Osaka’s ‘Star Wars’ train came as a real surprise to me. It’s not the sort of thing you’d expect when travelling Japan’s rail network, and if you’re quick, you might be able to catch it too.
It’s running on the Kansai International to Osaka Namba Nankai line until May 2016 to tie in with the long awaited blockbuster movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens Nankai Limited Express Rapi:t Train
- Exterior Design: Star Wars Design Livery
- Interior Design: Train Carriages and Corridors Decoration
- Star Wars Train: Kansai International Airport to Namba (Osaka) Timetable & Tickets
- How to See the Star Wars Train in Osaka
Star Wars: The Force Awakens train is running on the Kansai International to Osaka Namba Nankai line until May 2016 – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
And if you’re not able to make it to see the Star Wars train in person, you’re still going to love the photos: make sure you share this with any other Star Wars nuts out there. The Star Wars train’s striking, retro-futuristic design and attention to detail is truly memorable – only in Japan!
Japan's Star Wars Train: Love Trains? Love Star Wars? You’re Gonna Love This (25 Photos) #onlyjapanClick To Tweet
Classic droids C3PO and R2D2 feature together on the exterior of the Star Wars train – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Nankai Limited Express Rapi:t Train
The train links Namba (Osaka), to Kansai International Airport and goes by the full name of the Star Wars: The Force Awakens Nankai Limited Express Rapi:t Train.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens heroine Rey and sidekick droid BB-8 on the interior of the space age train – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
As you might expect, the Star Wars train features the main characters from the Force Awakens on its external livery and interior design. Anyone touching down at Kansai Airport will wonder if they’ve arrived on the same planet when they see the space age train.
It’s already got Japanese Star Wars fans flocking to ride the train and admire it from the platform.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ hero Finn holding a lightsaber on the side of the Kansai International to Osaka Namba Rapi:t train – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
Collaboration: Star Wars Film, Nankai Electric Railway and Kansai International Airport
The Star Wars train is a collaboration between the movie, Kansai International Airport and Nankai Electric Railway. It’s designed to promote Osaka to a domestic audience, plus worldwide as a gateway to Japan rivaling Tokyo.
The ‘dark side’s’ Kylo Ren with his trademark ‘crossguard’ lightsaber: a menacing image towards the front of the Star Wars Train – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
If organisers were hoping for a big impact, then they’ve achieved their aim, with loads of coverage nationally and internationally already. It’s not hard to see why. For starters, the Nankai 50000 Series train that serves the line bears a striking resemblance to Star Wars baddie Darth Vader, so much so that the engine was known as the ‘Darth Vader Train’ long before this project kicked off.
Take one look at the retro-futuristic design of the Nanka 50000 series and you’ll see why it’s known as the ‘Darth Vader train’ – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
Exterior Design: Star Wars Design Livery
The train’s striking jet-black livery makes an immediate impact. The distinctive helmet-like driver’s cabin and sleek, jet black straight edges give it a unique space age look.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens characters Rey and BB-8 on the exterior of the Nankai Rapi:t train – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
Each of its six carriages features characters from the Force Awakens film and the classic Star Wars logo.
Carriage number and characters:
01: Kylo Ren, BB-8, Rey
You can’t escape Kylo Ren who appears at the front and back of the Star Wars train – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
02: Finn, Captain Phasma
Captain Phasma clad in his distinctive chrome style armour – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
03: First Order Stormtrooper Officer, Poe Dameron
Front of the Nankai 500000 ‘Star Wars train’ and Resistance Starfighter Corps Commander Poe Dameron – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
Star Wars: The Force Awakens First Order Stormtrooper wearing stark white armour – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
04: Chewbacca, R2D2, C3PO
Star Wars veteran Chewbacca or ‘Chewie’ the Wookiee male warrior, smuggler and co-pilot of Han Solo’s starship, the Millennium Falcon – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
Loyal, funny, and brave. All-time favourite and legendary Star Wars droid R2D2 – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
05: Captain Phasma, Finn
Luckily Rey and sidekick droid BB-8 also appear twice on the exterior of the Star Wars: The Force Awakens train – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
06: BB-8, Rey, Kylo Ren
Finn keeps a watchful eye between carriages on the inside of the ‘Star Wars train’ – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
Interior Design: Train Carriages and Corridors Decoration
Nankai 50000 Retrofuturistic Design
If you’re still in doubt if you’re in a galaxy far away, stepping inside the train will do the trick. Even without its Star Wars makeover, the Nankai 50000 interior is high tech and super space age.
Large round windows of the Nankai 50000 are similar to portholes on flying saucers from classic sci-fi movies – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
Large round windows are reminiscent of portholes from the flying saucers of classic sci fi movies. It’s like nothing you’ll have ever seen on another train.
The retrofuturistic interior of the Nankai 50000 displaying incredible detail with the Art Deco meets sci-fi carriage lighting – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
The most impressive detail for me was the carriage lighting. Incredible detail creates a remarkable fusion of Art Deco and sci-fi style. It would be impossible to travel on any train, anywhere else, that feels more like you’re in a spaceship.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Interior Design
Classic characters from the original Star Wars film – C3PO, R2D2 and Chewbacca – appear together in the corridor of carriage 4 – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
Corridors between carriages
The Star Wars theme is most prominent in the corridors that separate the carriages. Like the exterior, different movie characters feature in each section.
Carriage number and characters:
01: BB-8, Rey
Star Wars: The Force Awakens characters Rey and Finn feature on the interior of carriages 01 and 02 – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
02: Finn
03: First Order Stormtrooper Officer
First Order Stormtrooper and ‘Chewie’ appear on the interiors of carriages 03 and 04 – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
04: C3PO, R2D2, Chewbacca
05: Poe Dameron, Captain Phasma
The Star Wars characters stand out dramatically against a galactic backdrop of space and stars. The space age style continues into the seating compartments.
The original Nankai 50000 provides the perfect base for the Star Wars design. The doors, stretched oval windows, and smooth opening mechanism reinforces the whole sci-fi feel.
Carriage 06 offers something different with a 3D model of R2D2 in front of Kylo Ren – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
Carriage 06: R2D2 model and Kylo Ren
Carriage 06 provides a neat twist from the rest of theme with a 3D model of an R2D2 next to an image of the Force Awaken’s foremost baddie Kylo Ren.
Star Wars Train: Kansai International Airport to Namba (Osaka) Timetable & Tickets
Star Wars Train Timetable
The Star Wars train operates on the Kansai International Airport to Namba (Osaka), Nankai Limited Express Rapi:t service. It’s not going to be running forever, though, operating up to Sunday 8 May 2016.
It runs up to eight times daily in each direction. Total journey time from Kansai International Airport to Namba (Osaka) is 38 minutes.
Join droids C3PO and R2D2 for an unforgettable ride on the ‘Star Wars’ themed Nankai 50000 from Kansai International Airport to Osaka Namba – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
The Limited Express Rapi:t service stops at the following stations:
Kansai International Airport – Rinku Town – Izumisano – Tengachaya – Shin-Imamiya – Namba (Osaka). (Some early morning and night services also stop at Kishiwada and Sakai.)
Timetables change every month but on most days it runs between seven and eight times between the hours of 07:00 and 21:00. Train times do vary slightly every day so if you’re lucky enough to be in Japan while the Star Wars train is running it’s best to check the Nankai ‘How to Enjoy Osaka’ website.
Poe Dameron is ready to stop Captain Phasma from overcharging you for a ticket on the Star Wars Nankai 50000 – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
Star Wars Train Tickets
Tickets are available online and you can pay with Visa or Mastercard.
Online discounts are available between Kansai International Airport and Tengachaya, Shin-Imamiya or Namba (Osaka).
For ticket purchases, see the Nankai ‘How to Enjoy Osaka’ website.
Most people visiting Japan buy a JR train pass, but unfortunately, it’s not valid on the Star Wars train. But at less than $10 one way, and with further discounts on return journeys, the trip is more than worth it.
Commuters and visitors have flocked to platform nine of Nankai Osaka Namba to see the Star Wars train – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
How to See the Star Wars Train in Osaka
If you’re already in Osaka, you can see the Star Wars train at Nankai Osaka Namba railway station.
Get a close-up look 30 minutes before the train departs. You’ll need to check the train departure times as they change every day.
When you arrive at Nankai Osaka Namba go to platform nine. If you’re on time you’ll see the jet-black Star Wars train straight away.
To get onto the platform buy a pass from the ticket booth by barriers at platform nine.
3D model of R2D2 and Captain Phasma image which can be seen inside the Star Wars train – © The Train Hacker images/Chris P King
Star Wars Train: Kansai International Airport to Namba (Osaka)
Any travellers arriving at Kansai International Airport should definitely take the Star Wars train. And if you’re heading to Namba or central Osaka, it’s well worth the extra waiting time.
For Star Wars fans lucky enough to be in Japan it’s well worth making the detour to see and ride on the Star Wars train – you won’t be disappointed.