With the rise of low-cost airlines and the depreciation of the Japanese currency, more and more people travel to the Kansai area of Japan. When you travel to Kyoto by low-cost airlines, after landing at Kansai Airport, what are the next savings options for traveling to Kyoto? ?The answer is definitely the "ICOCA & HARUKA" premium package!
"HARUKA" is the name of the fast train on JR West Japan Railway between Kyoto and Osaka. It directly connects to the JR stations of Tennoji, Shin-Osaka, and Kyoto from Kansai Airport; "ICOCA" is a stored-value card similar to Taiwan Travel Card or Hong Kong Octopus. You can swipe your card to take JR, private railways, subways, buses and other transportation in the Kansai area, or you can directly use your card to shop at convenience stores and other places.
Both "HARUKA" and "ICOCA" are products launched by JR West Japan Railway Company. "ICOCA & HARUKA" is a buy-one-get-one-value package specially provided to foreign tourists. It is restricted to only those with foreign passports. It's a traveller who plans to go to Kyoto for a free trip, so I can't think of a reason not to buy it!
The main way of transportation from Kansai Airport to Kyoto is by bus and JR.Take Keihan Bus’s Kansai Airport Shuttle Bus. The fare is 2,500 yen for one-way and 5,000 yen for round trip. If you take JR trains, the fare may be as low as 1,600 yen by transferring. It is the transfer of small bags and luggage, which naturally costs more time.
"Haruka" is the limited express train of JR West Japan Kansai Airport Line "Limited Express". The general one-way plus limited express fee is 3,480 yen, and the round trip costs 6,960 yen. This is a high-priced limited express train. Buy it now. "ICOCA & HARUKA" exclusively for foreigners, you can get a round-trip ticket for 4,000 yen.
The discount provided by the "ICOCA & HARUKA" package is designed to encourage foreign tourists to take JR trains when they come to Kansai, and use "ICOCA" as the main consumer payment tool, so it is natural to limit the talents of foreign tourists. To buy, most Japanese people may choose to take Keihan Bus, which is cheaper and takes about the same time.
"ICOCA & HARUKA" includes a "HARUKA" round-trip ticket and an "ICOCA" stored-value card with a pre-stored value of 2,000 yen. For 4,000 yen, you can buy a round-trip ticket for the limited express train at the original price of 6,960 yen, plus a 2,000 yen stored-value card.
[20160518 update]
"ICOCA & HARUKA" has been changed to provide a discount of 2,000 yen to purchase ICOCA. For tickets to and from Kansai Airport, different amounts must be paid according to the distance.If you already have an ICOCA card, you can directly show the card and purchase the "HARUKA discount coupon" separately. For the detailed price, please refer to the official website.
When purchasing "ICOCA & HARUKA", you can make an appointment on the official website in advance, just fill in the simple information.After the reservation is completed, you will receive an e-mail to complete the reservation. You can bring the e-mail and passport (or air ticket) to purchase at that time.Because e-tickets are becoming more and more common, as long as you carry your passport, you don’t need to show your ticket.
The advantage of making an appointment in advance is that you don’t have to rush on the spot, carrying large bags of luggage, and you have to line up and fill out the purchase application form at the same time. This is also a common service method used by Japanese people.Of course, passengers who have not made or forgot to make an appointment in advance can also fill out the form to buy on the spot. Sometimes there will be service staff to help you fill in, so don’t worry.
The purchase location of "ICOCA & HARUKA" is on the 2nd floor of Kansai Airport. After exiting the customs, passengers take the elevator to the 2nd floor and walk towards the JR pick-up location. The JR green window opposite the JR pick-up entrance is the place to buy the package. Credit card or cash can be used.
"HARUKA" ticket information explains that two tickets will be given directly at the time of purchase. One ticket will be used up on the day of purchase, and the other return ticket can be kept for the entire itinerary. If you lose it, you have to buy it again. This is probably The biggest risk!
The "ICOCA" stored-value card deducts 500 yen as a deposit, and it has been pre-stored with 1,500 yen. It can be used directly to ride JR, private railways and buses, or to take it to a convenience store for consumption. You can definitely use it, even for the entire journey. I really don’t need it. You can get a refund when you return. After deducting the 210 yen handling fee, you can get back 1,790 yen in cash.
Precautions:
"HARUKA" has 48 flights a day, and a train will leave in about half an hour. The package is a non-seat ticket, which is a free seat, so don't rush to get on the train and let yourself have plenty of time to find a seat.
Sometimes the shuttle bus will be stopped due to some unexpected situations, such as earthquakes and other emergencies, which cause the train scheduling and schedule to be disrupted. At this time, it is very bad luck. You must pay attention to whether there is an announcement to stop at that time, even if it stops. If you have the same ticket, you can also take other trains directly.
The "HARUKA" round-trip ticket is valid for two weeks. If you are staying in the Kansai area for more than two weeks, you can only purchase the "one-way ticket" for the 2 yen plan, and you cannot use the "round-trip ticket" for the 3,000 yen plan.
Kansai itinerary people who go to Osaka, Nara, and Kobe can also purchase the "ICOCA& HARUKA" package. "HARUKA" is similar to the JR West Japan One-day Pass, except that it can only be used once, and the ticket will be refunded the first time you leave the station. You can transfer to Nara, Kobe and other places, just plan ahead.
"ICOCA" includes a deposit of 500 yen. You can go to the JR Green Window to apply for a refund of the deposit and unused balance before leaving the country. However, when the refund is made, a handling fee of 210 yen will be charged first.
The official webpage of the "ICOCA& HARUKA" package has a very detailed description in Chinese, both simplified and traditional versions. Those who are interested can browse directly on the Internet. There are more detailed multi-language electronic files available for download. I believe the website provides The information is quite enough.
Reference:
JR West "ICOCA & HARUKA" official website:http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/tc/travel-information/pass/icoca-haruka/
"ICOCA & HARUKA" reservation webpage:http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/tc/travel-information/pass/icoca-haruka/agree.html
◎HARUKA
– Driving route: Kansai Airport Station → Tennoji Station → Shin-Osaka Station → Kyoto Station
– Travel time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
