West Japan Railway Company (JR-West) was formed with the split-up and privatization of Japanese National Railways in April 1987. In addition to its mainly rail-based transportation business serving 18 prefectures in the western half of the island of Honshu and the northern tip of the island of Kyushu

1 Day Pass (¥2,300) is cheaper than one way from Kansai Airport to Kyoto

Famous sightseeing spot around Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe can be accessed

1. Osaka Castle
Access: Osakajokoen Station.
The castle tower is surrounded by secondary citadels, gates, turrets, impressive stone walls and moats.
The park is one of Osaka’s most popular hanami spot during the cherry blossom season, which usually takes place in early April.

2. Fushimi Inari Shrine
Access: Inari Station.
It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The most foreign visitors come to Fushimi Inari Shrine is to explore the mountain trails, the shrine buildings themselves are also attractive.

3. Horyuji Temple
Access: Horyuji Station.
Horyuji is one of the country’s oldest temples and contains the world’s oldest surviving wooden structures.It was designated a world heritage site in 1993. Horyuji Temple was founded in 607 by Prince Shotoku, who is credited with the early promotion of Buddhism in Japan.

4. Iga Ninja Museum
Access: Iga Ueno Station.
Iga Ninja Museum delivers a comprehensive ninja experience: it consists of a ninja residence, two exhibition halls and a stage which hosts ninja shows. Visitors are given a guided tour around the house with explanations on its various contraptions.

1 Day Pass (¥2,300) is cheaper than one way from Kansai Airport to Kyoto

Famous sightseeing spot around Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe can be accessed

1. Okayama Castle
Access: Okayama Station.
The main building of Okayama Castle is the six story castle keep. The keep’s interior is modern and displays exhibits on the history and development of the castle. Only one of Okayama Castle’s original buildings escaped destruction, the Tsukimi Yagura (“moon viewing turret”), which dates back to 1620.

2. Takamatsu Castle
Access: Takamatsu Station.
Takamatsu Castle, also known as Tamamo Castle, was built in 1590 adjacent to the Seto Inland Sea.
At the center of the castle park stands the Hiunkaku building with large tatami rooms. Constructed in 1917 as a residence and governmental office, it is used today as an exhibition space and a community hall where tea ceremony and flower arrangement classes are held.

3. Himeji Castle
Access: Himeji Station.
Himeji Castle is widely considered as Japan’s most spectacular castle for its imposing size and beauty and its well preserved, complex castle grounds. Most visitors to Himeji Castle enter the castle via the Otemon Gate into the admission-free third bailey (Sannomaru).

4. The Tottori Sand Dunes
Access: Tottori Station.
Tottori is most famous for its sand dunes, the largest in Japan, which cover over 30 square kilometers of coast to the north of the city center.

Cheaper than Osaka-Hiroshima return ticket

Easy Access to Miyajima (Rabbit Island)

Buy Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass and Travel Osaka or Kyoto

1. Itsukushima Shrine
Access: Miyajima Station.
The shrine and its torii gate are unique for being built over water, seemingly floating in the sea during high tide. The shrine complex consists of multiple buildings, including a prayer hall, a main hall and a noh theater stage, which are connected by boardwalks and supported by pillars above the sea.

2. Himeji Castle
Access: Himeji Station.
Himeji Castle is widely considered as Japan’s most spectacular castle for its imposing size and beauty and its well preserved, complex castle grounds. Most visitors to Himeji Castle enter the castle via the Otemon Gate into the admission-free third bailey (Sannomaru).

3. Fushimi Inari Shrine
Access: Inari Station.
It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The most foreign visitors come to Fushimi Inari Shrine is to explore the mountain trails, the shrine buildings themselves are also attractive.

4. Todaiji Temple
Access: Nara Station.
Todaiji (Great Eastern Temple) is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. Todaiji’s main hall, is the world’s largest wooden building, despite the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall’s size. Temple visitors will also encounter some deer from the adjacent Nara Park

Buy and enjoy attraction places!

Cheaper than Osaka-Hakata Return Trip

1. Nanzoin Temple
Access: Hakata Station.
The reclining Buddha of Nanzoin Temple, in Sasaguri, Fukuoka, is 11m tall, 41m long and thought to be the longest existing bronze Buddha statue in the world.

2. Itsukushima Shrine
Access: Miyajima Station.
The shrine and its torii gate are unique for being built over water, seemingly floating in the sea during high tide. The shrine complex consists of multiple buildings, including a prayer hall, a main hall and a noh theater stage, which are connected by boardwalks and supported by pillars above the sea.

3. The Tottori Sand Dunes
Access: Tottori Station.
Tottori is most famous for its sand dunes, the largest in Japan, which cover over 30 square kilometers of coast to the north of the city center.

4. Todaiji Temple
Access: Nara Station.
Todaiji (Great Eastern Temple) is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. Todaiji’s main hall, is the world’s largest wooden building, despite the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall’s size. Temple visitors will also encounter some deer from the adjacent Nara Park

Travel to Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and additional Okayama, Kanazawa and many more

Price pass cheaper than Osaka-Toyama return ticket

7 Days unlimited ride

1. Himeji Castle
Access: Himeji Station.
Himeji Castle is widely considered as Japan’s most spectacular castle for its imposing size and beauty and its well preserved, complex castle grounds. Most visitors to Himeji Castle enter the castle via the Otemon Gate into the admission-free third bailey (Sannomaru).

2. Shitennoji Temple
Access: Tennoji Station.
Shitennoji is one of Japan’s oldest temples and the first ever to be built by the state. The temple grounds stands a treasure house that displays paintings, scriptures and other valuable belongings of the temple in periodic, themed exhibitions.

3. Fushimi Inari Shrine
Access: Inari Station.
It is famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates, which straddle a network of trails behind its main buildings. The most foreign visitors come to Fushimi Inari Shrine is to explore the mountain trails, the shrine buildings themselves are also attractive.

4. Kenrokuen Garden
Access: Kanazawa Station.
Kenrokuen in Kanazawa is justifiably classified as one of Japan’s “three most beautiful landscape gardens” alongside Mito’s Kairakuen and Okayama’s Korakuen. Opened to the public in 1871, Kenrokuen features a variety of flowering trees which provide the garden with a different look for each season.

Let’s Travel Okayama, Hiroshima and Yamaguchi from Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Okayama Airport!

Cheaper than Fukuoka-Okayama Return Ticket

1. Kawachi Wisteria Garden
Access: Kokura Station.
This garden is two stunning tunnels made with numerous wisterias, one is approx 80 m long and other is 110 m long. Both of tunnels are covered with beautiful wisterias in various colours, creating overwhelming views. A large number of over 20 kinds wisterias in a 10,000 square meters area.

2. Miyajima Island
Access: Miyajima Station.
Miyajima Island, one of the most scenic spots in Japan, has long been regarded as an Island of Gods on the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. It is a romantic and historical island where Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage site.

3. Hiroshima Castle
Access: Hiroshima Station.
Hiroshima developed as a castle town, whereby the castle was both the physical and economical center of the city. Built in 1589 by the powerful feudal lord Mori Terumoto, Hiroshima Castle was an important seat of power in Western Japan. While it was spared the demolishment that many other castles met during the Meiji Restoration, like the rest of the city, Hiroshima Castle was destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945.

4. Okayama Castle
Access: Okayama Station.
The main building of Okayama Castle is the six story castle keep. The keep’s interior is modern and displays exhibits on the history and development of the castle. Only one of Okayama Castle’s original buildings escaped destruction, the Tsukimi Yagura (“moon viewing turret”), which dates back to 1620.

Let’s Travel Yamaguchi and Hiroshima from Fukuoka Airport and Hiroshima Airport!

Cheaper than Fukuoka-Hiroshima Return Ticket 5 Days unlimited ride

1. Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge
Access: Nagatoshi Station.
It’s one of Japan’s most picturesque spots and was ranked 3rd in the world in the best seller “Shinu made ni Ikitai! Sekai no Zekkei (Places to go before you die! Picturesque World Views)” It’s used often in Japanese commercials or shooting locations for TV dramas and it’s especially famous for car commercials (Lexus, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Swift, etc.).

2. Rurikoji Temple
Access: Yamaguchi Station.
Rurikoji is a Buddhist temple in Yamaguchi City, best known for its five-storied pagoda that is a national treasure. Built in 1442, the pagoda is justifiably ranked among Japan’s three greatest, alongside those of Horyuji Temple near Nara and Daigoji Temple in Kyoto. Interestingly, the pagoda predates Rurikoji as an institution, which was established only in the late 1400s.

3. Miyajima Island
Access: Miyajima Station.
Miyajima Island, one of the most scenic spots in Japan, has long been regarded as an Island of Gods on the beautiful Seto Inland Sea. It is a romantic and historical island where Itsukushima Shrine, a World Heritage site.

4. The Atomic Dome
Access: Hiroshima Station.
Visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Cenotaph for Atomic Bomb Victims and the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum to gain a deeper understanding of the suffering caused by war and nuclear weapons and the true value of peace. the Atomic Bomb Dome was located almost directly underneath the explosion, it somehow avoided complete destruction and the remains of the building still stand today.

Enjoy much more cheap trip if to use with Kansai Wide Area Pass

1. Matsue Castle
Access: Matsue Station.
Matsue Castle was completed in 1611, a few years after the last decisive battle of feudal Japan. In 1638, the fief and castle were reassigned to a branch of the Matsudaira clan, relatives of the ruling Tokugawa. In addition to touring the castle’s main keep and grounds, visitors can also enjoy a river boat cruise around the castle moat.

2. Okayama Castle
Access: Okayama Station.
Also known as “crow castle” due to its black exterior, was built in 1597 in the style of the Azuchi-Momoyama Period. The main building of Okayama Castle is the six story castle keep. The keep’s interior is modern and displays exhibits on the history and development of the castle.

3. The Tottori Sand Dunes
Access: Tottori Station.
Tottori is most famous for its sand dunes, the largest in Japan, which cover over 30 square kilometers of coast to the north of the city center.

Experience taste seafood and enjoy beautiful garden at Kanazawa

Can ride Hokuriku Shinkansen

1. Fukui Dinosaur Museum
Access: Fukui Station.
The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is an excellent museum dedicated to dinosaur research and education. It is recognized as one of the top dinosaur museums in the world, and is the largest of its kind in Japan.

2. Kenrokuen Garden
Access: Kanazawa Station.
Kenrokuen in Kanazawa is justifiably classified as one of Japan’s “three most beautiful landscape gardens” alongside Mito’s Kairakuen and Okayama’s Korakuen. Opened to the public in 1871, Kenrokuen features a variety of flowering trees which provide the garden with a different look for each season.

3. 21th Century Museum
Access: Kanazawa Station.
The architecture of the 21st Century Museum is unique and distinguishes it from other museums and buildings around Kanazawa. The museum is comprised of a circular building, 112.5 meters in diameter, with no facade or main entrance. It was designed without a front or back to discourage its patrons from approaching the museum, and consequently its art, from only one direction.

3. Toyama Castle Park
Access: Toyama Station.
Toyama Castle Park covers the former grounds of Toyama Castle in central Toyama. The castle keep was dismantled during the Meiji Period but was rebuilt in 1954 in ferro-concrete. Some parts of the castle’s walls and moats remain, as well.

Experience the nature and traditions of Hokuriku along one of JR’s newest routes.

Enjoy economical unlimited travel from Tokyo and Osaka to the Hokuriku area!

1. Shitennoji Temple
Access: Tennoji Station.
Shitennoji is one of Japan’s oldest temples and the first ever to be built by the state. The temple grounds stands a treasure house that displays paintings, scriptures and other valuable belongings of the temple in periodic, themed exhibitions.

2. Todaiji Temple
Access: Nara Station.
Todaiji (Great Eastern Temple) is one of Japan’s most famous and historically significant temples and a landmark of Nara. Todaiji’s main hall, is the world’s largest wooden building, despite the fact that the present reconstruction of 1692 is only two thirds of the original temple hall’s size. Temple visitors will also encounter some deer from the adjacent Nara Park

3. Fukui Dinosaur Museum
Access: Fukui Station.
The Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum is an excellent museum dedicated to dinosaur research and education. It is recognized as one of the top dinosaur museums in the world, and is the largest of its kind in Japan.

4. Kenrokuen Garden
Access: Kanazawa Station.
Kenrokuen in Kanazawa is justifiably classified as one of Japan’s “three most beautiful landscape gardens” alongside Mito’s Kairakuen and Okayama’s Korakuen. Opened to the public in 1871, Kenrokuen features a variety of flowering trees which provide the garden with a different look for each season.

Unlimited rides on limited express of JR conventional lines for visiting
popular Gero-Onsen, Takayama, Toyama, Kanazawa, Kaga-Onsen!

Unlimited rides on buses convenient for visiting World Heritage listed Shirakawa-go, Gokayama!

Purchase an exchange order (MCO: Miscellaneous Charges Order) at H.I.S. Travel
*Once issued, MCO must be exchanged in 3 months.

After entering in Japan, present the MCO with a passport at exchange locations, fill out an application with necessary details, and exchange for your JR PASS destination area pass

• A rail pass is available and usable all year around.
• A rail pass is purchasable up to 1month in advance of the first day of use.
  • Currently, reservations can be made using online booking between 27 and 2 days in advance. Reservations cannot be made more than 27 days in advance.
• A rail pass is valid for consecutive days.
• The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 a.m.

– A rail pass user must be holding a passport issued by a foreign government.

– A rail pass user must be entering in Japan as a “Temporary Visitor”.

*”Temporary Visitor” is a status of residence defined under Japanese immigration law.