JR West Pass is the best way to explore Western Japan, offering unlimited train travel across Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and more. Whether you want a wide coverage with the JR West Pass or prefer the JR Kansai Area Pass for shorter trips around Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara, both options give you convenience and great value.
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The Pass is ideal for:
Here is why the Pass is a smart travel choice:
| If you plan to visit… | Recommended Pass | Duration | Why This Pass? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Only Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe | JR Kansai Area Pass *Map | 1–4 Days | Flexible short-term access to all major Kansai cities |
| Kansai + short day trips like Himeji or Wakayama | JR Kansai Mini Pass *Map | 3 Days | Compact pass for smaller Kansai travel segments |
| Kansai + Okayama, Kinosaki Onsen, or Takamatsu | JR Kansai Wide Area Pass *Map | 5 Days | Covers wider Kansai and beyond with access to Okayama, Takamatsu |
| Osaka + Kyoto + Hiroshima + Miyajima | JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass *Map | 5 Days | Includes Sanyo Shinkansen to Hiroshima and ferry to Miyajima |
| Kansai + Hokuriku (Kanazawa, Toyama, Fukui) | JR Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass *Map | 7 Days | Combines heritage-rich Kansai with scenic Hokuriku coast |
| Just Kanazawa, Toyama, Fukui (no Kansai) | JR Hokuriku Area Pass *Map | 4 Days | Best for local Hokuriku trips without Kansai connection |
| Osaka to Hiroshima + Seto Inland Sea + Shikoku | JR Setouchi Area Pass *Map | 7 Days | Ideal for island hopping and coastal exploration |
| Hiroshima + Iwakuni + Yamaguchi | JR Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass *Map | 5 Days | Explore western Honshu’s peaceful historical region |
| Osaka to Hakata (Fukuoka) via San’in Coast | JR Sanyo Sanin Area Pass *Map | 7 Days | Covers major cities and remote regions across the coast |
| Only Okayama, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi | JR Okayama-Hiroshima-Yamaguchi Area Pass *Map | 5 Days | Regional pass for Chugoku area travellers |
| Kansai + Tottori, Matsue, Kinosaki Onsen | JR Kansai San’in Area Pass *Map | 7 Days | Off-the-beaten-path trips with onsen and nature |
| Kansai + Hiroshima + Northern Kyushu (Fukuoka) | JR Sanyo-Sanin Northern Kyushu Area Pass *Map | 7 Days | Best for bridging Honshu and Kyushu in one pass |
| Tokyo to Osaka via Kanazawa (not via Nagoya) | JR Hokuriku Arch Pass *Map | 7 Days | Great alternative to Tokaido route, includes Hokuriku Shinkansen |
The Pass provides unlimited access to:
With the Pass, you also get:
| Type | Pass Duration | Itinerary Example | Total Value Without Pass | Pass Price | Estimated Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JR Kansai Area Pass *Physical & e-Voucher | 2 Days | Osaka → Kyoto → Nara → Himeji → Kobe → Osaka | 5,300 Yen | 4,800 Yen | 500 Yen |
| JR Kansai Mini Pass *Physical & e-Voucher | 3 Days | Kyoto → Nara → Himeji → Kobe → Kyoto | 6,000 Yen | 5,800 Yen | 200 Yen |
| JR Kansai Wide Area Pass *Physical & e-Voucher | 5 Days | Osaka → Okayama → Kinosaki Onsen → Wakayama → Kyoto → Osaka | 18,000 Yen | 12,000 Yen | 6,000 Yen |
| JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass *Physical & e-Voucher | 5 Days | Osaka → Himeji → Hiroshima → Miyajima → Kurashiki → Nara → Osaka | 26,000 Yen | 18,000 Yen | 8,000 Yen |
| JR Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass *Physical & e-Voucher | 7 Days | Osaka → Kanazawa → Toyama → Fukui → Kyoto → Nara | 27,000 Yen | 17,000 Yen | 10,000 Yen |
| JR Hokuriku Area Pass *Physical & e-Voucher | 4 Days | Kanazawa → Toyama → Takaoka → Fukui → Kanazawa | 9,000 Yen | 5,100 Yen | 3,900 Yen |
| JR Setouchi Area Pass *Physical & e-Voucher | 7 Days | Osaka → Okayama → Hiroshima → Onomichi → Takamatsu → Kurashiki | 32,000 Yen | 20,000 Yen | 12,000 Yen |
| JR Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass *Physical & e-Voucher | 5 Days | Hiroshima → Miyajima → Iwakuni → Yamaguchi → Akiyoshido Cave | 15,000 Yen | 11,000 Yen | 4,000 Yen |
| JR Sanyo Sanin Area Pass *Physical & e-Voucher | 7 Days | Osaka → Tottori → Izumo → Hiroshima → Hakata (Fukuoka) → Osaka | 34,000 Yen | 23,000 Yen | 11,000 Yen |
| JR Okayama–Hiroshima–Yamaguchi Area Pass *Physical & e-Voucher | 5 Days | Okayama → Kurashiki → Hiroshima → Miyajima → Yamaguchi | 19,000 Yen | 13,000 Yen | 6,000 Yen |
| JR Kansai San’in Area Pass *Physical & e-Voucher | 7 Days | Kyoto → Kinosaki Onsen → Tottori → Matsue → Osaka | 24,000 Yen | 12,000 Yen | 12,000 Yen |
| JR Sanyo–Sanin Northern Kyushu Area Pass *Physical only | 7 Days | Osaka → Hiroshima → Yamaguchi → Hakata → Beppu → Kumamoto | 36,000 Yen | 23,000 Yen | 13,000 Yen |
| JR Hokuriku Arch Pass *Physical only | 7 Days | Tokyo → Nagano → Toyama → Kanazawa → Kyoto → Osaka | 29,000 Yen | 24,500 Yen | 4,500 Yen |
Depending on the pass type, you can visit:
Step 1: Purchase Your JR West Pass
Step 3: Use Your Pass with Ease
Important Notes
⭐5/5
We used the JR Kansai Area Pass for a 3days trip to Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. It saved us so much money compared to buying individual tickets! Easy to use and totally worth it.
⭐5/5
The JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass covered our entire route. Osaka to Himeji, then Hiroshima and Miyajima. Loved riding the Sanyo Shinkansen with just one pass. Highly recommended for first-timers.
⭐5/5
Buying the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass in advance was a great decision. No need to buy tickets each time. It made our family trip smooth and enjoyable.
⭐5/5
We wanted to explore more than just Kyoto and Osaka, so we used the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass. Kinosaki Onsen, Wakayama, and Himeji were all covered. Amazing savings.
⭐5/5
With the Setouchi Area Pass, we visited Naoshima Art Island, Hiroshima, and Kurashiki. Each spot was unique. The pass gave us freedom to travel without planning too rigidly.
⭐5/5
We discovered places like Izumo and Matsue using the JR Sanyo Sanin Pass. These towns were beautiful and less crowded. The pass was a great way to see the real Japan.
⭐5/5
Our 5-day Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass paid for itself by Day 2. Hiroshima alone would have cost almost the full value.
⭐5/5
We used the pass from Kansai Airport to Kyoto with the Haruka Express. So fast and covered by the pass!
⭐5/5
I travelled alone from Osaka to Okayama, then to Hiroshima and back. The Pass was flexible, safe, and easy to use. I could change plans last minute without worrying about tickets.
⭐5/5
Having the Pass meant we could take spontaneous side trips without worrying about the fare. From Kyoto to Kobe to Kurashiki, it gave us real freedom to explore.
The JR West Pass is a regional train pass that gives foreign tourists unlimited travel on JR West-operated trains, select Shinkansen (non-reserved), buses, and ferries within designated areas in Western Japan.
Only foreign nationals visiting Japan under a Temporary Visitor visa status are eligible to use the pass.
No. The Pass is exclusively for non-resident foreign travellers visiting Japan as tourists.
Pass durations vary by type, ranging from 1 to 7 consecutive days, depending on the specific JR West regional pass selected.
Prices vary based on the coverage area and duration. For example, a 2-day JR Kansai Area Pass is 4,800 Yen, and a 7-day JR Sanyo-Sanin Area Pass is 23,000 Yen.
The JR West Pass covers non-reserved seats on the Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka to Hakata). However, it does not include Nozomi or Mizuho services.
Yes! The JR West Pass covers popular routes between cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara using JR-operated lines, including the JR Osaka Loop Line and JR Nara Line.
No. The pass only works on JR-operated lines. It does not cover non-JR subways like Osaka Metro or private lines such as Hankyu or Kintetsu.
Yes. Many JR West passes include travel to/from Kansai International Airport via the Haruka Limited Express or local JR lines.
Yes, on specific passes like the JR Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass or JR Sanyo Sanin Area Pass, the JR Miyajima Ferry is included.
Only certain passes, like the JR Sanyo-Sanin Northern Kyushu Area Pass, include travel to northern Kyushu (e.g., Hakata, Kumamoto, Beppu). Most JR West passes do not cover full Kyushu.
Yes, if you hold the JR Setouchi Area Pass, you can travel into Shikoku via JR routes like the Marine Liner to Takamatsu.
You can purchase the JR West Pass From authorized agents like H.I.S. Travel Malaysia
Yes. All JR West regional passes include free seat reservations for eligible JR West trains, such as:
You can make up to 6 seat reservations online in advance using the JR-West Online Train Reservation system. However, if you reserve in person at a JR station, seat reservations are unlimited and free during the validity of your pass.
Yes. JR West allows online seat reservations up to 1 month before your travel date. To reserve online:
Note: Online reservations are limited to 6 times per pass. Additional bookings must be made at a ticket office or machine in Japan.
After arriving in Japan, you can make seat reservations for free at:
There is no charge for making seat reservations in person, and no limit on how many times you can reserve.
It is not mandatory, but strongly recommended during:
If you don’t reserve, you can use non-reserved cars, but seats are not guaranteed.
Yes. You can change or cancel your reserved seat:
If you reach the 6-reservation limit for online bookings, simply make additional reservations at any JR West station counter or ticket machine, still free with your valid rail pass.
Yes, your JR West Pass covers:
Some of these require advance seat reservations due to popularity.
No. Most JR West passes cover Ordinary Class only. To ride in Green Car, you must pay an additional fee. Gran Class is not covered at all.
Yes. You can use the non-reserved cars on most Shinkansen and Limited Express trains. However, these are first-come, first-served and may fill quickly.
Exchange your Exchange Order at a designated JR West station (e.g., Shin-Osaka, Kansai Airport). You must present your passport and select an activation date.
You can change your activation date only if the pass has not yet been activated. Once activated, changes are not permitted.
Yes. Many JR West Passes are available at major stations in Japan, but they may cost more than pre-purchased online versions.
Yes, even a 2- or 3-day Kansai trip can save money with the JR West Pass if you are visiting multiple cities (e.g., Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Himeji).
Use apps such as NAVITIME Japan or Google Maps with filters for JR trains. JR West’s official site also provides route planners.
Yes! The JR West Pass offers unlimited travel on covered lines during the valid period. Ride as often as you like.
Unfortunately, lost, stolen, or damaged passes cannot be reissued. Treat the pass like cash and store it safely.
Most night trains are not included. However, you can use the pass on local and Limited Express services until midnight. Sleeper cars require separate fares.
Yes. You can bring small to medium bags without issues. On Sanyo Shinkansen, large luggage (over 160 cm) may require advance seat reservation with baggage space.
Yes. Children aged 6–11 years pay 50% of the adult pass price. Children under 6 ride free if they don’t occupy a seat.
Yes. You can cancel if your Exchange Order has not been exchanged for the actual official pass in Japan. Refunds are available within 11 months of purchase, subject to a 15% cancellation fee. To receive a refund, you must return the original Exchange Order to our issuing company. Please note that lost, stolen, or already-used vouchers cannot be refunded under any circumstances.
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