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
- For the travellers who use ICOCA, Kansai one pass, Suica, Pasmo or other IC cards
- For the travellers who use Kansai Thru Pass and Rainbow Card
- 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
- Osaka subway Enjoy Eco Card and Osaka Unlimited Pass
- How to access to major spots in Osaka by train
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:
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:
Many places can be accessed by JR Pass and other JR deals. I explained JR train network in the post below. Please refer it:
Osaka subway Enjoy Eco Card and Osaka Unlimited Pass
Please see the map below:
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
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:
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 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:
Tenpozan, Kaiyukan
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)
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.
Otherwise you have to take Universal City station – Nishikujo station – Bentencho station – Osakako station route. It is a big detour.
Osakajo (Osaka castle)
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
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
hi, Takeshi san.., I need your advice for my vacation plan, I want to visit, shirakawa go, alpine, kiikatsura, kyoto and osaka all of them in 6 day’s, I plan to buy hokuriku area pass 4 days and combine it with kansai wide area pass 5 days, is that a cheapest way, or maybe you have another advice for me to choose the pass? thank you very much
Hi Ima san,
Before choosing the deal, you have to make sure how to travel on alpine route. If you complete alpine route from Tateyama to Ogizawa, you have to think about how to go back to Toyama. Hokuriku Area Pass and Kansai Wide Area Pass covers the trip to Toyama. In this case, you need to continue travel to Nagano and take Hokuriku Shinkansen to go back to your base, maybe Toyama or Kanazawa. If you use Hokuriku Area Pass, you have to pay extra fare for outside coverage area that is Nagano to Kurobe-Unazukionsen. It is around 6000 yen. But if you use Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass, the coverage are is a bit bigger.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kansai-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-for-the-traveller-who-wants-travel-to-kansai-kanazawa-and-toyama.html
You still have to pay but the extra fare is around 3000 yen. Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass + Extra charge is cheaper than Kansai Wide Area Pass + Hokuriku Area Pass + Extra charge.
And also if you complete alpine route, you can use Tateyama Kurobe option ticket.
http://www.jrtateyama.com/e/
If you have round trip to some points on alpine route, there is no deals. But you don’t need to pay any extra fare for taking Shinkansen from Nagano.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hi Takeshi san,
I need your advice on my trips. I will be travel to Japan just next week. I’m still in confuse. our trips be like osaka 2days-kobe/nara 1 day-kyoto 2days-tokyo 2days. what are the most cost effective for this trips? should i take JR Kansai wide pass(8500 yen) while in kansai area, 2 day pass in kyoto(~1000 yen), willer express night bus from kyoto to tokyo and buy suica to use most of the subways and busses in tokyo..or you have any better idea.. please help me.
Hi Firdaus san,
Kansai Wide Area Pass is too expensive. Kansai thru pass is the best choice.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
I think three days pass is okay. You may use Osaka city deal for sightseeing in Osaka.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html#Osaka_area
And you can use Kansai thru pass three days for Nara/Kobe and Osaka-Kyoto/sightseeing in Kyoto. This pass covers bus and subway in Kyoto. You can access all places by this pass in Kyoto.
Willer is okay and you can use subway pass in Tokyo. As long as you take subway, you can access to most places in Tokyo. Suica is okay but it does not give you unlimited travel. If you visit three or more places a day, subway pass is better deal.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Is there any possibility to use Kaiyukan aquarium ticket from Kansai airport? The official site says that we can but Nankai version and use Nankai line along with subway, am I wrong? I think we should reach to Nankai line Kansai Airport station and we can use it to go aquarium. But i’m not sure about it.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Rabia san,
You can use Nankai railway version of Osaka Kaiyu ticket.
http://www.kaiyukan.com/language/eng/basicinformation.pdf
You can purchase it at Nankai Railway Kansai airport station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
I’m planning to buy JR Pass for my visit to Osaka ,Kyoto and Tokyo. For Osaka city tour, can i use my JR Pass?
Hi Nurul san,
Please see the post above to find the coverage of JR Pass in Osaka. You can also find the info about the coverage of JR Pass in Tokyo and Kyoto in the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kanto-area/tokyo-kanto-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-tokyo-how-to-choose-the-best-deal-and-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
We are travelling to Kansai Airport from Australia next month. We are staying our first night at Kansai Airport Washington Hotel and we have purchased a JR West Kansai Hiroshima 5 day pass through our travel agent. Day two we are planning to go to Hiroshima by train. I am very confused with the different trains/lines. We have to get from our hotel at Kansai to Shin-Osaka Station to go to Hiroshima. Can you advise what train we need to catch, do we need to change trains etc.
Thank you in advance.
Cheers Tanya
Hi Tanya,
You may take these following trains:
Limited express Haruka (Kansai airport to Shin-Osaka)
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/kansai-airport-limited-express-haruka.html
Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima)
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Would you let me know how long it takes to transfer from Tennoji subway station to Platform 15 of JR Tennoji station (for the Haruka train)? Thanks.
Hi Marty,
I can do it in 5 minutes but 10 to 15 minutes is recommended for overseas travelers.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi,
I’ll be arriving Osaka via the Itami Airport and I’d like to know if there are any deals if I will be taking the Osaka monorail to go to Umeda.
Would it be a good idea to use the Kansai thru pass?
Hi Chelsea,
There is no deals available. If you will make any more trips after arriving Umeda. Kansai thru pass may be okay. But single fare is 420 yen from Itami to Umeda. Knasai thru pass is sold at 4000 yen for 2 days. So you have to spend another 1600 yen worth after arriving Umeda. It may be hard to spend such an amount for just sightseeing in Osaka. You have to make 8 trips by subway at least.
Otherwise single ticket is better choice. If you take a bus, the fare is 620 yen. It’s higher but it’s direct and more convenient.
http://www.okkbus.co.jp/en/timetable/itm/f_osa.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you very much for your reply.
The reason I’m considering the monorail is because I have to transfer subway line to get to HONMACHI station, where I would be staying. Likewise, I’ve read that the Kansai thru pass can be used on unconsecutive days. Would it be a good choice if my tentative itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Arrival from Itami in the evening
Day 2: Sightseeing and shopping in Osaka area
Day 3: Early trip to Kyoto
Day 4: Sightseeing in Kyoto then returning to Osaka in the evening.
Day 5: Last minute shopping in Osaka
**Planning to fit in Nara or Wakayama day trip if time will allow.
Hi Chelsea,
You can take Monorail from Itami to Senri-Chuo and transfer to Kitaosaka Kyuko Railway. Kitaosaka Kyuko Railway is actually same as Subway Midousuji line. You can get Honmachi from Senri-Chuo directly without any changing trains. You don’t need to go to Umeda. These trips are covered by Kansai thru pass fully.
http://www.surutto.com/images/ticket/kansai_thru_pass/english/en_map.pdf
But this trip is not enough to use Kansai thru pass. Maybe you can use 3 days Kansai thru pass for day 1, 3 and 4. If you want to go to Nara, you can squeeze Nara between Kyoto and Osaka on day 4. I don’t think you can put Wakayama. It’s too tight.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you Takeshi.
No worries, Chelsea.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi,
Hi. I just want to get an advice on what route to take having 1 day sightseeing tour in Osaka. Hotel is near Nankai-Namba station. Plan to go to Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum as well. What pass do I buy? Thank you.
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
There is no deals to cover Ramen Museum. So you need to add some fare to get there. There are other deals to cover Osaka, such as Eco card. So think about which place you go other than Ramen Museum to choose the deals. Please see the link below to find the deals in the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html#Osaka_area
You can get Umeda by any deals in the link above. After getting Umeda, you need to take Hankyu railway and pay extra for this train. It will costs about a few hundred yen for one way.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
I know it’s not the same direction, but if I heading on the way from Haneda Airport to Oaska, want to make a stop at Kawagoe, what’s the best route and how long do you think one can spent there to stroll around the little town? I’ve the JR pass.
Cheese
Hi Joe san,
Kawagoe is not located on the way to Osaka. So it’s same idea as day trip to Kawagoe from Tokyo and then transfer to Osaka.
Please see “by JR” in the link below:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6505.html
You can get Shinjuku by Monorail and Yamanote line by JR pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi-San,
It looks like a long day trip on my arrival, I may do it in my last part of the trip while I am in Tokyo.
Another enquiry, the Welcome Tokyo subway ticket by Keikyu Line offers ride from Haneda Airport to Sengagu Ji as well as subways and toi lines for 1-3 day, I wonder does it work in other way round, ie one way from Sengagu Ji to Haneda?
Cheese
Hi Joe san,
I’m not 100% sure but I think one way is available for only airport to Sengakuji. Because the portion of one way ticket says airport to Sengakuji.
You can find the photo of this ticket at the link below:
http://www.discuss.com.hk/viewthread.php?tid=23958861
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
a good read , cheese
Hi Takeshi-San,
Is JR Pass cover the route from shin -Kurashiki to Kurashiki?
I’M planning a day trip from Kyoto to hemiji (2hrs )and Kurashiki( 6h45ms)and back.
l’ll only take pictures of hemiji castle and stroll around with the possibility of visiting koko park in hemiji.
I want to focus on Kurashiki , is that time flame too rush or should I cut short on hemiji. I don’t mind a long day from 9am to 10mins.
Thanks again
Hi Joe san,
You have left same inquiry at the link below and I have already replied.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Sorry Takeshi- san, I didn’t See it before , may be I didn’t click for reply by mail. Thanks you again.
No worries, Joe san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com