Overview
Osaka Metro (大阪メトロ, Ōsaka Metoro) is the subway and rapid transit backbone of Osaka, operated by Osaka Metro Co., Ltd. The system carries approximately 2.5 million passengers daily across eight subway lines and one automated guideway transit line, making it an essential way to navigate the city. As a visitor, you'll use the metro to reach major districts, transfer to regional railways, and access attractions across Osaka and beyond.
To ride end to end: identify your destination and the line serving it (each line has a letter and colour code), purchase a ticket or tap your IC card at the entrance gate, board the train, and exit at your stop by inserting your ticket or tapping your card at the exit gate. Bilingual Japanese-English announcements and clear signage make navigation straightforward for first-time visitors.
The network
Osaka Metro operates eight subway lines across 133.1 kilometres of track serving 124 stations, plus a 7.9-kilometre automated guideway transit line known as the "New Tram". The system is closely integrated with regional rail networks operated by JR West, Hankyu Railway, Keihan Railway, and Kintetsu Railway, allowing seamless transfers at major hubs.
Main subway lines
- Midōsuji Line (M-line) – The oldest and busiest line in the network, running north–south and carrying approximately 1.3 million passengers per day. It connects major stations including Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Tennōji, and operates through trains on extensions not owned by Osaka Metro.
- Chūō Line (C-line) – The main east–west route, running across central Osaka with extensions operated by Kintetsu Railway toward Nara and Kyoto via through-train services.
- Tanimachi Line (T-line) – Providing important links across Osaka's central area; does not operate through services to external lines.
- Yotsubashi Line (Y-line) – A major route across central commercial and residential areas; an independent line with no through services.
- Sennichimae Line (S-line) – An independent line serving central Osaka; does not operate through services.
- Sakaisuji Line (K-line) – Operates through trains to Hankyu Railway and is the only line to operate through services to existing railway lines that are not isolated from the national rail network.
- Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line (N-line) – Japan's first linear motor subway line, opened in 1990, running between central Osaka and the suburbs.
- Imazatosuji Line (I-line) – Japan's second linear motor subway line, opened in 2006, connecting the airport area with central Osaka and four existing subway lines.
Automated guideway transit
- New Tram – A 7.9-kilometre automated guideway transit line with 10 stations, providing supplementary service across the network.
Key interchange stations
- Umeda – Served by the Midōsuji, Tanimachi, and Yotsubashi lines; major hub for transfer to JR, Hankyu, and Keihan railways.
- Namba – Where the Midōsuji, Sennichimae, Sakaisuji, and Yotsubashi lines intersect; important connection point for regional services and Kansai International Airport access.
- Tennōji – A major interchange serving the Midōsuji and other lines, enabling convenient transfers across the network.
Nearly all stations use a letter-number system for identification: the letter identifies the line (M for Midōsuji, C for Chūō, etc.) and the number indicates the station's position on that line. For example, Higobashi Station on the Yotsubashi Line is designated Y12. This system is announced in bilingual Japanese-English automated announcements on board all trains.
Tickets & fares
Ticket types and purchase
- Paper tickets – Purchased at ticket machines or ticket counters at all stations. Machines have English-language options; you select your destination, and fares are calculated by distance (shortest route between departure and arrival stations).
- IC cards (ICOCA) – Rechargeable smart cards that you tap at gate readers. ICOCA cards are accepted on Osaka Metro, JR lines, most private railways, and for shopping at convenience stores. New cards require a 500 yen deposit (refundable upon return); you can also load ICOCA onto an existing card without deposit.
- Suica and Pasmo cards – Interoperable IC cards from other regions; accepted on Osaka Metro gates.
Fares
Adult single fares on Osaka Metro range from 180 to 370 yen depending on distance. Children (ages 6–11) pay 90–190 yen; children 5 and under travel free. Fares are approximate and change; fractions under 10 yen are rounded to the nearest 10 yen.
Transfer discounts
- Bus–subway transfer discount – Adults receive 100 yen off; children and senior pass holders receive 50 yen off when transferring between bus and subway within the designated transfer window.
Tourist and pass options
- Osaka Amazing Pass – Available as 1-day and 2-day unlimited passes on subway and bus with discounts at approximately 30 popular sites.
- Subway and bus 1-day and 2-day unlimited passes – Provide unlimited travel on designated services within valid zones.
- Commuter passes – Available as IC cards (ICOCA) or magnetic passes in standard and student rates; some routes and sections may be ineligible or counted differently for commuter fares.
- Group fares – Available for groups of 25 or more people at both student and adult rates; bookable via the Group Ticket Web Reservation Service.
Where to buy tickets
- Ticket machines – Located at all stations; accept coins (10, 50, 100, 500 yen) and bills (denominations vary by machine). Select English, choose your destination, insert payment, and collect your ticket and change.
- Ticket counters – Available at major stations; staff speak basic English.
- Convenience stores – IC cards (ICOCA) and travel passes can be purchased at convenience stores throughout the city.
From the airport
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Kansai International Airport is Osaka's main international gateway. Access to the city centre is via regional railways (not Osaka Metro directly). The Haruka limited-express train and other railway services connect KIX to Namba and Shin-Osaka stations, where you can transfer to Osaka Metro lines. Journey time is approximately 75–90 minutes depending on your final destination.
Itami Airport (Osaka International Airport, ITM)
Itami Airport, located in adjacent Hyogo Prefecture, handles most domestic flights. The airport is served by the Osaka Monorail, which does not connect directly to the city centre but instead traces an arc around the northern suburbs.
- By monorail and transfer – The fastest option to reach Umeda (the main business district) is to take the monorail one stop to Hotarugaike, then transfer to the Hankyu Takarazuka Line for a total cost of ¥420. For destinations on the Midōsuji subway line, including Shin-Osaka for Shinkansen services, transfer at Senri-Chuo.
- By Airport Limousine Bus – A more convenient option for most travellers; buses run frequently from Itami to various locations within Osaka and the wider region, with fares starting around ¥500–600.
- By taxi – A taxi from Itami to Osaka Castle area costs approximately ¥4,000 plus ¥700 for toll road.
Etiquette & customs
- Escalators – Stand on the right side of escalators to allow faster-moving passengers to pass on the left.
- Noise and phone use – Keep your voice low on trains. Silence your phone or use silent mode; phone calls are not permitted on trains.
- Priority seating – Respect priority seats reserved for elderly passengers, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and passengers with small children. Avoid sitting in these seats unless you qualify.
- Eating and drinking – Eating is discouraged on trains; beverages in closed containers are generally acceptable, though drinking alcohol is not recommended during rush hours.
- Rush hours – Peak travel periods occur from 7–9 AM and 5–7 PM on weekdays. Avoid these times if possible, as trains become extremely crowded.
- Queuing – Queue in orderly lines at ticket machines and gates. When boarding trains, wait for passengers to exit before entering.
- Station exits and entrances – Follow clear signage to locate the correct exit for your destination; major stations have multiple exits that may be some distance apart.
Official links
Survival terms
- 地下鉄 (chikatetsu) – Subway / metro
- 切符 (kippu) – Ticket
- 線 (sen) – Line
- 入口 (iriguchi) – Entrance
- 出口 (deguchi) – Exit
- 乗り換え (norikaе) – Transfer
- 片道 (katamichi) – Single fare / one-way ticket
- 一日乗車券 (ichinichi jōshaken) – Day pass / unlimited day ticket
Download the Osaka Metro official app, Google Maps, or NAVITIME before your trip to check real-time train schedules and plan your route efficiently.