Discover Kansai

The Kansai region is a great home base to explore a wide range of sites while visiting Japan. There’s everything from major cities like Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe, to historical sites as well as astounding natural wonders.

Depending on where you want to travel within Kansai, there are a variety of cost-effective, easy and efficient transport passes available. Use the HANSHIN TOURIST PASS and the ROKKOSAN TOURIST PASS to explore the Osaka and Kobe area, including Mt. Rokko and Arima Onsen.

Start your journey in the center of Osaka, in Namba. After enjoying great food and shopping in this central location, hop on the Hanshin line to head to the cosmopolitan port city of Kobe. From Kobe, the mountain resort of Mt. Rokko is easily accessible via the Rokko-Arima Ropeway. Relax and take a break from the hustle and bustle of Kobe and Osaka by taking in the beautiful vistas atop the mountain. Here, you can also enjoy the Rokko Alpine Botanical Garden which features some 1,500 species of plants.

Afterwards, enjoy a relaxing and beautiful rest at the Arima hot spring resort, located on the North side of Mt. Rokko. Arima Onsen is one of three “Ancient Hot Springs” and it is said that people have been bathing in these natural spring waters for some 1,000 years. Enjoy and authentic Japanese hot spring experience at any of the dozens of onsen hotels at Arima Onsen.

Used in combination, the HANSHIN TOURIST PASS and the ROKKOSAN TOURIST PASS offer flexible and easy access to the entirety of the Osaka, Kobe and Mt. Rokko. The HANSHIN TOURIST PASS provides unlimited access on the Hanshin Train line. Using the ROKKOSAN TOURIST, visitors can switch between trains, buses and ropeways without having to buy new tickets each time between Kobe and Mt. Rokko. The pass also includes unlimited use of the Mt. Rokko mountaintop bus. With the ROKKOSAN TOURIST PASS, you will be able to get discounts at many of the attractions on Mt. Rokko. In addition, at just 700 yen for the HANSHIN TOURIST PASS and 1,000 yen the the ROKKOSAN TOURIST PASS, these two passes are very cost effective. If you plan to visit Arima Onsen, getting to the Arima Onsen Taikou-no-yu Package Ticket is another option. This pass includes unlimited train rides from Osaka nd the admission fee for the Arima Onsen Taikou-no-yu Package, as well as various discounts on site. The cost of the pass is about the same as a round trip ticket from Osaka to Arima Onsen, so it is very cost effective. The business hours of this spa facility may vary, so please check out the detailed information on their website here.

Passes can be purchased at the Kansai Tourist Information Center at Kansai International Airport, or at a number of locations in Osaka. Have a great journey and enjoy discovering the Kansai area!

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