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The word “shin” can be used as an adjective for describing something that is new, fresh, modern, or stylish. It can also be used as a noun meaning “newness” or “freshness.”
In Japan, there are many stations with names that start with the character “shin.” These include:
- Shinsaibashi – New World Bridge
- Shinagawa – New Horizontal River
- Shinjuku – New Town
- Shin-Okubo – New Okubo Ward
- Shin-Otawara – New Otawara
- Shin-Osaka – Shin Osaka
- Shin-Sugamo – New Sugamo
- Shinagawa-ku – New Kita Ward
- Shin-Komagome – NewKomagome
- Shin-Kunitachi – New National University
- Shin-Nishiguchi – New Nishiguchi
- Shin-Nihonbashi – New Nipponbashi, and so on.
Out of these, the prefix “shin” best fits the station Shin Osaka, the new name of the station Osaka.
Although Osaka is not as well-structured as Kyoto and Tokyo’s huge stations, it is still a modest one. It has cutting-edge technology and has been built in a way that it is newver difficult for anybody new to navigate around the station.
You can often get to Shin Osaka on a Shinkansen bullet train. The fares are cheap and economical, to say. Most of the Shin Osaka JR trains and Shinkansen trains are covered by the JR pass at Shin Osaka and other stations.
Where Is The Shin Osaka Station?
The Shin Osaka station is located on the JR Sanyo Shinkansen line. It is the main train station serving the city of Osaka. There are many trains running between Osaka and other destinations such as Hiroshima, Nagoya, Kobe, Fukuoka, and even Tokyo.
There are two types of tickets available at the Shin Osaka station: regular tickets and reserved seats. Regular tickets can be used on all trains except those going to/from Honshu. Reserved seats can only be used on some trains, depending on their availability.
Regular Tickets
Regular tickets are available at the ticket counter inside the station. They cost ¥1,500 per person, and they allow unlimited travel on all trains. You don’t need to buy them before you get on the train. Just show your ticket to the conductor upon boarding.
Reserved Seats
If you want to use reserved seats, you need to purchase them in advance. You can do so either online or at the ticket counter inside Shin Osaka station. Reservations are limited, though, so make sure to book yours well in advance if you plan to take advantage of them.
How To Get To Shin Osaka Station From Other Stations?
You can reach Shin Osaka station via bus, taxi, or subway. Here are the details:
Bus
Buses run every 20 minutes from various stations in the city. These buses go directly to Shin Osaka station. The fare is ¥200 per person.
Taxi
Taxi fares start at ¥600 per car. If you want to share a cab, you will pay ¥800 per person.
Subway
The closest subway station to Shin Osaka station is Umeda Sky Building Station. The fare is ¥210 per person.
How to buy Shinkansen ticket?
Japan Railways (JR) owns and operates all of the Shinkansen trains. The nationwide rail network is owned and operated by JR companies, which were once part of Japan National Railway.
As a JR-operated express train, Shinkansen can only be boarded with a JR ticket.
You can use your Shinkansen ticket to get through the transfer gate if you’re transferring to a JR line.
At any JR station, you can purchase a ticket for the train.
There are “Reserved Seat Cars,” “Non-Reserved Seat Cars,” and “Green Cars” on a Shinkansen train, as well.
Purchasing a ticket with a reserved seat ensures that you will have a seat.
You can sit wherever you like in a non-reserved seat car. However, if the vehicle is packed, you may be required to stand until a seat becomes available. The price difference between this and a reserved seat is minimal.
With the Japan Rail Pass, you can ride the Shinkansen. Because JR corporations are the ones who sell it. However, “Nozomi” and “Mizuho” cannot be used by the pass.
History Behind Osaka
Osaka and it’s also one of the most populated cities in the country. It has a population of over 10 million people, which makes it the third largest city in Japan after Tokyo and Yokohama. The name “Osaka” means “the place where the gods live” in Japanese, but this doesn’t mean that there are any temples or shrines around here. Instead, the name comes from an old legend about a giant snake who lived under the sea near Osaka Bay. This story was passed down through generations until it became part of the local folklore.
The history of Osaka dates back to as early as the Jomon period (10,000 BC– 300 AD). Archaeologists had found evidence of settlements dating back to the Yayoi period (300 BC – 500 AD), when rice farming began to spread throughout the region. During the Nara period (710 – 794) and Heian period (794 – 1185), Osaka grew into a major commercial center for trade with Korea and China. In the late 12th century, Kansai came under the control of the Kamakura Shogunate, and then Kyoto during the Muromachi period (1336 – 1573). After the fall of the Ashikaga shogunate in 1615, Osaka regained its independence, and by the end of the Edo period (1603 – 1868), it had become the second-largest city in Japan.
In the Meiji era (1868 – 1912), Osaka became the administrative seat of the newly formed prefecture of Osaka, and later the core of the new city of Osaka. The city continued to grow rapidly, and today it is home to more than 1.5 million residents.
Things To Do Around Shin Osaka Station
Following are the things you can do around Shin Osaka station:
1. Take A Boat Ride On The Sumida River
One of the best ways to get a feel for the culture of Osaka is to take a boat ride on the Sumida river. You can see many traditional houses along the way, and you will be able to enjoy some great views of the city. There are several different types of boats available, so make sure you choose one that suits your budget and preferences.
2. Visit The National Museum Of Modern Art
If you want to learn more about modern art, visit the National Museum of Modern Art. It features works by famous artists such as Picasso, Matisse, Degas, Kandinsky, and Monet. If you want to spend less money, check out the free exhibitionsat the museum.
3. Go Shopping At Takashimaya Department Store
If you love shopping, head to Takashimaya department store. The building itself is worth seeing, and it contains shops, restaurants, and even a hotel.
4. See A Puppet Show
Puppet shows are very popular in Japan, and they are usually performed in large theaters. Check out the Osaka Municipal Theatre if you want to see a good puppet show.
5. Enjoy Street Food
Osaka is known for its street food, and there are plenty of delicious options just a short walk from anywhere. Some of the best include takoyaki balls, yakitori skewers, kushiyaki grills, and okonomiyaki pancakes.
Top 10 Attractions To Visit Around Shin Osaka Station
Following are the top 10 tourist attractions you can go to when you are in Osaka:
1. Osaka Castle
This castle was built at the beginning of the Edo period, and it served as the primary residence of the rulers of the area. Today, it houses various museums, including the Osaka City Museum, the Osaka History Museum, and the Osaka Traditional Craft Center.
2. Universal Studios Japan
Universal Studios Japan is a theme park located about 50 kilometers south of Osaka. It opened in 2004, and since then it has been attracting millions of visitors each year. The theme park offers guests the chance to experience Hollywood blockbuster movies, roller coasters, haunted houses, and other attractions.
3. Dotonbori
Dotonbori is a district in downtown Osaka that attractstourists with its numerous shopping opportunities and interesting nightlife venues. Many of the stores sell souvenirs, and there are also lots of restaurants, bars, clubs, and entertainment venues here.
4. Amerika-Mura Theme Park
Amerika-Mura is an amusement park located near Osaka Castle. It first opened in 1974, and over the years it has expanded to feature rides like go-karts, bumper cars, and mini golf.
5. Suido Line
The Suido line is a sightseeing train that runs between Umeda station in central Osaka and Hommachi Station in Sakyō ward. This rail route follows the course of the former JR Nakanoshima Line, which ran through the middle of Kita Ward before being closed in 1971.
6. Namba Parks
Namba Parks is an entertainment complex located next to the Osaka Science Museum in Nishi Ward. The parks host events and concerts throughout the year and include a variety of restaurants and cafes to serve up snacks and drinks.
7. Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyuhkan is home to thousands of aquatic animals, both inside and outside of the facility. Inside, guests travel down underwater tunnels where they come across coral reefs, jellyfish, sea turtles, seahorses, and eels. Outside, there are walking trails around the zoo.
8. Chihiro Hongu Gakuen (Chihiro Hongu Elementary School)
Hongu Gakuen is an elementary school located in Tsurumi-ku. It was founded in 1878, but after nearly 150 years of service, the school recently underwent renovations. There are two main reasons why people visit this school: 1) because it is one of the oldest schools in Osaka, and 2) because it is considered to be one of the most beautiful traditional Japanese schools.
9. Osaka Tempozan Open Air Architectural Art Museum
The Osaka Tempozan Open air Architectural Art Museum is located in Tsurumiku neighborhood on the outskirts of Osaka city. The museum exhibits works by many famous architects, such as Kenzo Tange, Fumihiko Maki, and Kunio Maekawa.
10. Osaka Castle
Osaka Castle is a large medieval fortress in what used to be the outer bailey of the city walls. The present structure was built in 1583 during the early Edo period; however, archaeological evidence suggests that previous fortifications have existed since the 14th century. In 1616, the site became the official residence of the daimyo who ruled over all three domains of Satsuma Province.
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