The Limited Express Hashidate. The train to Amanohashidate from Kyoto directly.

Most of Kinosaki and all Maizuru are operated by the newest fleet of JR West. (C) Jonathan AyreKinosaki Onsen, Aanohashidate, Toyooka, Fukuchiyama, Maizuru
Most of Kinosaki and all Maizuru are operated by the newest fleet of JR West. (C) Jonathan Ayre
Kyoto Tango Railway 8000 series, Tango no Umi train set (C) やのけん (Yanoken) [CC BY 4.0 from Wikimedia Commons]

Hashidate connects Kyoto and Miyazu, Amanohashidate and Toyooka. This is only train to go directly one of “Three Views of Japan”, Amanohashidate.

This train, Hashidate goes through KTR (Kyoto Tango Railway) between Fukuchiyama and Toyooka. So if you use this train and go to stations further than Fukuchiyama by Japan Rail Pass, you have to pay extra fare. But if you use Kansai Wide Area Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass or Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass, this segment on KTR is covered.

I would like to share with you about this train’s route, schedule, accommodations. I will also explain about the extra charge for Japan Rail Pass users.

Route, schedule and trip time

Amanohashidate is one of Three Views of Japan. ©Kyoto Prefecture/© JNTO
Amanohashidate is one of Three Views of Japan. ©Kyoto Prefecture/© JNTO

Hashidate connects Kyoto with Miyazu/Amanohashidate in 2 hours, and with Toyooka in 3 hours. If you go somewhere between Amanohashidate and Toyooka, this train will be suitable for you. But if you go to Toyooka, Kinosaki and Kounotori are the right choice. Because Hashidate will go on KTR line. It is going a long way round.

The number of trips is the following:
Between Kyoto and Miyazu — 1 trip to Kyoto
Between Kyoto and Amanohashidate — 3 round trips
Between Kyoto and Toyooka — 1 trip to Toyooka, 2 trips to Kyoto

If you go to Amanohashidate from Kyoto, this train “Hashidate” is the best choice. But if you cannot take this train, you can take another limited express, Kinosaki to Fukuchiyama. And then you can take a local or express train from Fukuchiyama to Amanohashidate by Kitakinki Tango Railway.

If you travel somewhere further than Fukuchiyama by Japan Rail Pass, you need to pay some extra because this section is not Japan Railway line. The extra charges are the following:

 FukuchiyamaMiyazuAmanohashidateKumihamaToyooka
Fukuchiyama700/650770/6501580/9701800/970
Miyazu700/650210/3201050/6501270/970
Amanohashidate770/650210/320980/6501190/970
Kumihama1580/9701050/650980/650290/330
Toyooka1800/9701270/9701190/970290/330

This above table shows you base fare / non reserved seat of Limited Express surcharge.
If you take a reserved ordinary seat, you have to pay another 200 yen.

Kansai Wide Area Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass and Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass cover these above extra fares.

If you need the detail schedule, you can find it at Hyperdia.
* If you don’t know how to use Hyperdia, please refer this post

Find your hotels in 218 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels and Ryokans in Toyooka and Kinosaki Onsen
Hotels and Ryokans in Amanohashidate and Miyazu

Stations 
Kyoto (京都)x
Nijo (二条)x
Kameoka (亀岡)x
Sonobe (園部)x
Ayabe (綾部)x
Fukuchiyama(福知山)x
Oe (大江)x
Miyazu (宮津)x
Amanohashidate (天橋立)x
Nodagawa (野田川)x
Tango-Omiya (丹後大宮)x
Mineyama (峰山)x
Amino (網野)x
Kitsu-Onsen (木津温泉)x
Kumihama (久美浜)x
Toyooka(豊岡)x

x:All train stop *:Some of trains stop


View Hashidate in a larger map

Accommodation and train formations

Hashidate is operated by the newest fleet 287 series and KTR 8000 series (diesel multiple unit).

*I have received many images of 287 series from my viewer, Mr. Jonathan Ayre. I would like to thank you for your contribution.

*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of 183 series accommodations below.

287 series and 289 series

Both train sets have almost same interior. The seat configuration in Green class is 2+1 and the seat pitch is 1,160 mm. The seat configuration in Ordinary class is 2+2 and the seat pitch is 970 mm. All seats in Green class and the first row seats in Ordinary class have a power outlet for a laptop and a mobile device.

4 cars formation

1234
G/RRNRNR

*G=Green seat R=Reserved ordinary seat NR=Non reserved ordinary seat
Smoking is not allowed on this train.
Maizuru is operated with Kinosaki always. This is the reason why car number is started from 5.

287 series images

Green seat

Ordinary seat

Sanitary space

289 series images

Green seat

Ordinary seat

Sanitary space

KTR 8000 series, “Tango no Umi”

This train set which is shown at the top of this post is very nice one. It does not have any Green class seats. However this was renovated by very famous designer, Eiji Mitooka who is the chief designer of JR Kyushu. He designed most of JR Kyushu trains, such as Yufuin no Mori, Seven Stars. This train set, Tango no Umi has same taste of JR Kyushu trains. These are lots of wooden materials in the car and make it nice cozy interior. The seat configuration is 2+2 and the seat pitch is 1,050 mm which is much bigger than a standard of ordinary class.

Train formation

12
RNR
1234
RNRRNR

*G=Green seat R=Reserved ordinary seat NR=Non reserved ordinary seat
Smoking is not allowed on this train. This train is usually operated by 2 cars formation and it is sometimes operated by 4 cars formation with Maizuru in the peak period.

Ordinary class

(C) やのけん (Yanoken) [CC BY 4.0 from Wikimedia Commons]
(C) やのけん (Yanoken) [CC BY 4.0 from Wikimedia Commons]

Public space

(C) やのけん (Yanoken) [CC BY 4.0 from Wikimedia Commons]

Comments

  1. Fiona says:

    I will use jr kansai wide area pass.
    if I take Ltd.hashidate from kyoto to amanohashidate directly, do I need to pay extra? If yes, how much is it?

    • It’s covered fully bu the pass, Fiona.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

    • Png says:

      Dear Takeda san,

      I wish you well. I need some advice on the JR wide area pass.

      I am planning to go Amanohashidate from Osaka and back. In between I am intending to go Himeji and Kinosaki (optional). I was reading the Limited Limited Express Kounotori and has some questions.

      This is my route 1:
      12Dec : Osaka to Amanohashidate
      13Dec : Amanohashidate to Kyoto

      When I checked hyperdia, i found some question:
      Questions:
      a) If I take the 910 am train from Shin-Osaka, I will need to change to LTD. EXP HASHIDATE 1 at Fuchikyama station. I know the part by kounotori is covered, but
      i. LTD EXP Is Hashidate 1 from Fuchiyama to Amanohashidate station covered? If not, Is it 770+750JPY for reserved seats?
      ii. Do I change platform? The next train is only 4mins apart?!
      b) On the 13dec, I realised there is a direct train from Amanohashidate to Kyoto by LTD. EXP HASHIDATE 2 .
      i. I read at the https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/limited-express-hashidate.html page that this is fully covered?
      ii. But the timing is too early at 10am and too late at 1348pm. If I am to take the 1146am train I need to take the Ltd exp tango relay4 and change at Fuchiyama station. This portion is not covered right? I saw from hyperdia that the top up for reserved seat is 770+750JPY right?
      iii. Do I need to change platform?
      c) Can I reserved all these seats a(i) + b(ii) at the JR Office in KIX airport when I arrive in 10Dec?

      The route 2 is an optional I am thinking if I am not going Kyoto. I have been to Kyoto a few times.
      12Dec: Osaka to Takeda to Kinosaki
      13 Dec: Kinosaki
      14 Dec: KinoSaki – Amanohashidate
      15Dec : Amanohashidate – Osaka

      when I checked hyperdia, I found some questions
      Questions:
      a) If I take the 938am train by LTD. EXP HAMAKAZE 1, reaching Takeda at 1143am, my wide area pass covers this part right?
      b) If I take the 1644pm train, the route is Takeda (via JR Bantan line) to wadayama station, reaching at 1650pm, then Wadayama (via JR San-in line) to Kinoonsen station at 1653pm. It is only 3mins apart, do I need to change platform??
      c) The cost for this part is covered as well right?
      d) On 14Dec : if it take the 1039am LTD. EXP KINOSAKI 12 to Toyooka station and change to the Kyoto Tango railway to Amanohashidate, is the KTR covered? Hyperdia says 1190JPY on non-reserved seat only.
      e) On 15Dec : there are a lot of train to Osaka but all transferring at fuchiyama station,
      a. I know Ltd exp Konotori from Fuchiyama to Osaka is covered but if Ltd Exp Hashidate or Ltd Exp Tango relay covered as well from Amanohashidate to Osaka covered as well?
      i. I read from your site it is not, but I read from http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3991.html that only JR pass does not cover the KTR line but this line is covered by Kansai wide area pass.
      b. Do I need to change platform?
      f) Can I reserved all these seats (a)+(b)+(d)+(d)+(e) at the JR Office in KIX airport when I arrive in 10Dec?

      Sorry for the long email but i just want to prepare the cost i need to pay for my budget.

      Thank you so much!
      Png

      • Hi Png,

        All trains which you mentioned are covered by Kansai wide area pass. As you mentioned, JR pass does not cover Kyoto Tango railway but Kansai wide area pass covers this railway. Even limited express on this railway is covered. Please see the official site in the link below:
        http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kansai_wide/

        However Kansai wide area pass does not cover reserved seat. It covers only non reserved seat. Please find more info about non reserved seat in the link below:
        https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/reserved-seat-vs-non-reserved-seat-how-to-get-a-seat-on-non-reserved-car.html

        If you want to reserve your seat, you need to pay full fare of reserved seat, not the difference between non reserved and reserved. You can book all at KIX if you want.

        Usually limited express trains arrive at same platform in Fukuchiyama. But if you take Kyoto Tango railway train, such as Tango Relay, you need to change the platforms. In Wadayama, you need to change the platform. It’s not impossible to do it in 3 minutes but you need to be hurry.

        Cheers,

        Takeshi (not Takeda) / JPRail.com

        • Png says:

          Dear Takeshi san

          Apologies for the mis spelt of your name~ thank you for your quick replies.
          on the “If you want to reserve your seat, you need to pay full fare of reserved seat, not the difference between non reserved and reserved.”

          So say example on a(i) on route 1
          “a) If I take the 910 am train from Shin-Osaka, I will need to change to LTD. EXP HASHIDATE 1 at Fuchikyama station. I know the part by kounotori is covered, but
          i. LTD EXP Is Hashidate 1 from Fuchiyama to Amanohashidate station covered? If not, Is it 770+750JPY for reserved seats?”

          i will have to pay 770+750JPY and not just 750JPY right?

          tks,
          Png

          • Hi Png san,

            770 yen is base fare and it’s covered. On Kyoto Tango railway, reserved seat fee is 750 yen and non reserved seat fee is 650 yen. So you need to pay 750 yen, not 100 yen (=750-650).

            Don’t worry about mis-spelling.

            Cheers,

            Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. jeans says:

    I have jr kansai wide area pass.
    Can I take Ltd.hashidate from kyoto to fukuchiyama for free ? and stop at fukuchiyama to buy new ticket to go to amanohashidate right?

  3. Jason Tai says:

    Takeshi san,

    I would like to obtain the timetable / schedule for Hashidate train. Please advise where I can find this information on the internet.

    Greatly appreciated,

    Jason

  4. Poh Kim Hiang says:

    Hi Mr Takeshi,
    Pls advise me of what passes suit my itinerary best.
    4 Dec -arrive KIX 830 am, straight to Kobe sight-seeing and overnight in Kobe
    5 Dec -To Himeji early morning, leave for Amanohashidate by 1pm, overnight in Amanohashidate.
    6 Dec – Leave for Kyoto by 3pm
    6-9 Dec – Kyoto
    7 Dec – intend to go Miyama half day combine with Arashiyama
    10-12 Dec – Osaka
    11 Dec – intend to go Nara half day
    13 Dec – fly out fr KIX
    My questions:
    1. Should i buy Kansai Wide Area pass for first 5 days’ travel start using on 4 Dec? or just buy single fare throughout my trip
    (i intend to buy Kobe day pass, Amanohashidate day pass, kyoto 1 day pass, Osaka Amazing Pass)
    I appreciate yr help in clearing my doubts. Thank you.

    • Hi Poh,

      Kansai wide area pass is your choice. It’s no doubt. You may start using it on 4th Dec. If you can squeeze the trip to Nara before the pass expires, that will be perfect. But you have to give up half day in Kyoto. The choice is yours.

      I agree with purchasing other deals.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. Jay says:

    Can I use a JR Green Pass on the Limited Hashidate Express to go from Kyoto to Amanohashidate?

  6. Vivien says:

    Hello Takeshi san,

    I plan to visit Amanohashidate from Kyoto. I want to use the Kansai Wide Area Pass and Amanohashidate Pass. According to the brochure, it says I can buy the pass on board the Limited Express Hashidate. Do I buy the pass from the conductor on board Hashidate or do I have to make an earlier booking in order to get the pass? Thank you so much for your help.

    • Hi Vivien san,

      You can ask the conductor to purchase it. You don’t need to make a booking in advance. But you can purchase it in limited express Hashidate only. If you take a different train and transfer at Fukuchiyama, you have to purchase it at Fukuchiyama.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Jason Tan says:

    Hi,

    I have already bought the JR pass for Kansai Wide Area and would like to ask about the Amanohashidate Pass.

    My intention is to travel from Kinosaki-onsen station to Amanohashidate via Toyooka, which will require us to pay for the use of the KTR part from Toyooka to Amanohashidate. I understand that the Amanohashidate Pass (which I can buy from Toyooka Station) will help to cover for the fare from Toyooka to Amanohashidate and the ferry ride across the sandbar.

    However, I am leaving on next day from Amanohashidate to Kyoto. I understand that the Ltd Exp Hashidate train goes direct from Amanohashidate to Kyoto.

    My questions would be:

    1. If I were to buy the 2 day Amanohashidate Pass, would it cover 2 ferry rides? Or just 1 ferry ride?

    2. Will the 2 day Amanohashidate Pass cover the additional fare to take the Ltd Express Hashidate train from Amanohashidate to Kyoto?

    Thank you in advance for your help with regards to this!

    • Hi Jason,

      1. Actually I have never used this pass. But in my understanding, it gives you unlimited ride for all transportation in coverage area. I checked Japanese brochure. It says “自由周遊区間” That means unlimited ride in coverage area. So you can take ferry as many as you want.

      2. You can take non reserved seat by this pass and Kansai wide area pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Nigel says:

    Hi,

    I will be traveling to Amanohashidate from Kyoto, taking the earliest Ltd. Exp Kinosaki 1 to Fukuchiyama and transfer to Ltd. Express Tango Relay 1.

    I am definitely getting the Kansai Wide Pass, and planning to get Amanohashidate one day pass (1600 Yen).

    However would you know if the Ltd. Express Tango Relay 1 is covered under the Amanohashidate day pass?

    As far as I can find, The Day Pass covers limited express trains but does not state what trains.

    Looking forward for your reply.

    Regards,
    Nigel

  9. SLwee says:

    Hi, I have planned for a 10 nights trip Osaka/Nagoya as follows:-
    Day 1 Osaka to Kyotango
    Day 2 Kyotango to Amanohasite
    Day 3 – 6 Kyoto/Osaka
    Day 7 kanazawa
    Day 8 Kanazawa
    Day 9 Shirakawago/Takayama
    Day 10 Nagoya

    I am planning to use Takayama Hokuriku pass from Day 5 to Day 9 but from Day 1 to Day 4, do you recommend the Kansai area pass or Kansai wide area Pass, I saw the Amanohashite Day pass, will it be useful to use in Kyotango and Amanohasite?

    Thanks

    • Hi SLwee,

      I agree you use Takayama Hokuriku Pass. But I don’t understand that you start to use it on day 5. Are you going to move to Nagoya on day 9. If so, it makes sense. If you move to Nagoya on day 10, you can start to use it on day 6.

      Regarding Kansai Wide Area Pass, you may use it if you arrive in KIX and you will start to use it right away. Even if you use the pass on arrival day, the pass does not give you a big saving. It’s almost same cost as single fare. If you don’t want to take JR train after arrival KIX or not arrive in KIX, single fare is better choice. Kansai area pass does not work for your trip.

      Amanohashidate pass is a good choice.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • SLWee says:

        Takeshi san,
        Thanks for the reply. May I know to travel from Amanohashidate to Kyoto, if I use the Kansai Wide area pass, can I travel using Kinosaki limited express from Ayabe station to Kyoto station?

        Thanks,
        SLWee

  10. kurt says:

    Hi,

    I am planning a day trip from Osaka station to Amanohashidate.

    My trip will be taking the Konotori from Osaka -> Fukuchiyama -> Ltd Exp Hashidate to Amanohashidate. I plan to buy the Amanohashidate Day Pass
    1) Can I buy the Amanohashidate Day Pass in Osaka Station? Any JR ticket counter?
    2) Where can I find more info on the Amanohashidate Day Pass? (with information on the free bicycle rental and ferry)
    3) If possible, I would like to reserve seats for the entire journey. But if I were to buy the Day Pass only on board the Ltd Exp train, then I won’t be able to reserve seats, will I?

    • Hi Kurt,

      1) Unfortunately not. This pass can be purchased in Kyoto Tango Railway area.
      http://www.amanohashidate.jp/lang/en/kyoto-sea-area-pass/

      2) I only have link above. This link can show you PDF brochure. Ferry and rental cycle can be taken at Amanohashidate pier where is located near Amanohashidate station. You can find the exact location there. It’s very closed and almost in front of the station.

      3) You cannot make a reservation. This pass can give you only non reserved seat. Even if you use JR Kansai Wide Area Pass to get Fukuchiyama, it does not cover reserved seat. If you want to book, single fare is better choice.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

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