Namba subway to JR Osaka during rush hour

Hi. I need to get from my hotel Swissotel Nankai Osaka to the JR Osaka station by 8:30am to catch a tour. I presume that I should be taking the Midosuji subway line from Namba to Umeda and then walk to JR Osaka. What time would I need to depart from my hotel considering that it may be during the rush hour?

It takes only 8 mins from Namba to Umeda and the frequency is every 3 mins at that time of day. Finding your way around Osaka stn might be the bigger challenge though, it's difficult to navigate and even moreso at rush hour. If you're not familiar with Osaka station you might try doing dry run the night before which is what I often do.

I assume you're female (from your user name) so you'll be able to board the women-only cars which are less crowded.

Try to find out which side of OSAKA station your bus leaves from - or it may leave from some hotel.
If it's the north side of OSAKA station get on the front of the train and use Exits 3A or 3B. For the south side of OSAKA station use Exits 7, 8 or 9, the middle or end of the train.
http://dickh.zenfolio.com/img/s5/v123/p16993032-4.jpg

mm: you'll be able to board the women-only cars

On weekdays on subway Midosuji Line, Car No. 6 of each regular train is set as a women-only car.
(Also men taking care of a handicapped lady and boys under junior high school age may use "women-only" cars of trains.)

mm:If you're not familiar with Osaka station you might try doing dry run
Dick H: Try to find out which side of OSAKA station your bus leaves from - or it may leave from some hotel.

I agree. Knowing the directions in advance may well help you travel smoothly.

Routes from Osaka Station to this hotel is explained in Page 8 of the following PDF file.
http://www.swissotel-osaka.co.jp/access/pdf/Transportatio_Guide_Englis...
I suppose you can roughly do the reverse, but one thing to note is that the South-South Gate of subway Namba Station is for exiting only; from Exit #4 or #5 you will walk a bit more to the South-North Gate, which is for entrance only.

What time would I need to depart from my hotel considering that it may be during the rush hour?

I guess departing at 7:30 will be enough, but it might be better to depart earlier if you hope to avoid the peak of the rush.
You can save time for purchasing your subway ticket if you can use a valid IC transportation card.
- Prepaid IC Cards
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2359_003.html

Thank you all for your detailed responses.

Yes, I am female, but I will be travelling with my husband. So, we will not be able to ride in the women-only car.

This is the exact meeting location: http://www.yokoso-japan.jp/_commonimg/map_osakaST_en.jpg

It does sound like we need to do dry run at night.
I remember how we got lost every day at Shinjuku station when we were in Tokyo last year. *_*

You should find it if you get on the front of the train and go out exit 3A or 3B. The map on the station wall should show you the exact one.