Visiting Kansai, Chugoku, and Shikoku? 3 Passes Take You to the Best Sights and Eats
If you’re a first-timer to Japan, your priorities might be focusing on major cities like Tokyo or Osaka. But if you’re a repeat visitor and you’re planning to visit the Kansai area, you should definitely consider a trip to the Seto Inland Sea area on the Sea of Japan side. Exploring famous spots in the Chugoku region such as Kurashiki in Okayama and Tsunoshima Bridge in Yamaguchi, as well as sightseeing in Shikoku requires at least 6 to 8 days. Since the sights are relatively spread over a wide area, secure these convenient transportation passes for sightseeing in Chugoku and Shikoku regions.
１）Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass
Price / Duration
5 Days
(When purchased in Malaysia) Adult ¥15,000／Children ¥7,500
(When purchased via JR WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION site) ¥15,800／Children ¥7,900
(When purchased in Japan) ¥16,000／Children ¥8,000
Here’s a transportation pass that will take you from the Kansai area to Hiroshima, the latter of which is well-known for the Peace Memorial Park as well as the holy island of Miyajima. This pass is also recommended for those who would like to visit Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. It includes unlimited rides on the Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka-Hiroshima), Limited Express, West Japan JR Bus, Chugoku JR Bus, JR West Miyajima Ferry, and more! Bicycles can also be rented from Ekirin-kun (rent-a-cycle). Reserved seats are available, making it easier to plan your trip. As it costs around ¥20,000 just to make a round trip between Shin-Osaka and Hiroshima by Shinkansen, you’re sure to get your money’s worth with the pass.
２）Sanyo-San'in Area Pass
Price / Duration
7 Days
(When purchased in Malaysia) Adult ¥20,000／Children ¥10,000
(When purchased via JR WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION site) Adult ¥21,500／Children ¥10,750
(When purchased in Japan) ¥22,000／Children ¥11,000
This pass covers the Sanyo-San'in area in Chugoku region, which consists of Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Tottori, and Shimane. Use this pass for unlimited rides on the Shinkansen (between Shin-Osaka and Hakata), Limited Express, West Japan JR Bus, Chugoku JR Bus, JR West Miyajima Ferry, and more. You can even rent a bicycle from Ekirin-kun to fully appreciate the lovely atmosphere in the streets of Kurashiki and Takehara in Hiroshima.
Since the usage range of the northern Kansai area has been expanded, this means you can get an eyeful of Amanohashidate, one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, and Kinosaki Onsen, one of Japan's leading hot spring towns. You can also get on the Meipuru-Pu, a loop bus that goes around the center of Hiroshima. It can be ridden between the terminal station and Hakata Station in the Kyushu area, so it is also recommended for people traveling from Kansai to Kyushu or vice versa.
The Sanyo-San'in Area Pass is recommended for those who want to travel at a leisurely pace while avoiding the crowds!
3）Setouchi Area Pass
Price & Duration
７Days
(When purchased in Malaysia) Adult ¥19,000 / Children ¥9,500
(When purchased via JR WEST ONLINE TRAIN RESERVATION site) Adult ¥20,500 / Children ¥10,250
(When purchased in Japan) Adult ¥21,000 / Children ¥10,500
This pass is recommended for people who would like to tour the Kansai area, specifically Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka, as well as the Sanyo region’s Okayama and Hiroshima, and the Shikoku area’s Takamatsu and Matsuyama. It allows unlimited rides on the Shinkansen (between Shin-Osaka and Hakata), Limited Express trains, and Chugoku JR Bus in the area. You can also use it on the JR West Miyajima Ferry that connects Miyajimaguchi Pier and Miyajima Pier on Itsukushima, and the Setonaikaikisen that connects Hiroshima / Kure-Matsuyama. If you would like to visit the islands of the Seto Inland Sea, this pass is for you. Additionally, you can use the pass for unlimited rides on the loop bus Meipuru-Pu that goes around the center of Hiroshima.
This pass can also be used to go to Kyushu / Hakata Station, so it is recommended for those who are traveling from Kansai to Kyushu or vice versa.
Setouchi Area Pass’ period of validity has been extended from five to seven days. Reserved seats are available.
Other benefits of the 3 transportation passes
1. Receive discounts and benefits!
The three passes include special benefits such as discounts on facility admission fees and sightseeing buses. Simply show your pass to get 10% off admission to Kuchu Teien Observatory in the Osaka area, 10% off admission to OSAKA HARUKAS OBSERVATORY, 20% off admission to Amanohashidate View Land Lift, and discounts on the monorail round-trip ticket, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Himeji Castle, and more. Check the official website for the facilities that offer these special discounts.
2. Book reserved seats!
With the three passes, seats on the Shinkansen and Limited Express trains can now be reserved at no additional charge. If you’re traveling as a family and with young children, reserve in advance to ensure you have seats in a crowded train car. Make a reservation using a green ticket-vending machine.
Hungry? Order these local dishes when you’re in the area.
Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass
With the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, you can travel to the Kansai area, Takamatsu in the Kagawa Prefecture, and Wakayama Prefecture, which faces the sea. This means you can savor delicious food from Osaka, obanzai from Kyoto, Kobe beef, and confectionery. Sample local cuisine like Shirahama seafood and Sanuki udon noodles too.
Recommended areas
(Wakayama) Shirahama, Kii-Katsuura; (Nara) Nara City,Todaiji Temple; (Kyoto) Kyoto City, Amanohashidate; (Hyogo) Kobe City, Kinosaki Onsen, Himeji; (Okayama) Okayama City, Kurashiki City; (Kagawa) Takamatsu City, and more.
Recommended cuisines
Wakayama ramen, Kaki no ha sushi (sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves) in Nara, Kobe beef dishes, matcha desserts and confectionery, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Sanuki udon in Kagawa are some of the must-try dishes.
Sanyo-San'in Area Pass
While visiting every nook and cranny of Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe, you can also drop by spiritual spots in Izumo in the Shimane Prefecture, Hagi in the Yamaguchi Prefecture, Shimonoseki, Miyajima, and other places with a peaceful and calming atmosphere.
Recommended areas
(Tottori) Yonago, Tottori Sand Dunes; (Shimane) Izumo Shrine, Matsue Castle; (Hiroshima) Hiroshima City, Miyajima; (Yamaguchi) Hagi, Motonosumi Shrine, Akiyoshidai; (Fukuoka) Kokura and Hakata
Recommended cuisines
Izumo soba, Yamaguchi blowfish, Hakata ramen, Motsunabe (hot pot dishes with beef or pork maw as the main ingredient), Mizutaki (Fukuoka chicken hot pot）
Setouchi Area Pass
UNESCO World Heritage Sites as well as temples and shrines in Kyoto, Nara, and Himeji are within this area pass. You can go around a wide range of places such as Okayama and Hiroshima, as well as the popular areas of Shikoku, Takamatsu, and Matsuyama!
Recommended areas
(Kyoto) Kyoto City, Arashiyama; (Nara) Nara City, Nara Park; (Hyogo) Kobe City, Himeji; (Hiroshima) Miyajima, Onomichi; (Kagawa) Takamatsu, Ritsurin Garden; (Ehime) Matsuyama, Dogo Onsen
Recommended cuisines
Okonomiyaki（a baked mixture of flour, chicken eggs, and cabbage), Yudofu (hot pot with tofu), Himeji oden, rock oysters, Sanuki udon.
Refer to the following for more information on the facilities mentioned in this article.
https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/chugoku/
https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/shikoku/
About Chigoku/Shikoku Food
Regarding the benefits and services that can be obtained with the transportation passes we have introduced in this article
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/benefits/
Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kansai_hiroshima/
※Ekirin-kun
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel/shopping/service/#ekirin
Sanyo-San'in Area Pass
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/sanyo_sanin/
Setouchi Area Pass
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/setouchi/areapass/
