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
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:

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.

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:

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:

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.

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.

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:

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.

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

Comments

  1. mirriam chen says:

    hi takeshi, We plan to go to Japan this early june, I’d like to ask you some help

    1. we plan to buy jr pass,but it covers only 7 days,so for the last 3 days we’ll stay in osaka and kyoto, is it okay to buy kansai pass as we plan to go to nara and kobe.
    2. what is the best transportation from osaka station to novotel ginza hotel?
    3. how to use jr pass to universal studio ?
    4. how to reach the nearest spot in mt fuji from shin fuji station ??

    thanks a lot for your kindly help…

  2. Jessica says:

    Hi Takeshi

    We are a family of 10 travelling to Osaka in late Nov 2015. We will be staying near Namba at Naniwa-ku. Can you advise which rail pass is best to get from KIX airport to Namba? We intend to stay in Osaka for 8 days n travel out to Kyoto, Kobe and Nara on day trips. I know there is this 7 days pass which cost 29,110 Yen but not sure if we should get that. Looking forward to hear from you.

  3. Mae says:

    Hi, we’re travelling as a family on June 6-11. Arriving on Osaka at about 9PM on June 6. Would like to spend time both in Osaka and Kyoto. If we plan to be based the whole time in Osaka and make 2 day trips to Kyoto, what is the most cost effective tickets/pass should we buy. And where would be the most convenient location during our stay which is accessible to stations that will take us to Kyoto and to popular areas in Osaka ? Thank

  4. Ann says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    We have already purchase the JR pass for a round trip for Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Tokyo.
    For the first time, we will need to bring the exchange order to the ticket office in the airport to change for the pass to Kyoto (and reserved seat etc.) Do we have to do it again for subsequent trips say from Kyoto to Osaka and back to Tokyo as well – Total 3 exchanges? Or once exchanged, it will be valid for 7 days?

    Also, can I confirm if the following is covered by JR pass?
    1) Kyoto Station to Inari Shrine
    2) Kyoto Station to Southern Higashiyama
    3) Osaka Station to Yotsubashi station
    4) Yotsubashi Station to Osaka Castle
    5) Osaka station to Tokyo Disneyland (Maihama station)

    Thank you for your help!

  5. Charlene says:

    Hi Takeshi!

    I always come to your blog to read more about the train lines in Japan. It has been very pleasant. I have plans to get the 7 day JR pass and JR Kanto Pass and this is how I plan to use it.

    Day 1: Tokyo – Osaka
    Day 2: Osaka – Hiroshima, Hiroshima – Osaka
    Day 3: Osaka
    Day 4: Osaka – Kyoto
    Day 5: Kyoto
    Day 6: Kyoto (To Nara/Kobe and back)
    Day 7: Kyoto – Ito
    Day 8: Ito
    Day 9: Active JR Kanto Pass. Ito – Tokyo.
    Day 10 and 11: Use JR Kanto Pass to travel out from Tokyo for day trips.

    Would getting both of these passes be worth it? Thank you for your time.

    • Hi Charlene,

      Thank you for sticking around my website. 🙂

      Your plan is perfect. It’s worth using both deals.
      I just want to tell you just one thing. Don’t forget to purchase Kanto Area Pass before you leave Tokyo. You cannot purchase it at Ito. You can purchase this deal in advance and you can pick the date when you want to start to use.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  6. Au says:

    Hi Takeshi, we’ll be arriving in osaka and stay in kansai area for 3 days then we’ll move to tokyo on the 4th day and stay there for almost same number of days. We dont have to go back to osaka from tokyo as our flight out of japan is already in haneda. I’m thinking of the following itinerary:
    Day 1 – universal studio
    Day 2 – kyoto
    Day 3 – osaka area
    Day 4 to 6 – tokyo area.
    Do you think it is cheaper to get a jr pass or would be better to buy single journey tickets?
    Thanks in advance your help.

  7. Jerry says:

    We are planning a trip this coming May.is it advisable to get JR pass,we will be staying in osaka the whole 6 days and our itenerary would be:
    Trips from osaka-nara-osaka
    Osaka-kyoto-osaka
    Osaka-tokyo-osaka
    Can we use the JR pass within osaka?
    Much appreciated for your info and help

  8. Patricia says:

    Hi, we are planning to go to Dotonbori, Namba. Can you please tell me the fastest way to get there and how to get there from Osaka Station using JR Pass or in anyway by train. Thanks in advance

  9. Yvonne says:

    Hi Takeshi, would like your recommendation on whether we should get the Kansai Thru Pass or Kansai Area Pass. Below is my itinerary.

    Day 1- explore osaka
    Day 2- Osaka to Himeji
    Day 3- Osaka to Kobe
    Day 4- Osaka to Kyoto
    Day 5 – Osaka to Kyoto
    Day 6- Osaka to Nara
    Day 7- explore Osaka
    Day 8- explore Osaka

    Also, will either of the passes cover the subways in thw individuals areas? Example within Kyoto and Osaka?

    Thanks for your help! Arigato gozaimasu!

  10. yan says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    You have been really helpful with advice for transportation in Japan! I intend to get a 7 day JR pass for travel and sightseeing between Osaka, Nara and Kyoto. That would be ideal, is that right? Can I use the pass for travels within the different cities?

    Appreciate your confirmation!
    Thanks in advance 🙂

    Yan

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