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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. What Exit should we take coming from Nankai line from KIX airport going to Kuromon if we want to go on foot? and where do we go if we want to take the train going to Nipponbashi?
Hi Kitkat,
You may use North gate.
When you go to Nippombashi, you can take Kintetsu railway. And actually you can walk to Nippombashi via underground path.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JRPail.com
Hi, we will be coming from Kansai airport to go to Daikokucho station. Is it better to exit Namba station to transfer to Daikokucho line or exit Shin Imamiya station to transfer to Daikokucho line? Thank you.
Hi Anthony,
If you intend to take Nankai railway, Namba is better. It’s bit far between Nankai railway and subway in Shin-Imamiya.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/shin-imamiya-station-guide-how-to-trasnsfer-jr-nankai-railway-and-subway-line.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takashi,
Good information.
I have question ,can i purchase ticket nankai train to airport kansai before the departure date?
Thank you,
roha
Hi Roha,
If you use the regular ticket, you can’t. You can purchase it at the vending machine just before taking train.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-San,
We are staying 270m from Imamiyaebisu station and we need to take the Rapi:t train to KIX early on Sunday morning.
It is easy to manage a transfer at Nankai Namba with some luggage?
Thank you for your kind advice.
Hi Lee san,
I recommend you to go to Shin-Imamiya and change trains. Imamiyaebisu is located between Namba and Shin-Imamiya. You can go either. But Shin-Imiyamiya is much small station and it’s much easier to change trains.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/shin-imamiya-station-guide-how-to-trasnsfer-jr-nankai-railway-and-subway-line.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
A very big thank you to you for your help, Takeshi-San.
Actually the reason why we wanted to use Namba was because we will be getting the Kanku Webtoku tickets which can be prebooked and only originates from Namba.
We are 750m away from Shin-Imamiya station but we thought that walking that distance with luggage may be more difficult that manoeuvring Nankai Namba Station. Do you think otherwise? I understand from Omamiyaebisu station, we take the Nankai Koya Line so it’s the same level as the Rapi:t Express, am I correct?
I understand there’s the option of buying the tickets on that day itself but we would prefer to get the seats earlier should there be any problems. Our flight leaves rather early that Sunday morning.
Unless there’s a need to change for our tickets on that day, which may cause some delay? I may be wrong but I thought that the Webtoku tickets could be exchanged before the travel date.
Looking forward to your expert advise. Once again, thank you.
Hi Lee san,
Okay. You can go to Namba. You need to go up and down by escalators to change trains at either Namba or Shin-Imamiya. You need to change the platforms at Shin-Imamiya. If you go to Namba, you need to go down to the second from from platform level at third floor to get a ticket.
It’s not very hard to get a seat on Rapi:t even if you try to book it on travel day. But if you want to book it in advance, you can go to Namba. The only difference between Shin-Imamiya and Namba is the size of station. It’s totally up to you.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi-san,
I didn’t know we have to exchange the Kanku Webtoku rapi:t tickets at Namba on the day of travel. I was hoping to get them a few days before to avoid the hassle of that. Is this not possible?
Taking into consideration that you mentioned it isn’t much of a problem getting seats on the actual day, we may just take that option.
The other option is for us to walk the 750m to Shin-Imamiya station to get on the Rapi:t. Are there stairs to manoeuvre there? Do we enter Nankai Shin-Imamiya from the West gate?
I really appreciate your kind advice, thank you.
Hi Lee san,
When you purchase Kanku Webtoku online, you can secure your seat but you cannot get an actual ticket. You need to get it on the day of travel at Namba station ticket office at second floor. So you need to go down and exit station to access ticket office.
There is an elevator to access to west gate from the ground floor. But 750 m is too long to access with luggage in my opinion.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
You’re a life saver to us all.
Been following up on your suggestions and information.
I’ll be heading to Kyoto & Osaka in Feb via KIX.
Total 7 days family vacation.
Wondering Should I get the JR Kansai-Hiroshima 5-days pass?
And should I buy online the Nankai Rapit Namba – KIX tickets?
Staying near Kintetsu nipponbashi station.
Itinerary runs like this:
Day 1:
KIX – Kyoto – Kinosaki onsen (day trip) -Kyoto.
Day 2:
Kyoto 1 day sightseeing.
Day 3:
From Kyoto, were heading to Osaka.
Day 4:
Osaka – Hiroshima – Kobe / Himeji -Osaka
Day 5:
Maybe head back to Kyoto if we had not had enough fun there.
Day 6:
Whole day Osaka shopping..
Day 7:
Take Nankai Rapit to KIX.
Please advise.
Thank you.
Hi Joann san,
Kansai Hiroshima area pass is the best choice for your trip from day 1 to 5.
You don’t need to go to Kyoto on the way to Kinosaki. You can take Haruka from KIX to Shin-Osaka. And then take Kounotori to Kinosaki from Shin-Osaka.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/sanin-area-train-access-guide-how-to-access-to-kinosaki-izumo-matsue-tottori-and-other-major-cities-in-sanin-area.html
If you want to go to Kyoto before Kinosaki, that is fine.
If you are pretty sure, you can purchase rapi:t ticket online. It’s slightly cheaper than window price.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Thank you for your suggestions.
I’ll seriously consider taking to Kinosaki from shin -Osaka since there from more timings available.
So, from KIX Haruka – shin Osaka – kinosaki.
Then return trip Kinosaki – Kyoto(staying Kyoto overnight ).
However, could you please advise if there are luggage storage availability at Shin – Osaka station?
And do we have to come out from gate to change trains n for luggage storage?
Thanks again for your kind help.
Cheers ^^
Hi Joann,
There are lots of coin lockers inside and outside ticket gate. If your luggage is big and does not fit in coin locker, exit ticket gate and proceed to the first floor. You can find the luggage storage. They can hold your luggage at 500 to 1000 yen. It’s varied by size.
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
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello, Takeshi!
We will travel from Daikokucho subway station to Namba subway station to get the Rapi:t to Kansai airport.
Can we get Nankai Railway station from Namba subway station by walk trough underground path or do we have to exit at street to that transfer?
Many thanks.
Hi Juanma,
You need to exit subway station but you don’t need to walk outside. You can get there by underground path only.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you, Takeshi.
What do you think about to purchase the Rapi:t train ticket some days before flying? Is it advisable? Note that we will fly to China.
Nice day
Hi Juanma,
You don’t need to. You can buy it just before taking train.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San, your information, really detail, but I dont know, its quite be very dizzy when I will in japan later.
I’m really feel confuse, but I want to try understand step by step.
I have a question here.
I will come from KIX Airport and using Osaka Amazing Pass with nankai version which is I get Kansai Ltd Express train to Namba.
so my assume it is, I will arrive in Namba Nankai St, I will go to Osaka Castle directly, so I should go to Namba Subway when I check it gmaps, it about 650 m from Namba Nankai to Namba subway? is it correct? so Namba Subway and Namba Nankai are in different station?
but when I saw your Map, Namba Nankai near Midosuji Line in station,. can I go directly from same station or I should walk from Namba Nankai to Namba Subway? Thank you so much.
Hi Sara,
As far as I know, there is no Osaka amazing pass Nankai railway version. I think there are only two choices, one day or two days.
https://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/about/about_1day.html
https://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/about/about_2day.html
Either passes do not cover Nankai railway from KIX to Namba.
Nankai railway and Subway Namba stations are different but it’s almost same location. You need to exit Nankai railway Namba station and walk to subway Namba station. And then you need to enter subway station. You cannot change trains of Nankai and subway at same station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
What I mean about Osaka Amazing Pass Nankai Version Including Airport Pass to Namba nankai its here
http://www1.nanka-e-tabi.com/neren/ItemDetail.aspx?tc=IB4AOSOAPKIX&sk=0
if buy without Ticket fee to Namba Nankai its around
2.500 Yen
https://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/
so, If U use nankai version which mean (I’m not sure will use LTD Express or not ) it will bring me to Namba Nankai right? If I want to reach Namba Subway? I should exit Namba Nankai Sta, what Exit I should enter? to reach Namba Subway?
Hi Sara san,
I didn’t know this deal. Thank you very much for letting me know.
You can use this pass to get Namba by Nankai railway. You can go through north gate of Nankai Namba station to exit. And then follow the signage to get subway Namba station. There are lots of signage and you cannot miss it.
Please see the chapter of “Nankai Railway Namba station” in the post above to make sure it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
You are welcome, your blog also help many people who doesnt know anything about Japan train before,and its make headache sometimes.
Anyway I have other question about Nankai Namba exit.
I will arrive in Platform 9 and go to North Exit in same Floor, I will go to Sennichimae Line, should I go down or just straight foward in third level to Namba Subway Station? Because I want to go to OSaka castle,
so I will take Sennichimae-Tanimachikyuchome-Tanimachiyonchome. its more easy than Honmachi line. 😀
anything of your help, really thank you very much.
Hi Sara san,
You have to go down to underground level. All subway stations are located underground level. Please don’t think about it too much。Just follow the signage and you will make it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-san,
I will buy Kintetsu 5 day pass (for Nara, Kyoto, and Nagoya) and Hanshin 1 day pass (for Kobe). If I take the train in Kintetsu Nippombashi to Kyoto:
1. Do I have to transfer (from Kintetsu to Hanshin) at Osaka Namba?
2. If I do not need to transfer at Osaka Namba, what pass (Kintetsu 5 day pass or Hanshin 1 day pass) should I use at the ticket gate in Kintetsu Nippombashi?
Thank you in advance.
Jimmy
Hi Jimmy san,
You have asked about trip to Kyoto. Is it right? Did you suppose to ask me about trip to Kobe?
If you go to Kyoto, you don’t need to change trains at Osaka-Namba. It’s different direction. But you need to change the trains at Yamato-Saidaiji.
If you go to Kobe, you don’t need to change trains at Osaka-Namba either. You can use Kintetsu rail pass when you enter Nippombashi station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-san,
Thank you for your advice. Yes, I will travel from Osaka to Kyoto, Osaka to Nara, Osaka to Nagoya (all with Kintetsu 5 day pass), and also Osaka to Kobe (using Hanshin 1 day pass).
When traveling to Kobe especially, I have to use my Kintetsu 5 day pass at the ticket gate in Kintetsu Nippombashi according to your suggestion. Does it mean that I have to use my Hanshin 1 day pass at the ticket gate in Kobe Sannomiya?
Could you please give advice on this also? Thank you.
Jimmy
Hi Jimmy san,
I think you can use Hanshin 1 day pass when you exit at Kobe-Sannomiya. But I have never used Kintetsu pass and Hanshin pass at same time. Before you slot your Hanshin 1 day pass at Kobe-Sannomiya station, ask the station staff to make sure that you can do or not.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi-san,
Thank you for your prompt advice.
I will certainly ask the station staff first at Kobe-Sannomiya as suggested.
Best regards,
Jimmy
No worries, Jimmy san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
thank you for your detailed guide! it gives me a clearer picture of how japan rail works 🙂
i would like to ask, how far would it take to walk from JR namba to Namba station? Is the underground passage linked to Namba station? i just need an approximation thank you!
Hi Odetta,
Those stations are connected by underground path. Please see the chapter of “Minimum connection time and way to transfer” in the post above to find the transfer time.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Thanks for your article, very informative.
My wife and I are visiting Japan and Osaka in September.
We are staying at the Ibis Styles Osaka.
We will have a JR Pass so obviously would be looking to utilise this a much as possible, so JR- Namba seems logical.
We will be travelling via the limited express Haruka from Kyoto and I think Hyperdia has us changing at Tennoji for JR- Namba.
The route on Google maps states about a 17 minute walk between these locations, however to me it seems a fair distance and quite optimistic to walk there in 17 minutes.
Can you confirm how long the walk would take?
Would appreciate any feedback, thanks!
Hi Philip,
I think you hotel is located in Dotonbori that is near Nippombashi station. Nippombashi is one station away from Namba by subway or Kintetsu railway. Nippombashi and Dotonbori are located within walking distance from Namba. However this Namba station means subway, Nankai and Kintetsu Namba station. JR-Namba is located at westend of Namba as you read the post above. It is a bit away from center of Namba. That is why you need to walk 17 minutes.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com