Resources: http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.jp/foreign/english/index.html
http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/global.html

Whats the local transport like?

It mainly consists of the Municipal subway lines (9 lines) that criss-crosses the centre of Osaka city.
The JR line circles the perimeter of the city, thus called the JR Osaka Loop line.
And a couple of other railway companies travel from the major stations like Umeda and Nanba to the outskirts of Osaka City.

The Midosuji line is Osaka's equivalent to the JR Yamanote line in Tokyo. It connects Umeda area to Nanba area, which are the 2 major sightseeing and shopping locations in Osaka.

What's the best payment method?

As with the Suica in Tokyo, Osaka has the Icoca.

While the Suica can work on only the JR lines in Osaka, the Icoca works on all the subway lines, all JR lines and some other railway lines in Osaka.

The Icoca is issued by JR west, and can be bought at ticketing vending machines or the Green window office in JR stations.

Another prepaid card would be the Rainbow card, somewhat the Osaka Municipal Transport Bureau's version of the Icoca.

The difference is that the Rainbow card is not re-chargeable, and you have to feed it in the ticket slot instead of tapping.

Valid on the "Surutto Kansai network", in other words all subway lines, all JR lines, some other railway lines, tram system and local buses.

Purchasable at Rainbow card sale offices in major subway stations.

In both cards there are no discounts for travel.

And there is the Multiple ride card, purchasable from the subway ticketing offices.
For 3000yen, you can get 3300yen worth of travel value.
In other words, an extra free 300yen value.
Only problem is that most of these ticketing offices do not have english speaking staff, and only valid on subway, tram system and local buses.

What other options are there?
Depending on the extend of travel, there is the One-day Pass that costs 850yen, but only valid on the subway, tram system and local buses. But unlimited number of trips in 1 calendar day.

There is also the No-My-Car-Day Pass which costs 600yen. Similar concept as the One-day pass but only can be bought and used on every friday and 20th of the month (If it falls on a Sunday or Public Holiday, subsequent day will be No-My-Car-Day instead)


To wrap up... Osaka is easier to travel around as compared to Tokyo due to its size, but JR pass holders may have to be creative about the routes they take.
Feel free to email me for advise.
http://www.hyperdia.com works as well, so do use it for your transport planning.

Resources: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html
http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/

Tokyo is generally a good introduction to Japan, but it is not all that Japan can offer :)
It's mainly a metropolitan city good for shopping, dining and a little culture on the side.

What's the local transport like?
Generally, you can get anywhere you need to go via the complex but comprehensive train system.
You can divide them accordingly to the following categories:
1) Railway lines owned by Japan Railway (or JR in short)
2) Tokyo Subway Lines
3) Toei Subway Lines
4) Private Railway companies

Tokyo is one of the few cities where JR lines pretty much brings you anywhere and everywhere in the city. It's pretty much catered for tourists, making it easy to travel around mostly on the JR local lines.
I find that the subway lines tend to cater more for locals, stopping at more residential areas.
But subway lines can offer good shortcuts and access to places without any JR stations such as Asakusa and Tsukiji.

The main JR line that any tourist in Tokyo would take is the JR Yamanote line.

You can find the JR route map here http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/info/map_a4ol.pdf
And the subway route map here http://www.tokyometro.jp/global/en/service/pdf/routemap_en.pdf

Private railway lines tend to lead to the outer parts of Tokyo and to other prefectures or cities.

Should I get a pass?
I get this question very very frequently.

In regards to the JR Japan-wide pass:
If you are travelling just to Tokyo and probably doing day trips to close-by areas, No.
If you have an open jaw ticket and planning to take the shinkansen for a long haul trip once, No.
If you are planning to take a long haul trip on the shinkansen at least twice, maybe.
Why maybe? Go read my JR pass section :)

In regards to the passes offered by Tokyo Metro or Toei Subway:
This is a little complicated.
I would say no. why?

Before I start, I tend to keep to 2 major areas in a day in my sightseeing plans. Which is also probably why i don't pay as much as the passes are worth.
So my views are based on what I feel it's the best for me. Your itinerary might be different, especially if you like to travel to many places in a short a time as possible.

Lets take the example of the Tokyo Metro pass.
It's 600yen for 1 day and 980yen for 2 days
I generally feel it's not as easy to get around using only Tokyo Metro subway lines (means NO Toei subway lines as well!), you either use JR or it's a mix.
And it's hard to chalk up enough rides to justify the cost, but then again I'm a slow sightsee-er.
As i always advise, calculate your actual costs before you commit to a pass.
Sometimes it's better to pay as you go. I personally like flexibility in travelling routes.
BUT.... the tie-in offers with the Keisei trains and Airport limousines make it a very attractive offer. I'll explain in detail later.

There is also the Tokyo Metro and Toei One-day Economy pass that costs 1000yen.
Unless you are really rushing around and trying to soak up the entire of Tokyo in 1 day. It's a hard to chalk up 1000yen. BUT, if you can actually spend more than 1000yen in 1 day on the subway.. by all means :)

What about the Suica?
I love the Suica.
It's convenient, accepted on JR lines, Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines.
You can always easily top it up at any JR station, and the amount balanced is refundable.
PLUS.... you can use it for purchases!

Only thing about the Suica is that it DOES NOT have any discounts on travel.
*there is the Suica-N'ex package thing... click on link to read further
It comes at a great deal in the Suica-N'ex package, which i highly recommend getting.

do read my Suica post for more info http://nexasjapan.blogspot.com/2008/10/suica-and-suica-nex-package.html


To round off...
for all train changing and train costs and details... Use this website http://www.hyperdia.com/
Will also dedicate a post on that. Look out for it!

Resource: http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html

What is this pass for?
It's more of a pass for people who wish to see as much of Japan in a short time. Which translates to shinkansen rides.
The Shinkansen is the fastest long distance transport in Japan, thus the costs are somewhat related to the number of Shinkansen rides.

It's benefit is that when you take valid lines you don't have to bother with buying tickets.
Another benefit would be that you get to reserve seats without paying an extra surcharge.

It's valid for:

1. All JR company's Train lines and shinkansen lines throughout whole of Japan. EXCEPT Tokaido Line Shinkansen Nozomi train.
   
   • Do note as well it only partially covers night trains
   
   
   • For some limited express lines you may need to pay a surcharge topup


2. JR company's Local bus lines


3. The following highway bus routes
   
   • Sapporo, Hokkaido <-> Otaru, Hokkaido
   
   
   • Morioka, Tohoku <-> Hirosaki, Tohoku
   
   
   • Tokyo, Kanto <-> Nagoya, Chubu
   
   
   • Tokyo, Kanto <-> Kyoto, Kansai
   
   
   • Tokyo, Kanto <-> Osaka, Kansai
   
   
   • Tokyo, Kanto <-> Tsukuba Center in Ibaraki, Kanto
   
   
   • Nagoya, Chubu <-> Kyoto, Kansai
   
   
   • Nagoya, Chubu <-> Osaka, Kansai
   
   
   • Osaka, Kansai <-> Tsuyama, Chugoku
   
   
   • Osaka, Kansai <-> Kasai Flower Center in Kasai, Hyogo


4. JR Miyajima Ferry

How much?
There is Ordinary and Green car passes. As i doubt anyone would really buy the Green car passes, I'll just have the Ordinary passes prices

7 day = 37800yen (Worth slightly less than 3 long shinkansen rides)
14days = 61200yen (Worth slightly more than 4 long shinkansen rides)
21 days = 79600yen (Worth slightly more than 6 long shinkansen rides)

How to buy?
You can only buy it via authorised agents in your own country. You cannot buy inside Japan. Plus only foreign passport holders can use this.
Here's a list of Authorised agents http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en005.html
They will give you an Exchange order where you change for the JR pass in Japan.

Where to change for a JR pass?
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en009.html

Who should buy?
Definately not for budget travellers.
Basically if you forsee yourself taking enough Shinkansen rides to justify the cost, it's a convenient way to pay for your rides.
As I'm a fan of travelling cheap, Highway buses are still a good and very cheap way to travel long-distance in Japan.

If you are considering a pass, here's my tip...
Calculate the Actual cost of your total train rides in Japan and note which trains you are taking.
If your JR lines and Shinkansen line cost justify the cost of the pass.. by all means.

A reserved seat Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari train to Osaka from Tokyo is 13800yen, a 2 way ride is 27600yen.
It's still 10200yen more than the 7-day JR pass. So unless you are ABLE to spent at least 10201yen on other JR transports... please don't bother.

If you are just travelling within Tokyo or any single City in close quarters to the airport (and not anywhere else), you definately do not need a JR pass.