There are many deals for sightseeing in Osaka. I would like to show you the deals for the tourist who stays in Osaka and want to visit the places in Osaka.
By the way, if you intend to have a day trip to Osaka from other cities, such as day trip to Osaka from Kyoto, please see the link below:
One-day unlimited Pass, Enjoy Eco Card
- Price (weekday) – Adult:800 yen / Child:300 yen
- Price (weekend) – Adult:600 yen / Child:300 yen
- Coverage – All Osaka Metro lines and Osaka city bus in allocated area
- Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight)
This is most common deal to cover Osaka. You can get unlimited ride of Osaka city subway and city bus. You can visit almost anywhere in city of Osaka.
If you use buy this pass on weekends or holidays, you can get this pass at lower price, only 600 yen. If you take subway train from Umeda (same place as JR Osaka) to Namba, the fare is 230 yen.
Roughly, if you make 4 trips by subway a day, it is paid off. It is not hard to use more than worth of 800 yen. You can purchase this pass at Osaka subway stations.
Osaka 1-day pass and 2-day pass
- Price (1-day) – Adult:700 yen / Child: Not available
- Price (2-day) – Adult:1,300 yen / Child: Not available
- Coverage – All Osaka Metro lines and Osaka city bus in allocated area
- Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight)
This deal offers same coverage of Enjoy Eco Card. But this deal is cheaper than Enjoy Eco Card weekday rate. This deal is available for the foreign tourist who stays in Japan as the short term visitor.
This deal is sold in Kansai Tourist Information Center at Kansai International Airport only. You cannot purchase it at Osaka Metro station.
Osaka Amazing Pass
- Price (one day) – Adult:2,700 yen / Child:Not available
- Price (two days) – Adult:3,600 yen / Child:Not available
- Coverage – All Osaka subway lines and Osaka city bus in allocated area
- Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight), two consecutive days
This deal is 28 attractions free entry adding on Enjoy Eco Card (subway day pass). Please find the link below to find which attraction is included.
Attraction list of Osaka Amazing Pass
If you visit three or more attractions on the list, this deals gives you a better deal than subway pass.
There are two kinds of Amazing Pass available, 1-day and 2-day. The difference is the coverage trains. 1-day pass has better coverage. It covers not only subway but also non JR lines in city of Osaka, such as Nankai railway, Hanshin Railway, Kintetsu Railway and Keihan Railway. Please see the links below to compare the coverage trains:
Osaka Amazing Pass 1-day coverage map
Osaka Amazing Pass 2-day coverage map
As long as you stay in downtown Osaka, subway is okay to visit all places. But if you stay outside downtown Osaka, 1-day pass coverage may help you to access downtown Osaka. Please check the location of your stay before choosing the deals.
Child rate is not available. You need to use Eco Card (one day subway pass) and pay admission separately. But some attractions offers discount rate for Eco Card user.
Osaka Kaiyu Ticket
- Price (Basic Osaka city version) – Adult:2,600 yen / Child:Not 1,300 yen
- Coverage – All Osaka subway lines and Osaka city bus in allocated area
- Valid period – one day (midnight to midnight)
This is combo deal of Osaka subway unlimited ride pass and Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium admission. You can take Osaka subway train to get Osakako station which is the nearest station to Kaiyukan Aquarium. If you visit there from Namba or Umeda by this pass, it is paid off. If you take subway train after visiting Kaiyukan Aquarium, your saving is getting bigger and bigger. There are several versions of Osaka Kaiyu Ticket available. Some deals include other railway trains to get Osaka from other cities. Please see the detailed information in the link below:
Osaka Kaiyu Ticket basic information
I have used this ticket before and wrote about it in the link below. It may help you to plan for your visit Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium.
Trip to Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium by Osaka Kaiyu Ticket
If you use Osaka Amazing Pass, you can get a discount to enter this aquarium. Osaka Amazing Pass covers other attractions around Kaiyukan Aquarium, such as Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel, Cruise Ship Santa Maria. If you have a plan to visit these places when you visit Kaiyukan Aquarium, Osaka Amazing Pass may be better than Osaka Kaiyu Ticket.
ICOCA, Kansai One Pass and other IC cards
![ICOCA is most popular IC card in Kansai area. (C) タンジェント (own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/blue-works.com/jprail/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ICOCA_NEW_CARD-600x387.jpg?resize=600%2C387)
You may use these cards to take any trains and buses in Osaka. You can use even other area’s card, such as Suica, Pasmo too. These cards give you convenience. You can avoid to purchase a ticket whenever you make a train trip. You can take any kinds of trains, such as JR, subway and Non JR trains. However these cards do not give you any discount and unlimited travel.
If you meet these following things, IC card is your choice.
- You intend to visit a few places in a day.
- You need to take both subway and JR trains.
- You cannot fix your plan and want to have some flexibility.
If you visit three places in subway coverage area, you may need to take subway 4 times. It costs around 800 yen that is equal to one day subway pass.
Please refer the post below to find the information about IC card in Japan:
Hotels in Namba
Hotels in Umeda (JR Osaka station)
Hotels in Tennoji
Hotels in Osaka
Hotels in Kansai International Airport
Kansai One Pass
This is same type of card as ICOCA. You can use this pass by same way as ICOCA. But this card is designed for overseas tourist. Preload amount is 2,500 yen (plus 500 yen deposit and sold at 3,000 yen) and you can get discount at many attractions. ICOCA is sold at any JR stations throughout Kansai area. But Kansai One Pass is sold in the designated stations only. Please see the link below to find the detailed information at official site.
For traveler who visit Osaka and other cities in same day
As I mentioned at the top of this article, there are some deals available, such as Kansai Thru Pass. But if you move other city after sightseeing in Osaka, Kansai Thru Pass and other deals may not be suitable.
e.g.
Sightseeing in Osaka, move to Kyoto and stay (no sightseeing in Kyoto)
In this case, the combination of one of the deals in Osaka and single fare between Osaka and Kyoto is usually cheaper than Kansai Thru Pass or other pass. But if you do sightseeing in two cities, Kansai Thru Pass is your choice.
e.g.
Sightseeing in Osaka, move to Kyoto and sightseeing in Kyoto
But sightseeing in two cities in one day is very tight and not very recommended.
For traveler who use national or regional pass
If you use JR pass (national pass) or other JR regional deals, such as Kansai Area Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass, JR train network in Osaka is covered. You may visit many places by these passes. You may not have any other passes beside these deals. Please see the link below to find the coverage of these national and regional deals in Osaka.
I hope this post helps you to find the best deal in Osaka.
Comments
Hi Takeshi,
My family is going to Osaka on November. We’re planning to have this itinerary:
*1st Day Arrival in KIX Int’l airport ETA 9pm (will stay near Nippombashi station-only 2 mins walk(
*2nd day Universal Studios
*3rd day Visit Osaka Castle, Osaka Museum of history and Kuromon Market
*4th Day Visit Osaka Aquarium and Dotonbori
*5th Day Visit Kyoto then back to Nippombashi station (home)
*6th day Visit osaka museum of the housing & living
-Kids Plaza Osaka
-namba walk
*7th Day Namba or Nippombashi station to Kansai int’l Airport
With that kind of itinerary, what is the best train tickets to buy? Should I get an Osaka Visitors Pass and a Kansai One pass?
Thank you very much
Hi Tintin,
First of all, please refer the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
For arrival and departure day
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/chikatoku.html
You may use Osaka amazing pass 2 days. Check the coverage attraction by this in the link below and try to gather it in 2 days period.
https://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/
Aquarium in not covered by amazing pass. You may visit there in the other day and use Kaiyu ticket.
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/subway/trip-to-osaka-kaiyukan-aquarium-by-osaka-kaiyu-ticket-2.html
For trip to Kyoto, the deal in the link below is suggested.
http://www.keihan.co.jp/travel/en/tickets/special-osaka
But you may need to add the fare for taking bus or other trains in Kyoto. Kyoto bus pass is recommended and is sold at 500 yen and cover whole part of Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you so much for your help!!!
No worries, Tintin.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Good day! We will be in Japan this coming Sunday for a 7days travel tour. We are already anxious excited, hope we don’t get lost. Please help us in our itinerary.
Day 1- arrival at KIX (12nn). Proceed to hotel located at Nishi Ward Osaka. | Visit Umeda Sky Building.
Day 2 – Visit Osaka Castle; Dotonbori.
Day 3 – Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha; Kiyomizudera; Philospher’s path
Day 4 – Kyoto: Arashiyama ; Kinkakuji Temple; Ryoanji; Nijo Castle
Day 5 – Nara Tour: Todai-ji; Kasuga Taisha
Day 6 – Universal Studios Japan
Day 7 – sightseeing around Osaka. Flight back home – KIX at 8PM.
Can you recommend please, best deal passes and how to acquire/buy them. Which is better options (and cheaper), by bus or by train?
What do you recommend for transpo from airport to hotel, limousine bus or train?
We don’t know where to insert side trip to KOBE or to visit Himeji Castle.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Charly,
Basically you can follow my sample in the link below. You may find the info about which pass you need:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
If you want to go to Kobe and Himeji, you have to give up one day in Osaka or Kyoto. If you are okay with visiting Kobe only, you can combine with trip to Nara.
There are several stations in Nishi ward. Most of stations are subway station. I think Nankai railway + subway deal (Kanku Chikatoku) is the best option. But please make sure which station is the nearest. You can use this ticket for any subway stations in downtown Osaka. You can find the info about this pass in the link above too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you very much for the information. Our accommodation is near Hommachi Station and Awaza Station. Kansai Thru Pass (KTP) is suggested for our day 3, 4, & 5.
What pass are we going to use for KIX to hotel and vice versa?
Same with hotel to Universal Studios?
Thanks again. Regards
Hi Charly,
You can take this route:
KIX (Nankai railway) Namba (subway) Hommachi
Homachi/Awaza (subway) Bentencho (JR) Nishikujo (JR) Universal city
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I am thinking of just Kansai One Pass throughout my 8 days holiday. I wonder whether any cost savings?
Day 2 Kyoto – Arashiyama & Nishiki Market
Day 3 Kyoto – Ninenzaka Sannenzaka, Fushimi Inari, Nara Park
Day 4 Kobe – Shin-Kobe Ropeway, Sannomiya Centre, Kobe Harborland
Day 5 Osaka – Minoh Waterfall, Monofuku Ramen Museum, Ikeda Castle
Day 6&7 Osaka – Osaka Central Market, Osaka Castle, Owl Cafe, Kuromon Ichiba Market.
Hi Wendy san,
Kansai one pass does not give you any discount on your cost for train/bus travel. The only discount by this pass which you can get is admission. You can show this pass to get the discount at many attraction.
Basically Kansai one pass gives you same value as cash payment ticket. I think Osaka amazing pass is better deal for day 6 and 7.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Takeshi-san,
Thank you.
No worries, Wendy san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hi takeshi,
My wife and I will be travelling to Osaka on November. we will be staying at Daikoku.
Below is my itinerary:
Day 1: Late arrival at Kansai Airport
Day 2: Universal Studio Japan
Day 3: Visit around Kyoto (Arashiyama & Fushimi Inari)
Day 4: Visit around Osaka then leave late in the evening.
Any suggestions of the passes to buy? Thank you in advanced!
Hi Mark,
You may use Kansai thru pass 2 days for day 3 and 4.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
For day 1, if you can catch train, Nankai railway and subway deal is available:
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/chikatoku.html
Regular ticket is fine for day 2.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello..i was read your suggestion to few comments about what pass in kyoto/osaka are best for..could give me advise which is the best pass if i’m planning to stay in 2day in kyoto and visit nara & nagoya, 2day in osaka and visit kobe & usj..i need your advise..thanks before
Hi Mila,
I think you can find the deal for sightseeing in Osaka in the post above. You can use the pass in the links below for sightseeing in Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
For trip to Nara and Nagoya, Kintetsu rail pass is sutaible:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kintetsu-rail-pass-most-affordable-deal-for-osakakyoto-nagoya-and-access-to-ise.html
For trip to Kobe, Hanshin tourist pass is most affordable:
http://www.hanshin.co.jp/global/en/tourist/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
can you help me to arrange my routes which is the best price and timing?
thanks in advance
Hi Mila,
Unfortunately I cannot make a trip plan. If I do so, many readers may ask me and it’s too much for me. And also you need to think about which place you will visit. For example, there are many places to see in Kyoto. You have to find which place you want to go. Otherwise you cannot find the timing.
I have already mentioned to you which deal is the best for your trip. You can find the price. Please see the link below to find the info about using hyperdia. You can find the train schedule in Hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
I understand it may be too much. But if you want to save your cost, please try.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello 🙂
I’m planning to visit Osaka in October 2017 and here is the itinerary:
Day 1: Late Arrival at Airport (KIX flight eta 21.10) I will be staying near Higobashi Station
Day 2: Visit Nara
Day 3: Visit Kyoto
Day 4: City tour in Osaka
Day 5: Visit Kobe (cable car to Mt. Rokko)
Day 6: City tour in Osaka
Day 7: Back to Airport (KIX flight dep 09.00)
So sorry for long text, what cards do you suggest i should use? And what do you think about the loop bus (in Nara and Kyoto)? Is it better than ICOCA or Kansai Thru Pass?
I’m thinking about those 4 types of cards for now, your advices will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Hi Fanny,
Basically Kansai thru pass is your choice for Nara and Kyoto. In Osaka, you can use other deal.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
For trip to Kobe, you can use Kansai thru pass too. But cablecar to Rokko is not covered. You may use Rokko Maya leisure ticket too.
http://rail.hanshin.co.jp/ticket/otoku/pdf/ticket_en.pdf
Subway-Nankai deal is most affordable for KIX-Higobashi.
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/chikatoku.html
The following link may help you to build your plan too.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi, this is my itinerary:
Day 1 Osaka – Arrival late night via KIX
Day 2-3 Activate Osaka Amazing Pass 2 days
Day 4 – Himeji
Day 5 – Namba/Dotonburi
Day 6 – USJ
Day 7 – 8 Namba/Dotonburi
Day 9 – Leaving via KIX
Can I know whether Kansai Thru Pass for 3 days is worth buying for day 4-6? Or is there a better pass to use?
Thank you in advance for your advice.
Hi Ling,
Kansai thru pass 3 days is too much. I recommend you to use Kansai area pass one day for day 4.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Single ticket is okay for USJ. If you visit other than Namba and Dotonbori, you may use subway pass. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi …
Having an 6 days stay in Osaka-Kyoto soon. Plan to do the follwoing:
a) 2 days osaka – 2 days Osaka Amazing Pass
b) 2 days in kyoto
c) back in osaka for another 2 days – shopping and sightseeing
will be staying near Dobutsuen mae station in osaka and Kyoto station in Kyoto. Any suggestions of the passes to buy for kyoto and the 2 days balance in osaka?
Hi nasriyah,
If you intend to visit many places in Kyoto, Kansai thru pass may be the best option. It covers all non JR trains, subways and city bus. This is most convenient deal.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Other recommended deal is Kansai area pass. You can catch limited express Haruka from Tennoji to Kyoto directly.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Dobutsuenmae is same location as Shin-Imamiya.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Tennoji is just one station away from Shin-Imamiya by JR trains.
Kansai area pass is more convenient to get Kyoto from Shin-Imamiya. But this pass does not cover other than JR. You need to add at least city bus pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi. I’m planning to visit Japan for 5 days from 4/9 to 8/9.
Below is my itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Kansai Airport
Osaka Castle – Dotonbori – Namba – Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcades
Day 2: Visit around Nara
Day 3: Visit around Kyoto
Day 4: Universal Studio Japan
Day 5: Visit around Osaka
I’m thinking to buy Kansai Thru Pass (3 Days Pass) for the first 3 days of my trip. And also buy Osaka Amazing Pass (1 Day Pass) and use it on the 5th day of my trip.
Do you think it’s worthwhile to purchase the both passes? Or should I just get the Kansai Thru Pass only? Or is there any other passes that would be more suitable for my trip?
Thank you for your kind assistance.
Hi Elina,
You have chosen the right deals. There is no better deals for your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hi takeshi, ive read some of your posts and am grateful if you can help me about this.ah, btw, i am currently living in japan, but i couldnt find any discount ticket for residence except for seishun ticket.is there any others that you can suggest?
Thank you in advance!
Hi Lily,
Unfortunately there is no deals to cover whole part of Japan for residents other than Seishun 18. There are many many deals available for intercity discount deals. But there are too many to tell you. If you are okay with communicating with staff in the station in Japanese, please talk to them to find the deal for you. You can find it online at JR sites but it’s shown in Japanese only.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com