The Kansai-Airport Express Haruka is a fast, comfortable and convenient limited express service which links Kansai International Airport directly with Tennoji Station, Osaka Station, and Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka, before continuing on to Kyoto Station. The Haruka runs around 30 round trip services every day between Kansai Airport and Kyoto, with roughly two services per hour through much of the day.
The Limited Express Haruka at Shin-Osaka Station
Traveling from Kansai Airport, the Haruka will get you to Tennoji in about 30 minutes, Osaka in about 45 to 50 minutes, Shin-Osaka in about 50 minutes, and Kyoto in about 75 minutes. Adult one-way non-reserved fares from Kansai Airport are 1,820 yen to Tennoji, 2,380 yen to Osaka, 2,540 yen to Shin-Osaka, and 3,060 yen to Kyoto. Ordinary reserved seats in the normal season are 2,350 yen to Tennoji, 2,910 yen to Osaka, 3,070 yen to Shin-Osaka, and 3,590 yen to Kyoto.
Traveling via Osaka Station
The Kansai-Airport Express Haruka stops directly at Osaka Station. This makes it the simplest JR option between Kansai Airport and the Umeda area, especially if you are using the Japan Rail Pass or a JR West pass that covers the Haruka. At Osaka Station, Haruka trains for Kansai Airport use the Umekita underground platforms, with airport-bound trains generally departing from platform 21. Haruka trains toward Shin-Osaka and Kyoto generally use platform 24. These platforms are separate from the ground-level Osaka Loop Line and JR Kyoto Line platforms, so allow transfer time inside the station.
For passengers who do not need the limited express service, the Kansai Airport Rapid Service remains a cheaper JR alternative between Kansai Airport and Osaka Station. It takes around 65 to 70 minutes and costs around 1,180 yen, but it is slower and has ordinary commuter-train seating.
The Haruka at Shin-Osaka Station
Key Destinations & Transfers
Tennoji Station
Transfer here to the Osaka Loop Line for Osaka Station, and the Yamatoji Line for Namba and Nara. The main attraction in the Tennoji area is Shitennoji Temple, which dates from 593 and is Japan’s first official Buddhist temple. Tennoji Park, Tennoji Zoo and Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts are also nearby.
Shin-Osaka Station
Shin-Osaka Station is the terminus for two shinkansen lines: the Tokaido Shinkansen which connects Osaka with eastern Japan, and the Sanyo Shinkansen which connects Osaka with the west. Passengers for Nagoya, Shin-Yokohama and Tokyo should transfer here to the Tokaido Shinkansen. Passengers for Kobe, Himeji, Hiroshima and Fukuoka should transfer here to the Sanyo Shinkansen. At Shin-Osaka Station passengers can also connect with the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, which is the main line running north to south through the Osaka Metro network. There are also transfers to regular JR lines and several Limited Express services.
Kyoto Station
Kyoto was Japan’s imperial capital for over a millennium and is still one of its best preserved cities, with thousands of shrines, temples, palaces and gardens. Among these the Golden Pavilion of Kinkakuji Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, and the bamboo forest of Arashiyama are major tourist attractions. Kyoto is also famous for its fine food and riverside dining, as well as its more modern architecture such as Kyoto Tower, and the Kyoto Station building. For travelers arriving at Kansai Airport, the Haruka is the direct JR limited express route to Kyoto Station.
Green seats on the Limited Express Haruka
Standard seats
Luggage space on the Limited Express Haruka
Discount Passes
The sale of the ICOCA & HARUKA discount set ended in 2023. Travelers should consider the Haruka One-way Ticket instead. This discounted ticket is available to travelers holding a foreign passport and Temporary Visitor status. It must be exchanged and used by the ticket holder, and is not a regular domestic walk-up ticket.
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| Kansai Airport ↔ Tennoji |
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| Kansai Airport ↔ Osaka |
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| Kansai Airport ↔ Shin-Osaka |
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| Kansai Airport ↔ Kyoto |
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| Kansai Airport ↔ Kobe |
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| Kansai Airport ↔ Nara |
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Children aged 6-11 tickets are 50% of the adult fare. |
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The Kansai Airport Express Haruka logo
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 26-Jul-2026.
