Osaka is one of the main international and domestic transport hubs in Japan and has the second busiest international airport after Tokyo.
Book your hotel in Osaka in advance
Quick overview of transport options
To start with, we'll give you a quick comparison of the most popular modes of transport to Osaka. We break everything down in detail below.
Transportation Tokyo - Osaka
| Price | Travel time | JR Pass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plane | From 8 000 jpy* | 1 hour | x |
| Shinkansen | from 13 870 jpy | 2.5 hours | ✔** |
| Highway Bus | from 4 500 jpy | 9 hours | x |
Transportation Kyoto - Osaka
| Price | Travel time | JR Pass | Kansai Railway Pass | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen | From 1 420 jpy | 13 minutes | ✔*** | x |
| JR Express/Local | 580 jpy | 29 minutes | ✔ | x |
| Keihan Railway | From 420 jpy | 50-75 minutes | x | ✔ |
| Hankyu Railway | 410 jpy | 43 minutes | x | ✔ |
The regional JR-WEST Pass is also valid on this route.
Transportation Nara - Osaka
| Price | Travel time | JR Pass | Kansai Railway Pass | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JR Express/Local | 580 jpy | 40-55 minutes | ✔ | x |
| Kintetsu Railway | 680 jpy | 35 minutes | x | ✔ |
The regional JR-WEST Pass is also valid on this route.
Transportation Kobe - Osaka
| Price | Travel time | JR Pass | Kansai Railway Pass | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen | From 1 530 jpy | 13 minutes | ✔** | x |
| JR Express/Local | 460 jpy | 26 minutes | ✔ | x |
| Hanshin Railway | 420 jpy | 43 minutes | x | ✔ |
| Hankyu Railway | 330 jpy | 33 minutes | x | ✔ |
The regional JR-WEST Pass is also valid on this route.
Transportation Nagoya - Osaka
| Price | Travel time | JR Pass | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shinkansen | From 5 940 jpy * | 1 hour | ✔** |
| Kintetsu Railway | 2 860 jpy | 2.5 hours | x |
| Highway Bus | From 2 400 jpy | 3.5 hours | x |
* Without checked baggage and purchase at least 3 months before departure. With checked baggage from 11 000 jpy.
** Nozomi or Mizuho trains at extra cost.
*** Shinkansen with JR-WEST regional pass cannot be used on the Osaka-Kyoto route.
We have prepared a map of rail connections to Osaka with all carriers plotted here:
By air to Osaka
There are 3 major airports in the Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe conurbation, and Osaka is one of the most accessible cities in Japan by air.
Detailed information on how to get from Osaka to the airports, terminals or services can be found at the link below.
- Kansai KIX - Osaka's main international hub and the second largest in Japan
- Itami ITM - a major airport with very busy domestic connections
- Kobe UKB - smaller secondary airports for domestic flights
International flights
All direct international flights land at Kansai KIX and include very frequent connections around East Asia, as well as direct long-haul flights departing from Osaka from destinations such as the Middle East (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha), USA and Canada, Europe or Australia.
Many international flights from Europe, America, Australia or Africa connect in Tokyo, China or South Korea.
Domestic flights
Domestic flights within Japan are served by all the airports listed above.
Most flights by the major airlines ANA and JAL are to Itami ITM airport, with flights from Tokyo and Saporro, for example, flying up to several times an hour.
The average one-way ticket is usually cheaper than a shinkansen ticket when bought at least 3 months in advance, and a ticket with ANA or JAL also includes checked baggage.
Normally these tickets cost around 11 000 jpy when travelling to Tokyo.
Airlines such as Jetstar, Skymark or Peach offer prices up to half the price, but do not include checked baggage.
Shinkansen and regular trains
Osaka can be reached by high-speed shinkansen trains from Tokyo, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Fukuoka and other places along the coast.
In addition, you can also use many of the regular local railways.
All trains can be paid for with one of Japan's 10 transport cards (such as Icoca, Suica and others) in addition to cash.
You can also use the special Kansai Railway Pass, which is described in more detail in the Transport chapter, to travel to Osaka from some of the nearby cities such as Kyoto, Kobe, Nara and others.
Shinkansen high-speed trains
Japan's main high-speed line, known as the Tokaido Shinkansen (for the Tokyo - Nagoya - Kyoto - Osaka section) and the San'yo Shinkansen (for the Osaka - Okayama - Hiroshima - Fukuoka section), passes through Osaka.
All express trains stop at only one station in Osaka, which can be found in ticket machines and online search engines under the name Shin-Osaka. To get to the city centre from Shin-Osaka station, use the following methods:
- Local and express JR trains - only at Osaka Station (Umeda)
- You can use the JR Pass for these services, but you cannot use the Osaka Metro Day Pass for them.
- By "Midosuji Line" subway - direction Umeda, downtown (Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori, Namba, Tennoji)
- You can use a day pass for the subway (see detailed info), but you cannot use the JR Pass
- Travel time to downtown approx. 15 minutes
- Hotels near Shin-Osaka station
Shinkansen can be used from Osaka on the following routes. You have to add either a specific seat reservation to the basic fare or a cheaper reservation in a car with no seat guarantee (Non-reserved.
If you use the JR Pass or its regional variants, you must always reserve a seat in the car at the ticket machine or ticket office or online). This reservation is free for JR Pass holders.
However, on Nozomi or Mizuho fast trains, you will always pay a fee in addition to the JR Pass, which is roughly half the basic ticket price. For detailed information on how to use the JR Pass, see the article Transport in Japan.
Online ticket booking and exact timetables can be found at westjr.co.jpl/en.
Shinkansen run very frequently on all routes, on average every 6-15 minutes.
| Destinations | Basic price | Reserved | Non-reserved | Journey time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 8 910 jpy | 6 010 jpy | 4 960 jpy | 2.5-3 hours |
| Kyoto | 580 jpy | 2 700 jpy | 870 jpy | 15 minutes |
| Hiroshima | 5 720 jpy | 5 430 jpy | 4 170 jpy | 1.5 hours |
| Nagoya | 3 410 jpy | 3 470 jpy | 2 530 jpy | 48 minutes |
| Himeji | 1 520 jpy | 2 810 jpy | 1 760 jpy | 35 minutes |
| Okayama | 3 080 jpy | 3 260 jpy | 2 530 jpy | 50 minutes |
| Hakata (Fukuoka) |
9 790 jpy | 5 690 jpy | 4 960 jpy | 2.5 hours |
Some trains start their journey in Osaka. On these trains, there is a good chance that you will find a seat available when you buy a "Non-reserved" ticket.
However, if you purchase a "Non-reserved" ticket for a train that already arrives in Osaka from another station, the chances of finding an available seat are significantly lower. You can find out whether a train starts in Osaka by searching for timetables on the westjr.co.jp website. If so, the train is marked "Train originating from this Station".
Local and express trains
If you are travelling shorter distances, there are many train lines available from several different carriers.
Each carrier operates from a different station and you cannot use the JR Pass and its local options on most of them.
Where to buy tickets and where to find official information?
JR-WEST
Japan Railways' local and express trains around Osaka are operated by the regional branch of JR-WEST (as well as the shinkansen).
Online ticket booking and exact timetables can therefore be found on the same website as for the shinkansen: westjr.co.jpl/en..
The main station for JR-WEST trains is Osaka Station at Umeda, from where trains depart in the following directions:
- Kobe - Himeji
- Kyoto - Tsuruga
- Kyoto - Maibara
- Wakayama - Kushimoto - Shingu
- Fukuchiyama - Toyooka - Kinosaki Onsen
- Tottori - Kurayoshi
For the direction to Nara, use JR-Namba or Kitashinchi, Osakatemmangu, Ebie or Kyobashi stations.
- JR Pass - yes
- Kansai Railway Pass - cannot be used
Top 10 hotels near Osaka-Umeda station
Kintetsu Railway
This carrier's trains will get you to Nara the fastest from Osaka-Namba Underground Station right in the city center. For detailed information on travelling between Osaka and Nara, see How to get to Nara.
However, the JR Pass is not valid here, so if you have purchased one, use the slightly slower JR-West trains from other stations (see above).
The Kintetsu Railway will also take you to Yoshino Mountain National Park, Ise-Shime Coastal National Park and offer a cheaper but more than twice as long connection to Nagoya compared to the shinkansen.
Official website: kintetsu.co.jp
- JR Pass - cannot be used
- Kansai Railway Pass - yes
Keihan Railway
This railway is the most convenient way to reach the famous Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine in Kyoto.
Trains from downtown Osaka (Yodoyabashi Station and, less frequently, Nakanoshima Station) run directly without transferring to Fushimi-Inari Station just a 2-minute walk from the shrine. Note, however, that only "Local", "Sub-Express" and "Express" trains stop at Fushimi-Inari station. "Limited" "RAKU RAKU" or "Rapid Express" trains do not stop at the station.
However, the JR Pass is not valid here, so if you have purchased one, use the fast shinkansen or JR express trains, but they go to central Kyoto and not directly to the shrine.
For detailed information on travelling between Osaka and Kyoto, see the article How to get to Kyoto.
Official website: keihan.co.jp/en.
- JR Pass - cannot be used
- Kansai Railway Pass - yes
Hankyu Railway
Another private railway, this is ideal for travel to central Kyoto or the bamboo forest in western Kyoto. To get to the bamboo forest, you need to change to the next Hankyu line at Katsura Station in the direction of "Arashiyama".
However, the JR Pass is not valid here, so if you have purchased one, use the fast shinkansen or JR express trains, but they go to central Kyoto and not directly to the shrine.
For detailed information on travelling between Osaka and Kyoto, see the article How to get to Kyoto.
The second line goes to Kobe, but on this route there are generally faster JR trains stopping in Osaka at the same station.
Hankyu trains run from Osaka-Umeda station.
Official website: hankyu.co.jp
- JR Pass - cannot be used
- Kansai Railway Pass - yes
Hanshin Railway
This railway is mainly used to travel from Kobe city to downtown Osaka (Namba underground station).
Although trains run all the way from Himeji, from where you can nevertheless get to Osaka much faster on the express or JR trains. However, the journey from Kobe is already similarly long and if you are heading to the vicinity of Namba Station ( Dotonbori for example), the Hanshin trains will be the fastest.
Official website: hanshin.co.jp
- JR Pass - cannot be used
- Kansai Railway Pass - yes
Nankai Electric Railway
This company's trains run from Namba Station in the city centre (the elevated section marked "Namba-Nankai").
Use it mainly for transport to Koyasan Mountain Temple, where it is the only form of transport.
Nankai Railway is also a slower transport option from Wakayama City, where you can also use JR trains.
For the "Limited Express" trains, you have to pay a special surcharge. So if you use a Japanese transport card to pay, it is not enough to just go through the turnstile, but you have to purchase a special surcharge at a machine or ticket office.
Official website: nankai.co.jp
- JR Pass - cannot be used
- Kansai Railway Pass - yes
JR Pass - where to pick up and which one to use?
The JR Pass is a popular network-wide ticket for Japanese Railways JR trains including shinkansen.
You book and pay for the pass online before you travel to Japan and exchange the code sent by email for the actual ticket when you arrive in the country.
Always do the math to make sure your expensive JR Passes are worth it. Generally, they are only worthwhile if you ride the shinkansen frequently.
You can use the following JR Passes for travel to/from Osaka. To view a map of pass validity, click on the link:
- JR Pass for the whole of Japan - japanrailpass.net
- 7 days for 50 000 jpy
- 14 days per 80 000 jpy
- 21 days per 100 000 jpy
- JR-WEST All Area Pass - westjr.co.jp/all
- 7 days for 26 000 jpy
- JR-WEST All Area Pass
- Includes cities such as Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara, Hiroshima, Kanazawa, Toyama, Tottori, Shirahama, Shingu, Hagi, Okayama, Himeji
- Shinkansen can only be used on the route Osaka - Kobe - Himeji - Okayama - Hiroshima - Kokura - Hakata / Tsuruga - Kanazawa - Toyama - Jōetsumyōkō
- Hokuriku Arch Pass - westjr.co.jp/hokuriku-arch-pass
- Kansai Area Pass - westjr.co.jp/pass/kansai
- 1 day per 2 800 jpy
- 4 days per 7 000 jpy
- Includes cities such as Kyoto (including Kyoto subway), Osaka, Kobe, Himeji, Nara, Wakayama, Tsuruga
- Not valid on any Shinkansen
- Kansai WIDE Area Pass - westjr.co.jp/kansai_wide
- Kansai - Hiroshima Area Pass - westjr.co.jp/kansai_hiroshima
- Sanyo San'in Area Pass - westjr.co.jp/sanyo_sanin
- Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass - westjr.co.jp/kansai_hokuriku
- Kansai San'in Area Pass - westjr.co.jp/kansai_sanin
- Takayama Hokuriku Area JR-Central - touristpass.jp/en/takayama_hokuriku
- 5 days for 19 800 jpy
- Includes cities such as Kyoto, Osaka, Tsuruga, Kanazawa, Toyama, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Nagoya
- Shinkansen in the Toyama - Tsuruga section (non-reserved cars only)
- Ise-Kumamo-Wakayama Area - touristpass.jp/en/ise_kumano
- 5 days per 16 500 jpy
- Includes cities such as Nara, Osaka, Wakayama, Shirahama, Shingu, Toba, Suzuka, Nagoya
- Not valid on any shinkansen
All options in Osaka can be picked up at several locations:
- Shin-Osaka Station
- Ticket Office JR-WEST, 6:00–22:00
- Ticket Office JR-CENTRAL, 5:30–23:00
- Travel Service Center, 8:00–22:00
- Nippon Travel Agency, 7:00–20:00
- JR Tokai Tours, 9:00–18:00
- At Osaka (Umeda) station
- Ticket Office, 6:00–22:00
- Nippon Travel Agency, 9:30–18:00
- KansaiAirport
- Ticket Office, 5:30–23:00 (at Kansai Station)
Alternatively, you can pick up a JR Pass from green machines at all JR train and shinkansen stations throughout Japan.
For a list of all JR Pass pick-up locations, visit japanrailpass.net/exchange.
Long-distance buses
Long-distance buses are called "Highway Bus" in Japan and are significantly cheaper than trains. However, journey times are usually 3-5 times longer than Shinkansen express trains.
The largest bus company, Willer Travel, has the most comprehensive booking system in English, through which tickets can also be purchased for other carriers.
Book tickets through willer-travel.com.
Different bus operators stop at different stations. The two main ones in Osaka are:
Buses are convenient for traveling to Shikoku Island, for example, where they present a comfortable ride without transfers, unlike trains.
Average prices are as follows:
- Tokyo - 4 500 jpy to 8 000 jpy
- Nagoya - 1 900 jpy to 2 900 jpy
- Hiroshima - 3 700 jpy
- Okayama - 3 000 jpy
- Takamatsu - 4 500 jpy
- Kochi - 6 000 jpy
- Matsue - 3 900 jpy
Ferries
Osaka is a major port and besides cargo ships, passenger ferries also sail here.
Domestic routes
Osaka can be reached from the following Japanese cities and islands.
- Shibushi (South Kyushu) - Osaka (Sunflower Terminal - see map)
- The Sunflower Ferry operates once a day on the route
- The cruise takes 16 hours
- Price from 10 390 jpy depending on season and type of accommodation
- Beppu (North Kyushu) - Osaka (Sunflower Terminal - see map)
- Sunflower Ferry sails the route 1x daily
- The cruise takes 12 hours
- Price from 10 390 jpy depending on season and type of accommodation
- Shinmoji (Kitakyushu) - Osaka (Izumiotsu Port - see map)
- Hankyu Ferry sails the route 1x daily
- The cruise takes 12.5 hours
- Price from 7 500 jpy depending on season and type of accommodation
- Possibility of connecting buses from the nearest train stations for 270 jpy
- Possibility of booking on directferries.com
- Shinmoji (Kitakyushu) - Osaka (Nanko Port - see map)
- Cityline sails the route once a day
- The cruise takes 12.5 hours
- Price from 5 600 jpy depending on season and type of accommodation
- Toyo (Shikoku Island) - Osaka (Nanko Port - see map)
- Orange Ferry sails the route once a day
- The cruise takes 8 hours
- Price from 8 200 jpy depending on season and type of accommodation
International routes
There are regular ferries to Osaka from South Korea. The line from Shanghai, China has been cancelled.
All international boats use the international terminal near the Green Line "Cosmosquare" metro station - see map.
- Busan (Korea) - Osaka
- PanStar Cruise sails the route 3 times a week
- The cruise takes 19 hours
- Price from 16 000 jpy depending on season and accommodation type
- Booking available at directferries.com
