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.
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

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

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 Miyakoji Rapid Service

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

Find your hotels in 218 cities throughout Japan!!!

Karasuma Hotel Kyoto Traditional tatami room
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Comments

  1. Keith Mackinder says:

    I wish to travel from Kyoto to Nara next month using the Miyakoji rapid train but I will not have a JR rail pass. Can I purchase tickets at the station or use a Suica card?

  2. Johnny says:

    Hello Takeshi,
    Thank you for these information 🙂

    I am a bit confused on the ICOCA/JR pass.
    If I get an ICOCA card when I arrive at Kansai airport, can I use it on the Yamatoji Rapid Service (Osaka to Nara) and Miyakoji Rapid Service (Nara to Kyoto)?

    For airport to Osaka and Kyoto to airport, I would use the Limited Express Haruka.

    Thank you again

  3. Maria says:

    I would like to travel to Nara tomorrow 8 th July 2018.
    I need some information about the cancellation of the train connection between Kyoto and Nara.
    Can you please let me know how I can travel to Nara from Kyoto.
    Thank you.

    Maria

    • Hi Maria,

      Both JR and Kintetsu railway do not cancel any trains. JR trains may be a big behind the regular schedule but it runs. Kintetsu railway trains runs as usual. It’s no problem to get Nara.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Phuong says:

    Hi,
    I have the JR pass and am trying to figure out how to use JR Miyakoji Rapid Service to Nara station but I cannot find the the stops and timetable of it. I will be visiting Nara on a Sunday afternoon, around 2pm. Is that too late to catch Miyakoji Rapid Service to Nara?

    I could also depart either from Sanjo station or Gion-Shijo station. The most important is to be able to use my JR.

    Many thanks!

  5. Tina Saih says:

    I notice the last train from Nara to Kyoto is 16:38. Is ther no other train going back to Kyoto after 16:38. If ther is what train should I take and what time is the last train? Oh yes I am using a JR pass, thank you.

  6. annie says:

    Hi..can you tell me how i can reach kyoto station from nara by using jr west pass (2200 yen pass). What train should i take & how long the journey?

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