Planning a trip through Western Japan? Whether you want to stay close to Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto, or you’re planning on venturing as far as Hiroshima or the Japanese Alps, there’s a JR West Regional Pass to suit your trip.
If you’re not planning to cross the entire country, JR West passes are a cost-effective way to travel, while enjoying flexibility between different routes. With your regional pass, you can explore popular regions like Kansai, Chugoku, and parts of Hokuriku.
In this post, you’ll find out exactly what’s covered in each JR West pass, so you can choose the right one for your trip.
Table of Contents
Kansai Area Pass
If you’re planning an itinerary based around Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, the Kansai Area Pass has everything you need. It covers trains and buses in the Kansai region, and is valid for 1 to 4 consecutive days, depending on your length of stay.
It gives you access to:
- JR West rapid and local trains
- JR West local buses between Kyoto Station, Takao, and Shuzan
- The Osaka Loop Line
- Transfers from Kansai International Airport via the Haruka Express
It’s perfect for short stays, or if you only need a pass for a section of your trip. It allows you to visit the area’s major cities, as well as attractions like Nara Park or Himeji Castle.
Keep in mind that the Kansai Area Pass is not valid on Shinkansen lines, so it’s best for local travel.
Kansai Wide Area Pass
The Kansai Wide Area Pass expands on the Kansai Area Pass to include access to Shinkansen services and further afield destinations like Okayama, Kinosaki Onsen, and Tottori.
It’s valid for 5 consecutive days and covers:
- Sanyo Shinkansen (between Shin-Osaka and Okayama)
- JR West local and limited express trains
- Airport transfers from Kansai International Airport
- Some JR bus services, like Kyoto Station to Takao and Shuzan
- Kyoto Tango Railway
The Kansai Wide Area Pass is ideal for travelers who want to experience cities like Kyoto and Osaka, as well as natural attractions like the Tottori Sand Dunes and hot springs in Kinosaki Onsen.
Buy your Kansai Wide Area Pass
Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass
The Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass covers a wide area of Western Japan. Like other regional passes, it features Osaka, Kobe, and Okayama, but also allows you to travel as far as Hiroshima.
It’s valid for 5 days, and includes:
- Sanyo Shinkansen (up to Hiroshima)
- JR West rapid and limited express trains
- Regional JR buses in Kyoto and Hiroshima
- JR ferry to Miyajima Island
- Airport transfers from Kansai International Airport
This pass is your best choice for a more expansive itinerary in Kansai and the Chugoku region. Along with top destinations like Kyoto and Himeji, you can also visit historic sites like the Hiroshima Peace Park in a single journey.
Buy your Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass
Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass
If you’re planning to travel beyond Kansai to the mountainous north, the Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass is a great option.
The pass covers 7 consecutive days across:
- Sanyo Shinkansen (between Shin-Osaka and Okayama)
- Hokuriku Shinkansen (between Joetsu Myoko and Tsuruga)
- Designated local and rapid JR trains
- Kyoto Tango and Noto Railways
- Wakayama Electric Railway
- JR West buses
If you plan to take time to explore want to explore Hokuriku’s spectacular coastlines and historic towns, the Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass gives you greater access than other regional passes.
Buy your Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass
Sanyo-San’in Area Pass
The Sanyo-San’in Area Pass offers comprehensive travel across Chugoku, including Osaka, Okayama, and Hiroshima. It also takes you to Fukuoka on the Sanyo Shinkansen.
It covers 7 days of travel, including:
- Sanyo Shinkansen (from Shin-Osaka to Hakata)
- JR West lines on the San’in Coast, including Matsue and Izumo
- Designated rapid and local JR services
- Local JR buses in Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi
- Limited Express trains, like the Kuroshio, Thunderbird, and Kounotori
- JR ferry to Miyajima
- Kyoto Tango Railway (to Amanohashidate)
This pass is ideal for long-distance travelers with time to spare and plans to visit a wide variety of attractions in this region of Japan. It also includes iconic Shinkansen, like the Hello Kitty bullet train.
Buy your Sanyo-San’in Area Pass
Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass
The Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass exclusively covers western Honshu, with top attractions like Hiroshima, Miyajima, and Fukuoka.
The 5-day pass includes:
- Unlimited JR West train travel in Hiroshima and Yamaguchi areas
- Regional JR West bus services
- Sanyo Shinkansen (between Mihara and Hakata)
- JR ferry to Miyajima Island
The Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass allows you to combine Fukuoka’s historic castles and shrines, with peaceful coastal scenery along the westernmost point of Honshu. It’s ideal if your trip focuses on Hiroshima and surrounding areas, without returning to Kansai.
Buy your Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass
Hokuriku Arch Pass
The Hokuriku Arch Pass allows you to add Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto to your itinerary, while also traveling along the Hokuriku coast.
It includes 7 consecutive days of travel, covering:
- Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tokyo to Tsuruga)
- Joetsu Shinkansen (Tokyo to Takasaki Niigata)
- Tohoku/Yamagata Shinkansan (Omiya to Tokyo)
- JR trains between Osaka and Tokyo
- Limited Express and local trains
- Airport transfers from Narita, Haneda, and Kansai airports
- Some non-JR lines, including the Tokyo Monorail and Noto Railway from Nanao to Wakura Onsen
The Hokuriku Arch Pass covers travel across central Japan, without the need to retrace your steps to make a round trip back to the airport. It allows you to fly easily into Tokyo and out of Osaka, or vice versa.
Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass
To see another side of Japan, travel to mountains, hot springs, and heritage villages like Shirakawa-go with the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Pass. The pass also covers Kansai International Airport, Osaka, and Kyoto so you can see all the region has to offer.
The pass covers 5 consecutive days, and includes:
- Hokuriku Shinkansen (between Tsuruga and Toyama)
- Designated JR Limited Express and local trains
- Toyama Chiho Railway
- Osaka Loop Line
- Kaetsuno World Heritage buses (Takaoka, Gokayama, and Shirakawago)
It’s the perfect pass if you’re planning a trip to make the most of the great outdoors, especially in cherry blossom or autumn foliage season.
Buy your Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass
Comparing JR West Passes
The best JR West pass for your journey depends on your budget and itinerary. Here’s a look at how all the passes in the region compare:
| Type of Pass | Validity | Top Destinations | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansai Area Pass | 1 to 4 days |
|
From ¥2,800 |
| Kansai Wide Area Pass | 5 days |
|
¥12,000 |
| Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass | 5 days |
|
¥17,000 |
| Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass | 7 days |
|
¥17,000 |
| Sanyo-San’in Area Pass | 7 days |
|
¥23,000 |
| Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass | 5 days |
|
¥15,000 |
| Hokuriku Arch Pass | 7 days |
|
¥30,000 |
| Takayama-Hokuriku Area Pass | 5 days |
|
¥19,800 |
If you’re traveling around the entire country, a ticket with national coverage may be more cost effective than a JR Regional Pass.
Whichever pass you choose, our site has hundreds of itineraries to help you get the most out of your time in Japan. Check them to find your ideal route and start planning your trip of a lifetime.