JR Namba to Inari

Hello everyone..
I'm working with my itinerary.
I want to go to Inari Station from JR Namba.

When I saw the route on Hyperdia, it's confusing.
Since it will be my first time in Japan, so I try to find the LEAST TRANSFER route to make it easier for me (I don't like too many transfer because it could be confusing for me).

Please kindly look at the screenshot form Hyperdia.
http://tinypic.com/r/5bnx37/8

I am confused. Do I really need to transfer for 4 times? Can I just take a JR Yamatoji line local/rapid service to Nara. And then directly transfer to Inari via JR Nara Line Local?

Can I really just transfer 1 time at Nara Station like this?
http://tinypic.com/r/2cdhhnc/8

So curiousss..


Oh.. 1 more question:
How to differeciate the local/rapid/direct apid/etc train? Is there differennciate by the platform or we need to see special mark on the body of the train?

Please help. I really appreciate your help. Thank you very much! :)

I am confused. Do I really need to transfer for 4 times?

During certain times of the day (early morning and late evening), it can be made in just one transfer. But usually it takes two or three transfers. It should not take more than three transfers.

If you are less restrictive to your stations, it could be done in one transfer (and much faster) by taking the Midosuji Subway Line from Namba to Yodoyabashi and then a local train along the Keihan Main Line to Fushimi Inari Station.

Can I just take a JR Yamatoji line local/rapid service to Nara.

Direct trains between Namba and Nara are restricted to early mornings and late evenings:
http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/intervaltime.html?dep_node=JR-NAMBA&arv...

And then directly transfer to Inari via JR Nara Line Local?

Yes, that is possible. But you will spend an excessive amount of time on the trip. I think you will lose over an hour. More than twice as long as if using a more reasonable route.

How to differeciate the local/rapid/direct apid/etc train?

By bilingual signs in the station, on platforms and on trains.

Is there differennciate by the platform or we need to see special mark on the body of the train?

Both can happen, depending on the station and line.

Ahh.. I see.. So there's a special schedule like that for the JR-Namba to Nara. I will have that trip in the afternoon, so I should follow the information from Hyperdia then.

Thanks you so much for the explanantion, Uji!