The metro is the backbone of transport in Osaka, and with its dense network of lines, most travellers won't need buses or taxis.

Since many maps show urban and suburban railways as metro lines, we'll describe them in this chapter as well. In fact, there are marked differences, for example in ticketing, between the subway and other rail carriers in Osaka.

Book your hotel in Osaka in advance

Map of metro and railways

Clear official maps of all railways in Osaka are not available, so we have created our own map of the Osaka metro, JR trains and all private railways.

Osaka Metro

The classic metro is the most extensive urban railway in Osaka with 9 frequent lines.

Trains run at a frequency of 2-5 minutes on weekdays and roughly 4-8 minutes on weekends.

All metro lines in Osaka run from approximately 5:30 to 0:15.

The official website with a list of lines and timetables can be found at: subway.osakametro.co.jp.

Fares

The following ticket types are valid on the Osaka Metro.

Fares for children aged 6 to 11 are always half the adult fare. Children under 6 travel free on the metro.

The price for single fares is calculated according to distance.

A day ticket is valid for 1 calendar day and not for 24 hours.

Single / transfer tickets	190 jpy - 300 jpy
All-day - weekdays	820 jpy
All-day - weekends and holidays	620 jpy

With a full day ticket you also have discounts to various attractions, see official information: subway.osakametro.co.jp. This ticket is also valid for city buses.

For the exact price of the single fare, please visit kensaku.osakametro.co.jp.

What other tickets and passes are valid for riding the Osaka Metro?

Osaka Metro 1-Day Pass	Yes
JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass	No
Kansai Railway Pass	yes

How to use the tickets?

You can use traditional paper tickets or transport cards on the Osaka Metro.

Paper tickets

Tickets can be bought from the ticket machines at each metro station. You can also use a ticket office with a ticket attendant. Classic paper tickets can only be paid for in cash.

If you buy a single ticket, first find the destination station on the map above the machine, where the amount is written. You then select this on the machine screen and pay.

You insert the paper ticket into the turnstile on one side and the turnstile returns it to you on the other side. Don't forget to take the ticket as you will need it again when you leave the station.

If you use a single ticket, the turnstile will keep it when you exit. If it is a day ticket, the turnstile will return it again.

Transport cards

You can also use one of Japan's 10 transport cards to pay your fare.

• Icoca
• Pitapa
• Suica
• Pasmo
• Toica
• Manaca
• Kitaca
• Sugoca
• Nimoca
• Hayakaken

There is no discount for paying with these cards in Osaka compared to paying in cash.

The Icoca card is sold in Osaka and can be purchased from a machine at any metro station for 500 jpy. You choose the amount you want to load onto the card.

You are then charged a fare based on how you ride. You do not need to check the fare when you pay. Simply place your card on the reader at the turnstile when you enter and exit the platform.

You can use the card on all means of transport throughout Japan.

Subway Station Facilities

All stations are equipped with very clean toilets, which are always accessible free of charge.

Most stations have vending machines in the ticket machine area and sometimes on the platform, where you can usually pay with cash only.

In the vast majority of stations you will also find automatic luggage lockers with prices ranging from 400 jpy to 800 jpy for 24 hours depending on the size of the luggage.

Railways in and around the city

In addition to the metro, many different rail carriers run around Osaka.

JR-WEST

The trains of the state-owned carrier JR are mainly used for travel outside Osaka (including nearby cities such as Nara, Kobe and Kyoto), but also on some connections within the city.

• Shin-Osaka (shinkansen station) - Osaka Station / Umeda Sky Building - Shin-Imamiya / Shinsekai, Tsutenkaku, Tennoji Zoo - Tennoji / Harukas 300, Shitennoji Temple - Kansai Airport
• Nishikujo (transfer from both Tennoji and Osaka Station) - Universal Studios Japan
• Osaka Station / Umeda Sky Building - Morinomiya / Osaka Castle - Tennoji / Harukas 300, Shitennoji Temple

Choose a hotel near Osaka Station

Trains on these lines run with a frequency of 10-15 minutes.

They are convenient for travelers who have a JR Pass or JR-WEST Pass.

Single fares are calculated according to distance and prices range from 190 jpy to 290 jpy.

Osaka Metro 1-Day Pass	No
JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass	yes
Kansai Railway Pass	no

For Limited Express or Haruka Express trains, you must always purchase a seat reservation with your fare, even if you are traveling with a JR Pass, JR-WEST Pass.

Search for connections: westjr.co.jp

Kintetsu Railway

You won't get much use out of these trains for purely Osaka travel.

They are suitable for trips into the surrounding area, especially to these places:

• Nara
• Yoshino National Park

Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines (paper tickets) or you can pay with one of the 10 Japanese transport cards.

Osaka Metro 1-Day Pass	No
JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass	no
Kansai Railway Pass	yes

Convenient multi-day passes are also available for the Kintetsu train network only:

• 1 day for 1 800 jpy (for Osaka - Nara - Kyoto axis lines only) - this pass is only worthwhile for at least 4 rides in one day, which is not very feasible
• 2 days for 3 000 jpy (only for lines on the Osaka - Nara - Kyoto axis)
• 5 days for 4 500 jpy (for the entire Kintetsu network) - a very good ticket for travel to Nara, Yoshino, Ise-Shima, Nagoya

For Limited Express trains, you must always purchase a seat reservation in addition to the fare.

Official website: kintetsu.co.jp

Nankai Electric Railway

This carrier runs from Namba Station to southern Osaka, and can be used to get to Sumiyhosi-Taisha Shrine or Kansai Airport, for example.

You can also take the Nankai Railway to Mount Koya Monastery.

Tickets can be purchased from vending machines (paper tickets) or you can pay with one of Japan's 10 transport cards.

On Limited Express trains, you must always purchase a seat reservation with your fare.

Osaka Metro 1-Day Pass	No
JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass	no
Kansai Railway Pass	yes

Official website: nankai.co.jp

Hankyu Railway

These trains provide service to the northern suburbs of Osaka and are also an alternative to the faster JR trains for travel to Kobe and Kyoto.

For example, the Hankyu Railway will take you to Minoo National Park.

Tickets can be purchased from vending machines (paper tickets) or you can pay with one of Japan's 10 transport cards.

Osaka Metro 1-Day Pass	No
JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass	no
Kansai Railway Pass	yes

There is a day pass for the entire Hankyu and Hanshin train network for 1 600 jpy. However, it is only worth it for more than 3 trips between Osaka and Kobe or Kyoto, which doesn't make much sense.

Official website: hankyu.co.jp

Hanshin Electric Railway

These trains are most convenient for travel between central Osaka (Namba) and Kobe.

Tickets can be purchased from vending machines (paper tickets) or you can pay with one of 10 Japanese transport cards.

Osaka Metro 1-Day Pass	No
JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass	no
Kansai Railway Pass	yes

There is a day pass for the entire Hankyu and Hanshin train network for 1 600 jpy. However, it is only worth it for more than 3 trips between Osaka and Kobe, which doesn't make much sense.

Official website: hanshin.co.jp

Osaka monorail

An automated train connects Itami Airport to Expocity 70 Park and the northeastern part of Osaka, where it connects to the Purple Line subway.

Tickets can be purchased from vending machines (paper tickets) or paid for with one of 10 Japanese transport cards.

Osaka Metro 1-Day Pass	No
JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass	no
Kansai Railway Pass	yes

Official website: osaka-monorail.co.jp

Keihan Railway

Use this carrier's trains to travel from the central district, past Yodoyabashi Station, to the northeastern suburbs and on to Kyoto, but it's quicker to get there by Hankyu or JR trains.

Tickets can be purchased from vending machines (paper tickets) or you can pay with one of Japan's 10 transport cards.

Osaka Metro 1-Day Pass	No
JR Pass / JR-WEST Pass	no
Kansai Railway Pass	yes

Official website: keihan.co.jp