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?

osaka shin imamiyaOsaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara
Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail
Dotonbori is "Must-See" place in Osaka.  	©Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau/©JNTO
Dotonbori is “Must-See” place in Osaka. ©Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau/©JNTO

I wrote about train system in Kyoto before. But I have received many inquiries about Osaka too. I think it is very complicated for travellers from overseas. There are three types of railway, JR, Osaka Municipal Subway and Private company’s railways. Once you understand train system, you can find the best location to stay, the best deal for trains ride and the fastest way to visit that you want to see.

As probably you know, there are many types of deals, such as ICOCA, Kansai Thru Pass, JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass, Osaka Subway Eco Card and Osaka Unlimited Pass. Each pass has different conditions. You must understand the coverage of your pass.

In this post, I tell you about using these deals and explain all train systems in Osaka.

Which train services that are covered by ICOCA, Kansai Thru Pass, subway deals and other JR deals

Many deals are available in Kansai area. But each pass have different coverage. I tell you about major passes and deals.

For the travellers who use ICOCA, Kansai one pass, Suica, Pasmo or other IC cards

You can take all trains on the map above except Shinkansen. When you travel in Kansai area, don’t try to take Shinkansen for such a short transfer, like going to Kyoto or Kobe. Please see the post, How to transfer among Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. Compare Japan Railway and private lines.

ICOCA does not cover Osaka city bus service too. But I don’t think you have many chances to take city bus in Osaka. You can go anywhere by train services. Train is much faster than bus.

For the travellers who use Kansai Thru Pass and Rainbow Card

Please see the map below:

Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail

Kansai Thru Pass is unlimited ride pass and Rainbow Card is pre-paid card for most of NON JR trains in Osaka.

The only place where you can’t go by these deals is USJ. But if you don’t care about riding city bus, you can catch the bus at Nishikujo station. Nishikujo can be accessed by Hanshin Railway that is covered by Kansai Thru Pass. Even if you pay for JR train, the fare is 160 yen foe one way. It is not a big deal. I will explain about access to Universal Studion Japan later.

JR Pass, Kansai Area Pass, Kansai WIDE Area Pass, Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass, Sanyo Sanin Area Pass, Kansai Hokuriku Aea Pass, Takayama Hokuriku Area Pass, Hokuriku Arch Pass

Please see the map below:

Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail

Many places can be accessed by JR Pass and other JR deals. I explained JR train network in the post below. Please refer it:

Osaka subway Enjoy Eco Card and Osaka Unlimited Pass

Please see the map below:

Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail
Click to enlarge (C) JP Rail

Enjoy Eco Card covers Osaka subway and city bus. Osaka Unlimited Pass includes unlimited ride of subway and bus, and free admission for major attractions in Osaka. There are one day and two day available. But coverage is a bit different. One day covers subway, bus and major private railways, like Hanshin, Nankai, Keihan and Kintetsu. It is very similar to Kansai Thru Pass. But two day pass covers subway and bus only. When you choose this deal, please make sure your itinerary and which train you need to get on.

As long as you can take subway, most of places can be reached by subway.

How to access to major spots in Osaka by train

Most of places in Osaka can be accessed by train. I would like to share the information of access to major spots with you.

Namba, Dotonbori, Houzenji and Shinsaibashi area

There are so many restaurants in Dotonbori area. ©JNTO
There are so many restaurants in Dotonbori area. ©JNTO

You can reach Namba by many ways.

  • Namba station (Nankai Railways) to/from Kansai Airport (KIX), Mt. Koya (Koyasan) and Wakayama
  • Namba station (Osaka Subway Midousuji line, Yotsubashi line and Sennichimae line) to/from Umeda, Nishi-Umeda, Tennoji
  • Osaka-Namba station (Hanshin Railways) to/from Sannomiya, Kobe and Himeji
  • Osaka-Namba station (Kintetsu Railways) to/from Nara, Ise and Nagoya
  • JR Namba station (JR) to/from Tennoji, Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Kansai Airport (KIX

As I mentioned above, JR Namba station is not located in the core of Namba. JR Namba is closed to Subway Yotsubashi line Namba station and Sennichimae line’s Sakuragawa station is actually closer than Namba station.


View Namba in a larger map

Nankai Railways is the best way to get Namba from Kansai Airport. And also train runs to Mt. Koya.

Hanshin Railways and Kintetsu Railways trains go through each other. And their station is “Osaka-Namba” station. When you search on Hyperdia, you can find Osaka-Namba. It’s not Namba for these train companies but Osaka-Namba. If you stay in Namba and want to go to Nara or Kobe, you can use these train companies. You can go there directly from Namba.

If you go to Nara, you can catch Kintetsu Railway’s train at Osaka-Namba station. Please see the post below to learn more about access to Nara:

Shinsaibashi is one station away from Namba by subway. But Namba and Shinsaibashi are connected by shopping arcade. Dotonbori is located between Namba and Shinsaibashi. And also Shinsaibashi is connected with Yotsubashi and Nihonbashi by underground. So most of places in Namba can be accessed by walk.

Umeda

Umeda Sky Building is one of popular spots in Umeda area. ©JNTO
Umeda Sky Building is one of popular spots in Umeda area. ©JNTO

Umeda and Namba are two biggest downtown core in Osaka. There are many department stores and shopping complex in Umeda area. In Umeda area, only JR station is called “Osaka”. JR Osaka station and other railway’s Umeda station are located in same area.

There are many stations in Umeda.

  • Osaka station (JR Kobe line, Kyoto line, Osaka Kanjo line) to/from Kansai Airport (KIX), Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, USJ, Tennoji
  • Umeda station (Osaka Subway Midousuji line) to/from Namba, Shin-Osaka, Tennoji
  • Umeda station (Hanshin Railways) to/from Sannomiya, Kobe and Himeji
  • Umeda station (Hankyu Railways) to/from Kawaramachi, Arashiyama, Shijo, Sannomiya, Takarazuka
  • Higashi-Umeda station (Osaka Subway Tanimachi line) to/from Uehonmachi/Tanimachi Kyuchome, Tennoji
  • Nishi-Umeda station (Osaka Subway Yotsubashi line) to/from Namba
  • Kitashinchi station (JR Tozai line) to/from Namba

Please see the post below to get more detail about Osaka and Umeda station area:

Tenpozan, Kaiyukan

Kaiyukan is located in this Tenpozan waterfront area. ©Osaka Government Tourism Bureau/©JNTO
Kaiyukan is located in this Tenpozan waterfront area. ©Osaka Government Tourism Bureau/©JNTO

Osaka Subway Chuo line’s Osakako station is the nearest station. You can catch Chuo line’s train at Honmachi, Bentencho and many other places. If you stay in Umeda or Namba, simple take Midousuji line or Yotsubashi line train and transfer to Chuo line’s train at Honmachi. If you are JR Pass user, you can get Bentencho by Osaka Kanjo line from Osaka or Tennoji. You have to pay extra on top of your pass for taking subway from Bentencho.

USJ is located just across the river. But there is no direct train or bus. Please see next chapter to get USJ from Tenpozan.

Universal Studion Japan (USJ)

USJ at the entrance

JR Yumesaki line’s Universal City station is the nearest station. There is no subway or private railway’s service available. If you are not JR train user, you can catch the pass to USJ at Nishikujo station.

If you want to access to Tenpozan/Kaiyukan from USJ, shuttle cruise service is the fastest and only direct way to connect both places.

Shuttle Cruise Capt. Line

Otherwise you have to take Universal City station – Nishikujo station – Bentencho station – Osakako station route. It is a big detour.

Osakajo (Osaka castle)

Osaka castle is one of popular spot to see cherry blossom in Osaka. ©Osaka Government Tourism Bureau/©JNTO
Osaka castle is one of popular spot to see cherry blossom in Osaka. ©Osaka Government Tourism Bureau/©JNTO

There are several stations around Osaka castle. You can access there from Tenmabashi station (Keihan Railway), Tanimachi-Yonchome station (Subway Tanimachi line), Osakajo-Koen station (JR), Osaka Business Park station (Subway Nagahori-Tsurumi Ryokuchi line), and Morinomiya station (JR). The nearest stations to access to the castle are Tenmabashi and Tanimachi-Yonchome. Other stations are okay, but these stations are closed to Osaka Castle Park.

Shinsekai, Tennoji zoo

You can feel real tradition of Osaka in Shinsekai.   	©Osaka Government Tourism Bureau/©JNTO
You can feel real tradition of Osaka in Shinsekai. ©Osaka Government Tourism Bureau/©JNTO

Shinsekai is old town of Osaka. There is very traditional shopping arcade. Tsutenkaku tower is located in Shinsekai area. This area can be accessed from JR and Nankai Railway’s Shin-Imamiya station.

Tennoji Zoo is located between Tennoji station and Dobutsuenmae station. (Dobutsuenma means “in front of zoo”.)

Minoo falls

Minoo is located outside downtown Osaka. Most of city deals, such as Osaka subway pass does not cover Minoo falls. Only Kansai Thru Pass covers this falls.

You need to take Hankyu Railway Takarazuka line train from Umeda to Ishibashi. And then take another Hankyu Railway Minoo line train to Minoo. You can change trains at Ishibashi very easily. Trip time is around 35 minutes from Umeda to Minoo.

In the peak season, like fall foliage season, the direct train service runs between Umeda and Minoo.

Instant Ramen Museum

This museum is located outside downtown Osaka either. Most of city deals, such as Osaka subway pass does not cover this attraction. Only Kansai Thru Pass covers the trip to Instant Ramen Museum.

You need to take Hankyu Railway Takarazuka line train from Umeda to Ikeda. Trip time is around 20 minutes from Umeda to Ikeda.

Comments

  1. LEE says:

    Dear Takeshi san,

    Glad I found your site. My 1st time going with my family of 4 to Osaka in Dec.

    Can you advise what rail card should I get as I will be traveling by rail mostly. I am confused as there are so many types of rail cards to get.

    This is my rough plan

    Day 1 Tempozan Harbour Village
    – Osaka Kaiyukan Acquarium
    – Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho (1960s Food Themed Park)
    – Lego Land
    – Tempozan Market Place (Mall)
    – Tempozan Ferris Wheel

    Day 2 Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum (Make and design your own Ramen Cup Noodle)
    Tokyu Hands
    Kiddy Land (Toys)
    Umeda Sky Building
    Dontobori

    Day 3 Osaka Museum of Housing & Living (Kimono dress up and walk around)
    Owl Family Café
    Kids Plaza

    Day 4 Universal Studio
    Takoyaki Museum
    Dontobori

    Day 5 Day trip to Nara (Free roaming deers / feed)
    Dontobori – Plastic Food Making

    Day 6 Osaka Castle
    Kuromon-Chiba Market or Osaka Market
    Alice on Wednesday @ Shinsaibashi
    Shinsaibashi (High Street Shopping) / Namba Park

    Day 7 Tennoji ZooA
    Shinseikai (Skewers, night life, food scene)
    Den Den Town (Electronics, Anime, CosPlay)

  2. Sianne says:

    Dear Takeshi san,

    Me and my 8 girlfriend will be going to Japan on nov 17 to nov 20, 2016.
    We’ll be staying in Osaka and we plan to go to Kyoto & Universal studio.

    And we are also plan to go around Osaka and Kobe (we want to visit Kobe Sanda Premium Outlet)

    We are a bit tight with the time, our questions are :

    1. To reach Kobe ( Kobe Sanda Premium Outlet)
    Is it better from the Itami airport (when we arrive) or from Nankai area (Swissotel Nankai-our hotel)- check in first then go or straight from airport?

    2. In Osaka we plan to go to Minoo Koen , Osaka Castle and Dontonburi / Shinsaibashi suji and end at Mido suji avenue at night.

    Our question are:
    Is it possible if we explore these places in one day?
    Please advice the railway that we should take.

    Thank you so much for your kind help.

    Warm regards,
    Sianne

  3. Marj says:

    Hi,
    Need help badly as my friend and dont know whats the best pass to use for our travel in japan from 23 to 29 of Nov. From Nov 23 to 26 we will stay near ebisucho station. On 27 will go nagoya until 29. Below is our itinerary. I know its a bit ambitious but we want to maximize our short stay in japan without compromising our transpostation budget. Hope you can help.

    Day 1 (1st half)Chubu airport to ebisucho station
    (2nd half): midosuji street (gingko trees) ,osaka castle, dotonbori area

    Day 2: USJ whole day

    Day 3: (whole day )Kyoto travel: kinkakuji, philosophers path, nanzenji, heian,higashiyama streets, kiyumezudera, gion, togetsukyo bridge, tenryuji, bamboo groove, jojakkoji, sagai-toriimoto and nishiki market

    Day 4(Whole day): will explore some parts of kyoto that we may missed from day 3 and part of osaka.
    Day 5 half day travel to nagoya airbnb in chikusa
    2nd half : nagoya castle, tokugawaen and sakae for shopping

    Day 6: Whole day: shirakawago village
    Day 7: Whole day some parts of nagoya to visit still
    Our departure flight is 11pm.

    Your help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

  4. Alan says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,
    Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. I will be in Osaka in Dec staying near Namba station. My itinerary is as follows:
    Dec 22 arrive Kansai airport 9pm
    Dec 23 exploring Osaka and attractions
    Dec 24 exploring Osaka and attractions
    Dec 25 Kyoto
    Dec 26 Takayama
    Dec 27 Takayama/Shirakawago
    Dec 28 Nagoya
    Dec 29 Nagoya-Kansai airport

    I probably need to buy a one way from Kansai to Namba station. Due to the time, I tihnk I can just get the Kansai Airport Express.
    For the other days in Osaka and Kyoto, can you recommended any rail/bus pass? what would be the best way to travel to the other places? I don’t have a JR pass.
    Thanks
    Alan

  5. Michelle says:

    Dear Takeshi-san,

    1) What is the difference between Osaka Enjoy Ecocard and Osaka Amazing Pass?
    2) Is there a luggage storage at USJ station? We plan to store first before going inside to USJ. Then proceed to Kyoto in the evening. Is this possible?

    Thank you.

    Michelle

  6. wendy poh says:

    Motomachi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture 556-0016, Japan. This the place i stay…

  7. wendy Poh says:

    Through out my trip, will be staying near the JR Namba Station

    Dear Takeshi-san,

    Day 1: Kansai airport – Namba area – dotonbori area
    Day 2 : Stay near JR Namba – Osaka Aquarium – Giant Ferris Wheel – Tenjimbashi-suji Shopping Mall
    Day 3 : stay near JR Namba – Osaka Takoyaki Museum – Modern Transportation museum – Nakanoshima Fishing port
    Day 4 : Near JR Namba – Instant ramen museum – Owl family cafe – Shinsaibashi Opa
    Day 5 : Near JR Namba – Osaka Castle – Kuromon ichiba Shopping
    Day 6 : Near JR Namba – day trip to Nara (deer park, Nara national Museum, Isuien Garden, Todaiji Temple)
    Day 7 : Near JR Namba – Kobe day trip
    Day 8 : Near JR Namba – Hanamaru Udon Osaka – Umeda Sky Building – Uniqlo Japan
    Day 9 : Near JR Namba – Kyoto day trip (fusjimi Inari – Nishiki Market – Higashioji dori
    Day 10 : Near JR Namba – Tennoji Zoo –
    Day 11 : Kansai Airport

    Can advise me which pass to buy? thanks alot
    And is my itinerary plan ok, i travelling with 2 kids , 4years and 2 years old, thanks alot

  8. Aldrin says:

    Hi,

    We are staying in Namba for 4days this November and coming from KIX. Below is our itinerary:

    Day1: Namba area only
    Day2: USJ
    Day3: Osaka Castle – Umeda – Namba
    Day4: Kyoto day tour then back to Namba
    Day5: Nara day tour then back to KIX

    I find our day 3 a little loose, can you suggest more area to cover?

    Also, what is the best pass to buy? Is it ICOCA or Kansai Thru Pass or JR WEST PASS?

    Thanks.

  9. Michelle says:

    Dear Takeshi-san,

    Will Osaka Amazing Pass cover a train ride to Ramen Museum Momofuku Ando (Ikeda Station)?

    Thank you.

    Michelle

  10. Michelle says:

    Dear Takeshi-san,

    Please comment if good to buy tokyo wide pass for this itinerary:
    Day 1: yuzawa resort(half-day) from shinjuku; ginza, harajuko, shibuya(afternoon)
    Day 2: disneyland from shinjuku
    Day 3:narita airport from shinjuku

    Thank you.

    Michelle

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