Hamakaze

This article is about the train. For the sumo coach, see Gojōrō Katsuhiro. For the ship, see Japanese destroyer Hamakaze.

The Hamakaze (はまかぜ) is a limited express train service in Japan operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West), which runs from Osaka to Kasumi and Tottori.^[1]

Hamakaze

KiHa 189 series on a Hamakaze service, November 2010
Overview
Service type	Limited express
Status	Operational
Locale	Tokaido Main Line, Sanyo Main Line, Bantan Line, Sanin Main Line
First service	15 March 1972
Current operator(s)	JR West
Former operator(s)	JNR
Route
Termini	Osaka Kasumi, Tottori
Stops	21
Distance travelled	214.5 km (133.3 mi) (Osaka – Kasumi) 264.8 km (164.6 mi) (Osaka – Tottori)
Average journey time	3 hours 30 minutes approx
Service frequency	3 return workings daily
On-board services
Class(es)	Standard class only
Disabled access	Yes
Seating arrangements	2+2
Sleeping arrangements	None
Catering facilities	None
Observation facilities	None
Entertainment facilities	None
Other facilities	Toilets
Technical
Rolling stock	KiHa 189 series DMUs
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	None
Operating speed	120 km/h (75 mph)[1]
Track owner(s)	JR West

Stops

Trains stop at the following stations:

Osaka – Sannomiya – Kobe – Akashi – (Nishi-Akashi) – (Kakogawa) – Himeji – Fukusaki – Teramae – Ikuno – Wadayama – Yōka – Ebara – Toyooka – Kinosaki-Onsen – Takeno – (Satsu) – Kasumi – Hamasaka – Iwami – Tottori

• Only the Hamakaze No. 5 stops at Nishi-Akashi and Kakogawa.
• Trains also stop at Kakogawa and Satsu during winter.

Rolling stock

New 130 km/h KiHa 189 series 3-car DMU sets were introduced on Hamakaze services from 7 November 2010.^[2]

Prior to November 2010, services were operated by 4-car KiHa 181 series DMU formations, lengthened to 5 or 7 cars in busy seasons.^[1]

• 
  KiHa 181 series on a Hamakaze service on the Bantan Line, February 2009

Formations

As of 2021, trains are formed as shown below, with car 3 at the Osaka end.^[3]

Hamakaze 1 – 6

Car No.	1	2	3
Accommodation	Reserved	Reserved	Reserved
Facilities			Wheelchair-accessible toilet

• All cars are standard class.
• All seats are reserved.
• All cars are no-smoking.
• Trains run as 6-car formations during busy periods.

History

A KiHa 181 series DMU on a Hamakaze service, 1983

The Hamakaze service was introduced by Japanese National Railways (JNR) on 15 March 1972.^[4]

All cars were made no-smoking from 1 June 2009.^[5]