Visit Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Kobe for 5 to 7 days sample itinerary

4 to 6 days
Fushimi Inari shrine is most popular spot in Kyoto in these days. ©Kyoto Convention Bureau /©JNTO
Yasaka shrine in Kyoto Higashiyama area. ©JNTO
Yasaka shrine in Kyoto Higashiyama area. ©JNTO

I have received inquiries about the trip to Kansai area many times. So I make a basic itinerary that includes Kansai area, such as Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara only. This is 7 days itinerary. But you can shorten or extend as you can.

Now I would like to tell you the best route and most economical deals about this trip.

Day 1 – Kansai airport (KIX) to Kyoto

Central exit of Kyoto station. (C) JP Rail
Central exit of Kyoto station. (C) JP Rail

Kansai One Pass and Haruka one way trip to Kyoto at 4,600 yen.
Overnight around JR Kyoto station

If you arrive in Kyoto early, you can visit somewhere around Kyoto station. Fushimi Inari is only 5 minutes away from Kyoto station. Kyoto Tower is just located in front of Kyoto station. You can use Kansai One Pass to get there.

Day 2 and 3 – Sightseeing in Kyoto

Togetsukyo bridge in Arashiyama, Kyoto. ©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO
Togetsukyo bridge in Arashiyama, Kyoto. ©Yasufumi Nishi/©JNTO

There are several deals available. I recommend you to use both Kansai One Pass and Kyoto City Bus Pass. Kansai One Pass covers city bus too but Kansai One Pass does not give you unlimited travel. It offers only convenience. On the other hand, Kyoto City Bus Pass is sold at 600 yen for one day. You can take a bus as many as you want. You can get the worth of it by only 3 rides. You can use Kansai One Pass only for taking a train and/or a subway.

Kyoto City Bus and Subway Pass (Kyoto Sightseeing Card) is also available. But this does not cover other railways, such as JR, Hankyu, Keihan railways. You will take various trains in Kyoto. Please see the link below to find the train route in Kyoto:

Kyoto train guide

You can get anywhere in downtown Kyoto by bus. It is possible to visit all places only by city bus. However city bus is always crowded and the traffic in Kyoto has been very heavy in these days. I recommend you to take a train or a subway as much as you can.

Kansai One Pass and Bus Pass are the best combination for sightseeing in Kyoto, in my opinion.

Day 4 – Trip to Nara and transfer to Osaka

Todai-ji temple in Nara  	©Nara Prefecture/©JNTO
Todai-ji temple in Nara ©Nara Prefecture/©JNTO


Visit Nara on the way to Namba, Osaka from Kyoto.

You can take either Kintetsu Railway or JR to get Nara. Both trains depart from Kyoto station. But Kintetsu railway’s Nara station is better location. It is 1 km closer to most of tourist spots in Nara than JR Nara station.

After Nara, you can take either JR or Kintetsu to get Osaka. Please see the link below to find the route to Nara:

Nara access guide

Day 5 – Trip to Kobe and Himeji from Osaka

There are lots of castles in Japan. But Himeji castle is one of four existing original catle buildings. (C) JNTO
There are lots of castles in Japan. But Himeji castle is one of four existing original catle buildings. (C) JNTO

You may use JR Kansai Area Pass one day at 2,200 yen if you book it online in advance. If you buy it online, you have to exchange the pass at Shin-Osaka, Osaka, Kyoto or Kansai airport.

JR West Pass official site

You can purchase this pass at many major stations in downtown Osaka but the price is a bit higher. There is other trains to Kobe and Himeji, like Hanshin railway. But JR is the fastest to get Himeji. Please see the post, How to access to Himeji and Kobe from Osaka to get the details.

Day 6 – Sightseeing in Osaka

Dotonbori is very popular place to eat and shop near Namba. ©Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau/©JNTO
Dotonbori is very popular place to eat and shop near Namba. ©Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau/©JNTO

There are lots of deals available in Osaka. Please see the link below to find the deal:

How to choose the pass for sightseeing in Osaka

Day 7 – Osaka to Kansai airport (KIX)

If you want to take Haruka again, you can purchase Haruka discount ticket. This discount ticket is available for overseas tourist who has ICOCA or Kansai One Pass only.

ICOCA and Haruka, Kansai One Pass and Haruka

Otherwise you can choose other deal in the link below:

How to choose the deal for trip to/from KIX

I hope this sample helps you to build your trip plan.

Comments

  1. Ashwin says:

    Hello , we have planned the same schedule as you suggested. Intended dates of Travel are from 12th Dec to 19th Dec 2016. We will reach KIX only near 11 pm. Which places ( area ) you recommend to stay : Do we stay 12th , 13th, 14th In Kyoto and from 15th to 19th we stay in Osaka?
    1 Day 1 – Kansai airport (KIX) to Kyoto
    2 Day 2 – Sightseeing in Kyoto
    3 Day 3 – Sightseeing in Kyoto
    4 Day 4 – Trip to Nara and transfer to Namba, Osaka
    5 Day 5 – Trip to Kobe and Himeji from Osaka
    6 Day 6 – Sightseeing in Osaka
    7 Day 7 – Namba, Osaka to Kansai airport (KIX)
    Appreciate your advise. We are a couple travelling with our daughter aged 9 yrs.

  2. Yau San says:

    Hello Takeshi,

    I bought ticket to Kansai for next year, 15 – 25 March 2017, plan to visit Osaka, Nara, Kobe and Kyoto. Seek for your advice on the routine. My concern:-
    1) Is the day enough to explore or too many or too short?
    2) Worry redundant on the routine, from Kansai to Kyoto or Kansai to Osaka?
    3) What type of pass shall you suggest to have?

    Looking forward on your reply soon.
    Thank you very much!!!

    Regards,
    Yau San

  3. JLau says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Could you pls advise which pass should I get for my itinerary.

    Day 1-8: Tokyo
    Day 8-10: Kyoto
    Day 11: Nara day trip
    Day 12: Kyoto
    Day 12-15: Osaka

    Thank you in advance. 🙂

  4. Mira says:

    Hi takeshi, im planning visit osaka wif my family this december. Perhaps you could advice on my itinerary.thanks!

    Day 1. Arrive KIX. Head to apt at namba,Osaka.
    Day 2. Universal studio, Osaka.
    Day 3. Kobe & rokkosan and return back to Osaka.
    Day 4. Kyoto (Arashiyama, Tenry-ji Temple, Bamboo Groves & Gion) then back to Osaka.
    Day 5. Osaka ( Osaka amazing pass 1 day)
    Day 6. Head to KIX.

    We are staying at Osaka the whole time. Do i need buy another pass?

    Thanks!

  5. Anonya says:

    Hello Takeshi-san,

    I am a resident in Japan. So I think I am not eligible to purchase the Icoca or Kansai one pass. I will be arriving at Kansai-airport and living near Gakken Kita Ikoma station in Nara. And I plan to travel to Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Kobe every day from Gakken Kita Ikoma station between Nov 2- Nov 7. Which pass you think will be economical and convenient for my travel. Thank you in advance.

    Regards,
    Anonya

  6. Andy says:

    Hi Takeshi-san

    I will be visiting Osaka / Kyoto / Nara this November with below itinerary:

    Day 1. Arrive KIX at 11:35am. Head to hotel at Osaka (Matsuyamachi station). Stay in Osaka

    Day 2. Go to Kyoto from Osaka (Arashiyama, Tenry-ji Temple, Bamboo Groves, Money Park) then back to Osaka

    Day 3. Go to Kyoto and Nara from Osaka (Fushimi Inari, Nara) then back to Osaka

    Day 4. Go to Kyoto from Osaka (Kinkaju Temple, Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu-dera, Gion)

    Day 5. Go to Kobe and Himeji from Osaka

    Day 6. Stay in Osaka

    Day 7. Stay in Osaka

    Day 8. Head to airport from Osaka (1:05PM flight)

    We are staying at Osaka the whole time. Does the itinerary make sense and what is my best transpo option?

    Thanks!

  7. Woon Khai Shan says:

    Hello Takeshi,
    I’m planning to visit Japan this coming november with my family. Hope you can help us in determining what passes to use for our itinerary.
    Day 1 : Arrive Osaka-Kansai. Stay Uji
    Day 2 : Kyoto
    Day 3 : Nara
    Day 4 : Osaka
    Day 5 : Osaka
    Day 6 : Back to Malaysia

  8. alexander widjaja says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Please help which pass would be best for my trip:

    Day 1 (June 25 PM) Arrive Narita
    Day 2 (June 26) Tokyo
    Day 3 (June 27) Tokyo
    Day 4 (June 28) Tokyo
    Day 5 (June 29) Kyoto
    Day 6 (June 30) Kyoto
    Day 7 (July 1) Osaka/Kobe/Nara
    Day 8 (July 2) Osaka/Kobe/Nara
    Day 9 (July 3) Tokyo
    Day 10 (July 4 AM) Depart Narita

    Is it better to get JR Pass which is $270 or Tokyo-Osaka Hokuriku Arch Pass?

    Thank you in advance.

  9. Leann says:

    Hi Takeshi.

    I’m planning to visit Japan late March next year with my friends. Hope you can help us in determining what passes to use for our itinerary.

    Day 1 KIX to Namba (hotel near dotonbori) – I was advised to take Nankai railway. Is this right?
    Day 2 Universal Studios
    Day 3 Explore Osaka
    Day 4 Nara & Kobe
    Day 5 Tokyo
    Day 6 Tokyo
    Day 7 Kyoto
    Day 8 Kyoto
    Day 9 Flight back to home base from KIX

    Since we’re going to Tokyo we’re planning to buy the 7-day JRPass but we’re confused what other passes we need to buy with the best value for money based on our itinerary.

    Hope you can help us.

    Thank you very much!

  10. Esther says:

    Hello Takeshi,

    I saw your blog and find it very informative although I am still confused with the different types of Rail Pass. I need your advise on choosing the right Rail Pass. Below is my 9-day itinerary.

    Day 1 (12 Nov) – arrive Hiroshima Airport
    Day 2 (13 Nov) – Hiroshima
    Day 3 (14 Nov) – Fukuyama
    Day 4 (15 Nov) – Kurashiki
    Day 5 (16 Nov) – Himeji
    Day 6 (17 Nov) – Kyoto
    Day 7 (18 Nov) – Arashiyama
    Day 8 (19 Nov) – Nara
    Day 9 (20 Nov) – Kyoto to KIX Airport

    Should I buy a 5- day West JR Pass (Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass) @ Yen 13,000 to use from Day 2 to Day 6 or to buy a ICOCA & HARUKA Pass to use in Kyoto. As I understand it, foreign visitors can only buy 1 pass during one trip. I also need to know if JP West Pass includes the ride on Sanyo Sinkasen (from Himeji to Kyoto). It seems that there is a restriction to ride on the Bullet Train “SANYO SHINKANSEN” (Hiroshima⇔Hakata). So if I leave from Himeji for Kyoto, according to the available train route map on JR website, the Sanyo Sinkasen changes to conventional train route from Sin-Osaka Stn. We probably need to change train. If that is correct, is that money worth to pay for the 5-day West JR Pass?

    On another question, I heard that not all trains has space for luggage. Each of us carries a mid-size (26-28”) luggage. So do we have to place it besides the seat. If we don’t buy JR Pass, we can’t reserve seat in advance. Would you suggest we’d better buy the pass for a little more money?
    I look forward to your advise.
    Regards,
    Esther

    • Hi Esther,

      You can use Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass. If you use JR train, like visiting Miyajima, you can start using this pass on day 2. But if you stay in Hiroshima and visit the places in the city, such as Peace Memorial Park, you can start it on day 3.

      Actually Sanyo Shinkansen runs between Hakata and Shin-Osaka. So you can take this train to get Shin-Osaka. Fukuyama, Kurashiki and Himeji are located on the way to Shin-Osaka. You can take Shinkansen. Kyoto is connected by Shinkansen too. But from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto is Tokaido Shinkansen that is not covered by this pass. You have to change the trains to Kyoto at Shin-Osaka.
      https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-departure-arrival-stations/stations-in-tokai/nagoya-toyohashi/what-is-shinkansen-bullet-train.html

      In Kyoto, you can use city deal.
      http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes

      Single ticket is okay for access to Nara. If you want to use ICOCA, you can purchase ICOCA only at any JR station. But I don’t think you need it.

      At last, you can purchase Haruka discount ticket. ICOCA and Haruka combo deal is available for incoming passengers only and it’s sold at Kansai airport. But you can purchase Haruka discount ticket at Kyoto. You can use both Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass and Haruka discount ticket. If you want to use 2 X Kansai Hiroshima pass, it’s not allowed. But you can purchase two different deals.

      Even if you use reserved seat, you have to keep your luggage at your space. And also you have to pay full fare of seat fee, not difference between reserved and non reserved. It’s not a smart way to use reserved seat by this pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

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