Hello Kitty HARUKA – Take a Ride on Kansai’s Hello Kitty Train (Tickets & Guide)

What Is the Hello Kitty HARUKA?

HARUKA is a limited express train service run by JR West, connecting Kansai International Airport with Tennoji, Shin-Osaka, and Kyoto. It began running to coincide with the opening of Kansai International Airport in 1994 and is known for its distinctive long, simplistic white body.

As more people began using Kansai International Airport, the number of passengers on the HARUKA train also increased. To welcome visitors from overseas to Japan, JR West decided to decorate this now popular train with Hello Kitty in 2019. Donning a dazzling long-sleeved kimono, many have visited just to snap photos of it.

The first Hello Kitty HARUKA train was just six carriages; however, a surge in popularity led to even more trains being graced by a Hello Kitty design. As of 2021, every HARUKA train is now a Hello Kitty HARUKA. Moreover, there are now four different types to check out!

Where Does the Hello Kitty HARUKA Operate?

The Hello Kitty HARUKA departs from Kansai International Airport and stops at the southern Osaka City terminal station of Tennoji and the bullet train station of Shin-Osaka before heading to Kyoto.

From Kansai International Airport, it takes around 35 minutes to reach Tennoji, 50 minutes to reach Shin-Osaka Station, and 80 minutes to Kyoto. Being the only line from the airport allowing direct access to Kyoto without changing trains, it’s ideal for those who want to start their journeys in Japan’s ancient capital.

How to Ride the Hello Kitty HARUKA

The Hello Kitty HARUKA is a rapid express train, which means it has three different kinds of tickets: unreserved, reserved, and green (first class) seats. When purchasing a passenger ticket for the Hello Kitty HARUKA, you’ll also have to select one of these three options.

While it’s fine to opt for unreserved seats for most of the year, we recommend booking a reserved seat in advance during the busy Japanese holiday periods of Golden Week from late April to early May and Obon during mid-August to guarantee your seat.

The green seats refer to the luxury carriages offering more space and a relaxing atmosphere. If you want to use this space, you’ll need to buy both a passenger ticket and a green seat ticket.

Tickets can be purchased at Kansai International Airport via the “Travel Service Center” ticket counter or the “Green” automatic ticket machines.

The ticket machines allow you to avoid the long lines that often form at the counter, and you’ll be able to reserve a seat here, too, without any trouble. Plus, they have alternative language settings, including English, Chinese, and Korean.

Discount Tickets For Short-Term Stays in Japan

The Japan Rail Pass, offered by the JR Group, allows you to ride on the Hello Kitty HARUKA for free. Plus, if you’re happy to sit in an unreserved seat, you’ll be able to board the train with just the Japan Rail Pass alone, saving you the trouble of using the ticket machines. Once you’ve picked up your pass from a ticket counter, just walk on through to the platform.

If you want a reserved ticket, you can also ride the train with the Japan Rail Pass; however, you’ll need to order the reserved ticket separately. Once you’ve gotten your pass, let the staff know which train you wish to ride and your desired seat selection to receive a reserved seat ticket. Reserving a seat is free.

Green seat tickets also need to be reserved at the ticket counter. If you have a regular Japan Rail Pass, you’ll pay an additional fee for this service. If you have a Japan Rail Green Pass, this will be free.

You can also ride the Hello Kitty HARUKA with other passes, including the JR West All Area Pass.

There is also the thrifty “HARUKA One-Way Ticket,” which can be purchased through most major international travel agents.

Take a Look Inside the Hello Kitty HARUKA!

Without further ado, let’s take a close-up look at the outside, interior, and facilities on board the Hello Kitty HARUKA, along with available merchandise.

The Exterior and Interior

Make sure you follow the instructions of station personnel when taking photos of the train.

Above is the outside of the Hello Kitty HARUKA with its name written in English on the front. Needless to say, it attracts loads of attention each time it arrives!

Stepping into the train, you’ll be met with more Hello Kitty goodness.

Even the headrests and window-side walls are adorned with exciting Hello Kitty designs!

This also includes the onboard sinks and toilets. As you can see, actually boarding the train is the only way to uncover the scale of its charm!

Onboard Facilities

Being an airport train, each carriage of the Hello Kitty HARUKA is equipped with space to safely store luggage, making it handy for those bringing on large suitcases and whatnot.

There is also free wi-fi along with power outlets at each seat in certain parts of the train.

Unfortunately, no food or beverage sales are on board the Hello Kitty HARUKA, including vending machines. Make sure to purchase drinks in advance at the station before boarding the train.

Hello Kitty HARUKA Merchandise

There are Hello Kitty HARUKA goods such as mugs and tote bags available at the Kyoto Railway Museum Shop and the online store Train Box.

A Special Day-Trip Tour on the Hello Kitty HARUKA

During the pandemic, most train services were only available in the morning and evening, leaving many trains idle at the depot in the afternoon.

To give fans a unique experience, a special event called “Rail Depot Day-Trip on the 271 New Hello Kitty HARUKA” was organized by JR West. On November 23, 2021, passengers had the opportunity to board the new Hello Kitty HARUKA train, which debuted in 2019.

They were able to view the usually off-limits rail depot from the train’s windows, and take photos from the train driver’s cab. This event aimed to bring joy to families and locomotive fans through the charm of the Hello Kitty HARUKA.

While viewing the rail depot, Hello Kitty HARUKA and Hello Kitty Shinkansen bullet train goods were also on sale. Plus, for lunch, passengers could enjoy a “Hello Kitty Hippari-dako Bento,” which boasted rice with octopus and other juicy seafood served in a traditional octopus pot bento box.

While these events had been held during the pandemic, if you’re a train lover, keep an eye on JR West’s press releases for events and other news.

Make Your Trip in Japan Smooth with Travel Support by JR-WEST

The West Japan Railway Company offers comprehensive travel support, including the Travel Support by JR-WEST app. This app was designed to assist travelers in communicating effectively when feeling unwell or in the event of a disaster.

It provides information about medical institutions, multilingual medical support, evacuation shelter details, and more. The app is available in English, Chinese (Simplified/Traditional), Korean, and Thai, and can be used by passengers on the Hello Kitty HARUKA, shinkansen bullet train, and regular train services.

Start Your Adventure Through Kansai on the Hello Kitty HARUKA

We hope you enjoyed our overview of the Hello Kitty HARUKA. Connecting Kansai International Airport with a number of the region’s most prominent travel hubs, this whimsical, one-of-a-kind train is often the first taste of Japan for many.

However, be aware that services are currently reduced, so make sure you check the latest timetable in advance on the official JR West website to ensure you’ll get the chance to ride!

*This article was originally published in December 2021 and updated in May 2024. Please confirm the latest details on official websites.

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