Osaka Metro Route Finder
大阪メトロ 経路検索

Osaka Metro uses a distance-based flat fare system. Adult fares: ≤3 km = ¥190, ≤7 km = ¥240, ≤13 km = ¥290, ≤19 km = ¥340, 19+ km = ¥390. IC card (ICOCA, PiTaPa, Suica etc.) fares are slightly cheaper due to IC discounts. Children (6–11) pay half. Under 6 travel free. The 1-Day Pass (¥820 weekdays / ¥620 weekends) is excellent value for tourists making 4+ trips in a day. Buy at station vending machines.

Osaka Metro operates daily from approximately 5:00 AM to midnight (00:00). The Midosuji Line (busiest) runs 5:00 AM – 00:24 AM. Other lines close between 23:30 and 00:10. Peak frequency: every 2–3 minutes on Midosuji; every 4–8 minutes on other lines. Late night: every 8–12 minutes. After midnight, taxis and night buses serve the city. Always check platform displays for last train times.

Osaka Metro has 9 lines and 133 stations: M Midosuji (Red, 20 stations — busiest line), T Tanimachi (Purple, 26 stations), Y Yotsubashi (Blue, 11 stations), C Chuo (Green, 14 stations), S Sennichimae (Pink, 14 stations), K Sakaisuji (Brown, 10 stations), N Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi (Yellow-green, 17 stations), I Imazatosuji (Orange, 11 stations), P Nanko Port Town (Sky blue, 10 stations). Operated by Osaka Metro Co., Ltd.

IC cards are rechargeable contactless smart cards for Japanese public transport. On Osaka Metro: tap card on card reader at turnstile entry and exit — fare is automatically deducted. ICOCA (by JR West) and PiTaPa (post-pay, Osaka-specific) are local IC cards. Most national IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, etc.) also work. Mobile IC via Apple Pay or Google Pay works at all turnstiles. IC fares are slightly cheaper than paper tickets. Buy ICOCA at JR stations or major metro stations (¥500 deposit).

Namba (なんば) station on Midosuji (M), Yotsubashi (Y), and Sennichimae (S) lines is the best gateway to Dotonbori and Namba entertainment district — 5-minute walk to the famous Glico Man sign. Shinsaibashi (心斎橋) station on Midosuji (M) and Nagahori (N) lines gives direct access to Shinsaibashi shopping arcade (America-Mura, OPA, etc.). Both are within easy walking distance of each other.

Take Osaka Metro Chuo Line (C) from Honmachi to Bentencho, then transfer to JR Osaka Loop Line to Sakurajima/Universal City station. Alternatively, take Metro to Nishikujo (JR transfer), then JR Yumesaki Line directly to Universal City. Journey time from Umeda/Namba: approximately 20–30 minutes. Note: USJ station is JR — Osaka Metro does not directly serve USJ.

Tanimachi 4-chome (谷町四丁目) on Tanimachi (T) and Chuo (C) lines is the closest Osaka Metro station to Osaka Castle (Osakajo). From the station, it's a 15-minute walk to the castle keep. Alternatively, Morinomiya (森ノ宮) on Chuo (C) and Nagahori (N) lines gives access to the castle's southeast entrance (Osakajo Park). Osaka-jo Koen on JR Loop Line is also nearby.

The Midosuji Line (M, Red) is the busiest line in western Japan — carrying over 900,000 passengers daily. It runs north-south from Esaka (江坂) to Nakamozu (なかもず) through the core of Osaka, connecting all major hubs: Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Namba, Tennoji. It is the backbone of the Osaka Metro network. Frequency: every 2–3 minutes during peak hours. It connects to JR Shin-Osaka at Shin-Osaka (新大阪) for Shinkansen connections.

Take the Midosuji Line (M) to Shin-Osaka (新大阪) station — it is directly connected to Shin-Osaka JR Shinkansen station by underground passages. From Umeda: 1 stop north (2–3 min). From Namba: 3 stops north (~8 min). From Tennoji: 5 stops north (~12 min). Shin-Osaka is served by Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen. Same IC card (ICOCA/Suica) works on both metro and Shinkansen ticket gates.

Three separate Osaka Metro stations serve the Umeda area: Umeda (梅田) on Midosuji (M) — directly below Osaka Station. Higashi-Umeda (東梅田) on Tanimachi (T). Nishi-Umeda (西梅田) on Yotsubashi (Y). All three are connected by underground walkways and collectively form the massive Osaka/Umeda terminal area, connecting to JR Osaka, Hankyu, Hanshin, and Kintetsu lines. Allow 5–10 minutes to walk between these three metro stations.

Tennoji (天王寺) is served by Midosuji (M) and Tanimachi (T) lines — connected to JR Tennoji, Harukas (Japan's tallest building), Abeno Harukas department store, Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine and Osaka Zoo. Namba (なんば) is served by Midosuji (M), Yotsubashi (Y), and Sennichimae (S) — central hub for Dotonbori, Kuromon Market, Den-Den Town, and Nankai Railway to Kansai Airport.

Yes — the Osaka Metro 1-Day Pass allows unlimited rides on all 9 Osaka Metro lines. Cost: ¥820 weekdays, ¥620 weekends and holidays. It pays off if you make 4+ rides on weekdays (4×¥240=¥960) or 3+ rides on weekends (3×¥240=¥720). For tourists, the Osaka Amazing Pass (1-day ¥2,800 / 2-day ¥3,600) includes the metro pass PLUS free entry to over 30 attractions including the Umeda Sky Building and cruise boats. Buy at station vending machines or tourist information centers.

There is no direct metro to Kansai Airport (KIX). Options from Osaka Metro stations: (1) Nankai Rapi:t / Airport Express from Namba (transfer from M/Y/S metro) — 40 min, ¥1,450 (Rapi:t) or ¥930 (Airport Express). (2) JR Haruka from Tennoji (M/T metro) — 30 min to KIX, ¥3,640 (or ¥2,490 with IC). (3) Airport Limousine Bus from Umeda/Namba — 50–70 min.

The Chuo Line (C, Green) runs east-west from Cosmosquare (コスモスクエア) on the artificial island in Osaka Bay to Nagata (長田) in eastern Osaka (near Kintetsu Higashi-Osaka line). Key stops: Osaka-ko (harbor), Bentencho (JR Loop Line transfer), Awaza, Hommachi (M/Y interchange), Sakaisuji-Hommachi (K interchange), Tanimachi 4-chome (T interchange), Morinomiya (N interchange). The Chuo Line links the Osaka Bay waterfront development to the city center.

Tennoji (天王寺) on Midosuji (M) and Tanimachi (T) lines is directly connected to Abeno Harukas (300m tall, Japan's tallest building as of 2025). The underground passage connects Tennoji Metro station directly to the Kintetsu Osaka Abenobashi terminal in the basement of Harukas. The 60th floor observation deck (Harukas 300) is a popular tourist attraction with views of Osaka Bay and, on clear days, Awaji Island.

The Nanko Port Town Line (P, Sky Blue) is a fully automated rubber-tyred guideway (AGT) system — not a conventional metro. It runs from Cosmosquare (コスモスクエア) to Suminoekoen (住之江公園) through the artificial Osaka Bay island (Nanko). It connects to Yotsubashi Line at Suminoekoen and Chuo Line at Cosmosquare. The "New Tram" serves the Osaka waterfront reclaimed land area. Train cars are small and run automatically without a driver.

Yes — Osaka Metro has good accessibility. All stations have elevators, tactile paving, and priority seating. Newer lines (Nagahori N, Imazatosuji I, Nanko P) were built to modern accessibility standards. Older stations on Midosuji (M) and Tanimachi (T) have been progressively upgraded. Station staff can assist with boarding. The Midosuji Line has priority cars (quieter, no mobile phone use) at specific positions. All trains have priority seats near doors.

The Sakaisuji Line (K, Brown) is unique — it operates through service with Hankyu Railway. Trains from Hankyu Kyoto and Senri lines enter the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line and run all the way to Tengachaya (天下茶屋). You can board a Hankyu train at Kyoto-Kawaramachi and ride directly to central Osaka without changing trains — though fares are calculated separately. Key stops: Tenjimbashisuji 6-chome (T interchange), Minami-morimachi, Sakaisuji-Hommachi (C interchange), Nippombashi (S interchange), Dobutsuen-mae (M interchange).

Top tourist stations: Namba (M/Y/S) — Dotonbori, Glico Man, Kuromon Market. Shinsaibashi (M/N) — shopping arcade, Amerika-mura. Umeda (M) — Osaka Station, Hankyu, Hanshin. Tennoji (M/T) — Abeno Harukas, Tennoji Zoo, Shitenno-ji Temple. Tanimachi 4-chome (T/C) — Osaka Castle. Shin-Osaka (M) — Shinkansen hub. Osakako (C) — Tempozan, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. Morinomiya (C/N) — Osaka Castle east gate.

These are two different stations close to each other in central Osaka. Hommachi (本町) is served by Midosuji (M), Yotsubashi (Y), and Chuo (C) lines — the major business district hub at the intersection of Osaka's key metro routes. Sakaisuji-Hommachi (堺筋本町) is served by Chuo (C) and Sakaisuji (K) lines — one block east. They are not connected by a direct underground passage. If changing between the two, exit at street level and walk ~3 minutes.

Vending machines (券売機) at every station entrance accept cash (coins + notes) and credit/debit cards. Steps: (1) Press destination on route map or fare amount. (2) Insert coins/notes or tap card. (3) Collect ticket. IC card top-up: place card on reader, insert cash. Online/app: ICOCA digital card can be loaded via Apple Pay/Google Pay. Day passes are also available at vending machines. Station staff at manned windows can assist. English menus available on machines.

The Imazatosuji Line (I, Orange) is a fully automated linear motor mini-metro running from Itakano (井高野) in the north to Imazato (今里) in the south (11 stations). It was designed to serve eastern Osaka districts not covered by other lines. Key interchanges: Taishibashi-Imaichi (T interchange), Gamo 4-chome (N interchange), Midoribashi (C interchange), Imazato (S interchange). Uses small linear motor trains — narrower cars than conventional metro.

Osaka Metro connects to intercity railways at major hubs: To Kyoto: Umeda (M) → Hankyu Kyoto Line (~45 min, ¥410); or Yodoyabashi (M) → Keihan Main Line (~50 min). To Nara: Namba (M/Y/S) → Kintetsu Nara Line (~45 min, ¥680). To Kobe: Umeda (M) → Hankyu Kobe Line (~35 min, ¥330); or Umeda → JR Kobe Line (~20 min, ¥410). Use IC card for seamless transfer — tap in at metro, tap out at destination (separate fare structures apply).

Osaka Metro peak hours: morning rush 7:30–9:00 AM and evening rush 5:30–7:30 PM. The Midosuji Line is the most crowded (up to 170% capacity at rush hour). Tips for avoiding crowds: travel before 7:30 AM or after 9:30 AM; use the Yotsubashi Line (Y) as a less crowded alternative to Midosuji for the Umeda-Namba corridor. Women-only cars operate on several lines during rush hours (typically front car, marked with pink signage). The 10th car of trains is designated priority/quiet.

Key upcoming expansion: Nakatsu Extension — extending the Midosuji Line from Esaka further northwest. New Umeda Connector — improving underground connections between Umeda/Higashi-Umeda/Nishi-Umeda. Expo 2025 area: Osaka Metro collaborated on the Osaka Monorail extension to Yumeshima island (Expo 2025 venue). Imazatosuji Line southward extension from Imazato to connect with Kintetsu is also in long-term plans. Osaka Metro Co., Ltd. has announced digitalization and Wi-Fi improvements across all lines through 2030.