How to use JR Pass in downtown Osaka. Find how much you can use Japan Rail Pass in Osaka.

323series on Osaka Kanjo lineNetwork of JR trains
2011.10.29
Dotonbori is one of most popular spots.

If you use JR Pass and visit Osaka, you should know how much you can use JR Pass in Osaka. I forcus on using JR Pass in downtown Osaka. If you use the following passes, you have same coverage.

I will show you JR train network in downtown Osaka in this post.

JR lines in downtown Osaka

Please see the map below:

Click to view large

The above map shows you all JR lines in downtown Osaka. I will explain you the line of JR one by one.

In this post, I explain you only JR trains. If you want to know whole part of train system in downtown Osaka, please see the link below:

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?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Osaka. This post shows you the train network in Osaka. You can learn how to get the major places in Osaka.
jprail.com
2013.10.30

I also explain this topic in YouTube movie too. Please watch it instead of reading the post:

Osaka Kanjo line (Osaka loop line)

323series on Osaka Kanjo line
Osaka Kanjo line train

This line encircles downtown Osaka. You will use this line often when you stay in Osaka. This line is started from Osaka station which is the biggest station in Osaka. It is located in Umeda area and JR Osaka station and other railway’s Umeda stations are same location.

This line go through Kyobashi, Tsuruhashi, Tennoji, Shin-Imamiya, Bentencho, Nishikujo and come back to Osaka again. All these stations are transfer points to other lines and railways.

  • Osaka (Umeda)
    1. Hankyu Railway (to Arashiyama, Gion, Kobe-Sannomiya, Takarazuka, Ikeda, Minoo),
    2. Hanshin Railway (to Kobe-Sannomiya)
    3. Osaka Metro (to almost everywhere in Osaka)
  • Kyobashi – Keihan Railway (to Gion, Kyoto)
  • Tsuruhashi – Kintetsu Railway (to Osaka-Namba, TennojiNara, Nagoya)
  • Tennoji
    1. JR Kansai Airport line (to Kansai airport)
    2. JR Yamatoji line (to Nara)
    3. JR Hanwa line (to Wakayama)
    4. Kintetsu Railway (to Yoshino)
    5. Osaka Metro (to Namba, Tanimachi)
  • Shin-Imamiya – Nankai Railway (to Namba, Kansai airport)
  • Bentencho – Osaka Metro Chuo line (to Osaka Kaiyukan aquarium)
  • Nishikujo
    1. Hanshin Railway (to Osaka-Namba, to Kobe-Sannomiya)
    2. JR Yumesaki line (to Universal city)

Tennoji is the biggest JR terminal station in south side of Osaka. All trains that go to Wakayama, Kansai airport and Nara stop at this station. But many train run on Osaka Kanjo line and then go through the line to Nara, Kansai airport and Wakayama.

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Yamatoji line

This line connects JR Namba and Nara. Many rapid train go through Osaka Kanjo line and it connects Kyobashi, Osaka, Nishikujo, Bentencho, Tennoji and Nara. This rapoid train is called Yamatoji Rapid. Please see the link below to find more information about Yamatoji Rapid:

Rapid train service to Nara from Osaka by Japan Railway, Yamatoji Rapid Service
Yamatoji rapid which is JR commute train connects Osaka, Tennoji and Nara directly. This train is fully covered by all JR deals. You can find more information about this rapid train.
jprail.com
2011.04.26

Many local train of Yamatoji line train depart from JR-Namba station. JR-Namba is only JR station in Namba. But this is a bit away from the center of Namba. Please see the link below to find the information about Namba stations:

Namba stations guide. How to change the trains among Nankai, Kintetsu, Hanshin, subway and JR.
Namba is one of the downtown cores in Osaka. There are many railway lines and many Namba stations as will. It is very complicated. This post shows you all Namba stations with many photos. You can find how to change trains there.
jprail.com
2015.04.16

You can access Namba by JR line. And also you can access from another huge downtown core, Umeda by JR only. But You need to take Osaka Kanjo line to Imamiya and transfer the train to JR Namba. It is not shortest way. Osaka subway Midosuji line (大阪地下鉄御堂筋線) is much faster and more convenient. I tell you about Osaka subway later.

Kansai airport line and Hanwa line

Many trains go through from Osaka Kanjo line to Kansai Airport and Wakayama. These trains are called Kansai Airport Rapid and Kishuji Rapid.

Rapid train service to Kansai Airport and Wakayama from Osaka. Kansai Airport Rapid Service and Kishuji Rapid Service
This rapid train connects Kansai airport, Wakayama, Tennoji and Osaka. This is a sort of the commute train. You may find the information about this train in this post.
jprail.com
2011.04.25

You can get Kansai airport and Wakayama from Osaka without a transfer.

The limited express Haruka connects Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and Kansai airport. The limited express Kuroshio connects Shin-Osaka and Wakayama, Shirahama, Shingu. You may take these trains between Shin-Osaka and Tennoji if you like.

Kansai Airport Limited Express Haruka route and timetable. Direct access to Shin Osaka, Tennoji and Kyoto from Kansai airport
The limited express Haruka takes you to Tennoji, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto from Kansai airport. This train is fully covered by JR pass and other JR deals. This post explains you the the details about Haruka.
jprail.com
2011.03.06
Rapid train service to Nara from Osaka by Japan Railway, Yamatoji Rapid Service
Yamatoji rapid which is JR commute train connects Osaka, Tennoji and Nara directly. This train is fully covered by all JR deals. You can find more information about this rapid train.
jprail.com
2011.04.26

Yumesaki line

This line starts from Nishikujo station on Osaka Kanjo line and goes to Sakurajima. Universal City station is located on this line and it is the gateway to Universal Studio Japan.

JR Tozai line

This line connects Amagasaki and Kyobashi. Kitashinchi station is 10 minutes away from Osaka station on foot.

Kobe/Kyoto line

If you go to Kobe or Kyoto, you take this line from Osaka station. Special Rapid run on this line and stop at major stations only. It is very fast train service. Please find more information about Special Rapid in the link below:

JR Special Rapid Service, most useful train among Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Himeji.
JR Special Rapid runs between Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Himeji. Some trips runs to Banshu Ako, Kamigori and Tsuruga. This is most convenient and very fast train. This post shows you the information with some images of Special Rapid train.
jprail.com
2011.04.24

And also when you take the Shinkansen, you have to go to Shin-Osaka station by Kyoto line. It is 4 minutes away from Osaka by any trains.

The places where you can go by JR Pass

You may get these following places by JR Pass and other JR train passes without any extra charge:

  • Umeda, Umeda Sky Building (at JR Osaka station)
  • Osaka Castle (at Osakajokoen station)
  • Abeno Harukas (at Tennoji station)
  • Tennoji Zoo (at Tennoji station)
  • Shitenno-ji temple (at Tennoji station)
  • Shinsekai, Tsutenkaku (at Shin-Imamiya station)
  • Namba, Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori (at JR-Namba station)
  • USJ (at Universal City station)

The places where you can NOT go by JR Pass

You have to pay a regular fare to take subway or non JR trains to visit the following places:

Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium and Tenpozan Market Place

Click to view large.

You have to take Osaka Metro Chuo line to get Osakako station. You may take subway from Namba or Umeda.

Cup Noodle Museum and Minoo Falls

Click to view large

These are located outside downtown Osaka. You must take Hankyu Railway.

Osaka Metro

As you have been reading this post, JR Pass covers many places. But you still may need to take subway. Please see the link below to find all train system in Osaka.

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?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Osaka. This post shows you the train network in Osaka. You can learn how to get the major places in Osaka.
jprail.com
2013.10.30

I hope you have got an idea to build your trip by this post.

Comments

  1. Rain Wong says:
    March 3, 2015 at 10:43 am

    Hi, Takeshi-san

    I need some advice on how to proceed with my travelling plans. Do i buy the 7 day JR pass or other passes?

    Is the suica card only usable in tokyo only? Are there other prepaid cards as well?

    I have already booked for a trip to japan from 27 may – 03 June.

    I would be entering and exiting from KIX but will i hope to cover Nara, Mt Fuji, Kyoto while only lodging in nagoya, tokyo and osaka.

    27 may – ETA at KIX take shinkansen to Nagoya(my 1st & 2nd night is spent there)

    29 may – check out and take shinkansen to tokyo.( any way to drop by and visit Nara / Kyoto / Mt Fuji for some short sightseeing?) staying for 3 nights

    1 June – leave tokyo and head for Osaka. Will stay for 2 nights and depart on the 3rd June.
    Will spend a day in USJ.

    This is just a rough outline of my itinerary.

    Hope to hear from you soon and thank you for taking time to look through my comment.

    Sincerely
    Rain W.

  2. Regina says:
    February 19, 2015 at 6:54 pm

    Hi Takeshi,
    I would like to ask your opinion. I will visit Osaka/Tokyo in June 2015. Could you give me some advice if I worth to buy 7 days JR Pass or any other ticket like Kansai Pass 3 days or something else.

    My itinerary as below :
    Day 1 : Arrive Kansai in the morning – stay at Shinsaibashi – going to Osaka Castle / Umeda
    Day 2 : Travel to Nara – Kyoto – stay at Ibis Kyoto Station
    Day 3 : Back to Osaka / Shinsaibashi – going to Universal Studio
    Day 4 : Before noon, going to Tokyo by Shinkansen – stay at Ginza / Shimbashi Station
    Day 5 : Going to Mt. Fuji / Gotemba
    Day 6 : Going to Yokohama
    Day 7 : Travel in Tokyo – Shinjuku/Shibuya/Asakusa – around 5 pm going to Narita
    Day 8 : catch morning flight from Narita airport

    Please advise me, i need your help. because i am still confuse about transportation in Japan.
    Thank you in advance for your attention..

    regards
    Regina

  3. jaeprincess says:
    February 13, 2015 at 7:07 pm

    Hi there … I really like Your website… its so detailed!
    I’m planning a trip to Japan in march.

    I will stay in osaka and plan to visit Tokyo Disney land and yokohama aquarium. I will be in Japan for 7 days. Is it advisable to buy the JRP?

  4. Ee ling says:
    February 9, 2015 at 12:26 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    i will be in Osaka on 18th March (arriving late at night) till 22nd March (departing after lunch). I plan to have day trips to Kobe & Osaka as well. Would you suggest the JR West Rail Pass or Kansai Thru pass? i’d like to be able to take the JR Haruka to our guesthouse near ShinOsaka / Mikuni Station. Thank yOU!

  5. Axel says:
    February 5, 2015 at 9:56 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    How would I know what trains will be covered by the JR Pass? I’m trying to book a hotel that is close to a train that I can is the JR pass.

    Day
    1 – arrival
    2 – Universal
    3 – Osaka – Kyoto
    4 – Kyoto
    5 – Nara – Tokyo
    6 – 12 – Tokyo

    Should I get the 14 day pass?

    Also can I maximize the train pass in Tokyo?

    Thank you so much!

  6. Lydia says:
    January 27, 2015 at 11:56 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    Would like to get your advise if it’s worth to purchase 7 days JR pass.
    Knowing that JR pass can’t used at subway and trying to minimize on transportation cost.

    Day 1 – Arrival Haneda Airport and overnight near airport
    Day 2-3 – Hakone via train from Haneda Airport (buy 2 days Hakone free pass)
    Day 4 – Kamakura via JR pass travel from Hakone (buy 1 day Kamakura Enoshima pass)
    Day 5-6 – Kyoto via JR pass (buy 2 days Kyoto City Sightseeing Bus)
    Day 7-8 – Osaka via JR pass (buy 2 days Osaka unlimited pass)
    Day 9 – Nikko via JR pass (buy 2 days unlimited bus ride)
    Day 10 – Tokyo via JR pass
    Day 11-16 – Tokyo (buy 2 or 3 days Tokyo Subway Pass (Toei Subway +Tokyo Metro Subway)

    Thanks.

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      January 28, 2015 at 12:48 pm

      Hi Lydia,

      Your plan is very organized. Yes, JR Pass will work for your trip.
      The only think I want to mention is Hakone Free Pass. I think you may know but I tell you just in case. You can take bus from Haneda to Hakone-Yumoto. It’s only direct transfer from Haneda to Hakone.
      http://hnd-bus.com/route/hakoneyumoto.html

      Hakone Free Pass can be purchased at Hakone-Yumoto station. You can use this pass to Odawara staon on day 4. After Odawara, you can take JR trains by JR Pass.

      I recommend you to exchange JR pass at Haneda. But it opens 7:45-18:30 only. You may not have a time to exchange. But you can exchange it at Odawara too.
      http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en009.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  7. Jho says:
    January 19, 2015 at 7:31 am

    Hello! I just thought I’d shoot you a message because I find all your comments really useful about Japan.

    I was wondering if you could help me what pass to get: JR Pass 7 days or 14 days or something else.

    *Note that the hotel/area we are staying have already been pre booked as this is a gift.

    Day 1 Arriving OSAKA Kix Airport at 9pm. – staying in Osaka near JR Namba station.

    Day 2 Osaka – sight seeing within the area

    Day 3 Osaka – day trip to Nara

    Day 4 Osaka – free day or if you can recommend a day trip place.

    Day 5 Osaka – transfer to Kyoto. Staying in APA Hotel.

    Day 6 Kyoto – Apa Hotel Horiwadori. Sight seeing.

    Day 7 Kyoto – sight seeing

    Day 8 Kyoto – looking for a place to daytrip. if you can suggest something

    Day 9 Kyoto – transfer to Tokyo. Our house is in Shinjuku, Kabukichoo 160-0021 near Higashi statiion A 1 exit.

    Day 10 – Tokyo sight seeing

    Day 11 – Tokyo Disneyland

    Day 12 – Mount Fuji and 5 lakes. Should i get a tour or better on your own. If on your own, will JR Pass okay?

    Day 13 – Tokyo

    Day 14 – Tokyo to Narita Airport 1145am flight back home.

    Please let me know what you think and if it is something we can achieve 🙂 any advice, changes please feel free to let me know! Thank you so much!

    Best regards!

  8. Aiwei says:
    January 6, 2015 at 8:51 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I will be heading to Japan from 31 mar to 12 apr.

    I would like to double confirm with you that my choice of 7days JR pass is worth buying for the first part of my journey?

    Rough itinerary:

    31 mar : narita airport to Osaka
    31-5th apr: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe
    5th apr evening travel back to Tokyo.
    6th -12 apr: Yokohama, hakone, Tokyo.

    Thank you.

    Regards,
    Aiwei

  9. elektra says:
    December 22, 2014 at 10:08 am

    Hi. I will reach narita airport on 16th. And i wana goes to osaka straightaway. I thought of staying at osaka side for a total of 10 days which I will also travel to kobe and kyoto. On the 10th day I will wana take bullet train bk to narita. Is there any idea I should I pan my trip as I realise the pass is only for 7 days. Thanks alot

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      December 22, 2014 at 10:57 am

      Hi elektra,

      It’s tough. As you guess, if you have round trip between Tokyo and Osaka in 7 days, 7 days pass will work for your trip. But 14 days pass is too much for your trip. Even if you will make some trips when you stay in Kansai area, it’s not enough. If you make a trip to outside Kansai, like Hiroshima, Kanazawa, 14 days pass will be suitable. But at this point, single fare is your choice for Tokyo-Osaka round trip

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  10. Ellen says:
    December 18, 2014 at 8:25 am

    Hi Takeshi, I would like to ask for your advise about my coming family trip on feb. I will arrive in Osaka kansai airport and stay for 3 nights then plan to use Shinkansen to Tokyo, in Tokyo we will go through the cities about 4 days and most probably will go to mt Fuji. So is it suitable for us to use the japan rail pass ? Tq

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