The JR Kansai Mini Pass is a rail pass for exclusive use by foreign tourists, which provides three consecutive days of unlimited travel on local and rapid JR trains in the Kansai Region around Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara.

Purchase the Kansai Mini Pass

JR Kansai Mini Pass
3 days3,000 yen

Validity

  1. Unlimited use of local and rapid JR trains in the coverage area shown on the map above. The pass is not valid on limited express trains and shinkansen.
  2. The pass is valid on three consecutive calendar days (midnight to midnight).
  3. Only foreign visitors to Japan (with temporary visitor status) can use the pass. It cannot be used by residents of Japan.
  4. The pass can only be used by a single person. It cannot be transferred between multiple persons. The pass holder has to carry his/her passport at all times.

Points of sale

The JR Kansai Mini Pass is sold only online through various travel websites. The actual pass has to be picked up at a major station in the area covered before use, including Kansai Airport, Osaka, Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Sannomiya or Nara.

Purchase the Kansai Mini Pass

Assessment

This pass can pay off for travelers who make multiple day trips out of a base across the Greater Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe area or otherwise use JR trains a lot over a 3-day period. For comparison, below is a list of regular JR trains fares for some popular trips:

  • Kyoto-Nara round trip: 1440 yen
  • Kyoto-Osaka round trip: 1160 yen
  • Kyoto-Kobe round trip: 2220 yen
  • Osaka-Nara round trip: 1640 yen
  • Osaka-Kobe round trip: 920 yen

Alternative passes

The JR Kansai Area Pass has a wider coverage area than the Kansai Mini Pass and costs 2800 yen for a 1-day pass or 5800 yen for a 3-day pass.