The JR Hanwa Line runs between Tennoji Station in Osaka and Wakayama Station in Wakayama City. Although this line does not extend to Osaka Station, the Kishuji Rapid Service runs along the Osaka Loop Line before joining the Hanwa Line at Tennoji Station, and so provides a direct JR link between Osaka Station and Wakayama Station.
In this article we will look at the key destinations on the JR Hanwa Line and also take a detailed look at the Kishuji Rapid Service. Both the JR Hanwa Line and the Kishuji Rapid Service are covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Transfers to Osaka Metro, Nankai, Kintetsu, Hankai, and Wakayama Electric Railway are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
A Local service on the Hanwa Line from Tennoji to Otori
Key Destinations
There are 35 stations on the main JR Hanwa Line between Tennoji and Wakayama. The key destinations and transfer points are given below, with train times and fares given from Tennoji Station.
Tennoji Station
Tennoji Station is convenient for Shitennoji Temple, one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples, Tennoji Park, Tennoji Zoo and Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts. The station can be accessed by the Osaka Loop Line, the JR Yamatoji Line, and Osaka Metro’s Tanimachi and Midosuji lines. There are two more stations nearby: Tennoji-Ekimae Station on the Hankai Uemachi Line and Osaka Abenobashi Station on the Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line.
Nagai Station
Exit here for Nagai Botanical Garden. Transfer here to the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line.
Train fare: 180 yen
Train time: about 9 to 10 minutes by Local train
Mikunigaoka Station
Transfer here to the Nankai Koya Line.
Train fare: 240 yen
Train time: about 9 to 10 minutes by Rapid or Section Rapid train
Mozu Station
This station in the city of Sakai is convenient for the Nintoku-tenno-ryo Kofun (Tomb of Emperor Nintoku), a keyhole-shaped tumulus which is one of the three largest tombs in the world. Only local trains stop at Mozu, so many journeys from Tennoji involve taking a rapid train to Mikunigaoka Station and then transferring to a Local train.
Train fare: 240 yen
Train time: about 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the connection
Otori Station
Otori Station in the Nishi Ward of Sakai City is convenient for Otori Taisha Shrine, an ancient shrine complex set in forested grounds and long associated with irises. The shrine’s iris garden is not open to visitors. Transfer here to the Hagoromo Branch Line for Higashi-Hagoromo Station.
Train fare: 320 yen
Train time: about 17 to 19 minutes by Rapid train
Hineno Station
This is the transfer station for the Kansai Airport Line. The Kansai Airport Rapid Service separates from the Kishuji Rapid Service here (see below).
Train fare: 580 yen
Train time: about 37 to 38 minutes by Rapid train
A Regional Rapid Service from Tennoji to Hineno
Wakayama Station
Wakayama City’s biggest tourist attraction is Wakayama Castle. The castle was first built in 1585, its keep burned down in the July 1945 air raid, and the present keep was rebuilt in reinforced concrete in 1958. The Kuroshio Market in Wakayama Marina City is another popular attraction. Here you can buy fresh seafood, watch a whole tuna being cut up, or eat in one of the seafood restaurants.
Wakayama Station is the southern terminus of the Hanwa Line. Transfer here to the Kinokuni Line / Kisei Line, Wakayama Line and Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line.
Train fare: 900 yen
Train time: about 70 to 75 minutes by Kishuji Rapid train
The Kishuji Rapid Service
A combined Airport and Kishuji Rapid Service at Tennoji Station
The Kishuji Rapid Service runs through the Osaka Loop Line before joining the Hanwa Line at Tennoji Station. For passengers at Osaka Station, this is the direct JR rapid train option to Wakayama.
On the Osaka Loop Line, Kishuji Rapid trains commonly stop after Osaka Station at the following stations:
Fukushima > Nishikujo > Bentencho > Taisho > Shin-Imamiya > Tennoji
On the Hanwa Line, the main stopping pattern is:
Tennoji > Sakaishi > Mikunigaoka > Otori > Izumi-Fuchu > Higashi-Kishiwada > Kumatori > Hineno > (Nagataki) > (Shinge) > Izumi-Sunagawa > (Izumi-Tottori) > (Yamanakadani) > Kii > Musota > (Kii-Nakanoshima) > Wakayama
Some trains do not stop at the stations in brackets. Check the destination display and stop list for your specific departure, especially if you are traveling to a smaller station south of Hineno.
Traveling from Osaka Station
At Osaka Station the Kishuji Rapid Service departs from Platform 1. Check the departure boards before boarding, as platform use and stopping patterns can vary during service changes. From Osaka Station the train takes about 90 minutes to reach Wakayama Station for a fare of 1,300 yen.
CAUTION!
Carriages bound for Wakayama are clearly marked with the Kishuji Rapid Service flag
It is important to note that the carriages of the Kishuji Rapid Service are often coupled with the Kansai Airport Rapid Service until the train reaches Hineno Station. At Hineno Station the two halves of the train separate, with the Kansai Airport Rapid Service moving on to the Kansai Airport Line and the Kishuji Rapid Service continuing on the Hanwa Line. If you board the train before Hineno Station, be sure to board the right part of the train so that you do not go to Kansai Airport by mistake. For Wakayama, board one of the rear four carriages marked for the Kishuji Rapid Service.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 08-Aug-2026.
