OSAKA ACCESS: Getting There from Other Key Cities in Japan

Japan Travel Now

2 years ago

Osaka is known as Japan’s food mecca. The gastronomic offering seems inexhaustible, finding something new every turn, even by taking just a few steps from one food stall to the next. Each food place has its own take on a common product or ingredient. It is also a popular shopping and entertainment destination. Locals and foreigners alike flock to Osaka to experience Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi in Namba, Umeda area, and Universal Studios’ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, one of its famous themed areas.

Osaka is very accessible. There are many possible transportation options for you if you are coming from other key cities in Japan such as Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Fukuoka. Plan your trip well, so you will know which option is best for your itinerary and budget.

By Plane

Coming from other cities in Japan, you will land at either Kansai International Airport, the main gateway to Osaka and the rest of Kansai region, or Itami Airport, Kansai’s largest domestic airport.

By Train

For a hassle-free train transit and navigation, it is recommended to use Hyperdia, a web-based search application for Japan trains. You just need to indicate your destination and it will give you several route options. It will also show you the travel duration, the total fare and the breakdown, the platform number of your train, and the number of transfers if there’s any. You just need to have good internet access.

Japan Rail Pass

The JR Pass will allow you to take unlimited rides within the JR network. It is best for long-distance train travel.

When is JR Pass worth it? If you are visiting multiple cities in Japan for a period of 7 days or longer. JR Pass covers shinkansen (high-speed bullet trains), which are very expensive. The JR Pass will allow you to take these speedy trains without worrying about the cost. It’s a great buy if you have a busy itinerary spanning multiple cities.

➡️ RESERVE A JR PASS HERE

From Tokyo

The JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line links Osaka and Tokyo. In Osaka, trains stop at Shin-Osaka Station, while in Tokyo, they stop at Tokyo Station and Shinagawa Station in Tokyo. The local trains run between Osaka Station and Tokyo Station via JR Tokaido Line.

VIA SHINKANSEN

From either JR Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station, board the JR Shinkansen to JR Shin-Osaka Station.
Alight at JR Shin-Osaka Station.

Travel Time: About 2 hrs 30 mins (Nozomi); 3 hrs (Hikari); 4 hrs (Kodama)
Fare: ¥8,750 + Seat Fee
Seat Fee: ¥4,870 (Unreserved); ¥5,500 (Reserved, lean season); ¥10,480 (Green Seat)
Number of Transfer: None (direct)

Reminders:

JR Shin-Osaka Station is located north of downtown Osaka.

For JR Pass holder, you can only use it when riding the Hikari and Kodama trains. The pass doesn’t work for Nozomi trains.

Kodama trains stop at every station. If you are in a hurry, don’t board this train.

If you have JR Pass, Hikari is the best option for you.

Only get “reserved seat” if: you are pressed for time, you are traveling during rush hour (7 AM – 9 AM, 4 PM – 7 PM), you are traveling during peak seasons (December – January, Golden Week, Cherry Blossoms season, Mid-August).

The next Shinkansen usually arrives 10 minutes after the departure of the previous one.

Check the schedules and timetables for the first train and last train via Hyperdia or JR Central website (English).

VIA LOCAL TRAIN

If you want to take the local trains, travel time is between nine to fifteen hours and usually takes five train transfers to reach Osaka from Tokyo. The total fare is approximately ¥8,750. Use Hyperdia to help you navigate.

From Kyoto

There are four ways you can travel from Kyoto to downtown Osaka. The fastest and direct route is taking the Shinkansen, but it is also the most expensive. The JR Kyoto Line will lead you to JR Osaka Station. The Hankyu Railways take you to Osaka from Kawaramachi Station in central Kyoto. The Keihan Railways will also take you to downtown Osaka from central Kyoto.

VIA SHINKANSEN

From JR Kyoto Station, board the JR Shinkansen to JR Shin-Osaka Station.
Alight at JR Shin-Osaka Station.

Travel Time: Approximately 15 minutes
Fare: ¥560 + Seat Fee
Seat Fee: ¥860 (unreserved); ¥2,260 (reserved, lean season); ¥3,220 (green seat)
Number of Transfer: None (direct)

Reminders:

JR Shin-Osaka Station is located north of downtown Osaka.

For JR Pass holder, you can only use it when riding the Hikari and Kodama trains. The pass doesn’t work for Nozomi trains. JR Kyoto Station is located south of downtown/central Kyoto.

VIA JR KYOTO LINE

From JR Kyoto Station, board the JR Special Rapid Service train to JR Osaka Station.
Alight at JR Osaka Station.

Travel Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Fare: ¥560
Seat Fee: None
Number of Transfer: None (direct)

VIA HANKYU RAILWAYS

From Kawaramachi Station, board the Limited Express train to Hankyu Umeda Station.
Alight at Hankyu Umeda Station.

Travel Time: Approximately 45 minutes
Fare: ¥400
Seat Fee: None
Number of Transfer: None (direct)

VIA KEIHAN RAILWAYS

From Sanjo Station, take the Limited Express train to Keihan Yodobashi Station.
Alight at Keihan Yodobashi Station.

Travel Time: Approximately 55 minutes
Fare: ¥410
Seat Fee: None
Number of Transfer: None (direct)

From Nagoya

You will arrive at either JR Shin-Osaka Station (especially for those who are taking the Shinkansen) or JR Osaka Station. Note that JR Shin-Osaka Station is located north of downtown Osaka.

VIA SHINKANSEN (SHIN-OSAKA STATION)

From JR Nagoya Station, board the JR Shinkansen via JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line to JR Shin-Osaka Station.
Alight at JR Nagoya Station.

Travel Time: 50 mins (Nozomi); 1 hr (Hikari); 1 hr 10 mins (Kodama)
Fare: ¥3,350
Seat Fee: ¥2,480 (Unreserved); ¥3,210 (Reserved); ¥5,440 (Green Seat)
Number of Transfer: None (direct)

Reminders:

The Nozomi is the fastest among the three, but it is not practical to take this train if you are coming from Osaka, which is not too far, unlike Tokyo.

Kodama trains stop at every station. If you want to save money and not in a hurry, you can board this train. You can also get a Puratto Kodama Economy Plan, which even lessens the cost of your fare and gives a free drink voucher that you can redeem at either the Shinkansen platform (kiosk) or on board the train (train vendor).

A Puratto Kodama Economy Plan is not actually a ticket; it’s a one-way package tour product. The package usually offers discounted Kodama ticket fare and free drink voucher. Again, this is useful for a one-way journey. If you are planning to return to Osaka, it’s best to use the JR Pass instead. If you’ve decided to purchase one, you have to purchase one day in advance. You can only get this from JR Tokai Tours. Visit Platt Kodama website for more information.

If you have JR Pass and you want to maximize your Nagoya visit, Hikari is the best option for you.

Only get “reserved seat” if: you are pressed for time, you are traveling during rush hour (7 AM – 9 AM, 4 PM – 7 PM), you are traveling during peak seasons (December – January, Golden Week, Cherry Blossoms season, Mid-August).

The next Shinkansen usually arrives 10 minutes after the departure of the previous one.

Check the schedules and timetables for the first train and last train via Hyperdia or JR Central website (English).

VIA LIMITED EXPRESS TRAIN (OSAKA STATION)

From Nagoya Station, the travel time via limited express train to Osaka will take approximately two (2) hours and 45 minutes with at least one transfer. The fare is at least ¥3,350, excluding the seat fee: ¥1,180 (Unreserved); ¥1,700 (Reserved); ¥2,460 (Green Seat). Use Hyperdia to help you navigate.

VIA LOCAL TRAINS (OSAKA STATION)

Going to Osaka via local train from Nagoya will take about three (3) hours and at least two transfers. The fare is ¥3,350. No seat fee for local trains. Use Hyperdia to help you navigate.

From Fukuoka

JR Sanyo Shinkansen links Osaka and Fukuoka.

From JR Hakata Station, take the shinkansen to JR Shin-Osaka Station.
Alight at JR Shin-Osaka Station.

Travel Time: 2 hrs (Nozomi/Mizuho); 2 hrs 30 mins (Hikari/Sakura); 5 hrs (Kodama)
Fare: ¥9,610
Seat Fee: ¥4,870 (Unreserved); ¥5,500 (Reserved, lean season); ¥11,660 (Green Seat)
Number of Transfer: None (direct)

Reminders:

You cannot use your JR Pass on Nozomi and Mizuho trains. If you have JR Pass, Sakura train is the best option for you. Hikari and Kodama also accept JR Pass.

JR Shin-Osaka Station is located north of downtown Osaka.

Tip:

Travel passes can help you save a lot of money on fares if used efficiently. Plan your route and itinerary carefully before you decide which travel pass to get. Learn more about the travel passes that cover Osaka and other nearby cities and tourist attractions here.

By Bus

From Tokyo

There are many bus companies plying this route but the two most popular and trusted are the JR Bus and Willer Express.

JR BUS has a terminal at JR Osaka Station. The destinations for the Tokyo route are Tokyo Station, Yokohama, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro. It has daytime and nighttime trip schedules.
Travel Time: 8 – 9 hrs
Fare: ¥4,000 – ¥8,000 (depending on the type of bus and season)
Where to purchase a ticket: You can purchase from the ticketing booth/counter at the JR Osaka Station bus terminal or book online via Japan Bus Online.
WILLER EXPRESS offers nighttime schedule for Osaka-Tokyo route. The destinations from Osaka to Tokyo are Tokyo Station, Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo Tower, Shinjuku, and Ikebukuro.
Travel Time: 8 – 9 hrs
Fare: ¥3,500 – ¥12,000 (depending on the type of bus and season)
Where to purchase a ticket: Book online via Willer Express official site and present your e-ticket upon boarding.

From Kyoto

The (Hotel Keihan Universal Tower) buses ply between Osaka and Kyoto. It stops and picks up passengers at Universal City Station’s Bus Stop #3 in Osaka. This is a day bus.

Travel Time: Approximately 2 hours
Fare: ¥900 (adult); ¥450 (children)
Where to purchase a ticket: Book online and present your e-ticket upon boarding.

From Nagoya

JR BUS stops at JR Nagoya Station area in Nagoya and at JR Osaka Station (Yaesu Exit) and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.
Travel Time: 3 – 5 hrs
Fare: Osaka Station (¥3,000/day bus; ¥3,500 – ¥3,900/night bus); Universal Studios (¥3,100/day bus; ¥3,600 – ¥4,000/night bus)
Where to purchase a ticket: You can purchase and reserve seat online. Check JR Tokai Bus Company.
Notes:
- Day Bus is also called Meishin Expressway Bus Osaka; Night Bus is Seishun Dream
- Discounted tickets are available and classified as Hayuri 1 (reserved 1 day prior to the trip).
WILLER EXPRESS BUS terminates at Willer Bus Terminal Osaka in Umeda and stops at JR Nagoya Station area.
Travel Time: 3 – 5 hrs
Fare: ¥2,500 – ¥4,000
Where to purchase a ticket: You can purchase and reserve seat online. Check Willer Express.

From Fukuoka

WILLER EXPRESS BUS offers the Osaka-Fukuoka route. It has both day and night bus trips. The bus terminates at Willer Express terminal in Umeda.

Travel Time: About 10 hrs
Fare: ¥4,000 – ¥12,000 (depending on the bus type and the season)
Where to purchase a ticket: Book online on Willer Express’ official website.

Note:

For the highway/express buses (long-distance buses), you may also check Japan Bus Online for booking. It offers 138 routes all over Japan and covers 86 bus companies.

Reminder: Please follow train and bus rules and etiquette.

Osaka Essentials

Osaka Pocket Wi-fi Stay Internet-connected while in Osaka! ➡️ RESERVE HERE	Japan Local SIM Local SIM Card with data plan! ➡️ RESERVE HERE
Universal Studios Japan 1-Day Pass Ride all you can at Universal Studios! ➡️ RESERVE HERE	Osaka Amazing Pass Unlimited subway rides and free entry to attractions. ➡️ RESERVE HERE!
ICOCA Card Easy access to train, subway and buses! ➡️ RESERVE HERE	JR Pass Unlimited train rides within the JR network. ➡️ RESERVE HERE

Top Osaka Hotels

Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel ➡️ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY	Khaosan World Tennoji ➡️ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY
The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan ➡️ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY	APA Hotel Higashi-Umeda Minami-morimachi-Ekimae ➡️ CHECK RATES & AVAILABILITY