If you are traveling between Osaka and the rest of Japan, then the Shinkansen or “bullet train” is usually the fastest and most comfortable way to travel. There are two Shinkansen lines that connect with Osaka. These are the Tokaido, which runs from Tokyo in the east, and the Sanyo, which runs from Fukuoka in the west. Both lines have their common terminus at Shin-Osaka Station, so this station is a very important gateway for the Osaka metropolitan area.
Shinkansen bullet trains at Shin-Osaka Station
In this article we will introduce:
- Shin-Osaka Station layout.
- Transfers between Shinkansen lines, regular JR lines and the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line.
- How to find your platform.
- General station facilities.
Shin-Osaka Station Layout
Shin-Osaka Station is logically arranged around the 3rd floor concourse, so it is generally easy to find your way around. On the 3rd floor you will find the ticket gates for both the Shinkansen and regular JR lines. Shinkansen platforms are above this concourse, and regular JR platforms are below it. However, to access all of these platforms you must first pass through the correct 3rd floor gates. You can find current station maps on the JR West website.
The main Central Entrance gates for the Shinkansen lines
There are two sets of gates for the Shinkansen lines: the main Central Entrance gates and the South Entrance gates.
The South Entrance gates for the Shinkansen lines
For the regular JR lines there is just one entrance, the East Ticket Gate.
The East Ticket Gate for the regular JR lines
Within the ticket gates there are also transfer gates between the concourse for the regular lines and the Shinkansen concourse.
Hotels at Shin-Osaka Station
Remm Shin-Osaka Hotel is located in the Shin-Osaka Hankyu Building, directly connected to Shin-Osaka Station. The hotel lobby is on the 12th floor and guest rooms are on floors 12 to 17. Remm Shin-Osaka Hotel offers economy double and twin rooms with modern design and a full set of hotel facilities.
Remm Shin-Osaka Hotel
Popular Hotels near Shin-Osaka Station
Transfers
There are three main ways to access Shin-Osaka Station: by the regular JR lines, by the Shinkansen, and by the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line. Let’s look at how to transfer between these different lines.
Transfer gates from JR regular lines to Shinkansen lines
Transfers Between Regular Train Lines & the Shinkansen Lines
If you arrive at the station on a regular JR train, you can access the Shinkansen lines directly by using the transfer gates inside the station concourse. First you will need to go up from your arrival platform to the 3rd floor concourse. Just follow the blue Shinkansen signs to find your way.
From regular train platforms go up to the 3rd floor
Follow the blue Shinkansen signs to find your way
If you don’t have your Shinkansen ticket yet, there are Shinkansen ticket machines and a ticket office right beside the transfer gate.
Shinkansen ticket machines
Shinkansen ticket office at Shin-Osaka Station
For detailed information on buying Shinkansen tickets, please see our article: Buying Shinkansen Tickets at Shin-Osaka Station.
If you arrive at the station by Shinkansen, and wish to access the regular JR lines, go down from your arrival platform to the 3rd floor concourse, and access the JR lines directly using the same transfer gates.
Follow the signs for the JR lines
Transfer gates from Shinkansen lines to JR regular lines
Transfers to the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line
Ticket gates for the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line are on the 2nd floor side of Shin-Osaka Station. There are no direct transfers to Osaka Metro, so to access the Midosuji Line you will need to exit the JR or Shinkansen ticket gates first. You can descend to the 2nd floor using stairs or escalators directly opposite the Central Shinkansen gates. When you get to the 2nd floor keep going in the same direction.
Follow the black Osaka Metro signs
You will see black Osaka Metro signs along the way, and the Midosuji Line gates are at the far end of the 2nd floor and not hard to find.
The Osaka Metro Midosuji Line gates
Finding Your Platform
Inside the station concourse, tracks and platforms are all clearly numbered with signs in both English and Japanese showing the name of the line, the main destinations, and route maps showing all the stops.
The signs for each platform have detailed information in English and Japanese
Train departure times and track numbers are also clearly displayed and these alternate between Japanese and English.
Departures displays alternate between Japanese and English
Station Facilities
Shin-Osaka Station is compact by major-station standards and is well signposted, so it is generally easy to find your way around. Even so, if you want to check your location there are bilingual maps on every floor of the station which can help you find your way.
Station maps show you exactly where you are
If you are transferring directly between regular lines and Shinkansen lines, but have a little time to wait, you don’t need to exit the ticket gates. You can find some shops, restaurants and waiting areas inside the station concourse. There are also restaurants outside the gates, on the 3rd floor and on the 2nd and 1st floors too. The biggest restaurant area is on the 1st floor and is called Aji no Koji.
Aji no Koji is a dining area on the first floor
There are lockers on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors too. Prices vary by size and locker type. Common small, medium and large lockers are often around 400, 500 and 700 yen, while extra-large or smart-locker services can cost more.
1st floor lockers
If you need cash, you can use the Seven Bank ATM in the 7-Eleven store by the 1st floor exit. Seven Bank ATMs have English guidance and accept many overseas cards, including Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Maestro/Cirrus, UnionPay, American Express, JCB, Discover and Diners Club.
7-Eleven on the 1st floor has an ATM
There are more ATMs on the 2nd floor in Arde Shin-Osaka, including Japan Post Bank, Mizuho Bank and Seven Bank machines. Japan Post Bank ATMs have English guidance and accept many overseas-issued cards, including Visa/Plus, Mastercard/Maestro/Cirrus, JCB, China UnionPay and Discover.
The 2nd floor Japan Post ATMs
Arde Shin-Osaka also has foreign currency exchange machines on the 2nd floor.
The 2nd floor foreign currency exchange machine
Outside the 1st floor exits you can find taxis, city bus stops, a stop for limousine buses to Itami Airport, car rental, bicycle rental and luggage services. The limousine bus to Osaka Itami Airport takes about 25 minutes and costs 600 yen for adults and 300 yen for children.
Car rental on the 1st floor
Bicycle rental on the 1st floor
Baggage storage on the 1st floor
Luggage storage options around the station include Crosta Shin-Osaka and Shin-Osaka Luggage Station. Crosta Shin-Osaka operates from 9:00 to 20:00, with temporary storage at 1,000 yen per item and same-day hotel delivery at 2,000 yen per item. Shin-Osaka Luggage Station operates from 9:00 to 22:00, with luggage storage from 1,000 yen for items whose longest side is under 60 cm and 2,000 yen for items of 60 cm or more. It also offers stroller and wheelchair rental.
There is also a 3rd-floor taxi stand near the Shinkansen side, so you can catch a taxi from there too.
The limousine bus for the airport
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 29-Jul-2026.
