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 good evening,
i will be travelling to Osaka and Kyoto from Tokyo from 3rd April to 9th April and back to Tokyo from 9th April to 16th of April.
Can you recommend me how many days of JR pass should i buy and what type of JR pass should i buy?
Due to i am unable to find a hotel in Kyoto as most of it will bust my budget, i will be travelling from Osaka to Kyoto daily for 3 days, My place of stay nearest station will be JR Sakuranomiya station. Could you recommend me a best route to Kyoto daily?
Could you tell me where can i find the a daily timetable or operating hours for the trains, so i will not miss the last train back to Osaka daily.
Would be nice if you could recommend me some place of interest to visit for Osaka and Kyoto.
Thanks in advance for the help, hope hear from you soon.
Best regards,
Elroy
Hi Elroy,
7 days pass is fine if you visit just downtown Tokyo when you are in Tokyo. You don’t need JR pass to see Tokyo. Subway pass is enough.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
But if you intend to visit outside Tokyo many times, 14 days pass may be considerable. If so, you have to fix your itinerary. Otherwise you cannot compare single fare and JR pass.
Sakuranomiya is located between Osaka and Kyobashi on JR Osaka loop line.
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
So take loop line to Osaka and take Special rapid to Kyoto. But JR Pass does not cover Kyoto very much.
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
Train runs between 5:30 and 0:30 usually. You can find the exact timetable 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
Takeshi-San,
Since my last email exchange w you, I want to let you know that your tips have been very helpful. Presently I am in Kanazawa and will be arriving in Kyoto on 16 Mar2016.
I have reserved my 5 days Kansai Hiroshima JR Pass to be picked up in Kyoto Station. My pass will start 19 Mar as we are leaving back to San Diego on 23 Mar. On the 20 Mar we will use it to go to our Shin Osaka hotel with our luggage . We plan to go Hiroshima, Himejii and Osaka city during our lodging in RemmShinOsaka hotel.
Please advise about what trains to use from Kyoto to Shin Osaka , Special Rapid Service? I assume to Hiroshima and Himejii we will use ShinKansen. Another question is to go to Kansai airport from ShinOsaka, with Haruka express? with our luggages preferably not during crowded time. The time best to travel with these luggages for Special Rapid service Kyoto to ShinOsaka and HarukaLimited ShinOsaka to Kansai airport?
Thank you
Warmest,
Rudy Sada
Hi Rudy san,
You can take either Special Rapid and Haruka from Kyoto to Osaka. Special Rapid runs every 15 minutes and Haruka runs usually once an hour. So Special Rapid is more convenient but it’s always busy and crowded, even daytime. So if you really want to avoid it, you can take Haruka. Haruka is not a commute train. You don’t need to care about the time to travel.
Haruka is also the best choice to get KIX from Shin-Osaka.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Traveling to Japan for 8 days
Tokyo Hakone Kyoto Osaka Hiroshima 5 night in Kyoto will do Hiroshima Osaka from Kyoto
Will get romance car and Hakone pass staying night in Hakone
What will be best jar pass or individual tickets and do I need other passes for metro there if you can suggest which trains to take for maximum use of time.
Thanks
Hi Deepa,
You can use JR pass 7 days.
JR pass covers Tokyo-Odawara by Shinkansen. But if you want to take romcancecar, you can take it without JR Pass as long as you are okay with extra cost.
Please find the coverage of JR pass at the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
I’m looking for the best way to travel from Kyoto (Tobakaido Station) to Osaka (Nippombashi Station), do you have any suggestion?
Me and friends will carry luggage too. So we are looking for the most convenient route to transfer.
Thank you.
Hi Ampelia san,
You may use Kintetsu railway from Kyoto to Nipponbashi via Yamato-Saidaiji.
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
Nipponbashi is one station before Namba on Kintetsu railway. There are lots of routes but this is only route with one transfer. If you take other route, you have to change the train at least twice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I will be travelling around the Kansai region for about a week and I’m not sure whether I’m going to be fully utilising my transport pass.
Day 1: KIX–Namba
Transport: Airport Limo to Umeda and Single Journey Tix to Namba)
Day 2: Osaka –Kawaramachi — Arashiyama (Sagano Scenic Railway/ Tenryuji Temple/ Kitasaga Bamboo Grove) — Kyoto Station
Transport: Kansai Thru Pass
Using the Kansai Thru Pass, how do I get to the Sagano Railway? I read that it is closer to JR lines. Do I need to purchase additional transport card?
Day 3: Kawaramachi — Kinkakuji — Southern Higashiyama/ Kiyomizudera — Nanzan
Transport : ?
Day 4: Kyoto–Nara–Kyoto–Osaka (Umeda)
Transport: Kansai Thru Pass
Day 5: Umeda (Osaka- Hankyu) — Himeji–Kobe (Mount Rokkan/Arima Onsen)–Osaka
Transport: JR West Kansai pass
Do I need to purchase additional transport card for the transport around Kobe?
Day 6: Osaka (Umeda) — Minoo Park–Osaka Castle–Umeda Sky Building–Namba
Transport: ICOCA card? Kansai Thru Pass? Single Journey Fare?
Thank you! Sorry for the multiple questions.
Hi Adilah san,
Day 1
You can use bus and single ticket to Namba. But if you want to save your cost, you may use Yokoso Osaka ticket.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/yokoso.html
But you have to take Nankai and subway to get Umeda. There is no direct way.
Day 2
You may use Kansai thru pass.
You can take Hankyu and Keifuku Railway (a.k.a. Randen) via Shijo-Omiya. Randen-Saga station is the nearest station to JR Saga-Arashiyama. But you can walk from Arashiyama too.
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
Sagano Scenic train is not covered by any deals. You have to purchase a ticket. And advance reservation is strongly recommended. You can book at Midori no Madoguchi in any major JR station, like JR Osaka
Day 3
All day bus pass is recommended.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
Day 4
Kansai thru pass is okay.
Day 5
Kansai thru pass is more recommended. Because this pass is only deal to cover Arima Onsen.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kobe-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
JR train is much faster to get Himeji. But JR train is not covered by Kansai thru pass. Any JR deal does not cover Arima Onsen.
https://jprail.com/destinations/world-heritage-destinations/how-to-access-to-himeji-and-kobe-from-osaka.html
Day 6
Subway pass is recommended but you need to add single fare to get Minoo.
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/Card.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello, I’m thinking of dedicating one day to visit Himeji Castle and Kokoen Garden then head to Kobe for Kobe beef. The restaurant that I’m intending to go to is Steakland, which is located directly opposite Kobe-Sannomiya Station. Does JR Special Rapid Train goes to Kobe-Sannomiya Station? If not, what’s the best way to travel from Himeji to Kobe-Sannomiya Station with Kansai pass?
Hi Candyce,
Sannomiya and Kobe-Sannomiya are the same location. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/kobe-sannomiya-stations-guide-check-the-location-and-connections-between-many-sannomiya-stations.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi-san,
Thank you for your help.
I’m travelling with 4 others and all of us have big bags. (The normal luggage that we check in when flying in plane).
1. Is there space to put our bags in Special Rapid Service trains?
2. Since this is a normal train between Shin-Osaka and Kyoto, when is the off peak time and not many people in the train?
Thank you again.
Azahir
Hi Azahir san,
Please see the photo in the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/BlueWorks.JPRail/photos/pb.137952052924228.-2207520000.1449468690./880338948685531/?type=3&theater
I took this photo around 10:00 am on March 10, 2015 (Tue). It’s in Special rapid train. As you see, it was no space to put the bag because it’s a commute train. It was off peak time but this train is always like this.
If you take peak time, 07:00 to 09:00 and 18:00 to the end of the day, there are many more passengers.
I have seen many tourists who stands up in the train to put the suitcase beside them.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi san,
May I know if I can have meal in the special rapid train from Kobe to Kyoto?
Hi Annie,
If you have a seat, technically you can have it. But rapid train is commute train and it’s crowded often. I don’t recommend it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San
thank you for doing a valuable service especially for first time visitor like me. But I am still very confused by the railwork system in the Kansai area.
I am staying in the Kansai Stargate Airport hotel, think the station nearby is Rinku.
I intend to go to: Namba Area, Dontoburi, Umeda and later
to Universal Studios Japan and to Nara Deer Park.
Is it better to get JR Kansai Area Pass at Yen 6300 for 4 days for all my travels above?
or is it better to get other rail pass? appreciate if you can recommend, thank you
Hi Tan san,
Kansai Thru Pass is better choice because this pass covers subway in Osaka. Only spot where you cannot go by this pass is Universal studio. Please find more info about rail network and this pass at the links below:
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
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
I think you can complete these places in 3 days, USJ for 1 day, Nara for 1/2 or 1 day and Osaka for 1 day.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
Do you happen to know whether does all of the trains running the JR Kansai Airport Rapid line to Osaka have toilets onboard all of their trains? Or only some?
Hi Samantha,
Yes, basically all trains have. But there is only one washroom in 4 cars train set. The washroom is located in either car #1 or car #5.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com