Getting around
Osaka’s center is a large area, but it can be navigated by using the subway and the local trains. For shorter distances, walking is certainly the most interesting way to get around. Kyoto is only half an hour away by train.
Travel by rail in Osaka
The subway network in Osaka is wide and efficient. You can purchase a day pass, which allows you to travel freely during one day, for about the same price as five single tickets.
Local trains are also convenient, but require concentration, as the network is dense, train companies are numerous, and there many different kinds of trains. The main railway station, Umeda, is a huge complex, and may take some time to navigate. A Japan Rail Pass can be used on local services.
Move on foot...
Although Osaka is a huge metropolis with a huge center, many central shops, sights, and other points of interest are located near each other. On foot you will experience the city in a way that is very different to seeing it through a car or train window. Walking is especially rewarding in the Namba area, as most streets there are meant for pedestrians.
...or take a taxi
For short journeys, taxis are an affordable and comfortable way to move around. In Japan the meter starts running faster and faster as the time goes by, so long distances and getting stuck in the traffic may cause a slight surprise when its time to pay!
Experience several cities on the same trip
The bullet trains, traveling at over 300 kilometers per hour, are a convenient way of traveling between cities. For example, the trip from Osaka to Kyoto takes only 15 minutes, and the trip to Nagoya less than an hour.
The ancient Japanese capital of Nara is only a short train ride away. The city of Kobe, and the Awaji Island, can be reached by ferry from Osaka.
The Japan Rail Pass is worth it
If you intend to make more than one train trip, buying a Japan Rail Pass is well worth it, since separately-bought tickets can be expensive. The pass allows you to use the bullet trains freely for one week. Please note that you can only purchase the Japan Rail Pass outside of Japan.