Haruka (train)


The Haruka, is a limited express train service, mainly connecting Kyoto Station to Kansai International Airport in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. It also travels to and from via Kyoto during peak hours. It is operated by the West Japan Railway Company. As Haruka trains travel over the Umeda Freight Line, they do not serve Osaka Station. A change of trains is required at either or.

Operations

There are a total of 30 daily return workings per direction, with services operating every half an hour through most of the day. A typical travel time between Kyoto Station and the airport takes 1 hour 20 minutes per way.
Two morning peak hour Haruka trains run from Maibara to the airport, and one morning peak hour trip from Kusatsu. Two evening peak hour Haruka trains run from the airport to Maibara.

Station stops

The Haruka primarily operates between Kyoto Station and Kansai Airport Station, with most services stopping only at Shin-Ōsaka Station and Tennōji Station in Osaka City. Some trains make additional stops.
The train travels over the Umeda Freight Line which bypasses Osaka Station when it runs from the Tōkaidō Main Line to Osaka Loop Line and vice versa, leaving no services going to and from Osaka Station.
LineStationTransfers
Tōkaidō
Tōkaidō Shinkansen, Tōkaidō Main Line, Hokuriku Main Line,
Ohmi Railway Main Line
Tōkaidō
Ohmi Railway Main Line
Tōkaidō
Ohmi Railway Yōkaichi Line
Tōkaidō
Tōkaidō
Tōkaidō
Kusatsu Line
Tōkaidō
Keihan Ishiyama Sakamoto Line
Tōkaidō
Tōkaidō
'Kosei Line, Keihan Keishin Line, Subway Tōzai Line
Tōkaidō
Tōkaidō Shinkansen, Sanin Main Line, Nara Line
Kintetsu Kyoto Line, Subway Karasuma Line
Tōkaidō
Tōkaidō Shinkansen, Sanin Main Line, Nara Line
Kintetsu Kyoto Line, Subway Karasuma Line
Tōkaidō
'
Tōkaidō
Tōkaidō Shinkansen, Sanyō Shinkansen,
Subway Midōsuji Line
Osaka Higashi Line
Tōkaidō

Osaka Loop		Tōkaidō Shinkansen, Sanyō Shinkansen,
Subway Midōsuji Line
Osaka Higashi Line
Tōkaidō

Osaka Loop		Yamatoji Line,
Subway Midōsuji and Tanimachi Lines,
Kintetsu Minami Osaka Line
HanwaYamatoji Line,
Subway Midōsuji and Tanimachi Lines,
Kintetsu Minami Osaka Line
Hanwa'
Hanwa'Hanwa Line for
Kansai AirportHanwa Line for
Kansai Airport

Rolling stock

6-car formations

6-car formations are arranged as shown below, with car 1 at the Maibara/Kyoto end.
Car No.123456
NumberingKuRo 280MoHa 281SaHa 281SaHa 281-100MoHa 281KuHa 281
AccommodationGreenReservedReservedReservedNon-reservedNon-reserved
FacilitiesToiletVending machineWheelchair space / ToiletToiletVending machine

All cars are no-smoking.

9-car formations

9-car formations are arranged as shown below, with car 1 at the Kyoto end.
Car No.123456789
NumberingKuRo 280MoHa 281SaHa 281SaHa 281-100MoHa 281KuHa 281KuHa 280SaHa 281-100KuMoHa 281
AccommodationGreenReservedReservedNon-reservedNon-reservedNon-reservedReservedReservedReserved
FacilitiesToiletVending machineWheelchair space / ToiletToiletVending machine ToiletToiletVending machine

All cars are no-smoking.

Ticketing

As a limited express service, Haruka travel requires both a fare ticket and a limited express ticket – see train tickets in Japan. The ICOCA card can be used as a fare ticket for non-reserved travel, with the limited express ticket purchased from the conductor on board the train. Japan Rail Pass holders can ride Haruka services free of charge.
A free public Wi-Fi service is provided in the train.

History

The Haruka service was inaugurated on 4 September 1994 using 3-car 281 series EMUs.
6-car 281 series sets were introduced from 2 April 1995, and 9-car formations were introduced from 14 July 1995.
Non-reserved cars were introduced from 1 December 1998.
The smoking areas were abolished from the start of the 18 March 2007 timetable revision.
Haruka services were suspended on 4 September 2018 due to the effects of Typhoon Jebi causing damage to the airport and the Sky Gate Bridge R being damaged by an empty fuel tanker. Services were restored on 8 September 2018, but could only go as far as Hineno Station. Through services to the airport were completely restored on 18 September 2018.
From the start of the revised timetable on 14 March 2020, new 271 series trains were introduced on these services, operating coupled with the existing 281 series sets. From the same date, all Haruka services were formed as nine cars, increasing passenger capacity between Kansai International Airport and Kyoto.
All train is running in a special "Hello Kitty"-themed wrapping since 29 January 2019.