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
Termini	Kyoto, Shin-Ōsaka Wakayama, Kainan, Kii-Tanabe, Shirahama, Shingū
Stops	22
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

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.

Stops

Stations in parentheses are not served by all trains.

Trains stop at the following stations:

Kyōto – Shin-Ōsaka – Ōsaka – Tennōji – (Izumi-Fuchu) – Hineno – (Izumi-Sunagawa) – Wakayama – Kainan – (Minoshima) – (Fujinami) – (Yuasa) – Gobō – (Minabe) – Kii-Tanabe – Shirahama – Susami – Kushimoto – Koza – Taiji – Kii-Katsuura – Shingū

• Stations in brackets () are stations where not all trains stop at.
• Previously, train services went directly between the Loop Line and Shin-Osaka via the Umeda Freight Line, resulting in no trains going to Osaka Station. This changed on 13 February 2023 when trains started to route through new underground platforms at Osaka Station.^[1] The new platforms were opened on 18 March 2023.

In-car chimes

The 381 series had chimes that matched the image of each station. The chimes will be played before the train arrives at the stations. Its use was discontinued because of the deterioration of the broadcasting equipment.

The chimes for each station are the following with translations of the song names and possible reasons to why those chimes were chosen for each station.

Osaka Station, Nishikujo Station, Izumi-Fuchu Station, Izumi-Sunagawa Station, and Fujinami Station are not included in this table as there were no chimes recorded.

Rolling stock

• 283 series EMUs^[2]
• 287 series EMUs^[2]
• 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.^[3]

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.^[4] The 289 series fleet consists of five six-car sets and three three-car sets (39 vehicles in total).^[2]

Former rolling stock

• 381 series EMUs (October 1978 to 30 October 2015)^[5]

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 only
• No smoking available.

Direction

left: Shirahama, Shingū

right: Shin-Osaka, Kyoto

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

• Women-only seats are available in Car 5.

• Women-only seats are available in Car 5.