Shin-Osaka Station
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The primary Shinkansen bullet train station in Osaka is actually Shin-Osaka Station, which actually means "New Osaka Station." Originally built in 1964, this station was actually created to introduce the first high-speed bullet train to the world, which coincided with the Tokyo Olympics at that time.
The Tokaido and the Sanyo shinkansen
Shin-Osaka is an important connection point in the Shinkansen network as you can ride the Tokaido Shinkansen (JR Central) to Kyoto, Nagoya or Tokyo and the Sanyo Shinkansen (JR West) to Hiroshima Station and Hakata Station (Fukuoka). Train tickets, the national Japan Rail Pass, and specialized regional travel passes are available for these journeys!
In fact, it is only one stop from Osaka Station with the express trains (Kyoto Line Rapid Service or Special Rapid Service). Follow the sign to transfer to the JR area, where tracks are well indicated.
Sanyo Shinkasen
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Exchange your Japan Rail Pass at Shin-Osaka Station
There are three possibilities for exchanging your Japan Rail Pass : the JR West East Ticket Office, the JR Central Ticket Office and the JR West Travel Corner.
Connection with Osaka subway
In Shin-Osaka Station you can also transfer to Osaka Subway (Midosuji Subway Line) and to the limousine bus for Itami Airport (at the first floor).
Shin-Osaka Station - Kansai Airport
From Shin-Osaka it takes only 50 minutes to go to Kansai International Airport with a limited Express Haruka.
Haruka limited express
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About Shin-Osaka Station
Shin-Osaka Station is serviced by five different train lines, two of them being the aforementioned Sanyo Shinkansen and Tokaido Shinkansen. For non high-speed bullet train options, the JR Kyoto Line, Osaka Higashi Line, and the Subway Midosuji Line allows access for more local destinations and to nearby cities and prefectures, such as Kyoto and Hyogo.
From Platform 1, the Haruka Limited Express goes out towards Kyoto, coming from Kansai International Airport. From Platform 3, the Haruka Limited Express goes towards Kansai International Airport from Kyoto. Platforms 1 through 4 all service express trains, such as the Hida Limited Express and Thunderbird Express out to Kanazawa.
The station itself is composed of three different floors with a mezzanine on the second. The second floor is also where the Shinkansen platforms and JR Lines can be found. The third floor is for access to the Midosuji Line.
Around Shin-Osaka Station
Shin-Osaka Station is in one of the most central commercial areas of Osaka City. Nearby are other major stations, such as Umeda Station and major department stores, such as Hankyu. For easy access, there are many hotels within the station's immediate vicinity.
