The three major cities of Kansai - Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe - are connected by a myriad of train routes. When traveling between two of these cities, it helps to determine what method of transportation fits your travel needs, and fits your budget... unless you have a Japan Rail Pass, of course.
Besides the Shinkansen, Japan Railways operates the main trunk line - the Tokaido Line - between Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. The Kyoto-Osaka segment is known as the JR Kyoto Line, while the segment from Osaka to Kobe is the JR Kobe Line. The Special Rapid, or Shin-Kaisoku æ°å¿«é, generally leaves every 15 minutes with very fast transit times. If you do not have a Japan Rail Pass, however, JR can be more expensive compared to private railways.
Kyoto To Osaka
The JR Kyoto Line connects Kyoto Station in southern Kyoto with Osaka Station in northern Osaka, stopping at Shin-Osaka for the Tokaido and San'yo Shinkansen trains. 28 minutes between Kyoto and Osaka via Special Rapid, ¥540. Free with the Japan Rail Pass.
The HankyÅ« Line éªæ¥ runs from central Kyoto, starting at Shijo and Kawaramachi streets. Trains exit Kyoto to the west and run into the massive HankyÅ« Umeda Terminal, located to the north of JR Osaka station. Limited express trains depart every ten minutes during most of the day. 45 minutes between Kawaramachi and Umeda, ¥390. Not vaild with the Japan Rail Pass.
The Keihan Line äº¬éª runs from eastern Kyoto, starting from Demachiyanagi or Sanjo Street and operating parallel to the Kamo River past Gion and Kiyomizu Temple. Trains exit Kyoto to the south and run into central Osaka. After stops at Kyobashi along the JR Osaka Loop Line and Tenmabashi, the line splits: the main line runs to Yodoyabashi, while the Nakanoshima Line runs to Nakanoshima island. The fastest trains depart every ten minutes during most of the day. 51 minutes between Sanjo and Yodoyabashi, ¥400. One hour between Sanjo and Nakanoshima, ¥460. Not valid with the Japan Rail Pass.
If you do travel via the Keihan, an interesting thing to listen out for are the departure melodies - songs that are played before the train departs a station. Composed by Casiopea keyboardist and railroad enthusiast Minoru Mukaiya åè°·ãå®, each departure melody is part of an entire song - you will hear all parts of the song if you travel along the full route.
Another private railway that runs into Kyoto and Osaka is the Kintetsu Line è¿é. However, traveling via Kintetsu between the two cities is not recommended. Services run on separate lines requiring you to change trains, and the total travel time is not worth the cost. On the other hand, Kintetsu is a great way to travel between Kyoto and Nara.
To go from Kyoto to southern Osaka where Kintetsu trains terminate, you would be better off taking one of the other routes listed above; when you reach Osaka, change to the southbound Midosuji subway line and get off at Nanba.
Kintetsu
trains run from the historical city of Nara to Sannomiya station on the Hanshin line via Namba. Direct trains leave every 20 minutes, reaching Sannomiya in 75 minutes at a cost of ¥940. Not valid with the Japan Rail Pass.
Osaka To Kobe
The JR Kobe Line connects Osaka station in northern Osaka with Sannomiya and Kobe stations in Kobe; Sannomiya station is more centrally-located. 20 minutes between Osaka and Sannomiya via Special Rapid, ¥390. Free with the Japan Rail Pass.
The HankyÅ« Line runs from Umeda to Sannomiya, running to the north of the JR Line. Limited Express trains leave every ten minutes during most of the day. 27 minutes from Umeda to Sannomiya; ¥310. Not valid with the Japan Rail Pass.
The Hanshin Line éªç¥ runs from its own Umeda station, south of JR Osaka, to Sannomiya, with trains continuing on to Himeji. Limited Express trains leave every ten minutes during most of the day. 29 minutes from Umeda to Sannomiya, ¥310. Not valid with the Japan Rail Pass.
Hanshin
trains also run from Namba station in southern Osaka. Most services are a one-seat ride, otherwise you will have to change trains at Amagasaki. 45 minutes via Rapid Express, ¥400. Not valid with the Japan Rail Pass.
Kyoto To Kobe
The JR Kyoto and Kobe Lines connect Kyoto with Sannomiya and Kobe stations. 50 minutes from Kyoto to Sannomiya via Special Rapid, ¥1050. Free with the Japan Rail Pass.
The HankyÅ« Line connects central Kyoto with Sannomiya, with a change of trains at Juso north of Umeda necessary. About 70 minutes from Kawaramachi to Sannomiya via Limited Express, ¥600. Not valid with the Japan Rail Pass.