The Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass is a 5-day regional rail ticket from JR West that offers unlimited travel between Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima, and surrounding regions. It’s designed for travelers who want to explore western Japan by train without having to buy separate tickets for every journey.
This guide covers all you need to know about the Kansai-Hiroshima Pass, including the price, coverage, how to use it, where to buy it, and how to decide whether it’s worth it for your itinerary.
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Table of Contents
- 1 Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass key details
- 2 Kansai-Hiroshima Pass coverage map
- 3 Covered train lines, buses & extra benefits
- 4 Kansai-Hiroshima Pass price & where to buy
- 5 Main destinations and attractions covered
- 6 Is the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass worth it?
- 7 Itinerary ideas
- 8 How to use the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass, exchange & reserve tickets
- 9 Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass vs. other JR Passes
- 10 Frequently asked questions
- 10.1 Can I ride the Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen?
- 10.2 Does it cover the Shinkansen between Kyoto and Osaka?
- 10.3 Who’s eligible for the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass?
- 10.4 Can I use the pass to get to Kansai International Airport (KIX)?
- 10.5 Can I use the Kansai-Hiroshima Pass on private lines like Hankyu or Keihan?
Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass key details
- Duration: 5 consecutive calendar days
- Price: ¥17,000 for adults; ¥8,500 for children
- Shinkansen: Covers ordinary-car reserved and non-reserved travel on the Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima, including Nozomi and Mizuho services.
- Trains: Covers eligible Limited Express, Special Rapid, Rapid, and local JR West trains within the pass area, plus the included sections of Kyoto Tango Railway and Wakayama Electric Railway.
- Airport transfer: Includes the Haruka Limited Express from Kansai International Airport (KIX) toward Osaka and Kyoto within the valid area.
- Ferries & buses: Includes the JR West Miyajima Ferry and eligible West Japan JR Bus local routes within the pass area, including services around Kyoto and Hiroshima.
- Extras: Includes free use of conventional Ekirin Kun rental bicycles at participating locations, subject to availability and the operator’s conditions.
- Main destinations covered: Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Okayama, Nara, Himeji, Kobe, Miyajima, Kurashiki, Wakayama, and other destinations shown within the official pass area.
Kansai-Hiroshima Pass coverage map
Covered train lines, buses & extra benefits
The Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass coverage goes well beyond a simple Osaka-to-Hiroshima Shinkansen ticket to help you explore the region to the fullest.
It combines long-distance Sanyo Shinkansen travel with JR West limited express trains, conventional rail, selected non-JR lines, buses, a ferry, and bicycle rental benefits.
Shinkansen
- Sanyo Shinkansen: Covers ordinary-car reserved and non-reserved seats between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima, including Nozomi and Mizuho services
Important: Tokaido Shinkansen is not covered between Kyoto and Shin-Osaka. Use covered JR rapid or local trains for this section instead
Limited express trains
Within the covered area, the pass includes ordinary-car travel on eligible JR West limited express services, including:
- Haruka Express: Connects Kansai International Airport with Osaka and Kyoto
- Limited Express Kuroshio: Useful for destinations south of Osaka, including Wakayama and the Kii Peninsula
- Limited Express Thunderbird: Covered on its current Kansai–Tsuruga route within the pass area
- Limited Express Kounotori: Connects Osaka with destinations north of the city
- Limited Express Kinosaki: Also listed among the limited express services covered by JR West within the valid area
- Limited Express Super Hakuto: Covered only as far as Kamigori; travel beyond Kamigori uses the private Chizu Express section and requires a separate fare
The pass covers ordinary reserved seating where applicable. Green Car upgrades and other premium seating products cost extra.
Local & rapid trains
You can use JR West Special Rapid, Rapid, and local trains throughout the area covered by the pass.
These services are especially useful for shorter trips such as:
- Osaka to Kyoto
- Osaka to Kobe
- Kyoto to Nara
- Osaka to Himeji
- Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi
- Okayama to Kurashiki
These services are also the main way to travel between Kyoto and Osaka with this pass.
Non-JR lines included
As well as JR trains, the Kansai-Hiroshima Pass also includes travel on two non-JR lines:
- Kyoto Tango Railway, useful for exploring northern Kyoto Prefecture.
- Wakayama Electric Railway, known for the Kishigawa Line and Kishi Station, with its cat-themed station building, Tama Shrine, café, and cat stationmasters.
Buses & ferries
The pass also covers local West Japan JR Bus routes within the coverage area, although expressway buses are not included.
For Miyajima, you can use the JR West Miyajima Ferry between Miyajimaguchi and the island. Some daytime sailings take a route that passes close to the famous floating torii gate, so the ferry is part of the sightseeing experience as well as the journey.
The ferry fare is included in the pass, but you still need to pay the ¥100 Miyajima Visitor Tax separately.
Free Ekirin Kun bicycle rental
Pass holders can also use a standard Ekirin Kun rental bicycle free for the day at participating stations, subject to availability.
You can pick up an Ekirin Kun rental bike at participating stations in places such as Osaka, Nara, Okayama, Fukuyama, and Hiroshima. It can be a handy option for exploring smaller cities or getting around beyond the station area.
Children 11 and under cannot use the Ekirin Kun service.
Kansai-Hiroshima Pass price & where to buy
The Kansai-Hiroshima Pass price is different for adults and minors:
| Traveler | 5-Day Price | Age / Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | ¥17,000 | Age 12+ |
| Child | ¥8,500 | Ages 6 to 11 |
| Young child | Usually free* | Ages 1 to 5 |
| Infant | Free* | Under age 1 |
*The free-child rule has conditions. Up to two children aged 1 to 5 may accompany one pass holder free of charge. A third young child requires a child pass. A child pass is also required if the young child occupies a reserved seat independently or travels alone.
The easiest option is to buy the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass online before you travel to Japan. This lets you arrange your rail pass in advance and have your purchase details ready before your trip.
The pass is only available to international visitors traveling with a non-Japanese passport and Temporary Visitor status in Japan.
A 7-day pass ideal for exploring the Kansai and Hiroshima regions, including unrestricted use of the Sanyo Shinkansen between Osaka and Hiroshima.
Main destinations and attractions covered
The Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass gives you plenty of flexibility to explore the region by train. Just keep in mind that attraction tickets and any transport not covered by the pass are extra.
The most popular places to see with the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass include:
- Kyoto & Nara: Explore Kyoto’s temples and shrines before taking JR services toward Nara and its famous deer park. The pass also covers the Haruka Express between Kansai Airport and Kyoto.
- Kobe: Use JR trains to reach Kobe for the Kitano district, waterfront, and the city’s famous Kobe beef restaurants. Some attractions may require walking or separate local transportation from the JR station.
- Hiroshima & Miyajima: Visit Hiroshima‘s Peace Memorial Park and continue by JR train to Miyajimaguchi for the included JR West ferry to Miyajima and Itsukushima Shrine.
- Himeji: Stop at Himeji for Himeji Castle, one of the easiest major sightseeing stops to add to a Kansai–Hiroshima rail itinerary.
- Okayama & Kurashiki: Visit Korakuen Garden in Okayama and use local JR services to reach Kurashiki and its historic canal district.
- Osaka: Explore Dotonbori or travel to Universal Studios Japan. Universal City Station is served by the JR Yumesaki Line, which is within the JR network covered by the pass.
Is the JR Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass worth it?
A round trip between Osaka and Hiroshima can already cost more than the pass itself, which is why the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass can give such good value.
One of the biggest benefits is that it covers Nozomi trains between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima.
Here’s an example of what a typical itinerary could cost using individual tickets rather than the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass:
| Journey | Individual Fare | Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Shin-Osaka → Hiroshima, reserved Nozomi | ¥11,350 | Included (free) |
| Hiroshima → Miyajimaguchi, JR local train | ¥420 | Included (free) |
| Miyajimaguchi → Miyajima, JR West ferry | ¥200 | Included (free) |
| Miyajima → Miyajimaguchi, JR West ferry | ¥200 | Included (free) |
| Miyajimaguchi → Hiroshima, JR local train | ¥420 | Included (free) |
| Hiroshima → Shin-Osaka, reserved Nozomi | ¥11,350 | Included (free) |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED EXPENSE | ¥23,940 | ¥17,000 |
In this example, buying the pass instead of separate tickets saves you ¥6,940 — around 29%. And that’s before using the pass for any other journeys during its 5-day validity.
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Kansai-Hiroshima Pass calculator: How to check your own savings
To see if the pass will save you money, add up the cost of the journeys you plan to take over 5 days and compare that total with the ¥17,000 pass price.
For example:
-
- Individual tickets: ¥25,000
- Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass: ¥17,000
- You save: ¥8,000
Savings you gain with the regional pass could go toward meals, attraction tickets, or part of your accommodation budget during the trip. Make sure to check fares for your actual travel dates, especially if you plan to use reserved seats or different train types.
Itinerary ideas
You can use the pass for day trips from Kansai or build a longer route with overnight stays along the way.
For a ready-made route, see our 7-day Kansai-Hiroshima itinerary from Osaka to Hiroshima.
How to use the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass, exchange & reserve tickets
If you buy your Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass online before your trip, you’ll receive the documentation or voucher needed to activate your pass after arriving in Japan.
How to exchange your Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass
Once you arrive in Japan:
- Take your passport and your proof of purchase to a JR West exchange office.
- Show your documents to the staff and activate your Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass.
- Choose the date you want your 5-day pass to start.
- Keep your passport with you while traveling, as JR staff may ask to see it.
You can activate the pass at major stations, including Kansai Airport, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Osaka, and Hiroshima.
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How to reserve seats
The pass includes reserved seats on covered Shinkansen and limited express trains, so there’s no extra charge for a standard reserved seat.
You can make reservations at a JR ticket machine or JR ticket office. For your first six reservations, either option is available. From your seventh reservation onward, you’ll need to book at a JR ticket office.
It’s a good idea to reserve ahead for popular Shinkansen journeys and busy travel dates. Some limited express trains are reserved-seat only, so you’ll need a seat reservation before boarding.
Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass vs. other JR Passes
The best pass depends on where you’re going and how far you plan to travel. If Hiroshima is part of your trip, the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass can offer much better value than a Kansai-only pass, while still costing less than the nationwide Japan Rail Pass.
| Pass | Adult Price | Days | Cost/Day | Coverage |
| Kansai Wide Area Pass | ¥12,000 | 5 | ¥2,400 | Kansai and Okayama; Shinkansen to Okayama |
| Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass | ¥17,000 | 5 | ¥3,400 | Kansai, Okayama, Hiroshima and Miyajima; Shinkansen to Hiroshima |
| Kansai-Hokuriku Area Pass | ¥19,000 | 7 | ~¥2,714 | Kansai, Okayama and Hokuriku; not Hiroshima |
| Japan Rail Pass — Ordinary | ¥53,000 to ¥105,000 | 7 to 21 days | ~¥7,571 to ¥5,000 | Nationwide JR network; extra ticket needed for Nozomi/Mizuho |
For a more detailed breakdown for the Kansai area, you can compare the different options here: JR Pass vs. JR Kansai Area Passes.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I ride the Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen?
Yes. The Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass covers Nozomi and Mizuho trains on the Sanyo Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima. Travel outside the pass’s covered Shinkansen section is not included.
Does it cover the Shinkansen between Kyoto and Osaka?
No. The pass does not cover the Tokaido Shinkansen between Kyoto and Shin-Osaka.
Instead, take a covered JR rapid train from Kyoto Station to Shin-Osaka, then change there for the Sanyo Shinkansen if you’re continuing toward Hiroshima. The Kyoto to Shin-Osaka journey takes around 25 to 30 minutes.
Who’s eligible for the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass?
The pass is only available to foreign visitors traveling in Japan with Temporary Visitor status. In practice, that means it’s aimed at tourists rather than people living, working, or studying in Japan.
When you exchange your order for the pass, bring your passport with you. JR West uses it to check that you’re eligible before issuing the pass.
Can I use the pass to get to Kansai International Airport (KIX)?
Yes. You can use the pass on the Haruka Limited Express from Kansai International Airport (KIX) to major stops, including Tennoji, Osaka, Shin-Osaka, and Kyoto.
That means your airport transfer can be covered from the moment you arrive, as long as you’re traveling within your pass’s validity period.
Can I use the Kansai-Hiroshima Pass on private lines like Hankyu or Keihan?
No. You can’t use the pass on private railways such as Hankyu or Keihan. Most of your journeys need to be on JR West services, with just a few exceptions, including Kyoto Tango Railway and Wakayama Electric Railway within the covered area.