See also our separate page about the various passes available for the Greater Osaka Region.
The prepaid IC card available in Osaka is called Icoca. It does not give you any discounts over regular tickets, but it makes the process of taking trains easier, as you do not always need to buy a ticket before riding a train. Icoca cards can be purchased through ticket machines at JR stations. Local non-JR railway companies offer their own IC card, called Pitapa; however, Pitapa is a postpaid card that works more like a credit card and cannot be used by tourists.
Icoca can be used on most trains and buses in the Greater Osaka region (and many other major cities in Japan). Additionally, eight other IC cards from other major cities of Japan can also be used on the trains and buses of Greater Osaka, including Suica, Pasmo, Kitaca, Toica, Manaca, Sugoca, Nimoca and Hayakaken.
The Kansai One Pass is a special version of Icoca exclusively for foreign tourists that additionally qualifies for discounts at various attractions in the Kansai Region. It is available for sale at Kansai Airport and major railway stations in the Kansai Region.
Furthermore, the following 1-day passes are available for the Osaka area:
- Osaka Amazing Pass (1-day: 3300 yen, 2-day: 5500 yen)
The Osaka Amazing Pass provides unlimited use of subways, non-JR trains and city buses within Osaka City on one or two consecutive calendar days, plus free admission to selected tourist attractions. It is a digital pass using QR codes and needs to be purchased online.
- Osaka 1-Day Enjoy Eco Card (820 yen on weekdays, 620 yen on weekends and holidays)
Unlimited use of subways, city buses and the New Tram (but excluding the OTS Line) on one calendar day. The pass also provides discounts on admission to selected sightseeing spots. It can be purchased at subway stations and kiosks. The pass is a good value and easily pays off, especially on weekends and if visiting spots with discounted admission.
- Osaka Metro Pass (1-day: 820 yen, 2-day: 1500 yen)
Available only to non-Japanese passport holders, this pass also provides unlimited use of subways, city buses and the New Tram (but excluding the OTS Line) on one or two calendar days. It also provides discounts on admission to selected sightseeing spots. It can be purchased through Klook.
The following passes cannot be used on transportation, but they provide discounted admission to selected sightseeing spots in Osaka:
- Klook Pass Osaka (from 3900 yen)
The Klook Pass Osaka allows for discounted admission to selected attractions in Osaka. Users can select 2-4 attractions from a list of attractions, which includes the Abeno Harukas observatory, teamLab Botanical Garden and Umeda Sky Building. The pass is valid for 30 days from the first selection, and the selections do not have to be made at the time of purchase. As its name suggests, the Klook Pass Osaka is sold through Klook.
- Osaka e-Pass (1-day: 2400 yen, 2-day: 3200 yen)
The Osaka e-Pass is a digital ticket, which gives its holder access to over 25 selected tourist attractions in Osaka on one calendar day or two consecutive calendar days. Among the attractions are Tsutenkaku Tower, Shitennoji Temple, the Umeda Sky Building and several boat cruises, but note that some of the attractions cannot be used during certain times. The ticket can be purchased on various websites, including Klook. It can also be paired with a 1-day Metro Pass for an additional 800 yen or a 1-day bike share pass.
