Modern, vibrant, loud, colorful and fun are just five of the adjectives we could use to describe Osaka. It is the second largest metropolitan area in Japan after Tokyo and one of the largest in the world. This port city has modern architecture that contrasts with the historic Osaka Castle. Places such as Universal Studios, Osaka Aquarium, Umeda Sky Building terrace, delicious street food, shopping malls, museums, parks and temples continue to attract millions of tourists.
Meanwhile, northeast of Osaka, the city of Nagoya offers a similar vibe. It is a large, modern city with many museums and a partially reconstructed Nagoya Castle. You can enjoy modern architecture and several attractions such as the famous Nagoya TV Tower, Legoland, shopping malls, parks, zoo, botanical gardens and much more. Nagoya also has beautiful nature. If you’re thinking of traveling from Osaka to Nagoya, read on for the best transportation options.
Shinkansen train at Osaka Shin Station © Mei Yi / Shutterstock.com
Travel options from Osaka to Nagoya
Traveling from Osaka to Nagoya is very easy and fast as both cities are located on the Japanese island of Honshu and are not too far from each other. Only 140 kilometers separate them as the crow flies. Of course, when following a road or railroad, the distance is slightly longer. Traveling on the famous shinkansen (bullet train) in Japan is always the fastest option, although it is more expensive than traveling by bus. There are many buses that run from Osaka to Nagoya, which is about 180 kilometers by road.
From Osaka to Nagoya by train
Interior of a super train or shinkansen © Giovanni G / Shutterstock.com
Whether it’s your first visit to Japan or you’ve been to Japan ten times, riding a high-speed train is always an unforgettable experience when exploring this beautiful country. Of course, the highlight of the shinkansen train is its speed. It only takes 50 minutes from Osaka to Nagoya, which is an impressive time considering the distance traveled. At the speed of a high-speed train, it can be difficult to enjoy the scenery, but people who choose to travel by train in Japan do so because of its speed, efficiency, and reliability, as it is safe and punctual. That’s why you can always be sure that Shinkansen trains in Japan will arrive on time.
Because the Osaka to Nagoya trains are so good, they’re more expensive than the alternatives, but you’re paying for a quick and efficient service. Individual shinkansen tickets can be quite expensive if you buy one for each trip you take. Therefore, it may be worth buying a Japan Railway Pass if you are going to make several train journeys, as you will spend much less than buying each ticket separately. You can buy any of these options via 12Go.asiawhere you can easily compare the prices of single tickets from Osaka to Nagoya and a day ticket. So it’s easy to decide if it’s worth it, depending on how many trips you plan to make. Be sure to check which trains you can travel with a multi-journey pass, as faster bullet trains are usually not included. Read our guide on how to travel in Japan for all the details.
If you take the train from Osaka to Nagoya you will be spoiled for choice. There are usually 16 trains per day on this route, so you can choose the timetable that best suits your plans. As we said before, Shinkansen trains are so punctual that you can set your watch by looking at them, so it’s very easy to know the exact time of arrival in Nagoya. The journey takes only 50 minutes from Shin-Osaka Station to Nagoya Station, which is, by the way, the largest train station in the world.
By bus from Osaka to Nagoya
If you are traveling in Japan on a budget or have some free time and are not in a rush from Osaka to Nagoya, the bus can be a good alternative to the train. Public transport in Japan is not as cheap as in other Asian countries. If you are used to traveling by bus for very little money, as is the case in Thailand and neighboring countries, be prepared to spend a bit more on the Osaka – Nagoya route. That being said, the bus is much cheaper than the train and the service is very good. The buses are new, safe and comfortable, but the journey by bus is much longer than by train.
Several companies operate this route. Willer Express has the most popular buses on the Osaka to Nagoya route, with multiple daily departures. They have two departure points in Osaka, Umeda Shin and Namba Tennoji, so you can choose the one closest to your accommodation. Planned journey times with Willer Express vary widely. While some buses make the journey from Osaka to Nagoya in 3 hours and 5 minutes, others may take 6 hours and 25 minutes to complete the journey. This partly depends on where you board the bus. If you take it in Namba Tennoji, the journey will be longer.
Please check prices and timetables before booking. The most practical thing is to look at it in 12Go so that you can easily compare the different options and be able to make the best decision. You can also book tickets with another company such as Syoei Bus, but they offer fewer daily departures.
When visiting Japan, taking a Shinkansen ride is a great idea and can be relatively inexpensive if you’re going to make a few trips and buy a Japan Rail Pass. For a single ticket, the bullet train is quite expensive compared to the bus. But if you want to get from Osaka to Nagoya in the shortest possible time, the train is the best option.