Oh how fun! I had no idea when I booked this trip that I would be travelling on such a decorated and adorable train. There are two main train options for this route and I chose this one. Taking the Haruka Hello Kitty Train from Osaka to Kyoto was easy and cute.
![The Haruka Hello Kitty Train from Osaka to Kyoto](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/haruka-8-1024x768.jpg)
Online Booking
Try as I might, I could not get the direct website to work for me while I was in Thailand trying to book this trip. I ended up using Klook for the first time and it worked just fine. Booking general tickets was as much as I could accomplish however, and these were good for use within the next 90 days after purchase. I was unable to reserve a specific day let alone a seat.
My ticket cost was $40 CAD return, virtually the same as the Haruka website.
Arrival at KIX
Upon my initial arrival into Osaka, I had time to kill before I could check in to my Airbnb. I went across from the arrival’s terminal to the train station, a quick walk of only 5 minutes. Here, I was able to go to the Haruka ticket booth, and show my booking with Klook.
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/haruka-3-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/haruka-12-768x1024.jpg)
The helpful lady was able to then narrow down my reservation to the specific days I needed and even reserve me a window seat both ways. It was surprisingly easy to do.
Travel Day
When my travel day arrived, I took two metro trains from my hotel to the Osaka Airport, where the Haruka Express train was departing from. I followed the signs for the Haruka which departs from Gate B and track number 4. It was when I went down to the platform that I realized I was going to be riding aboard Hello Kitty!
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/haruka-2-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/haruka-4-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/haruka-6-768x1024.jpg)
Haruka
The train is clean, bright and has space for your luggage at the front and rear ends of the car. If you reserve a seat, your car will have a toilet for those aboard to use. If you are in general seating, you will share a toilet with many more people and not have an assigned seat.
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/haruka-14-rotated.jpg)
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/haruka-15-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/haruka-return-5-768x1024.jpg)
The journey is only 75 minutes and 60 of those is getting out of Osaka. The Haruka makes two very brief stops in Osaka city, not more than a couple minutes each.
There is no food service so bring a snack and drink if you wish.
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/haruka-personal-3-769x1024.jpg)
I witnessed no spectacular scenery along the way, which was a bit disappointing I’ll admit. It was urban landscape for the duration. You are no sooner outside of Osaka and are approaching the outskirts of Kyoto.
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/haruka-view-8-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/haruka-view-3-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/haruka-view-6-768x1024.jpg)
Kyoto
I had read the Kyoto train station was a bit of a nightmare to navigate. While I did find it dingy and many parts under construction, it was relatively easy to find the metro, although a long walk up and down stairs and elevators when I could find one. By this point, dragging my luggage was getting really old and my hands were raw.
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/train-kyoto-4-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/train-kyoto-6-768x1024.jpg)
![](https://lyfeabroad.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/train-kyoto-768x1024.jpg)
I am here! In lovely Kyoto, so excited to explore this new city and have a look at some of the beautiful temples and shrines I have seen photographs of.