Kyobashi Station 京橋駅

Osaka's Kyobashi Station is actually several stations. There is JR Kyobashi; Keihan Kyobashi; and, on the Osaka subway system, a stop on the Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line.

All three are tightly connected and clearly marked. It is a short walk from or to any of them.

The first, JR Kyobashi, is on the Osaka Loop Line (the Kanjo Line). This circles the main part of the city, stopping at Osaka (Umeda), Tsuruhashi Station in Tsuruhashi, Osaka's Koreatown, Tennoji Station, and other major stops. JR Kyobashi opened in 1895.

The second railway company with a station at Kyobashi is Keihan. The Keihan Main Line runs farther into central Osaka, stopping at Yodoyabashi and, thanks to recent extension work, goes all the way to Nakanoshima. Going the other way, it has express service to Kyoto, stopping at Shijo, Sanjo, and Demachiyanagi Stations. Keihan Kyobashi first began operating in 1910.

The last station is that of the Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line, which bisects the central part of the city, stopping at Shinsaibashi and points west and east of Kyobashi.

Other than the Keihan department store and mall, the area has seen better days. The area however retains a certain raffish charm. A very short walk from the train stations, and you are in Japan circa 1968. Narrow alleys with small restaurants, love hotels, and soap lands make for an interesting stroll.

The area between JR Kyobashi and Keihan Kyobashi - pictured above (the priest and at the top) - is also great for people watching, especially from 5am to 8pm in the evening.