JR Special Rapid Service, most useful train among Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Himeji.

Kobe, Himeji
2011.04.24
Many passengers are waiting for Special Rapid Service in Osaka station. Special Rapid is very popular for both commuters and the travelers.

Special Rapid Service is the fastest local train that is operated between Tsuruga (=敦賀) and Kamigori (=上郡) via Kyoto (=京都), Shin-Osaka (=新大阪), Osaka (=大阪), Sannomiya (=三ノ宮), Kobe (=神戸) and Himeji (=姫路). Especially JR West compete with Hankyu (=阪急) and Keihan (=京阪) between Kyoto and Osaka, with Hankyu and Hanshin (=阪神) between Osaka and Kobe. So JR West have to offer fast and good quality of services. As a result, the time required by this train is faster than Shinkansen between Osaka and Kyoto. Since Shinkansen do not have a station in downtown Kobe, this trains is faster than Shinkansen between Osaka and Kobe too. Of course this train is fully covered by Japan Rail Pass. Let’s see the details.

Route, schedule and travel time

Special Rapid Service runs the route and stop at these stations in the map below:

Operation route map (Click to view large)

In day time, Special Rapid Service train runs every 15 minutes between Yasu and Himeji. Some of this train services are extended service to Mabara, Nagahama, Tsuruga to east, and Banshu-Ako, Aboshi and Kamigori to west.

Find your hotels in 218 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels in Kobe
Hotels in Himeji

When you move between Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Himeji, this train service is a primary choice. If you take Shinkansen from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka, it takes only 13 minutes. It seems to be much faster than Shin-Osaka. But you have to change trains at Shin-Osaka if you go to somewhere in Osaka. You have to spend 10 more minutes to transfer at Shin-Osaka. Unless your destination is Shin-Osaka, Special Rapid is more convenient.

If you go to Kobe, it takes 15 minutes by Shinkansen. But Shin-Kobe station on Shinkansen is not located in downtown. You need to take subway to Sannomiya.

Shin-Kobe station guide. How to change the Shinkansen and Kobe city subway.
If you access to Kobe or leave from Kobe by the Shinkansen, this post shows you everything you need. You can find how to change the Shinkansen and subway with lots of photos.
jprail.com
2017.08.12

Even in case of going to Himeji, it may be very close. It takes 30 minutes by Shinkansen and takes 1 hour by Special Rapid. But if you take Shinkansen, you must get Shin-Osaka first. And Shinkansen between Shin-Osaka and Himeji does not run very frequently. It depends on your schedule in this case. If Shinkansen’s timetable fits in your schedule, take Shinkansen. Otherwise take Special Rapid Service.

Accommodation

Special Rapid Service is operated by 223 or 225 series. 225 is newer but the seat layout and the interior are same.

Images

Interior
Seat layout
The washroom is equipped in this train set.
Information screen is equipped and it is shown in a few languages.

In these above photos, the train is empty. But please see the photo below. This is the real shot. This is not the morning and evening peak times. It is a daytime scene. But this train is very busy even other than the peak hours.

Comments

  1. Jenny says:
    November 22, 2015 at 10:59 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    Thank you so much for these information. I will be flying in from Tokyo to Osaka and staying there for 4 days. I would like to visit Kyoto 1-2 of these days. What is the fastest transportation from Osaka to Kyoto? Which station do I go to? Also, what is the earliest time and latest time for the fastest route? Also, what are the prices per ticket each way for the fastest route?

    Thank you so much!
    Jenny

  2. Sharon Yeo says:
    November 4, 2015 at 7:41 am

    Dear Takeshi san
    First of all, thank you so much for your dedication in answering questions from all over the world with regards to travel within Japan.

    I have a question on travel from Kyoto to Osaka. From what I have read, it seems that the Special Rapid Service is the fastest travel mode.

    May I know where can I board this train and which station do I alight? I am staying in Fushimi area in Kyoto and ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel in Osaka.

    Thank you very much

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      November 4, 2015 at 2:20 pm

      Hi Sharon san,

      You can simply take this train at Kyoto station and disembark at Osaka station. Local train connects Fushimi and Kyoto. I believe you can walk from Osaka station to your hotel.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Maggie says:
    November 1, 2015 at 5:29 pm

    Do you just use the ICOCA for the special rapid services? And do you think I need to get any special passes if I am only travelling around Osaka and Kyoto?

  4. Margaretha Maria Indrijati Korniawan says:
    November 1, 2015 at 7:12 am

    Attn Mr Takeshi,
    We are 7 people arrive at Kansai Airport from Jakarta at 8.30 (March 5, 2016) and plan to take my staff for sight seeing to Kyoto(Yasaka shrine, tea ceremony en, Gion area) and spend the afternoon for shopping at Sannomiya station then spend the night at Monregot hotel arima onsen in Kobe, for the first day.
    On the second day, we’d like to go to Nankinmachi area and Dotonbori area and spend the night at Richmond hotel.
    On the third day, we plan to go to Abeno Harukas and after lunch, straight to Kansai Airport (3 of my staff are going back home); and the four of us plan to stay for two more days.

    And for myself, I’ve to attend the37th Kumon Conference in Portopia Conference Hall on Sunday, 6 March 2016.

    What kind of ticket are available for us ? thank you

  5. Lyn says:
    October 30, 2015 at 3:09 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am planning to take some day trips from Kyoto. I will be staying near Inari station in Kyoto.
    I plan to travel to Nara in the morning then head to Kobe in the afternoon. I will go back to Kyoto at night.
    I have also purchased the JR Pass.

    Can you please advise which is the best route to take for these day trips, and what are the names of the train stations to alight at so that I can check the timings on Hyperdia?

    Thank you!

    Lyn

  6. Sarah Jane Abella says:
    October 26, 2015 at 9:37 pm

    Hi there! I would like to thank you for sharing and answering all our concerns. Good job! Keep up the good work & you will be bless sa million fold. I have some concerns regarding our travel to Osaka. Will be there come this Oct. 29- Nov. 02. 5 days Staying in Namba Area
    Day 1 Arrival (Airport Express)
    Day 2 Namba- Umeda ( will take Subway)
    Day 3 Namba- Kyoto (Is JR the best Option & how much is the fare)
    Day 4 Namba Area (will take subway)
    Day 5 Departure (Airport Express)

    Questions:
    – Kindly suggest what is the best deal to buy. Do you think 2 days Kansai Thru Pass is the best deal? Does Kansai Thru Pass covers Airport Express & JR Line going to Kyoto? dD you have idea how much is the single fare going to Kyoto from Osaka via JR
    – Does Kansai Thur Pass covers also subway in Osaka?
    – Will be leaving on Nov. 02 at 10:00 am will take Airport Express again. Kindly suggest if what card best suits our needs is is (Icoca, Hakura or Kansai Thru Pass).
    We are on a budget. Looking forward to your kind help.
    Regards,
    Sarah
    “

  7. Azahir says:
    October 7, 2015 at 4:24 pm

    Hi,

    I and 4 adults are planning to go to Kyoto from Shin-Osaka on 22 Dec 2015 in the afternoon. We are staying at Shin-Osaka Station Hotel Annex.
    1. Do we need to buy the Special Rapid Service in advance or buy half an hour before we board the train?
    2. Is there a place to put our luggage in the train?
    3. How far is walking distance from Shin-Osaka Station Hotel Annex to the Shin-Osaka Station Entrance?

    Thank you.

  8. Faith Toh says:
    October 6, 2015 at 3:49 am

    My husband and I planning a trip to Osaka & Tokyo. It will be our first time in Japan.

    We are intending to make day trips to:
    1. Himeji
    2. Kobe
    3. Nara
    4. Kyoto (maybe)

    Then making a single trip from Osaka to Tokyo.

    Is it better to get JR Pass? Or just pay for single trips? Or get the JR Kansai Area Pass?

    I tried reading all the other pages on your blog about which pass is best, and got confused. Sorry, please help me?

    Thank you!

    -Faith

  9. Norman says:
    September 27, 2015 at 1:03 am

    Hi, According to Hyperdia, catching the JR Special Rapid Service from Maibara to Osaka requires a transfer at kyoto station. Is this correct as the departure and arrival track are both the same?

    Thanks!

  10. Jensine says:
    September 10, 2015 at 11:50 pm

    Does the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass cover all travel charges on Special Rapid Service?

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