Kansai One Pass or Kansai Through Pass

Hi there,

My family and I (3 pax) will be staying near Tsukamoto Station from 27th December 2016 to 1st January 2017 (5 nights). We are arriving KIX early morning of 27th December. We will also be taking a day trip by bus to Biwako Snow Resort on 29th December 2016 (already booked the tickets/travel package). My questions:

1. Should I buy "Kansai One Pass" or "Kansai Thru Pass (2 days)" for my travel from KIX Airport to Tsukamoto Station and the sightseeing in Osaka and Kyoto on 27th and 28th December 2016;

2. On 30th and 31st December 2016 we plan to explore more of Osaka and perhaps go to Kobe. Should we buy another 2 or 3 days Kansai Through Pass or just buy single trip tickets? Or top-up (recharge) the Kansai One Pass (ICOCA). We are leaving Osaka via Osaka Airport (KIX) ETD 11am.

3. Is there a better option you can recommend?

Thank you for your assistance.

Tsukamoto Station, I believe, is a JR line exclusive.

Your ICOCA or Kansai One Pass is a must. Load it with more yen.

Your Kansai Thru Pass will also work, provided you have reviewed your travels here http://www.surutto.com/images/ticket/kansai_thru_pass/english/en_map.p....

Suggestions:

- Check your travels with Hyperdia or Jorudan. Compute your travels within Osaka, between Osaka and Kobe and between Osaka to Kyoto (JPY 560 yen, 30-minute apart cheap) and compare that with Kansai Thru Pass (Surutto Kansai) or JR Kansai Area Pass. As far as I remember, both passes are for consecutive days use. You will be having a Biwako travel in between.

- Osaka and Kyoto have various local passes.

- May you check bus travels between KIX to Osaka http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/UM and Osaka to ITM http://www.okkbus.co.jp/en/index2.html and see if they will be applicable to you.

- Perhaps also look into ICOCA+HARUKA discounted fare. However, you will be stopping at Shin-Osaka Station from KIX. As I checked at Hyperdia, there are continuous trains in platform 15 at Shin-Osaka station via Osaka Station going to Shinsanda or Nishi-Akashi for JPY 180 going to Tsukamoto Station. Icoca will be loaded with JPY 2,000 and Haruka discount (NR seat) is JPY 1,300, total of JPY 3,300.

- In your Biwako travel, will your bus start at OCAT? You can check here http://ocat.co.jp/en/access.html

- From Tsukamoto to ITM, aside from bus, check your transfers with the maps given above.

Dear Stikiting,

Million thanks for taking the trouble to give me such detailed explanation. Truly appreciate that. May God bless you.

best regards,
Sham