Quick answer: Hankyu Kyoto Line apartments cost about ¥57,000 to ¥81,000 a month for a studio or 1K. The line runs from Osaka-umeda to Kyoto-kawaramachi in about 43 minutes by limited express, for a ¥410 fare. Rent is fairly flat along the line, with only about ¥24,000 between the cheapest and most expensive station. Karasuma in downtown Kyoto averages less than Juso in Osaka. If you commute in both directions, Takatsuki-shi and Ibaraki-shi sit near the middle, with Osaka about 20 minutes away and Kyoto about 25 to 30 minutes away.

Hankyu Kyoto Line key facts

Item	Detail
Operator	Hankyu Railway
Route	Osaka-umeda (Osaka) to Kyoto-kawaramachi (Kyoto)
Length	47.7 km from Osaka-umeda (45.3 km officially, from Juso)
Stations served	28, including Osaka-umeda
Osaka-umeda to Kyoto-kawaramachi	About 43 minutes by limited express, ¥410
Branch lines	Senri Line from Awaji, Arashiyama Line from Katsura
Through service	Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line via the Senri Line
Cheapest studio rent	Aikawa, about ¥57,100
Most expensive studio rent	Osaka-umeda, about ¥81,400

Rent figures are LIFULL HOME’S averages for studio, 1K and 1DK apartments within a 10-minute walk of each station, checked October 2026.

Why Choose Hankyu Kyoto Line Apartments?

The Hankyu Kyoto Line is the cheapest rail link between central Osaka and central Kyoto. It starts at Osaka-umeda, next to JR Osaka Station, and ends at Kyoto-kawaramachi, in the middle of Kyoto’s main shopping district. The line was built by the Shin-Keihan Railway and reached Kyoto in 1928. Hankyu kept it after a wartime merger with Keihan ended in 1949.

There are three reasons foreign renters like Hankyu Kyoto Line apartments.

Two big cities on one ticket. Most commuter lines only feed one city center. This line serves two, so you can live in between and work in either place.

Low fares. A one-way ride from Osaka-umeda to Kyoto-kawaramachi costs ¥410. JR charges ¥580 between Osaka and Kyoto stations.

Flat rent from end to end. On LIFULL HOME’S data, the gap between the cheapest and most expensive station is only about ¥24,000. You can choose a station by commute and lifestyle, not just price.

Hankyu Kyoto Line Rent by Station (2026)

The table lists all 28 stations from Osaka to Kyoto. “Fastest stop” shows the fastest regular train that stops there. Limited express (LE) is fastest, then semi-limited express (semi-LE), then semi-express. Some small stations get local trains only.

Station	Area	km from Osaka-umeda	Fastest stop	Studio/1K rent
Osaka-umeda	Kita-ku, Osaka	0.0	LE	¥81,400
Juso	Yodogawa-ku, Osaka	2.4	LE	¥71,500
Minamikata	Yodogawa-ku, Osaka	4.3	Semi-express	¥71,300
Sozenji	Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka	5.6	Local	¥68,600
Awaji	Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka	6.6	LE	¥67,600
Kami-shinjo	Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka	8.7	Semi-express	¥61,000
Aikawa	Higashiyodogawa-ku, Osaka	9.6	Local	¥57,100
Shojaku	Settsu	11.8	Local	¥63,500
Settsu-shi	Settsu	13.3	Local	¥67,700
Minami-Ibaraki	Ibaraki	15.3	Semi-express	¥67,300
Ibaraki-shi	Ibaraki	17.2	LE	¥62,700
Sojiji	Ibaraki	19.2	Local	¥63,400
Tonda	Takatsuki	19.7	Local	¥58,000
Takatsuki-shi	Takatsuki	23.0	LE	¥70,400
Kammaki	Takatsuki	27.3	Semi-express	¥70,600
Minase	Shimamoto	28.1	Semi-express	¥64,400
Oyamazaki	Oyamazaki, Kyoto	30.1	Semi-express	¥61,200
Nishiyama Tennozan	Nagaokakyo	32.6	Semi-express	¥76,300
Nagaoka-Tenjin	Nagaokakyo	34.1	LE	¥58,600
Nishi-Muko	Muko	36.0	Semi-express	¥59,300
Higashi-Muko	Muko	37.4	Semi-express	¥64,200
Rakusaiguchi	Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto	38.7	Semi-express	¥73,300
Katsura	Nishikyo-ku, Kyoto	40.4	LE	¥58,900
Nishi-Kyogoku	Ukyo-ku, Kyoto	42.5	Semi-express	¥69,500
Saiin	Ukyo-ku, Kyoto	44.3	Semi-LE	¥64,500
Omiya	Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto	45.7	Semi-LE	¥65,100
Karasuma	Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto	46.8	LE	¥65,000
Kyoto-kawaramachi	Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto	47.7	LE	¥68,600

Source: LIFULL HOME’S, average rent for studio, 1K and 1DK apartments within a 10-minute walk, excluding management fees, checked October 2026. Distances are Wikipedia’s figures from Juso plus 2.4 km to Osaka-umeda; train stops follow the timetable classes listed there. Semi-LE and commuter limited express trains run mainly in rush hours.

A few patterns stand out. Three limited express stops are among the cheapest on the line: Nagaoka-Tenjin, Katsura and Ibaraki-shi. Central Kyoto is not expensive by this measure, since Karasuma averages about ¥65,000. If you need more space, Nagaoka-Tenjin also has the lowest average for 1LDK, 2K and 2DK units, at about ¥71,900.

Hankyu Kyoto Line Neighborhoods, Section by Section

Osaka-umeda to Minamikata: the city end

Osaka-umeda is the terminal for all three Hankyu main lines. It connects to JR Osaka Station, the Midosuji Line and the Hanshin Line. Our Umeda neighborhood guide covers living right in the center.

Juso is one stop out and is a transfer point for the Hankyu Kobe and Takarazuka lines. Umeda is about five minutes away. The area around the station has several shopping streets and is the nearest station to the Yodogawa Ward Office. Minamikata connects to the Midosuji Line at Nishinakajima-Minamigata.

Awaji and Kami-shinjo: northeast Osaka value

Awaji is where the Senri Line branches off. Some trains run from Kyoto straight onto the Senri Line and the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line, toward Kitahama and Tengachaya. JR-Awaji Station on the Osaka Higashi Line is also nearby. The tracks around Awaji are being raised above street level, a project now expected to finish in 2031.

Kami-shinjo is a semi-express stop with studios near ¥61,000. It ranked 10th in LIFULL HOME’S 2026 list of the most searched rental stations in the Kansai region. Aikawa, one stop further, has the lowest studio average on the whole line.

Shojaku to Ibaraki-shi: suburban Settsu and Ibaraki

Shojaku and Settsu-shi are quiet local stops in Settsu City. Minami-Ibaraki adds a transfer to the Osaka Monorail.

Ibaraki-shi is the main hub here and a limited express stop. Osaka-umeda is about 20 minutes away and Kyoto-kawaramachi about 30 minutes. Next to the station you will find the Ibaraki Hankyu Hondori shopping street.

Tonda and Takatsuki-shi: the halfway point

Takatsuki-shi is close to the true middle of the line. By limited express, Osaka-umeda is about 22 minutes away and Kyoto-kawaramachi about 25 minutes. The one-way fare to Umeda is ¥290.

JR Takatsuki Station is about a 10-minute walk away, and JR special rapid trains stop there. The Takatsuki Center-gai arcade runs between the two stations. Tonda, one stop toward Osaka, is a local-only stop with studios near ¥58,000.

Kammaki to Higashi-Muko: the Kyoto Prefecture border

At Oyamazaki the line crosses into Kyoto Prefecture. Kammaki, Minase, Oyamazaki and Nishiyama Tennozan are small semi-express stops. Nishiyama Tennozan is the newest station on the line and opened in 2013.

Nagaoka-Tenjin is the limited express stop for Nagaokakyo City. It reaches Osaka-umeda in about 33 minutes by semi-limited express. Nishi-Muko and Higashi-Muko serve Muko City.

Rakusaiguchi and Katsura: west Kyoto

Katsura is one of the best value stops on the line. Every train type stops here, and studios average about ¥58,900. Karasuma and Kawaramachi are under 10 minutes away, and Osaka-umeda about 35 minutes by limited express.

Katsura is also where the Arashiyama Line begins, so Arashiyama is about seven minutes away. The east exit connects to Mu Hankyu Katsura, with a supermarket, bookshop and pharmacy. Rakusaiguchi, one stop south, averages about ¥14,000 more than Katsura.

Nishi-Kyogoku to Kyoto-kawaramachi: downtown Kyoto

Nishi-Kyogoku also carries the name of Nishikyogoku Athletic Park. It ranked 47th in the same LIFULL HOME’S Kansai list. Saiin and Omiya connect to the Randen tram line toward Arashiyama. Omiya was the line’s Kyoto terminal until the extension to Kawaramachi opened in 1963.

Karasuma links to the Karasuma subway line at Shijo Station, and Kyoto Station is about five minutes away by subway. Daimaru Kyoto and Nishiki Market are close by. Kyoto-kawaramachi sits in Kyoto’s biggest downtown area, near Takashimaya and the Gion district across the river. For more on the city, see our guide to Kyoto apartments for rent.

Living Between Osaka and Kyoto: Which Way Do You Commute?

The Hankyu Kyoto Line works in both directions. Before choosing a station, decide which city you will travel to most days.

Live at	To Osaka-umeda	To Kyoto-kawaramachi	Studio rent
Osaka-umeda	0 min	About 43 min	¥81,400
Ibaraki-shi	About 20 min	About 30 min	¥62,700
Takatsuki-shi	About 22 min	About 25 min	¥70,400
Katsura	About 35 min	Under 10 min	¥58,900

Fastest limited express times. Rush-hour trains can take longer.

You work in Osaka. Stay between Juso and Ibaraki-shi. Within Osaka City, Aikawa and Kami-shinjo have the lowest studio rent.

You work in Kyoto. Katsura is under 10 minutes from Karasuma and Kawaramachi, and Saiin and Omiya are closer still. Katsura is cheaper, and every train type stops there, including the weekend rapid limited express.

You work in both, or your partner works in the other city. Takatsuki-shi and Ibaraki-shi are the balanced picks. Both are limited express stops with a 20 to 30 minute ride to either end.

Which Hankyu Kyoto Line Station Is Best for You?

Office workers in Umeda: Juso or Kami-shinjo

Juso is about five minutes from Umeda and also has the Kobe and Takarazuka lines. Kami-shinjo costs about ¥10,000 less a month.

Kyoto workers on a budget: Katsura

Katsura has the cheapest studio average among stations under 10 minutes from downtown Kyoto. It is also a stop for every train type.

Couples commuting to both cities: Takatsuki-shi or Ibaraki-shi

Both are limited express stops in the middle of the line. Ibaraki-shi is about ¥7,700 cheaper. Takatsuki-shi adds JR special rapid trains a short walk away.

Students: Awaji, Kami-shinjo or Karasuma

Some trains run from Awaji onto the Senri Line, which serves Kansai University. See our Kansai University student housing guide. For Doshisha University, change at Karasuma for the subway. Our guide to Doshisha University student housing covers the Imadegawa area.

Lowest budget: Aikawa, Tonda or Nagaoka-Tenjin

Studios average about ¥57,000 to ¥59,000. Nagaoka-Tenjin is the only one of the three with limited express service.

Hankyu Kyoto Line vs JR Kyoto Line: Which Is Better?

Both lines link Osaka and Kyoto, but they reach different parts of each city. Our guide to the best areas to live in Kansai compares the wider region.

	Hankyu Kyoto Line	JR Kyoto Line
Osaka terminal	Osaka-umeda	Osaka (plus Shin-Osaka)
Kyoto terminal	Kyoto-kawaramachi (downtown)	Kyoto Station
Fastest Osaka to Kyoto	About 43 minutes	About 29 minutes by special rapid
One-way fare	¥410	¥580
Best for	Downtown Kyoto, west Kyoto, low fares	Shinkansen access, speed

If you work near Shijo-Karasuma or Kawaramachi, the Hankyu Kyoto Line drops you closer. If you often take the Shinkansen, JR is easier.

What Are the Downsides of Hankyu Kyoto Line Apartments?

No direct link to Kyoto Station or Shin-Osaka. To reach the Shinkansen, change at Karasuma for the subway in Kyoto, or travel to Shin-Osaka via the Midosuji Line in Osaka.

Many stops get limited service. Sozenji, Aikawa, Shojaku, Settsu-shi, Sojiji and Tonda are served only by local trains. During the day, most locals run only between Osaka and Takatsuki-shi. Check the timetable before you sign a lease.

Busy rush hours. The commuter limited express runs on weekday mornings, and car 5 on these trains is women-only. If you want a guaranteed seat, the PRiVACE reserved car costs ¥500 on top of the fare.

A walk at Umeda. Hankyu Osaka-umeda is next to JR Osaka Station, but transfers on foot take about 5 to 10 minutes.

How to Rent a Hankyu Kyoto Line Apartment as a Foreigner

1. Set your budget. Plan for rent plus about four to six months of rent in move-in costs.
2. Choose your main direction. Decide whether you will commute to Osaka, Kyoto or both, then pick two or three stations.
3. Check walking time. Many listings are 10 to 15 minutes from the station. Our guide on walking distance to train stations explains what each minute really means.
4. Prepare documents. You will usually need your residence card, passport, proof of income and a Japanese phone number.
5. Use a guarantor company. Most landlords require one. Arealty can help you choose a company that accepts foreign tenants.
6. Visit or request a video tour. Look at the street at night, the nearest supermarket and the route to the station.

If you are a student in Kyoto, our guide to renting apartments in Kyoto as a student explains the extra steps.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find Hankyu Kyoto Line Apartments with Arealty

Arealty lists apartments along the whole Hankyu Kyoto Line, from Osaka to central Kyoto. Every listing is in English, and our team helps with applications, guarantor companies and contracts.

• Browse all apartments for rent on Arealty
• Start your search on Arealty
• Compare more areas: Umeda neighborhood guide and Kyoto apartments for rent

Tell us your station, budget and move date, and our bilingual team will send matching options.

About this guide

This guide was written by Lucy Nguyen, Marketing Specialist at Arealty, using station-level rent data and official railway information. Rent and train details change, so check current listings before you decide.

Sources

• LIFULL HOME’S: Hankyu Kyoto Main Line rent by station
• LIFULL HOME’S: 2026 Kansai most searched rental stations (PDF)
• Wikipedia: Hankyu Kyoto Main Line
• Enjoy Osaka Kyoto Kobe: Osaka to Kyoto by train
• Enjoy Osaka Kyoto Kobe: PRiVACE reserved seats
• Nomura Real Estate: Takatsuki area guide
• MATCHA: Osaka to Kyoto by train
• Mitsubishi Estate Sumai Relay: Kyoto-kawaramachi Station
• ekitan: Takatsuki-shi to Osaka-umeda
• ekitan: Katsura to Osaka-umeda
• Mitsui Rehouse: Katsura area guide
• ITmedia: popular Hankyu Kyoto Line stations