The Rapi:t is a futuristic electric express train that connects Kansai International Airport (KIX) with Namba Station in Osaka, Japan. Designed by architect Wakabayashi Hiroyuki the six-car train features sleek curves, an aerodynamic front, and circular windows similar to those found on airliners.
The Rapi:t has a maximum speed of 120 kph (75 mph) and is the fastest way to travel between the airport and downtown Osaka. Operated by the Nankai Electric Railway, the train uses the Airport Line and the Nankai Main Line. On the route from Namba Station to Kansai International Airport, there are two services Rapi:t A and Rapi:t B. The quicker of the two is Rapi:t A.
The Rapi:t A is three minutes quicker than the Rapi:t B
On the Rapi:t A route, the train has reserved only seating and makes stops at Shin-Imamiya, Tengachaya, Izumisano, and Rinku Town stations. The train departs on the hour on weekdays starting at 06:00 and every two hours in the afternoon. The journey from downtown Osaka to the airport takes approximately 34 minutes.
Photo: NANKIA
The Rapi:t B train takes 37 minutes to get from downtown Osaka to the airport stopping at Shin-Imamiya, Tengachaya, Sakai, Kishiwada, Izumisano, and Rinkū Town stations. The Rapi:t B trains run every hour from Namba Station to the airport from 07:00 until 10:00 and then every two hours.
You cannot use the Japan Rail Pass on Rapi:t trains
Despite the Rapi:t A and Rapi:t B trains being the fastest way to get between the airport and downtown Osaka they are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Passengers traveling with the Japan Rail Pass can take the Kansai Airport Limited Express Haruka or the Kansai Airport Rapid Service to Tennoji Station. From Tennoji Station, they must then transfer to Yamatoji Line to get to JR Namba Station.
Photo: NANKAI
A one-way ticket to or from Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Namba Station costs 520JPY ($3.86) in economy and 730JPY ($5.41) in business class.
About Osaka and Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Traditionally considered Japan’s economic and financial center, Osaka is the country’s third largest city after Tokyo and Yokohama. According to the Seattle, Washington-based global stock and commodity research website Macrotrends, as of this year, the population of Osaka and its surrounding metropolitan area is 19,013,000 people.
Located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, Kansai International Airport (KIX) is the main airport for Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. To relieve the overcrowding at Itami Airport (ITM), they opened Kansai International Airport (KIX) on September 4, 1994. Designed by famed Italian architect Renzo Piano, KIX has two runways and two terminals. In 2019 before air traffic suffered because of the COVID-19 pandemic, KIX handled over 31.9 million passengers.
Sources: Macrotrends.net
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