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Getting around Osaka

Public transport: 

The subway and train networks in Osaka are excellent. The Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau (tel: (06) 6582 1400; www.kotsu.city.osaka.jp/foreign/english/index.html) operates the city's nine subway lines, providing the fastest and easiest way to get around Osaka. Japan Railways West (tel: (06) 375 8981; www.westjr.co.jp/english/global.html) operates a dense train network in the Osaka region, including a loop line around the city connecting with major terminals. Hankai Railway (tel: (06) 6671 5170; www.hankai.co.jp) operates a streetcar on the Hankai Tramway Uemachi Line from Tennoji to Sumiyoshikoen or Abikomichi in the south of Osaka.

One-day passes for the subway, city buses and the New Tram are available, except on the so-called ‘No-My-Car-Days' when a special discount ticket is available instead. These are days (every Friday and on the 20th of every month) when people are encouraged to use the subway rather than their cars.

The prepaid Rainbow Card is convenient for use on the subway, private rail lines, city buses and the New Tram. The fare is deducted when exiting ticket gates and there is no set time limit for use. The one- or two-day Osaka Unlimited Pass is valid for the subway, private rail lines and buses. It includes free admission to 26 popular tourist sites.

Taxis: 

Taxis are plentiful on the streets of Osaka, and generally offer a good, reliable service. Most taxi drivers don’t speak much English, so it’s a good idea to have the details of your destination written down in Japanese. Tipping is not expected. To pre-book a taxi call Aozora Kotsu (tel: (06) 6793 8180), Osaka Kojin Taxi Rengokai (tel: (06) 6771 1437) or Toho Taxi Co Ltd (tel: (06) 6659 2523).

Car hire: 

All foreign visitors need an international driver’s licence in order to hire a car in Osaka. The minimum age for driving in Japan is 18 years old. There are numerous car hire companies operating in Osaka, including Hertz (tel: (06) 6363 8000; www.hertz.com), Toyota Rent-A-Car (tel: 0120 921 758; http://rent.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html) and Nippon Rent-A-Car (tel: (06) 6232 0919 or (03) 3485 7196 for English service desk; www.nipponrentacar.co.jp). Travellers can also make discounts with car hire and train fare package deals by booking at JR Eki Rent A Car; just look for the travel centres in every JR station (www.ekiren.co.jp).

Bicycle hire: 

Cycling in Osaka is a good idea for enjoying some of the inner city’s pleasant waterways and parks. Cycling on the footpath is permitted and main roads often have specially designated cycling lines. Bicycle hire is available from several hotels and hostels in Osaka, as well as Umeda Dormitory Rentacycle, 1-6-13 Oyodonka, Kita-ku (tel: (06) 6451 2009; www.ne.jp/asahi/umeda/dormitory), Uemachi Rental Bicycle, 6-17-43 Tanimachi, Chuo-ku (tel: 070 5664 8184; www.uemachi.net/chari.html) and Hankyu Rentacycle (tel: (06) 6219 3196; http://rail.hankyu.co.jp/service/rental02.html), with pickup spots near Hankyu train stations.

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