In Osaka, all Shinkansen (bullet train) services arrive and depart from Shin-Osaka Station. It is important for travelers to note that the Shinkansen does not stop at the central "Osaka Station" in the Umeda district. Shin-Osaka was specifically built to accommodate the high-speed rail lines and serves as the primary gateway for both the Tokaido Shinkansen (coming from Tokyo/Kyoto) and the Sanyo Shinkansen (heading toward Hiroshima/Fukuoka). The station is a massive transit hub, seamlessly connected to the rest of the city via the JR Kyoto Line and the Midosuji Subway Line, which can take you to central districts like Namba or Shinsaibashi in about 15 minutes. The station itself is a destination for foodies, featuring "Eki Marche" and "Sweets Street," where you can find nearly every famous Osaka delicacy. For those with a Japan Rail Pass, Shin-Osaka is the critical node for transferring to regional Haruka express trains heading to Kansai International Airport or Rapid trains heading toward the historic sites of Nara and Kobe.