"Ureshi-to" Guaranteed Seating Set to Launch on Hanwa and Gakkentoshi Line Rapid Trains in JR West's October Timetable Update
Table of Contents
- "Ureshi-to" Guaranteed Seating to be Introduced on Hanwa Line Rapid Trains!
- Expansion of "Ureshi-to" Guaranteed Seating on JR Kyoto Line and JR Kobe Line Rapid Trains!
- "Ureshi-to" Guaranteed Seating to be Introduced on the Gakken-toshi Line... While Keeping Longitudinal Seating!
- Conclusion
1. "Ureshi-to" Guaranteed Seating to be Introduced on Hanwa Line Rapid Trains!
In the JR West timetable revision scheduled for October 14, 2025, "Ureshi-to" guaranteed seating will be introduced on Hanwa Line rapid trains.
The service will be very limited: only on 2 morning trains on weekdays departing from Hineno bound for Tennoji, and 3 evening trains on weekdays departing from Tennoji bound for Hineno. Considering that these are off-peak hours and that the service will not be introduced on through services to the Osaka Loop Line (unlike the Yamatoji Line), the intention seems to be to encourage passengers traveling from Osaka or during rush hours to use the higher-fare Limited Express "Haruka" or "Kuroshio" services instead.
Additionally, the rapid train departing from Hino at 7:37 AM for Tennoji on weekday mornings will be discontinued on the Hanwa Line.
2. Expansion of "Ureshi-to" Guaranteed Seating on JR Kyoto Line and JR Kobe Line Rapid Trains!
In the October 14, 2025 timetable revision, JR West will increase the number of rapid trains featuring "Ureshi-to" guaranteed seating on the JR Kyoto Line, JR Kobe Line, and Sagano Line.
While there are no changes to the A-seats on the Shin-Kaisoku (New Rapid) services, four new "Ureshi-to" rapid services will be established on the JR Kyoto Line from Osaka towards Kyoto on weekday mornings. Furthermore, four new services will be added on weekday evenings on rapid trains originating from the Himeji direction, passing through Osaka and Kyoto, and terminating at Maibara.
On the Sagano Line, the number of rapid trains from Kyoto to Sonobe offering "Ureshi-to" seating will be increased from two to four.
3. "Ureshi-to" Guaranteed Seating to be Introduced on the Gakken-toshi Line... While Keeping Longitudinal Seating!
In the October 14, 2025 revision, "Ureshi-to" guaranteed seating will also be introduced on the Gakken-toshi Line and the JR Tozai Line, even though these lines are operated exclusively by 4-door trains with longitudinal seating (such as the 321 and 207 series).
It will be available on 2 morning rapid trains on weekdays from Kizu towards Kyobashi and Amagasaki, and on 5 evening rapid trains on weekdays (off-peak) bound for Kizu. The "Ureshi-to" service with longitudinal seating will also be available within the JR Takarazuka Line. However, since this line already has "Ureshi-to" seating in 3-door cross-seat cars (225 and 223 series) like other lines, and because this implementation is in the reverse direction of the main commute flow, JR West likely does not anticipate significant usage from the Takarazuka Line area towards Osaka.
The reason for introducing "Ureshi-to" even with longitudinal seating is the great success of the "Keihan Premium Car" operating nearby, which became so popular that it was increased from 1 to 2 cars. Although the "Ureshi-to" seats on JR West's rapid trains are no different from standard seats, it is a profitable venture if the guaranteed seating allows for an extra charge while passengers maintain their commuter passes via the Gakken-toshi Line. In fact, the longitudinal "Ureshi-to" seats on the Gakken-toshi Line have been consistently fully booked for October 2025.
Moreover, if revenue increases through the "Ureshi-to" service (even with longitudinal seating), it could help mitigate the extent of the future fare revision planned by JR West after 2028. It is unlikely that anyone would oppose this expansion.
4. Conclusion
Following this JR West timetable revision on October 14, 2025, we will be watching with interest to see what future changes JR West implements.
