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
2013.10.30
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:

How to use JR Pass in downtown Osaka. Find how much you can use Japan Rail Pass in Osaka.
If you use JR Pass or other JR deals, such as Kansai Area Pass, do you know how much you can use the pass? Do you know where you can go without any extra charge? This post tells you everything about JR pass coverage in downtown Osaka.
jprail.com
2011.10.29

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:

Nara access guide from Osaka, Kyoto, Kansai airport and Kobe by JR, Kintetsu Railway and Airport bus
Nara is one of popular places in Kansai area. This post explains you how to get Nara from several places in Kansai area.
jprail.com
2012.10.03

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:

Osaka and Umeda stations guide. How to change JR trains, subway trains and other private railways
Osaka station is same location as Umeda station. Only JR station is called "Osaka" but other railway and subway stations are called "Umeda". It is complicated for the travelers but these are same location. In this post, I will explain you about Osaka and Umeda stations.
jprail.com
2012.09.16

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. Koay Siew Im says:
    October 29, 2017 at 6:55 am

    Hi,
    I will be staying in Osaka for 7 nights and will be making day trips to Kyoto and Nara .

    I intend to use the Kansai One Pass for traveling around the Kansai area.

    I have been reading about the ICOCA card . I cannot purchase this card alone without buying the haruka train ticket from the website.

    So can you please advise on how to purchase this Kansai One Pass ?
    Does this card function like the ICOCA card and is it refundable at the airport?

    Thank you.

  2. Denise says:
    October 26, 2017 at 6:14 am

    Hi Takeshi San,

    I need to seek your advice on my Osaka trip from 23 Dec to 28 Dec because I really confuse or unsure with what passes should I purchase for my trip. The whole trip I will stay in Osaka.

    Day 1 (23 Dec)
    Arrive Osaka about evening and stay around Kamishinjo Stn area
    -Kyoto Access Pass- (I saw your previous advice for someone that stay there to use this pass)

    Day 2 (24 Dec)
    Osaka area: Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum, Shinsaibashi, Shinsekai, Festival of the lights (Nakanoshima Park)
    -Kansai One Pass-

    Day 3 (25 Dec)
    Osaka area: Osaka Castle, Shintennoji Temple, Umeda Sky Building, Namba, Tombori River
    -Osaka Amazing Pass-

    Day 4 (26 Dec)
    Kyoto: Fushimi Inari-taisha shrine, Nishiki Market, Gion area etc
    -Kansai Thru 2 days pass-

    Day 5 (27 Dec)
    Kyoto: Kinkakaku-ji temple, Arashoyama etc
    -Kansai Thru 2 days pass-

    Day 5 (28 Dec)
    Flight back
    -Kansai One pass-

    Please advice me whether I have choose the correct pass for my trip?

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 26, 2017 at 11:27 am

      Hi Denise san,

      You have picked up the right deals! But I have only one suggestion. I think you can use 3 days Kansai thru pass for day 2, 4 and 5. It’s 1200 yen difference between 2 days and 3 days. In my rough calculation, you will spend more than 1200 yen on day 2. And also you may spend 1390 yen on Dec 28th if you take same route as day 1. So you can use 3 days pass day 4, 5 and 2 or 6. You will get a small saving.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Ning says:
    October 21, 2017 at 11:13 pm

    Hello Mr Takashi,

    The following is my rough itinerary, & few questions I would like to seek your help.

    Day 1 Arriving Osaka (Nipponbashi area)
    Day 2 Universal Studio Japan
    Day 3 Kyoto (Public Holiday in Japan)
    Day 4 Kyoto + Nara (Saturday)
    Day 5 Osaka Amazing Pass (Sunday)
    Day 6 Minoo Park
    Day 7 Shopping around Osaka
    Day 8 Departing Osaka

    – I will be staying at Nipponbashi area, do I’ve to buy 2 seperate passes from Kansai Airport in order to reach Nipponbashi?
    – For Day 3-4, Kansai thru pass 2/3 days is it worth? As I’m not sure how to go Kyoto/Nara without any JR rail pass access (Kansai thru pass do not include JR rail)
    – Day 5 is a weekend, is Osaka Amazing Pass worth ? (Will there be attractions closed on weekend?)
    – My friends love to get Nike shoes & Toys figure, any recommendation where can we get that in Osaka?

    Thank you so much for your help ! 🙂

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      October 23, 2017 at 6:16 am

      Hi Ning,

      – I will be staying at Nipponbashi area, do I’ve to buy 2 seperate passes from Kansai Airport in order to reach Nipponbashi?

      You may purchase Nankai railway and subway combo deal.
      http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/chikatoku.html

      However if you want to take Nankai railway’s express train “Rapi:t”, you need to purchase Rapi:t deal and regular ticket for subway from Namba to Nippombashi.
      http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/webtoku.html

      – For Day 3-4, Kansai thru pass 2/3 days is it worth? As I’m not sure how to go Kyoto/Nara without any JR rail pass access (Kansai thru pass do not include JR rail)

      Probably 3 days Kansai thru pass works for day 3, 4 and 6.

      – Day 5 is a weekend, is Osaka Amazing Pass worth ? (Will there be attractions closed on weekend?)

      It works. Attractions are open in weekend. Some of them closed in one of week days.

      – My friends love to get Nike shoes & Toys figure, any recommendation where can we get that in Osaka?

      I have no idea.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Ms Mae says:
    October 19, 2017 at 6:44 am

    Hi Good everning Mr Takeshi,

    I am Mae Mae here,

    1) I will be going to Osaka in mid November will the weather to cold or is like spring season only… i will be going for 6day5nights.

    2) My Itinerary will be

    Day 1

    Arrive Kansai Airport
    Check in to my guesthouse
    Then in the noon will be going Shitennoji temple & Dotonbori

    Day2

    Universal studio Japan whole day

    Day3

    A day trip…easy going to Kyoto from Osaka use Hankyu Tourist Pass… Going around
    Fushimi Inari Shrine, Sagano Bamboo forest, Gion and Starbucks Coffee Higashiyama

    Day4

    Kuromon Market , Osaka Castle & Umeda Sky Building

    Day5

    Umeda & Shinsekai

    Day6

    Free and easy
    Back to KL

    Can advise me which is the best way to travel around…the Kansai One Pass or One day pass since I will be going to Kyoto also for one day trip only

    Tq.

  5. Cris says:
    October 16, 2017 at 2:29 am

    Hi Takeshi! I’m still overwhelmed with all the railways and buses that I need to ride for my trip to Osaka. We will be staying at a hostel near Namba Station which they said is also only a walk to Dotonbouri and Shinsaibashi.

    Could you please recommend which pass is better for my itinerary per day or for the whole 5days so that we can save?

    DAY1

    KIX -> Namba

    DAY2

    Day Trip to Nara
    Kohfukuji Temple
    Todaiji Temple
    Kasuga Taisha Shrine

    Back to Osaka

    DAY3

    Osaka -> Kyoto
    Fushimi Inari
    Kiyomizu Dera Temple
    Nishiki Market
    Philosopher’s Path
    Gion District

    Back to Osaka

    DAY4

    Explore Osaka

    Osaka Castle
    Maruzen
    Momofoku Ando Instant Ramen Museum
    Takashiyama

    DAY5

    Minoo Park in the early morning

    Evening – Namba ->KIX

  6. Ms Mae says:
    October 10, 2017 at 5:20 am

    Hi good evening Mr Takeshi,

    I am Mae here, nice to meet you Mr Takeshi… and i have read most of your forum especially about the transportion part because at first i very confuse with it but after read your forum it really help me alot.

    1)I will only go to osaka castle park, dotonbori , kuromon market , usj, umeda building and shinshabashi only… do i need to purchase kansai one pass better or one day pass.

    2) I will be osaka for 6 day 5 nights with my family but my father having difficulty to walk far distance… so may i know is the metro or subway user friendly… like do all the train station have escalator or lift.

    3) Any where to suggest to go around other than osaka if i will be here for 6d5n.

    4) Is it real if i purchase usj ticket at kansai airport area will be cheaper than purchase online?

  7. Emil says:
    September 14, 2017 at 8:23 am

    Thank you so very much Takeshi. I know you wont approve this comment but I just want you to read this. This means very much to me and my wife. Thank you very much. Arigatou Gozaimasu!! 🙂

  8. Joan Atienza says:
    September 13, 2017 at 7:33 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I would like to ask what are the best trains/subways/lines that we have to take to get to the famous sights in Osaka and Kyoto, and Nara too if the nearest station to our Airbnb is Sakaisuji Honmachi (No. 3 exit).

    Thank you so much for your help!

  9. Emil says:
    September 12, 2017 at 8:29 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Sorry but I cant seem to find a detailed way on how to go to Minoo Falls. I tried checking on the comments section but seems like this is not a popular choice. We will be at Osaka by Nov11 or 12.

    Here are some of my inquiries:
    1. We will be travelling from Kyoto to Osaka for the Minoo falls. Can you give me detailed directions on what stations, trains I will be going thru along the way? You said that there is a direct line going to Mino from Umeda during Fall season.

    2. Also can you provide maps I can use for switching trains/substations etc during this tour?

    3. We will be travelling during the dates below. Can you give me some insights on what pass is best during the travels?

    Day1 – Arrive at Kansai airport then go straight to Kyoto as this is where we are booked for accommodation.
    Day2 – Osaka: USJ
    Day3 – Osaka: Minoo Falls
    Day4 – Nara: Deer park
    Day5 – Kyoto: Gion, Pokemon center, Fushima inari etc
    Day6 – Lake Kawaguchi
    Day7 – Tokyo: Odaiba, Hachiko, etc
    Day8 – Tokyo: Disney Sea
    Day9 – Narita Airport

    Accommodations:
    Day 1-5: we are staying in Kyoto
    Day 6: we are staying in Kawaguchi
    Day 7-9: we are staying in Tokyo

    Sorry for the very long inquiry.

  10. Felicia says:
    September 6, 2017 at 9:08 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’m using Takayma Hokuriku Pass, which station / train should I take to go to Osaka Castle? Can we take JR? Nearest station to me is Shinsaibashi Station.

    Thank you!

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      September 6, 2017 at 10:20 pm

      Hi Felicia,

      Osakajo-Koen station is the nearest in all JR stations which is covered by Takayama Hokuriku area pass. Shinsaibashi is subway station which is not covered by this pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

1…1819202122…24
Copied title and URL