Transfer of Osaka
Osaka is in the heart of the Kansai region in central Japan, about 350km (215mi) west of Tokyo. The city is divided into northern and southern areas. Kita (north), also known as Umeda, is the city's main business and administrative centre. Its biggest train stations, JR Osaka and Hankyu Umeda, are the gateways to Kobe and Kyoto.
Osaka is also on the main shinkansen (bullet train) route through Japan. The Tokaido shinkansen (Hikari) makes the sprint from Tokyo to JR Shin-Osaka in three hours, passing through Yokohama and Shizuoka on the way. Most trains coming from the north of Japan pass through Tokyo on the way to Osaka.
Roughly 40 minutes' travel will take you to many of Osaka's famous neighboring cities, such as: Kyoto, the ancient capital; Nara, with numerous world heritage sites; Kobe, the fashionable, modern port city; and Wakayama, a nearby castle town. These are all excursions you will not want to miss!
Kansai International Airport
The airport is located 30 miles (50km) south of downtown Osaka.
Transfer to the city: Taxis are available, but the journey takes around an hour and the fare is likely to be very high, so most passengers take the bus, train or high-speed ferry to Osaka. Minibuses go to the major hotels, departing from International Arrivals. The airport shuttle bus service connects to the ferry terminal for the ferry to Osaka.
Limousine airport buses shuttle passengers direct from Itami to Osaka (Namba, Umeda or Tennoji stations). Kansai International Airport has every known transport possible into Osaka including limousine bus, taxi, ferry, shuttle bus and passenger train, but by far the most convenient and fun is the sleek Nankai Railways Rapito, a great introduction to the joys of bullet-train travel that takes only 29 minutes. It really is the only way to go.
Public Transport System in Osaka
Wherever you need to go in Osaka the subway system usually has it covered. There is also a JR Loop line which links in well with key subway stations. There is a handy prepaid day card available for unlimited subway and city bus travel. Private and JR train lines also run through town. The names of JR, subway and private railway stations are displayed in both Japanese and English.
Although trains are more convenient for getting around, Osaka does have a bus network, which uses the same ticketing system as the subway. There's also a sightseeing bus, with a range of different tours available. It leaves from Umeda train station.
Osaka operates a range of ferries and sightseeing cruises around its bay. Most of these originate or stop around the Tempozan Harbour Village (Chuo subway line, Osakako station). The Aqua-bus Aqua-liner travels on the Okawa River in northern Osaka and takes in Osaka Castle, Tenmabashi, Yodoyabashi and Osaka Amenity Park (OAP).
You can ramble through the sights and historical spots of Osaka, the Water Metropolis, with our sightseeing boat "Aqua Liner" as it goes under numerous bridges. We have the "Osaka Castle Nakanoshima Tour" which is a 60-minute excursion on the Okawa River in Osaka with tasteful scenery of the four seasons. The "Twilight Boat" which gives you the opportunity to see Osaka's beautiful night view, the "Mini-Cruise" which allows you to travel between certain areas or other courses such as the "Event-Cruise" are also available.
