The BEST Rail Passes for Kyoto, Osaka & Beyond

[@japanunravelled]

Monthly Insider Email: japanunravelled.substack.com/subscribe JR Kansai Wide Area Pass Guide: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6nUqZRje6dqadU

[@WhyShouldnt_I]

Why yes, I am indeed blessed with exceptionally good taste.

[@Pertzaa]

Thanks Andrew, I was already thinking of getting Kansai-Hiroshima area pass for my trip in November as I also calculated the Shinkansen price. I also deciced that as I’m travelling to Hiroshima, I’ll be stopping by on Okayama and Himeji on my way back to Osaka.

[@japanunravelled]

Dedicated video for that pass is in the works, should be released in August!

[@Pertzaa]

Thanks in advance for that video. How about a video about the passes to Hokuriku region? I have also been thinking about traveling there next spring and as I’m currently going through the rail pass options, it seems that Kansai-Hokuriku area pass seems the best when comparing price/travel days/service area/available transportation options

[@japanunravelled]

Thanks for the idea!

[@MissiBoo]

Thank you 👍

[@PeteBoxster]

Another great clip. I will probably combine the National JR pass for my trip with this JR Kansai Área for the last 3/4 days. As Osaka will be my last spot and I would like the check Himeji and maybe Kobe + I leaving Japan via Osaka Kansai só the Haruka Ltd Express is a nice bonus. On top of that I wasn't aware of the 1 day pass for subway and the other 2 lines.

[@japanunravelled]

If you check out Kobe then the Mt Rokko night view is definitely worth it. Also, you might be pushed for time but Engyoji is near Himeji and highly-rated. If you're getting on the Haruka at Osaka do make sure you've got reservations! It can get packed in non-reserved! Enjoy!

[@du-jango]

🙏 thank you,

[@SamuraiIndie]

Great video :D, if the music is at -20db try -25db/-28db next time. Love all your videos

[@japanunravelled]

Thanks for the tip! Usually it's set at -24db, though depends on the music sometimes.

[@ollie2074]

could you do one of these videos for the Tohoku region?

[@japanunravelled]

Oh definitely. Would you like more or less detail than in this video?

[@ollie2074]

@@japanunravelled maybe a little bit more emphasis on the no. of days available on each pass, as that area has a few ski resorts that tourists may want to visit for a few days enroute. If you don't do a return journey, most of passes don't seem to pay off.

[@japanunravelled]

Thanks. Yeah that's true. By the looks of things the Tohoku passes are moving towards how the national pass is - mostly worth it for people who want to explore a lot. Will keep your feedback in mind!

[@justinwride6495]

Hi Andrew. Your videos are really useful so thank you for sharing. We are travelling to Japan at the end of September and will spend 6 nights in Osaka followed by another 6 in Hiroshima. We want to visit as many historical sites as possible in and around both destinations during our stay. Which rain pass would you recommend and which places would you recommend?

[@japanunravelled]

Bit difficult this one as the Kansai Wide and Kansai Hiroshima are both 5 day passes. You could look at getting the JR West All Area pass since it covers 7 days. Here are some recommendations: Bitchu-Matsuyama Castle Izumo Taisha Hagi Kintaikyo Nachi Falls Hikone Castle Moji Port (with the all area pass you'd need to pay for the local train from Kokura, but it's not expensive) Adachi Museum (not historical, but incredible)

[@justinwride6495]

@@japanunravelled thank you much appreciated

[@marta178]

uhhhh That Kansai Hiroshima pass is super interesting. After Tokyo, I had planned to stay 3 days at Kyoto (1 day trip to Nara), 1 day Osaka, 2 Hiroshima (day trip to miyajima) and then back to Tokyo for flight back. I was wondering if the pass covers any cost of the return trip Hiroshima to Tokyo, but can't find anything on their website. Do you have any idea? Thanks!

[@japanunravelled]

No, the Kansai Hiroshima pass only covers the Shinkansen as far as Shin Osaka. From there you'll need a separate ticket. You may want to check this video though: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2HcfGx9fLmHa8U

[@marta178]

@@japanunravelled ah the toast video. I had seen it before. I'm gonna guess the method of buying the 2 separate tickets is gonna be the cheapest, in my case.

[@japanunravelled]

If Miyajima's the furthest destination, then you can get the base fare ticket to there if using the toast/jam method.

[@marta178]

@@japanunravelled ah, the base fare ticket can be used on the boat?

[@japanunravelled]

Not sure about the boat, but at least you can get it to Miyajimaguchi station.

[@fernlin90]

Hey Andrew, I’ll be staying in Kyoto for 5 nights then plan to go up straight to Kusatsu onsen for 2 nights there. I know I need to go to Tokyo right, or any other places to get the passes, understand that I can buy the pass directly at the ticket both) get my Tokyo wide pass activated) After the 2 nights at the onsen I’ll go Mount Fuji (lake kawaguchico) and back to Tokyo(worth it for the Tokyo wide pass?) By the way I’ll be using the Kansai Hiroshima pass and end at Kobe then move on to Kyoto- is the day pass in Kyoto the best option to travel in Kyoto? Or just use suica pass to travel around? I plan to visit Nara, maybe Kamajura, Uji and yokohama heard all those places are super near Kyoto too. Any thoughts how I should navigate or which passes or how to travel around? Appreciate yr reply, yr videos really helped me plan this upcoming trip.

[@japanunravelled]

Tokyo Wide is a good choice. Down in Kyoto I recommend the subway + bus 1 day pass.

[@hairdieee3235]

Hey Andrew, I’m planning to venture to Kii Katsuura for the water wall and cave onsen (stay for 2 nights) from Osaka, is it good to purchase the kansai wide area pass? Because the last day, I will be travelling back to KIX.

[@japanunravelled]

Hello - it's 14,000 yen for a round trip from Osaka to Kii Katsuura. If you use it for going somewhere else before heading here (seeing as it's a 5 day pass) then you'll definitely get your money's worth.

[@hairdieee3235]

@ Thank you!

[@johnbailey2933]

I go to Japan in about 6 weeks, so this video is helpful, but confusing. My main question is where/how does one buy these passes? The JR National/Shinkansen Pass must be ordered in advance of arrival. Does that apply to any of the passes you identified?

[@japanunravelled]

I put links in the description for where to buy. Unlike the national pass, you can order these passes at any time and just take the QR code or details to pick up at the ticket office or machine.

[@justinwride6495]

Hi Andrew. We've been trying to buy a OCACA pass for the subways throughout the Kansai and Hiroshima area but they say that due to the world shortage of microchips they are not available. There is a mobile app but apparently they don't work on Android phones. Is this true and what can we do as an alternative?

[@japanunravelled]

Yes, you need an Android phone bought in Japan to get the IC card on your phone feature. A quick check online and I saw that if you line up at the ticket office you might be able to get one there. Otherwise paper tickets is your alternative. Can't handle the fare map? Buy the cheapest ticket, then shove it in the fare adjustment machine when you get to your destination and it will tell you what to pay.

[@justinwride6495]

@@japanunravelled thanks again, my wife has a European iPhone, could it work with 2 x Suica passes on her phone

[@japanunravelled]

I don't think you can do that unfortunately.

[@japanunravelled]

Picked up a new ICOCA card at Kansai Airport ticket machines yesterday. Curious to hear which exact places you couldn't get one besides Hiroshima.

[@Kevin-oj2uo]

The music is a little loud and distracting. Other than that great video

[@japanunravelled]

Thanks - I'll take a look at the settings!

[@minaj08]

Oh geez! I just saw this video and it's almost a God send! To make sure I get this right + questions (in reference to a trip in October): - Tokyo and metropolitan surrounds - use Suica - Tokyo to Kyoto - this one I'm unsure what the best pass would be? Ideally one that I can reserve in advance to see a view of Fuji-san? (and if so how early do I book?) - I'm getting a JR Kansai Wide Area Pass (buying it soon and activating it when I get to KYT) - going from KYT to Kinosaki Onsen, then from there back to Osaka - I take it that for Osaka, Kyoto and Kinosaki Onsen, I will still require an Icoca card? - And from Osaka to Tokyo - will need another pass here but unsure which one - Is it quite strict to book ahead to get space for luggages? Whew...hoping I got this correct :S Definitely going to support the channel and go through your affiliate link for the passes :)

[@japanunravelled]

Well I was aiming to be helpful! - Tokyo and metropolitan surrounds - use Suica (YES) - Tokyo to Kyoto - this one I'm unsure what the best pass would be? Ideally one that I can reserve in advance to see a view of Fuji-san? (and if so how early do I book?) (There isn't really one. Buy a ticket down with Smart EX, JR West or Klook. My video on this comes out on the 27th, so wait a few days. Book it on the right hand side when going down - EX or JR West will work. Or just book it the day before at the office/machine). - I'm getting a JR Kansai Wide Area Pass (buying it soon and activating it when I get to KYT) - going from KYT to Kinosaki Onsen, then from there back to Osaka (Good choice!) - I take it that for Osaka, Kyoto and Kinosaki Onsen, I will still require an Icoca card? (Yes for things like the subway and buses) - And from Osaka to Tokyo - will need another pass here but unsure which one (Really depends on where you want to see. 3 day subway passes are popular, but the Tokyo Wide Pass or the Hakone/Fuji passes get you to more epic attractions. Sorry, I'm slightly biased!) - Is it quite strict to book ahead to get space for luggages? (If you want extra space on the train to kinosaki, or any non-shinkansen trains, book seats in the first or last rows. Preferably last. But there's a lot of room on the shelves and sometimes some extra room elsewhere. I say book as soon as you get the Kansai Wide Pass. Same with other non-shinkansen. For Shinkansen, the shelf is almost always fine. Large luggage areas are for those with gozilla sized luggage, or weaklings who can't lift more than a postage stamp. But then I have videos on that topic too.. If you really want to book to use those spaces, the day before should be fine, on the day is probably also ok in October too.)

[@minaj08]

@@japanunravelled Andrew! What would I do without you :) thanks so much! Does that mean I need to treat you to dinner when I’m in Japan now? ‘Cause I’ll definitely ask you out after your assistance ;) great videos btw :)

[@japanunravelled]

Thanks!