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
- For the travellers who use ICOCA, Kansai one pass, Suica, Pasmo or other IC cards
- For the travellers who use Kansai Thru Pass and Rainbow Card
- 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
- Osaka subway Enjoy Eco Card and Osaka Unlimited Pass
- How to access to major spots in Osaka by train
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:
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:
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:
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
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 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
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)
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.
Otherwise you have to take Universal City station – Nishikujo station – Bentencho station – Osakako station route. It is a big detour.
Osakajo (Osaka castle)
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
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
hello takeshi..
i hope you can help me with my itinerary route..since i got so confusing how to use train in japan..
here my basic itinerary which is not decide any place to visit..
day 1 : arrive at Kansai airport and stay at osaka
day 2 : explore osaka
day 3 : from osaka go to kyoto to explore kyoto,then back to osaka
day 4 : from osaka go to tokyo and stay tokyo
day 5 : explore tokyo
day 6 : explore tokyo
day 7 : from tokyo go to nagoya and stay nagoya
day 8 : explore nagoya
day 9 : depart from Nagoya airport
at 1st time after read about train in japan,i decide to get JR Pass for 7days..i thought it would cover most train in japan..but i notice after read your post,JR Pass didn’t cover subway in tokyo..then i read about subway in osaka..is it JR Pass didn’t cover also?then should i get Kansai Thru Pass for my itinerary osaka-kyoto?
so when i stay at tokyo..is there any special pass offer like this for using riding tokyo subway?thank you very much if you can help my question..i read a lot about JR Pass and etc but still confusing since i travel from osaka-tokyo..thank you takeshi..
Hi fitri,
If you really are sensitive the cost, JR Pass is not your choice actually. Single fares will be slightly cheaper than JR Pass 7 days. But if you want to feel easy and not sensitive the cost very strictly, JR pass is okay. JR Pass is much easier to handle than single tickets.
JR Pass does not cover subway in Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. But you can get many places in these cities by JR Pass, like Arashiyama in Kyoto, USJ, Namba, Osaka castle in Osaka, and Shinjuku, Akihabara, Shibuya in Tokyo. So before you think about add-on, like Kansai thru pass, you need to find where you want to go.
When you go to Kyoto, JR Pass covers the trip to Kyoto. You need to purchase all day bus pass at 500 yen at Kyoto station.
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html
I think it will be enough to visit many places in Kyoto.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
firstly thank you for the reply..
but i want to ask you again about shinkanse..that i will travel two times between city to city..osaka-tokyo and tokyo-nagoya..is it cheaper to take single fares ticket than JR Pass 7days?bcoz i read somewhere said shinkansen from osaka to tokyo took 14,000 yen..is it right?if its right,its half price of JR Pass 7days..or do you have any idea for cheap way to travel to tokyo from osaka?pls advice me.thank you so much.
Hi fitri,
Exactly. If you have a trip from Osaka to Tokyo by Shinkansen, it costs about 14000 yen. But you will take Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya on the way back. This costs will be around 11000 yen. If you have round trip between Osaka and Tokyo, JR pass will be almost same cost as round trip fare. But you will have Tokyo-Nagoya trip. JR pass 7 days is sold at 29100 yen. That’s why single ticket will be a bit cheaper.
However you will get short distance trip line Osaka-Kyoto. It costs 560 yen one way. So the difference between single fares and JR Pass 7 days is not very big.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
ok thank you takeshi for your help..slowly i understand the concept of train in Japan..so i think i will get JR Pass because i can use it for other JR Line and expand my trip (like tokyo-fuji and tokyo-yokohama) without to buy another ticket..thank you so much..God bless..
Hi Takeshi,
Good day! We are going to Shirahma/Wakayama/Kyoto/Osaka in late November and I am thinking of getting the Kansai Thru Pass to save some fare. I’d like you advice to see if I can benefit from using the Pass, please? Our itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Kansai Airport -> Shirahama
Day 3: Shirahama > Wakayama
Day 4: Wakayama -> Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto -> Osaka
Day 8: Osaka -> Kansai Airport
I understand that validity of the Kansai pass is 3 consecutive days only so I still need to get some one-way tickets in between. However, I’d like to at least use the pass for long journeys (e.g. Wakayama -> Kyoto, Kyoto -> Osaka) if possible. What do you think?
Many thanks,
Hayden
Hi Hayden,
You should use Kansai Wide Area Pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/the-newest-jr-west-rail-pass-for-kansai-and-okayama-kurashiki-kinosakai-and-shingu-area-kansai-wide-area-pass.html
Kansai Thru Pass does not cover Shirahama but this pass does.
You can use this pass for first 4 days before reaching Kyoto. In Kyoto, you can use subway pass if you want.
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html
The trip to Osaka from Kyoto is not a long transfer. Single ticket is fine.
In Osaka, subway ticket is available too.
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/ticket/convenient.html
http://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/index.html
On the last day, there are some deals available to get KIX.
http://www.howto-osaka.com.e.iv.hp.transer.com/top/ticket/railway/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Need help here.
Day1 Arrival at KIX 3:20PM (should I get ICCOCA & HARUKA pass roundtrip for the trip below?)
GO: Plan to stopover at Namba (dotonbori) via ICCOCA pass
GO: I was hoping to go to castle osaka castle (optional) via Haruka pass
GO: Umeda and transfer hankyo railway) via Haruka pass, to go to kyoto
STop at Karasuma station and transfer toward kyoto station for our hotel(at kyoto)
Day2: buy kyoto sightseeing pass (subway & bus)
Day 3: Kyoto station to KIX via ICCOCA at 12:30 departure
is this practical approach? Any recommendation on ways I could add something in my itinerary and ways to minimize cost?
Thanks
Hi hanelg,
I agree with your plan. This is the best choice.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
what is ICOCA? you mentioned in the post that can use for almost all the line beside shinkansen.
How to buy? its a day pass or just a cash card?
Hi Yap,
Please see these links:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ICOCA
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I would be travelling to osaka for a duration of 5 days, whereby 2 days would be spent travelling to kyoto and kobe while the remaining 3 days is for travelling around osaka (osaka castle, dotonburi, umeda, aquarium).
I am considering the 3 day Kansai thru pass and perhaps osaka kaiyu ticket or 2 day osaka amazing pass. Would you be recommending any other kind of passes?
Thank you in advance for helping!
Hi Becky,
You have made a right choice. But trip to Kobe by Kansai thru pass may be considerable. Single fare to Kobe is around 400 yen. And Kobe is very compact. You may not have many chances to use Kansai thru pass. Single fare may be cheaper.
If you don’t want to think about single fare and make your trip be easier, you can go for Kansai thru pass. As long as you have a pass, you can take almost any train and bus other than JR trains.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi
Ned your help.. confused between 3 passes – Osaka Subway, JR west and Kansai Day Pass.
We are planning to stay in Osaka for 3 days…and we don’t want to go out to Nara or Kyoto as we have purchase the tour with JTB.
Now for 2 days we will be visiting USJ and in the city to Aquarium etc. We are staying in Namba area – Cross hotel.
I need a pass which covers.
TRAIN FROM RINKU – NAMBA
USJJ
TO SEE UMEDA AND AREA NEAR BY AND OSAKA BAY AREA
TRAIN NAMBA – ITAMI
Please advise which pass I should purchase if I’ve to visit these area only.
We are 3A and 1 Ch.
Thanks
Hi Vasana,
Kansai Thru Pass covers all part of your trip except USJ. You have to add single fare for JR train between Nishikujo and Universal city (USJ).
But single fare may be cheaper than Kansai thru pass. How do you visit these places in 2 days? You may spend one whole day for USJ. In this case, Kansai thru pass is more expensive than single fare. Osaka subway pass and single fare are better choice than Kansai thru pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi!
If I have Kansai Thru Pass does it include Kintestu Nara Line to Nara ? I don’t have to pay right?
Thanks!
Hi cquek,
It’s fully covered by Kansai thru pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi,
Can I buy Enjoy Eco Card in any Osaka Subway Station? Like Dobutsuen-Mae? Thank you!
Hi Bhotski,
Yes, you can. You can purchase it at even vending machine.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thanks Takeshi! Excited to visit Osaka again this August 🙂
No problem, Bhotski.
Enjoy your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Thank you so much! You definitely relieved my headache in figuring out which pass to buy and use. Thanks again! 🙂
Hi Ha.fiza,
No problem. Enjoy your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi/JP Rail,
I would like to ask for your suggestion, this is my itinerary:
Day 1 (4th June): Arrive at KIX at 7am. Going to Kaiyukan, Dotonbori, Namba, etc
Day 2: Exploring more in Osaka. Osaka Castle, Umeda, etc.
Day 3: Still exploring Osaka, go to Rinku Town.
Day 4: Going to Himeji (sleeping there for one night), trying to go to Kobe as well.
Day 5: Go to Kyoto.
Day 6: Still in Kyoto. In the evening, going to Nagoya.
Day 7: Explore Nagoya.
Day 8: Check out from Nagoya in the morning, going for a day trip to Nara. In the evening/night I’m going back to Osaka.
Day 9: At 8am I have to be back in KIX.
My question is, judging from the train schedule in Hyperdia, do you think it is best for me to buy Kansai Thru Pass 3 days & Kansai WIDE pass 4 days? Kansai Thru can be used on non-consecutive days, but not Kansai WIDE, is that right?
Do you have any other suggestions? Thank you!
Hi Ha.fiza,
I don’t think you need to purchase Kansai Wide Area Pass. All places other than Nagoya can be accessed by Kansai Thru Pass or Kansai Area Pass. Kansai Wide Area Pass is too much.
First of all, let’s think about Nagoya. Shinkansen is the best and the fastest option to get Nagoya from Kyoto and Osaka. But if you want to save your cost, use Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide.
http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/useful/ticket/rpw1-2.html
It takes much longer than Shinkansen to get Nagoya.
Shin-Osaka > Nagoya one hour by Shinkansen
Namba > Nagoya two hours 30 minutes by Kintetsu Limited Express
But 5700 yen is super deal. Even one way to Nagoya by Shinkansen about 6500 yen. And Kintetsu Limited Express has very comfortable seat.
http://www.kintetsu.co.jp/foreign/english/useful/limited_express/3-3-4.html
You can use this pass for 5 consecutive days for unlimited travel by Kintetsu train and use Limited Express up to 3 times. (not unlimited for limited express)
And also it includes round trip to KIX. This round trip voucher can be used outside of 5 days. So you can use it on day 1 and 8.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357_006.html (See “validity” caption 5)
I think you can use this pass for the last 5 days of your trip. Don’t forget to purchase it at KIX. Only KIX is a point of sales in Kansai area.
Now let’s see for day 1 to 4.
Kansai Thru Pass covers all places and most of transportation. But when you get back to Kyoto from Himeji, JR has direct transfer. If you use Kansai Thru Pass, you have to transfer at least once and much longer trip.
JR Special Rapid 1.5 hour direct
Sanyo – Hanshin – Hankyu 3 hours and at least one transfer may be twice.
So I recommend you to use single ticket to Himeji from Osaka. And use Kansai Area Pass one day for Himeji – Kyoto. It’s slightly cheaper than regular fare.
http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/kansai/
For other trips, single ticket or subway pass is enough.
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/ticket/convenient.html
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail