Hello,
I’m working on an itinerary for my trip to Kansai this September. I will be travelling around **Osaka**, **Kyoto**, **Nara** and **Uji**.
I had gone through all the passes, calculated the prices and I’m still very confused, not sure which ones work best. I thought of getting a 3 Days Kansai Thru Pass for Day 2, 3 and 5*,* but is it worth it when added up with an other pass? As I would need at least an extra pass for other days, and the transportation to and from KIX. Do I need to change up my plans? I can provide more details if needed, but here’s my plan so far:
**Day 1: 07 Sept**
Osaka
07:30 KIX
10:00 Check in hotel ?? (Haven’t booked hotels yet)
12:00 Shinsekai
16:00 Den Den Town
17:00 Amerika mura
21:30 Shinsaibashisuji
**Day 2: 08 Sept**
Osaka – Kyoto
08:00 Station (To store luggage)
09:00 Umeda, 551 Horai
12:00 Namba Walk
16:30 Station
18:00 Kyoto
19:30 Check in hotel
21:00 Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka
**Day 3: 09 Sept**
Kyoto
07:30 Fushimi Inari Taisha
10:00 Nishiki Market
14:00 Ninenzaka & Sanenzaka (If fail to visit on Day 2)
16:00 Hanamikoji Street
19:00 Pontocho
**Day 4: 10 Sept**
Kyoto – Nara – Kyoto
08:00 Arashiyama
13:30 Nara Park + Hanging around Nara (Mom really wants to see the deer)
18:30 Teramachi
**Day 5: 11 Sept**
Kyoto – Uji – Osaka
08:00 Kiyomizu-dera
13:00 Uji + Hanging around Uji
16:00 Uji Station
18:00 Yodoyabashi Station
19:00 Dotonbori
**Day 6: 12 Sept**
Osaka
08:00 Universal Studios
18:00 Solaniwa Onsen (Optional)
19:00 Tempozan Ferris Wheel
21:00 Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Street
**Day 7: 13 Sept**
Osaka
09:00 Osaka Castle
12:00 Namba Yasaka Jinja
12:30 Dotonbori
\[ Empty slot for add on \]
19:00 Kuchu Teien Observatory
4 comments
Kansai Thru Pass is only worth it if you do longer distance day trips out of Kyoto/Osaka (for example: Akame 48 Falls, Koyasan day trip, Hieizan day trip via Sakamoto). It does not pay off for intra-Kyoto/Osaka/Nara travel at the pace described in the OP and you can just use ICOCA*.
*Technically some passes will save you a little money with careful itinerary planning e.g. Nara Ikaruga Pass/Keihan Day Pass, but the savings are relatively minor and if you are not very expert at pass usage (non-judgmental description) it’s probably not worth the trouble.
Not sure about passes, but I can provide som unsolicited tips. A trip out to Himeji to see the spectacular Himeji Castle is well worth it. IIRC the train takes about an hour, and I say walking around the castle in a calm pace will take aprox. 2 hours. The Kokoen gardens next by are also well worth a visit.
With that… Kansai One Pass.
It’s actually not a pass but a tourist version of ICOCA IC card that offer rebates and gifts in different attractions and stores. You do not move enough long distance for a pass to be worth. Ok, there is some more limited pass like subway in Osaka, but for the little it would save, if it save anything is likely not worth.
You can also check the Osaka Amazing Pass, that would only be good if you do enough of the activity that are included in it
If you don’t have an iPhone 8 or higher, grab the tourist suica at the airport… they’re currently not selling regular suicas.