Options for Japan Travel Passes
Your need-to-know basics of Japan travel: Tokyo to Kyoto to Osaka and more. Learn the differences between the passes and how you can optimize your money.
1/31/20242 min read
In this article, I will break down the second most common question in Japan travel: Which train pass should I get for my trip?
If anyone's curious, the top question asked is: What should I do/see/eat in XXX in Japan and how many days should I spend?
For Japan, I used as much of KLOOK as possible to book travel passes and event things.
You can book it even the day before you want to claim the pass, and it's cheaper than buying in person (even in Japan) with the conversion rate!
10% off Klook for new users using code: RXTRAVELBUG
NOTE: everyone’s Japan travel looks different so, though cumbersome, I HIGHLY recommend you calculate out your travel itinerary and train costs to see which is worth it for you, but here I will break down the most common: Osaka Amazing Pass, Kansai Thru Pass, JR Pass, and ICOCA card.
OSAKA AMAZING PASS
Use this to see major attractions in Osaka because it’s free w/ pass
- COST w/ metro: 1-day $20 (2800 yen), 2-day $25 (3600 yen)
- W/o metro it’s a few bucks cheaper, but def worth it to get w/ metro (you can also have JR+ osaka amazing w/ metro because they offer you different rail lines)
- Quick cost/benefit — major attractions = Umeda sky building: 1000 yen, Osaka castle: 800 yen, River cruise 1200-1500 yen → these 3 activities make up your cost (1 day already) + access to many more attractions
Offers unlimited rides on Osaka’s subway and bus networks
KANSAI THRU PASS
Worth it if you’re planning to go beyond osaka/kyoto (to Himeji castle, Wakayama, etc)
- COST: 2-day ($29) or 3-day ($36)
- Covers unlimited travel on private railways and buses in the Kansai region, including Osaka.
- Does NOT offer free entrance into major tourist attractions, but DOES offer discounts!