How to use JR Pass in downtown Osaka. Find how much you can use Japan Rail Pass in Osaka.

323series on Osaka Kanjo lineNetwork of JR trains
2011.10.29
Dotonbori is one of most popular spots.

If you use JR Pass and visit Osaka, you should know how much you can use JR Pass in Osaka. I forcus on using JR Pass in downtown Osaka. If you use the following passes, you have same coverage.

I will show you JR train network in downtown Osaka in this post.

JR lines in downtown Osaka

Please see the map below:

Click to view large

The above map shows you all JR lines in downtown Osaka. I will explain you the line of JR one by one.

In this post, I explain you only JR trains. If you want to know whole part of train system in downtown Osaka, please see the link below:

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?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Osaka. This post shows you the train network in Osaka. You can learn how to get the major places in Osaka.
jprail.com
2013.10.30

I also explain this topic in YouTube movie too. Please watch it instead of reading the post:

Osaka Kanjo line (Osaka loop line)

323series on Osaka Kanjo line
Osaka Kanjo line train

This line encircles downtown Osaka. You will use this line often when you stay in Osaka. This line is started from Osaka station which is the biggest station in Osaka. It is located in Umeda area and JR Osaka station and other railway’s Umeda stations are same location.

This line go through Kyobashi, Tsuruhashi, Tennoji, Shin-Imamiya, Bentencho, Nishikujo and come back to Osaka again. All these stations are transfer points to other lines and railways.

  • Osaka (Umeda)
    1. Hankyu Railway (to Arashiyama, Gion, Kobe-Sannomiya, Takarazuka, Ikeda, Minoo),
    2. Hanshin Railway (to Kobe-Sannomiya)
    3. Osaka Metro (to almost everywhere in Osaka)
  • Kyobashi – Keihan Railway (to Gion, Kyoto)
  • Tsuruhashi – Kintetsu Railway (to Osaka-Namba, TennojiNara, Nagoya)
  • Tennoji
    1. JR Kansai Airport line (to Kansai airport)
    2. JR Yamatoji line (to Nara)
    3. JR Hanwa line (to Wakayama)
    4. Kintetsu Railway (to Yoshino)
    5. Osaka Metro (to Namba, Tanimachi)
  • Shin-Imamiya – Nankai Railway (to Namba, Kansai airport)
  • Bentencho – Osaka Metro Chuo line (to Osaka Kaiyukan aquarium)
  • Nishikujo
    1. Hanshin Railway (to Osaka-Namba, to Kobe-Sannomiya)
    2. JR Yumesaki line (to Universal city)

Tennoji is the biggest JR terminal station in south side of Osaka. All trains that go to Wakayama, Kansai airport and Nara stop at this station. But many train run on Osaka Kanjo line and then go through the line to Nara, Kansai airport and Wakayama.

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Yamatoji line

This line connects JR Namba and Nara. Many rapid train go through Osaka Kanjo line and it connects Kyobashi, Osaka, Nishikujo, Bentencho, Tennoji and Nara. This rapoid train is called Yamatoji Rapid. Please see the link below to find more information about Yamatoji Rapid:

Rapid train service to Nara from Osaka by Japan Railway, Yamatoji Rapid Service
Yamatoji rapid which is JR commute train connects Osaka, Tennoji and Nara directly. This train is fully covered by all JR deals. You can find more information about this rapid train.
jprail.com
2011.04.26

Many local train of Yamatoji line train depart from JR-Namba station. JR-Namba is only JR station in Namba. But this is a bit away from the center of Namba. Please see the link below to find the information about Namba stations:

Namba stations guide. How to change the trains among Nankai, Kintetsu, Hanshin, subway and JR.
Namba is one of the downtown cores in Osaka. There are many railway lines and many Namba stations as will. It is very complicated. This post shows you all Namba stations with many photos. You can find how to change trains there.
jprail.com
2015.04.16

You can access Namba by JR line. And also you can access from another huge downtown core, Umeda by JR only. But You need to take Osaka Kanjo line to Imamiya and transfer the train to JR Namba. It is not shortest way. Osaka subway Midosuji line (大阪地下鉄御堂筋線) is much faster and more convenient. I tell you about Osaka subway later.

Kansai airport line and Hanwa line

Many trains go through from Osaka Kanjo line to Kansai Airport and Wakayama. These trains are called Kansai Airport Rapid and Kishuji Rapid.

Rapid train service to Kansai Airport and Wakayama from Osaka. Kansai Airport Rapid Service and Kishuji Rapid Service
This rapid train connects Kansai airport, Wakayama, Tennoji and Osaka. This is a sort of the commute train. You may find the information about this train in this post.
jprail.com
2011.04.25

You can get Kansai airport and Wakayama from Osaka without a transfer.

The limited express Haruka connects Kyoto, Shin-Osaka and Kansai airport. The limited express Kuroshio connects Shin-Osaka and Wakayama, Shirahama, Shingu. You may take these trains between Shin-Osaka and Tennoji if you like.

Kansai Airport Limited Express Haruka route and timetable. Direct access to Shin Osaka, Tennoji and Kyoto from Kansai airport
The limited express Haruka takes you to Tennoji, Shin-Osaka and Kyoto from Kansai airport. This train is fully covered by JR pass and other JR deals. This post explains you the the details about Haruka.
jprail.com
2011.03.06
Rapid train service to Nara from Osaka by Japan Railway, Yamatoji Rapid Service
Yamatoji rapid which is JR commute train connects Osaka, Tennoji and Nara directly. This train is fully covered by all JR deals. You can find more information about this rapid train.
jprail.com
2011.04.26

Yumesaki line

This line starts from Nishikujo station on Osaka Kanjo line and goes to Sakurajima. Universal City station is located on this line and it is the gateway to Universal Studio Japan.

JR Tozai line

This line connects Amagasaki and Kyobashi. Kitashinchi station is 10 minutes away from Osaka station on foot.

Kobe/Kyoto line

If you go to Kobe or Kyoto, you take this line from Osaka station. Special Rapid run on this line and stop at major stations only. It is very fast train service. Please find more information about Special Rapid in the link below:

JR Special Rapid Service, most useful train among Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Himeji.
JR Special Rapid runs between Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Himeji. Some trips runs to Banshu Ako, Kamigori and Tsuruga. This is most convenient and very fast train. This post shows you the information with some images of Special Rapid train.
jprail.com
2011.04.24

And also when you take the Shinkansen, you have to go to Shin-Osaka station by Kyoto line. It is 4 minutes away from Osaka by any trains.

The places where you can go by JR Pass

You may get these following places by JR Pass and other JR train passes without any extra charge:

  • Umeda, Umeda Sky Building (at JR Osaka station)
  • Osaka Castle (at Osakajokoen station)
  • Abeno Harukas (at Tennoji station)
  • Tennoji Zoo (at Tennoji station)
  • Shitenno-ji temple (at Tennoji station)
  • Shinsekai, Tsutenkaku (at Shin-Imamiya station)
  • Namba, Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori (at JR-Namba station)
  • USJ (at Universal City station)

The places where you can NOT go by JR Pass

You have to pay a regular fare to take subway or non JR trains to visit the following places:

Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium and Tenpozan Market Place

Click to view large.

You have to take Osaka Metro Chuo line to get Osakako station. You may take subway from Namba or Umeda.

Cup Noodle Museum and Minoo Falls

Click to view large

These are located outside downtown Osaka. You must take Hankyu Railway.

Osaka Metro

As you have been reading this post, JR Pass covers many places. But you still may need to take subway. Please see the link below to find all train system in Osaka.

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?
There are lots of the train lines and subway lines in Osaka. This post shows you the train network in Osaka. You can learn how to get the major places in Osaka.
jprail.com
2013.10.30

I hope you have got an idea to build your trip by this post.

Comments

  1. Tsukki says:
    January 18, 2017 at 9:45 pm

    Hi, Takeshi!

    I will be travelling to Japan this March for 8 days and will be arriving to KIX and plans to stay in Osaka Area first for 3 days.
    My initial itinerary is this:

    (while staying in Osaka waill travel to:)
    Day 1 – Osaka
    Day 2 – Kyoto
    Day 3 – Nara

    (will travel and stay to Tokyo at this point)
    Day 4 – Yokohama
    Day 5 – Hakone
    Days 6-7 – Tokyo Area

    Day 8 – Return to Osaka and depart from KIX

    I plan to buy 7-days JR Pass but will activate it after a day (or two) to make up to the 7-day validity (since my trip is for 8 days and I’ll be coming from Tokyo to KIX to catch my plane)

    My question is, what should I get to be able to commute to my hostel near Shin-Imamiya Station on my first day? And then after I have checked in, I plan to sight-see near the area.

    Should I still buy a Kansai Thru Pass?

    Please do give more suggestions.
    Thank you so much for the help!

  2. Megan says:
    January 16, 2017 at 1:21 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    I am travelling to Japan for 23 days and was wanting your opinion of whether I should get the JR pass for the first 14 days where I will be doing most of the travelling.

    Our plans are as follows:

    Day 1- Tokyo
    Day 2- Travel to Osaka
    Day 3- 7- Visit Universal studios, Hiroshima, Nara Park
    Day 8- 10 – Kyoto
    Day 11- 15- Tokyo (Chiba)
    Day 16- 23- Tokyo (Shibuya), wanting to visit Mt Fuji for a night in this period also

  3. Mary says:
    January 11, 2017 at 1:01 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    My husband and I plan to visit Japan from 27 April to 10 May and wondering if it’s worth purchasing a 7 day JR pass?
    We plan the following:
    3-4 Day in Osaka then take train to Kyoto
    5-6 Days in Kyoto then take train to Toyko
    5-6 Days in Tokyo
    We also plan to visit Hakone and Mt Fuji while we in Toyko.
    Thank you.
    Mary

  4. Lynn says:
    January 10, 2017 at 1:36 am

    Dear Takeshi,
    I have the following itinerary:
    Day 1 arrive in osaka
    Day 2 Kyoto
    Day 3 Nara
    Day 4 Hakone
    Day 5-9 Tokyo

    I will be getting the 7 day national JR pass to travel between the different areas but I have some doubts I am looking to clarify..

    1. Should I use it for Day 1 to Day 7?

    2. Or is it better if I get the Kansai pass for the first 2 days in Osaka then use the remaining 7 day JR pass for the other days?

    3. Can the Kansai pass be used for the airport express Haruka from kansai airport to Tennoji?

    Thank you!

  5. Lau Ah Leng says:
    January 5, 2017 at 4:18 pm

    We will arrive Tokyo on 4th, Jan and will be able to go to Osaka in 5th morning. We would like to have the following tour plan.

    Day 1, 5th, Jan – go to Osaka by Shinkansen in the morning, and check in to hotel. We would like to do shopping at Shinsekai and Den Den.
    Day 2, 6th, Jan – visit Osaka Castle, Osaka Museum of
    History, Shitennoji, Umeda Sky Building.
    Day 3, 7th, Jan – visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nishijin Textile
    Center, Nishiki Market, Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
    Day 4, 8th, Jan – visit Earthquake museum, Nunobiki Herb
    Garden, take Shin-Kobe Ropeway for sightseeing (round trip),
    Harborland.
    Day 5, 9th, Jan – back to Tokyo by Shinkansen in the morning, and visit Thunder Gate, near Sensoji Temple
    Day 6, 10th, Jan – morning fly back to Kuala Lumpur.
    Please advice:
    1) JR pass is suitable?
    2) With JR pass, I am able to go around Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe to the above destinations?
    3) Back to Tokyo, can we use the JR pass to visit Thunder gate and also go to Narita airport? The hotel is better in city or near Narita?

    Thanks.

  6. Ben says:
    January 5, 2017 at 1:19 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I will be travelling to Japan for a total of 16 days:
    8 Days – Tokyo
    2 Days – Kyoto
    1 Day – Nara or Kobe
    5 Days – Osaka (travel back to Tokyo on 2nd last day)
    I will be flying in and out from Tokyo (Haneda)

    Is a 14 day pass worth it?

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      January 5, 2017 at 6:22 am

      Hi Ben,

      14 days is a bit more expensive. Even Tokyo-Osaka round trip fare + Shinkansen seat feee are slightly less than 7 days pass. You will use JR Pass when you are in Kyoto and Osaka. But these trips are not long transfers and it’s not enough to use 14 days pass. If you have another long day trip when you are in Tokyo, 14 days pass is worth using.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  7. Jack says:
    December 9, 2016 at 5:39 am

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I also am unsure of getting the JR Rail Pass. My plan is to fly into Osaka, stay for 5-6 days. Then go to Tokyo for 1 week. From there, I was planning to go to Kumamoto from Tokyo, then ferry to Shimabara. I wanted to try Kumamoto, then Kagoshima, but I think the JR Rail Pass won’t work for the Shinkansen anywhere in Kyushu, right?

    After Tokyo, I can optionally go back to Osaka, then from Osaka to Kumamoto. But I’d like to keep the original plan…
    If you can recommend me what’s best, please let me know. Thank you!

    Thank you for all your hard work Takeshi-san!

  8. Dennis says:
    December 8, 2016 at 8:09 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    My partner and I will be travelling to Japan on the 25th of Dec 2016. I will be staying in Tokyo for 9 days (25th till 2nd of Jan), and then to Osaka for 8 days (2nd till 9th of Jan). We will be staying at a homestay close to Otsuka station in Tokyo and Kitakagaya station in Osaka. I’m a little hesitant on whether I should get the jr pass since my partner and I will be staying in Japan for 16 days. I was thinking of taking the Narita express to Shinjuku station and then switch to Yamanote Line which will take me all the way to Otsuka station. After 9 days in Tokyo, I was planning on taking the bullet train down to Osaka on the 2nd of January, but I’m still kinda confuse on how to get to Kitakagaya station once we arrive in Osaka and also from Kitakagaya to Kansai Airport. I would love to hear about your recommendations regarding the passes that would best suit my plan. Thank you in advance.

  9. Vivian Cheng says:
    November 26, 2016 at 12:59 am

    Hello Mr Takeshi,
    I am travelling to Japan in Feb 17.
    I would be staying in Tokyo for 5 days, from there I will be travelling to Osaka for another 5 days. I am quite confuse if I would need to purchase the JR pass?? As my itinerary will be going to Kyoto for a day and the rest of the day will be mainly be shopping at those tourists area and visiting Unversal World in Osaka.
    Please do kindly advise…thank you

  10. meitha says:
    October 11, 2016 at 4:56 am

    hai takeshi i will visit japan on 29 march 2017 till 9 aprril 2017, i will stay at tokyo for 4 days and to hakone kawaguchi mt fuji for 2 days,and then i’m going to kyoto for 3 days and last in osaka for 3 days. and go back to my country from osaka. i confuse whether i should buy the 7 days jr pass or not? thank you so much, hope you reply soon

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