[Updated for 2025] Take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line from Umeda Station, Shinsaibashi Station, or Tennoji Station to OCAT!

If you take the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line from Umeda Station, Shinsaibashi Station, or Tennoji Station, you can easily get to Namba Station, the closest station to OCAT. However, the process from there to the OCAT bus terminal is complicated and can be very confusing for first-time visitors.

After enjoying sightseeing in Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Tennoji, and other areas of the city, I arrived at Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line just in time for the bus to depart. I quickly left the Namba Station exit (northeast ticket gate) on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, but I had no idea how to get to the OCAT bus terminal. As the bus departure time approached, my mind went blank and my anxiety grew.

This time, we will introduce two routes to get to the OCAT Bus Terminal from Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line: via OCAT Walk and via Maruito Namba Building.

Please see here for directions from OCAT to Namba Station and each exit.

• Table of Contents
• What is OCAT, the bus terminal directly connected to JR Namba Station?
• Basic information about the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line
• [Easy to understand for beginners] How to get to OCAT Bus Terminal from Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line (via OCAT Walk)
• [Advanced (shortcut but difficult to follow)] How to get from Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to the OCAT Bus Terminal (via Maruito Namba Building)
• At OCAT, you can have fun even while waiting for the bus!

What is OCAT, the bus terminal directly connected to JR Namba Station?

Directly connected to JR Namba Station, OCAT (Osaka City Air Terminal) is the largest bus terminal in western Japan and also houses offices, restaurants, and shopping facilities.

The second floor bus terminal serves limousine buses to Kansai International Airport and Itami Airport, as well as intercity express buses from Sendai in the north to Kumamoto in the south.

The rooftop garden is home to approximately 10,000 trees and perennial herbs such as lavender and rosemary, and serves as a place of relaxation for residents as an "urban oasis."

OCAT is also a frequent venue for music performances, and the outdoor Ponte Plaza is a place where Osaka's young street dance community can practice and interact.

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.

Check the OCAT official website for the latest information

Basic information about the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line

The Osaka Metro Midosuji Line runs north to south through Osaka city, from Nakamozu Station in the south to Esaka Station in the north. However, many trains also run directly to Minoo Kayano Station on the Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway, which connects to Esaka Station. There are many tourist spots along the line, including Umeda Station, Shinsaibashi Station, Namba Station, and Tennoji Station.

Travel time from major stations to Namba Station and other connecting railways

The travel times from major stations to Namba Station are as follows, with ( ) indicating other railways that connect at the station in question. Please note that travelers unfamiliar with the area may take some time to find the station entrance (ticket gate), so it's important to take this time into account when planning your travel time.

Boarding position on the platform

In order to get from the platform at Namba Station to the Namba Station exit (northeast ticket gate) in the shortest time possible, it is important to decide which car to board.

The table below shows the door locations closest to the stairs, elevators, and escalators to the station exit (northeast ticket gate). Please note that doors without ( ) are slightly further from the station exit (northeast ticket gate). If you are going to Namba Station from Shin-Osaka Station, Umeda Station, Yodoyabashi Station, or Shinsaibashi Station, please check the door locations in the column for trains bound for Tennoji, Nagai, or Nakamozu. On the other hand, if you are going to Namba Station from Tennoji Station, please check the door locations in the column for trains bound for Umeda, Shin-Osaka, Esaka, or Minoh Kayano.

[Easy to understand for beginners] How to get to OCAT Bus Terminal from Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line (via OCAT Walk)

Here are the directions from the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line Namba Station Exit (Northeast ticket gate), via Namba Walk Ichibangai and OCAT Walk, to the OCAT Bus Terminal on the 2nd floor.

When you arrive at Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, follow the signs (㉑㉒㉖-㉜ JR Lines ㉓㉔ Kintetsu Railway and Hanshin Railway ⑭-⑳, ㉕) and head for the Namba Station Exit (Northeast Gate) on the first basement floor. You can get to the Exit (Northeast Gate) using any of the stairs, escalators, or elevators. Once you exit the Exit (Northeast Gate), turn left immediately.

Please go straight down Namba Walk Ichibangai in the direction of the hanging sign "Exit 22, Yotsubashi Line, JR Line 23-24." Please be careful not to take the escalators or stairs down in the direction of "Kintetsu Railway, Hanshin Railway, Sennichimae Line."

Namba Walk Ichibangai is about 200 meters long, so if it's your first time, you might be a little nervous, but just keep walking. You'll see a cafe at the end of the street, so head in the direction of Art Park.

Art Park features an art gallery showcasing 55 full-size reproductions of impressionist works (ceramic panel paintings) to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the sister city partnership between Osaka and Chicago. Enjoy a moment of art appreciation on your way to OCAT. At the end of Art Park, two paths split into two, but we recommend taking the left path if possible. However, you can also join the two paths by taking the right path.

You will see a hanging sign that says "㉖㉘...㉜ Exit Subway (Yotsubashi Line) JR Line OCAT City Bus," so go in the direction of the arrow. On the left, you will see signs for "Subway (Yotsubashi Line) Namba Station" and "㉖㉘...㉜ Exit," but ignore them and just keep going straight.

You will see a hanging sign for "Osaka City Air Terminal, JR Namba, OCAT Bus Terminal" ahead. Follow the signs and proceed along the OCAT Walk walkway. After boarding the bus, turn left.

Take the escalator that you will see in front of you.

Take the escalator that you will see in front of you. If you continue straight, you will arrive at JR Namba Station. Also, on the right side, you will see Ponte Square, where Shigeyuki Nakarai (Shigekix), who placed 4th at the 2024 Paris Olympics, honed his dance skills. Ponte Square is said to be a mecca for dance, and even today you can see people practicing dance there.

Enter the building through the bus terminal information door and go straight.

Follow the hanging sign and go straight.

Take the escalator you see on your right and you'll arrive at the OCAT Bus Terminal. If you have time before your bus, we recommend enjoying some gourmet food in the restaurant area on the 5th floor to make a memorable final memory of your trip. If you're going to the OCAT Bus Terminal by elevator, just go straight ahead.

Please continue forward as indicated by the hanging sign on the second floor bus terminal.

Turn right at the hanging sign directing you to the elevator leading to the OCAT Bus Terminal on the second floor.

As instructed by the hanging sign, turn right and you'll see an elevator. Take this and get off on the second floor to reach the OCAT bus terminal. If you have time before your bus, we recommend relaxing on the rooftop garden while enjoying the view. The restaurant area on the fifth floor also has a selection of restaurants where you can enjoy gourmet food that will be a perfect last memory of your trip.

Get off the elevator and go straight ahead on your left.

You will see an escalator on your right. Nearby, there are automatic ticket vending machines for Kansai International Airport and Itami International Airport. If you are in a hurry, buy a ticket quickly and get on the train. However, please note that you will not be able to board once the train reaches capacity.

If you continue straight ahead, you will come to a manned bus ticket booth. If you are purchasing an intercity ticket, please purchase it here.

[Advanced (shortcut but difficult to follow)] How to get from Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line to the OCAT Bus Terminal (via Maruito Namba Building)

Here are the directions from the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line Namba Station Exit (Northeast ticket gate) to the OCAT Bus Terminal on the 2nd floor, via Namba Walk Ichibangai and Maruito Namba Building. The overhead signs don't provide clear directions, but this is actually a shortcut. However, the overhead signs near the entrance and exit of Maruito Namba Building are small, so the directions can be a bit worrying for first-time visitors.

When you arrive at Namba Station on the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, follow the signs (㉑㉒㉖-㉜ JR Lines ㉓㉔ Kintetsu Railway and Hanshin Railway ⑭-⑳, ㉕) and head for the Namba Station Exit (Northeast Gate) on the first basement floor. You can get to the Exit (Northeast Gate) using any of the stairs, escalators, or elevators. Once you exit the Exit (Northeast Gate), turn left immediately.

Please go straight down Namba Walk Ichibangai in the direction of the hanging sign "Exit 22, Yotsubashi Line, JR Line 23-24." Please be careful not to take the escalators or stairs down in the direction of "Kintetsu Railway, Hanshin Railway, Sennichimae Line."

Namba Walk Ichibangai is about 200 meters long, so if it's your first time, you might be a little nervous, but just keep walking. You'll see a cafe at the end of the street, so head in the direction of Art Park.

Art Park features an art gallery showcasing 55 full-size reproductions of impressionist works (ceramic panel paintings) to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the sister city partnership between Osaka and Chicago. Enjoy a moment of art appreciation on your way to OCAT. At the end of Art Park, two paths split into two, but we recommend taking the left path if possible. However, you can also join the two paths by taking the right path.

You will see a hanging sign that says "㉖㉘...㉜ Exit Subway (Yotsubashi Line) JR Line OCAT City Bus," so go in the direction of the arrow. On the left, you will see signs for "Subway (Yotsubashi Line) Namba Station" and "㉖㉘...㉜ Exit," but ignore them and just keep going straight.

You will see a hanging sign for "Osaka City Air Terminal, JR Namba, OCAT Bus Terminal" in the middle of the road ahead, but head left towards "City Bus Stop, Yotsubashisuji West Exit."

You will see a hanging sign for "JR Line - OCAT Connection." Head in that direction and enter the Maruito Namba Building, where the supermarket is located.

Once inside the building, turn right and follow the road until you see a hanging sign that says "JR Namba Station - OCAT Connection." Continue straight and you'll arrive at JR Namba Station, located on the first basement floor of OCAT.

Directions by escalator

If you are heading to the OCAT bus terminal by escalator, keep JR Namba Station on your left and go straight.

You will see a hanging sign directing you to the OCAT Bus Terminal on the second floor. Follow the sign and take the escalator up to the first floor.

Take the escalator to the first floor and turn left.

You will see an escalator leading to the OCAT bus terminal on the second floor. Take that escalator up to the OCAT bus terminal on the second floor. If you have time before your bus, we recommend enjoying some gourmet food in the restaurant area on the fifth floor to make a memorable final memory of your trip.

Directions by elevator

Here we will introduce directions for using the elevator.

If you are using the elevator, take the one you see ahead on your right and get off on the first floor.

There is no entrance or exit on the second floor, so please be sure to get off on the first floor.

Once you reach the first floor, turn right and then immediately left.

Turn right at the end of the road.

Please go straight.

You will see an escalator on your right that leads to the OCAT bus terminal on the second floor, but continue straight ahead.

Turn right at the hanging sign directing you to the elevator leading to the OCAT Bus Terminal on the second floor.

Take the elevator and get off on the second floor to reach the OCAT bus terminal. If you have time before your bus, we recommend relaxing on the rooftop garden while enjoying the view. The restaurant area on the fifth floor also has a selection of restaurants where you can enjoy gourmet food that will be a perfect last memory of your trip.

Get off the elevator and go straight ahead on your left.

You will see an escalator on your right. Nearby, there are automatic ticket vending machines for Kansai International Airport and Itami International Airport. If you are in a hurry, buy a ticket quickly and get on the train. However, please note that you will not be able to board once the train reaches capacity.

If you continue straight ahead, you will come to a manned bus ticket booth. If you are purchasing an intercity ticket, please purchase it here.

At OCAT, you can have fun even while waiting for the bus!

OCAT has a variety of stores and spaces where you can spend quality time while waiting for the bus.

The rooftop garden offers benches where you can relax and soak in the afterglow of your trip. Families with children who live nearby sometimes come to play.

The restaurant area on the 5th floor offers a wide selection of gourmet food that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and nationalities. However, it may be booked out at times, so it is important to check in advance.

If you take the escalator from the OCAT bus terminal on the second floor down to the first floor, you will find a souvenir shop. You can easily purchase souvenirs that you forgot to buy on your way out.

While you're waiting for the bus at OCAT, be sure to use this article as a reference and enjoy sightseeing until the very last moment!