Getting around Osaka is super easy with the Osaka Loop line, operated by JR-West, the lines runs a circle around Osaka, stopping at 19 stations.

Table of contents:
About the Osaka Loop Line
Stations on the Osaka loop line
Railway map of the Osaka loop line
Fares and tickets
Using the Osaka Loop line to Kansai Airport
Can the JR Pass be used on the Osaka Loop line?
Tips for riding the Osaka loop line

About the Osaka Loop Line

The Osaka Loop line, or Osaka Kanjo-sen is a circle line running through the metropolis of Osaka, carrying over 300.000 passengers on a daily basis. With over 130 years of history, the Osaka loop line is an iconography of the city itself, featured in novels, Japanese cinematography and song.

Train run both clockwise and counterclockwise along the Osaka Loop line, stopping at important stations like Osaka station, Nishikujo, Shin-Imamiya, Tennoji and Kyobashi. Together with the network that connects to the Osaka loop line, it makes for a super convenient option to explore Osaka with using the Japan Rail Pass.

Stations on the Osaka loop line

The 19 stations along the Osaka Loop line by station number with their corresponding JR transfer options are:

• Tennoji: connecting to the JR Kansai Main Line (Yamatoji Line) and JR Hanwa line.
• Teradacho
• Momodani
• Tsuruhashi
• Tamatsukuri
• Morinomiya
• Osakajō-kōen
• Kyobashi: connecting to the Katamachi Line and JR Tozai line.
• Sakuranomiya
• Temma
• Osaka Station: connecting to Tokaido Main Line (JR Kyoto Line, JR Kobe Line JR Takarazuka Line), Osaka Higashi Line and JR Tozai Line.
  Fukushima: connecting to the JR Tozai line.
• Noda
• Nishikujo connecting to the JR Sakurajima Line (JR Yumesaki Line).
• Bentencho
• Taisho
• Ashiharabashi
• Imamiya: connecting to the Kansai Main Line (Yamatoji Line).
• Shin-Imamiya: connecting to the Kansai Main Line (Yamatoji Line).

Railway map of the Osaka loop line

Here is a map of the JR Osaka Loop line, including all stations and station numbers. The JR Yumesaki Line is also pictured, due to its importance and connection to Universal Studio Osaka, and some trains branch of here.

For more Japan Map resources and nationwide map, see the JR interactive Railway map of Japan.

Fares and tickets

Fares on the JR Osaka loop line range between 120 – 260 yen per ride, depending on the distance travelled. The Japan Rail Pass covers the JR Osaka loop line, and makes for a great way to explore Osaka with.

Using the Osaka Loop line to Kansai Airport

While the loop line itself does not run to Kansai Airport, different stations along the line do have trains running directly to Kansai Airport, including the JR Kansai Airport express and Haruka Express.

That means you can use the Osaka Loop line as an easy hop-on solution to Kansai Airport. To do so, use the Osaka Loop line to one of the following stations.

JR Kansai Airport special rapid service stops at:
Tennoji Station, Osaka station and Kyobashi Station.

The Haruka Express stops at:
Tennoji

Can the JR Pass be used on the Osaka Loop line?

Yes, the Japan Rail Pass is valid for the entire line and all JR lines branching of it. Using your pass to explore Osaka this way, is a very cost-efficient option.

Tips for riding the Osaka loop line

• We recommend taking some time to get familiar with the Osaka loop line before travel, this will give you an idea of where everything is located in Osaka and will make orientation easy.
• As trains travel in both directions, make sure to confirm which is faster.
• Among train enthusiasts in Japan there’s a sport called Kanjo, meaning “perfect ride”, where riders aim to ride every JR line in Japan. The Osaka loop line in similar in pronunciation in Japanese called Kanjo-sen, and is often the final ride of the perfect ride.
• Tokyo has a similar loop line, called the Yamanote loop line, and is just as handy!