- Kitaguni
Infobox j-rail service
name="Kitaguni"
caption=583 series EMU train ready to depart from Osaka as the northbound "Kitaguni" express
type=Express
operator=JR West
lines=
startyear=
endyear=
stock=583 series EMUsThe nihongo|"Kitaguni"|きたぐに is an overnight train service that operates in Japan. Operated by
West Japan Railway Company (JR West), it runs betweenNiigata Prefecture andOsaka in theKansai region. The journey takes approximately nine hours northbound and eight hours southbound.The southbound train originates at Niigata Station at 22:55, arriving in Osaka at 06:49.
The northbound service leaves Osaka at 23:27, terminating at
Niitsu station at 08:10. A connecting rapid train makes the final 15-minute journey to Niigata.Major stops along the Kitaguni route include Shin-Osaka,
Kyoto ,Maibara ,Tsuruga , Fukui, Kanazawa, Toyama, Naoetsu and Nagaoka.The "Kitaguni" uses dedicated 581/583 series EMU trains consisting of both unreserved and reserved accommodations.A flat fee is charged for type "A" and "B" reserved accommodations, regardless of starting or ending location, while Green Car reserved accommodation rates are based on distance. Currently, accommodation rates range from about ¥6,000 for a type "B" bunk to about ¥10,000 for a type "A" bunk. A Green Car seat covering the entire distance from Osaka to Niigata costs ¥5,150.
The other fares, the basic fare and express fare, are based on distance. For tourists using the Japan Rail Pass, the basic fare does not have to be paid.
Route
The "Kitaguni" runs on the following lines:
JR West
* Kyoto Line (Tōkaidō Main Line ): Osaka - Kyoto
* Biwako Line (Tōkaidō Main Line /Hokuriku Line ): Kyoto - Nagahama
*Hokuriku Line : Nagahama - NaoetsuJR East
*Shinetsu Line : Naoetsu - Niigata
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
