Shin-Osaka station is the place where you change to/from Shinkansen. If you travel in Osaka, you may use this station at least once. All Shikansen trains stop at this station and many limited express trains on conventional lines stop or depart from this station, Shin-Osaka.
In this post, I would like to show you some images and explain about this station. You will get the information about transfer among trains.
Overview
Shin-Osaka station is composed of four levels, Shinkansen tracks on 4th floor, fare gate and concourse on 3rd floor and conventional line’s tracks on ground floor. On 2nd floor, there are some shops and restaurants. But as long as you transfer the trains in this station, you don’t see 2nd floor.
Shin-Osaka station is one station and three minutes away from Osaka station (Umeda area). But the atmosphere in Shin-Osaka is totally different from Osaka station, Umeda area. Shin-Osaka station has lots of restaurants and shops but it is much fewer than Osaka and Umeda stations.
On the other hand, the average hotel rate is cheaper than Umeda area. It takes only 3 minutes by a local train. If your budget is tight, Shin-Osaka may suit your trip plan.
You can find everything you need about Shin-Osaka station in the movie below too:
Ticket gate/Exit
There are three ticket gates, East, South and Central on 3rd floor.
If you want to exit from conventional line’s platform, you can use East exit only. Other two exit, South and Central are located in Shinkansen concourse. You cannot access to these two exits without Shinkansen ticket. If you use Japan Rail Pass, you can go through Shinkansen concourse without any extra charge. You don’t need to exchange any Shinkansen ticket. All you have to do is showing your Japan Rail Pass at Shinkansen
There is Shinkansen ticket gate in the concourse. When you transfer to/from Shinkansen, you need to go through this gate. You must have Shinkansen ticket, Japan Rail Pass, JR West Sanyo Area Pass, JR West Sanyo-Shikoku-Kyushu Pass or JR West Kansai WIDE Area Pass to access to Shinkansen platform/concourse. JR West Kansai Area Pass do NOT cover Shinkansen trains.
Tracks and platforms
There are 10 tracks / 5 platforms for conventional lines on ground floor and 7 tracks / 4 platforms for Shinkansen on 4th floor.
Shinkansen on 4th floor
There are seven tracks, #20-#27.
Track# | Name of line / Destination |
20-22 | The Sanyo Shinkansen and the Kyushu Shinkansen for Okayama, Hiroshima, Hakata, Kumamoto, Kagoshima-Chuo |
23-27 | The Tokaido Shinkansen for Kyoto, Nagoya, Tokyo |
Conventional lines on Ground floor
You can get on a local commute train, a rapid service train and a limited express train on the conventional lines at track #1-10.
Track# | Name of line / Destination |
1,2 | ■ Osaka Higashi line local train for Hanaten, Kuhoji ■ The limited express Haruka and The limited express Kuroshio for Kyoto |
3 | ■ The limited express Haruka for Kansai Airport ■ The limited express Kuroshio for Wakayama, Shirahama, Shingu |
4 | ■ The limited Express Thunderbird for Fukui, Kanazawa, Wakura-Onsen ■ The limited express Wide View Hida for Gero, Takayama ■ Special Rapid / Rapid train for Takatsuki, Kyoto (during peak hour only) |
5,6 | ■ Kyoto line local train, rapid and Special Rapid for Takatsuki, Kyoto, Maibara, Tsuruga |
7,8 | ■ Kobe line local train, rapid and Special Rapid for Sannomiya, Kobe, Himeji ■ Takarazuka line for Takarazuka, Shin-Sanda, Sasayamaguchi |
9,10 | ■ The limited express Konotori for Fukuchiyama, Kinosaki-Onsen ■ The limited express Super Hakuto for Himeji, Tottori, Kurayoshi ■ Special Rapid / Rapid train for Sannomiya, Kobe, Himeji (during peak hour only) |
Access to/from Osaka station and minimum connecting time at Shin-Osaka station
If you access to/from Osaka station (Umeda area), you can take any trains on conventional lines, the limited express, special rapid, rapid or local. All trains stop at Shin-Osaka and takes only 3 minutes to get Osaka station. Special rapid, rapid and local trains run very frequently. You can hop on the train to get Osaka.
In regards to transfer, the minimum transfer time is 10 minutes according to JR West. But if you will plan to purchase the Shinkansen ticket on the spot, you may spend another 10 minutes. If you really worry to miss the train, expect to spend another 5 minutes, total 15 minutes. However you can purchase the Shinkansen ticket at any major JR stations in advance.
Access to/from Namba station by Osaka Subway Midosuji line
If you go to another downtown core, Namba, Osaka Subway Midosuji line is the best way to get there. You can access to Namba by JR lines. But it is a detour and JR Namba station is not located at the center of Namba area. Midosuji line Shin-Osaka station is located at 2nd level. Shinkansen Central ticket gate is the closest to subway station. I show you how to transfer between Shinkansen and subway Midosuji line below.
If you transfer to subway from Shinkansen train, minimum transfer time is 10 minutes. But if you transfer from the conventional line trains, you might spend another 5 minutes to transfer. T
How to transfer to/from Subway Midosuji line
Use Central exit.
Once you get out from Central exit, you will find the sign of subway on your left hand.
Follow the signage and go down.
There are many signage and just follow.
You will find subway ticket gate soon.
It takes 5 minutes to transfer from ticket gate to ticket gate. It is quite easy.
Comments
Hi Takeshi!
An information please. The next August I’ll move from Kinosaki to Shinagawa via Shin-Osaka Station.
Hyperdia show that my train will arrive from Kinosaki at 14.29 (track 12) and shinkansen departure at 14.40 (track 25).
We’ll travel with japan rail pass with all ticket already did. Do you think that 11 minutes are enough?
thank you so much and best regards
Hi Luca,
It’s busy but feasible. I can do it in 5 minutes.
Track number may be different. Please check the sign board to confirm the track number before on board.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi will travel to Osaka on June 6, 2016 from Kansai airport, arrived at the express Haruka Station Shin Osaka our hotel is the Remm Shin-Osaka, please which way to reach the hotel , thank you very much, Ana
Hi Ana,
This hotel is located just in front of Shin-Osaka station. I think central gate is the closest but please make sure which gate is the closet with your hotel.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello there, my family and I (4 person) will be travelling from Kyoto to Osaka on 09 Jan 2016 where our stay will be near Nankai – Namba Station.
I understand the best way is to travel is from Kyoto Station to Shin Osaka first.
From there, how do I go to Nankai-Namba from Shin Osaka Station, can i use an ICOCA card for trip?
Hi Taufiq,
You can take subway Midousuji line from Shin-Osaka to Namba. Subway Namba station is same location as Nankai Namba station. Please see the links below to fine more info:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/namba-stations-guide-how-to-change-the-trains-among-nankai-kintetsu-hanshin-subway-and-jr.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
On next February, my family (4 people) will visit Osaka from Tokyo. We intend to get SHINKANSEN NOZOMI 213 (9g30 – 12g26 ) , or SHINKANSEN NOZOMI 21 (9g40 – 12g28). We arrive at 4 floor os Shin-Osaka Station. Then we go to the central Shinkansen gate on the 3rd floor. Which floor can we get Osaka City Subway Midosuji Line ?
We have booked MyStays Sakaisuji-Honmachi Hotel (Osaka) – 1- 4-8, Awajimachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka. How can we go there by subway? Is that right for this direction?
1. Take the Osaka City Subway Midosuji Line for NAKAMOZU to Honmmachi station.
2. Transfer to Osaka City Subway Chuo Line for GAKKENNARATOMIGAOKA to Sakaisuji Honmachi station.
3. Walk about 7 minutes from exit 12 of Sakaisuji-Hommachi Station on the Sakaisuji Subway Line. It’s the hotel.
Thanks a lot.
Hi Nguyen,
It’s located on second level. As you see the photos in the post above, there are lots of signage. You cannot miss it.
Your route is right to get Sakaisuji-Honmachi.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
we r 4 adults touch down Kansai Aiport @ 21.35 , we wanted from airport to our hotel near Shin-Imamiya station so which access way would you recommend to us ? Thanks !
Hi LP san,
You can take both JR or Nankai railway. Both trains go to Shin-Imamiya.
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
http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/en/access/train/train_map.html
But in most cases, Nankai is a bit faster to get there.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will arrive at Kansai Airport on 25th March 10:00am.
How can I get to Takayama with Takayama Hokuriku Pass?
What time will reach Takayama with this pass?
Hi EK Yeoh,
You will take the following trains and bus.
Haruka (Kansai airport – Shin Osaka or Kyoto)
Thunderbird (Shin Osaka or Kyoto – Kanazawa)
Nohi bus (Kanazawa – Takayama)
Regarding arrival time, it depends on how busy custom and immigration will be. You can find the train timetable at hyperdia:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
You can find Nohi bus timetable at the link below:
http://www.nouhibus.co.jp/english/shirakawago_kanazawa.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi San
I am planning a trip for 4pax in June 2016. We arrive Tokyo on 3/6 and leave for Osaka 8-11/6 and back to Tokyo.
Please advise should we get the 14days JR pass or the 7days and does the JR pass covers Narita to Shinjuku on the express train?
There is an offer on the JR pass to Osaka but only on non-reserve train. How can i use this offer and upgrade – is it possible?
Thank you in advance
regards
Jt
Hi Jtok,
7 days pass is your choice because even round trip between Osaka and Tokyo by Shinkansen is slightly cheaper than 7 days pass price. You may use JR train when you stay in Osaka and Tokyo and JR pass will be cheaper than single fare. But 14 days is too expensive. It’s not obviously your choice.
JR Pass includes reserved seat. You can book it without any extra. You also may take Narita Express by JR pass. But if you use 7 days pass, try to make a trip to Osaka in the beginning of your trip or at the last part of your trip. You may include one way Narita-Tokyo and trip to Osaka in 7 days.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi…Mr. Takeshi,
We’re 3 Thai people planning to visit Takayama on 21 Dec,2015 by using LTD.Exp (Wide View) Hida25 departure from Shin-Osaka station (time: 08.03).
Please, 1. How can we online booking the front row 2+1
seats of green car #10 as limitations we’ve found are
– JR Cyber Station is providing 0nly in japanese
– we can’t check the availability for more than one
month
2. Is LTD.Exp (Wide View) Hida25 a train named or
a so-called conventional train in order,for us, to
fill in JR Cyber Station (in case of no alternative
available)?
3. Can we pay the reserved fee tickets on-line by
Visa Cards ? The information form is available
in english or not ?
Hi Regulat,
First of all, online reservation in English is not available. Even in Japanese, only JR East Eki Net offers this service. The following link shows you about reservation for JR Pass user. But even in you use single ticket, it’s same situation.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Regarding Cyber station, I show how to use this site in my post:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-find-seat-availability-of-trains-jr-cyber-station-guide.html
You cannot find the availability for more than one month. Because ticket is on sale one month prior to departure date.
So at this point, the only way to book is at the window after you arrive in Japan unfortunately.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi San,
I have a question. How can I go to Shin Osaka from Universal Studio Japan? Thank you so much.
Hi Maria san,
First of all, please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
You can take three JR trains, Shin-Osaka to Osaka, Osaka to Nishikujo and Nishikujo to Universal city. Sometimes train runs to Universal City from Osaka directly.
Check the destination on the train before you get on.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo, am I carrying my big luggage with me at my seat or I have to leave it at a specific area?
Hi Karen,
You have to keep it at your seat. Please find more info at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/baggage/managing-luggage-how-to-carry-your-baggage-on-board-and-how-to-store-your-baggage-at-the-station.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Takeshi
What is the fastest way from Shin Osaka to Shinjuku Station? Is there a Nozomi or a Shinkansen that takes me there and how much would it cost?
Hi Helen,
Shinkansen is the fastest way to get Shinjuku. You can transfer to Yamanote line local train at Shinagawa.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/station-information/shinagawa-station-guide-transfer-among-shinkansen-keihin-kyuko-to-haneda-narita-express.html
Hyperdia shows you how much the fare is and timetable.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com