The Osaka Loop Line is a railway line operated by JR West that circles 19 stations in central Osaka city. Several important destinations are on the Osaka Loop Line, and 13 of these stations also connect with other lines that serve the greater Osaka area and provide intercity connections. In short, this is one of Osaka’s major railway lines, and is extremely useful both for getting around inside the city and for connecting with other cities too.
An Osaka Loop Line Train bound for Tennoji at Kyobashi Station
The Osaka Loop Line is called 大阪環状線 or Osaka Kanjosen in Japanese, but all signs for the line are written bilingually in Japanese and English.
The Osaka Loop Line is marked on JR signs and maps with a red line
There are two tracks on the Osaka Loop Line: an inner track that runs counter-clockwise, and an outer track that runs clockwise. At Osaka Station you can board trains for the Osaka Loop Line at platforms 1 and 2. Trains running from Platform 1 are on the inner counter-clockwise track for Nishikujo and Bentencho, and trains from Platform 2 are on the outer clockwise track for Kyobashi and Tsuruhashi.
Trains departing from Platform 1
Osaka Loop Line Map
Osaka Loop Line Destinations
Here are all the stations on the Osaka Loop Line listed clockwise, with destination highlights and useful connections.
Trains departing from Platform 2
Osaka Station
Osaka Station serves the Umeda area, one of Osaka’s busiest shopping and transport districts. Here you can find major department stores and shopping complexes such as Hankyu, Daimaru, Hanshin, LUCUA and LUCUA 1100. Other popular attractions and shopping areas in Umeda are the Umeda Sky Building, HEP Five, and Grand Front Osaka. You can find maps and area information for Umeda at the Umeda Connect website.
Popular Hotels near Osaka Station
Osaka Station is also an integral part of a major transportation hub in Osaka city. Several other stations are close by: Osaka Metro Umeda Station, Higashi-Umeda Station, Nishi-Umeda Station, Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station, Hanshin Osaka-Umeda Station and JR Kitashinchi Station. Together these stations form one large Umeda station complex.
Osaka Loop Line train departing from Osaka Station
At Osaka Station transfer to the westbound JR Kobe Line for Kobe and Himeji, the JR Kyoto Line for Kyoto, and the JR Takarazuka Line for Takarazuka, Sasayama-guchi and Fukuchiyama. There are also limited express services toward Hokuriku via Thunderbird and the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and Hida services for Takayama.
At Osaka Metro Umeda Station transfer to the Midosuji Line, a major north-south rapid transit service within Osaka city. At Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station transfer to Hankyu lines for Kobe, Kyoto and Takarazuka. At Hanshin Osaka-Umeda Station transfer to the Hanshin Main Line, which also serves Kobe.
At Higashi-Umeda Station transfer to the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line which connects the cities of Moriguchi, Osaka and Yao.
At Nishi-Umeda Station transfer to the Osaka Metro Yotsubashi Line which runs between Umeda and Suminoekoen Station.
At Kitashinchi Station transfer to the JR Tozai Line which runs from Kyobashi Station, east-west through central Osaka and onward to Amagasaki Station in Hyogo Prefecture.
Temma Station
Exit here for the Tenjinbashisuji Shopping Arcade, Japan’s longest shopping street at approximately 2.6 km.
Transfer here to nearby Ogimachi Station for the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line.
Sakuranomiya Station
Exit here for Kema Sakuranomiya Park, a popular cherry blossom viewing location in early spring.
Kyobashi Station
Kyobashi is a large commercial and entertainment district, packed with bars and restaurants.
Kyobashi is also an important transportation hub, with stations served by JR West, Keihan Railway and Osaka Metro.
At JR Kyobashi Station transfer to the JR Tozai Line, and the Katamachi Line which connects with Kizu Station in Kyoto Prefecture.
At Keihan Kyobashi Station transfer to the Keihan Main Line which runs between Osaka and Kyoto. Osaka-bound trains diverge here for final destinations Yodoyabashi Station or Nakanoshima Station.
At Osaka Metro Kyobashi Station transfer to the Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line.
Osakajokoen Station
This station is convenient for Osaka Castle. Though this castle was originally built in 1583, the main castle tower was destroyed by fire and the modern building is a 1931 reconstruction. Inside the castle a museum guides you through Osaka’s medieval past and there are superb views from the top of the castle. The park surrounding the castle is a popular recreation spot and especially so in the cherry blossom season.
Morinomiya Station
This station is at the southern end of Osaka Castle Park and is within walking distance of the Osaka International Peace Center and Osaka Museum of History.
Transfer here to Osaka Metro’s Chuo Line and Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line.
Tamatsukuri Station
This station is convenient for Tamatsukuri Inari Shrine.
Transfer here to Osaka Metro’s Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line.
Tsuruhashi Station
Exit here for Miyuki-dori Shopping Street, also known as Korea Town, and the famous Korean yakiniku or grilled meat restaurant Ajiyoshi.
Transfer here to the Kintetsu Nara Line, the Kintetsu Osaka Line and Osaka Metro’s Sennichimae Line.
Momodani Station
This station is also convenient for Korea Town, if you are approaching from the south.
Teradacho Station
This station serves the residential area east of Tennoji. The former Gengahashi Onsen bathhouse nearby is now closed, but the station remains useful for local access between Momodani and Tennoji.
Tennoji Station
The main attraction in the Tennoji area is Shitennoji Temple, which dates from 593 and is Japan’s first official Buddhist temple. Tennoji Park, Tennoji Zoo and Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts are also nearby.
Transfer here to the JR Yamatoji Line, the JR Hanwa Line and Osaka Metro’s Tanimachi and Midosuji Lines. The JR Yamatoji Line links Osaka with Nara and Kyoto prefectures. The JR Hanwa Line links Osaka with Wakayama Prefecture. The Limited Express Haruka for Kansai International Airport also stops at Tennoji Station.
Transfer also to nearby Tennoji-Ekimae Station for the tramway Hankai Uemachi Line. Osaka Abenobashi Station is also nearby, and here you can transfer to the Kintetsu Minami-Osaka Line which connects to Kashihara city in Nara Prefecture.
Shin-Imamiya Station
Exit here for Imamiya Ebisu Shrine, which hosts a lively Toka Ebisu festival on the 9th, 10th and 11th of January. Also nearby are the Tsutenkaku Tower and Spa World.
Transfer here to the JR Yamatoji Line, and to Nankai Electric Railway’s Nankai Main Line, the Nankai Airport Line for Kansai Airport, and the Koya Line. The Nankai Main Line runs between Namba Station in Osaka and Wakayamashi Station in Wakayama City. The Koya Line links Osaka with the mountain temple retreat of Koya-san in Wakayama Prefecture.
There are two more stations close to Shin-Imamiya Station: Shin-Imamiya-Ekimae Station and Dobutsuen-mae Station. At Shin-Imamiya-Ekimae Station transfer to the tramway Hankai Line which links the cities of Osaka and Sakai. At Dobutsuen-mae Station transfer to Osaka Metro’s Midosuji and Sakaisuji Lines.
Imamiya Station
Transfer here to the JR Yamatoji Line.
Ashiharabashi Station
Transfer here to nearby Ashiharacho Station for the Nankai Shiomibashi Line.
Taisho Station
Exit here for the baseball stadium, Kyocera Dome Osaka.
Transfer here to Osaka Metro’s Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line.
Bentencho Station
Transfer here to Osaka Metro’s Chuo Line.
Nishikujo Station
Transfer here to the JR Yumesaki Line, also known as the JR Sakurajima Line, bound for Universal Studios Japan. Transfer also to the Hanshin Namba Line which runs between Amagasaki Station in Hyogo Prefecture and Osaka Namba Station.
Noda Station
Exit here for Osaka Central Wholesale Market. Tours require advance reservation.
Transfer here to Tamagawa Station for Osaka Metro’s Sennichimae Line.
Fukushima Station
Transfer here to the Hanshin Main Line and to the nearby Shin-Fukushima Station for the JR Tozai Line.
Buying tickets at Osaka Station
Discount Tickets & Timetables
The Japan Rail Pass can be used on the Osaka Loop Line. JR West also has a range of Area Passes available which you can choose from according to the locations you wish to visit.
To plan journeys on the Osaka Loop Line you can use the JR West Timetable and Fare Finder. If you have ongoing connections with private rail lines, use an English language online route finder like Jorudan or Navitime.
Platforms 1 & 2 Osaka Station
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 26-Jul-2026.
