{"id":18265,"date":"2026-05-20T09:52:31","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T00:52:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/corritrip.jp\/jpn\/blog\/%e6%b7%a1%e8%b7%af%e5%b3%b6%e3%81%ae%e8%a1%8c%e3%81%8d%e6%96%b9%ef%bd%9c%e9%9b%bb%e8%bb%8a%e3%81%a7%e8%a1%8c%e3%81%8f%e3%81%aa%e3%82%89jr%e8%88%9e%e5%ad%90%e9%a7%85%ef%bc%8b%e9%ab%98%e9%80%9f%e3%83%90\/"},"modified":"2026-05-26T16:06:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T07:06:32","slug":"awajishima_access","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/corritrip.jp\/jpn\/blog\/en\/awajishima_access\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Get to Awaji Island: JR Maiko Station + Expressway Bus Is Convenient"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Many people wonder: “I’ve heard of Awaji Island, but how do you actually get there?”<\/em> or “I want to go by train, but I’m not sure how.”<\/em> This article covers everything you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A lot of people search “Awaji Island train access” \u2014 but here’s the key fact: there is no railway on Awaji Island<\/strong>, and there is no airport either. That means you cannot reach the interior of Awaji Island by train alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’re traveling from Osaka or Shin-Osaka, the route is: take a JR train to Maiko Station<\/a><\/strong>, then walk to Kosoku Maiko Bus Stop<\/a><\/strong> and board an express bus toward Awaji Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Kosoku Maiko<\/a>, numerous expressway buses depart for Awaji Island and Shikoku. Once on the bus, you’ll cross the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge<\/strong> (3,911 m long) almost immediately, enjoying a breathtaking view of the sea as you arrive on the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide is perfect for anyone planning a day trip from Osaka, or hoping to explore Awaji Island without a rental car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Basic Route from the Osaka Area to Awaji Island by Train<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shin-Osaka \/ Osaka \u2192 JR Maiko Station<\/a> \u2192 Kosoku Maiko Bus Stop<\/a> \u2192 Express Bus to Awaji Island<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key point: you cannot go directly to Awaji Island by train.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Head to JR Maiko Station<\/a><\/strong>, the closest transfer hub on the mainland. From there, walk to Kosoku Maiko Bus Stop<\/a> and board an express bus for Awaji Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the bus departs, it enters the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge almost immediately. From the window you can see the Akashi Strait, Osaka Bay, and the coastline of Awaji Island.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy the scenery, and in about 10 minutes you’ll arrive on the Awaji Island side. Destinations in the northern part of the island \u2014 Awaji IC, Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park, and Iwaya \u2014 are close to the bridge, making them ideal for day trips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting from Shin-Osaka \/ Osaka to Maiko Station<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

From Shin-Osaka<\/strong>, take the JR Kyoto Line<\/strong> (also called the JR Kobe Line) toward Osaka, Sannomiya, Takarazuka, or Himeji. Travelers arriving by Shinkansen can transfer directly to this line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Osaka<\/strong>, take the JR Kobe Line<\/strong> toward Sannomiya, Kobe, Takarazuka, or Himeji.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important:<\/strong> The Shinkaisoku (Special Rapid)<\/strong> does NOT stop at JR Maiko Station<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you board the Shinkaisoku toward Kobe, it will pass through Maiko without stopping. To reach Maiko Station<\/a>, choose one of these options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Take a Kaisoku (Rapid) or Local train directly to Maiko Station<\/a> from the start.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Take the Shinkaisoku to Sannomiya or Kobe, then transfer to a Rapid or Local for Maiko Station.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Especially from Shin-Osaka, it’s smooth to take the Shinkaisoku to Sannomiya, then transfer to a Rapid or Local that stops at Maiko.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Check a transit app (searching “Shin-Osaka \u2192 Maiko” or “Osaka \u2192 Maiko”) on the day of travel to confirm the best route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you accidentally pass Maiko on the Shinkaisoku, get off at Akashi Station and take a Rapid or Local back toward Sannomiya\/Amagasaki\/Osaka to return to Maiko.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    After arriving at Maiko Station, exit the ticket gates and walk to Kosoku Maiko Bus Stop<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    >>>Shinki Bus Official Website<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    Train Route Overview: Kyoto\/Osaka Area to Maiko Station<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    Special Rapid:<\/strong>
    Major Stops<\/strong><\/td>    		Rapid & Local:<\/strong>
    Major Stops<\/strong><\/td>    		Line<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
    Stations shown are partial.<\/td>Stations shown are partial.<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
    Kyoto<\/td>Kyoto<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
    \u2193<\/td>\u2193<\/td>JR Kyoto Line
    (Tokaido Main Line)<\/td><\/tr>
    Shin-Osaka<\/td>Shin-Osaka<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
    \u2193<\/td>\u2193<\/td>JR Kyoto Line
    (Tokaido Main Line)<\/td><\/tr>
    Osaka<\/td>Osaka<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
    \u2193<\/td>\u2193<\/td>JR Kobe Line
    (Tokaido Main Line)<\/td><\/tr>
    Sannomiya<\/td>Sannomiya<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
    \u2193<\/td>
    \u2193<\/td>    		JR Kobe Line
    (Tokaido Main Line)<\/td><\/tr>
    Kobe<\/td>Kobe<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
    \u2193<\/td>\u2193<\/td>JR Kobe Line
    (Sanyo Main Line)<\/td><\/tr>
    \u2193<\/strong>
    (Passes through)
    \u2193<\/strong><\/td>    		[Maiko]
    Connects to<\/a>
    Kosoku Maiko<\/a>
    Bus Stop<\/a><\/td>    		\u2605<\/td><\/tr>
    \u2193<\/td>\u2193<\/td>JR Kobe Line
    (Sanyo Main Line)<\/td><\/tr>
    Akashi<\/td>Akashi<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
    \u2193<\/td>\u2193<\/td>JR Kobe Line
    (Sanyo Main Line)<\/td><\/tr>
    Himeji<\/td>Himeji<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
    Major stops on the<\/strong>
    Special Rapid Service<\/strong><\/td>    		Major stops on<\/strong>
    Rapid\/Local services<\/strong><\/td>    		Line<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Getting from Maiko Station to Kosoku Maiko Bus Stop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    After exiting JR Maiko Station<\/a>, head to Kosoku Maiko Bus Stop<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    This is not a typical bus terminal in front of a train station \u2014 it is a bus stop located on the expressway connected to the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Look for signs reading “Expressway Bus Stop” inside and around the station.
    Following the signs will take you there. The walk takes about 5 minutes, but first-timers may find it slightly confusing, as you need to go up via escalator or elevator.
    Allow 10\u201315 minutes<\/strong> between your train arrival and bus departure.<\/p>\n<\/div>

    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Travelers with large luggage, or foreign visitors unfamiliar with the area, are advised to take an earlier train to Maiko Station<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    About Kosoku Maiko Bus Stop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Kosoku Maiko<\/a> is an important bus stop for expressway buses heading to Awaji Island and Shikoku.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It is conveniently walkable from JR Maiko Station<\/a>, making it the ideal boarding point for buses to Awaji Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Buses depart here for various parts of Awaji Island: Awaji IC, Iwaya, Prefectural Awajishima Park, Sumoto, Fukura, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Things to know before your first visit:<\/p>\n\n\n\n