The Chuo Subway Line

Osaka Municipal Subway’s Chuo Line runs from the west to the east between Yumeshima Station and Nagata Station. Beyond Nagata Station this line is extended by the Kintetsu Keihanna line which continues eastward as far as Gakken Nara-Tomigaoka Station in the city of Nara. Osaka Municipal Subway and Kintetsu Corporation both operate through train services that run on these lines, and collectively the two lines are nicknamed “Yumehanna”.

The Chuo Line connects with all seven of the other Osaka Municipal Subway lines and at Cosmosquare Station it also connects with the Nanko Port Town Line. Osaka Municipal Subway is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass. However, there are other discount passes that can be used on the subway and these are listed at the end of this article.

Previously, Cosmosquare Station was the western terminus of the Chuo Line, but the line has been extended to Yumeshima Station, which opened on January 19, 2025, in preparation for the Osaka Expo 2025.

Key Destinations & Transfers

Within the subway system the Chuo Line is color-coded green. The 15 stations on the Chuo Line are:

Yumeshima > Cosmosquare > Osakako > Asashiobashi > Bentencho > Kujo > Awaza > Hommachi > Sakaisuji-Hommachi > Tanimachi Yonchōme > Morinomiya > Midoribashi > Fukaebashi > Takaida > Nagata

The Kintetsu Keihanna Line continues beyond Nagata Station with 7 more stations. These are:

Aramoto > Yoshita > Shin-Ishikiri > Ikoma > Shiraniwadai > Gakken Kita-Ikoma > Gakken Nara-Tomigaoka

Here, listed from west to east, are the key destinations on these lines with transfer points included. Fares and times are given from Cosmosquare Station.

Yumeshima Station

Yumeshima Station is located on the artificial island of Yumeshima and is the western terminus of the Chuo Line. The station is the main access point for the Osaka World Expo, which is being held on the island between April 13 and October 13, 2025.

After the Expo, there are plans to develop the island site into a tourist resort with an international conference hall, a luxury hotel and a casino. The resort is scheduled to open in 2030.

Cosmosquare Station

Cosmosquare Station is located in Suminoe Ward in western Osaka and serves the waterfront Cosmosquare commercial complex. Transfer here to the Nanko Port Town Line bound for Suminoekoen Station.

Osakako Station

Osakako Station serves Tempozan Harbor Village, an amusement complex known for its enormous Tempozan Ferris Wheel and the Osaka Aquarium (also called the Kaiyukan).

Asashiobashi Station

Asashiobashi Station serves Yahataya Park with its sporting facilities; Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium, and Osaka Pool.

Bentencho Station

Transfer here to the Osaka Loop Line.

Kujo Station

Exit here for the baseball stadium, Osaka Dome. Transfer here to the Hanshin Namba Line.

Awaza Station

Transfer here to the Sennichimae Subway Line.

Hommachi Station

Hommachi Station is close to Utsubo Park and the Minami-Mido and Kita-Mido temples. Transfer here to Osaka Municipal Subway’s Midosuji Line and Yotsubashi Line.

Sakaisuji-Hommachi Station

Transfer here to the Sakaisuji Subway Line.

Tanimachi Yonchome Station

Exit here for Osaka Museum of History and Osaka Castle. Transfer here to the Tanimachi Subway Line.

Morinomiya Station

This station is at the southern end of Osaka Castle Park and is within walking distance of the Osaka International Peace Center. Transfer here to the Osaka Loop Line and the Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Subway Line.

Midoribashi Station

Transfer here to the Imazatosuji Subway Line.

Takaida Station

Takaida Station is close by Takaida-Chuo Station. Transfer there to JR West’s Osaka Higashi Line.

Nagata Station

Nagata in Higashiosaka City is the connecting station for the Chuo Line and the Kintetsu Keihanna Line.

Ikoma Station

Ikoma is a city in Nara Prefecture and its best known tourist attractions are Mount Ikoma and Hozanji Temple. At Ikoma Station transfer to the Kintetsu Nara Line, the Kintetsu Ikoma Line, and the Kintetsu Ikoma Cable Line which takes passengers to Hozanji Temple and up Mount Ikoma.

Gakken Nara-Tomigaoka Station

This station in the city of Nara is the terminus of the Kintetsu Keihanna Line.

Timetables & Tickets

To find train times or to plan your route on the Osaka Municipal Subway system consult English language online route finders like Jorudan and Navitime.

For more detailed information about using the subway system in Osaka, check the Osaka Metro website. This website has a downloadable route map, as well as information on special discount tickets and how to use ICOCA prepaid IC cards.

Some recommended multi-use discount passes that can be used on Osaka’s subway system are the Kansai Thru Pass, the Enjoy Eco Card, the Yokoso! Osaka Ticket and the Osaka Amazing Pass.

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Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.