Tokyo and Osaka are two of the biggest cities in Japan and are also fantastic tourist destinations to visit. Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is one of the most popular cities, while Osaka is a majestic modern town that offers a fantastic nightlife. Osaka is the only city in Japan that has been nominated for the establishment of an Integrated Resort as gambling is illegal in Japan. It is incredibly popular for its ‘Pachinko’ games. There are several ways in which Osaka can be reached from Tokyo airport. The two cities are well-connected, giving a range of options to choose from. Some of the most efficient ways are as follows:
1. Shinkansen Bullet Train
The fastest way to travel to Osaka is through Shinkansen Bullet Train, covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Moreover, the train is also one of the most economical options. The ride takes roughly around 2-3 hours and does not require any transfers. The fastest bullet train is Nozomi which takes only two hours and thirty minutes. The Hikari train takes three hours while Kodoma takes roughly four hours. During the peak season, a one-way ticket costs around ¥14,920. It is cheaper by a few hundred yen through the rest of the year.
2. Flights from Tokyo to Osaka
Taking a flight is another option to travel from Tokyo to Osaka. However, it is complicated by transfers to Haneda or Narita airport. The 1.5 travel time increases by many hours because travelling from either of the airports in Osaka to the city or passing through the security takes a lot of time. Therefore, travelling by flight is not the most convenient option to get to Osaka from Tokyo. Moreover, the flights can cost anywhere from 12,000 to 30,000 yen.
3. Highway Buses from Tokyo to Osaka
The distance from Tokyo to Osaka is 247 miles, and it can take up to 6-10 hours to travel from Tokyo to Osaka. They can cost anywhere between ¥2,000 to ¥10,000. There are various bus operators, most reasonable of them – Kosoku Bus and Willer Express. Catching a night bus is one option to make the journey time shorter as the buses leave in the evening and reach Osaka early in the morning.
4. Driving from Tokyo to Osaka
Driving a car down to Osaka is another option and takes around 5-6 hours of driving depending on the traffic. Either the Chuo Expressway of the Tomei expressway can be considered for the route. However, they may not be economical as the car rentals, fuel prices and the toll rates (around ¥10,000) are pretty high.