Airport Transfer (Haruka Express) from Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Osaka

The Haruka Express Train from Kansai International Airport takes travelers right to the heart of Osaka, the largest city in the Kansai Region with a population of almost 3 million people. This is a city known for its eclectic environment,whicht is simultaneously rich in culture and history. For many, the iconic neighborhoods of Dotonbori and Shinsekai provide a scene that is distinctive to urban Japan: dense streets with shops and small eateries lining up and down and bright signs that illuminate the night. For some insight into the Japan of the past, Osaka Castle and the Mozu Tombs are must-visit attractions. Additionally, Taro Okamoto’s famous “Tower of the Sun” finds its home in Osaka, originally created in 1985 for the World’s Fair that took place in the city at that time. With the World’s Fair returning to Osaka in 2025, a commemorative visit is well worth your time!

NOTE: Kansai International Airport is a major international gateway to Japan, serving as the primary airport for travelers arriving in Kansai. As such, booking your Haruka Express transfer in advance is recommended to secure your seats, especially during peak travel periods, and save time at the airport.

Out to central Osaka takes around 45 minutes, depending on the stop, but to go all the way from KIX to Kyoto takes around one hour and 15 minutes.  To get to other destinations in Kansai, such as Nara and Himeji, the Haruka Limited Express can be ridden to certain stations in order to make transfers. 

Each train on the Haruka Express has six to nine cars, with the option of a higher-end Green Car with upgraded amenities, such as further reclining charis and more leg room as compared to ordinary train cars. There is often a mix of reserved and non-reserved seating. We strongly recommend booking tickets for reserved seats during peak travel times to assure a comfortable journey from the airport, especially after a long flight!

How to get to Kansai International Airport

Kansai International Airport is located in Osaka Prefecture, a bit outside of Osaka City. The Haruka Express departs from Terminal 1, the main terminal for international departures and arrivals. The same train can be ridden from parts of Osaka and Kyoto to return to the airport. 

Where to go from Osaka Station

Osaka Station is located in a central commercial area of Osaka known as Umeda, and in fact, both Osaka Station and Shin-Osaka Station (built in 1964 to service the newly built Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkasen) are nearby Umeda Station. Osaka Station is a major stop on the famous Osaka Loop Line, making it easily accessible by train. The Haruka Express stops at Osaka Station on the way to Kyotot from Kansai International Airport.  Other trains that go to and from Osaka Station include the Thunderbird Limited Express Train and Super Hakuto Limited Express Train. 

Reminder: you can also decide to stop at Tennoji Station or Shin-Osaka Station via the Haruka Express

Is there a special airport transfer service ticket fare for children?

Yes, there are special fares applicable for children to board the Haruka Express Ttrain. Ages 12 and up are considered adults, but kids aged from 6 to 11 benefit from a reduced child fare (except for Green Class). Children under the age of 6 travel for free (except for Green Class). This free fare is limited to 2 tickets, meaning any additional child under 6 will then pay the classic child fare to ride aboard the Haruka Express airport transfer. 

Modification and Cancelation

Order cancellation

Customers have up to 3 working days prior to their departure date to cancel their train ticket orders as long as they have not scanned the corresponding QR code and exchanged for their physical train tickets. A 15% cancellation fee will be charged, and the QR code will be instantly deactivated upon order cancellation. Cancellation of only a portion of the booking is not possible. 

For train ticket orders that have already had the corresponding QR code scanned and where the tickets have been received, or orders in less than 3 working days before departure, orders may be canceled at JR Station offices in the departure city up to 10 minutes before your train departure, where a refund will be issued with a 5%-10% cancellation fee, depending on the station and office. This refund will be made in cash in Japanese yen. 

Cancellation cannot be done at ticket machines. Please note JR Central offices can only cancel routes running through JR Central lines. 

Past the day and time of departure, refunds cannot be issued, regardless if the corresponding QR code has been used or not, and regardless if customers have received their physical tickets or not. Note that however, if you missed the departure train of the time, you can still board the next trains within 1 hour, in non-reserved seats.

These cancellation conditions still apply after one modification, according to the modification conditions below.

Delays of less than two hours are not reimbursed. If the delay prevents you from boarding your next connecting train, you can change at the connecting station office free of charge.

- If your train is delayed more than 2 hours, then: 

If you decide not to use your train tickets to travel to your destination, you can claim a full refund for them by contacting us here or by email at contact@japanexperience.com with your order number and photos of all your tickets (if you have already used your QR code to print your tickets at the machine, if not, no photos are required)

If you were able to take your delayed train to your destination, you can go to the JR counter at your destination with your tickets and request a partial refund (around 85% of the initial ticket price, depending on the current exchange rate). The refund will be made in cash. 

If you still plan to travel to your destination, you can go to a JR desk to modify your tickets free of charge. You can change your tickets to a train at a later time or date, but cannot claim for any compensation.

- If your train is canceled, then:

If you decide not to use your train tickets to travel to your destination, you can claim a full refund for them by contacting us here or by email at contact@japanexperience.com with your order number and photos of all your tickets (if you have already used your QR code to print your tickets at the machine, if not, no photos are required)

If you still plan to travel to your destination, you can go to a JR desk to modify your tickets free of charge. You can change your tickets to a train at a later time or date, but cannot claim for any compensation.

Order modification 

If you want to modify:

Departure time on the same day OR seat for another seat except luggage seat:

Japan Experience can modify one time, free of charge, your booking if the corresponding QR code has not been used AND if it is NOT within 3 working days of the departure date. 

You will then be sent a new QR code to use at JR stations to exchange for your new tickets.

Otherwise, you will need to go to JR station machines to exchange your QR code to receive your tickets and then change the departure time at the same machine up to 10 minutes prior to your train departure.

You cannot modify the same ticket twice. For the second modification, the order will need to be canceled (check cancellation conditions) and then re-ordered with the new travel information.

Departure date, route, seat for luggage seat, number of seats in the booking: 

Japan Experience cannot modify your booking. You will need to go to JR station machines to exchange QR code to receive your tickets and change time at the same machine up to 10 minutes prior to departure. There may be a difference in fare to be paid on the spot.

You cannot modify the same ticket twice. For the second modification, the order will need to be canceled (check cancellation conditions) and then re-ordered with the new travel information. 

If you have made a mistake in your departure date or number of seats, you have to make a new booking online. Japan Experience will allow you to cancel your previous order free of charge. Kindly note that modifications for the new issued tickets won't be possible.

Eligibility

All persons above the age of 12, with no restrictions of residence status or nationality, are eligible to buy individual train tickets (unlike the Japan Rail Pass and some JR regional passes, for example). Japanese individuals as well as foreigners living in Japan can thus purchase train tickets online. Under the age of 12, the aforementioned child fare conditions apply. 

Validity of Haruka Express train tickets

Haruka  Express airport transfer service tickets issued are only valid for the date and time indicated on your booking, from Kansai International Airport to Osaka Station, Tennoji Station, or Shin-Osaka Station.