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Major Train Stations Along the JR Osaka Loop Line in Osaka, Japan

As part of our list of resources for visitors to Osaka City, we provide the details about the major train stations in Osaka along the JR Loop Line in Osaka.

JR Osaka Loop Line

JR Osaka Loop Line (or Osaka Kanjo-sen) is a circle line running through the metropolis of Osaka carrying over 300.000 passengers on a daily basis. JR is an abbreviation for Japan Railway (which operates trains all throughout Japan).

The Jr Loop Line in Osaka services 19 stations along the loop that travels a big circle through Osaka’s central wards including Kita ku at the top of the loop, Chuo ku (along the border with Joto ku), down into Ikuno ku, touching Tennoji at the bottom of the loop, Nishinari, Taisho, one station in Minato ku, Nishi ku, and Fukushima ku. The trains run in both directions, clockwise and counter-clockwise.

In this article we will highlight eight of the most important stations on the JR Loop Line in Osaka.

Osaka JR Train Tickets

Many people use an ICOCA IC card (called SUICA in the Tokyo area) instead of buying individual train tickets. This is especially convenient when traveling around the Kansai area, such as Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara.
If you plan to take many train rides in one day, it is highly recommended to purchase a one-day unlimited pass, the Kansai Area Pass (JR-West Rail Pass).
The Osaka Metro Subway One-Day Pass is also popular with tourists who mainly use Osaka Metro Subway lines.

JR Osaka Loop Line Major Stations

— Osaka Station

Osaka Station is the biggest station in Osaka; the station is a combination of many train systems, multiple train stations, and all of these interconnected buildings, malls, and department stores. There are many shopping places in Osaka station.

The station itself is also called by many names; The JR company refers to the station as “Osaka station,” Osaka Metro Subway calls it “Umeda station,” Hankyu line and Hanshin line called “Osaka Umeda station.” These are technically all separate stations, connected together with underground tunnels in the Umeda complex.

— Tenma Station

Tenma Station is in Tenma, a neighborhood in the east part of Osaka’s Kita-ku district. This area is best known for Osaka Tenmangu Shrine and the Tenjinbashi-suji shopping street. Osaka Tenmangu is famous for the Tenjin Matsuri festival.

— Osakajokoen Station

Osakajokoen Station is the station nearest to Osaka Castle (Osaka jo) and Osaka Castle Park. Osaka Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Osaka. Osaka Castle Park is one of the most popular hanami spot for local people.

— Tsuruhashi Station

Tsuruhashi Station is the nearest station from Osaka Korean Town in Ikuno-ku and there are three lines; Kintetsu line, JR loop line, and Osaka Metro line so a lot of people use Tsuruhashi station during the daytime.

— Tennoji Station

Tennoji Station is one of Osaka’s largest transportation hubs, served by multiple JR lines, Osaka Metro Midosuji and Tanimachi Lines, and Kintetsu Line. It provides direct access to Abeno Harukas (famous for it’s view) and Tennoji Park (which contains the Tennoji Zoo, and is close to popular Tennoji shopping locations).

— Shin-Imamiya Station

Shin-Imamiya Station is famous as a transportation hub connecting the JR Osaka Loop Line and the Nankai Railway Line, providing convenient access to the Tsutenkaku Tower and the Shinsekai area (known for its unique retro atmosphere, various food options, and entertainment). The station is also a key transfer point for travelers heading to Kansai International Airport.

— Taisho Station

Taisho Station has two lines, JR Loop Line and Osaka Metro Subway Line. It is popular for people who watch the Hanshin Tigers or Orix Buffaloes baseball game in Kyocera dome to get off this station. Also, a big shopping mall called Aeon mall is next to the stadium so this is the one of the famous places to go shopping in Osaka.

— Bentencho Station

The JR Loop Line provides access to Bentencho Station, famous for the Solaniwa Onsen Osaka Bay Tower (one of the largest hot spring theme parks in the Kansai region). The Bentencho Station is also a popular stop on the Osaka Metro Chuo Line.

— Nishikujo Station

Nishikujo Station is an important station as transfer point for Universal Studios Japan (USJ). Visitors to USJ arrive at Nishikujo Station, and transfer to the JR Sakurajima (Yumesaki) Line – which connects directly to Universal City Station.

From Nishikujo station, there is one more line called Hanshin line which is an important connection to Kobe City.

See our list of the busiest train stations in Osaka, including stations from all the train systems in Osaka.