Here's a previous post that I found using this website's search function.
Thread: NRT-KIX Train... View Single Post
08-13-2007, 01:34 PM #2 (permalink)
vschip
Line Holder
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: lax f/o
Posts: 80
I did it, and would do it again in a heartbeat, here's the info that NRT ops sent me when I asked about it:
Here is the information about the bullet train which is called "Shinkansen".
It takes about 4 to 4.5 hours from NRT to OSA by the train and costs about 17,000 JPY.
If you takes the trains to OSA, you need to exchange trains several times.
When you takes the bullet train, you will see Mt. Fuji through the window of the train if weather
is fine.
1) Hilton Hotel - NRT airport Terminal 1 or 2/Hotel bus or taxi
2) NRT airport Terminal 1 or 2-JR Tokyo Station/JR Narita Express (Express train)
3) JR Tokyo Station - JR Shin Osaka Station/JR Shinkansen (Bullet train)
4) JR Shin Osaka Station - Subway Namba Station/Subway Midosuji-line(Fare 270JPY)
5) Subway Namba Station - Swissotel Nankai Osaka/by foot
*Swissotel Nankai Osaka is located just above the subway Namba station.
You can purchase the ticket at the JR counter at NRT airport for all the way to JR Shin Osaka
station.
If you make a decision to deviate, please let us know in advance.
Thank you and best regards,
Nami/NRT OPS
If you get a first class tix(green seat is what they call it, I think) the cost was about $190, which was about $15 above the accepted fare. If you let NRT ops know, they will give you a shore pass that is legal for the train ride. Total time, left the Hilton around 0730, and got to the Swisshotel around 1230. Not too sure about the schedules, but they seem to always run on time, and are pretty frequent. Just google "Shinkansen", and there is a website that gives the times. All signs are in english, so that isn't a problem, but there are two minor things, no alert call, your on your own to get there, and the exit for the Swisshotel at Namba is either 4 or 5, I went out the wrong one and was about 4 blocks from the hotel. Bring a book and enjoy!
I'll add that the cost has gone up over $200 US with the dollar's depreciation versus the Yen. So, you need to get advance permission from your chief pilot now. Here's a link to the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) schedules -
Shinkansen (Japanese Bullet Train). The trains leave about every 20 minutes from Narita and then from the JR Tokyo station. Really easy to do, with great scenery on a clear day. Beats the devil out of the 1:30 cab to Haneda, 3 hour wait for the airplane, 1 hr flight to KIX, and then the 1+ hour cab ride in Osaka. Enjoy.
P.S. You could also take an ANA flight from NRT to the old Osaka airport, Otami, and then a 20 minute bus ride directly to Namba station. Also a very easy way to get from NRT to Osaka.