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Chic . Explore . ThinkerTen

My Style ~ My Journey ~ My Inspiration

JapanOsakaTravel

Osaka Japan Train Guide – My observation and experience with JR (Japan Rail) and Subway Metro

by kumamonjeng February 15, 2019
written by kumamonjeng February 15, 2019
Osaka Japan Train Guide – My observation and experience with JR (Japan Rail) and Subway Metro

I stayed in Osaka Bay area and did a train ride to the city center. My plan was to visit Kuromon, Denden Town and Nipponbashi area. Our rental car was parked at the hotel thinking that it may be a lot of traffic and hard to get a car park in Osaka city center.

The hotel is called Osaka La’gent Hotel at Osaka Bay which offers good value, new and spacious and good breakfast, the bonus point is just next to the Universal Studio Japan. I usually prefer to stay away from the city area to enjoy the wider room and better value of the hotel. Having said that, the hotel is still very accessible via train. There is a JR train station called Sakurajima Station within 5 mins walk from the hotel.

Osaka Japan Train Guide - My observation and experience with JR and Subway Metro

There are few companies running the railway network in Japan

Taking a train in Japan can be complicated when you look at the countless lines on the map. But over here in Osaka is much lesser lines compare to Tokyo. The first thing you need to know is there are few companies run the railway network.  My experience is with JR (Japan Rail -also the biggest) and Osaka Subway.

Osaka Japan Train Guide - My observation and experience with JR and Subway Metro

Purchase ticket from the machine

There are machines at the entrance of the train station for you to buy your ticket. The train station at Sakurajima Station is very small and the machines look super old, over 30 years I suspect. I could not find any staff who sell the ticket at the entrance but only ticketing machines. But don’t worry, you can press the language you are familiar and purchase your ticket. There are English, Japanese and Chinese language. I can’t remember if there is the Korean language to choose from.

Osaka Japan Train Guide - My observation and experience with JR and Subway Metro

Step to use the Ticketing Machine

1. Find your destination and the corresponding fare, you can refer to the map above the ticketing machine. There are ticket prices shown beside each station.
2. Choose how many tickets you want to purchase, the default is one.
3. Insert the money into the ticketing machine, it accepts coins and notes up to 10,000 yen (USD 90.30) notes.
4. Press the button to show the total amount
5. Collect your tickets and change.

Osaka Japan Train Guide - My observation and experience with JR and Subway Metro

What if I do not pay enough fares?

Do not worry if you do not pay enough fares as there is a fare adjustment machine before you exit your destination. Let’s say if your ticket won’t let you pass through the gate, go to the fare adjustment machine and put the ticket through the machine and pay the difference. You will be issuing a new ticket and use that to exit the gate.

Osaka Japan Train Guide - My observation and experience with JR and Subway Metro

Station Platform

This can be a dangerous place if it is in the peak hour in the city area.  Sakurajima Station is a small station outside the city center, so there is minimal risk of falling down to the platform.  In peak hour especially in the Tokyo area, there are staffs who will help to push the commuters inside the train.  Yes, that crowded and you are packed like sardines in the cans.  You won’t be able to raise your hand and read your phone, I can assure you that.  I experienced that when I was in Tokyo commuting daily from Chiba to Shinjuku area for my Japanese language course.

Osaka Japan Train Guide - My observation and experience with JR and Subway Metro

Train Etiquette

Japanese are a considerate nation as they always think of others so the same goes when they ride on the train.

1. They do not speak loudly or talk on the mobile phone.  Best is to keep quiet.

2. You see most people are either reading or looking at their mobile phone or sleeping.

3. Avoid eating and drinking unless it is a long journey train.

4. Put your bag between your legs or on the rack above you.

5. No smoking

6. Do not sit on priority seats unless you are one of them – mummy with small children or pregnant or senior citizen or disable person.

Osaka Japan Train Guide - My observation and experience with JR and Subway Metro

Changing from JR to Subway

Changing from JR to Subway can be confusing. You need to pass the exit ticket gates to get from one area to another. Once you get off the train, look up at the signs above you at the platform. It has some direction written both in Japanese and English.

Osaka Japan Train Guide - My observation and experience with JR and Subway Metro Osaka Japan Train Guide - My observation and experience with JR and Subway Metro

Osaka Metro

Osaka has 9 subway lines and the main hub station is Namba station which connects with 3 lines – the Midosuji Line, the Sennichimae Line, and the Yotsubashi Line. Subway fare starts from 180 yen(USD 1.60) to 370 yen (USD 3.30)

Osaka Japan Train Guide - My observation and experience with JR and Subway Metro

At bigger Metro station, you find staff who speak English to assist you with buying the ticket.  Anyway, it is pretty much the same as buying the ticket from JR ticketing machine.

Osaka Japan Train Guide - My observation and experience with JR and Subway Metro

Namba Station

One of the important train station in the heart of Osaka shopping district.  If you are visiting Kuromon and Nipponbashi, you can get off from Namba station.

Osaka Japan Train Guide - My observation and experience with JR and Subway Metro

Train Station Shopping

Usually, there are shopping inside the train station complexes, it allows you to do some shopping while catching and transferring train. You also find standing noodle shops and bento set shop for the busy Japanese “salaryman” aka white collar office male workers.  Women usually refer to “OL” aka office lady.  Below is my favorite shop, the “Totoro shop”.

Osaka Japan Train Guide - My observation and experience with JR and Subway Metro

Worried of “Chikan”? – Use Women Only Cars

Japan subway have this pink area, women only car due to the problem of “chikan”, women get harassed by “hentai” /pervert on crowded train especially during rush hour.  This is solely for women only.

Osaka Japan Train Guide - My observation and experience with JR and Subway Metro

Final thoughts:

Overall a good experience for me to try out Osaka train ride, not my first as I have been living in Tokyo and they have more complicated train lines.  Do I like it?  No, I don’t, too tiring navigating from one station to another.  I still prefer driving my rental car to reach my destination.  Is it advisable to drive in Osaka city area?  Why not.  I notice that there are not many cars in the city center and plenty of car parks near Kuromon, Nipponbashi and Denden Town or Namba area.  The only downside is the parking fees may be slightly higher compared to the outskirts so do your homework and check out the rate for the car park.

Osaka Japan Train Guide - My observation and experience with JR and Subway Metro

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how to change from JR to subwayJapan fare adjustment machineJapan train guideJapan Train Station ShoppingJapanese hentaiJR japan rail in OsakaMidosuji Linenamba stationOsaka MetroOsaka Subway metrothe Sennichimae LineTotoro gift shopTotoro shop in Namba stationtrain experience in osakatrain or rental car?Worried of “Chikan”? – Use Women Only CarsYotsubashi Line
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19 comments

1stepfurther February 16, 2019 - 1:02 pm

Oh my, I wished I found this article a year ago for my first trip to Japan! I was so confused trying to figured out their train system. I remember i was silently studying other people at the train station for half an hour including figuring out which station I needed to go.
thank you for sharing, this kind of article is really useful 🙂

Reply
kumamonjeng February 17, 2019 - 7:58 am

You are right, riding train in Japan can be confusing but Osaka has much lesser train lines than in Tokyo, so a lot easier I suppose. Glad you find this article useful. Thank you.

Reply
crisshex88 February 16, 2019 - 4:28 pm

I find this blog post is very useful because Japan is so beautiful as for some it can be so difficult. Take the trains for example, I lost there ç_ç

Reply
kumamonjeng February 17, 2019 - 8:00 am

Dear Crisshex,

Walking around in the big station can be very confusing and may get lost, especially when you need to change from Japan Rail (JR) to subway.

Reply
gabriel izukanne February 16, 2019 - 7:24 pm

This is very similar to china metro system. When i was in Beijing . But this post is very useful because my next trip might just be to Japan .

Reply
kumamonjeng February 17, 2019 - 8:02 am

Dear Gabriel,

I have not tried the metro in Beijing but tried in Shanghai China, very convenient to use! Over here in Japan, there are several companies that run the trains so may be more complicated than China train. Hope you have a fun trip to Japan.

Reply
Courtney February 17, 2019 - 2:07 am

This is a really great guide with photos! I have not been to Japan yet but I feel like from reading this I could get through the metro system pretty well on my own. Thanks!

Reply
kumamonjeng February 17, 2019 - 8:22 am

Dear Courtney,
Japan rail transport is a major mean, especially in the city area. However you may want to know there are not just metro but also Japan rail (JR), the biggest and also Japan National Railways and other privatize companies.

Reply
Blair February 17, 2019 - 1:20 pm

Riding the train in Japan sounds like an adventure. In Canada except for taxis the buses, subway and rail are generally run by monopolies and usually by government departments. We only have to worry about one company, I can’t imagine picking through maps and companies for the service you need. Have the areas separated for women for their safety is a great idea, considering the tight quarters.

Reply
kumamonjeng February 17, 2019 - 12:57 pm

Dear Blair,

Thanks for sharing your view on Canada transportation. Canada will be in my bucket list 🙂

Reply
matthew February 17, 2019 - 2:07 pm

This looks like an Adventure to me. Great guides and lovely photos, i have always wished to visit Japan, Heard some many amazing things about the Country

Reply
AnotherFoodBlogger February 17, 2019 - 8:21 pm

This is a great and informative article!! Will be referenceing this is/when I visit

Reply
Liz February 18, 2019 - 4:18 am

We were actually just talking about Osaka today! Definitely saving this for when we finally go!

Reply
BMB13 February 18, 2019 - 12:05 pm

This would be very useful for any traveler trying to navigate the JR for the first time. The map did look confusing. I liked how you included etiquette.

Reply
Camille February 18, 2019 - 1:24 pm

The fare adjustment machine seems interesting. Will definitwly take note of these when I visit Osaka in the future.

Reply
Nicole February 18, 2019 - 3:24 pm

This is a much different system than what is used in the city where I live. Your guide was very informative and would be a great help for any travelers looking to get around in Osaka. Thanks for sharing!

Reply
jaynaylee February 18, 2019 - 9:43 pm

I have never been to Japan, but I do want to go. If I ever get the chance to go I feel like I will know a lot about the train because of this post. Very informative!

Reply
scrapbookadventures365 February 18, 2019 - 10:24 pm

Looks like an incredible metro system, I think I would find it quite confusing! Looks really different from the one I’m used to in London!

Reply
kidneyfornikki February 19, 2019 - 1:52 am

I have never been to Japan but this looks like a very useful guide to have if I ever get to go! The system does look confusing so thank your breaking it down for us like this!

Reply
Tasheeni February 19, 2019 - 11:18 am

This is superrrr helpful! I’ll definitely be using this guide for my next trip to Osaka, Japan.

Reply
Tadpoles And Mud Puddles February 19, 2019 - 8:16 pm

When I traveled in China I was shocked at how little personal space was accepted. I’m not surprised that Japan isn’t any different. I do like the idea of the pink train. I was touched by random people way too much for my comfort level when packed in public transportation in China.

Reply

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I am the travel writer for Thinkerten. I lived in Japan, Australia, Malaysia and now based in Singapore. Speak 4 languages, Japanese, English, Malay, and Chinese. There are the many types of travels one can experience and mine are mostly focus on self-driving/road trip to explore the places I wanted to see and learn about. Only if you get out of your country, you will see the real you and understand more about yourself, to realize of your own identity, your own culture, and your root.

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