Midosuji Line Osaka: The key north-south subway route through central Osaka
Train at Shin-Osaka Station
©Japan Visitor
The Midosuji Line is the oldest and one of the most important subway lines in Osaka, Japan. It runs north-south under Midōsuji Avenue, Osaka's primary main street, connecting many of central Osaka's major transportation hubs, shopping districts and tourist attractions. This extremely busy line is the most congested in Kansai, so it's best to avoid rush hours if possible. However, with frequent trains and connections to key areas, the Midosuji Line is indispensable for getting around Osaka.
Overview and key facts about the Midosuji Line
The Midosuji Line stretches 24.5 km with 20 stations, running from Esaka in the north to Nakamozu in the south. It was the first subway line to open in Osaka in 1933, making it the second oldest in Japan after the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line. The line color is red and stations are numbered using the letter "M". Trains are 10 cars long, with some having platform doors installed. Above-ground sections exist north of Nakatsu Station running in the median of the elevated Shin-Midosuji roadway. The northernmost section between Esaka and Senri-Chūō is owned and operated by the Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway as a seamless extension of the line.
Major stations and interchanges on the Midosuji Line
Several stations along the Midosuji Line are key interchange points with other railway lines:
- Esaka Station - transfer to the Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway for points north
- Shin-Osaka Station - connect to the shinkansen lines for Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto, and Kobe
- Umeda Station - Osaka's main shopping district and major transport hub with connections to the Osaka Loop Line, JR Kyoto/Kobe/Takarazuka lines, and numerous private railways
- Yodoyabashi Station - transfer to Keihan Main Line trains for Kyoto
- Hommachi Station - change to the Chuo Line and Yotsubashi subway lines
- Shinsaibashi Station - popular shopping area with transfers to Yotsubashi and Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchilines
- Namba Station - major entertainment, dining and shopping district with links to the Sennichimae Line, Kintetsu Namba Line and Nankai Main Line
- Tennoji Station - interchange with the Tanimachi Line, JR Osaka Loop Line, and lines to Koyasan and Wakayama
Key destinations and attractions along the Midosuji Line
The Midosuji Line provides access to some of Osaka's top sightseeing spots and shopping areas:
- Shopping districts - Umeda (Hankyu, Daimaru, Hanshin department stores), Shinsaibashi (covered shopping arcades), Amerika-Mura (youth fashion), and Namba Parks shopping complex
- Entertainment - Dotonbori food and nightlife district, Shin-Kabukiza Theater in Namba for kabuki and other performances
- Temples and shrines - Shitennoji Temple (one of Japan's oldest) and Hozen-ji Temple in Namba
- Parks and gardens - Nagai Botanical Garden (near Nagai Station), Tennoji Park (zoo, art museum)
- Other attractions - Umeda Sky Building observation deck, Tsutenkaku Tower in Shinsekai, Spa World onsen theme park
Transferring to other lines from the Midosuji Line
At major interchange stations like Umeda, Hommachi, Namba, and Tennoji, you can easily transfer to Osaka Metro's other subway lines to reach additional points in the city. Key transfer stations to private railways include:
- Umeda and Nishi-Umeda for Hankyu lines to Kobe, Takarazuka and Kyoto
- Umeda for the Hanshin Main Line to Kobe
- Namba for Kintetsu trains to Nara and Nankai Electric Railway to Kansai International Airport and Wakayama
- Shin-Osaka and Tennoji for the JR Osaka Loop Line circling the city center
Connections to the Osaka Loop Line allow for easy access to both Kansai International Airport via the Haruka limited express and Universal Studios Japan (transfer at Nishikujo to the Sakurajima Line).
Using the Midosuji Line - Tickets and Passes
Midosuji Line fares range from ¥180 to ¥370 depending on distance traveled. Discount tickets and passes make riding more affordable:
- A 1-day Enjoy Eco Card allows unlimited 1-day use of all Osaka Metro lines and Osaka City buses for ¥800 (¥600 on weekends) for adults. It's the simplest option for visitors.
- The Osaka Amazing Pass combines unlimited 1 or 2-day subway and bus rides with free admission to many attractions like Osaka Castle. Passes cost ¥2300/¥3000 for adults.
- For travel beyond Osaka, multi-day passes like the Kansai Thru Pass cover subways, buses and private lines in a wider area.
An IC card like ICOCA is the most convenient way to ride - just touch the card on the reader to enter/exit and fares are automatically deducted.
Tips for riding the Midosuji Line
A few pointers for a smoother journey on Osaka's busiest subway line:
- Avoid rush hours of 7-9am and 5-7pm on weekdays when overcrowding is at its worst. Trains run every few minutes so it's not long to wait.
- Familiarize yourself with station layouts - major hub stations sprawl underground and can be confusing. Signage is in English but leave time for navigating.
- Look for station exits with destination maps to orient yourself and find the right way out.
- Take advantage of women-only cars, available on weekdays to provide a more pleasant ride. They're usually at the front and rear of trains.
With a little planning and armed with a prepaid IC card or pass, you're all set to zoom around Osaka on the swift red Midosuji Line. Happy travels!
More Travel Tips
