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.
- Kansai Area Pass
- Kansai Wide Area Pass
- Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass
- Sanyo Sanin Area Pass
- Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass
- Hokuriku Arch Pass
- Takayama Hokuriku Area Touirst Pass
- Northern Kyushu Sanyo Sanin Area Pass
I will show you JR train network in downtown Osaka in this post.
JR lines in downtown Osaka
Please see the map below:
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:
I also explain this topic in YouTube movie too. Please watch it instead of reading the post:
Osaka Kanjo line (Osaka loop line)
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)
- Hankyu Railway (to Arashiyama, Gion, Kobe-Sannomiya, Takarazuka, Ikeda, Minoo),
- Hanshin Railway (to Kobe-Sannomiya)
- Osaka Metro (to almost everywhere in Osaka)
- Kyobashi – Keihan Railway (to Gion, Kyoto)
- Tsuruhashi – Kintetsu Railway (to Osaka-Namba, TennojiNara, Nagoya)
- Tennoji
- JR Kansai Airport line (to Kansai airport)
- JR Yamatoji line (to Nara)
- JR Hanwa line (to Wakayama)
- Kintetsu Railway (to Yoshino)
- Osaka Metro (to Namba, Tanimachi)
- Shin-Imamiya – Nankai Railway (to Namba, Kansai airport)
- Bentencho – Osaka Metro Chuo line (to Osaka Kaiyukan aquarium)
- Nishikujo
- Hanshin Railway (to Osaka-Namba, to Kobe-Sannomiya)
- 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.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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:
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
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
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.
I hope you have got an idea to build your trip by this post.
Comments
Hi Takeshi,
I will be travelling to Osaka tomorrow night arriving at Kansai Airport on 15th Jan 2014 morning. I would like to know how to get to Osaka, Minamimorimachi subway station from Kansai airport as I will be staying at Toko City Hotel Umeda. Is there a round trip train pass from Kansai airport to Osaka? Also, during my 6-day stay in Osaka, I plan to visit Kyoto on a day trip, thus, would like to know which train to take and from which station in Osaka to Kyoto Station. Will the JR Pass for Kansai area able to cover most of the attraction places in Osaka plus my day trip to Kyoto? Pls advise.
Hi Joyce,
First of all, you can take Nankai train to Namba and transfer to Osaka subway. You can use Kanku Chikatoku ticket.
http://www.howto-osaka.com.e.iv.hp.transer.com/top/ticket/railway/chikatoku.html
Please see the following post to get the details about train system and location:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Regarding trip to Kyoto, it depends on which part of Kyoto. There are many routes to get there. Please see the following post to get the details:
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Before you think about the deals, you have to make sure where you will go. Otherwise you can’t compare single ticket and pass. Those above links help you to get an idea. And also I wrote about other deals at the following links:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, We will be taking a trip to Osaka next april 2014. We will arrive at Kansai airport and going straight to shinjuku, shibuya and ginza for 4 days. After that back to osaka and kyoto for 4 days which one is the better train to shinjuku directly, should we get JR pass ?
Hi abigael,
You can use 7 days JR Pass. You have to add other deal for last day. But don’t use 14 days JR Pass. It’s too much.
If you go to Kansai Airport from Kyoto directly, you can use Kansai Area Pass one day is enough.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi. I am planning to visit Osaka for 6 days next year (arriving 9am Monday, departing Sunday 11am, both thru Kansai). While there, I plan to also visit Kyoto (2 days) and Kobe (1 day). I will be staying in the Namban area throughout my visit. What rail passes would you recommend for me to use?
Hi Gerald,
You can use one of the deals at the following link for arrival and departure day:
http://www.howto-osaka.com.e.iv.hp.transer.com/top/ticket/railway/
Before you decide deals for Kyoto and Kobe, you have to build the detailed itinerary and make sure how many times you will take a train or bus. Otherwise you can’t compare single fare and pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
We will be taking a trip to Osaka next March. We will arrive at Kansai airport and going straight to Kyoto where we will stay for 4 days and then going back to Osaka to stay for 4 days. We will go to Nara during one day.
Should we get a JR West pass or the Haruka/ICOCA or other better train options?
Appreciate your advise. Thank you.
Hi Yas,
ICOCA and Haruka round ticket is the best option for you. ICOCA is more flexible than Kansai Area Pass.
You use ICOCA e-money for Kyoto-Osaka transfer or trip to Nara. You may add Kyoto Sightseeing Card and Osaka Eco Card or Osaka Unlimited Pass as you need.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you so much for your helpful advise. Your website is wonderful to clear up my many confusions on so many different passes and options.
Sudden changes in our travel dates cause me to look at alternative route due to unavailability of our hotels and would welcome your comments on my new plan. Especially on when I should use Kyoto sightseeing card or Osaka passes.
My changed itinerary may look like this:
Get ICOCA-Haruka return ticket deal.
Day 1: KIX to Osaka – staying near Tsuruhashi station
(use Haruka ticket)
Day 2: Sightsee in Osaka (use Osaka eco card?)
Day 3: Travel to Kyoto early in the morning and sightsee. Staying 1 night near Gojo station (use ICOCA – 1100JPY)
Day 4: Sightsee in Kyoto and then travel to Nara in late afternoon. Staying 1 night in Nara near Shinomiya st (add money to ICOCA to use – 790JPY)
Day 5: Sightsee in Nara and then travel back to Osaka in late afternoon. Staying near Tsuruhashi st again (use ICOC – 480JPY)
Day 6-7: Sightsee in Osaka (use Osaka 2 day unlimited pass?)
Day 8: Tsuruhashi to KIX (use Haruka return ticket)
I am not sure for my sightseeing days in Kyoto (Day 3 & 4) whether getting Kyoto City Bus Pass will be better or Sightseeing Card.
Also for Osaka, would getting the Eco card for the 1 day and then the unlimited pass for the last 2 days be more economical?
The different cards and passes available can make it all a bit confusing. Your insight would be most appreciated !!
Thanks so much.
Hi Yas,
Regarding Kyoto city sightseeing card and Osaka Eco card, it depends on where you want to visit. Some places in Kyoto and Osaka can be accessed by walk or short trip by subway or bus. So roughly, if you take subway more than 5 times a day, these deals will work. I hope these following link will help you to make a plan.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-osaka-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I’m going to spend 9 days in Japan. I will arrive at Itami Airport and will spend my first 5 days in Shin-Osaka. I will try to visit Kyoto for a day during my stay in Osaka. I will head to Shibuya, Tokyo and stay there for 4 days. I will depart from Narita Airport.
Is it worth it to buy JR pass? Do you have other recommendations for transportation?
Thank you so much.
Marie
Hi Marie,
JR Pass is too expensive for your itinerary.
Single tickets are your choice mostly.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
The first deal that I can recommend you is Kyoto sightseeing card if you take bus or subway less than 5 times a day.
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html
I think you can take it 5 times a day very easily because you will use JR train from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto. Most of places in Kyoto, such as Kikakuji, Arashiyama, Kiyomizudera, Nijo castle, are not within walking distance.
Second, you may use Osaka city pass if you take subway more than 4 times a day.
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/foreign/english/ticket/convenient.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I will spend 8 days in Osaka and Kyoto. From 3 to 6 November in Osaka, from 6 to 9 November in Kyoto and then from 9 to 10 November in Osaka.
Can you please let me know what is the most cost efficient way to travel? What train passes should I get?
Thanks much.
Warm regards,
Ken
Hi Ken,
First of all, ICOCA and Haruka for KIX-Osaka and Osaka-KIX.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
This deals includes 1500 yen ICOCA e-money. You can use this for any trains in Osaka and Kyoto, not only JR trains but also subways and other private company’s trains.
In Osaka and Kyoto, you may use Osaka ECO card and Kyoto sightseeing pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html
Single fare may be cheaper than these deals. It depends on how many trip you will take. If you will do more than 5 times a day, pass will be cheaper.
Other deals, like Kansai Thru Pass or Kansai Area Pass are too much for you.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I will be traveling to Japan on 25th Oct till 4th Nov. Will reach Narita Airport around 2pm and back on 4th Nov, 6pm at Narita Airport.
I’ll spending most of my trip in Tokyo area and one of the day, I’ve a full day tour to Mt.Fuji-Hakone (means my transportation in this trip is covered by the tour) But will be heading to Osaka after for 3 days in the mid week and back to Tokyo.
Is my trip worth buying the JR pass? I checked there’s a regional pass, is that worth buying?
Thank you. Hope to hear from you soon.
Regards,
Jacqueline
Hi Jacqueline,
Round trip fare between Tokyo and Osaka is almost same as JR pass 7 days. So you can use 7 days pass for trip to Osaka from Tokyo. As long as you have JR Pass, you don’t need to think about regional pass in Kansai area. You may need to add subway pass in Osaka or Kyoto. But even if you have regional pass, you may need to add these passes.
And also, if you think about taking train from Narita to downtown Tokyo, you can use Suica & N’ex.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/suica-nex-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-tokyo.html
You can use Suica for taking not only JR trains but also subway or other private railway company’s trains. You can also use Suica in Osaka/Kyoto for taking subways. I’m sure that is a great deal.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I will be traveling to Japan on 22th Nov till 29th Nov. Will reach Kansai Airport on 22th, around 7am; fly back to my country on 29th Nov, 10am at Narita Airport.
I will stay in Osaka for 3 days, in Tokyo for 4 days. Then as one day trips, I will travel from Osaka to Kyoto; Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchi. Due to last night stay in Narita Airport, I am considering whether I should buy JR pass for 7 days or not. And I probably only access Shinkansen once (Osaka-Tokyo) this trip.
Is my trip worth buying the JR pass?
Thank you.
Regards,
Nicky
Hi Nicky,
Japan Rail Pass is too expensive for your trip. Please read these following links:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/sample-itinerary-of-osaka-kyoto-hakone-fuji-and-tokyo-classic-route.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
Single ticket and some deals in Osaka and Tokyo are the best deal for you.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
We’re going to Japan for 9 days this September and will be staying in Tokyo for the first 4 days then Staying in Kyoto for 3 days and finishing in Osaka for the remaining 2 days.
We’re trying to find out if it’s worth it for us to buy JR Rail Pass fir 7 days ( thinking to start use it the 3rd day as the first 2 days we already have the other transportation arrangement done) or to buy only Shinkansen Ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto and then Kyoto to Osaka only. In this case, should we buy the Tokaido Shinkansen Tickets then? How this Tokaido Shinkasen Tickets works? And where we can buy this Tokaido Shinkansen.
Are we going to use JR Pass a lot in downtown Kyoto and Osaka ?
Thank you.
Regards,
Vivien
Hi Vivien,
Actually JR Pass is not suitable for your trip. You must have round trip between Tokyo and Osaka at least if you want to get the worth of JR Pass 7 days.
I wrote about single ticket at the following post. I hope it will help you to make a plan.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/for-non-jr-pass-travellers-guide-to-use-jr-single-ticket-basic-rules-validity-and-stopover.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
I will arrive at Tokyo Haneda on 22 August, spend 2 days at Tokyo, 1 day at Yokohama, 1 day at Hiroshima, 1 day at Kumamoto and then 4 days at Kobe/Kyoto/Nara/Osaka and leave on 31 August night.
I know 7 days JR pass will be worth to buy as I have 9 days of travel (23-31 Aug), but would like to know if I should start activating it on 23 August or 25 August?
Also, on my last 4 days should I stay at each city or should I stay at Osaka and travel to Kobe, kyoto and Nara?
Thank you.
regards,
Kok Leong
Hi Kok Leong,
As long as you use JR Pass 7 days for Yokohama-Hiroshima-Kumamoto-Osaka, it will work. I think it’s better to save your pass when you stay in Tokyo and start to use is on August 23. You will have many more chances to use the pass in Kansai area.
When you stay in Kansai area, you don’t need to stay in each cities. If you want, you can stay in Osaka and access to other three cities. If you allow to spend more for accommodation, I recommend you to stay in Kyoto for at least one night. You can drop by Nara when you move from Kyoto to Osaka. Kobe is only 20 minutes away from Osaka. Please see the following post about transfer among these cities.
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-transfer-among-kyoto-osaka-and-kobe-compare-japan-railway-and-private-lines.html
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/how-to-access-to-nara-by-japan-rail-pass-if-you-dont-use-jr-pass-kintetsu-railway-is-more-convenient.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail