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Kansai Airport Limited Express Haruka may be your first train in Japan. It is operated between Kansai (Osaka) airport and Greater Osaka area, Kyoto, Kusatsu and Maibara. But please be careful that Haruka does not stop at Osaka station. It stop at Tennoji and Shin-Osaka. If you want to go to Osaka station, you have to transfer to the local train at Shin-Osaka. This express train has 30 round trips a day and are operated mostly every 30 minutes.

After you arrive Kansai airport, you can exchange your Japan Rail Pass and take this train to Osaka. Japan Rail Pass cover fully this train. Haruka takes you to Shin-Osaka station for about 1 hour. It is fast and convenient. But this train does not take you to Osaka station and does not drop you off at the door of Hotel either. We have an Airport limousine bus to many place in Greater Osaka and Hi-speed ferry service to Kobe. So if you go to Greater Osaka area, I recommend you to take other transportation.

And also if you stay several days in downtown Osaka, please think about saving your rail pass days. Please refer this tips.

Route and stations

Kansai Airport(関西空港)	x
Hineno(日根野)	*
Izumi-Fuchu(和泉府中)	*
Tennoji(天王寺)	x
Shin-Osaka(新大阪)	x
Kyoto(京都)	x
Yamashina(山科)	x
Otsu(大津)	x
Ishiyama(石山)	x
Kusatsu(草津)	x
Moriyama(守山)	x
Yasu(野洲)	x
Oumi-Hachiman(近江八幡)	x
Hikone(彦根)	x
Maibara(米原)	x

x:All train stop *:some train stop

If you are looking for the timetable of Haruka, you can find it at the bottom of JR West website.

View Haruka (Kansai Airport Express) in a larger map

Special tickets and passes for Haruka

Japan Rail Pass cover this train. But if you think about purchasing single ticket, think about “JR West Kansai Area Pass” or “ICOCA and Haruka”.

JR West Kansai Area Pass

This pass is originally designed for unlimited ride in Kansai area. But you can use one day pass to get on Haruka only. The price of one day pass is 2,000 yen. You can purchase at Kansai airport station on the spot. This is cheaper than single ticket (basic fare + limited express surcharge = 2,470 yen) from Kansai airport to Shin-Osaka. If you go to Shin-Osaka and beyond, you will get much greater deal. Please see JR West site to get the details.

ICOCA and Haruka

If you take some local trains after arrival by Haruka, this special combination ticket gives you the best deal. Especially round trip type is cheaper than round trip by Haruka between Kansai airport and Shin-Osaka. Please see JR West site to get the details.

Accommodation

JR West 281 series is used for Haruka. This train was introduced at the same time of Kansai airport opened in 1994.

*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.

Green seat

The seat configuration is 2+1. It is a big seat, but the head rest is so small.
Images

Ordinary seat

The seat configuration is 2+2. The table is so small. It cannot be used for eating, drinking and using a laptop.

Washroom and other facilities

Haruka has some luggage storage. But it does not have any lock and security.

Haruka train information

1	2	3	4	5	6
G	R	R	R	NR	NR

Some trains are operated by 9 cars formation.

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
G	R	R	R	NR	NR	R	R	R

*G=Green seat R=Reserved seat NR=Non reserved seat

You may also like these posts:

• Access to Kansai Airport and Wakayama from Osaka. Kansai Airport Rapid Service and Kishuji Rapid Service
• How to use JR West Kansai Area Pass. Compare pass and single fare.
• How to access from Kansai airport to downtown Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe
• The newest JR West rail pass for Kansai and Okayama, Kurashiki, Kinosakai and Shingu area, Kansai WIDE Area Pass
• How to use and how much can we use Japan Rail Pass in downtown Osaka?

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64 Comments to “Direct access to Shin Osaka, Kyoto from Kansai airport, Kansai Airport Limited Express “Haruka””

1. Allan says:

   April 29, 2013 at 10:55 pm

   Hi Takeshi,

   I would like some advice please. Our trip to Japan will be as follows:
   - Arv in KIX
   - Osaka 5 days
   - Tokyo 6 days
   - Dep from KIX

   Since we’ll be in Osaka first, my plan is to purchase return trip Haruka+Icoca (saving the 7-day JR Pass for later). We’re travelling with a 4 year old child, so should we purchase Haruka+Icoca for our child? Or just the Icoca pre-paid car for the child?

   Do we have to pay any fares for 4 year old child when travelling on all public transportation (subways/metro/buses) in Osaka and Tokyo?

   Regards,
   Allan

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     April 29, 2013 at 11:20 pm

     Hi Allan,

     Child under 6 years old is free of charge for most of public transportation, subway, bus, metro and other commute trains in throughout Japan. I think you don’t need to purchase ICOCA and Haruka for your kid. But Japan Rail Pass may be required for your child. I had same questions before. Please click the following link and see the comments. You will find my comment about my 4 years old girl.
     http://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html

     You don’t have to purchase JR pass. But Haruka is very short transfer and most of local trains as well. But trip time of Shinkansen to Tokyo is 2.5hr+. If you use only two seats for 3 of you, it will be very tight.

     But this is my opinion. The choice is yours.

     Cheers,

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
     • Allan says:

       May 1, 2013 at 6:28 pm

       Ok thanks Takeshi. Since we’ll be travelling off-peak I think we won’t bother with JR Pass for the child…..we’ll just travel on unreserved cabin in Shinkansen.

       Reply
       • JPRail says:

         May 1, 2013 at 10:52 pm

         Hi Allan,

         Even if you travel in off peak season, sometimes Shinkansen is full. Because there are lots of business user’s demands. Please keep it in your mind. But as long as you find lots of empty seats, of course you can use three seats. This is technically against the rules. If conductor tell you to use only two seats, please follow the direction.

         Enjoy your trip.

         Cheers,

         Takeshi / JP Rail

         Reply
2. Cindy says:

   April 29, 2013 at 8:26 am

   Hi,

   Your article is really helpful!

   I will be arriving at Kansai Airport and staying at Osaka for 3 nights, Kyoto for 2 nights, and Tokyo for 6 nights. I will be staying near Shinosaka station at Osaka and near Kyoto station at Kyoto.

   I am planning to take the express Haruka from Kansai Airport to Shinosaka, then the express Haruka from Shinosaka to Kyoto and the Shinkansen from Kyoto station to Tokyo. Just wondering if this is the best way to get from one place to another? Also, is there any pass that is suitable in my case?

   Thank you (:

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     April 29, 2013 at 8:56 pm

     Hi Cindy,

     Thanks for your comment about my website, JPRail.com.

     Single fare from KIX to Shin-Osaka is 2260 yen (basic fare + Haruka surcharge). You can get this fare at Hyperdia.
     http://www.hyperdia.com/en/

     By the way, if you want to take Haruka, ICOCA and Haruka is much better deal.
     http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/icoca-haruka/
     One way type is 3000 yen. This includes Haruka ticket and 1500 e-money. So it has 3740 yen value at 3000 yen.

     Next, when you transfer to Kyoto from Shin-Osaka, take Special Rapid train. It is fast, convenient and frequent.
     http://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/rapid-service/special-rapid-service.html
     You don’t need to pay any surcharge because this is a sort of commute train. But it is as fast as Haruka. And also ICOCA card fully cover this rapid train. You also can use ICOCA for subways in both Kyoto and Osaka. It is very useful for sightseeing.

     At last, Shinkansen is the best choice from Kyoto to Tokyo. As long as you have one way trip to Tokyo from Kyoto, there is no discount deals. Simply purchase single ticket at the station. You can book and purchase it at Shin-Osaka in advance.

     Cheers,

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
3. Cindy says:

   April 29, 2013 at 8:19 am

   Hi,

   How much does it cost for an adult to take the Haruka train from Kansai airport to Shinosaka? I tried viewing the Fare calculation but it does not have the information I need. Thank you (:

   Reply
4. Alex says:

   March 24, 2013 at 9:57 pm

   I was on the Haruka Limited Express from Kyoto to Kansai International Airport last night. The train arrived more than 30 minutes later than scheduled to the airport, causing me to miss my flight. Where should I file a complaint?

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     March 24, 2013 at 10:20 pm

     Hi Alex,

     I’m sorry to hear that.

     If you want to complain, you have to call to JR West customer service at 078-382-8686. They have online contact form, but unfortunately they have only Japanese one.
     https://voc.westjr.co.jp/voice/InputForm.php

     In case of delay, usually railway company issue late arrival form. As far as I know, passenger show it to flight company and they rebook a seat without extra charge. Usually that’s all they do.

     I checked several website, most of them says it is exemption from responsibility. Train company do not take a responsibility for miss connection due to delay of service. I’m not a lawyer. So I’m not 100% sure. I just want to let you know it.

     Cheers,

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
5. K Kong says:

   January 22, 2013 at 7:48 am

   Thank you in advance for travel advice.

   We arrive in Kansai Airport and have one night in Swissotel Nankai Osaka, a hotel abov Nankai Station. We then travel to Kyoto for 3 nights, Nara for 2 nights and finally, Osaka for 4 nights.

   Which train or bus passes would be most economical for a group of 5 adults? Please inform us of ticket cost and travel time, where possible.

   Advice much appreciated.

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     January 22, 2013 at 3:22 pm

     Hi K Kong,

     I don’t think you need to purchase the pass. You will stay for multiple nights in each cities. So you can simple purchase a single ticket for inter city transfer, like Osaka to Kyoto.

     When you stay in Kyoto and Osaka, you may purchase city pass. See the link below:
     http://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
     http://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html

     As you see, there are Kansai Thru Pass and JR West Kansai Area Pass. If you go around whole Kansai area in 3 or 4 days, these pass will be suitable. But obviously it is not your choice.

     Your choice may be Kyoto city day pass or Osaka Unlimited Pass or Eco card. But you need to take a train or bus approximately 5 times a day at least. Otherwise single fare will be cheaper.

     When you stay in Nara, most of spots can be accessed on foot.

     Cheers,

     Reply
6. Tyco T says:

   January 7, 2013 at 7:05 pm

   Hello,

   I will be arriving to Kansai airport and spending time in Kyoto and Osaka. I will be going to Kyoto first, directly from Kansai. 2 days in Kyoto and 3 days in Osaka.

   Which rail pass(es) do you recommend? I’m not sure whether the Kansai Thru Pass is better, or a combination of that and the Haruka or???

   Thanks in advance for your help!

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     January 7, 2013 at 8:09 pm

     Hi Tyco T,

     ICOCA and Haruka is the best for day 1.
     http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/icoca-haruka/

     You can use ICOCA e-money 1500 yen for Kyoto subway, transfer to Osaka or Osaka subway. If you visit many places in Kyoto, purchase Kyoto city pass and save e-money for Osaka.

     Cheers,

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
7. ling Daisly says:

   September 29, 2012 at 7:39 pm

   Your article is very helpful. May I ask you about the 4day Kansai Area pass on JR trains.
   We will be arriving in Osaka Kansai International airport and staying at Shin-Osaka Station Hotel for 3 nights.
   Can we buy the 4-day JR train Kansai pass and use it for travel from airport; and go to kyoto everyday for 3 days and use the JR Trains in Kyoto, and finally return to airport on the last day?
   Thank you.

   Ling.

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     September 29, 2012 at 10:29 pm

     Hi Ling,

     Yes, you can. But JR line is not useful in Kyoto. Please see the following link:
     http://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-use-japan-rail-pass-in-kyoto.html

     You might need to purchase Kyoto city pass. But JR West Kansai pass still give you a great deal.

     As far as you stay in Shin Osaka, this pass is most suitable for you.

     Cheers,

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
8. GL Tan says:

   August 19, 2012 at 8:24 pm

   Dear Sir,
   I would like to refer to one of your comments on ways to visit Mt. Fuji

   “And also Japan Railway operates some Rapid trains to Kawaguchiko directly from Tokyo via Shinjuku. When you take this train, you don’t need to transfer the trains at Otsuki. But you still need to pay for Otsuki to Kawaguchiko. They have 2 round trips (to Kawaguchiko in the morning) between Tokyo/Shinjuku and Kawaguchiko. It takes 2 hours and 45 minutes from Shinjuku and 3 hours from Tokyo.”

   what train is that ? may I have the timetable for this train?

   warmest regards,

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     August 19, 2012 at 9:40 pm

     Hi GL Tan,

     You can find it at JR East trains at the following link:
     http://jprail.com/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule/schedule-of-2012-summer-seasonal-trains-of-japan-railways.html

     PS. Would you please leave your comment on the related post next time? Otherwise please use Forum page.
     http://jprail.com/forums-about-japan-rail-pass-and-rail-travel-in-japan

     Cheers,

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply