I’ve always been a fan of trains, so when I heard about the Kyō-Train GARAKU, I knew I had to try it. This luxury train runs between Osaka and Kyoto, and it offers a unique and unforgettable way to experience the heart of west Japan.
Video: [Kyo train GARAKU]
Getting to Kyoto from Osaka
There are several ways to get to Kyoto from Osaka, but the Kyō-Train GARAKU introduced here is the Hankyu Railway. On the Hankyu line, Osaka station is called Umeda Station 梅田駅; JR trains also go from Osaka to Kyoto and it’s faster, but the Hankyu is a little cheaper. You can also take the Keihan Electric Railway from Kyobashi Station in Osaka to Kyoto. The locations of Kyoto stations on each line are slightly different.
Hankyu Umeda Terminal Station. There are Kyoto line, Takarazuka Line and Kobe Line.
GARAKU Train interior
The Kyo train GARAKU is a beautiful train, with a sleek and modern design. The interior is just as impressive, with spacious couple seats to admire the view, artistic round windows, and tatami mat back seats, mini Kareasansui (traditional Japanese dry landscape garden) area, etc.
cozy little Karesansui area where you can feel “wabi-sabi”
Like the entrance of a Japanese Ryokan inn? Elegant interior
If you could take a seat facing to the window, you can obento lunch box without feeling embarrassed.😂🫣
(Eating food on a train can usually be embarrassing in Japan.)
Well, there is no trash can, so you have to bring it back with you. Also, you may want to refrain from eating anything that causes strong smell or liquid food.
Kyo-train GARAKU Time Schedule:
Kyo-train GARAKU operates on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays, with four services per day.
From Osaka Umeda to Kyoto Kawaramachi(Stop at Juso, Awaji, Katsura, Karasuma)
(Hankyu Line name for Osaka is “Umeda”)
Departure time: 9:32, 11:32, 13:32, 15:32
From Kyoto Kawaramachi to Osaka Umeda
Departure time: 10:41, 12:41, 14:41, 16:41
Summary information:
- The Kyo-Train GARAKU runs between Osaka-Umeda Station and Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station.
- The journey takes about 40 minutes.
- The train operates weekends and national holidays.
- No reservation is necessary
- Fare is the same as ordinary train. (¥410 for Umeda-Kyoto Kawaramachi one way)
I hope you enjoyed this blog post about the Kyo train GARAKU!
To learn more about the Kyo train GARAKU, please visit the Hankyu Railways website.