Takarazuka

Takarazuka is a bedroom community city, in which residents typically work in nearby Osaka.

The city is known for its hot springs and for its all-female Takarazuka Revue, both of which are now the main draw for visitors.

Most people who visit Takarazuka are domestic travellers, with the largest group being middle-aged people and the older crowd.

For manga fans, the Tezuka Osamu Manga Museum located here is a must-visit. The manga artist, most well known for creating the character Astro Boy, grew up in the city, watching the Takarazuka Revue as a boy.

Tourist information site:

The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

By plane:

The nearest airport is Osaka-Itami, which is 20 minutes away by car. There is a limited direct Hankyū Bus service to Takarazuka, taking 25 minutes and costing ¥240, but a better option is usually to take the Monorail one stop to Hotarugaike and change there to the Hankyū Takarazuka Line (30 minutes, ¥420).

Another nearby domestic airport is Kobe Airport, which is an hour away by car. From there, take the Port Liner to Sannomiya, then take the train (see below).

The nearest international airport is Osaka-Kansai, which is 1 hour 20 minutes away by car. From there, take the JR Kansai Airport Rapid train to Osaka and change there to the JR Takarazuka Line; allow 1 hour 50 minutes and ¥1710.

By train:

Most passengers come in through Osaka, from where there are two competing lines:

The JR Takarazuka Line (also known as the Fukuchiyama Line) offers four Rapid and Tambaji Rapid trains per hour from Osaka Station, taking 25 minutes and ¥330.

JR also offers the Kōnotori Limited Express service, which generally runs every hour between Shin-Osaka and Fukuchiyama, with some trains continuing to Toyooka or Kinosaki Onsen. From Osaka this costs ¥1700 and is barely faster than the Rapid trains, so these are only worth using if you have a suitable rail pass or are coming from the north.

The Hankyū Takarazuka Line offers six Express trains per hour from Umeda Station, taking 35 minutes and costing ¥280.

You can also take the Hankyū Kobe Line to Nishinomiya-Kitaguchi, then change to the Imazu Line; this takes 35 minutes and ¥280 as well. If you are going to or from Takarazuka-Minamiguchi Station, you should take this route.