Japan is world-renowned for its public transportation system — with nationwide coverage and near-zero delays, it's truly in a league of its own. In line with the country’s innovation and commitment to tourism, scenic trains have been introduced all across Japan. Each region offers its own unique views: from trains passing by Mount Fuji, gliding alongside icy rivers in Hokkaido, to coasting along the shores of Aomori.
Today, I’d love to introduce you to a scenic train that lives up to its motto: “Bringing the Best of Kyoto On Board” — the Kyo-train GARAKU.
The Kyo-train GARAKU — or simply “Garaku” — runs between Osaka and Kyoto, starting from Osaka Umeda Station and ending at Kyoto Kawaramachi Station. Along the way, it stops at four smaller stations: Juso, Awaji, Katsura, and Karasuma.
How to Reach the Kyo-train GARAKU:
From Hankyu Umeda Station (Address: https://goo.gl/maps/GXjvrLHHxXQZzkwK7 )
From Osaka or Umeda Station, make your way to Hankyu Umeda Station. Once inside, follow the signs for the Hankyu Line and head to Platform 3. You’ll find clear information on the platform about the carriage numbers and departure times for each train.
From Kyoto Kawaramachi Station (Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/YE7hpKz629fv5pV59 )
From Kyoto Kawaramachi Station, follow the signs for the Hankyu Line and head to Platform 2, as shown in the photo below.
Now, let’s hop on board and explore this special train together!
The train has six carriages, each with its own unique theme. I’ll walk you through each one, with photos I took to help you visualize the experience 😉
- Carriage 1: Autumn
The first carriage is themed around autumn, featuring classic seasonal motifs and a warm, nostalgic ambiance. Its design is inspired by Ryusui-ni-kaede – the poetic image of maple leaves drifting gently down a flowing river.
The seats in this carriage are designed with traditional tatami mats, and the headrests are adorned with patterns of maple leaves floating along a river.
From here, you can also enjoy a rare front-facing view of the train driver — in my opinion, the best spot for watching the scenery unfold along the tracks.
With plenty of large windows at the front and on both sides, this carriage offers an open view of the passing streetscapes and natural scenery as the train travels between Osaka and Kyoto.
A front-seat view from the driver’s cabin:
2. Carriage 2: Winter.
Carriage Two brings the spirit of winter to life, with a delicate bamboo garden nestled beside the windows midway through the carriage, and snow-viewing windows that beautifully capture the tranquil atmosphere of Kyoto’s cold season.
There’s a pretty chill standing spot in the second carriage.
3. Carriage 3: Spring.
Designed with a spring theme, the train's third carriage is decorated with cherry blossoms - a symbol of spring in the land of the rising sun.
This carriage is divided into two sections: the right side features traditional tatami-style seats decorated with cherry blossom patterns, while the left side has sideways-facing seats positioned next to the windows — perfect for enjoying the passing scenery.
On the left side, the crosswise seats face a larger round window framed by cherry blossom designs on both sides. These seats can comfortably accommodate two to three passengers.
And this was my favorite shot of the day — capturing the exact moment the little one gazed out at the endless green road, as the train sped by at 100km/h. 😄
In my opinion, this is the most photogenic carriage on the train, thanks to the scenic window-side views that make every shot effortlessly beautiful.
4. Carriage 4: Summer
Carriage 4 is themed around summer, beautifully decorated with iris flower motifs. Just like Carriage 3, the seats here are arranged sideways, facing the windows — perfect for enjoying the passing scenery.
Here’s a short video I captured by the window seat in Carriages 3 and 4:
5. Carriage 5: Early Autumn
In the center of Carriage 5, you’ll find a beautiful traditional Japanese garden — the kind you often see in historic wooden houses around Kyoto. The design evokes the peaceful ambiance of early autumn, with carefully arranged stones, moss, and seasonal motifs that invite passengers to pause and take in the serenity.
Make sure to grab a photo by the window before anyone else comes along :v
6. Carriage 6: Early Spring.
The final carriage of the train captures the essence of early spring, beautifully decorated with delicate plum blossom motifs. Traditional tatami seating lines the carriage, while signature round windows offer a charming view of the passing scenery — a perfect blend of seasonal elegance and timeless Japanese design.
Video I filmed going around in the carriages of the train:
Additional Information About the Train:
- Weekend & Public Holiday Service Only: The train operates exclusively on weekends and Japanese national holidays.
- Same Fare as Regular Trains: No need to book in advance or pay any extra fee — you can board the train with a standard Hankyu Line train ticket or IC card.
- Limited Departures Each Day: There are only four round-trip services per day between Osaka and Kyoto, with set departure times.
- Specific time frames for trains running during the day:
From Osaka (Umeda Station) to Kyoto (Kawaramachi Station): The train departs at 9:32, 11:32, 13:32, and 15:32. (You can find the detailed schedule with stop times at each station in the image below.)
🕥 From Kyoto (Kawaramachi Station) to Osaka (Umeda Station): Return services from Kyoto depart at 10:41, 12:41, 14:41, and 16:41. (See the image below for a full timetable including stop times at each station.)
The photo represents my farewell. Thank you for reading until the end of the article!
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