There are many sightseeing spots such as Okayama Castle which is one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles and Koraku-en Garden which is one of three Great Gardens of Japan in Okayama.
Okayama is the recommended spot that can enjoy sightseeing day trip from Kansai(Osaka) because it is near from Kansai(Osaka).
There is three kinds of transportation method (Shinkansen, Conventional lines and Express bus) to get from Kansai (Osaka) to Okayama.
What is the fastest means of transportation to get to Okayama?
What is the cheapest means of transportation to get to Okayama?
I summarized the transportation method to answer such a question by this article.
Contents:
- Attractiveness and sightseeing spot of Okayama
- A comparison and summary of means of transportation
- Shinkansen
- Conventional lines (JR only)
- Conventional lines (Private railway + JR)
- Express bus
1.Attractiveness and sightseeing spot of Okayama
There are many sightseeing spots such as Okayama Castle which is one of Japan’s Top 100 Castles and Koraku-en Garden which is one of three Great Gardens of Japan in Okayama.
Okayama is the recommended spot that can enjoy sightseeing day trip from Kansai(Osaka) because it is near from Kansai(Osaka).
■Okayama Prefecture Official Tourism Guide “Explore Okayama”
2.A comparison and summary of means of transportation
There is three kinds of transportation method (Shinkansen, Conventional lines and Express bus) to get from Kansai (Osaka) to Okayama. (The airplane does not have a regular service.)
I listed a price and a time required of each transportation.
3.Shinkansen
Shinkansen is the transportation that can reach Okayama fastest.
Fare：3,600 yen ~ 8,460 yen
Necessary time：About 50 min ~ 70 min
First Train/Service：6:00(Departure)→6:50(Arrival)
Last Train/Service：23:06(Departure)→23:57(Arrival)
Departure station is “Shin-Osaka Station”.
It is available without minding the departure time and the time for return because the Shinkansen has much number of services.
Shinkansen has various kinds, but all Shinkansen stops at Okayama Station.
Because “Kodama reserved seat round trip ticket” and “Kansai WIDE Area Pass” is very cheap when you travel in two persons or more, it is recommended.
・Kansai WIDE Area Pass
・Kodama reserved seat round trip ticket
■Route Example (from Shin-Osaka Station to Okayama Station)
4.Conventional lines (JR only)
This is the method to go to Okayama by conventional lines of JR.
Fare：2,370 yen ~ 3,020 yen
Necessary time：About 3 hours
First Train/Service：5:52(Departure)→9:08(Arrival)
Last Train/Service：20:24(Departure)→23:03(Arrival)
Departure station is “JR Osaka Station”.
You can go to Okayama in around three hours even if you do not use Shinkansen.
During the period when “Seishun 18 Ticket” are available, this method can reach Okayama most cheaply.(Unit price per one piece of ticket)
・Seishun 18 Ticket
■Route Example (from Osaka Station to Okayama Station)
5.Conventional lines (Private railway + JR)
This is the method to go to Okayama by Hanshin / Sanyo train and JR Line. You change the train at Himeji Station.
In the case of a regular fare, this method can reach most cheaply.
Fare：2,770 yen
Necessary time：About 3.5 hours
First Train/Service：5:00(Departure)→8:33(Arrival)
Last Train/Service：20:01(Departure)→23:03(Arrival)
Departure station is “Hanshin Umeda Station”.
■Route Example (from Hanshin Umeda Station to Okayama Station)
6.Express bus
This is the method to go to Okayama by express bus.
When you go by bus, there is not transfer and can sit down from Osaka to Okayama.
Fare：2,900 yen ~ 3,150 yen
Necessary time：About 3.5 hours
First Train/Service：6:45(Departure)→10:25(Arrival)
Last Train/Service：23:55(Departure)→3:00(Arrival)
Departure bus stop is “OCAT (Osaka City Air Terminal)” or “Osaka Station JR Express Bus Terminal”.
A timetable and the platform guide of the express bus, please refer to the following articles.
■Ryobi Express
■Long-distance/Airport bus terminal around Osaka/Umeda station.
■Long-distance/Airport bus terminal around Namba station.
How did you like it?
Have a nice trip! XD
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