Hirano Ku

On the southeast side of Osaka, Hirano used to be independent from Osaka. It was a moated, commercial city, nationally known as Cotton City. Today, the Hirano Old City (平野旧市街), also called as Hirano-gō (平野郷) area is known as one of the oldest urban areas in Osaka, and preserved old townscape. The city name of Hirano originates from Sakanoe no Hironomaro (坂上広野麻呂), a nobleman who developed the area.

Now Hirano is also known as the festival city. Hirano-gō Summer Festival (平野郷夏まつり) which was begun over 1,300 years ago, is the second largest summer festival in Osaka (the first is Tenjin Festival), so it attracts as many as 300,000 visitors from across Osaka.

Osaka Metro Hirano Station is in the newer part of city south-west of the old city. Along Nankō-dōri, the ward office, banks and high-rise apartments make it the administrative centre of Hirano Ward, taking over that role from the old city. Most visitors from the metro station pass through it on the way to the old city.

Like many European cities, Hirano has a distinct old city and a new city beside it.

By train:

Tanimachi Line and Yamatoji Line cross through this district. Osaka Metro Hirano Station and JR Hirano Station are completely separate stations about 1.2 kilometers apart.

From Kansai International Airport, please take a JR Haruka or Kansai Airport Rapid service to Tennoji, and change to either of the two lines via Hirano. The routes from Shin-Osaka Station are shown below.

Metro lines:

The total journey takes approximately 35 to 40 minutes and costs ¥340.

(Via Tennoji Station) Stay on the Midosuji Line until Tennoji Station (22 minutes), then transfer to the Tanimachi Line bound for Yao-minami and ride to Metro Hirano Station (9 minutes). This transfer is entirely within the same station complex and less confusing for first-time visitors than navigating Umeda.

(Via Umeda) Ride the Midosuji Line to Umeda Station (7 minutes). From there, you must exit the gates and walk through the underground shopping complex for approximately 10 minutes to reach Higashi-Umeda Station on the Tanimachi Line. Take the train bound for Yao-minami to Metro Hirano Station (18 minutes).

JR Lines:

From Shin-Osaka Station, two primary routes are available and the total travel time ranges from 35 to 45 minutes, and the standard fare is ¥320.

(Via JR Osaka Higashi Line) Take the JR Osaka Higashi Line directly from Shin-Osaka to Kyuhoji Station (30 minutes). At Kyuhoji, switch to a JR Yamatoji Line local train bound for JR Namba and ride just one stop back to Hirano Station (3 minutes).

(Via JR Yamatoji Line) Take the JR Kyoto Line to Osaka Station (4 minutes), transfer to the Osaka Loop Line (or a Yamatoji Rapid Service) to Tennoji Station (15 minutes), and then transfer to a local train on the JR Yamatoji Line to Hirano Station (6 minutes).