West Express Ginga Guide And Map
- Transportation
- 29 Aug, 2025
The West Express Ginga is a semi-luxury overnight train that runs occasionally in western Honshu and down into Wakayama Prefecture.
[West Express Ginga in the mountains — image © Rail Man Photo
Office]
The West Express Ginga is a semi-luxury overnight train that runs occasionally in western Honshu and down into Wakayama Prefecture. Because of its irregular operation and the difficulty of getting tickets, this is one of the harder trains to get tickets for.
West Express Ginga Route Map
This map summarises the different routes taken by the West Express Ginga. You can also find an interactive Google map further down the page.
Visit the West Express Ginga official
website
for timetables, images of the seats and compartments, information about
destinations, and more (in Japanese).
[West Express Ginga private compartment — image © Rail Man Photo
Office]
Schedules
- Kyoto 21:15 → 09:37 Shingu
- Shingu 13:02 → 20:53 Kyoto
This is the schedule for the Nanki (Southern) Route that is in effect from September 1, 2023 to March 3, 2024.
West Express Ginga Google Map
You can zoom into this Google map of the different West Express Ginga train routes, as well as using it to get directions to different points along the route.
Reservations and Tickets
Book yourself at a JR Midori no Madoguchi ticket window up to 1 month in advance.
Sample Fares
The following are fares on the Nanki (Southern Route: Kyoto — Shingu):
- Premium private compartment (Green car private room): ¥15,380
- First class seat (Green car reserved seat): ¥12,330
- Regular car reserved seat: ¥8670
Japan’s Special Trains
Here are the other special luxury, sleeper, cuisine and sightseeing trains:
- Gran Class Shinkansen (JR East)
- Saphir Odoriko (JR East)
- 36+3 (JR Kyushu)
- Aru Ressha (JR Kyushu)
- Fuji Excursion (JR East)
- Kyo Train Garaku (Hankyu Line)
- Resort Shirakami (JR East)
- Shimakaze (Kintetsu Line)
- Shikoku Cuisine Trains (JR Shikoku)
- Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumi (JR Central and West)
- Kurobe Gorge Railway (Kurobekeikoku Tetsudo)
- Sagano Romantic Train (Sagano Scenic)
- Train Suite Shiki-Shima (JR East)
- Twilight Express Mizukaze (JR West)
- West Express Ginga (JR West)
- Seven Stars in Kyushu (JR Kyushu)
- Japan Special Trains home page
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For a quick overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide.
- Check if a visa is required for Japan
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com.
- Buy Japan Rail Tickets and Shinkansen Tickets Online.
- For tips on where to stay, see Where To Stay In Kyoto.
- See my Packing List For Japan.
- Purchase an eSim or SIM card for Japan.
- Compare flight prices on Skyscanner.
- Consider a Japan Rail Pass - see if it’s worth for you.
- Consider a travel insurance.