Transportation in Osaka

saka is the third largest city in Japan and traditionally it is known as the trade capital of Japan. So naturally Osaka enjoys excellent transportation facilities and is well connected through buses, taxis, aero planes, trains and ferries. Osaka is situated in the Kansai region of the main island Honshu at the mouth of the Yodo river and Osaka Bay. The city of Osaka is divided into two major city centers which are popularly known as Kita and Minami.

Kita is situated in the north of Osaka and is a commercial area and offers a wide number of shopping facilities while Minami is located in the south and is well known for offering a variety of entertainment options.

Osaka is not only connected with the capital city Tokyo and other major cities of Japan but the various areas within the city of Osaka also enjoy good and a variety of transportation facilities. Transportation in Osaka is marked by its punctuality and superb service.

Seven different railway and subway companies operate in Osaka and there are four major stations in Osaka. However for the foreign tourists it is more convenient to avail the subway lines and the lines operated by the JR West.

Four major stations in Osaka

- JR Osaka Station
- Umeda Station
- Shin Osaka Station
- Tennoji Station

Seven major railway and subway companies operating in Osaka

- JR West
- JR Shinkansen
- Hankyu Railways
- Nankai Railways
- Osaka subway
- Kintesu Railways
- Kehein Railways
- Hanshin Railways

In Osaka buses provide the secondary means of public transportation and successfully complement the train and subway networks. Bus stops are usually located near the railway and subway stations. The bus fares are usually deposited on a fare box placed beside the driver and for the convenience of the passengers the name of each of the bus stop is announced before hand.

In Osaka, the taxi services are usually an expensive and a more luxurious alternative to the well organized bus and railway and subway services. Excluding the driver maximum four passengers can travel in a taxi.

The inland sea is the water body that serves as an international water route and connects to the Osaka Bay and offers a sea transport link to Osaka. Osaka enjoys an extensive network of ferry services which not only links it to other major domestic islands of Japan but also has regular international ferries that connects it with Shanghai in China.

Kansai airport in Osaka is one of the most important international airports in Japan and a huge number of airline services are available here.Some of them are mentioned.

- Air Caledonie
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Air France
- Air India
- Air New Zealand
- Air Tahiti Nui
- Alitalia
- All Nippon Airways
- American Airlines
- China Airlines
- Continental Airlines
- Emirates
- Egypt Air
- Japan Airlines

Domestic air travel is dominated primarily by the Japan Air Lines Group, All Nippon Airways Group and Skymark. In a nutshell, Osaka enjoys excellent transportation facilities in airways, roadways and waterways.