There are a few routes to get Nippombashi, Nagahoribashi, Ebisucho and some more stations on Osaka Metro Sakaisuji line. The best route is Nankai Railway and Osaka Metro via Tengachaya.
But if you use JR Pass and want to maximize using it, you can take the other route.
I will explain you how to get Nippombashi, Nagahoribashi, Ebisucho and Sakaisuji-Hommachi in this post:
Overview of the access to Nippombashi area from Kansai airport
As you see the map above, Nippombashi can be accessed from Tengachaya, Namba and Tsuruhashi. But Tengachaya route is the best one. Because…
- Tengachaya is the closest point to transfer from Kansai. The trip tims is shortest.
- Tengachaya is much smaller station than Namba. It is much easier to transfer trains.
But you may take other route. The best route depends on your situation.
Fast and Best route via Tengachaya
If you go to Nippombashi, Ebisucho, Nagahoribashi, Sakaisujihommachi or Kitahama, Tengachaya is the best route. Please see the link below to find the information about Tengachaya station in the post below:
But this is not the cheapest route. If you take this route, you have to pay 1,160 yen.
- 930 yen for Kansai airport to Tengachaya by Nankai Railway
- 230 yen of Tengachaya to Nippombashi by Osaka Metro (180 yen for Ebisucho)
There is no deals available to cover this route And this route is not covered by JR Pass and other JR deals.
If you are very sensitive with the cost, you can take Namba route which I explain next.
Namba route – Most affordable choice
If you take Nankai Railway to Namba and then change Osaka Metro Sennichimae line, the cost is 1,020 yen because you can use Nankai Railway-Osaka Metro deal.
Osaka Subway to/from Kansai int’l Airport at 1,020 yen
This deal allows you to change trains at Namba only. You cannot use this deal to change trains at Tengachaya.
If you go to Nippombashi, you can change the trains only once at Namba. But if you go to Nagahoribashi, Sakaisujihommachi or other stations on Osaka Metro Sakaisuji line, you must change trains twice at Namba ana Nippombashi (or other Osaka Metro station). Osaka Subway to/from Kansai int’l Aiport deal still covers it. But in my opinion, you should not change trains one more time to save only 140 yen. You will have some luggages.
You can walk if you do not have any luggages.
By the way, Namba and Nippombashi are connected by underground shopping arcade “Namba Walk”. It takes about 20 minutes. If you walk from Namba to Nippombashi, you can pay only 930 yen to take Nankai Railway.
Suggested routes for JR Pass and JR deals user
If you use JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass, Kansai Wide Area Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, Sanyo Sanin Area Pass, Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass and Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, you cannot take either Tengachaya route and Namba route. These routes are not covered by JR Pass and these JR passes. And you cannot get Ebisucho, Nippombashi, Nagahoribashi, Sakaisujihommachi without subway ride. You must pay some fares to take Osaka Metro subway anyway.
By the way, you have two routes to use JR Pass and other JR passes to minimize your extra cost.
Shin-Imamiya / Dobusuenmae route
You may take Kansai Airport Rapid from Kansai airport to Shin-Imamiya:
And then transfer to Osaka Metro Sakaisuji line at Dobutsuenmae station. Though the station names are different, Shin-Imamiya and Dobutsuenmae are same location.
You have to pay Osaka Metro subway fare 180 yen to get Ebisucho, Nippombashi and Nagahoribashi.
Tsuruhashi route
You may take the limited express Haruka or Kansai Airport Rapid to Tennoji. Transfer to Osaka Kanjo Line local train to Tsuruhashi. And then take Kintetsu Railway to Kintetsunippombashi. Kintetsunippombashi station is same location as Osaka Metro Sennichimae line Nippombashi station.
You have to change trains twice at Tennoji and Tsuruhashi. But if you go to Nippombashi, this route is more recommended than Shin-Imamiya / Dobutsuenmae route. Because if you change trains at Shin-Imamiya / Dobutsuenmae, you must exit the station. You have to use stairs very often. If you want to use escalators and elevators, you have to walk more.
If you change trains at Tennoji and Tsuruhashi, you have to change trains twice. But you can change trains inside the stations. Escalators and elevators are available. It is much easier even though you have to change trains twice.
But if you don’t walk for a long time and don’t want to change trains many times, I recommend you to give up using JR pass or other JR deals. Just pay for Nankai railway and Osaka Metro for Kansai airport – Tengachaya – Ebisucho/Nippombashi/Nagahoribashi. Especially if you travel with senior, baby,
A person with a disability, Tengachaya route is the best route
I hope this post gives you an idea to choose the best route.