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:
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.
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.
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
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
Hi,
I will like to travel from Namba to Kyoto Station. My hotel selected is Fraser Residence Nankai Osaka.
May I ask for the best route to take and last train timing?
Plan to depart from hotel around 7 a.m.
Hi Bryant,
You can take subway to get JR Osaka station (subway Umeda station) and transfer to JR train, Special Rapid. Please see the following link to get more details:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Train runs between 5:30 and midnight.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takashi,
I am planning to visit Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and back to Osaka again in a span of 13 days.
I will be landing in Kansai Intl first stay a few days in Osaka ( bad timing hence stay in Osaka first) then the rest of the place and then back to Osaka maybe 2 days and then fly off again.
I understand that travelling between Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe would be the Special Rapid Service but how do I tie this in with my transfer from Airport ?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Vincent,
The following posts may help you to understand airport access.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-from-kansai-airport-to-downtown-osaka-kyoto-and-kobe.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/kansai-airport-transportation-guide-find-info-about-station-ticket-airport-bus-and-high-speed-ferry.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
And the following link may help you to build your plan as well.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
I plan to go to Kyoto from Osaka Station.
My accommodation is at Kessei Guest House
25-17, Imagumanohiyoshicho, Kyoto, Japan.
Hi Serene,
Do you need a route? You can take a train to Kyoto and transfer to Nara line to Tofukuji.
You may find the detailed info at Hyperdia.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I plan to take a train from
1. Shin Osaka to Shin Kobe and,
2. Shin Kobe to Himeji
I found there are Shinkansen trains operate on these routes. However, I wonder if I have Kansai Wide Area Pass, can I use it on Nozomi or Mizuho, or it is just limited on Shinkansen Kodama, Sakura and Hikari only.
Thank you 🙂
Hi Kwang,
You can take any trains on Shinkansen but non reserved seat only. You cannot take reserved seat even if you pay the difference.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi!,
I going to take JR Special Rapid Service from Kyoto to Osaka. But I’m abit confuse, did the rapid svc stop at Osaka station coz some ppl write that its stop at Shin-Osaka station.
Kindly help..
Thank you
Hi Evonne,
Yes. Special Rapid stops at Osaka. Probably many of them mixed up with Shinkansen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hello Takeshi,
We plan to do a day trip from Osaka to Kyoto in September, is this possible? We have booking in Mitsui Garden Hotel Osaka Premier, can you please assist us with the transport— what train to take?
We are also considering an Osaka-Kyoto-Tokyo trip? Do you recommend this travel? We are planning to stay in JR Blossom Shinjuku hotel.
We would appreciate your suggestions.
Gaston
Hi Gaston,
Please see the following posts. You will find the solutions for your trip.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/sample-itinerary-of-osaka-kyoto-hakone-fuji-and-tokyo-classic-route.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi!
Is it possible to go from osaka to nagoya to hiroshima all in one day using JR national pass? Which would be a better starting point to get to Hirsohima faster – Kyoto, Kobe, or Nagoya (from Osaka)? As we are presssed for time, Universal and Kobe would be all in the same day. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
Hi Enzo,
It’s not impossible but not recommended. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/1-day/day-trip-to-hiroshima-and-miyajima-from-osakakyoto.html
As you see the link above, it take almost one day to see Hiroshima and Miyajima. If you add Nagoya, you have to add two hours for trip time between Osaka and Nagoya. And you need to get a few hours to see Nagoya. Not impossible but you don’t have enough time to see each points.
USJ and Kobe in one day is not recommended either. If you are okay with seeing night view of Kobe, it’s not impossible. But I don’t think you can get KObe after USJ in daytime. In these days, USJ is very busy. I recommend you to stay there whole day.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I’ll be in Osaka in Jun15. Osaka will be the base through out my stay. I would like to make a day trip to Kyoto. You mentioned that the recommended option is travel by Special Rapid Service. Can you assist to enlighten me on how to take the service if I’m staying at Namba area? In addition, I may consider Himeji and Kinosaki as well. Can you assist to adv whether the Pass or per trip ticket is a better option. If is pass, what is the recommended Pass please?
Tks n BRgds
Hi Simone,
The best deal is Kansai Wide Area Pass. This is what you need if you go to Kinosaki.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/the-newest-jr-west-rail-pass-for-kansai-and-okayama-kurashiki-kinosakai-and-shingu-area-kansai-wide-area-pass.html
You can fine location and transportation in Osaka at the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/osaka-station-guide-how-to-change-jr-trains-subway-trains-and-other-private-railways.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/namba-stations-guide-how-to-change-the-trains-among-nankai-kintetsu-hanshin-subway-and-jr.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I plan to visit both Kobe and Himeji this coming May. As I’m staying at Business Hotel Nissei, Osaka, how to I take the Special Rapid Service to Himeji?
Also, should I take the same train to Kobe and Osaka from Himeji?
Thanks for your prompt reply so far.
Hi Christine,
Sorry but I don’t know the location of your hotel. You may find it your hotel website.
Anyway just go to Osaka station to catch it. You can get Kobe too by this train.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-access-to-himeji-and-kobe-from-osaka.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
The address is: ビジネスホテルニッセイ, 〒542-0075 大阪市中央区難波千日前4番31号
I’m confused as how to take Special Rapid Service from the hotel. Since it’s a one day trip, would you advice to travel to both Kobe and Himeji?
Hi Christine,
You can take Subway Midousuji line from Namba to Umeda (JR Osaka). And you can catch Special Rapid to get Himeji.
You can put this address in Google map and you can find the location of your hotel.
https://goo.gl/maps/XhZwB
The closest station is Nihonbashi but Namba is walking distance. It’s much easier to get subway from Namba. If you take it from Nihonbashi, you have to transfer at Namba.
The following links can show you about Osaka and Namba station.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/namba-stations-guide-how-to-change-the-trains-among-nankai-kintetsu-hanshin-subway-and-jr.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/osaka-station-guide-how-to-change-jr-trains-subway-trains-and-other-private-railways.html
You can do it in one day.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-access-to-himeji-and-kobe-from-osaka.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Keith,
It’s better and cheaper to go to Kyoto from Osaka, from the Osaka station under the Special Rapid Service than from ShinOsaka?
Also…can we buy the tickets for the Special Rapid Service to Kyoto from Osaka at Osaka station on the day itself? Example, 19th April, want to leave around 10am from Osaka to Kyoto, can we be there at 9:15AM to try and get tickets or is it hard…
Sincerely,
Bryna
Hi Bryna,
Special Rapid train is a sort of commute train. You can purchase a ticket at vending machine just before you taking a train. You don’t need to show up in advance. It takes one minute to purchase and hop on the train. You can purchase it anytime on the day when you take a train.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail