The Subway system in Osaka is one of the most convenient, fast and efficient ways to get around the city. The main lines that will be most useful for visitors are the Midosuji line (red), which runs north-south through the city center and connects to major stations such as Nakamozu and Tennoji in the south and Namba, Shinsaibashi, Umeda and Shin-Osaka in the north. The Chuo line runs from east-west connecting to Osaka Castle and Osaka Bay Area, both lines cross at Osaka Station. Stations list information in English making it easy to navigate; a 1-day pass is available for about ¥800 (discounted on Fridays to ¥600) offering unlimited travel on board the subway for a day. Tickets can be purchased from the vending machines at the stations and a single ride usually cost around ¥200 - ¥300. Subways operate from around 5:00 am until midnight. The Osaka loop line makes a loop journey around the city through the downtown area featuring two lines, one going clockwise the other counter clockwise. The line originates at the Osaka Station. Visit www.kotsu.city.osaka.jp for more information.

The train network in Osaka is one of the best ways to get around the city and surrounding areas. Osaka Station is the main train station in the city with connections to Shin-Osaka Station and other destinations. Six different private companies service the city with JR (Japan Railway) being the main network which includes the JR Osaka Loop line, the most useful to visitors who are sightseeing, it makes a circle loop around the city stopping at key destinations such as Tennoji, Nishi-Kujo, Osaka, and Shin-Osaka. JR Shinkansen bullet trains connect with the Midosuji subway line at Shin-Osaka Station, Hanshin railway is used to travel from Osaka to Kobe making stops at Nishikujo and Umeda stations. And unique train specifically designated for travel to Universal Studios Japan is decorated with characters from Sesame Street. Trains run from around 6:00 am until about midnight (normally the last trains depart around 11:30 pm) with fares beginning at approximately ¥120 and upward depending on the line of service and the length of the journey. 1-day and 2-day passes and discounted passes are available. Visit www.westjr.co.jp for more information.

The bus system in the city is not very useful for visitors and there is not much information available in English which can make navigating the city by bus very confusing. Bus fares cost around ¥210 for adults and ¥110 for children, board the bus at the front where you pay your fare into the machine (exact change) and exit in the middle of the bus, ring the bell or push the button when you want to get off. Visit www.okkbus.co.jp for more information.

A Taxi in the city can be a great way to get around if you are traveling short distances, say from the train or bus station to your hotel if it is not within walking distance. Prices for taxis in the city can get expensive with the initial cost to secure one costing ¥600. Drivers don`t normally speak English so it is a good idea to have the address of your destination written down in Japanese, you can hail a taxi from the street or find them at taxi ranks outside the city stations or call and order one over the phone. At night taxi`s will have an illuminated light on the roof to show that they are available for hire and during the day a sign in the left-hand side of the windshield indicates if they are free.

There are plenty of places and outdoor spaces to walk around in Osaka. The main station area around Osaka Station features a large selection of shopping malls and restaurants that are within walking distance from the station. The Umeda Sky building is about a 10-minute walk from here and the National Museum of Art and the National Science Museum are around a 20-minute walk away.

The Osaka Castle and Osaka and Osaka Park are the perfect places to enjoy a stroll, walk around the castle grounds with huge stone walls and moats then into the stunning gardens that surround the castle which is a popular place during the cherry blossom season. Stroll along the river banks and enjoy the views or take a cruise along the river.

Dotonbori is a famous neighborhood that runs along the Dotonbori Canal and a popular entertainment district in the evenings filled with restaurants, shops, bars and lots of neon lights and signs. Walk through the food market in Umeda and check out the sites and massive park located in Tennoji.

The city is flat and the streets are well organized and signposted, making it a great city to ride a bike around and check out the sites. There are companies in the city offering bike rentals and cycle tours and bike sharing stations offered by HUBchari that can be found at stations around the city. There are no bike lanes in the city, so bicyclist share the sidewalk with pedestrians and bikes should be parked in designated area`s only. Osaka offers beautiful parks and promenades by the river that are perfect for a bike ride.