Rapid train service to Nara from Kyoto by Japan Railways, Miyakoji Rapid Service

Miyakoji Rapid Service is operated by JR West 221 series.Kyoto, Nara
Miyakoji Rapid Service is operated by JR West 221 series.
2011.04.25
Miyakoji Rapid Service is operated by JR West 221 series.

Miyakoji Rapid Service is operated by JR West 221 series.

Miyakoji Rapid Service is the fastest local train that is operated between Kyoto (=京都) and Nara (=奈良). Most of local tourists take Kintetsu (近鉄) line to Nara. Because they have many more trains and very frequent. If you travel in Japan without Japan Rail Pass, you may use Kintetsu line. But most of travellers from foreign countries use Japan Rail Pass. So this Rapid Service is your best choice, because you don’t need to pay any extra. This line used to be very local and inconvenient. But JR West upgrade the trains and timetable. Now JR West operate many Rapid trains. It is very convenient and frequent departure these days.

And there is no limited express train to Nara. So this Miyakoji Rapid Service is the fastest and best choice for accessing from Kyoto.

Route, schedule and trip time


View Miyakoji Rapid Service in a larger map

Route

The sign of Miyakoji Rapid Express

Miyakoji Rapid Service is operated between Kyoto and Nara. This train is operated every 15 minutes between Yasu-Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe-Himeji in daytime, and every 8 minutes in the peak hours. And this train is operated in every 30 minutes. This train departs from Kyoto at 09:19, and continue depart every 30 minutes until 16:49. From Nara, this departs at 09:09, and continue depart every 30 minutes until 16:38. Other than this schedule, you may take Rapid train or Regional Rapid train.

Stations

Miyakoji Rapid Service stop at these following stations:

Kyoto-Tofukuji-Rokujizo-Uji-Joyo-Tamamizu-Kizu-Nara

Hotels in Nara
Hotels in Kobe

Time required

Miyakoji Rapid Service connects Kyoto with Nara in 45-50 minutes. If you take Rapid train, it connects in 50-60 minutes and stop at a few more stations. It is not much difference.

Accommodation

Special Rapid Service is operated by 221 series.

Images

Interior

Miyakoji Rapid Service sign image by w0746203-1 (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Interior image 1 By w0746203-1 (Own work (本人撮影)) [GFDL or CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Interior image 2 and Washroom interior image by R3’s web site

Karasuma Hotel Kyoto Traditional tatami room
Nara Hotel Old charm and elegance

Comments

  1. Lee says:
    October 18, 2015 at 11:42 am

    can you tell me where to catch the Miyakoji Rapid Service in JR Nara stations? thx.

  2. Mr Lee says:
    October 18, 2015 at 11:34 am

    I already buy kansai wide area pass, can use Miyakoji Rapid Service(Nara to Kyoto)? thx.

  3. Margherita says:
    August 5, 2015 at 12:46 am

    Goodmorning, in a few day I will come to Japan!!
    I am planning a visit to Nara on the 15 August, starting from Kyoto, but I cannot understand the timetable of the miyakoji train. I have jrpass and my idea was to go to Nara early in the morning and come back late in the evening. Is this possible? Thank you very much for your help.
    Margherita

    • Takeshi Shimomura, Author of JPRail.com
      Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      August 5, 2015 at 12:29 pm

      Hi Margherita,

      You can have a long day trip to Nara from Kyoto by JR Pass. But Miyakoji rapid runs in daytime only. If you travel very early morning and late evening, this rapid service may not be available. But local train runs all day from 5:30 am to 23:00. You will be fine to travel.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Marcia Maemura says:
    July 17, 2015 at 5:30 pm

    Hello Takeshi-san

    I’m using Hyperdia as you advised and it is excellent.
    But I have a question : I used Hyperdia to know how do I get Kyoto from Nara, expecting to recommend me Miyakoji Rapid Service, but the Hyperdia only suggested the Nara Line.

    Could you tell me why Hyperdia did not suggest the Miyakoji Rapid Service.
    Thank you and I look forward to your feedback.

    Márcia Maemura

  5. mirriam chen says:
    May 10, 2015 at 10:39 pm

    Hi takeshi,sorry to keep bothering you, my last day will be in kyoto. I plan to go to Nara before going to kansai airport,my plane is at 23.00 so I’ve got time to explore nara. My plan is to buy kansai area pass which I can use to go to KIX and also Nara. Can I use all special rapid service to Nara? thanks a lot…

  6. Emily says:
    March 3, 2015 at 4:55 am

    hi I will stay in 612-8449, Kyoto
    Fushimi Ward, Fushimi-ku Takedanishikoyanouchicho 12
    612-8449
    can you tell me where to catch the Miyakoji Rapid Service? Please tell me very specific spot like what line, what platform, etc
    thanks
    Em

  7. Zarut says:
    February 11, 2015 at 8:04 am

    Hello Takeshi,

    It is me again! This time, I’d like to ask you if I take JR train from Kyoto to Nara and I come back from Nara to Kyoto later than 16.38, there will not be any more JR train departing from Nara station?

    Are all the tourist attractions within walking distance of Nara station? You said that JR Nara station is 1km away from Kintesu station, which probably means Kofukuji temple. Nara Park, Daibutsu (big statues of Buddha) and Kasuga Taisha shrine are all 1km away from JR Nara station? If I browse around Sanjo Dori, it should be enjoyable enough for me to get all of the tourist attraction such as Kofukuji temple. Nara Park, Daibutsu (big statues of Buddha) and Kasuga Taisha shrine?

    Best,

    Zarut

  8. Patricia says:
    January 29, 2015 at 2:11 pm

    Hi. I’m staying in Kyoto and I want to do a day trip to Nara, which means I want to go there as soon as possible and leave on a 8pm/9pm train. I noticed Miyakoji Rapid Train isn’t gonna work for me since it stops working after 4pm. So I looked up on HyperDia and noticed JR Nara Line Rapid Service or JR Nara Line Local would be more suitable for me. But I never see those two trains getting mentioned anywhere when I look up about train trips between Nara-Kyoto. I wonder why? Are they also covered by JR Pass? Aren’t they recommended only because they take longer to get there? I’m really confused whether or not I should take them instead of Miyakoji. Could you please help me? Thanks

    • Takeshi Shimomura, Author of JPRail.com
      Takeshi / JPRail says:
      January 29, 2015 at 9:28 pm

      Hi Patricia,

      You can take any JR trains to Nara from Kyoto by JR Pass. MIyakoji Rapid is the fastest train. But you still can take Nara line rapid or local.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  9. John Low says:
    September 24, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    Can I use the Suica card to travel from Kyoto station to Yamashirotaga on the JR Nara line?

  10. kolaxiong says:
    March 15, 2014 at 6:13 am

    Hi , just double check , if i am leaving Nara to Inari b4 going to Kyoto , I cannot take Miyakoji Rapid Service but have to take the local JR Nara line to Inari , right ? i check on hypermedia it will take about 69 min ? this is the fastest option i have if i am on JR pass rite ?
    TQ

    • Takeshi Shimomura, Author of JPRail.com
      JPRail says:
      March 15, 2014 at 10:18 am

      Hi kolaxiong,

      Exactly. Yamatoji Rapid does not stop at Inari. So you have to take local and takes longer than rapid train.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

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