Namba Station

In Osaka, Namba is a pivotal transportation hub where 6 train lines operated by 5 companies converge and depart from 4 Namba Stations. To avoid confusion, most of the 4 stations serving are named according to their operators: Nankai Namba, Osaka Metro Namba, JR Namba, and a shared station, Osaka-Namba (Kintetsu & Hanshin Electric Railway). 

A notable aspect of Japan’s transportation is that stations operated by different companies, even in the same locality, may not be co-located. However, with a 5-15 minute walk, tourists can easily access any of the four Namba stations via the underground pedestrian street, Namba Walk, with clear signage.

By distinguishing the operating companies, route names, and main destinations of four Namba stations, tourists can seamlessly navigate transfers and explore Osaka, neighboring Kansai cities, and even Tokyo.

Namba Station Guide

1. Nankai Namba Station – The Only Above-Ground Namba Station

Trains Available: Nankai Main Line, Nankai Express, and Nankai Koyasan Line

Nankai Airport Express Train

Main Destinations: Kansai International Airport, Wakayama, Koyasan

Entry:
Upon arriving at Namba Station of Nankai Railway, simply enter through the main entrance of the station building. Signs for Nankai Electric Railway will guide you. Entrances to the platform are available on both the second and third floors. For trains bound for Kansai International Airport and Wakayama, proceed to the third floor via the escalator on the right.

Ticket Purchasing:
Tourists have two options: ticket vending machines on 2F and 3F or manned ticket counters on 3F. Note that the vending machines accept cash and domestic Japanese transportation IC cards. For credit card payments or assistance, visit the manned ticket counters staffed with English-speaking personnel.

2. Osaka Metro Namba Station – Three Lines in Different Colors

Osaka's subway system boasts unique route colors to distinguish lines easily. Inside Namba Station, intuitive signs feature the initial of each line's name in a matching colored circle, simplifying navigation.

Key Lines & Destinations: 

Midosuji Line (M): Umeda, Shin-Osaka, Tsutenkaku.

Sennichimae Line (S): Nihonbashi (near Kuromon Ichiba Market), Tsuruhashi.
Yotsubashi Line (Y): Amerikamura.

Entry & Ticketing: From Nankai Namba Station, take the escalator down to B1 and proceed straight ahead. You will soon see the entrance to Osaka Metro Namba Station. Follow the signs towards your desired subway line. Midosuji Line entrance will be the first you encounter. Purchase a ticket nearby or simply swipe IC card to access the platform.

Note:
1. The station codes for Namba on Midosuji Line, Yotsubashi Line, and Senninmae Line are M20, Y15, and S16, respectively.
2. Transfers between the three subway lines at Osaka Metro Namba Station do not require exiting the station.

3. Osaka-Namba Station – Most Convenient to Nearby Cities

Trains & Key Destinations: 

Kintetsu Nara Line & Kintetsu Limited Express: Kyoto, Nara, Nagoya, Ise, and Uji.
Hanshin Namba Line: Universal Studios Japan and Kobe Sannomiya.

Entry & Ticketing: Osaka Namba Station is a 3-minute walk from Osaka Metro Namba Station's Senninbashi Line entrance. Take the escalator connecting Senninbashi Line to Osaka Namba Station downstairs to the station concourse. You will find blue ticket vending machines are for Kintetsu services and orange ones for Hanshin.

4. JR Namba Station - The Most Remote Namba Station

Train & Key Destinations: JR Yamato Line – Tennoji, Nara

Entry & Ticketing: From Nankai Namba Station, simply follow the underground pedestrian street signs for a quick 10-15 minute walk to JR Namba Station. For those arriving at ground level, head straight to Osaka City Air Terminal (OCAT). The escalators leading to JR Namba Station's B1 concourse are conveniently located just to the left of OCAT's entrance.

Upon arrival, visit the ticket office to secure your ticket and proceed to the B2 platform for your train.

Lockers at Namba Station

Lockers in Namba Station

Namba Station provides coin-operated lockers priced 400~100 yen, accepting 100 and 1000 yen coins and bills, with some also supporting transportation IC cards. For luggage retrieval, customers can use an electronic QR code or a traditional key system. The majority of these lockers are concentrated around Midosuji Line and Nankai Namba Stations, with service time from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM or 12:30 PM (next day).

Station	Locker Location
Osaka Metro Midosuji Line Namba Station	South Ticket Gate
	Northeast Ticket Gate
	Northwest Ticket Gate
	1F Next to Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank
Nankai Namba	B1 Floor ( Next to stairs)
	2F Outside Central Ticket Gate
JR Namba	2F OCAT Express Bus Station
	1F Information Office
Osaka-Namba	B2 West & East Sides

 

Tips

1. Utilize Google Maps, Yahoo Maps, or Apple Maps for seamless travel.

2. NAMBA Walk serves as both an underground passageway connecting multiple lines and a shopping district where tourists can indulge in dining, shopping, and more. Operating Hours: Shops open at 10:00 AM, while dining options close at 10:00 PM and other stores at 9:00 PM.

3. Directly linked to JR Namba Station, OCAT (Osaka City Air Terminal) serves as a terminal for airport buses to/from Kansai International Airport and Itami Airport, as well as express buses to Kyoto, Tokyo, Fukuoka, Kagoshima, and other destinations.

Top Spots near Namba Station & the Quickest Access

Dotonbori – The most popular food market in Osaka. Simply walk north for 2 minutes from Exit 14 or 25 of Osaka Metro Namba Station.

Sennichimae Douguyasuji – A Japanese cookware shopping street. Exit 1 of Osaka Metro Namba Station takes you east in 5 minutes.

Ebisu Bashi-Suji – A bustling street for shopping and dining. Step out of the ground-level exit of Nankai Namba Station, and you'll find it right in front.

Hozenji Yokocho - An antique alley for authentic Japanese food and drink. From Exit 14 of Osaka Metro's Namba Station, walk east for 3 minutes.

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