Nankai Rapi:t β 35 from Osaka Namba to Osaka Kansai Airport Super Seat Train Review
The Nankai Rapi:t is the flagship airport train of Nankai Electric Railway and possibly the most internationally-recognised airport train in the world with the iconic and futuristic Ultraman-like head. Heading back to Kansai Airport for my flight back to Singapore, I made sure to make an early seat reservation for the Nankai Rapi:t β (beta), and since I have to pay extra for the Nankai Rapi:t reserved seat for my Nankai All Line 2 Day Pass anyway, I decided to go all the way for a Super Seat.
Namba Station
The façade of Osaka Namba Station.
Heading up the escalator to the concourse and platform level.
Tickets and seat reservations can be purchased from the ticket machines.
The fare chart of the whole Nankai network. A special value ticket is also sold, at a cheaper price than a separate fare+seat ticket. To not lose out on the discount since I was not eligible for the deal with my Nankai All Line 2 Day Pass since my travelling fare was already covered, I paid for the more expensive Super Seat instead.
The Nankai All Line 2 Day Pass is a magnetic farecard, valid for 2 non-consecutive days, which was perfect for my itinerary to access the airport fro and to, and to go to Koyasan.
Tickets can also be purchased from the manned ticket counter.
However, I had already made my seat reservation early this morning. And thankfully I did, as Super Seats were all sold out.
Heading through the ticket gates with my Nankai All Line 2 Day Pass.
The departure board has Koya Line information on 1 side and Nankai Line information on the right, according to the track layout at Namba Station.
My Limited Express Rapi:t β 35 will be departing from Track 9.
There is also a reserved seat ticket machine in the paid area.
Super Seats were all sold out and Regular Seats were selling fast for my Rapi:t β 35.
Platforms 8 and 9 share the same track. Boarding for Nankai Rapi:t passengers is at Platform 9, also uniquely marked in purple.
There seems to be a disused manned ticket line to enter Platform 9. This is not in use, but a sign reminding passengers that a Limited Express ticket is required for the Rapi:t is placed in front of the counter.
The information screens rotate between Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and English.
My Nankai Rapi:t β 35 at Namba Station.
My Nankai 50000 series EMU was bearing a Seventeen The City Osaka livery during the time of my trip.
The train was still being cleaned when I arrived at the platform.
The front of my Nankai Rapi:t β 35.
Boarding commenced at 2.52pm – 13 minutes before departure.
The car formation is listed on board which I felt was similar to a lift lobby. Cars 6 and 5 are Super Seats, on the end closer to the concourse at Namba Station
Nankai Rapi:t Super Seat
The interior of the Nankai Rapi:t Super Seat cars.
A Super Seat reservation costs 730 yen on top of the travelling fare.
Seats are arranged in a 2+1 configuration, with single seats on both sides nearest to the vestibules for ease of walking.
Seats are big and comfortable for the hop to Kansai Airport.
Luggage racks are available near the vestibules, with a chain lock and key to keep your belongings safe on the rack.
My booked seat at 23. Seat numbers are labelled on the overhead lockers above my seat.
The overhead lockers fit cabin-sized luggage with ease. No squishing or tessellating required.
The generous legroom on board the Nankai Rapi:t Super Seat.
The train map is provided on the tray table bottom on the seat back in front of me. Most facilities can be found in Car 5.
A pull-up drinks holder is also available on the arm rest.
Time for a quick walkabout so I can enjoy my time in my Super Seat during the journey.
A western-style sitting toilet cubicle is available on board.
A standing urinal cubicle is also available on board.
A separate washing up area with a sink is also available.
Walking through the Super Seat and Regular Seat section, there is a disused baggage storage area with shutters down, formerly for check-in services from Namba City Air Terminal (Namba CAT). Namba CAT was closed in 2001.
Nankai Rapi:t Regular Seat
The interior of the Nankai Rapi:t Regular Seat cars. Seats are arranged in a 2+2 configuration.
A Regular Seat reservation costs 520 yen on top of the travelling fare.
The generous legroom on board the Nankai Rapi:t Regular Seat. There is also a drinks holder beside the rope basket.
The train map is provided on the tray table bottom on the seat back in front. Most facilities can be found in Car 3.
I headed to the amenities area in Car 3 to have a look.
A vending machine is available with hot and cold drinks for purchase.
The literature rack was empty, a sign of the age of the Nankai 50000 series EMU. Can you believe that this train was made in 1994?
My Nankai Rapi:t β 35 departed from Namba Station on time at 3.05pm.
Goodbye, Osaka.
Train infomation is displayed on the small but useful screen in front. The next station is Shin-Imamiya, followed by Tengachaya.
Passing by Centara Grand Hotel Osaka and Hotel Keihan Namba Grande.
Heading alongside a Koya Line train together to Shin-Imamiya.
Shin-Imamiya Station
Making a brief stop at Shin-Imamiya Station.
Shin-Imamiya Station is a major interchange, functioning as a south-cross station on the Osaka Loop Line between the Nankai Main Line and Nankai Koya Line, and JR West Osaka Loop Line, JR West Kansai Main Line (Yamatoji Line), Hankai Tramway Hankai Line, Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, and Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line.
The Rapi:t logo is displayed on the screen during the stop at Shin-Imamiya Station.
The next station is Tengachaya, followed by Sakai.
This is the Limited Express Rapi:t β bound for Kansai Airport.
Passing by Suminoe Depot and through Suminoe Station.
Sakai Station
Making a brief stop at Sakai Station.
The conductor came round after Sakai Station to check that everyone is in their assigned seats on her tablet.
Crossing over the Hishizu River.
The afternoon sun shining into the Nankai Rapi:t.
Kishiwada Station
Making a brief stop at Kishiwada Station.
Izumisano Station
Making a brief stop at Izumisano Station. Izumisano Station is the junction for the Nankai Airport Line.
Heading up the viaduct for the Airport Line.
Flying above the Nankai Main Line.
Passing under the JR tracks from Hineno.
Meeting with the JR tracks when entering Rinku-Town Station.
Rinku-Town Station
Making a brief stop at Rinku-Town Station. Uniquely, both Nankai and JR West share the same platform and concourse area at Rinku-Town Station.
The Nankai and JR West merge after departing from Rinku-Town Station heading towards Kansai Airport.
Heading on the Sky Gate Bridge R or Kansai International Airport Access Bridge. Kansai International Airport is located on a reclaimed island, Kankūjima (関空島).
Approaching Kansai Airport Station.
Kansai Airport Station
My Nankai Rapi:t β 35 arrived at Kansai Airport Station on time at 3.42pm. The Nankai Rapi:t β journey from Osaka Namba to Osaka Kansai Airport takes 37 minutes.
The station sign of Kansai Airport Station.
My Nankai Rapi:t β 35 at Kansai Airport Station.
The iconic cab design of the Nankai 50000 series EMU for the Nankai Rapi:t.
Heading up the escalator to the concourse.
Heading through the ticket gates.
Kansai Airport Station is located just outside Kansai International Airport Terminal 1.
Crossing the linkbridge from Kansai Airport Station to the terminal building.
Heading in to Kansai Airport Terminal 1.
Heading up the escalator to the departure hall on the 4th floor.
The departure hall of Kansai International Airport Terminal 1.
Conclusion
The Nankai Rapi:t Super Seat is a very comfortable way to travel from Osaka city from Namba to Kansai International Airport on a direct route. Seats are big with ample storage space provided, sufficient for cabin bags to fit above and around my seat.