JR Limited Express Haruka 30 from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto Train Review
The Limited Express Haruka is more popularly known as the JR Kansai Airport Express train, and also rather annoyingly and very wrongly, the “Hello Kitty Shinkansen”. For this hop to Kyoto, there was an impending departing Limited Express Haruka, so I made a seat reservation for the short hop to Kyoto as my JR Sanyo-San’in Northern Kyushu Area Pass allows for it. As most passengers from Kansai Airport would be alighting in Osaka, it was also going to be quite an empty train for my comfort.
Shin-Osaka Station
There is a JR Ticket Office (Midori-no-madoguchi) inside the paid area of Shin-Osaka Station at the concourse just above the platforms, so I made my seat reservation at the counter very easily during my short transfer time here from the Limited Express Kuroshio 20 from Wakayama.
The Hello Kitty livery of the Limited Express Haruka 281 series EMU, also branded as “Hello Kitty HARUKA”, is probably why tourists who don’t know trains get confused and call this airport train the “Hello Kitty Shinkansen”. The Limited Express Haruka is not a high-speed train or Shinkansen.
The interior of the Limited Express Haruka 281 series EMU in the regular car.
Seats rotate to face the direction of travel.
It’s easy to see that this is indeed an airport train with foreigners as passengers, because the seats are in the reclined position when I boarded. Japanese passengers will return the seat to the upright position before disembarking.
The legroom available on board the Limited Express Haruka 281 series EMU.
A flip-up side table is provided which can rest a small bento and a can or bottle of drink.
The head rests have a Hello Kitty motif and Hello Kitty Haruka branding on them.
There was an overtaking freight train which my Limited Express Haruka 30 was held back for.
My Limited Express Haruka 30 departed from Shin-Osaka at 3.11pm – 4 minutes delayed.
Aside from the Limited Express Haruka, the Special Rapid Service train also provides a fast service between Osaka, Shin-Osaka, and Kyoto at 15-minutes frequency without the need for seat reservations. The Special Rapid Service train is a useful choice for those without a rail pass or who do not wish to wait for the Limited Express Haruka.
Passing by Hankyu Electric Railways Shojaku Factory.
Passing by Konica Minolta Innovation Garden OSAKA Center.
Time for a walkabout around the train.
Being an airport train, ample luggage racks are found by the side of the train doors.
Wheelchair-accessible toilets are available.
Hello Kitty motifs also adorn the inside of the toilets.
Interestingly, there are 2 sinks in the wheelchair-accessible toilet, probably for the convenience of different user requirements.
There is also a multi-purpose room with a sink and mirror.
The mirror is also decorated with Hello Kitty stickers for mirror selfies.
The male standing urinal toilet interestingly has no Hello Kitty motifs.
Passing by Kyoto depot with lots of rolling stock stored inside.
Passing through Mukōmachi Station.
Plenty of commuter trains serve the very busy JR Kyoto Line.
Crossing over the Katsura River.
Meeting with the Shinkansen tracks.
Passing by Kyoto Freight Station.
Passing by Kyoto Railway Museum and some sidings.
Meeting with the Sanin Main Line.
Approaching Kyoto Station with a view of Kintetsu Kyoto Station just beside.
That’s a familiar-looking train.
Kyoto Station
My Limited Express Haruka 30 arrived at Kyoto at 3.37pm – 7 minutes delayed due to the earlier freight train ahead.
This train will form the next Limited Express Haruka 41 back to Kansai Airport at 4.00pm.
Heading out of the end-on platforms. It’s a straight path to the main exit.
Heading out of the fare gates.
The concourse of Kyoto Station.
Kyoto Tower is just in front of Kyoto Station.
The façade of Kyoto Station.
Conclusion
The Limited Express Haruka is a comfortable way to travel from Osaka to Kyoto as the train is relatively empty and with proper forward-facing seats for the journey. However, the lower frequency on the line means that you may need to wait longer for a train. The overall fastest way may be with the Special Rapid Service as the higher-frequency will get you moving earlier, though you may have to stand for the journey with no reserved seats due to the lower fare.