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. Claire says:
    September 3, 2015 at 5:13 am

    Hello Takeshi-san,
    Thank you for this great article.

    I have purchased the Kansai wide pass and I am planning to stay in Osaka for 2 nights then go to the airport. Do you have any suggestions on where to stay in Osaka (which part of town) which would allow me to 1) go to the airport easily as I have an early flight 2) use my pass as much as possible to move around osaka so I don’t need to buy another pass?

    Thanks a lot
    Claire

  2. Maeve says:
    August 19, 2015 at 2:56 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    We are traveling 10/3-10/16 for Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe/Nara

    Day 1 – KIX (arrival midnight)
    Day 2 – 4 Osaka (Premium Outlet, Shopping in Shinsaibashi-suji Shotengai, Sennichimae Doguyasuji, Namba area, Osaka Castle)
    Day 5 – 7 Kyoto (stay and visiting Kyoto)
    Day 8 – 9 Kobe (from Kyoto to Kobe)
    Day 10 – 13 Osaka (from Kobe to Osaka, visiting USJ, Nara (day trip))
    Day 14 – Osaka – KIX

    1) For Osaka – which travel pass is more suitable?
    2) For Kyoto – which travel pass? Kyoto city pass?
    3) For Kyoto – Kobe which travel pass is more suitable?
    4) For Osaka – Nara, day trip, which pass?

    Some one suggested us Haruka & ICOCA deal but I’m not sure which pass is the best deal.

    Any suggestions?

    Thanks in advance.

  3. Kris says:
    August 15, 2015 at 6:59 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    My friends and I (total of 5) are visiting Japan in Sept.

    Our planned itinerary is as follow and would like to know what would be the best train pass we should be buy:

    Day 1 – Arrive in KIX in the evening and stay in Osaka
    Day 2-3 – Visit attractions in Osaka
    Day 4-6 – Stay and visit attractions in Kyoto
    Day 7-8 – Stay and visit attractions in Tokyo
    Day 9 – Depart from NRT in early morning

    Our itinerary hasn’t really been confirmed yet as we have another option such as:

    Day 1 – Arrive in KIX in the evening and travel to Kyoto
    Day 2-4 – Stay and visit attractions in Kyoto
    Day 5-6 – Travel back to Osaka and visit attractions in Osaka
    Day 7-8 – Stay and visit attractions in Tokyo
    Day 9 – Depart from NRT in early morning

    Any suggestions on the passes we should be getting for the two different options.

    Thanks.

  4. Lannisya says:
    August 15, 2015 at 5:22 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    i plan to visit osaka only for 3 days. and i will be flying in and out of Kansai Airport.

    This is what I have planed:
    Day 1 – Arrive KIX in the morning. will only go around Osaka downtown (maybe Namba and Shinsaibashi). and go to bay area (tempozan). and then, go to Hotel.
    Day 2 – Universal Studio.
    Day 3 – KIX

    what kind of pass do you think that very suitable for me?

    help please, because i’m so confused right now wether to buy rail pass or not.

    thank you in advance.

  5. Jake says:
    August 1, 2015 at 10:08 pm

    Takeshi San,
    Me and my wife plans to fly to Osaka November and want to visit 1 day Osaka, 2 days Kyoto, 3 days Tokyo and return to Osaka for flight back home.
    Do you suggest we buy 7 day JR rail pass?

    Thanks
    Jake

  6. Andrew Stewart says:
    July 6, 2015 at 12:20 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    Our train travel plan so far:
    On 7 Oct, we go from Shinjuku to Gora-Hakone then on 9 Oct, Gora to Kawaguchiko then on 12 Oct, to Matsumoto then on 14 Oct, to Osaka for 5 nights.
    On 19 Oct Osaka to Takamatsu-Shikoku Island then ferry to Naoshima Is.
    On 22 Oct Takamatsu to Matsuyama and on 24 Oct Matsuyama to Beppu
    On 27 Oct Beppu to Kagoshima then on 30 Oct Kagoshima to Kumamoto
    On 1 Nov Kumamoto to Nagasaki
    On 3 Nov Nagasaki to Fukuoka and on 4 Nov Fukuoka to Airport.
    I thought the following passes will work?
    On 7 Oct Shinjuku to Odawara (800yen) then activate Hakone Freepass 2 days then Fuji Hakone Pass 3 days
    On 15 Oct in Osaka activate Kansai WIDE area pass 5 day
    On 22 Oct in Takamatsu activate JR Pass 14 day
    Any suggestions are greatly welcomed.
    Cheers Andrew

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      July 6, 2015 at 1:06 pm

      Hi Andrew,

      Both Hakone Freepass 2 days and Fuji Hakone Pass 3 days may be more expensive than single fare. Both pass includes Shinjuku to Hakone (or Lake Kawaguchi) return transfer. But you need only one way from Shinjuku to Hakone. If you travel lots in Hakone, Hakone Free Pass may be okay. But Fuji Hakone Pass may be too expensive in my opinion. Gotemba-Lake Kawaguchi bus is 1510 yen. Fuji Kyuko to Otsuki from Lake Kawaguchi is 1140 yen. The pass covers only these segments. If you make multiple trips on these segments, it will be worth using. Otherwise not.

      Kansai WIDE area pass is a good choice. The price is no far from one way fare to Takamatsu from Osaka. You may use it when you are in Osaka, like to Kyoto or Nara. It’s worth using it.

      JR Pass 14 day may be okay. But it depends on your plan.
      I think you will take a train from Matsuyama to Beppu. But it’s a big detour and spend many hours if you take this route. The fastest way to Beppu from Matsuyama is Uwajima Unyu Ferries. There is not much info in English and may be hard to use it. But you can take ferry from Yawatahama.
      http://www.uwajimaunyu.co.jp/timetable/document/timetable_e201404.pdf

      You may save about 4 hours if you take this route. But ferry is not covered by JR pass. If you take this route, Shikoku rail pass and Kyushu rail pass may be better choice.
      http://shikoku-railwaytrip.com/
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kyushu-rail-pass-the-best-deal-for-rail-trip-in-kyushu-for-oversea-visitors.html

      Anyway we need to fine which route is the best for Shikoku-Kyushu for you before choosing 14 days pass or not.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  7. Chuen Cheng says:
    June 13, 2015 at 1:56 pm

    What is the best way to KIX?

    My flight is 9:00 am from KIX to Taipei

    Stay at Hotel Monterey La Soeur Osaka

    Thank you

  8. Mae says:
    June 3, 2015 at 8:54 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    First of all, thanks so much for your response to my previous query.

    I now have my planned itinerary and would want to ask what would be the best train pass I should buy:

    1st day (Saturday evening) – Arrival in KIX then will travel to Namba throug Nankai
    2nd day – Namba to Osaka Aquarium to Museum of Housing and Living then back to Namba
    3rd day – Namba to USJ then back to Namba
    4th day – Namba to Gion-Shijo Kyoto (go around Kyoto) then back to Namba
    5th day – Namba to Osaka Castle then back to Namba
    6th day – Departure Namba to KIX via Nankai

    I was considering buying Yokoso-Osaka ticket and the Keihan Osaka-Kyoto one day pass but not really sure if that is the most beneficial. Thanks!

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      June 3, 2015 at 10:46 pm

      Hi Mae,

      Yokoso Osaka ticket is a good choice. But I’m not sure Keihan is the best choice or not. It does not cover Osaka-Kyoto round trip fare. And also it does not cover any bus and subway in Kyoto. Even if you visit the places in Gion area only, you can use single trip ticket to Gion-Shijo and take a bus in Kyoto. All day bus pass in Kyoto is 500 yen. It you take a bus three times, it pays off. I think this is more useful and convenient to go around Kyoto.
      http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  9. Lindsay says:
    May 26, 2015 at 2:18 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    We plan to visit Japan in Aug. We will be flying in and out of Kansai Airport.
    This is what I have planed:
    Day 1 – Arrive KIX in the evening. Check-in Hotel. Eat and rest.
    Day 2 – Universal Studio.
    Day 3 – Narr/Namba/Oska
    Day 4 – Kobe/Himeji/Okayama
    [Day1-4 stay in Oska or Namba]
    Day 5 – Kyoto (Stay in Kyoto for 2 nights)
    Day 6 – Kyoto to Kanazawa
    Day 7 – Kyoto to Nikko or Kusatsu (stay one night)
    Day 8 to Day 10 – Tokyo (Stay Nishinippori)
    Day 11 – travel back to kansai [stay one night – shinimamiya]
    Day 12 – KIX

    Planed to use JR Pass from Day 6. So I can use in on day 12 to go airport. Most probably will spend whole day in USJ on Day 2 so we do not need any pass. Thinking of getting the Kansai thru pass so we can use it from Day 3 – Day 5.

    Not sure if is a good idea to do Kyoto to kanazawa or go else where. Will it be to challenging to travel from Kyoto to Nikko or Kusatsu. We are two ladies and with medium large bags.

    Thank you in advance

  10. mirriam chen says:
    May 1, 2015 at 10:20 pm

    hi Takeshi, I want to make a correction: I’d like to ask you information about transportation from osaka station to novotel kushien west osaka, thanks a lot…

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