![Nankai Namba station building (C) By Own work (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://i0.wp.com/blue-works.com/jprail/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/1024px-Namba_Station-600x450.jpg?resize=600%2C450)
Namba is one of two downtown cores with Umeda in Osaka. This is popular spot to shop and sightseeing. And also some of you may transfer trains at Namba. But there are many railways and stations in Namba. You may be overwhelmed to understand the location and station structure.
In this post, I would like to show you the locations of each Namba stations. And you will learn how to change the trains in Namba.
Overview
First of all, please find the map below:
As you see the map above, there are six stations in Namba.
- Nankai Railway
- Osaka Subway Midousuji line
- Kintetsu Railway / Hanshin Railway (Osaka-Namba station)
- Osaka Subway Sennichimae line
- Osaka Subway Yotsubashi line
- JR (JR-Namba station)
JR’s station is called “JR-Namba”. Kintetsu and Hahisn Railway’s station is Osaka-Namba. The names are a bit different from other four stations, but the location is same in Namba.
All six stations are connected underground path as you see the map below. And also five of six stations are located underground. Only Nankai Railway’s station is located above the ground, second and third floor. There are three subway lines in Namba, Midousuji, Sennnichimae and Yotsubashi. These three subway lines are connected inside ticket gate. You can transfer among subway trains without exit station. But you need to exit when you transfer to Kintetsu, Hanshin, JR or Nankai.
Nankai Railway’s station is the biggest station in Namba and this is located in the heart of Namba. Subway Midousuji line’s Namba station is located next to Nankai Railway’s Namba station. And then east exit of Kintetsu / Hanshin’s Osaka-Namba station and Subway Sennnichimae line’s Namba station are located beside Midousuji line’s station. These stations are located in the center of Namba. This area is very busy.
On the other hand, west exit of Kintetsu / Hanshin’s Osaka-Namba station and Subway Sennichimae line station, Yotsubashi line’s Namba station and JR-Namba station are very quiet. This area is not located in the heart of Namba. JR-Namba station used be called Minatomachi station before Kansai airport opened.
Next I would like to tell you about all Namba stations one by one.
Nankai Railway Namba station
Nankai Railway is one of major private railway companies. It has lines to Kansai Airport (KIX), Wakayama and Gokurakubashi (Mt. Koya / Koyasan). This station is one of the biggest stations in all private railway companies. It has 8 tracks and 9 platforms. All trains to Kansai Airport, Wakayama and Koyasan depart from this station.
Tracks and platforms
| Name of line | Track# | Types of train |
| Koya line | 1 | Local |
| Koya line | 2 | Local |
| Koya line | 3 | Limited Express Koya, Limited Express Rinkan, Express, Rapid |
| Koya line | 4 | Limited Express Koya, Limited Express Rinkan, Express, Rapid |
| Main line | 5 | Limited Express Southern, Express, Rapid, Airport Express |
| Main line | 6 | Limited Express Southern, Express, Rapid, Airport Express |
| Main line | 7 | Local |
| Main line | 8 | Local |
| Main line | 9 | Limited Express Rapi:t to Kansai airport |
You may find the detailed information and the map of this station at the link below:
Nankai Railway Namba station guide
There are three ticket gates/exits in this station, South, Central and North. But most of you use North gate where is the closest gate to other railway’s Namba station. It is located at same level as platforms on third floor. Central gate is located on second floor under platforms level. Nankai Railway’s travel center is located beside this gate. If you need to purchase special deal, please use this gate.
You can take escalator to go down. You will find the underground path. Subway Midousuji line’s Namba station is located ahead.
Osaka Metro Midosuji line Namba station
Midousuji line is the busiest train line in Osaka. It is always crowded because this route connects major spots in Osaka, such as Shin-Osaka, Umeda (JR Osaka), Shinsaibashi, Namba and Tennoji. There are several ticket gates in underground path between Nankai Railway’s Namba station and Kintetsu/Hanshin Railway’s Osaka-Namba station.
The station has only two tracks and two platforms. You can find the direction easily.
Tracks and platforms
| Track# | Direction |
| 1 | Tennoji, Abiko, Nakamozu |
| 2 | Shinsaibashi, Umeda, Shin-Osaka, Esaka |
When you transfer among subways, you can transfer inside ticket gate. You do not need to exit the gate. There are some connection paths inside the gate to Yotsubashi line and Sennichimae line.
Kintetsu Railway / Hanshin Railway Osaka-Namba station
Kintetsu Railway and Hanshin Railway are major railway companies but it’s different companies. But these railways lines are connected at Osaka-Namba station. Both railway companies trains run each other. So Kintetsu Railway train from Nara goes to Kobe-Sannomiya station of Hanshin Railway. Hanshin Railway trains from Kobe-Sannomiya goes to Kintetsu-Nara. In Japan, many train companies operate trains together and run each other. This makes oversea tourist be confused.
This station has ticket gates at two sides, east and west. Both ticket gates are located at one floor down from underground path. East ticket gate is located near one of Subway Midousuji line ticket gates. East gate is very busy but west gate is very quiet.
You can take both Kintetsu Railway trains (to Nara, Ise, Nagoya) and Hanshin Railway trains (to Kobe, Himeji) at this station, Osaka-Namba. You may take Kintetsu Railway Limited Express train to Ise and Nagoya here at Osaka-Namba station. Many trains arrive and depart from this station but the station is small. It has only two platforms and three tracks and you can find the direction very easily.
Tracks and platforms
| Name of line | Track# | Types of train |
| Kintetsu Railway Namba line | 1 | Local, Semi Express Express, Rapid Express Osaka-Uehonmachi, Tsuruhashi, Ikoma, Yamato-Saidaiji, Nara |
| Kintetsu Railway Namba line | 2 | Limited Express Nagoya, Ise, Nara |
| Hanshin Railway Osaka-Namba line | 3 | Local, Semi-Express, Express, Limited Express, Rapid Limited Express |
Track #1 and #2 are same platform. These tracks are used for any types trains. Some limited express depart from #1 and some local trains depart from #2.
Surcharge and reservation are required to take Kintetsu Railway’s limited express train to Nagoya, Ise and Nara. But only base fare is required to take Hanshin Railway’s limited express trains. Hanshin Railway does not have any trains that is applied to supplement. Because all trains are sort of commute trains.
Osaka Metro Sennnichimae line Namba station
Sennnichimae line is one of subway lines that runs from east to west between Noda-Hanshin and Minami-Tatsumi in Osaka. Most part of this line runs side by side with Kintetsu/Hanshin Railway.
There are two ticket gates and both gates are located next to Kintetsu/Hanshin Railway’s Osaka-Namba station. The station has only two tracks and two platforms. You can find the direction easily.
Tracks and platforms
| Track# | Direction |
| 1 | Tanimachi-Kyuchome, Tsuruhashi, Minami-Tatsumi |
| 2 | Noda-Hanshin, Awaza |
When you transfer among subways, you can transfer inside ticket gate. You do not need to exit the gate. There are some connection paths inside the gate to Yotsubashi line and Midousuji line.
Osaka Metro Yotsubashi line Namba station
Yotsubashi line is one of subway lines that runs from north to south between Nishi-Umeda and Suminoe-Koen in Osaka. Most part of this line runs side by side with Subway Midousuji line. But Midousuji line is much much busier than Yotsubashi line. You can use this line to get Umeda. Nishi-Umeda station is located in Umeda too. It is located within walking distance from JR Osaka station and Midousuji line Umeda station.
There are two ticket gates but only north side gate is connected in this underground path. This gate is located beside west gate of Kintetsu/Hanshin Railways Osaka-Namba station.
The station has only two tracks and two platforms. You can find the direction easily.
Tracks and platforms
| Track# | Direction |
| 1 | Suminoe-Koen |
| 2 | Nishi-Umeda |
When you transfer among subways, you can transfer inside ticket gate. You do not need to exit the gate. There are some connection paths inside the gate to Sennichimae line and Midousuji line.
JR-Namba station
JR-Namba is located in westernmost of Namba. It is actually not very convenient location to get downtown Namba. If you use JR deals, like JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass, Kansai Wide Area Pass, and you do not want to pay any extra, JR-Namba station is only choice to get Namba for you. Because JR deals do not cover any subway and private railway trains.
If you need to transfer to Nankai Railway, Shin-Imamiya station that is located between JR-Namba and Tennoji is much more convenient. Nankai and JR Shin-Imamiya station are located at exactly same place. If you transfer at Namba, it takes 15 minutes.
If you need to transfer to Subway Midousuji line, Tennoji or Shin-Imamiya stations is much better than Namba. Midousuji line does not have any Shin-Imamiya station. But Dobutsuenmae station is same location as Shin-Imamiya. If you come from Kansai airport, all trains stop at Tennoji. Tennoji is better station to transfer.
The ticket gate is connected to underground path. The station is located at OCAT (Osaka City Air Terminal). This place is also known as express bus terminal and shopping complex.
The station has four tracks and two platforms. The trains from this station go to Tennoji and Nara. There is no direct train service between JR-Namba and Kansai Airport. You have to transfer at Tennoji to get Kansai Airport.
Tracks and platforms
| Track# | Types of train |
| 1, 2 | Mostly Local train |
| 3, 4 | Mostly Rapid train |
Minimum connection time and way to transfer
As you read above, three are six stations in Namba. I would like to show you the transfer time among these stations in Namba. I just walked among these station slowly. But you may spend longer than this connection time.
| Nankai Railway | Midosuji line | Kintetsu Hanshin Railways | Sennichi -mae line | Yotsu- bashi line | JR | |
| Nankai Railway | – | 5 mins | 10 mins | 10 mins | 15 mins | 15 mins |
| Midousuji line | 5 mins | – | 5 mins | 5 mins | 5-10 mins | 10-15 mins |
| Kintetsu Hanshin Railways | 10 mins | 5 mins | – | 3 mins | 5 mins | 10 mins |
| Sennichi -mae line | 10 mins | 5 mins | 3 mins | – | 5 mins | 10 mins |
| Yotsu- bashi line | 15 mins | 5-10 mins | 5 mins | 5 mins | – | 5 mins |
| JR | 15 mins | 10-15 mins | 10 mins | 5 mins | – |
There are lots of stations in Namba. But there are lots of signs too. As long as you can follow the signs, you will get the place where you want to go.
I hope this post will help you to understand the location and direction of Namba.
Comments
Hi there! I need your advice:
I will be travelling to Tokyo next month for work purposes and taking advantage of the trip, I’ll stay a few days on my own to visit some places around. I already acquired the JR pass for 7 days and my first trip will be from Tokyo to Osaka. As I was reading before, the Shinkansen that I should take will be from Tokyo station (nearest to my hotel in Marunouchi) to Shin-Osaka, and once there, I must take a different subway line to go to JR station (as my accommodation is located in front of this station).
I will pay an additional fare to move faster and take Midosuji line to Namba station and walk to JR station, is that right?
However, here comes my concern:
As the accommodation check-in is until 15:00hrs (no option to take the luggage there before check-in time), I need to use a baggage storage or coin lockers for a few hours for 2 baggage regular size). Is I possible to find lockers at Namba Station or I need to walk to Namba Kanzai station, or by chance JR Station has lockers as well, I couldn’t find this information in English?
I will go to Nara half day from JR station, so I want to leave the luggage and be able to move light, then after coming back from Nara walk from JR station to lockers and get my stuff.
Next day I will travel to Koyasan, and I guess the departure station is Namba Nankai, right? I read something about a better option purchasing the “World Heritage ticket” instead to travel with JR Pass. I was deciding to use again the lockers instead of carrying the luggage with me, as I will spend only one night there, and next day I will traveling to Nagoya. So, my idea is taking a small bag with me and coming back from Koyasan, get my luggage from lockers in Nankai and move to Shin-Osaka to travel to Nagoya.
Is that make any sense to you that I’m being wise about luggage handling?
Thank you in advance for your feedback
Saúl
Hi Saúl,
I don’t see any issues on your route.
Regarding luggage handling, your hotel does not take your luggage before check in time? Most of hotels in Japan can hold luggage even before check in time. If you stay in apartment hotel or airbnb, it may not hold it. Anyway there are huge number of lockers around Namba stations. You will see many lockers around station and underground path. However if you look for large size locker, you may be in trouble. The number is limited and lots of demand. You may not find it. So try to pack as small as possible.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi
Upon arriving at OCAT namba (by KIX limousine) with a large trolley luggage, is it convenient to walk to midosuji line/platform at namba station?
Kindly advise.
Thanks
Rgds
Janet
Hi Janet,
It’s not recommended. OCAT is same place as JR-Namba. You have to walk about 10 to 15 minutes to get Midousuji line Namba station. Nankai railway takes you from KIX to Namba. Nankai Namba station is much close to Midousuji line than OCAT.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Hope that you will help to clear my confusion.
I will arrive at KIX and stay at a hotel by shinsaibashi station (i have a large trolley luggage). I was initially thinking of catching the train, however the hotel suggested the limousine option.
I quoted this from OCAT website that “Namba walk” & “OCAT Walk” both are underground walk connected to the stations (ie namba midosuji line north exit),you get to OCAT within 2~5 miniutes from each of the stations.
Is nankai namba station~midosuji still the better option? Will there be any lift/escalator (vs the luggage issue)?
Thanks
Rgds
Janet
Hi Janet,
There are lots of elevators and escalators.
You can use Limousine if you want. I think Nankai is closer but the choice is yours.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi again
By the way, is the train option a direct/non stop from kix to namba?
Cheers
Rgds
Janet
Hi Janet,
Train stops at several stations. Please see the link below to find more info:
http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/railway/kix/fromkix/rapit.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi!
Thank you for this useful information for the Namba Stations!
Do you also have station guides for other stations/lines in the Osaka area? It’s our first time in Japan and so confused with the train stations as well as where to exit as we have specific places we wish to go.
Hoping for your help.
Thank you!
Hi Anya,
Kansai airport
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/kansai-airport-transportation-guide-find-info-about-station-ticket-airport-bus-and-high-speed-ferry.html
Shin-Osaka
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/shin-osaka-station-guide-how-to-change-shinkansen-haruka-thunderbird-and-local-train-access-to-osaka-umeda-and-namba.html
Osaka
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/osaka-station-guide-how-to-change-jr-trains-subway-trains-and-other-private-railways.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Konichiwa Takeshi!
We cannot thank you enough for your detailed posts. They are so helpful!
We are visiting Kansai for cherry blossom to celebrate our wedding anniversary (very excited!), but we are very confused about traveling in Kansai area and really need some help with organising the trip. Could you please let us know what kind of pass we should get and if the plan looks ok?
Sorry for the lengthy post
Sunday night: arrive, take KATE bus to Namba, where we are staying.
Monday: Osaka Castle, Umeda/Floating Garden, dinner with friends at Mikuni Station on the Hankyu Takarazuka line
Tuesday: American Village, Dotonbori, river cruise (I like eating and shopping!)
Wednesday: Kobe day trip, then back to Namba. Sannomiya for Mouriya, Nunobiki Herb Garden, water fall, Rope Way, Nankinmachi chinatown dinner, then hopefully see port night scene (is this too much for one day?)
Thursday: Nara day trip, then back to Namba. Kintetsu , Nara Park , Todaiji,. Maybe if have time in afternoon we will go to Kyoto for little bit.
Friday: off to Kyoto from Osaka first thing in morning. Imperial palace, Nishiki market, Walk around Kyoto alleyways, 鴨川 and Gion. We will be staying in Gion in Kyoto.
Sat: Kyoto. Philosopher’s path, Kinkakujido, Arashiyama Togetsu-kyo Bridge, Bamboo Walking Path, Tenryuji Temple (do I have time to take the Sagano train as well? I really want to be in Arashiyama, but is this too much in one day, especially it’s a Saturday and will be very crowded for cherry blossom?)
Sun: Kyoto. Fushimi Inari Taisha(arrive 0830)→Kiyiomizudera temple 3hrs →Yasaka shrine → Gion &Maruyama Park for night blossom
Mon: Kyoto to Uji for our ryokan in Uji. If we do not have time for Sagano train then we will do it today, then go to Uji. Otherwise we will hang out in Kyoto then go to Uji for relaxing onsen and waterfront view.
Tue: return to Osaka from Uji. Collect luggage in Osaka, then off to airport. I will fly out to Taiwan at night, and my husband will go to Nagano to ski.
I hope this all makes sense. I got really confused as to whether we should get KTP, or Osaka amazing pass (because we can go see sights for free), or Icoca…
We are currently thinking:
Mon-Tues: Osaka Amazing Pass
W-F: KTP
But after that would we get a local Kyoto pass? How about going to Uji and coming back to Osaka?
Any directions you can point us to would be really appreciated!
Thank you so much,
Julie and Robert
Hi Julie and Robert,
Congratulation for your wedding. 🙂
Mostly your choices are right. But I would like to mention a few things.
First of all, Osaka Amazing Pass one day is enough. You will stay in Namba and you can access most of places in Tuesday. In your plan, Cruise is only attraction. Simply just pay regular ticket and you can walk. It’s cheaper.
Kansai thru pass is a good choice. You may visit some places on the way to Gion from Nara. I recommend you to drop by Fushimi. It’s located on the way.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
This sample itinerary may help you to find the schedule.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/kansai-thru-pass-sample-itineraries.html#Nara_and_south_Kyoto_one_day
And then you may spend whole 2 days to visit Kyoto only. I’m sure you can visit Arashiyma in these 2 days. But if it’s not enough time, don’t leave Arashiyama on the day when you go to Uji. You will be Gion and Higashiyama area is around Gion. Yasaka, Kiyomizudera, Philosopher’s path are very accessible from Gion.
Only single fare is available to Uji from Kyoto. But you may use another KTP from Uji to Yodoyabashi (Keihan), Yodoyabashi to Namba (subway) and Namba to KIX (Nankai). In this case, you need 2 X 2 days KTP.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hello there,
my plan to visit Japan are
Friday 26-Feb Kensai airport to Guesthouse Tennoji , Osaka
Saturday 27-Feb Guesthouse Tennoji, Osaka to Kyoto
Tuesday 1-Mar Kyoto to Nara
Thursday 3-Mar Nara to Hiroshima
Friday 4-Mar Hiroshima, to Osaka
Can you suggest what pass/ ticket i should buy, and how to get to that town/city? please.
thank you
sam
Hi Sam,
Please see the following links:
KIX-Tennoji
ICOCA and Haruka is most recommended.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
Osaka deals
You can pick up one of those deals.
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/library/english/img/obj_con02.pdf
http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/index.html
https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/subway/trip-to-osaka-kaiyukan-aquarium-by-osaka-kaiyu-ticket-2.html
You can use ICOCA for Osaka-Kyoto. You may find the route at the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
Kyoto city deals are available.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
At last, you can use Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass for the last 5 days.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/kansai-hiroshima-area-pass-perfect-deal-for-the-traveller-who-wants-travel-both-kansai-and-hiroshima.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
A pleasant day to you!
Travelling to Osaka in March to attend a conference. May I ask your help for the best way to go to Hilton Osaka from the Swissotel Nankai Osaka Hotel? I will be travelling to & from these hotels for 4 days.
Thank you in advance!
Hi Reichen,
Just take Osaka subway Midousuji line from Namba to Umeda.
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/library/english/img/guide_english2.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
We will be going to Japan in a few months time and on arrival date we will be travelling from Haneda International Airport to Namba station in Osaka. My plan is to take the Keikyu train from Haneda to Shinagawa, then Tokaido Shinkansen from Shinagawa to Shin-Osaka, then finally take the Midosuji line from Shin-Osaka to Namba.
I just would like to ask if I can purchase all the tickets for this itinerary in Haneda International Airport. Are transfer tickets applicable to all the different rail/subway companies? And is this itinerary efficient in terms of timing and transfer?
Thank you.
Alfie
Hi Alfie,
You can purchase Keihin Kyuko ticket on the spot. And Shinkansen ticket can be purchased at JR East Travel Center Haneda airport.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/customer_support/service_center_haneda.html
Subway Midousuji line ticket cannot be purchased at Haneda. But you can purchase it on the spot at the vending machine.
Or if you can purchase Suica at Haneda, you don’t need to purchase a ticket for Keihin Kyuko and Midousuji line. You can tap your Suica card at the machine gate when you enter the station.
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html
Suica cannot be used for long distance transfer, like trip by Shinkansen.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you very much for the immediate and very informative reply. I will follow your suggestion. We are looking forward to our first visit to Japan.
Regards,
Alfie
Enjoy your trip, Alfie.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi there..
I would like to get from Kansai airport to Yotsubashi station. Will you recommend I take JR or Nankai to Namba and transfer to Yotsubashi? As I will be carrying luggage, which line is easier for me to connect from Namba to Yotsubashi?
Alao do you know how much is the fare from Namba to Yotsubashi station?
Hi Medina,
JR-Namba is closer to Yotsubashi line Namba station.
You can find the fare at Hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi!
I guess purchasing the Kanku-Chikatoku ticket seems like a good buy…. However it doesn’t state if it’s the limited express from Kansai to Namba, or it’s the normal train.
Hi Medina,
If you want to take limited express, Kanku Tokuawri Rapi:t ticket is better. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/airport-access/kansai-kix/how-to-choose-the-deals-for-access-tofrom-kansai-airport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Very Interesting but very confusing. I am traveling from Kansai to Central Osaka next week and was considering whether to take the Nankai line to Namba and change to to the Midosuji to Umeda or take the JR line (not limited express) direct to Osaka Station.
Considering this, I think we will take the JR route.
Thanks for the site and great info.
Andy
Hi Andy,
If you wan to go to Osaka directly, JR rapid train is much better.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/how-to-get-kansai-airport-and-wakayama-kansai-airport-rapid-service-and-kishuji-rapid-service.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thanks Takeshi for your post! I will share your guide on my blog too, if that is ok.
My wife and I used Namba a lot when we were visiting Kansai since we had the Thru Pass, and it took us a long time to walk around! Your post will make things a little easier on our next trip.
One of the things we actually liked was using the Kintetsu Limited Express to go from Namba to Kyoto via Yamato-Saidaiji. It was a leisurely one-hour ride that we used in order to avoid the crowds of the evening rush hour 🙂
Hi Jose,
I have no problem with sharing my post on your blog.
Kintetsu Limited Express between Namba and Nara runs for commuter. As you mentioned, it’s crowded in peak hours. Commuter who want to secure the seat take this train. That’s why this train runs in the morning and evening.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail