The new JR Osaka Higashi line is a great example to show how living in Fuse is getting even more convenient! The Fuse area always was connected with direct Kintetsu trains to Namba, Nara city and even Mie and Nagoya. But in recent years, Kintetsu build a line directly to Kobe, and JR the Higashi Osaka line to Umeda! Now, Fuse people can get directly to all important points in Osaka and around. Living in this area is more convenient than ever before!
The history of the JR Osaka Higashi line is still very young. In 2008, JR rebuild an old freight train line to the Higashi Osaka line. It runs from Kyuhouji (on the JR Nara line) to Hanaten (On the JR Gakukentoshi Line) . The two stations JR Shuntokumichi and JR Eiwa on that line are in walking distance from Kintetsu Fuse station. So, many learners at the Smith’s school of English actually live near these stations. For them the Higashi Osaka line was convenient right from the opening. They already used the line to go to work or school.
In the following 11 years, JR build the line from Hanaten to Shin Osaka station! (Here a link to the JR project with many photos) Now, Fuse people could get to the Shinkansen hub of Osaka directly! That part opened in 2019 and it was an important topic in Fuse at that time. How convenient Fuse area had become! And finally this year in March, JR opened the last part of the line from Shinosaka to JR Osaka in Umeda! For the people in Fuse, it is a very relaxed way to get to Umeda, because they can avoid the very busy JR loop line in the center. Also, it is much cheaper than changing trains.
Recently, I tried the Osaka Higashi line myself. On my way from Kobe to Fuse, I always use the Hankyu line. So, I changed trains in Juso and than again in Awaji to the new JR Awaji station on the line. The two stations are close together and a relaxed shopping arcade connects them. I found that very pleasing because there are no cars. Also, I could avoid the busy center of Osaka, so it was a relaxing trip. I have to walk about seven minutes longer to the school from JR Eiwa, but I the time on the train is actually shorter than changing trains in Umeda and again in Tsuruhashi, and it is a little bit cheaper. Also, my favorite coffee shop is in Eiwa! I like the new line!
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