The most common way to reach Tennoji Station（天王寺駅）from Kansai Airport（関西空港）is by taking the JR Kansai Airport Line. However, this line can sometimes be delayed or suspended due to strong winds or heavy rain. Don’t worry there are several alternative routes you can use to reach central Osaka safely and smoothly. This guide explains what to do when the JR line is not operating.
Normal Route (JR Line)
The easiest way is to take the JR West “Kanku Rapid Service（関空快速）” directly from Kansai Airport Station to Tennoji Station. It takes about 50 to 55 minutes with no transfers, making it a comfortable and convenient option, even if you have luggage.
Currently, there is no direct bus service between Kansai Airport and Tennoji Station. There used to be a shuttle bus, but it was discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic. Limousine buses to Namba（なんば）and Umeda（梅田）areas are still available, though.
When the JR Line is Suspended
① When the section between Kansai Airport and Hineno（日根野）is suspended
If trains are not running between these stations, there are no JR alternatives. However, if the Nankai Railway is operating, you can take the Nankai Line from Kansai Airport Station to central Osaka (Namba or Shin-Imamiya Stations).
② When you can reach Hineno Station（Hineno／日根野駅）
You can take a bus from JR Hineno Station to Nankai Izumisano Station（Izumisano／泉佐野駅）, then continue by train.
・Bus from JR Hineno Station to Nankai Izumisano Station: about 17 minutes (fare: around 250 yen)
・From Izumisano, take the Nankai Line toward Namba（なんば）
・At Shin-Imamiya Station（新今宮駅）, transfer to the JR Osaka Loop Line to reach Tennoji Station
Please note that buses between Hineno and Izumisano are infrequent, so waiting times may be long. In most cases, it’s better to wait until JR service resumes or use the Nankai Railway directly from Kansai Airport.
③ When you can reach Otori Station（Ōtori／鳳駅）
From Otori, you can transfer via Higashi-Hagoromo Station（東羽衣駅）to the Nankai Railway.
・At Otori Station, transfer to the Hanwa Branch Line toward Higashi-Hagoromo
・Walk about 2–3 minutes from JR Higashi-Hagoromo Station to Nankai Hagoromo Station（羽衣駅）
・From Hagoromo, take the Nankai Line toward Namba
・At Shin-Imamiya, transfer to the JR Osaka Loop Line to reach Tennoji
④ When you can reach Mikunigaoka Station（三国ヶ丘駅）
If JR trains are operating partially, another good option is to transfer at Mikunigaoka Station to the Nankai Koya Line（南海高野線）.
・JR route: Kansai Airport → Hineno → Mikunigaoka
・Transfer to the Nankai Koya Line toward Namba
・At Shin-Imamiya, transfer to the JR Osaka Loop Line to Tennoji
Transferring at Shin-Imamiya Station（新今宮駅）
Shin-Imamiya Station is located just before Namba on the Nankai Line. You can transfer there to the JR Osaka Loop Line, and it’s only one stop to Tennoji. However, if JR services between Shin-Imamiya and Tennoji are also affected, you can stay on the Nankai train to Namba and switch to the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to reach Tennoji.
When Traveling from Tennoji to Kansai Airport
When traveling in the opposite direction—from Tennoji to Kansai Airport—please check the destination signs carefully. At Hineno Station, the train splits: the front four cars continue to Kansai Airport, while the rear four go to Wakayama. Make sure you’re in the correct car before departure.
I wrote a detailed article about it before.https://osaka-diary.com/tennojikix/
Summary
There are several ways to reach Tennoji from Kansai Airport. Under normal conditions, the JR Kansai Airport Line is the most convenient, but weather and other factors can cause service disruptions. In those cases, using the Nankai Railway is a reliable and smooth alternative. Keep this guide handy so you can travel with peace of mind, even when plans change unexpectedly.
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