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Kansai Mini Pass: price, what it covers and is it worth it

The Kansai Mini Pass costs 3,000 yen for 3 days, from a travel agent abroad; children pay 1,500 yen. Valid on consecutive days, from 0:00 on the first day to 24:00 on the last day (Japan time). Special Rapid, Rapid and local trains inside the pass area.

Updated

3,000 yenadult, 3 days, from a travel agent abroad
1,500 yenchild
8of our City to City routes covered

Visitors from abroad

Price

Valid on consecutive days, from 0:00 on the first day to 24:00 on the last day (Japan time).

Kansai Mini Pass: official prices for adults and children
VersionWhere you buy itAdultChild
3 daysoverseas travel agent3,000 yen1,500 yen
3 days, WEST QRoverseas online travel agent (WEST QR)3,000 yen1,500 yen

Children aged 6 to 11 pay the child price; the age counts on the day the exchange order is issued or the pass is bought.

What the pass covers

  • Special Rapid, Rapid and local trains inside the pass area.
  • JR-WEST Rapid and local trains, such as the Kansai Airport Rapid Service.

Not covered

  • The Haruka and other limited express trains need a separate limited express ticket.
  • The Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen.
  • Paid seats such as the A-Seat cost extra.

Does the Kansai Mini Pass pay off?

Add the journeys you plan to see whether the pass pays off. Below the tool are the normal one-way and round-trip fares for every journey in our City to City data that this pass covers, from the same JR and railway searches.

Normal fares for the journeys the Kansai Mini Pass covers, and their share of the pass price
JourneyOne wayRound tripShare of the pass price
Kyoto to KobeJR Special Rapid1,110 yen2,220 yen74%
Osaka to UjiSpecial Rapid + Section Rapid960 yen1,920 yen64%
Osaka to NaraJR Yamatoji Rapid840 yen1,680 yen56%
Kyoto to NaraJR Miyakoji Rapid720 yen1,440 yen48%
Osaka to KyotoJR Special Rapid580 yen1,160 yen39%
Osaka to KobeJR Special Rapid420 yen840 yen28%
Kyoto to ArashiyamaJR Rapid240 yen480 yen16%
Kyoto to UjiJR Miyakoji Rapid240 yen480 yen16%

Fares are one adult, reserved seat where trains have them, from the City to City pages (searched for 14 October 2026). A round trip is twice the one-way fare. The share compares the round trip with 3,000 yen for 3 days, from a travel agent abroad.

Where to buy it

  • Travel agents outside Japan sell an E-TICKET, which must be exchanged for the pass within 3 months.
  • Travel agencies outside Japan also sell a WEST QR ticket voucher for this pass.
  • It is not sold in Japan or on JR-WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION.
Who can buy it
Only for travelers with a passport issued by a foreign government who enter Japan as a Temporary Visitor; Japanese nationals cannot use it, even with permanent residency abroad.

Seats and using the pass

  • In Japan, show your passport and the E-TICKET at an exchange location to get the pass.
  • With the WEST QR version, scan the QR code on your smartphone at the ticket gate; no paper ticket is needed.
  • Keep your passport with the pass and show it when JR staff ask.

Refunds

An unused pass can be refunded for a 10% fee (at least 220 yen per pass); there is no refund once the pass starts or expires.

Good to know

  • Adult pass holders can also use the Ekirin-kun rental bicycles.
  • The WEST QR version is valid from 4:00 on the first day to 24:00 on the last day (Japan time).
  • Showing the pass or your passport gives benefits at partner facilities.
  • Lost or stolen passes are not reissued.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Kansai Mini Pass?

3,000 yen for 3 days (overseas travel agent). Children pay 1,500 yen (3 days).

What does the Kansai Mini Pass cover?

Special Rapid, Rapid and local trains inside the pass area. JR-WEST Rapid and local trains, such as the Kansai Airport Rapid Service.

Can I get a refund on the Kansai Mini Pass?

An unused pass can be refunded for a 10% fee (at least 220 yen per pass); there is no refund once the pass starts or expires.

Who can buy the Kansai Mini Pass?

Only for travelers with a passport issued by a foreign government who enter Japan as a Temporary Visitor; Japanese nationals cannot use it, even with permanent residency abroad.

Is the Kansai Mini Pass worth it for Osaka to Kyoto and back?

A round trip on the JR Special Rapid costs 1,160 yen, 39% of the pass price of 3,000 yen for 3 days, from a travel agent abroad.

Is the Kansai Mini Pass worth it for Osaka to Nara and back?

A round trip on the JR Yamatoji Rapid costs 1,680 yen, 56% of the pass price of 3,000 yen for 3 days, from a travel agent abroad.

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Compiled by Japan Japan !! · Updated October 4, 2026