The standard Osaka Amazing Pass is for sightseeing in the city rather than the wider prefecture so focuses on the subway and city bus to get around between the attractions. It doesn't cover the airport train. Tengachaya is on the Sakaisuji subway Line.

Hi David, I believe you are right that you still can't download Google Maps for Japan to use offline. There is some free WIFI around but we now travel with a WIFI router mainly for maps and translation. Google Maps online is useful as it gives directions with very detailed transport instructions including how many stops before you get off etc. You can manage without it, it just makes things very easy and we can get around more efficiently. You can pick up walking maps from most hotels and info desks at the train stations.

We really like Okayama. The castle there isn't on the scale of Himeji, especially if you are going on the same day but the adjacent Korakuen garden is recognised as one of the top 3 in Japan. We also went out to the Kurashiki Bikan historical quarter in Okayama a couple of months back (article should be up soon) and enjoyed that.

Very interesting blog. We are planing to visit the area in Feb 2020, and i have a couple if questions for you if you can help

1 - What do you use to find your way around. I normally use Here maps, or download the relevant google maps, to avoid using data whilst abroad, but in the case of Japan neither seem to be an option ?

2 - I was thinking of visiting Okayama, for a day, posibly after Himeji but wondered if you had been and if you thought it worthwhile ?

Hi Elsie. We have IC cards that we keep topped up when we are in Japan but to do the activities we discuss here, or other activities within the central city with the Amazing Pass you wouldn't need it, the covered transport will get you around between them efficiently. We often have the late-night flight out of Osaka and find it a good thing to do on that last day but in that case, we need to buy a separate ticket for the airport train as that isn't included. The only difference between the one or two day pass is how long it runs for and it works on calendar days not 24 hour periods.

There are several train companies that can be used for getting between Osaka and places like Nara and Kyoto, JR or Japan Rail is the best known but not always your best option. It will depend on where you are staying and where you want to get to, do you know if you will stay near Namba, Osaka Station or somewhere else? Because the subway and the multiple companies that are all useful at times in the area a train pass that ties you to one isn't always helpful and can end up costing more. We use an IC card like ICOCA, PASMO or SUICA when in Osaka if we don't have an Amazing Pass active, the Amazing Pass won't be useful for the 3 days you mention here.

Came across your blog while searching for more informations for our Osaka Trip. Love your blog.. very informative. However, after reading, I still abit puzzle. Wondering could you help me. For this trip, we are 5 adults and 2kids all first time to Osaka.

We thinking to go USJ , Kyoto and Nara. We are wondering how to get to Kyoto and Nara from Osaka. We will like to spend 1 day each on Kyoto and Nara.

Could you advise what pass and train ticket to buy.

Thanks in Advance 🙂

Thanks Claude the KTP can be another good one for some itineraries. Japan has a variety of great passes available including the Japan Rail Pass which we use regularly on our trips. What I think is special about the Osaka Amazing Pass is that it includes not just transport and discounts but a good range of free activities that many visitors to the city, especially for the first time, will want to see. With some transport passes I can end up feeling I wasted them a bit if I only want to do a few short rides within the city.