Yamatoji Rapid Service (大和路快速, Yamatoji Kaisoku) trains operate between
Kamo or
Nara Station and
Tennoji, via a complete loop on the
Osaka Loop Line. Trains divert from the Kansai Line at
Shin-Imamiya Station instead of continuing to JR Namba. From Shin-Imamiya, they run on the
Osaka Loop Line, making limited stops to
Osaka Station, and then making every stop before completing the loop at
Tennoji Station. However, some services do not complete the loop, as they terminate in Kyobashi. Trains also stop at every station east of
Ōji.
4 services are operated every hour during weekday daytime and weekend nighttime, with 2 of which operating as far as
Kamo. Some weekend services operate through service to the
Wakayama Line towards
Takada and
Gojō.
All trains are operated using
221 series EMUs, with every of them being 8 cars.
Regional Rapid Service
Regional Rapid Service (区間快速, Kukan Kaisoku) operate the same route as the Yamatoji Rapid but making every stop on the Osaka Loop Line. They are operated in weekday rush hours, plus weekend nights. There are also services which operate through services to the Wakayama Line. All services are operated using 221 series EMUs.
Rapid Service
Rapid Service (快速, Kaisoku)" operate between JR Namba and either Takada on the Wakayama Line (daytime), or Nara / Kamo (morning, evening, night), with an interval of 2 trains per hour. Among the through trains towards the Wakayama Line during the evening rush, some of them are coupled with Nara-bound services before decoupling at Ōji. However there are no Namba-bound services where two trains couple at Ōji. Additionally, there are a few Namba-bound through service trains starting from Nara and detours the Sakurai Line in the morning rush.
During daytime, trains are operated using 4-car 221 series EMUs. During rush hours, 6-car 201 series EMUs are also used, but now there is a higher tendency that 221 series trains are used. From the timetable revision on 15 March 2008 until 11 March 2022, 3 Rapid services starting from
Kashiwara (where Rapid trains normally skip) to Namba were operated.
Direct Rapid Service (直通快速, Chokutsū Kaisoku)
The operation of the "Direct Rapid Service" trains started on March 17, 2008, with the opening of the
Osaka Higashi Line and the timetable revision on March 15, 2008. The trains are now operated between
Nara and
Shin-Osaka, via the Yamatoji Line and the
Osaka Higashi Line. On weekdays, 4 Shin-Osaka-bound trains are operated in the mornings, while 4 Nara-bound trains are operated in the evenings. On weekends, 2 round trips are operated both in the mornings and in the evenings. Trains stop at all stations from Nara to
Ōji,
Kyūhōji,
JR Kawachi-Eiwa,
Takaida-Chuo,
Hanaten and
Shin-Osaka. Trains are operated using
207 series or
321 series EMUs from the Aboshi Depot.
Before 16 March 2019, when the Osaka Higashi Line still hadn't extended to Shin-Osaka, Direct Rapid trains operated between Nara and
Amagasaki via the Yamatoji Line, the Osaka Higashi Line, the
Katamachi Line (Gakkentoshi Line), and the
JR Tōzai Line.
Local (普通, Futsū)
"Local trains" stop at every station on the Yamatoji Line between Kamo and JR Namba. They are operated between Oji and JR Namba in the non-rush hour. Trains are also operated from JR Namba to Kamo and through from JR Namba to the Nara Line in the early morning.
History
The oldest section of the Yamatoji Line is between
Kashiwara and
JR Namba, which opened on May 14, 1889. The present route was completed on August 21, 1907 when the new line between
Kamo and
Kizu, replacing the original route via
Daibutsu, was opened.[1] The name "Yamatoji Line" has been used since March 13, 1988, and the term “Yamatoji“ roughly translates to “Road to
Yamato Province”.[2]
Station numbering was introduced in March 2018 with the Yamatoji Line being assigned station numbers between JR-Q17 and JR-Q39 with the exception of JR-Q35 (which will be assigned to a future station between Koriyama and Nara).[3][4]
381 series (Yamatoji Liner Rapid service, until March 2011)
References
^Ishino, Tetsu; et al., eds. (1998). 停車場変遷大事典 国鉄・JR編 [Station Transition Directory – JNR/JR] (in Japanese). Vol. I. Tokyo: JTB Corporation. p. 182.
ISBN4-533-02980-9.
^Teramoto, Mitsuteru. "関西本線(大阪方)快速運転ものがたり". The Railway Pictorial. 878 (August 2013): 59.
^"近畿エリアの12路線 のべ300駅に「駅ナンバー」を導入します!" ["Station numbers" will be introduced at a total of 300 stations on 12 lines in the Kinki area!]. westjr.co.jp (in Japanese). 20 July 2016. Archived from
the original on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
^"「駅ナンバー」一覧表" ["Station number" list] (PDF). westjr.co.jp (in Japanese). 20 July 2016. Archived from
the original(PDF) on 16 November 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
^"より便利になる通勤特急を「らくラク~」シリーズに統一します" [Unification of the more convenient commuter express trains into the "Rakuraku" series.] (PDF). West Japan Railway Company (in Japanese). Japan. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 March 2024.