Kansai travel guide: Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo

Explore the Kansai region through guides to Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo, with practical transport links and comparisons of JR regional and private railway travel passes.

Last checked:

  • Osaka
  • Kyoto
  • Hyogo
  • Independent travel

Travel in Kansai () commonly includes Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe (Hyogo). This page first explains the scope of “Kansai”, then links the three destinations to their respective guides.

Key points

  • The Kansai Tourism Bureau says its cooperation area covers 2 prefectural-level urban prefectures and 8 prefectures. This is the organisation’s cooperation area, not necessarily the same as the narrower Kinki region (Kinki, ).
  • This website currently covers three directions: Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo.
  • JR West offers the Kansai WIDE Area Pass and Kansai Mini Pass. Coverage and prices are subject to the official pages.

Three destinations

Destination Start here For
Osaka Osaka travel guide Umeda, Namba, the bay area and Osaka Castle
Kyoto Kyoto travel guide Temples and shrines, Higashiyama, Arashiyama and Uji
Hyogo Hyogo travel guide Kobe, Himeji, Arima Onsen and Awaji Island

Transport

For transport within each prefecture, see Osaka transport, Kyoto transport and Hyogo transport. For nationwide JR Pass and regional passes, see JR Pass and regional pass comparison. For transport cards, see Suica and transport IC cards.

A few reminders

  • Official information does not provide fixed fares and journey times for every Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe segment; check services for your intended date.
  • Ticket prices and sale periods change by year. Check official websites again before buying.

Sources