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Rail Pass or IC card

infinity11
infinity11
over 7 years ago
7 responses

Hi,

We'll be visiting Japan again next year and would like to know what passes are applicable for our trip. I have indicated the destinations we plan to visit but they are still not final.

Our draft itinerary are as follows:

Day 0 - arrival in KIX (evening flight)
Day 1 - Travel from KIX to Tennoji (hotel checkin-2 nights)
- Travel to Nara (Kofukuuji, Todaiji, Nara Park) - Travel back to Tennoji Day 2 - Explore Osaka
Day 3 - Travel to Kyoto (hotel checkin-2 nights)
- Kinkakuji Temple, Fushimi Inari (we have visited most of the temples during our first visit) Day 4 - Explore Arashiyama
Day 5 - Explore Kyoto (other temples/shrines/tourist spots nearby)
- Travel to KIX

We plan to get the Kansai Wide Area Pass (since we will be using it for 5 days) but I'm not sure if it will pay off since we won't be riding any shinkansen.

The Kansai Area Pass on the other hand can be used for only 4 days, meaning we'll have 1 day left without it.

We're also thinking of using Icoca and Haruka but I doubt the 1500yen initial fund would not be enough to cover our destinations.

Any suggestions please.

Thanks a lot!

Regards,
Krizel

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 7 years ago
Expert

Hello Krizel,

I would just get an IC card here and make your life easy that way. Local travel within the Kansai Area is not expensive and using an area card is more of a limitation than a convenience. Additionally a JR Kansai pass requires about 1500-2000yen in order to pay off. A one way Kyoto - Osaka is only 560yen.

The ICOCA card you get with the Haruka package can be recharged at any ticket machine. Don't worry about running out :)

Hope this helps,
Daniel

infinity11
infinity11
7 posts
over 7 years ago

Thanks for your response, Daniel-san.

I think we'll be using the ICOCA card with Haruka package if this would be more suitable for our trip.

Regards,
Krizel

infinity11
infinity11
7 posts
over 7 years ago

One more thing, is it advisable for us to use the Osaka passes?

We plan to visit the following on Day 2:
1. Osaka Castle
2. Tenmagu Shrine
3. Shitennoji Temple
4. Sumiyoshi Taisha
5. Tennoji Park
6. Tsutenkaku Tower
7. Namba area

Please suggest if we need to purchase the pass of if we'll just pay for the tickets separately.
Thanks!

Regards,
Krizel

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 7 years ago
Expert

Hi Krizel,

What Osaka pass do you mean?

infinity11
infinity11
7 posts
over 7 years ago

Hi Daniel-san,

I'm talking about the Osaka Amazing Pass and other similar day passes. Will this be usable for our trip or should I just stick with the Icoca and Haruka?

Sorry for having so many questions. I'm having a bit of trouble doing the details of our itinerary, that's why I'm seeking for suggestions. :)

Regards,
Krizel


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