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
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:

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:

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:

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. taweng says:

    Hi, i bought JR Pass green car thru online. I will arrive in Japan thru Kansai Airport then i booked in Hotel Granvia Osaka. How many stops or how many stations until i reached the Osaka Station where the Hotel Granvia located?

  2. NERC says:

    Hi,
    I am visiting Osaka then Kyoto in early Nov and I am quite confused with the various transportations available in these cities. My itinerary is KIX-Hotel Brighton City Osaka – Hote Mystays Kyoto Shijo – KIX… appreciate some tips on how to get to these places by train/railway etc…
    Also, is there any airport buses from KIX to hotel Brighton, if not, what would be the most convenient options to get to the hotel upon arrival.. and how do I travel back to KIX from Hotel Mystays Kyoto for my departure?
    Thanks

  3. Jasmine Pham says:

    Hi,

    I’m planning my first trip to Japan and am quite confused about the train system as it’s quite intricate.

    I’ll be in Tokyo from the 8th-12th, Osaka from the 13th-15th and returning to Tokyo the afternoon of the 15th to catch my flight.

    In Tokyo I’ll be staying at Akasaka ans sightseeing lots, but I don’t mind walking and will be going to Tokyo Dome for a concert. In Osaka I’ll be staying in Hugashi and going to Universal and Kyocera Dome.

    Do you think it’d be better to get a single JR Pass, or to get Suica, ICOCA and bullet train round trip to cover my daily travel, the travel from Tokyo to Osaka, Osaka back to Tokyo and from Tokyo to the airport. (The JR Pass only lasts 7 days, so I’ll bus from Narita to Tokyo the first day if you think that option works better than the other passes.)

    Thank you so much!

    Jasmine

  4. Cindy says:

    Hi Takeshi

    we (2 people) are travelling to (arrived through KIX)

    July 1 Osaka surrounding Stay at Osaka (Chuo ward area)
    July 2 Visit Hiroshima & Miyajima Stay at Osaka
    July 3 morning go to Kyoto Stay at Kyoto
    July 4 Kyoto surrounding Evening to Tokyo and stay there (Asakusa area)
    July 5 Tokyo surrounding Stay at Tokyo
    July 6 Tokyo surrounding / disneysea Evening back to Osaka, Stay at nishi ward area
    July 7 Osaka surrounding Stay at Osaka
    July 8 back home

    Can you please advice on the itinerary?
    what would be the best & cheapest transportation?

    Thank you

  5. Marina says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Me and my family (5 Adults and 1 infant) are planning to visit Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Kyoto and Tokyo from Nov 7 to 21 2015. From Narita inflight Itami and Itami inflight Narita.

    Osaka Nov 7 -12
    Kyoto Nov 12-15
    Tokyo Nov 15-21

    Need your help to check my itinerary should I stay in Osaka 5 nights Kyoto 3 nights Or stay in Osaka in Higashiosaka and travel to Kobe, Nara, Kyoto with JR Kansai Pass

    As for Tokyo 6 nights, do you think JR pass will be good as I plan to stay in Akasaka, Chiyoda.

    Regards
    Marina

  6. Iris says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Me and my friend are planning to visit Osaka, Tokyo and Kyoto.
    Osaka Nov 12-15, 2015
    Tokyo Nov 16-18
    Kyoto Nov 19
    Osaka Nov 20-21

    Because we will go to Kyocera Dome for concerts on Nov 13, 14, 15, 20. Is it easy if we choose hotel in Shinsaibashi area (Namba or Shinsaibashi station)?

    How to go from Namba station to Kyocera Dome? How much is the fare?

    How to go Tokyo from Osaka? Buy that 7-days JR pass? Depart at JR Namba station? Do you have the timetable?

    Travel from Tokyo, I want to stop by Kyoto for 1 day, should I also take JR? Can I use that 7-days pass?

    Sorry for so many questions, I’m very nervous when I just look at the train lines.
    Thank you so much for your help.

    Iris

  7. Leighanne says:

    Hi Takeshi
    My family will be flying into Osaka for 7 days and planning to go to USJ, Kobe, Hiroshinma, Kyoto and then going back to Tokyo by train. From Tokyo we will go to Yokohama for day trip. Should we buy the JR rail pass? Should we use it to go to USJ? We will stay in shinsaibashi. Thank you very much!

    • Hi Leighanne,

      If you can complete in 7 days for Osaka-HIroshima-Kyoto-Tokyo, 7 days pass is the best choice.
      You can use JR pass to get USJ. But there is no JR stations in Shinsaibashi. You have to go to Umeda (JR Osaka) by subway. Subway is not covered by JR Pass but JR Pass covers for Osaka to Universal City (USJ).

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  8. Ann Forbes says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    My family and I are travelling for 14 days (June28-July11) in Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kyoto, Osaka-Namba-Nara-Kobe-Umeda-Shinsekai-USJ.
    Is it wise to buy the Kansai Hiroshima Pass for 10 days (2 5-day passes) and then Kansai Thru Pass for 4 days? Which pass will cover most of buses, trains and subways in Osaka? We will be in Osaka Area for four days.
    Thanks!

  9. chris lachman says:

    HELLO,

    If possible can you please tell me whether there is a luggage room at BENTENCHO station OSAKA. Not locker but a room where you can leave large bags like at Shin-Osaka.

    I want to leave luggage there and visit the OSAKA acquarium.

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE

    • Hi Chris,

      No, it doesn’t. Bentencho station is much smaller than Shin-Osaka. There are coin lockers only and not many lockers there.
      It’s not a good idea to store the luggage at Bentencho.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  10. prat says:

    hi,
    We are a family of 3 travelling to tokyo from 27 april to 3 may, then from 3 rd may to 6 may to kyoto and 6th to 8th may to hakone . back to hanida airport on 9th . so does JR pass be economical ? or buy since tickets. thanks

Copied title and URL