If this is your first time in Osaka and you’re looking for a simple, easy-to-use, and economical way to get around the city, the Osaka Metro Pass is a great option to consider.
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Osaka is a vibrant, bustling, and energetic city – buying individual tickets for each journey can be confusing and expensive. Therefore, the Osaka Metro Pass helps you save a significant amount of money while allowing you to freely hop on and off trains to explore the city at your own pace without worrying about fares or complicated line changes.
If you’re wondering which type of Osaka Metro Pass to buy, which metro lines are most important for first-time visitors, and how to use the pass most effectively, don’t miss this detailed article from Living Nomads.
What is an Osaka Metro Pass?
The Osaka Metro Pass is a transportation pass that allows unlimited travel on the entire Osaka Metro train system and Osaka city buses for the duration of its validity (usually 1 or 2 days). Instead of buying individual tickets for each leg of your journey, you simply swipe your pass each time you board the train, which is very convenient and easy to use, especially for first-time visitors to Osaka.
No need to queue at each station to buy tickets before each trip – with the Osaka Metro Pass, visitors only need one card to travel on the following lines:
| Osaka Metro | Osaka Bus |
|---|---|
| - Midosuji Line - Tanimachi Line - Yotsubashi Line - Chuo Line - Sennichimae Line - Sakaisuji Line - Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line - Imazatosuji Line - New Train Line | Imazato Line |
This pass is designed specifically for travel within the city, where most of the famous attractions, shopping areas, and food districts are located, helping you save money and be more proactive when exploring the city.
Important Osaka Metro Lines Visitors Should Know
When traveling with the Osaka Metro Pass, first-time visitors only need to know the three most important lines to explore almost all of downtown Osaka.
The Midosuji Line is considered the main artery of the city, running through the most vibrant areas such as Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Tennoji – almost every sightseeing itinerary will pass through this line at least once. The Tanimachi line is convenient for culturally and historically significant areas such as Osaka Castle, temples, and quieter residential areas.
Meanwhile, the Chuo line serves as an east-west link, useful for traveling between major tourist areas or reaching highlights like the port and museums. Combining these three lines allows for flexible travel, saves time, and maximizes the benefits of the Osaka Metro Pass throughout your journey.
How to Buy an Osaka Metro Pass Easily and Conveniently
The Osaka Metro Pass is very easy to purchase, suitable even for first-time visitors to Japan. You can buy it online before your trip through travel platforms like Klook with the following steps:
1. Log in to your Klook account on the web or app.
2. Purchase your Osaka Metro Pass ticket.
3. Check your email and/or Klook account to see if you have received a booking confirmation and voucher.
4. After arriving in Japan, go to any Osaka Metro office to collect your Osaka Metro Pass by presenting your purchase receipt and passport:
- Osaka Metro Shin-Osaka Station Information Counter
- Osaka Metro Umeda Station Ticket Counter
- Osaka Metro Namba Station Ticket Counter (Yotsubashi Line)
- Osaka Metro Tennoji Station Ticket Counter
You should remember: The Osaka Metro Pass will not be automatically activated upon transfer. The pass will only be activated upon first use on any Osaka Metro or Osaka City Bus line within the valid area.
Alternatively, you can purchase it directly at the automatic ticket vending machines at Osaka Metro stations; the machine interface supports English, making operation quite simple. Whichever method you choose, you should purchase your pass well in advance of your travel date to maximize your unlimited rides for the day.
Suggested One-Day Osaka Itinerary with Osaka Metro Pass
Morning: Visit Osaka Castle
In the morning, you can take the Chuo or Tanimachi line and get off at Morinomiya or Tanimachiyonchome station, then walk to the grounds of Osaka Castle. This is one of the city’s most important historical landmarks, featuring traditional Japanese architecture set amidst a large park with many trees and a lake.
Going early helps you avoid the crowds, gives you time to stroll around the park, take photos, and if you like, visit the museum inside to learn more about Osaka’s history.
Lunch: Shopping & Dining in Shinsaibashi
After leaving Osaka Castle, take the Midosuji line and get off at Shinsaibashi station. This area is considered the “shopping heart” of Osaka with its long, covered pedestrian street and a variety of shops from local brands to international brands. Shinsaibashi is bustling at lunchtime, perfect for enjoying a leisurely stroll and experiencing the vibrant atmosphere characteristic of Osaka.
Afternoon: Dotonbori Street Stroll
From Shinsaibashi, you can walk about 10 minutes or take one metro stop to Namba Station to reach Dotonbori. This area best showcases the lively atmosphere of Osaka. The afternoon is ideal for strolling around, taking photos with the famous Glico sign, and trying street food like takoyaki or okonomiyaki.
Osaka Dotonbori Naniwa Sightseeing Cruise
Evening: Exploring Umeda at Night
As the city lights up, take the Midosuji line from Namba Station to Umeda Station, a fast journey with no transfers. Umeda is a modern area with many large shopping malls, restaurants, and scenic viewpoints.
Umeda Sky Building & Kuchu Teien Observatory Ticket in Osaka
The evenings here are lively but not overly crowded, perfect for dinner, strolling, and enjoying the Osaka skyline before ending a day of exploring the city by metro.
Osaka Metro Pass – Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can buy an Osaka Metro Pass?
As long as you don’t have a Japanese passport, you can use the Osaka Metro Pass.
2. Should I book a 1-day or 2-day Osaka Metro Pass?
That completely depends on your itinerary. Buy a 1-day pass if you can arrange your entire Osaka itinerary in one day. But we recommend purchasing a 2-day pass so you can spend time exploring the city and all its interesting things.
3. Do I have to use the Osaka Metro Pass 2-day ticket on consecutive days?
No, the Osaka Metro Pass 2-day ticket can be used on non-consecutive days.
4. How do I activate the Osaka Metro Pass?
Once you have booked your ticket, simply keep your e-ticket and present it along with your passport at any of the Osaka Metro ticket counters listed below to receive your ticket:
- Osaka Metro Information Counter Shin-Osaka Station
- Osaka Metro Ticket Counter Umeda Station
- Osaka Metro Ticket Counter Namba Station (Yotsubashi Line)
- Osaka Metro Ticket Counter Tennoji Station
Your Osaka Metro Pass will not be automatically activated upon transfer. To activate it, simply present it at the gate before boarding the train.
5. Can I change my travel date?
Yes, you can! The Osaka Metro Pass allows for flexible travel dates. However, please remember to use it within the validity period stated on your purchase receipt.
6. Is the Osaka Metro Pass available as an e-ticket?
No. After booking, you will need to request a physical ticket at the Osaka Metro ticket offices listed above.
(*) Exchange rates fluctuate over time, therefore the JPY/VND exchange rate is for reference only.
With your Osaka Metro Pass in hand, your journey to the land of dreams will be easier and more economical than ever.
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Osaka you can refer to
- Osaka Amazing Pass (Osaka Pick Up & HK/TW Delivery)
- OSAKA Unlimited Travel Pass (1 or 2 Days)
- Osaka Amazing Pass (HK/TW/ICN/Osaka Pick Up & MY Delivery)
- Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass (1 Day/2 Days, Kyoto Pick Up)
- JR West Kansai Pass (1, 2, 3 and 4 Day Rail Pass)
- Kyoto Temples & Shrines Day Tour from Osaka: Fushimi Inari-taisha, Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera & More
- Limousine Bus Transfers between Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka or Kyoto
- 4G Prepaid Sim Card (JP Airports Pick Up) for Japan
- 4G WiFi (Japan Pick Up) for Japan
- JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)
- Osaka One-Day Walking Tour
- Arashiyama, Nara & Yasaka Shrine & Hanakomiji OneDay Tour from Osaka
- Osaka Amazing Pass & Osaka e-Pass
- teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka Ticket
- Kyoto and Nara Day Tour from Osaka/Kyoto
- Arashiyama & Nara Todai-ji Day Tour from Osaka
- Solaniwa Onsen Ticket in Osaka
- Nara, Todaiji Temple & Kuroshio Market One Day Tour from Osaka
- Sanda Outlet Market, Nara Park & Todaiji Temple Day Tour from Osaka
- ICOCA IC Card
- The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living Ticket
Are you looking for more Osaka travel guide and top things to do in Osaka: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Osaka travel blog — The fullest Osaka city guide for a wonderful trip to Osaka for the first-timers.
