Kuroshio (train)

The Kuroshio (くろしお) is a limited express train service in Japan connecting Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Tennōji, Wakayama, Kii-Tanabe, Shirahama, and Shingu via the Tokaido Main Line (JR Kyoto Line), Osaka Loop Line, Hanwa Line, and Kisei Line (Kinokuni Line), operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West). This article covers the derivative limited express trains, "Super Kuroshio (スーパーくろしお)" and "Ocean Arrow (オーシャンアロー)", the names of which were discontinued from start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012.

Kuroshio

A 289 series EMU on a Kuroshio service in February 2016
Overview
Service type	Limited express
Status	Operational
First service	1 March 1965
Current operator(s)	JR West
Former operator(s)	JNR
Route
Start	Kyoto, Shin-Ōsaka
Stops	22
End	Wakayama, Kainan, Kii-Tanabe, Shirahama, Shingū
Distance travelled	315.5 km (196.0 mi) (Kyoto – Shingū)
Average journey time	4 hours 15 minutes approx (Shin-Ōsaka – Shingū)
Service frequency	16 return workings daily
Line(s) used	Tokaido Main Line (JR Kyoto Line), Osaka Loop Line, Hanwa Line, Kisei Line (Kinokuni Line)
On-board services
Class(es)	Standard + Green
Disabled access	Yes
Sleeping arrangements	None
Catering facilities	None
Observation facilities	Yes
Entertainment facilities	None
Other facilities	Toilets, Woman-only seats
Technical
Rolling stock	283 series, 287 series, 289 series
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	1,500 V DC
Operating speed	130 km/h (81 mph)
Track owner(s)	JR West

Stops

Trains stop at the following stations:

Kyoto – Shin-Osaka – (Nishikujo) – Tennoji – (Izumi-Fuchu) – (Hineno) – (Izumi-Sunagawa) – Wakayama – Kainan – (Minoshima) – (Fujinami) – (Yuasa) – Gobo – (Minabe) – Kii-Tanabe – Shirahama – Susami – Kushimoto – Koza – Taiji – Kii-Katsuura – Shingu

• Stations in brackets () are stations where not all trains stop at.
• As trains go direct from the Loop Line to the Umeda Freight Line and Shin-Osaka, no trains go to Osaka Station.

Rolling stock

• 283 series EMUs[1]
• 287 series EMUs[1]
• 289 series EMUs (since 31 October 2015)

New 287 series EMUs were introduced on Kuroshio services from start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012. From the same date, the Super Kuroshio and Ocean Arrow service names were discontinued, with services integrated with Kuroshio services.[2]

New 289 series EMUs converted from former dual-voltage 683 series trainsets were introduced on Kuroshio services from 31 October 2015, replacing the last remaining JNR-era 381 series trains.[3] The 289 series fleet consists of five six-car sets and three three-car sets (39 vehicles in total).[1]

Former rolling stock

• 381 series EMUs (October 1978 to 30 October 2015)[4]

• 
  A 381 series EMU on a Kuroshio service in September 2011

Formations

• Green: Green car (first class)
• White: Standard car (second class)
• O: Observation car
• G (green car), R (standard car): Reserved seats
• NR (standard car only): Non-reserved seats
• No smoking available.

Direction

left: Shirahama, Shingū

right: Shin-Osaka, Kyoto

• The services are sometimes operated as 9-car formation between Kyoto and Shirahama.

283 series
(Ocean Arrow type)

1	2	3	4	5	6
O, G	NR	NR	R	R	R

• Women-only seats are available in Car 5.

287/289 series

1		2	3	4	5	6
G	R	NR	NR	R	R	R

• Women-only seats are available in Car 5.

See also

• List of named passenger trains of Japan

References

1. JR西日本289系、683系を形式変更し「くろしお」などに投入! 381系は廃車に [JR West to reclassify 683 series to 289 series for introduction on Kuroshio and other services. 381 series to be withdrawn.]. Mynavi News (in Japanese). Japan: Mynavi Corporation. 28 April 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
2. 平成24年春ダイヤ改正について [Spring 2012 Timetable Revision] (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). Japan: West Japan Railway Company Wakayama Branch. 16 December 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2012.
3. JR西日本 289系 10月31日から運転開始 [JR West 289 series to enter service from 31 October]. Tetsudo Hobidas (in Japanese). Japan: Neko Publishing Co., Ltd. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
4. くろしお３８１系引退へ…パンダシートも見納め [Kuroshio 381 series to be withdrawn – Also end of panda seats]. Yomiuri Online (in Japanese). Japan: The Yomiuri Shimbun. 29 October 2015. Retrieved 29 October 2015.

External links

• JR West 287 series Kuroshio (in Japanese)
• JR West 289 series Kuroshio (in Japanese)