Mahoroba (2010)
381 series set on a Mahoroba service, April 2010
Overview
Service typeLimited express
StatusFormer
First serviceApril 1, 2010
Last serviceJune 27, 2010
Current operator(s)JR West
Route
TerminiShin-Ōsaka
Nara
Stops4
Distance travelled52.0 km (32.3 mi)
Service frequency—- 1 return working daily
Train number(s)9093 (towards Nara) 9094 (towards Shin-Osaka)
On-board services
Class(es)Standard
Disabled accessNone
Seating arrangementsStandard
Sleeping arrangementsNone
Catering facilitiesNone
Observation facilitiesNone
Entertainment facilitiesNone
Other facilitiesToilets
Technical
Rolling stock381 series
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC
Operating speed120 km/h (75 mph)
Track owner(s)JR West

The Mahoroba (まほろば) is a limited express train service in Japan connecting Osaka, Shin-Osaka, and Nara. Depending on the time of operation, there are two types of trains, and this article will introduce both. Trains operated via the Tokaido Main Line (Umeda Freight Line), Osaka Loop Line, and Kansai Main Line (Yamatoji Line) from April to June 2010.

Trains operated via the Osaka Higashi Line and Yamatoji Line[1][2][3] from April 2019 onwards.

2010 operation overview

From April 1 to June 30, 2010, a "Nara Destination Campaign" held.[4][5] to attract more tourists to Nara. It also marked the 1,300th anniversary of the transfer of the capital to Heijo-kyo, and the 1,300th Anniversary Commemorative Project of Heijo-kyo was held centering on the ruins of Heijo Palace in Nara City. Six JR companies were cooperating with this. The section and service route were the same as those of the Venue Access Rapid Service that was operated during the Nara Silk Road Exposition in 1988.

Inside the train, a commemorative boarding pass with a different design was distributed for the outbound and return trips. Passengers bound for Nara were presented with Nara souvenirs by lottery, and the lottery number was printed on the back of the commemorative boarding pass for the outbound trip. On the last run on June 27, station staff saw off the train in Meiji-era uniforms, and the train departed when the stationmaster of Nara gave the departure signal.[6][7]

Trains stopped at the following stations: Shin-Ōsaka – Tennoji – Horyuji - Nara

  • It went through the Umeda Freight Line, because the Osaka (Kita Umeda Station) was not open at that time.

Formations:

  • Green: Green car (first class)
  • White: Standard car (second class)
  • G (green car)
  • R (standard car): Reserved seats only
  • NR (standard car): Non Reserved seats only
  • No smoking available.
Direction
left: Nara
right: Shin-Osaka
  • The services operated with 6-car formations.
1 2 3 4 5 6
R R NR NR NR NR


2019 operation overview

Mahoroba (2019)
A Mahoroba service at Nara station
Overview
Service typeLimited express
StatusOperational
Current operator(s)JR West
Route
TerminiOsaka
Nara
Stops2
Distance travelled54.4 km (33.8 mi)
Average journey time52 minutes approx (Shin-Ōsaka – Nara)
Service frequency—- return workings daily
Train number(s)9022M (towards Nara), 9021M (towards Osaka)[8][9]
Line(s) usedOsaka Higashi Line, Yamatoji Line
On-board services
Class(es)Standard
Disabled accessYes
Sleeping arrangementsNone
Catering facilitiesNone
Observation facilitiesNone
Entertainment facilitiesNone
Other facilitiesToilets, Women-only seats (only available on some trains)
Technical
Rolling stock287 series
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC
Operating speed130 km/h (81 mph)
Track owner(s)JR West

With the opening of the entire Osaka Higashi Line in August 2019, JR West announced the operation of a special limited express train with the intention of attracting customers from the west to Nara City. It was operated on Saturdays and holidays from November to early December of the same year. It runs non-stop from Shin-Osaka Station to Nara Station, and unlike 2010, there are no stops on the way.

It is said that the purpose of this train operation is to capture the strong inbound demand, to solve the congestion of foreign tourists in Osaka and Kyoto by bringing it to Nara, and to promote tourism in Nara. JR West are aiming for regular trains and year-round operation in the future, you can take advantage of being directly connected to Shin-Osaka Station, which is now possible with this service. On the other hand, Kintetsu can also expect profits from increased users of related companies such as taxis and buses in Nara Prefecture.[10][11]

Trains stop at the following stations: Osaka – Nara

Formations:

  • Green: Green car (first class)
  • White: Standard car (second class)
  • No smoking available.
  • The services are operated as 3 or 6-car formations.
← Nara
Osaka →
1 2 3
Reserved Reserved Reserved
← Nara
Osaka →
1 2 3 4 5 6
Green Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved Reserved
  • Women-only seats are available in Car 5.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "新大阪～奈良駅間 ノンストップ特急の臨時運行" (Press release). 西日本旅客鉄道. August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  2. ↑ "臨時特急「まほろば」新大阪～奈良間で運行 おおさか東線をノンストップで走る". 乗りものニュース. August 22, 2019. Retrieved August 22, 2019.
  3. ↑ "2020年【春】の臨時列車の運転について" (PDF) (Press release). 西日本旅客鉄道. January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  4. ↑ 平成20年5月19日（月）臨時記者会見 - 奈良県
  5. ↑ 奈良デスティネーションキャンペーン 臨時特急「まほろば」号 運行開始！ Archived 2010-03-17 at the Wayback Machine - 西日本旅客鉄道プレスリリース 2010年1月22日
  6. ↑ 臨時特急「まほろば」号ラストランとデスティネーションキャンペーン引継ぎ式の開催について Archived 2010-06-26 at the Wayback Machine - 西日本旅客鉄道プレスリリース 2010年6月22日
  7. ↑ 臨時特急"まほろば"の運転終了 - 『鉄道ファン』交友社 railf.jp 鉄道ニュース 2010年6月28日
  8. ↑ "列車詳細情報 9021M". 西日本旅客鉄道. Archived from the original on November 4, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  9. ↑ "列車詳細情報 9022M". 西日本旅客鉄道. Archived from the original on November 4, 2019. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
  10. ↑ "どうする近鉄、ＪＲ西日本、牙城の「奈良」に臨時特急運行". 産経新聞. September 9, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  11. ↑ "帰ってきた「臨時特急まほろば」〜奈良の雄・近鉄への挑戦〜". 鉄道チャンネル. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
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