It seems like the obvious way to get to Kyoto from KIX is on the "Haruka" express train. I understand that the train is a bit pricey, but that there is a Kansai Area rail pass available to foreigners for 2000 yen/day that covers the region. Some of the guidebooks say to save money by buying this local railpass (either in advance or in Japan) -- and even the JR literature seems to say it's covered -- but this JR FAQs page says you CAN NOT use the local rail pass for this train (Q.5).

http://www.japanrail.com/helpfaq.php

But see: http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/travel/jrp/index.html "With the Kansai Area Pass, the pass holder may use standard non-reserved seats on limited express Haruka trains."

And http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_03.html

Does anyone know the deal? My guess is that these FAQs are confusing reserved and non-reserved seats, and that non reserved seats ARE allowed, but that's only a guess.

BTW, the JR rules say that you can only buy ONE railpass while you're in Japan (like how do they know?). So does this mean that, if I'm going back and forth to KIX, I should buy 2 one-day railpasses in advance per person?

Thanks!

My guess is that the japanrail.com is publishing incorrect information.

I looked at who created these websites -

The japanrail.com website has been created by a New York office which has the job of representing all of the Japan Rail group of companies. (This FAQ appears to focus on helping visitors to Japan to decide if the passes will be financially worthwhile).

The westjr.co.jp website has been created by the company that actually runs the Haruka train and the pass that you're talking about here.

The japan-guide.com appears to have been created by outsiders (i.e. not by employees of the rail company)

My guess is that the information on the westjr.co.jp site is correct. I would print a copy just in case.

I have sent a message to point out the discrepancy to the people who put together the japanrail.com site

(At the same time, I have told them that their answer to Q6 on their FAQ is also bogus - I myself have the experience of changing my visa status to "temporary visitor" at the end of a 5 year stint of working in Japan in order to make use of the JR pass).

My guess is that these FAQs are confusing reserved and non-reserved seats, and that non reserved seats ARE allowed, but that's only a guess.

I don't think they're confusing reserved vs. non-reserved seats.
They seem to be saying that the Haruka is not covered by the pass because of the class of train (i.e. not a local or rapid train). However, the JR West website states that the pass will cover local and rapid trains and the Haruka.

Perhaps there was a time when the pass did not include Haruka trains.
This might explain why the FAQ on the japanrail.com site has this information.

BTW, the JR rules say that you can only buy ONE railpass while you're in Japan (like how do they know?).

Maybe they keep a record of the visa number in your passport.
Or maybe they just expect foreign visitors to play by the rules.

So does this mean that, if I'm going back and forth to KIX, I should buy 2 one-day railpasses in advance per person?
Thanks!

I think so.

Perhaps there was a time when the pass did not include Haruka trains.

I've asked around and heard that explanation, too. Ah, the perils of old information. :<)

But at least it looks like I'll be OK using the rail pass -- which is good, because the train looks quite useful for getting to KIX from Kyoto and it would otherwise be quite expensive.

But now if I decide to take it twice, I guess I've got to find someone in the US to sell me the pass. I assume it's the same cast of characters who sell the "big" Japan Railpass. Anyone have a recommendation? Thanks.

I am going to take the other side. The pass does not include the limited express charge and the Haruka is a limited express train then I would think you would still need to pay the charge. The JR West site says you may take the train which is true, you can take it but you will still need to pay the charge. I just don't think JR would do a loop hole like that when there is still a way to get to KIX (on the regular rapid line) with the pass. Of course I could be very wrong. When I was in the Kansai area a few years ago I used the Kansai Thru Pass and not this JR Kansai pass. The Kansai Thru Pass is good for the private train lines and subways in the area and a fantastic detail but you would have to love trains. Judging from your previous posts I would just go ahead and recommend taking the airport Limo bus from KIX to Kyoto which is about the same time as the Haruka.

I am going to take the other side. The pass does not include the limited express charge and the Haruka is a limited express train then I would think you would still need to pay the charge. The JR West site says you may take the train which is true, you can take it but you will still need to pay the charge.

I don't know. That seems hard to square with the JR West description:

"With the Kansai Area Pass, the pass holder may use standard non-reserved seats on limited express Haruka trains. If the pass holder wishes to use a standard non-reserved seat on any other limited express train, the pass holder must purchase a separate limited express ticket."

Is there anyone I could email or phone who could provide a definitive answer -- like the tourist desk or JR office at Kansai, maybe? I'd hate to buy the passes and then run into a problem.

I did some further research and it looks like you can you the pass on the Haruka. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html?aFROM=2033_2158

"With the Kansai Area Pass, the pass holder may use standard non-reserved seats on limited express Haruka trains. If the pass holder wishes to use a standard non-reserved seat on any other limited express train, the pass holder must purchase a separate limited express ticket."

This screams Haruka only, to me.........no other limited express trains allowed......

As a follow up, I emailed the Kansai Airport and had them check with the JR desk there regarding the validity of the Kansai railpass on the Haruka. They confirmed that it was valid.

Next, to get around the rule that you can only buy one railpass while IN Japan, I telephoned the "official" railpass vendors here in the US. The problem I quickly ran into is that everyone wanted to FedEx me the passes -- and charge me the extra shipping fee. I guess that's OK if you're buying the regular $280 Japan Railpass, but it's pretty silly if you're buying $18 Kansai passes (like there would go much of your savings). On my third try, I reached the Jalpack office in NY (888-352-5725). While they also prefer to ship railpasses fedex, she agreed to ship mine regular mail without an additional fee.

Thanks for everyone's help with this.