On our family trip to Osaka in early March, the Keihan Pass took us around Osaka, Kyoto and even a theme park. The cherry blossoms weren’t out yet, but late March should bring blossoms everywhere.
Keihan Pass: The Ultimate Value Guide
The Keihan Pass was an essential item on our trip, so here are my tips.
We used the version that includes Hirakata Park admission and made the most of the theme park too.
1. Where to Buy the Keihan Pass
The smartest decision of the trip was buying the Hirakata Park version of the Keihan Pass from a Korean travel platform before leaving.
Buying in advance from a Korean travel agency is much cheaper than buying locally.
This post is a paid advertisement written with travel support from Best J Korea.
Why buy in advance in Korea?
- Cheaper than buying locally, with travel agency discounts
- Detailed instructions in Korean
- A smoother itinerary without spending time buying tickets locally
2. What Is the Keihan Pass?
Like a Tokyo Metro pass, the Keihan Pass gives unlimited rides on the Keihan Main Line connecting key destinations in Osaka and Kyoto. With one pass you can easily explore Kyoto, Kyobashi, Kadomashi, Chushojima, Uji and Tofukuji.
The pass also includes discount coupons for about 30 attractions in Osaka and Kyoto.
You can ride Rapid Limited Express, Limited Express, Commuter Rapid Express, Rapid Express and Sub-Express trains. I rode the Rapid Limited Express from Kyobashi to Sanjo in 45 minutes.
The Keihan Pass I bought was a one-day Osaka-Kyoto pass with Hirakata Park admission. You can travel freely around Osaka and all the way to Kyoto, perfect for fitting a lot into a short trip, and with a theme park included it’s a great choice for families.
3. Where and How to Exchange the Keihan Pass
Vouchers bought online must be exchanged for a physical ticket in Japan at these stations:
Osaka: Yodoyabashi, Kitahama, Temmabashi and Kyobashi stations
Kyoto: Sanjo Station
The exchange points are the Yodoyabashi station office, the information counters next to the gates at Kitahama, Temmabashi and Sanjo, and the Kyobashi station office. As of 2025, all were open 05:30 to 22:00.
I exchanged mine at Kyobashi Station, near our hotel, Hotel Keihan Kyobashi Grande. The staff at the Keihan station office kindly swapped my voucher for a physical ticket. It’s very simple, even if you don’t speak the language.
How to exchange your pass
1. Have the voucher from your travel agency ready
2. Visit the Keihan exchange counter at Kyobashi Station
3. Show the voucher and receive the physical pass
4. Start exploring Osaka and Kyoto!
4. Our Osaka and Kyoto Route With the Keihan Pass
1. Osaka Castle (Temmabashi Station)
We visited Osaka Castle in early March as spring was beginning. It’s closest from Temmabashi Station, making it an easy stop with the Keihan Pass.
The cherry blossoms weren’t out yet when we visited, but in late March the grounds around Osaka Castle fill with pink blossoms.
From Temmabashi Station it’s about a 10-minute walk to Osaka Castle Park. Watching my son pick up petals was adorable, and it was the most memorable cherry blossom spot in Osaka.
2. Osaka Science Museum (Nakanoshima Station)
We took the Keihan line to Nakanoshima Station and visited the Osaka Science Museum.
It’s full of hands-on science exhibits that my son loved, and between the planetarium and interactive displays, time flew by.
It’s indoors, so it’s great in any weather.
Visit in late March or early April and you can also see cherry blossoms in nearby Nakanoshima Park.
3. Shopping on Sanjo Street (Sanjo Station)
Being able to reach Kyoto on the Keihan Pass was a big plus. From Kyobashi to Sanjo takes just 45 minutes by Rapid Limited Express.
We got off at Sanjo, went shopping on Sanjo Street and tried traditional sweets.
There are lots of restaurants and popular brands like Paul Smith and Stussy.
4. Kiyomizu-dera (Gion-Shijo Station)
From Sanjo we took the Keihan line to Gion-Shijo and walked to Kiyomizu-dera, a famous cherry blossom spot in Kyoto that should be stunning in late March.
As one of Kyoto’s iconic temples with plenty of photo spots, it’s a great place to enjoy the scenery and take memorable photos with your kids.
Gion-Shijo Station is just a three-minute walk from Pontocho, so take an evening stroll there to enjoy Kyoto at night.
5. Hirakata Park (Hirakatakoen Station)
Hirakata Park is where the Keihan Pass really shone. It’s about 20 minutes from Kyobashi Station to Hirakatakoen Station.
With admission included, we walked straight in at no extra cost.
There were lots of rides for kids, and we had fun all day.
5. Why We Loved the Keihan Pass
- Value: Osaka-Kyoto transport plus Hirakata Park admission, ideal for saving on Japan’s pricey fares
- Convenience: unlimited Keihan line rides for a day
- Variety: covers the main sights in Osaka and Kyoto
- Theme park: Hirakata Park is perfect for traveling with kids
If you’re planning a cherry blossom trip to Osaka with kids, I highly recommend the Keihan Pass. It lets you travel freely between Osaka and Kyoto at a low price and even enjoy Hirakata Park.
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in March 2025 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.