The Limited Express Super Hakuto for Tottori & Kurayoshi

The Super Hakuto is a limited express train service that runs between Kyoto Station and destinations in Tottori Prefecture. On the way this train also makes stops at Shin-Osaka Station, Osaka Station, Sannomiya Station in Kobe, and Himeji Station. The Super Hakuto is the fastest train to travel to Tottori Prefecture from Kobe. The journey time from Sannomiya Station in Kobe is around 2 hours and 15 minutes. However, train times vary according to the service number of the train.

This train is jointly operated by JR West and the Chizu Express Company, because for part of its route it runs along the semi-private Chizukyuko Line. At Sannomiya Station trains bound for Osaka and Kyoto depart from Platform 1 and trains bound for Tottori and Kurayoshi depart from Platform 4.

Ticket Types and The Japan Rail Pass

The Super Hakuto has non-reserved seats, reserved seats, and Green Car seats which are first class. For the cheapest non-reserved seats you will be charged the base fare plus the limited express seating fee. The cost of reserved seats varies slightly by season.

Because the Super Hakuto runs along the semi-private Chizukyuko Line for part of its route, it is only partly covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Japan Rail Pass holders will need to pay a surcharge for the section between Kamigori Station and Chizu Station. At the time of writing the surcharges for this section are as follows:

Key Destinations

The Super Hakuto makes seven return journeys each day between Kyoto and Tottori Prefecture. Services make stops at the following stations. Most trains do not stop at the stations in brackets ().

Kyoto – Shin-Osaka – Osaka – Sannomiya – (Kobe) – Akashi – (Nishi-Akashi) – (Kakogawa) – Himeji – Kamigōri – Sayo – Ōhara – Chizu – Kōge – Tottori – Kurayoshi

• Most westbound trains continue as far as Kurayoshi but services #9 and #13 terminate at Tottori Station.
• Most eastbound trains start at Kurayoshi Station but Super Hakuto #14 starts at Tottori Station.
• Only the westbound Super Hakuto #13 stops at Kobe, Nishi-Akashi and Kakogawa stations.

The key destinations on this route are listed below with example travel times and non-reserved train fares given from Sannomiya Station.

Eastbound Destinations

Osaka Station

Osaka Station is located in the Umeda district which is a major transportation hub and commercial center in Osaka.

Transfers can be made here to the following JR train lines: the Osaka Loop Line, Kansai Airport Line, Yamatoji Line, Hanwa Line, Takarazuka Line, Kobe Line, and Kyoto Line. Transfers can also be made at nearby stations to the Midosuji Subway Line, the Hanshin Main Line, and Hankyu Railway’s Kobe Line, Kyoto Line, and Takarazuka Line.

Shin-Osaka Station

Shin-Osaka Station is the shinkansen (bullet train) terminus for Osaka City. Transfers can be made here to eastbound Tokaido Shinkansen services, westbound Sanyo Shinkansen services, the JR Kyoto Line, the JR Osaka Higashi Line, and the Midosuji Subway Line.

Kyoto Station

Kyoto is an ancient city with many famous historical shrines, temples, palaces and gardens. Kyoto’s major tourist attractions include the Golden Pavilion of Kinkakuji Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, and the bamboo forest of Arashiyama are major tourist attractions.

Kyoto is also renowned for its fine food and riverside dining, as well as its more modern structures such as Kyoto Tower, and the Kyoto Station building.

Transfers can be made here to the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Kintetsu Kyoto Line, the Karasuma Subway Line, and the following JR lines: the Biwako Line, the Sagano Line, and the Nara Line.

Westbound Destinations

Himeji Station

Himeji’s top attraction is Himeji Castle, a beautiful white structure dating back to the 14th century and one of only 12 original medieval castles to have survived the last World War. Other attractions in Himeji are the Kokoen Garden and the large mountain temple of Shoshazan Engyoji.

Chizu Station

The top attraction in Chizu is the Ishitani Residence, a large wooden mansion built in the early 20th century that is a nationally registered Important Cultural Property. Visitors can view the traditional architecture and interiors, examine museum exhibits in the converted storerooms, and take a stroll in the garden which is nationally registered Place of Scenic Beauty. The Ishitani Residence is an 11 minute walk from Chizu Station. Also nearby is Suwa Shrine, a pleasant woodland shrine with a main hall dating from 1832.

Tottori Station

The top attraction in the city of Tottori are the ancient sand dunes which cover a huge area on the coast. Here you can enjoy camel rides and visit a sand museum. Other attractions include Tottori Castle ruins, a French style mansion called the Jinpukaku, Tottori Hot Spring, and Hakuto Beach.

Kurayoshi Station

Kurayoshi is known for the traditional kura warehouses of the Shirakabe Dozogun area which date from the Edo and Meiji periods. These buildings are famous for their white plaster walls with burnt black cedar paneling and red tiled roofs. Many of these old warehouses have been renovated and now operate as craft shops, galleries, restaurants and cafes.

Exploring Tottori Prefecture

Tottori and Kurayoshi are both good bases for exploring the rest of Tottori Prefecture. Here are three easily accessible destinations you might like to visit.

Mount Daisen, is a 1,729 meter high mountain which is a popular climbing and hiking destination in Tottori Prefecture. The mountain can be reached from either Tottori Station or Kurayoshi Station by taking the Sanin Line to Yonago Station, and then taking a bus or taxi. By car it is a 30 minute drive from Yonago City. Check the Daisen Guide site for access details.

Sakaiminato was the home town of the late manga artist Mizuki Shigeru, who is famous for his stories of yokai monsters. In the town there is a Mizuki Shigeru Museum and a Mizuki Shigeru Road, which is lined with 153 statues of his most famous characters. To get there, take the Sanin Line to Yonago Station and then transfer to the Sakai Line for Sakaiminato Station.

Misasa Onsen is a hot spring spa with natural mineral-rich waters famed for their therapeutic benefits. From the south exit of Kurayoshi Station take a number 3 bus to Misasa. The journey takes 25 minutes and costs 470 yen.

Timetables

Departure times are given below for the key destinations. These times are correct at the time of writing. For updated times or for departure times from other stations on this route please use the JR West Timetable and Fare Finder.

Westbound

Stations	Super Hakuto #1	Super Hakuto #3	Super Hakuto #5	Super Hakuto #7	Super Hakuto #9	Super Hakuto #11	Super Hakuto #13
Kyoto	7.06	8.50	10.54	12.52	14.52	16.56	19.35
Shin-Osaka	7.30	9.15	11.18	13.16	15.16	17.19	20.00
Osaka	7.36	9.25	11.24	13.24	15.24	17.26	20.06
Sannomiya	7.57	9.43	11.42	13.42	15.42	17.44	20.27
Himeji	8.36	10.22	12.20	14.21	16.20	18.22	21.08
Chizu	9.44	11.30	13.23	15.24	17.24	19.31	22.14
Tottori	10.13	11.59	13.53	15.53	17.52	20.02	22.42
Kurayoshi	10.43	12.30	14.20	16.20	–	20.33	–

Eastbound

Stations	Super Hakuto #2	Super Hakuto #4	Super Hakuto #6	Super Hakuto #8	Super Hakuto #10	Super Hakuto #12	Super Hakuto #14
Kurayoshi	6.08	8.12	10.13	12.19	14.23	16.22	–
Tottori	6.39	8.53	10.46	12.54	14.54	16.54	18.40
Chizu	7.08	9.21	11.15	13.23	15.23	17.24	19.08
Himeji	8.14	10.25	12.25	14.24	16.24	18.28	20.09
Sannomiya	9.00	11.01	13.01	15.01	17.01	19.11	20.46
Osaka	9.24	11.20	13.21	15.21	17.20	19.36	21.07
Shin-Osaka	9.29	11.24	13.26	15.26	17.24	19.42	21.13
Kyoto	9.53	11.47	13.48	15.48	17.48	20.06	21.37

Article by Michael Lambe. Photos by Michael Lambe, matya1234/pixta (3). All rights reserved.