"JR West," as it's more commonly known, is one of the main intercity rail companies in Japan. It is headquartered in Kita Ward, Osaka, and operates over 5,000 kilometers of track in western Honshu, running as far east as Kyoto and Nara (where the Central Japan Railway takes over).

JR West also operates the Sanyo Shinkansen line from Shin-Osaka to Hakata, as well as a ferry service from Hiroshima to Miyajima, and prime commercial real estate in several major cities (most notably the Kyoto Station building). The company also owns several hospitals.

In 2001, they reported ¥870 billion (US$8.1 billion) in revenues.

The regular train lines within JR West's jurisdiction are:

• Ako Line
• Bantan Line
• Biwako Line
• Etsumihoku Line
• Fukuchiyama Line
• Fukuen Line
• Gakkentoshi Line
• Gantoku Line
• Geibi Line
• Hagoromo Line
• Hakata Minami Line
• Hakubi Line
• Hanwa Line
• Himi Line
• Hokuriku Line
• Imbi Line
• Johana Line
• Kabe Line
• Kakogawa Line
• Kansai Line
• Kansai Airport Line
• Kibi Line
• Kinokuni Line
• Kisei Line
• Kishin Line
• Kisuki Line
• Kobe Line
• Kosei Line
• Kusatsu Line
• Kure Line
• Kyoto Line
• Maizuru Line
• Mine Line
• Nanao Line
• Nara Line
• Obama Line
• Oito Line
• Onoda Line
• Osaka Loop Line
• Sagano Line
• Sakai Line
• Sakurai Line
• Sanin Line
• Sanko Line
• Sanyo Line
• Seto Ohashi Line
• Takarazuka Line
• Takayama Line
• Tsuyama Line
• Toyamako Line
• Tozai Line
• Ube Line
• Uno Line
• Wadamisaki Line
• Wakayama Line
• Yamaguchi Line
• Yamatoji Line
• Yumesaki Line