Hinotori Limited Express Train Timetable, Fares, and How to Buy Tickets

This article provides a comprehensive overview of Kinki Nippon Railway (Kintetsu Railway)'s Meihan "Hinotori" Limited Express train, which connects Osaka Namba Station and Kintetsu Nagoya Station. It covers timetables, fares for representative sections, stopping stations, seating information, ticket purchasing procedures, whether ticket issuance is required, and IC card and credit card contactless payment compatibility. This limited express train features back-shell seats for all passengers, based on the concept of "upgraded comfort," and we've compiled key points to check before your trip.

*The information in this article is current as of July 2026. Operating days, timetables, fares, sales conditions, and purchase methods may change. Please check the latest information on Ekitan or the railway company's official website before use.

The "Hinotori" is a Kintetsu Railway Meihan Limited Express train connecting Osaka Namba Station and Kintetsu Nagoya Station in approximately two hours. It is operated using the 80000 series trains that debuted in March 2020, and is based on the concept of "upgraded comfort," with back shells adopted for all seats. All seats are reserved, so advance seat reservations are required to board. There are 11 train sets in operation, in 6-car and 8-car formations, and as the main train for the Meihan Limited Express service, it is gradually replacing the previous flagship trains, the Urban Liner Next and Urban Liner Plus.

What is "Hinotori"?

The "Hinotori" is a Kintetsu Meihan Limited Express train that began operation in March 2020, connecting Osaka Namba Station and Kintetsu Nagoya Station. The train's name is derived from the image of the legendary bird "Hinotori" that spreads its wings and takes flight, and it is characterized by its metallic red body. Introduced as the successor to the conventional Meihan Limited Express "Urban Liner," it is a train that greatly enhances comfort, being the first railway car in Japan to adopt back shells for all seats. Since its debut, it has gained strong support from both business and tourist use between Nagoya and Osaka, and in 2025 it celebrated its 5th anniversary of operation.

Train Features and Popular Points

The most distinctive feature of the "Hinotori" is that all seats feature a back-shell structure that allows passengers to recline without worrying about the person behind them. The Premium Cars at both ends of the train have genuine leather 3-row seats with a 130 cm seat pitch, and the high-decker structure also provides excellent views. The Regular Cars in the middle of the train also offer a seat pitch of 116 cm, comparable to Shinkansen Green Cars. This train is popular with passengers who want to travel at a lower fare than the Shinkansen and more comfortably than a highway bus. All seats are equipped with power outlets, and free Wi-Fi is available, making it a suitable limited express train for business travelers. However, onboard smoking rooms have been completely abolished since March 2024, so smoking is not permitted.

"Hinotori" Timetable

*Services run approximately once an hour, departing from both Osaka Namba Station and Kintetsu Nagoya Station generally every hour on the hour.

Downbound (towards Kintetsu Nagoya) Timetable

*Some services stop at Yamato-Yagi Station.

Upbound (towards Osaka Namba) Timetable

*Some services stop at Yamato-Yagi Station.

The "Hinotori" operates from Osaka Namba Station, with departures generally every hour on the hour, from around 7 AM to 9 PM. On weekends and holidays, an additional early morning service is added around 6 AM, making it a convenient timetable. The main stopping stations are Tsuruhashi Station, Osaka Uehonmachi Station, and Tsu Station, with only a limited number of services stopping at Yamato-Yagi Station. On weekends and holidays, extra services may be added during high season, so it's a good idea to check the timetable in advance during busy periods.

Operating Days and Service Suspension Information

The "Hinotori" operates daily, and there are generally no scheduled non-operating days. However, due to vehicle maintenance or other reasons, it may occasionally be replaced by other Meihan Limited Express trains.

"Hinotori" Operating Section

Main Sections

• Osaka Namba Station – Kintetsu Nagoya Station

Osaka Namba Station is a major Kintetsu terminal station directly connected to the bustling Minami district in Osaka, while Kintetsu Nagoya Station is Nagoya's gateway, with connections to JR and subway lines. Tsu Station, located along the way, is the capital of Mie Prefecture and is also used as a transfer point for destinations in the Ise and Shima regions.

"Hinotori" Stopping Stations

Main Stopping Stations

• Osaka Namba Station
• Osaka Uehonmachi Station
• Tsuruhashi Station
• Yamato-Yagi Station (some services only)
• Tsu Station
• Kintetsu Nagoya Station

*Stopping stations may vary depending on the service.

"Hinotori" Fares

Representative Section Fares

*The fare difference between Premium and Regular Cars is 700 yen.

• Limited Express Fares, Tickets, and Timetable - Ekitan

Breakdown of Basic Fare Ticket and Limited Express Ticket

The fare for the "Hinotori" is the sum of three components: the basic fare, the limited express fare, and the special car surcharge. The special car surcharge varies depending on the car type: 900 yen for Premium Cars and 200 yen for Regular Cars. Since all seats on the "Hinotori" are reserved, there is no unreserved seating option. Regular Cars offer comfort comparable to Shinkansen Green Cars, but the additional surcharge is a modest 200 yen, making it a popular choice for travelers who want to travel comfortably while keeping costs down.

Fare Differences by Car Type

The only difference in fare between Premium and Regular Cars is 700 yen, which is the difference in the special car surcharge. The fact that you can enjoy premium amenities such as genuine leather seats and a 130 cm seat pitch for a relatively small additional fee is one of the reasons for the popularity of the "Hinotori". Since the number of seats is limited, early reservations are recommended during high season. In particular, early reservations are recommended on holidays and long weekends, as there are only 21 seats in each Premium Car, for a total of 42 seats in a 6-car formation.

How to Purchase "Hinotori" Tickets

Kintetsu Railway Internet Reservation and Ticket Sales Service

By registering as a member of Kintetsu Railway's internet reservation and ticket sales service, you can reserve and pay for seats from a smartphone or computer. Payment can be made by credit card or PayPay, and as a ticketless service, you can board simply by showing your smartphone screen, eliminating the need to pick up tickets at the station. Limited express tickets go on sale from 10:30 AM, one month prior to the travel date. Registered members receive points equivalent to 10% of the purchase amount, and accumulated points can be exchanged for point-based limited express tickets.

Kintetsu Station Ticket Offices (Limited Express Ticket Offices)

You can also purchase limited express tickets at the ticket offices of major Kintetsu stations starting at 10:30 AM, one month prior to your travel date. Credit card payments are accepted at the ticket offices.

Limited Express Ticket Vending Machines

You can also purchase limited express tickets using credit cards or transportation IC cards at the automatic ticket vending machines installed at stations. However, you cannot specify the car number or window/aisle seat preference.

How to Purchase for Foreign Tourists

The "Hinotori" is operated by Kintetsu (a private railway), so the JAPAN RAIL PASS cannot be used. There is a KINTETSU RAIL PASS for foreign tourists, but this pass allows unlimited rides on trains up to the rapid express level, but does not cover limited express trains. Even if you have a KINTETSU RAIL PASS, you will need to purchase a separate limited express ticket (limited express fare and special car surcharge) in addition to your basic fare ticket to ride the "Hinotori".

Is a Physical Ticket Required?

If you complete payment via credit card or PayPay through the internet reservation and ticket sales service, you can board simply by showing your smartphone screen as it is a ticketless service. If you purchase your ticket at a station ticket office or an automatic limited express ticket vending machine, you will need to receive a paper limited express ticket before boarding.

Can IC Cards or Credit Card Contactless Payments Be Used?

When riding the "Hinotori", you will need separate tickets for the basic fare portion and the limited express ticket portion (limited express fare and special car surcharge). Nationwide interoperable transportation IC cards such as ICOCA, Suica, and PASMO can be used as the basic fare portion on all Kintetsu lines. However, the limited express ticket cannot be paid using the balance on the IC card and must be purchased separately in advance.

Kintetsu offers contactless payment services using credit cards and other methods across its entire train network. However, this service is not available on the Ikoma Cable Car and Katsuragi Mountain Ropeway.

Only the basic fare portion can be paid for using contactless payment. If you are riding a limited express train, you will need to purchase a limited express ticket separately.

The types of cards accepted and available areas may change.

At transfer gates to other railway lines, such as Tsuruhashi Station and Kintetsu Nagoya Station, contactless payment may not be available in some cases.

"Hinotori" Seating Information

Seat Types (All Seats Reserved)

The "Hinotori" has two classes: Premium and Regular, with no unreserved seating. Both classes feature back-shell seats for all passengers. In both classes, seats are arranged in rows with an aisle between them.

Distinctive Seating

The Premium Cars offer comfort close to that of business class on an airplane, with electric reclining, electric leg rests, heaters, power outlets, and reading lights. Some seats in the lead car offer panoramic views from the driver's cab. There are cafe spots in the deck areas of both end cars where you can purchase freshly brewed coffee and confectionery. Seat numbers follow Kintetsu's unique rules: the first row of Car 1 is actually the rearmost row on the Nagoya side. Therefore, if you desire a front-row seat, you need to pay attention to the combination of car number and seat number.

Large Luggage Storage

Free lockers for storing large luggage are available in the deck area of both end cars. There are two types: a standard cylinder lock type and an IC card lock type that can be locked with a transportation IC card.

Barrier-Free Facilities

Wheelchair-accessible seating is available on the train. If you will be using a wheelchair, we recommend that you contact the Kintetsu Railway Telephone Center or a station staff member in advance.

Ekiben and Onboard Gourmet Food on "Hinotori"

The "Hinotori" does not offer onboard meal service. Instead, freshly brewed coffee, tea, and light confectionery are sold at the cafe spots located on the decks of both end cars. Drink vending machines are also available. If you wish to enjoy a meal, it is recommended to purchase an Ekiben before boarding at Osaka Namba Station or Kintetsu Nagoya Station. The cafe spots also have a souvenir goods corner where you can purchase original merchandise such as keychains.

Points to Note When Riding "Hinotori"

Since all seats on "Hinotori" are reserved, if you have a specific date in mind, we recommend making your reservation as soon as tickets go on sale (10:30 AM, one month prior to your travel date). Premium Cars have a limited number of seats (21 per car), so early reservations are essential during high season and popular times. Also, only a limited number of services stop at Yamato-Yagi Station, so if you plan to transfer to a service bound for Nara, it's a good idea to check the stopping stations in advance.

Since there is no onboard meal service, if you plan to eat during your long journey, be sure to prepare your meals before boarding.

Summary

The "Hinotori" is a Kintetsu Meihan Limited Express train connecting Osaka Namba Station and Kintetsu Nagoya Station in approximately two hours, with services running roughly once an hour. All seats are reserved, so both a basic fare ticket and a limited express ticket (limited express fare and special car surcharge) are required. Premium and Regular Cars have back shells at every seat, offering comfort comparable to the Shinkansen at a reasonable fare. JAPAN RAIL PASS cannot be used, and even if you have a KINTETSU RAIL PASS, you will need to purchase a limited express ticket separately. It can be said to be a suitable option for those who want to travel at a lower fare than the Shinkansen but with more comfort than a highway bus. It has maintained high popularity since its launch in 2020 and is one of the strong options for traveling between Nagoya and Osaka.

Enjoy your journey between Osaka and Nagoya on "Hinotori", which is based on the concept of "upgrading your comfort."

Ekitan Travel Media Editorial Department

The Ekitan Travel Media editorial team provides information on transportation in Japan, including Shinkansen, regular trains, intercity travel, and access to tourist destinations. We also offer easy-to-understand travel information for international visitors.
This article is published by Ekitan Co., Ltd., the provider of the train transfer information service "Ekitan," and is based on Japanese railway and transportation information. Ekitan's website and app are used by over 10 million users per month.