The Kintetsu Namba Line is a short rail line with just three stations that connects both the Kintetsu Osaka Line and the Kintetsu Nara Line to Osaka Namba Station. Osaka Namba Station is very easy to access and so is a convenient station from which to board services for those lines. From this station you can board Kintetsu trains bound for destinations in Nara and Mie prefectures as well as Limited Express services for Nara, Nagoya, and Shima.
A Kintetsu train at Osaka Namba Station
You can also board Hanshin Namba Line trains bound for the city of Kobe. In this article we will take a detailed look at Osaka Namba Station before looking at the other two stations on the Kintetsu Namba Line. Kintetsu Railways are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass but there are other discount passes which we will examine at the end of this article.
Osaka Namba Station
Osaka Namba Station is a shared station run by two private rail companies: Kintetsu Corporation and Hanshin Electric Railway.
In the blue section on the left are the Kintetsu ticket machines. In the orange section on the right are the Hanshin ticket machines
Whether you buy a Kintetsu or a Hanshin ticket, you pass through the same ticket gates.
The ticket gates at Osaka Namba are very busy
Trains for the Hanshin Namba Line depart from Platform 3.
A Local train for Amagasaki at Platform 3 of Osaka Namba Station
Kintetsu trains bound for destinations on the Kintetsu Osaka Line and Kintetsu Nara Line depart from Platforms 1 and 2. Limited Express services bound for Nara, Nagoya, and Shima also depart from this station and the fares for these and journey times are listed below. Fares include the Limited Express surcharge.
| Trains | Average Journey Times | Fares |
| Limited Express for Kintetsu Nara | 34 minutes | 1,070 yen |
| Limited Express for Kintetsu Nagoya | 2 hours and 20 minutes | 4,260 yen |
| Limited Express for Kashikojima (Shima) | 2 hours and 33 minutes | 3,920 yen |
A Limited Express train bound for Nara
Travelers to Nara should note that it is also possible to take a Rapid Express from Osaka Namba Station to Kintetsu Nara Station that takes just 40 minutes and is considerably cheaper at 560 yen. Use English language route finders like Hyperdia or Jorudan to find the best train time and service for your destination.
A cheaper Express train for Nara at Osaka Namba Station
Access to Osaka Namba Station
Osaka Namba Station is part of a major transportation hub in the Namba area of Osaka and is easily accessed either directly by the Hanshin or Kintetsu lines or indirectly via three other nearby stations. These are: JR Namba Station, Osaka Municipal Subway’s Namba Station, and Nankai Namba Station.
JR Namba Station is accessed by the JR Yamatoji Line.
Nankai Namba Station is accessed by the Nankai Main Line and Nankai Koya Line.
And Osaka Municipal Subway’s Namba Station is accessed by the Midosuji, Sennichimae, and Yotsubashi lines.
Around Osaka Namba Station
The Namba area is a major commercial district in central Osaka. Among many local sites of interest are the famous Glico running man image by the Dotonbori canal, the Namba Parks shopping mall, and Hozen-ji Temple. Close by Hozen-ji Temple is Hozen-ji Yokocho, a celebrated stone flagged alleyway full of bars, cafes and eateries.
A Local train bound for Higashi-Hanazono on the Kintetsu Nara Line at Osaka Namba Station
Osaka Namba Station Location Map
Kintetsu Nippombashi Station
This station is convenient for the National Bunraku Theatre, the Kuromon Ichiba food market, and the cheap electronics stores of Denden Town. East bound trains for the Kintetsu Nara Line and west bound trains for the Hanshin Namba Line stop at this station. However, Limited Express trains and trains bound for the Kintetsu Osaka Line do not stop at this station. Osaka Municipal Subway’s Nippombashi Station is nearby and there transfers can be made to the Sakaisuji Line and Sennichimae Line
Osaka Uehommachi Station
This station is convenient for the Shinkabukiza Theater, the Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka and the information exchange center at Osaka International House
Discount Tickets
Kintestu Railways are not covered by the Japan Rail Pass, but there are number of other discount options which can be used to visit Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, Nagoya and the Ise-Shima region. Of these the Kintetsu Rail Pass and the Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide are the most useful.
The Kintetsu Rail Pass costs 3,800 yen for adults and 1,900 yen for children aged 6 – 11. Children under 6 years of age can travel for free. This pass gives you 5 days of unlimited travel on all Kintetsu lines and the Iga Railway and 3 tickets for the Kintetsu Limited Express. Discounts for many shops, museums and sightseeing facilities are also included in this pass.
The Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide costs 5,860 yen for anyone aged 6 and over but children under 6 can travel for free. This pass has all of the benefits of the Kintetsu Rail Pass with the added benefit of 2 vouchers for journeys between Kansai International Airport and any Kintetsu Station. It also includes 5 days of unlimited rides on Mie Kotsu buses and Toba’Kamome’ Bus in the Ise-Shima area.
For details of how to use these passes download the PDF Guide for the Kintetsu Rail Pass and the Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide. A full list of special discounts and a complete route map for the areas covered by these passes are also available.
One day or two day passes are also available for a limited number of lines. For more details visit the official Kintetsu Railway website.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
