Osaka train route guide. How much can we use JR Pass in Osaka? How to choose the best route by train to get the major spots in Osaka?

osaka shin imamiyaOsaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara
2013.10.30
Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail
Dotonbori is "Must-See" place in Osaka. ©Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau/©JNTO
Dotonbori is “Must-See” place in Osaka. ©Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau/©JNTO

I wrote about train system in Kyoto before. But I have received many inquiries about Osaka too. I think it is very complicated for travellers from overseas. There are three types of railway, JR, Osaka Municipal Subway and Private company’s railways. Once you understand train system, you can find the best location to stay, the best deal for trains ride and the fastest way to visit that you want to see.

As probably you know, there are many types of deals, such as ICOCA, Kansai Thru Pass, JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass, Osaka Subway Eco Card and Osaka Unlimited Pass. Each pass has different conditions. You must understand the coverage of your pass.

In this post, I tell you about using these deals and explain all train systems in Osaka.

Which train services that are covered by ICOCA, Kansai Thru Pass, subway deals and other JR deals

Many deals are available in Kansai area. But each pass have different coverage. I tell you about major passes and deals.

For the travellers who use ICOCA, Kansai one pass, Suica, Pasmo or other IC cards

You can take all trains on the map above except Shinkansen. When you travel in Kansai area, don’t try to take Shinkansen for such a short transfer, like going to Kyoto or Kobe. Please see the post, How to transfer among Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. Compare Japan Railway and private lines.

ICOCA does not cover Osaka city bus service too. But I don’t think you have many chances to take city bus in Osaka. You can go anywhere by train services. Train is much faster than bus.

For the travellers who use Kansai Thru Pass and Rainbow Card

Please see the map below:

Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail

Kansai Thru Pass is unlimited ride pass and Rainbow Card is pre-paid card for most of NON JR trains in Osaka.

The only place where you can’t go by these deals is USJ. But if you don’t care about riding city bus, you can catch the bus at Nishikujo station. Nishikujo can be accessed by Hanshin Railway that is covered by Kansai Thru Pass. Even if you pay for JR train, the fare is 160 yen foe one way. It is not a big deal. I will explain about access to Universal Studion Japan later.

JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass, Kansai WIDE Area Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, Sanyo Sanin Area Pass, Kansai Hokuriku Aea Pass, Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass, Hokuriku Arch Pass

Please see the map below:

Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail

Many places can be accessed by JR Pass and other JR deals. I explained JR train network in the post below. Please refer it:

How to use JR Pass in downtown Osaka. Find how much you can use Japan Rail Pass in Osaka.
If you use JR Pass or other JR deals, such as Kansai Area Pass, do you know how much you can use the pass? Do you know where you can go without any extra charge? This post tells you everything about JR pass coverage in downtown Osaka.
jprail.com
2011.10.29

Osaka subway Enjoy Eco Card and Osaka Unlimited Pass

Please see the map below:

Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail

Enjoy Eco Card covers Osaka subway and city bus. Osaka Unlimited Pass includes unlimited ride of subway and bus, and free admission for major attractions in Osaka. There are one day and two day available. But coverage is a bit different. One day covers subway, bus and major private railways, like Hanshin, Nankai, Keihan and Kintetsu. It is very similar to Kansai Thru Pass. But two day pass covers subway and bus only. When you choose this deal, please make sure your itinerary and which train you need to get on.

As long as you can take subway, most of places can be reached by subway.

How to access to major spots in Osaka by train

Most of places in Osaka can be accessed by train. I would like to share the information of access to major spots with you.

Namba, Dotonbori, Houzenji and Shinsaibashi area

There are so many restaurants in Dotonbori area. ©JNTO
There are so many restaurants in Dotonbori area. ©JNTO

You can reach Namba by many ways.

  • Namba station (Nankai Railways) to/from Kansai Airport (KIX), Mt. Koya (Koyasan) and Wakayama
  • Namba station (Osaka Subway Midousuji line, Yotsubashi line and Sennichimae line) to/from Umeda, Nishi-Umeda, Tennoji
  • Osaka-Namba station (Hanshin Railways) to/from Sannomiya, Kobe and Himeji
  • Osaka-Namba station (Kintetsu Railways) to/from Nara, Ise and Nagoya
  • JR Namba station (JR) to/from Tennoji, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Kansai Airport (KIX

As I mentioned above, JR Namba station is not located in the core of Namba. JR Namba is closed to Subway Yotsubashi line Namba station and Sennichimae line’s Sakuragawa station is actually closer than Namba station.


View Namba in a larger map

Nankai Railways is the best way to get Namba from Kansai Airport. And also train runs to Mt. Koya.

Hanshin Railways and Kintetsu Railways trains go through each other. And their station is “Osaka-Namba” station. When you search on Hyperdia, you can find Osaka-Namba. It’s not Namba for these train companies but Osaka-Namba. If you stay in Namba and want to go to Nara or Kobe, you can use these train companies. You can go there directly from Namba.

If you go to Nara, you can catch Kintetsu Railway’s train at Osaka-Namba station. Please see the post below to learn more about access to Nara:

Nara access guide from Osaka, Kyoto, Kansai airport and Kobe by JR, Kintetsu Railway and Airport bus
Nara is one of popular places in Kansai area. This post explains you how to get Nara from several places in Kansai area.
jprail.com
2012.10.03

Shinsaibashi is one station away from Namba by subway. But Namba and Shinsaibashi are connected by shopping arcade. Dotonbori is located between Namba and Shinsaibashi. And also Shinsaibashi is connected with Yotsubashi and Nihonbashi by underground. So most of places in Namba can be accessed by walk.

Umeda

Umeda Sky Building is one of popular spots in Umeda area. ©JNTO
Umeda Sky Building is one of popular spots in Umeda area. ©JNTO

Umeda and Namba are two biggest downtown core in Osaka. There are many department stores and shopping complex in Umeda area. In Umeda area, only JR station is called “Osaka”. JR Osaka station and other railway’s Umeda station are located in same area.

There are many stations in Umeda.

  • Osaka station (JR Kobe line, Kyoto line, Osaka Kanjo line) to/from Kansai Airport (KIX), Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, USJ, Tennoji
  • Umeda station (Osaka Subway Midousuji line) to/from Namba, Shin-Osaka, Tennoji
  • Umeda station (Hanshin Railways) to/from Sannomiya, Kobe and Himeji
  • Umeda station (Hankyu Railways) to/from Kawaramachi, Arashiyama, Shijo, Sannomiya, Takarazuka
  • Higashi-Umeda station (Osaka Subway Tanimachi line) to/from Uehonmachi/Tanimachi Kyuchome, Tennoji
  • Nishi-Umeda station (Osaka Subway Yotsubashi line) to/from Namba
  • Kitashinchi station (JR Tozai line) to/from Namba

Please see the post below to get more detail about Osaka and Umeda station area:

Osaka and Umeda stations guide. How to change JR trains, subway trains and other private railways
Osaka station is same location as Umeda station. Only JR station is called "Osaka" but other railway and subway stations are called "Umeda". It is complicated for the travelers but these are same location. In this post, I will explain you about Osaka and Umeda stations.
jprail.com
2012.09.16

Tenpozan, Kaiyukan

Kaiyukan is located in this Tenpozan waterfront area. ©Osaka Government Tourism Bureau/©JNTO
Kaiyukan is located in this Tenpozan waterfront area. ©Osaka Government Tourism Bureau/©JNTO

Osaka Subway Chuo line’s Osakako station is the nearest station. You can catch Chuo line’s train at Honmachi, Bentencho and many other places. If you stay in Umeda or Namba, simple take Midousuji line or Yotsubashi line train and transfer to Chuo line’s train at Honmachi. If you are JR Pass user, you can get Bentencho by Osaka Kanjo line from Osaka or Tennoji. You have to pay extra on top of your pass for taking subway from Bentencho.

USJ is located just across the river. But there is no direct train or bus. Please see next chapter to get USJ from Tenpozan.

Universal Studion Japan (USJ)

USJ at the entrance

JR Yumesaki line’s Universal City station is the nearest station. There is no subway or private railway’s service available. If you are not JR train user, you can catch the pass to USJ at Nishikujo station.

If you want to access to Tenpozan/Kaiyukan from USJ, shuttle cruise service is the fastest and only direct way to connect both places.

Shuttle Cruise Capt. Line

Otherwise you have to take Universal City station – Nishikujo station – Bentencho station – Osakako station route. It is a big detour.

Osakajo (Osaka castle)

Osaka castle is one of popular spot to see cherry blossom in Osaka. ©Osaka Government Tourism Bureau/©JNTO
Osaka castle is one of popular spot to see cherry blossom in Osaka. ©Osaka Government Tourism Bureau/©JNTO

There are several stations around Osaka castle. You can access there from Tenmabashi station (Keihan Railway), Tanimachi-Yonchome station (Subway Tanimachi line), Osakajo-Koen station (JR), Osaka Business Park station (Subway Nagahori-Tsurumi Ryokuchi line), and Morinomiya station (JR). The nearest stations to access to the castle are Tenmabashi and Tanimachi-Yonchome. Other stations are okay, but these stations are closed to Osaka Castle Park.

Shinsekai, Tennoji zoo

You can feel real tradition of Osaka in Shinsekai. ©Osaka Government Tourism Bureau/©JNTO
You can feel real tradition of Osaka in Shinsekai. ©Osaka Government Tourism Bureau/©JNTO

Shinsekai is old town of Osaka. There is very traditional shopping arcade. Tsutenkaku tower is located in Shinsekai area. This area can be accessed from JR and Nankai Railway’s Shin-Imamiya station.

Tennoji Zoo is located between Tennoji station and Dobutsuenmae station. (Dobutsuenma means “in front of zoo”.)

Minoo falls

Minoo is located outside downtown Osaka. Most of city deals, such as Osaka subway pass does not cover Minoo falls. Only Kansai Thru Pass covers this falls.

You need to take Hankyu Railway Takarazuka line train from Umeda to Ishibashi. And then take another Hankyu Railway Minoo line train to Minoo. You can change trains at Ishibashi very easily. Trip time is around 35 minutes from Umeda to Minoo.

In the peak season, like fall foliage season, the direct train service runs between Umeda and Minoo.

Instant Ramen Museum

This museum is located outside downtown Osaka either. Most of city deals, such as Osaka subway pass does not cover this attraction. Only Kansai Thru Pass covers the trip to Instant Ramen Museum.

You need to take Hankyu Railway Takarazuka line train from Umeda to Ikeda. Trip time is around 20 minutes from Umeda to Ikeda.

Comments

  1. Glenda Tan says:
    July 8, 2016 at 1:29 am

    Hi Takeshi San’
    What is the best transfortation from Kansai goint to our place near Tsukamoto Statio. Thank you

  2. Joe Pan says:
    July 7, 2016 at 4:37 am

    Hi Takeshi-San,
    Could you please tell me that with the JR Pass, what’s the best route from Shin-osaka to Arimaonsen ? Are there any discount passes between Kobe and Arimaonsen?
    Cheese

  3. Geo Yap says:
    July 6, 2016 at 8:19 am

    Hi Takeshi San,

    I’m travelling to Osaka from 12 Oct to 17 Oct.
    I will arrive Kansai Airport at 7.20 AM.
    I will stay at Ebisunishi, Naniwa-ku Osaka-shi, where is nearby JR loop line”Shin-Imamiya” Sta.
    I will go to
    12 Oct : Umeda Area
    13 Oct : Kyoto (Arashiyama)
    14 Oct : USJ
    15 Oct : Kobe
    16 Oct: Osaka Area?
    Can I use Kansai Thru Pass and Kansai Area Pass?
    Can I use these 2 Pass for JR loop line”Shin-Imamiya” Sta. ?

    Thanks and regards,
    Geo

  4. Brendan says:
    July 1, 2016 at 1:19 pm

    Hi Takeshi San,

    What is the easiest way to travel from Osaka to Kyoto and Kobe?

    I believe it will be to stay in Umeda over Namba and use the JVR?

    Thanks!

  5. Li Ling says:
    June 27, 2016 at 6:36 am

    Hi Takeshi San,

    I will travel to Japan for 12 days in December. My itinerary is as follows:
    Day 1-5 : Kyoto (One day trip each to Takayama and Nagoya) (stay in Higashiyama ward)
    Day 5-8 : Tokyo (will stay near Shinjuku-Gyeonmae station)
    Day 8-12 : Osaka (side trip to Nara) (stay near Nippombashi)

    I would like to get advice from you on which JR pass should I get and as I’m planning the route, I found out that I might need to use private subways to travel from a place to another.

    I’m planning to buy the Takayama-Hokuriku pass and activate on Day 1-4 and the 7 day national JR pass and activate on Day 5-11. Please kindly advise if i have to use private subways how to save on it like what are the passes I can get? Thanks in advance.

  6. Joe Pan says:
    June 17, 2016 at 4:37 am

    Dear Takeshi-san,
    My wife and I will be traveling to Japan on Aug for 1 mth. Here is our itinerary, we will use the JR 21-day pass for the first 21 days and 3 day subway pass in Tokyo.
    1-4: Nareda Airport to Shin-osaka(4 N in shin-osaka ), one day trip to Kobe and another to Miyajima)
    5-10: shin-osaka to Kyoto(6 N in Kyoto), day trip of 3 to Nara(can I aslo visit Uji and Fushimi-Inari in the same day?), Sagano Ransan and Kurashiki.
    11: Kyoto-Tsumago via Nagoya(1 N)
    12-14: Tsumago-Nagoya(3 N), 1 day trip to Gujohachima via Mino.
    15-17: Nagoya-Takayama(3 N). Any spot for a good day trip on the JR line?
    18-20: Takayama-Shirakawa-go – Kanazawa(3 N) one day trip to Kaga onsen.
    21-22: Kanazawa-Kamakura(2 N)
    23-25: Kamakura-Yokohama(3 N), one day trip to Fuji 5 lakes
    26-30: Yokahama-Tokyo(5 N)
    Could you please tell me does the route make sence with the pass ? Which trip seems too tight or unnecessary detour? Apart from 2 passes, what others shall we better to have?
    Again, thank you so much for your help.
    kind regards

  7. Janet says:
    June 16, 2016 at 5:45 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    Im planning go to Japan on 21-29 November thru Kansai Airport with a plan :
    21-24 : Go to Osaka Castle, Namba, Dotonbori, Fushimi Inari, USJ, Nara, Mie prefecture (if possible)
    24-28 : Arrive at Tokyo from evening, go to Disneysea, Ueno & others
    28 in the afternoon will go back to Osaka n sleep near KIX to catch up flight on 29 morning

    I confuse when to use our 7 days JR Pass and where to stay in Osaka to maximize our JR as I read some locations in Osaka isn’t covered by JR.
    Please advise. Thanks! 🙂

  8. Pawaree Vogel says:
    May 13, 2016 at 11:41 pm

    I have been doing so many reading on books and websites and still cannot decide on to which option is my best to save money on rail pass, 14 day JR or 7 day region pass. Day 1-2 Tokyo/stay in Shinjuku (side to Hakone if weather is nice), Day 3-4 :Takayama, Day 5: Shirakawa-go, Day6-7: Kanazawa, Day 8-10: Hiroshima & Miyajima, Day 11-14 Osaka (side to Himeji, Nara & Kyoto), Day 14: Tokyo. My concern is whether I have enough time visiting Takayama and Kanazawa because of long train rides. My previous trip I spent 2 days in Tokyo and 2 days in Kyoto. I can’t seem to move things around to fit any region pass to save cost over 14 day JR pass and not to move around so much. I have to fly in and out of Narita as air ticket has already been purchased. I booked all of hotels already but all of them are free cancellation. The only accommodation that I don’t want to change is in Shirakawa-go as we are staying in the farm house and they are harder to find availability. In Osaka, I booked hotel in Namba, but don’t know if it is the best area to stay that fit my plan. Any suggestions on train pass and how to improve this itinerary.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      May 14, 2016 at 12:06 am

      Hi Pawaree,

      As long as you arrive and depart at Narita and visit Hiroshima/Miyajiam by train, 14 days pass is your choice. Even if you remove Takayama and Kanazawa, 14 days pass is still your choice. There is no better choices available.
      I think you have enough time to visit Takayama and Kanazawa. Actually I have done Takayama, Kanazawa and Shirakawago in 1 and 1/2 days in this past February. It was crazy and I don’t want anybody to copy my trip plan. But you will spend 5 days in this region. That is way enough to enjoy these places.

      Your plan is good and I don’t see any issues.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  9. Rayearth says:
    May 12, 2016 at 12:30 pm

    Hello. Me and my family will be travelling to japan on june 10-13 osaka then 13-18 tokyo. Still thinking about the accmdation if would it be better if we will just stay for 3 nights near osakako station in tenpozan or we will just stay for 3 nights in namba area. Im trying to look at the train map but its really confusing. Our iterinary for 3 days will be the USJ, DOTONBORI, NARA PARK, OSAKA CASTLE , SHINSEKAI, UMEDA and if still possible KYOTO. On the 13 will take a plane in kansai going to tokyo. From narita airport we will be going to tokyo disneyland. We will be staying in uyarusa somewhere near disneyland area for 2 night then probably transfer to shinjuku. Im really confuse about what train pass are we going to buy for all of this places. we are a family of six and i hope u can tell me what ticket we really need for our trip and where we can buy it best. And is their any discounts for students and for children below 10 yrs.old. Thank you so much.

  10. Leighanne says:
    May 8, 2016 at 11:12 pm

    Hi Takeshi San,
    My family is planning a self drive trip to Kyushu in November. We are planning to buy the 7 day JR pass on the last leg of our trip to go to ibusuki n Kagoshima before taking Shinkansen back to Tokyo. Can I use this to travel from downtown Tokyo to narita airport for free eg on NEX?

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