The Yotsubashi Subway Line

Osaka Metro’s Yotsubashi Line runs north to south between Nishi-Umeda Station and Suminoekoen Station. From Nishi-Umeda Station to Daikokucho Station this line follows the same central Osaka corridor as the Midosuji Line, with transfer points at the Umeda station group, Hommachi, Namba and Daikokucho. Osaka Metro is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass. However, there are other tickets and discount passes that can be used on the subway, and these are listed at the end of this article.

Key Destinations and Transfers

Within the Osaka Metro system the Yotsubashi Line is color-coded blue. The 11 stations on the Yotsubashi Line are:

Nishi-Umeda > Higobashi > Hommachi > Yotsubashi > Namba > Daikokucho > Hanazonocho > Kishinosato > Tamade > Kitakagaya > Suminoekoen

The line runs from Nishi-Umeda (Y11) to Suminoekoen (Y21). Here, listed from north to south, are the key destinations with transfer points included. Fares and train times are given from Nishi-Umeda Station.

Nishi-Umeda Station

Nishi-Umeda Station is one of many stations in Umeda, Osaka’s most popular shopping district. Here you can find major attractions and shopping areas such as the Umeda Sky Building, HEP Five, and Grand Front Osaka.

Nishi-Umeda Station is one of three Osaka Metro stations serving the Umeda area. The other stations are Umeda Station for the Midosuji Line, and Higashi-Umeda Station for the Tanimachi Line. All three of these subway stations are connected by underground walkways. Transfers between Umeda, Higashi-Umeda and Nishi-Umeda are treated as transfers if completed within 30 minutes, although this rule does not apply to commuter passes or the Enjoy Eco Card. The Umeda and Osaka Station complex is large, so follow signs carefully when changing lines.

The following transfers can also be made in the Umeda area:

At Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station transfer to Hankyu lines for Kobe, Kyoto and Takarazuka and at Hanshin Osaka-Umeda Station transfer to the Hanshin Main Line which also serves Kobe.

At Osaka Station transfer to the west bound JR Kobe Line for Kobe and Himeji, the JR Kyoto Line for Kyoto, and the JR Takarazuka Line for northern Kyoto Prefecture. There are also limited express services toward Hokuriku, Tottori, and Takayama.

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.

Higobashi Station

Higobashi Station is useful for the National Museum of Art, Osaka, the Osaka Science Museum and Festival Hall. Festival Hall is directly connected from Higobashi Exit 4, while the Osaka Science Museum is about 8 minutes on foot from Higobashi or Watanabebashi. Transfer here to the Keihan Nakanoshima Line at Watanabebashi Station.

Hommachi Station

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

Yotsubashi Station

Yotsubashi Station is a short distance from the popular Shinsaibashi shopping area and from Shinsaibashi Station. At Shinsaibashi Station you can transfer to the Midosuji Line and the Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line.

Namba Station

The Namba area is a major shopping and entertainment district in the Minami, or South, area of Osaka. Famous sites here include the Glico running man image and the Kani Doraku crab image by the Dotonbori canal. Attractions include the leafy Namba Parks shopping mall, Osaka Shochikuza Theatre in Dotonbori, and Hozen-ji Temple. Close by Hozen-ji Temple is Hozen-ji Yokocho, a celebrated stone-flagged alleyway full of bars, cafes and eateries.

Osaka Metro’s Namba Station is very close to three other stations: JR Namba Station, Osaka-Namba Station and Nankai Namba Station. Transfers are as follows:

From Osaka Metro’s Namba Station you can transfer to the Sennichimae Line and the Midosuji Line.

At JR Namba Station transfer to the JR Yamatoji Line which links Namba to Nara and Kyoto prefectures.

At Osaka-Namba Station transfer to the Kintetsu Namba Line and the Hanshin Namba Line.

At Nankai Namba Station transfer to the Nankai Main Line 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.

Daikokucho Station

Transfer here to Osaka Metro’s Midosuji Line.

Suminoekoen Station

This is the last stop on the Yotsubashi Line. Transfer here to the New Tram, also called the Nanko Port Town Line, which runs between Suminoekoen and Cosmosquare.

Timetables and Tickets

To find train times, fares, or route options on the Osaka Metro system, use the official Osaka Metro route and fare search and Osaka Metro timetable search. English language route finders like Jorudan and Navitime are also useful for planning journeys across different railway companies.

For more detailed information about using the subway system in Osaka, check the Osaka Metro website. This website has route maps, station information, ticket information, and guidance on ICOCA prepaid IC cards. IC cards such as ICOCA and compatible nationwide IC cards are useful for ordinary rides, and Osaka Metro also provides contactless payment options on supported services.

Some recommended multi-use discount passes that can be used on Osaka’s subway system are the Osaka 1-Day Pass – Enjoy Eco Card, the KANSAI RAILWAY PASS LITE, and the Osaka Amazing Pass. The Enjoy Eco Card gives one-day rides on Osaka Metro and Osaka City Bus, excluding Yumeshima Station, specific bus routes and on-demand buses. The adult price is 820 yen on weekdays and 620 yen on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, with a child price of 310 yen.

For visitors making wider private-rail journeys in Kansai, KANSAI RAILWAY PASS LITE costs 5,200 yen for 2 days and 6,500 yen for 3 days in the 2026 sales period.

For sightseeing-heavy days in Osaka, the Osaka Amazing Pass costs 3,500 yen for 1 day and 5,000 yen for 2 days in the 2026 sales period, with transport coverage and participating attractions.

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Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 02-Aug-2026.