Osaka Public Transportation - Helpful Guide for New Visitors

Osaka Trains - Subway, JR lines & Other companies

Osaka is served by over seven different railways and subway companies.

The most easiest way to move around in Osaka is by trains, particularly subway and JR West Loop Line, which circles Osaka city.

Osaka has four major train stations -

1). Shin-Osaka Station,

2). JR Osaka Station (or Umeda Station for Subways),

3). Namba Station, and

4). Tennoji Station

Most relevant to tourists are the city Osaka subway lines and the lines (especially JR loop line) operated by JR West.

Osaka Subway (aka Osaka Metro) has 8 lines, however, as a tourist, you will mostly use the Midosuji line (Red) or Chuo Line (Green).

Railway lines operated by other private railway companies are useful for accessing neighboring cities and regions of Osaka.

Osaka Tramway also locally known as Street Cars are run by Hankai Tramway Co., Ltd.

Hankai Tramway runs two lines in Osaka :

1). Hankai Line - Runs between Ebisucho - Hamadera eki-mae (14.1Km)

2). Uemachi Line - Runs between Tennoji eki-mae - Sumiyoshikoen (4.6Km)

Both lines has connects to either JR line or Private train lines at multiple stops.

You might use Osaka Streetcar to visit Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine (Osaka attraction).

Osaka Public buses

Osaka has an extensive network of Public buses available for commuting.

Buses are good for short-distance travel where Subway or train stations are not located.

As a tourist, you might not take Public Bus in Osaka as all attractions are connected by Subways or JR Loop line.

Tips for using Public transport in Osaka

• To purchase Subway or train tickets, first put money in the ticketing machine.
   Then the punch number of passengers and amount (in Yen) as displayed on the route map above machines.
   The machine will spit out tickets and any change if applicable back to you.

• Different types of one or multiple days discount passes are available through the Osaka public transport system.

• JR West Loop Line (or Osaka loop line) circles Osaka city and goes through all major stations in Osaka city.

• JR Pass does not work on Subway, Tramway or Private lines in Osaka.

• Buy IC Card (Suisa or Pasmo) to make travel easy and get rid of hassle to buy ticket each time.