[One-day bus trip] Take the express bus from Namba (OCAT)! ~Awaji Island, Naruto, Tokushima~

In addition to limousine buses, there are surprisingly many towns and tourist spots that can be visited on a day trip from the OCAT bus terminal, where intercity express buses depart and arrive.

Hop on an intercity express bus from the OCAT Bus Terminal and enjoy a bus trip to the fullest! Just when you're excited, you're faced with the obstacle of your travel schedule. You want to stay overnight and enjoy your trip, but you can't take time off. For those who wish they could take a bus trip for a day, we have good news for you. There are actually a surprising number of cities and tourist spots that can be visited on a day trip from the OCAT Bus Terminal, making it very convenient. For travelers unfamiliar with the area or foreigners, bus travel is especially reassuring, as you can reach your destination without having to transfer.

This time, based on the latest information for 2026, we will introduce cities and tourist spots that can be visited on a day trip from the OCAT Bus Terminal.

*Please see this article for directions to the OCAT bus terminal.

• Table of Contents
• The benefits of bus travel (OCAT)
• What is OCAT, the bus terminal directly connected to JR Namba Station?
• OCAT Bus Terminal boarding and disembarking points
• ① Awaji Island (Nijigen no Mori, Sumoto Onsen) (Daytime service)
• ②Naruto (Otsuka Museum of Art, Uzu no Michi) (Daytime bus)
• ③Tokushima (Tokushima Prefectural Awa Jurobei House, Ai no Yakata, Awa Odori Hall) (Daytime bus)
• At OCAT, you can soak in the afterglow of your bus trip at the end of your trip!

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. Always sit 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.

3. 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.

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. Enjoy the 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.

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

OCAT Bus Terminal boarding and disembarking points

[1] [2] [3] Intercity express bus stop ※[2] [3] are night express bus stops

[4] [5] [6] [7] [8] Intercity express bus

[9] Limousine bus to Kansai International Airport [10] Limousine bus to Itami Airport

[A] Bus ticket sales office West Japan JR Bus ( Shikoku, Nijigen no Mori, Sumoto , Shirahama)

Kintetsu Bus (Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Nesta Resort, Kochi, Kyushu)

Nankai Bus (Nagano, Nagaoka, Kamakura)

[B] Bus ticket sales office Nihon Kotsu (Tottori, Yonago, Kurayoshi, Maizuru, Fukuchiyama)

[C] Airport limousine bus ticket vending machine (Kansai International Airport, Itami Airport)

① Awaji Island (Nijigen no Mori, Sumoto Onsen) (Daytime service)

① Bus ​​company: West Japan JR Bus Co., Ltd.

②OCAT bus stop: [8]

③Number of services: 2 round trips per day (Departing from OCAT: 8:30 and 9:30)

④Travel time: Nijigen no Mori: approx. 125 minutes, Sumoto Bus Center: approx. 180 minutes

⑤ Maximum stay time: Nijigen no Mori: approx. 365 minutes, Sumoto Bus Center: approx. 260 minutes

⑥ One-way fare: 1,850 yen to Nijigen no Mori (special tickets available separately), 3,000 yen to Sumoto Bus Center

⑦ Ticket sales office: [A] Bus ticket sales office

8. Bus facilities: Toilet, power outlet or USB port (Type-A), Wi-Fi facilities (some vehicles may not be equipped with charging facilities or Wi-Fi facilities)

★Note: Arrival times may be delayed due to traffic conditions, so we recommend planning your trip with ample time. Also, bus schedules are subject to change, so be sure to check departure times once your travel dates have been decided.

Click here for the timetable for Nijigen no Mori and Sumoto trains

②Naruto (Otsuka Museum of Art, Uzu no Michi) (Daytime bus)

① Bus ​​companies: West Japan JR Bus Co., Ltd., JR Shikoku Bus Co., Ltd., Honshi-Kaikyo Bus Co., Ltd.

②OCAT bus stop: [5]

3) Number of buses: 20 round trips per day (departing from OCAT: 6:55 to 21:45). However, there are only 4 buses that stop at the Otsuka Museum of Art stop per day (departing from OCAT: 7:20, 8:00, 8:30, 13:00). *Please note that there are days when the bus does not stop, such as when the museum is closed.

④Travel time: Naruto Park Exit (only stops for Tokushima bound) approximately 115 minutes, Otsuka Museum of Art approximately 115 minutes, Expressway Naruto approximately 120 minutes

⑤ Stay time (maximum): 685 minutes

⑥One-way fare: 3,800 yen (special tickets available separately)

⑦ Bus facilities: Toilets, charging facilities, Wi-Fi facilities (some vehicles may not have charging facilities or Wi-Fi facilities)

★Note 1: Arrival times may be delayed due to traffic conditions, so we recommend planning your trip with ample time. Also, bus schedules may change, so be sure to check the departure time once your travel dates have been decided.

★Note 2: There are days when the bus does not stop at the Otsuka Museum of Art stop, so be sure to check the timetable in advance.

Click here for timetables for Naruto Park Exit, Otsuka Museum of Art, and Expressway to Naruto

[Reference] Otsuka Museum of Art bus stop holiday calendar

③Tokushima (Tokushima Prefectural Awa Jurobei House, Ai no Yakata, Awa Odori Hall) (Daytime bus)

① Bus ​​companies: West Japan JR Bus Co., Ltd., JR Shikoku Bus Co., Ltd., Honshi-Kaikyo Bus Co., Ltd.

②OCAT bus stop: [5]

③Number of services: 20 round trips per day (Departing from OCAT: 6:55am to 9:45pm)

④Travel time: Approximately 150 minutes

⑤ Stay time (maximum): 620 minutes

⑥One-way fare: 4,100 yen

⑦ Bus facilities: Toilets, charging facilities, Wi-Fi facilities (some vehicles may not have charging facilities or Wi-Fi facilities)

★Note: Arrival times may be delayed due to traffic conditions, so we recommend planning your trip with ample time. Also, bus schedules are subject to change, so be sure to check departure times once your travel dates have been decided.

Click here for the timetable for Tokushima

At OCAT, you can soak in the afterglow of your bus trip at the end of your trip!

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. It's also the perfect place to relax and soak in the afterglow of your bus trip after you've finished.