Which JR Pass should we take?

homarcus · (#1 (**permalink**))

I & my family will visit Japan at the end of March for 8 days. Our itinerary is:

(1) arrive at Osaka int'l airport, go straight to Kyoto
(2) stay in Kyoto for 4 days
(3) leave Kyoto to Osaka and stay there for another 4 days
(4) go from Osaka to Nara for a one-day trip
(5) go to Osaka airport on the last day

Should we buy a set of Icoca & Haruka tickets or a Kansai Area Pass?

Many thanks.

RadioKid · (#2 (**permalink**))

Have you already checked this site for Icoca&Haruka?

https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/t.../icoca-haruka/

And for Kansai Area Pass?

https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/

If you use JR lines repeatedly, these AREA-pass-tickets save your money so much. I mean if you go and go back repeatedly Osaka to kyoto for example.
If not, Icoca & Haruka would be useful.

homarcus · (#3 (**permalink**))

Thank you for your advice.
We'll go (1) from Kansai Airport to Kyoto, (2) from Kyoto to Osaka, (3) from Osaka to Kansai Airport. While we stay in Kyoto & Osaka, we'll travel within the cities by subway.
Am I correct that using Icoca&Haruka is more appropriate?
Thanks again.

RadioKid · (#4 (**permalink**))

Are you sure to use Osaka Airport? Not Kansai Airport?

I'm wondering because Haruka does not reach Osaka Airport but is train for Kansai Airport.

Osaka Air port had been called as Itami Airport and I still call it as Itami Airport to prevent confusion with Kansai AirPort.

From Itami Airport, you need to take 3 minutes ride on mono-rail and then 15 minutes on private line "HANKYU" to UMEDA where 5 minutes walk to JR Osaka station.

Or, you can take bus from Itami Airport to SHIN-OSAKA station where you can take SHINKANSEN (bullet train) to Kyoto (15 minutes ride). SHIN(meaning NEW)-Osaka station is also JR station and is just next to JR Osaka Station (0ne stop)

RadioKid · (#5 (**permalink**))

JR/Private line fares around Osaka-Kyoto-Nara are as follows.

I'm afraid that ICOCA could not be used to pay SHINKANSEN fee.

homarcus · (#6 (**permalink**))

My apologies for confusing you.

Actually I meant we’ll arrive at Kansai Int’l Airport, then go straight to Kyoto. After spending a few days in Kyoto, we’ll return to Osaka hanging around for another few days (totally 8 days). Then leave from Osaka to Kansai Int’l Airport.

I’ve visited the websites you suggested. A Kansai Area Pass is valid for 4 days while "ICOCA & HARUKA" is valid for 14 days (and cheaper than Kansai Area Pass), it can be used on JR, subway, private railway and bus transportation in the Kansai Area and beyond.

Am I correct that ICOCA & HARUKA serves our purposes better?

Many thanks again.

RadioKid · (#7 (**permalink**))

Yes, I recommend ICOCA & HARUKA.

ICOCA is also useful to buy drinks, foods and souvenirs most of all shops and vendor machines width JR station gates. Also most of shops near JR station will accept your ICOCA card to pay. I recommend you to charge JPY 5000 or JPY 10,000 for one week trip.

As Haruka take you from Kansai Airport to Kyoto, you can not use bullet train in this course. You can ride on bullet train from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka afterwards.