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———–Note———–
As of March 17, 2012, JR West stopped using the name “Ocean Arrow”. Now all trains are operated as Kuroshio. And the newest 287 series was introduced and some trains are operated by this newest cars. Please see the Direct transfer to Kinosaki from Osaka, Limited Express Kounotori to get the details about 287 series.
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These express trains connect Kii peninsula with Kyoto (京都), Shin-Osaka (新大阪) and Tennoji (天王寺). Please be careful that this express train does not stop by Osaka station. When you go to UNESCO World Heritage site, “Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range”, you can use this train and access there from Shingu (新宮).

Kuroshio basically is operated between Shin-Osaka and Shirahama. Some of Kuroshio are called Super Kuroshio. Super Kuroshio has panoramic view Green car. And this train is operated between Kyoto and Shingu. Ocean Arrow is operated by newer trains, 287 series. This train is faster than Kuroshio / Super Kuroshio.

You can take this train by Japan Rail Pass with no restriction. Let’s see the details.

*According to the media release from JR West on Dec 16, 2012, Ocean Arrow and Super Kuroshio will be integrated into Kuroshio.

Route, schedule and time required

Kuroshio services operates 6 round trips between Shin-Osaka (新大阪) and Shirahama (白浜), and 1 round trip between Shin-Osaka (新大阪) and Shingu (新宮). Super Kuroshio services operates 5 round trips between Kyoto (京都) and Shingu (新宮), and 1 round trip between Shin-Osaka (新大阪) and Wakayama (和歌山). Ocean Arrow services operates 3 round trips between Kyoto (京都) and Shingu (新宮). It takes 2 hours and 15 minutes from Shin-Osaka to Shirahama, 3 hours 50 minutes from Shin-Osaka to Shingu by the fastest Ocean Arrow or Super Kuroshio.

*You can find it at the bottom of JR West website.

View Kuroshio / Ocean Arrow in a larger map

Stations

Station / Train	Kuroshio	Super-Kuroshio	Ocean Arrow
Kyoto (京都)	-	x	x
Shin-osaka (新大阪)	x	x	x
Nishikujo (西九条)	*	*	*
Tennoji (天王寺)	x	x	x
Izumi-Fuchu (和泉府中)	-	*	-
Hineno (日根野)	*	*	-
Izumi-Suanagawa(和泉砂川)	*	*	-
Wakayama (和歌山)	x	x	x
Kainan (海南)	x	x	*
Minoshima(箕島)	x	*	*
Fujinami (藤並)	x	*	*
Yuasa (湯浅)	x	*	*
Gobo (御坊)	x	x	x
Minabe (南部)	x	*	*
Kii-Tanabe(紀伊田辺)	x	x	x
Shirahama (白浜)	x	x	x
Tsubaki (椿)	*	x	-
Susami (周参見)	x	x	x
Kushimoto (串本)	x	x	x
Koza (古座)	x	x	x
Taichi (太地)	*	*	*
Kii-Katsuura (紀伊勝浦)	x	x	x
Shingu (新宮)	x	x	x

x:All train stop *:some train stop

Accommodation

Kuroshio is operated original 381 series. Super Kuroshio is operated by renewal 381 series that has Green car with the panoramic window. Ocean Arrow is operated by the newest 283 series.

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

Ocean Arrow by 283 series

283 series is the newest train. Green class has panoramic window seat just behind the cockpit. Green seat has 2+1 seat configuration. The seat pitch is 1160mm. Ordinary class has 910mm seat pitch. This train has common lounge space on car #3. You will be able to see the beautiful pacific ocean view.

Train formations

1	2	3	4	5	6
PG	NR	NR/LG	R	WR	R

*3 more cars may be added during the peak season.
*PG=Green seat w/panoramic view window R=Reserved seat WR=Reserved seat for women only NR=Non reserved seat LG=Lounge space

Images
Green seat

Ordinary seat

Lounge space

Sanitary space

Kuroshio by 381 series

Train formation

381 series is older than 283 series. But it was completed to renovate. The seat pitch in Green seat is 1160mm and in ordinary seat is 1000mm. The seat configuration is 2+1 in Green car and 2+2 in Ordinary car. Kuroshio has Panda seat in Car#4 of 7 cars formation. (If it is operated by 9 car formation, it is located at Car#7.) These seat is a public space for taking a picture. The reason why it has Panda seat is use a popularity of Panda in the very well known attraction, Nanki-Shirahama World Safari. And there are some seats on Car#6 that is called “Ladies seat”. These seat is sold for women only.

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

*Car#7-9 are added during the peak season only.
*G=Green seat R=Reserved seat WR=Reserved seat for women only NR=Non reserved seat

Super Kuroshio by 381 series

381 series for Super Kuroshio is almost same as 381 series. The difference is Green class with panoramic window, like 283 series. The seat pitch and seat configuration are same as 381 series. But this series does not have Panda seat.

Train formations

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
PG	NR	NR	R	R	WR	R	R	R

*Car#7-9 are added during the peak season only.
*PG=Green seat w/panoramic view window R=Reserved seat WR=Reserved seat for women only NR=Non reserved seat

Images

Green seat

*These above images are Panoramic Green car of Super Kuroshio.

Ordinary seat

Panda seat

*Panda seat is on Kuroshio only. Super Kuroshio does not have this seat.

Sanitary space

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9 Comments to “Access to Kii mountains/peninsula from Osaka and Kyoto, Limited Express Kuroshio / Ocean Arrow”

1. julie says:

   August 17, 2012 at 3:08 pm

   I will be starting from Osaka. Is this possible? Osaka to Kushimoto in a wide view train. I am thinking of not stopping because of the time constraints but doing a loop.

   Am open to suggestions.

   Thanking you i would not have thought of this excursion your site prompted my interest.Julie

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     August 17, 2012 at 4:11 pm

     Hi Julie,
     This train do not go through Osaka station. Because it runs on short cut route from Shin-Osaka to Osaka circle line. We need to go to Shin-Osaka first and then transfer to this train. Shin-Osaka is just one station away from Osaka. It takes only 5 minutes by local train.
     Cheers,
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
2. Cher says:

   January 18, 2012 at 12:55 am

   I am interested in doing the whole kii peninsular round trip for the scenery from Kyoto in Feb 2012. However since the return to kyoto will be after sunset, I guess I won’t be able to see much scenery in the dark. So I am wondering if the clockwise or anticlockwise direction from kyoto is more scenic? I would like to stop in kikatsurra and possibly nachi for a few hours.

   Thank you.

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     January 18, 2012 at 12:52 pm

     Hi Cher,
     I recommend you to take the clockwise direction.
     The fist Wide View Nanki departs from Nagoya at 08:08am. You can transfer from Shinkansen easily.
     It will arrive at Kii Katsuura at 11:38. You have lots of time at Kii Katsuura.
     You may catch Ocean Arrow at 14:00 or 16:00 at Kii Katsuura. You still can enjoy scenery.
     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply
     • cher says:

       January 19, 2012 at 11:18 pm

       Hi Takeshi,

       Thank you.

       I will do as you suggested, leave nagoya at 8:08 am and get to ki katsurra at 11:38. Then ki katsurra to nachi at 13:22. Then nachi to kyoto at 1541 catching the ocean arrow at ki katsurra at 16:06. This gives me about 2 hours each in ki katsurra and nachi. Will I be able to see the waterfall in 2 hours?

       What time does the sun set? I read somewhere it sets around 4pm in winter! Hope I can still see some scenery from ocean arrow.

       Is my plan feasible?

       Regards,
       Cher

       Reply
       • JPRail says:

         January 20, 2012 at 12:31 am

         Hi Cher,
         I think 2 hours is enough.
         http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4955.html
         Sunset is around 17:30 – 18:00. So you still can see the scenery. However this is a long trip for one day. So you have to give up some of them.
         Takeshi / JP Rail

         Reply
3. Geoffrey says:

   September 30, 2011 at 4:16 am

   You can view the whole of this journey on YouTube. Someone has filmed it from behind the driver for the whole of the trip. It looks very scenic and has much variety. This is link to first of 26 clips!

   Reply
4. Terri Petersen says:

   January 28, 2011 at 2:51 pm

   I’m wondering if it is possible to take a day trip from Kyoto around the entire Kii peninsula by Japan Rail Pass. I understand one can go round trip to Shingu. Could one also continue to Tsu and back to Kyoto? How long might this take? Thank you for your help.

   Reply
   • JPRail says:

     January 28, 2011 at 11:19 pm

     Hi Terri,
     Yes, you can! I show you the sample itinerary.
     08:36 Kyoto Dep
     (Ltd Exp “Ocean Arrow 3″)
     12:49 Shingu Arr
     17:27 Shingu Dep
     (Ltd Exp “Wide View Nanki 8″)
     20:44 Nagoya Arr
     21:11 Nagoya Dep
     (Hikari 485)
     21:59 Kyoto Arr

     Wide View Nanki go through on Non JR line. You have to pay extra 800yen (fare 490+Ltd surcharge 310).
     If you travel during the peak season, you might have some additional trains from Shingu to Nagoya. That means you may be able to leave Shingu a bit earlier.

     Takeshi / JP Rail

     Reply