofukuji Temple 
  1. Group rate
    [National Treasure Hall] 100 yen OFF (500 yen→400 yen)
    *Discount only for adults
    *However, the fee may vary for special exhibitions

  2. Group admission fee for the National Treasure Hall and Togondo
    【National Treasure Hall】100 yen OFF (700 yen→600 yen)
    【Togondo】50 yen OFF (300 yen→250 yen)
    ※Excludes special exhibitions

Shiga
  1. Hiyoshi Taisha
  2. Hieizan Enryakuji
  1. 50 yen OFF the garden admission fee (500 yen→450 yen)

  2. [East Tower, West Tower, Yokogawa Common Ticket] 200 yen OFF (1,000 yen → 800 yen)
    [National Treasure Hall (Treasure Museum) Admission Fee] 100 yen OFF (500 yen → 400 yen)

Wakayama
  1. Wakayama Castle Tenshukaku
  2. Head Temple Kongo-buji
  1. Admission fee 110 yen OFF(410 yen → 300 yen)

  2.  Admission Fee 20% OFF
    【Kongobuji Temple】1,000 yen→800 yen
    【Konpon Daito】500 yen→400 yen

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

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:

Index