Kansai is a region where you can explore a rich variety of ancient landmarks, the tranquil countryside, and the bustling city life of Japan. You may have heard of destinations like Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto — these are just some of the prefectures to look forward to in the charming Kansai region.
Here you can find the famous Nara deer, the picturesque Golden Pavilion at Kinkakuji Temple, a handful of the best onsens (hot springs) to retreat to, the always-fun Universal Studios Japan, and much more! There are so many destinations to choose from that thinking about how to get around Kansai can seem challenging — but you don’t have to worry! It’s actually more convenient than you think.
You could always purchase your commute tickets separately at each station, like how others do it. But depending on your itinerary, you might get pressed for time from queueing and counting coins so much — luckily, there’s a more convenient way to go about things: the Kansai Thru Pass. You may already be familiar with the JR Pass, the rail pass that gives you access to JR Lines all over the country. Well, the Kansai Pass works similarly to the JR Pass — it helps you reach more areas in the Kansai region at a lower cost.
What is the Kansai Thru Pass and how does it work?
If you’re planning a trip to Kansai, you should check out the Kansai Thru Pass, it’s a single pass that gives you limitless rides on a majority of the subways, trains, and buses all over the region. You can use it to travel to and around popular places like Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, and also the lesser-known but equally interesting Wakayama and Koyasan. Plus, you can also enjoy special discounts from several attractions and shops just by showing your Kansai Thru Pass!
Photo Credit: Surrutto Kansai
There are two types of passes you can choose from, the two-day pass and the three-day pass. Since both passes can be used on non-consecutive days, they allow you to be more flexible with your time, which means more freedom to explore! To use your Kansai Thru Pass, all you have to do is use them like how you usually use commuter cards: insert them in the ticket reader as you board any public transportation and again as you exit. Remember to always have your pass ready — we know how easy it is to forget them when you get caught up in your travels!
Klook Tip: You can save more when you book ahead! Purchasing passes when you’re outside of Japan comes out cheaper than if you buy them on-site.
How to activate the Kansai Thru Pass
1. Log in to your Klook account.
2. Purchase your Kansai Thru Pass.
3. Check your email and/or Klook account to see if you’ve received the booking confirmation.
4. Go to ‘Bookings’ to activate your pass.
5. You will then receive a voucher.
6. Once you’re in Japan, proceed to any of these ticket offices to claim your pass:
- Limon Welcome Desk at Terminal 1 1F (temporarily out of service), Kansai International Airport
- Osaka Metro Information Counter at Shin-Osaka Station
- Osaka Metro Umeda Station Commuter Pass Sales Counter
- Osaka Metro Namba Station Commuter Pass Sales Counter (Yotsubashi Line)
- Osaka Metro Tennoji Station Commuter Pass Sales Counter
- Kansai Tourist Information Center at Terminal 1 1F (temporarily out of service), Kansai International Airport
- Kansai Tourist Information Center in Kyoto
- Tourist Information NAMBA at JTB Osaka NAMBA
7. The pass will be only activated once you use it on your first ride in the valid travel zone.
Easy, right? Now that you have an idea of how the pass works and how to get them, we can now move on to the more exciting part— planning your itinerary! Kansai is a huge region with popular cities like Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto, to name a few, that one day isn’t enough… that’s why the pass comes in either a two-day or three-day option!
Where to go in Kansai
Now that you’re fully equipped with the basics of the Kansai Thru Pass, get the most out of it by planning your best trip yet! A single pass can take you to Nara’s charming little streets filled with centuries-old machiya (traditional wooden townhouse) to the electrifying nightlife and mouthwatering street food of Osaka. There’s a whole lot to explore in between, so we’ve created a list of incredible places and a handful of activities to inspire you and hopefully… get on that plane!
Get a glimpse of the past in Kyoto
Kyoto is just brimming with history, with its many shrines, temples, and carefully-preserved structures — it’s no wonder why you can find a whole lot of UNESCO World Heritage sites here. While they do have reliable public transportation within the city, it’s also a great place to bike or walk around. After all, you never know what little shop and other unique discoveries you can bump into during your walk!
Nishiki Market
Photo Credit: LT on Adobe Stock
With all the incredible sights, you may also be wondering where and what to eat at Kyoto. The best place to start is Nishiki Market, a long narrow street bursting with Kyoto’s locally produced meats, seafood, and even cookware! The market dates all the way back to 1310, so the shops that you’ll encounter are most probably owned by the same family for many generations, how amazing is that?
While there is a variety of fresh ingredients you can buy, some shops also offer ready-to-eat food. These can even come in the form of free tastings or dishes that you can eat right then and there.
Klook Tip: Eating while walking is considered rude in Japan, so try to slow down, take it all in, and enjoy your food!
If you want a bit of help navigating Nishiki Market, there are guided private tours you can join. There’s even a tour that includes a Donburi cooking lesson! During the tour, you’ll source the very ingredients in the market and learn local cooking techniques to make the famed Donburi (Japanese rice bowl dish).
Ninomaru Palace
One of the most beautifully preserved structures you should see for yourself is the Ninomaru Palace. The palace is still in its original form, but don’t worry if you hear creaks upon entering! Because the palace once served as the shogun’s home, the wooden floors were purposely designed that way as a type of security alert system.
Outside the palace, you may also see some tourists pointing their cameras upward. While the grounds are a sight to behold, the palace roof is in a league of its own. The intricately designed roof with detailed carvings and gold plates is one you have to see to believe!
Enjoy mouthwatering street food and pop culture in Osaka
Fondly known as the “street food capital of Japan”, you can’t pass up on the endless food stalls Osaka has to offer! There’s the ever-famous Takoyaki (battered octopus balls topped with spring onion, bonito flakes, soy sauce, and mayonnaise), Okonomiyaki (savory pancake), and Taiko-Manju (sweet baked buns) to name a few.
Universal Studios Japan
While we’re on the topic of food, you might as well head on over to Universal Studios Japan! Apart from enjoying unbelievable attractions like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, and so much more– they also have unique and drool-worthy eats! For one, you’ll finally get to try Butterbeer from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Some other notable dishes to snack on are Princess Peach's Cake at Kinopio’s Cafe, Yoshi's Lassi at Yoshi’s Snack Island, and Jurassic Hamburg Steak Set at Discovery Restaurant.
Wander around the charming streets of Nara
Like Kyoto, Nara is where you can take a moment to slow down and enjoy the awe-inspiring views of nature. Here is where you can find the famous Nara Park where you can see the cutest Nara deers who are known to bow in exchange for biscuits! They can also be found in many other spots in Nara, and you may even witness a couple of them crossing the street by the pedestrian lanes. Other must-visit places in Nara you should check out are Shinto shrines like Kasuga Taisha, the former merchant district Naramachi, and the most famous landmark in Nara, Todaiji Temple.
Naramachi
Naramachi is one of the most charming towns to wander around in. The streets are narrow and filled with machiya (traditional wooden townhouses), many already standing since way back in the Edo Period. There are also many machiya where you can enter, some were converted to museums and others became shops and cute little cafes. You can find unique souvenirs like hand towels carefully handmade only in Naramachi and must-try desserts like matcha chocolate fondue.
Kasuga Taisha
Kasuga Taisha is a Shinto shrine just east of Nara Park and one of Nara’s most prominent shrines, as its deity is believed to be responsible for protecting the city. Here you’ll see the beautiful lanterns all lined up, bronze, gold, and moss-covered stone. The lanterns were donated by worshippers over the years, dating back centuries ago. They’re lit only twice a year during the Lantern Festivals that happen in February and August, so you may want to plan accordingly but other than that, Kasuga Taisha is whimsical all year round.
You can also join tours that could help you get around more temples and make it easier to access temple grounds. While some places do offer free access, you may be interested to explore more grounds that are only accessible if you’re part of a pre-booked tour.
Soak in the views and sounds of nature at Wakayama
Photo Credit: Susann Schuster on Unsplash
If you’re looking for a place to retreat to and get that much-needed rest, you should add Wakayama to your list. The majority of the attractions here are sprawling with nature, religious sites, and temples home to Buddhist monks. You could also spend a night or two in some of these temples and get a chance to experience meditating with the monks.
Koyasan
Photo Credit: RnDms on Adobe Stock
Koyasan is known as the center of Shingon Buddhism, it’s one of the major Buddhism branches in Japan, which is why you’ll find many of Wakayama’s temples in the area.
Over 40 of these temples offer shukubo (temple lodging), where guests can stay overnight and experience what the Buddhist monk lifestyle is like, regardless of religious background. Depending on the temple, you’ll get to experience a range of Buddhist practices like Zazen (meditation), morning ceremonies (traditional morning prayer), and Shakyo (Buddhist scripture writing). You’ll also most likely be served Shojin-ryori, a traditional Buddhist meal that’s plant-based and follows a rule of five. Meaning, you’ll notice five elements in your meal (i.e., five flavors, five preparation methods, five colors, etc.)
Ready for your Kansai trip?
Easily tick all the boxes on your checklist from passes, accommodations, tours, and many more on Klook for a fuss-free and fun-filled trip!
Frequently Asked Questions about the Kansai Thru Pass
1. Do I have to use the Kansai Thru on consecutive days?
No, you don’t have to use your Kansai Thru Pass on consecutive days. You just have to use it within the validity period indicated in your voucher.
2. What's the difference between Kansai Thru Pass and the JR West Kansai Pass?
The Kansai Thru Pass doesn’t need to be used on consecutive days, unlike the JR West Kansai Pass.
While the JR West Kansai Pass also has its own benefits, if your planned destinations are far apart and leaning towards the non-JR lines, then the Kansai Thru Pass would be more useful to you.
3. Can I avail of discounts and promos at any time as long as I have my Kansai Thru Pass (KTP)?
Yes, you can enjoy promos and discounts from select establishments as long as you present your Kansai Thru Pass on the actual day you use it.
4. Is the Kansai Thru Pass available to use on all the buses and trains in the Kansai region?
No. There are other lines of buses and private rail lines that aren’t covered by the Kansai Thru Pass such as limousine buses, highway buses, midnight express buses, and the USJ shuttle bus.
5. Are there any additional fees?
You may encounter additional fees, in the form of purchasing a separate ticket, if you use Limited Express trains operated by Nankai, Kintetsu, Semboki Rapid, or Keihan. Apart from purchasing a limited express ticket, you will also need to get a special compartment ticket or reserved seat ticket.
