[Day Trip from Osaka] Take the express bus to Maizuru, the city of sea and red brick buildings!

• Table of Contents
• The benefits of bus travel (OCAT)
• Model Course Overview
• Take the express bus from OCAT to Higashi-Maizuru
• Morning Session: Enjoy the Seaside View and Red Brick Buildings
• Afternoon: History and Culture
• Cafe & souvenir time
• Great value "Kamaboko Tegata"
• Heading to Osaka with the lingering memories of Maizuru
• summary

The benefits of bus travel (OCAT)

1. Arrive at your destination directly without changing trains!

You can travel directly from Osaka Minami Namba (OCAT) to your destination city or tourist spot without having to transfer. There's no need to carry large luggage through stairs or ticket gates to transfer, and you won't have to worry about finding your transfer destination, so it's a safe option even for first-time travelers.

2. Easy to get on and off even with large luggage!

Large luggage such as suitcases can be stored in the trunk before boarding the bus. Since you don't need to carry it on board, you can relax in your seat without having to struggle to find a place to put your luggage in the narrow aisles. However, there are restrictions on the size of luggage, so if you are worried, it's best to check with the bus company.

3. Always sit down and travel comfortably!

As the seats are reserved, you are guaranteed to get a seat. Some buses have toilets, Wi-Fi, and charging facilities, so you can spend your time productively until your arrival. However, facilities vary depending on the bus company, so it is best to check the facilities once you have decided which bus to board.

4. Ride without getting wet even on rainy days!

The bus stop for Osaka Minami Namba (OCAT) is located on the second floor of the building, allowing you to board without an umbrella and with air conditioning, it's comfortable even while waiting. It's also easily accessible from JR Namba Station, which is located on the first basement floor of the building where the bus terminal is located. Osaka Metro, Kintetsu, and Hanshin Namba stations also connect to the first basement floor of the building via the underground OCAT Walk and Namba Walk passages, making it possible to get to the bus terminal from the train station without an umbrella. While you'll need to transfer to travel from the first basement floor to the bus terminal, you can take an elevator, making it very convenient for those traveling with large luggage or strollers. However, since the bus stop at your destination may be on the road, it's best to check with the bus company if you're worried about rain.

5. Enjoyable waiting time!

The building with the bus stop on the second floor (OCAT) is full of convenient shops. Not only can you enjoy the exquisite and satisfying gourmet food of Namba, Minami, Osaka, such as okonomiyaki, sushi, and udon, but there are also shops where you can buy anything you need during your trip, such as souvenirs, general goods, alcohol, medicine, shoe repair, etc., convenience stores, and a post office. By making good use of these stores, you can have a fulfilling trip.

6. You can walk to tourist spots around OCAT!

If you have time before the bus departure, you can leave your luggage in a coin locker and walk to tourist spots in Osaka Minami Namba, such as Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi, and Namba Parks. Also, eating your way to the tourist spots is one of the best parts of traveling, so you can enjoy Osaka Minami Namba even in a short amount of time.

Model Course Overview

Outbound: Depart OCAT (Namba) at 7:30 → Arrive Higashi-Maizuru at 10:00 (by express bus)

Return: Depart Higashi-Maizuru 18:00 → Arrive OCAT 20:30

Getting around the city: Kamaboko Tegata (a pass) gives you unlimited rides on local buses and includes admission to major facilities

The "Kamaboko Tegata" is a one-day pass for unlimited travel on city buses. It also allows you to enter popular attractions such as the Repatriation Memorial Hall and the Red Brick Museum!

*The express bus times listed for the day trip course are current at the time of writing and are subject to change.

What is OCAT?

Osaka City Air Terminal, or OCAT for short, is a large complex building directly connected to JR Namba Station. It is easily accessible by subway, Kintetsu, Hanshin, and other major railways.

The OCAT building also houses a shopping mall and a restaurant area, making it a great place to take a break between sightseeing or traveling. It's also a great place to buy souvenirs.

More details are summarized in the article below, so if you would like to know more about the area around OCAT and what is inside it, please read the article below.

OCAT/Osaka City Air Terminal

1-4-1 Minato-cho, Naniwa-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka 556-0017

Osaka City Air Terminal (OCAT) is a multi-functional commercial complex located in Minatomachi, Naniwa Ward, Osaka City. It houses the South Osaka City Bus Terminal and a bus terminal for Kansai International Airport, and is directly connected to JR Namba Station. The six-story commercial floor also houses shops, restaurants, and an information center. OCAT is also a frequent venue for music performances, and the outdoor Ponte Square is a place for Osaka's young street dance community to practice and interact.

Take the express bus from OCAT to Higashi-Maizuru

Departing from OCAT at 7:30am, we boarded a bus and arrived in Higashi-Maizuru in about two and a half hours (scheduled arrival time: around 10:00am). It was a comfortable journey, perfect for starting our trip.

Kyoto Kotsu homepage (Japanese)

Morning Session: Enjoy the Seaside View and Red Brick Buildings

10:15 Maizuru Red Brick Park, which utilizes a group of red brick warehouses built during the Meiji period, is a historic complex designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. The stately buildings, which began life as a former naval arsenal, have now been renovated into the Red Brick Museum (where kamaboko passports can be used), an exhibition hall, cafes, shops, and more. This popular tourist spot, where you can enjoy history, art, and gourmet food all at once while feeling the warmth of the bricks and the sea breeze, is a symbol of Maizuru's photogenic port town, where history and the present blend in harmony.

Maizuru Red Brick Park

Maizuru Red Brick Park

1039-2 Kitasui, Maizuru City, Kyoto Prefecture 625-0080

11:00 The Maizuru Port Sightseeing Boat takes you around Maizuru Bay, one of the best natural harbors on the Sea of Japan coast, for about an hour, offering spectacular views unique to Maizuru. As you sail through the calm bay surrounded by mountains on all sides, you can enjoy up-close views that can only be seen from the sea, such as the Maritime Self-Defense Force's escort ships, shipyards, and red brick warehouses. Another attraction is the guided commentary, which allows you to learn about Maizuru's history and the role of the port. This popular sightseeing experience allows you to fully enjoy the beauty of Maizuru Bay, which changes with the seasons: the fresh greenery of spring, the blue skies of summer, the autumn leaves, and the snowy scenery of winter.

Port sightseeing boat

Lunch: Savor the flavors of the port town

Around 12:15 Sakana Terrace is a popular seafood restaurant located inside Red Brick Park where you can enjoy fresh seafood caught at Maizuru Port. Directly managed by the local fishmonger Maizuru Sakana Ichiba, the restaurant offers exquisite seafood bowls and grilled fish set meals, the contents of which change depending on the day's catch. Enjoying seasonal fish dishes while looking out over Maizuru Bay is exceptional. The restaurant has an open space with a warm wooden interior, making it popular with families and tourists alike. This is a recommended place for lunch, where you can casually enjoy Maizuru cuisine that is committed to freshness, safety, and local produce.

Afternoon: History and Culture

13:30 Repatriation Memorial Hall (Kamaboko Tegata can be used)

After World War II, Maizuru Port welcomed approximately 6.6 million repatriates and the remains of approximately 16,000. The Maizuru Repatriation Memorial Museum was built to pass on this history to future generations. It houses approximately 120,000 items, including "Materials Related to Siberian Internment and Repatriation," registered as a UNESCO Memory of the World Heritage Site, as well as everyday items and letters from that time. Through videos and exhibits, you can experience the reality of life in captivity and the feelings of those who long for their homeland. This place, which quietly speaks of the preciousness of peace, resonates deeply with visitors and is Maizuru's leading peace education center. This facility conveys the history of postwar repatriation. You can experience the desire for peace through exhibits such as videos and letters.

Maizuru Repatriation Memorial Museum Homepage (Japanese)

The Red Brick Museum, housed in the former Maizuru Naval Arsenal warehouse built during the Meiji period, is known as one of Japan's oldest steel-framed brick buildings. The museum introduces the history of brick culture and construction techniques from around the world, from ancient Mesopotamia to modern Japan. Through actual bricks, models, and video exhibits, you can learn about the appeal of the material and the craftsmanship of its artisans. The imposing red brick exterior is also a popular photo spot. This is an industrial heritage site that supported Maizuru's modernization, and is a recommended attraction for architecture and history enthusiasts.

Red Brick Museum Homepage (Japanese)

15:40 Tanabe Castle Museum (Kamaboko Tegata can be used)

Built on the ruins of Tanabe Castle, which was built by the Sengoku period warlord Hosokawa Yusai (Fujitaka), the Tanabe Castle Museum is a spot that conveys Maizuru's history and culture to the present day. Inside the museum, items related to Hosokawa Yusai and materials related to the Battle of Tanabe Castle, which is said to be a prelude to the Battle of Sekigahara, are on display. Through the history of Maizuru as a castle town, castle models, and video materials, you can get a sense of the lifestyles and wisdom of the people of that time. Located in a park with beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring and autumn leaves in the fall, it is a popular, quiet historical spot where you can also enjoy a stroll.

Tanabe Castle Museum Homepage (Japanese)

Cafe & souvenir time

16:30 After taking a break at the Red Brick Park's Building 5 Cafe, head to the Red Brick Shop to check out souvenirs that will make perfect memories of your trip!

"Building No. 5 Cafe" is a stylish cafe renovated from a historic red brick warehouse. The high ceilings and warm brick walls create a comfortable space where you can enjoy lunch and sweets made with local ingredients, as well as aromatic coffee. It's the perfect relaxing spot for a break between sightseeing.

"Building 5 Cafe" Business hours: Weekdays 11:00-14:00 / Saturdays, Sundays and holidays 11:00-15:00 Closed: Tuesdays / Wednesdays

The Red Brick Shop, located inside Maizuru Red Brick Park, is a souvenir spot where you can find Maizuru and northern Kyoto specialties, as well as red brick goods. There is also a wide selection of limited-edition products that can only be purchased here, such as kamaboko, sweets, and miscellaneous goods. Located in a historic red brick building, this shop is the perfect place to find memories of your trip.

"Red Brick Shop" Business hours: 9:00-17:00 Closed: New Year's holidays

Great value "Kamaboko Tegata"

A great ally for Maizuru tourism, the Kamaboko Tegata is a convenient sightseeing pass that lets you enjoy city sightseeing and gourmet food at a great value. It allows unlimited rides on city buses for one day, and offers free or discounted admission to major tourist attractions such as Red Brick Park and the Repatriation Memorial Museum. You can also receive special offers at restaurants and souvenir shops. Its unique shape, modeled after Maizuru's famous kamaboko, makes it the perfect memento of your trip. Easy to buy and use, it is a popular tourist item among many travelers as it allows you to efficiently enjoy the charms of Maizuru.

Sales Office

Kyoto Kotsu Co., Ltd. Higashi-Maizuru Ticket Counter Nishi-Maizuru Ticket Counter

Red Brick Museum Maizuru Wisdom Storehouse Maizurubei Plaza

Maizuru Tourist Station Hotel Amabile Hotel Bellmare Hotel Alstein

Price: Adults ¥1,000 (children ¥500)

Heading to Osaka with the lingering memories of Maizuru

Depart Higashi-Maizuru on a 6:00 PM bus. Enjoy a relaxing two-and-a-half-hour trip while admiring the night view and taking in the memories of this seaside town. Arrive at OCAT in Osaka at 8:30 PM.

Comfortable even for long journeys! Stress-free with extensive on-board facilities

When traveling long distances, comfort on board is important. All express buses are equipped with toilets, so you don't have to worry about needing to use the restroom suddenly. They are also equipped with a power outlet or USB port (Type-A) for convenient smartphone charging.

*Some vehicles may not be equipped with charging facilities.

summary

This is a model one-day itinerary for a leisurely tour of Maizuru, a port town steeped in the sea and history. You'll be treated to a series of unique sights, including the retro streets of Red Brick Park and the impressive fleet of naval vessels seen from a sightseeing boat tour of the harbor. Enjoy fresh seafood for lunch, and end your trip with time to reflect on peace at the Repatriation Memorial Hall. Departing and arriving via OCAT, this itinerary is easy to access and perfect for first-time visitors to Maizuru.