Kansai One Pass

Kansai One Pass is a kind of ICOCA card, but only designed for foreign tourists in Japan. The 2 cards share almost the same functions. For example, with any of it, you can take JR trains, subways, private trains, and buses timelessly both in Kansai and Japan’s other areas where Kitaca、PASMO、Suica、manaca、TOICA、HAYAKAKEN、nimoca、SUGOCA cards can also be used. Apart from taking vehicles, you can also use this card for payments in most convenience stores, restaurants, coffee shops, and supermarkets, or use facilities in stations including luggage lockers. 

The differences between ICOCA and Kansai One Pass are:

1. Kansai One Pass can only be available for foreign visitors travelling in Japan; ICOCA can be available for anyone in Japan

2. Kansai One Pass offers discounts on tourist attractions tickets; ICOCA doesn’t.
3. The first storage amount for Kansai One Pass is 1,000 yen more than that for ICOCA.

Which Vehicles Does Kansai One Pass Support?

Kansai Ones Pass can be used in most public transportation tools in Kansai, including JR West, private trains, metro, and buses. Simply, you can use the Pass in the tools with “PiTaPa”, “IC” or “ICOCA” signs. Take Kyoto’s railway as an example, you can take the following trains and subways: Kyoto Municipal Subway, Randen Railway, Eizan Railway, Keihan Electric Railway, and Kintetsu Railway.

However, there are some exceptions that Kansai One Pass can’t be used:
1. Shinkansen
2. Some railway lines in remote areas are not supported by the Pass, including the Ohmi Railway’s Minakuchi-Gamono Line, Man-yo Akane Line, and Koto Ohmiji Line in Kyoto. For more lines, please check the website of Kansai One Pass. 
3. JR Central railways

How to use Kansai One Pass?

Before entering or exiting subway or train stations, please touch the pass to the reader on the right side of the automatic gate machine for at least 1 second. The fees would be deducted after you exit the station. Swipe your card again when exiting, otherwise it may not be used normally next time.

Who can buy Kansai One Pass?

The Pass can only be applied by temporary foreign visitors travelling in Japan. Passports are needed when applying.

How to reapply a new card if the original one is damaged or lost?

If the original Kansai One Pass got damaged or lost, then go to the major railway station offices or Osaka Subway station offices to reapply for a new card with some service fees. You will get a new ICOCA card which shares the same function with Kansai One Pass, except the discounts on tourist tickets.

How to Recharge the Pass?

When the balance of the Pass is not enough, you can’t pass through the automatic gate machine. Then please recharge it at ticket machines. The below presents the procedures for charging the Pass, and the orders may differ: 

1. Tap “ charge IC Card”
2. Put the Pass into the machine
3. Choose the amount of money
4. Put cash into the machine

How to Buy Kansai One Pass?

You can buy Kansai One Pass at Kansai International Airport, and the major stations in Kyoto and Osaka, along with tourist information centers in Kobe:

Kyoto	Osaka
1. Kyoto Station 2. Sanjo Station	1. Shin-Osaka Station 2. Kyobashi Station 3. Osaka Namba Station 4. Osaka Uehonmachi Station 5. Osaka Abenobashi Station

Price and first Storage of Kansai One Pass

You need to pay 3,000 yen to buy the Pass, with 500 yen as the deposit and 2,500 yen as balance for taking vehicles. The deposit will be refunded when you refund the Pass. Note that only cash is acceptable when buying the Pass and the Pass accepts 20,000 yen at most. If the Pass id sold out at one station, then go to stations nearby to see whether you can buy it there.

How to Refund the Pass? 

Kansai One Pass has no expiration time and you can still use it the next time you come to Kansai, Japan. While, if you want to refund it, then go to the ticket offices of the major railway stations or Osaka Metro stations. 220 yen will be charged as refunding service.

Special Discounts with Kansai One Pass

With a Kansai One Pass, you also enjoy discounts when visiting designated tourist attractions in Kansai or shopping at ¬¬¬Kansai International Airport. 

Kyoto Subway and Bus 1-Day Pass

With Kyoto Subway and Bus 1-Day Pass, you can take any line of metro and City Bus in Kyoto, as well as a part of sections of Kyoto Bus, Keihan Bus, and West Japan JR Bus. It charges 1,100 yen for each adult. In a day, you can take the bus with unlimited times. Holding the Pass, tourists can also get special discounts on some tourist attractions.