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. Sindhu says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Do We have a Travel Service Center or a Reservation Office (Midori-no-madoguchi) at haneda airport to exchange online confirmation slip to JR pass [ Will be using JR pass on 4th day of my trip, so Do I need to visit any counter for it ? ] and reserve seats on bullet trains for our stay in Japan.

    If we don’t, then is Shinjuku a right place ? or do you suggest any other place where we can beat the Q ?

    Thanks,
    Sindhu Ravindraprasad

    • Hi Sandhu,

      There is a travel center in Haneda. You can exchange it at Shinjuku, Tokyo, Shinagawa and some more stations in Tokyo. Please find the hour to open at the link below:
      http://www.japanrailpass.net/en/exchange.html

      Once you get an actual pass, you can book your train at any Midori no Madoguchi throughout Japan. If you want, you can complete all bookings when you exchange your pass.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • sindhu says:

        Thank you.

        I really have to admit , you have been very helpful in planning my trip to Japan.

        As I am travelling with a year old baby, would like to know if Japan is stroller friendly. I would be visiting Tokyo, kamakura,nikko,hakone,Osaka,Kyoto,nara,hamieji.

        Thanks,
        Sindhu Ravindraprasad

  2. Raiza says:

    Hello,
    Base on the itinerary sample above, my family will be touring Osaka-Kyoto-Nara by December 2016.. it will be our first time touring japan and I am wondering,
    1.)for the day1.. airport to kyoto, what u
    Is the most convinient transportation (train station) we should use? It is easy to read the train routes?.. feeling confused..
    2.)by the sched above,you toured the farthest place.first then nearing towards the airport by the last day,what places to look forward to nara, kobe and himeji?
    3.)it is okay to skip kobe&himeji?..or is there a place to look forward to?..
    4.) In this sched,what hotel/inn/ryokan would you recommend for a 6-member family to be affordable?
    Looking forward to your reply, sorry if my questions seem silly and simple, but this would be my family’s first time tour in japan and we have difficulties planning our tour.. thank you..

    • Hi Raiza,

      1. JR train Limited Express Haruka is the best transportation because this is only direct train to Kyoto from KIX.
      I recommend you to stay near Kyoto station.

      2,3. It’s hard to say. Please refer Japan Guide.
      http://www.japan-guide.com/

      Of course you can skip anywhere. This is your trip so you can pick the place wherever you want to see and visit. Everybody has different tastes. So I cannot decide the best place for you.

      4. I cannot answer this inquiry. There are many many hotels. My experience is not enough to answer this inquiry.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Cherry Grace So says:

    HI Takeshi,

    Can you please check if the itinerary I prepared is correct?

    Day 1 – KIX to Osaka via haruka ltd express (check in Hotel)
    Day 2 – USJ
    Day 3 – Rinku Premium Outlet
    Day 4 – Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji + Arashiyama area (Bamboo Forest and Togetsukyo Bridge)
    Day 5 – Kyoto: Fushimi Inari + Shinnyodo Temple + Yasaka Shrine
    Day 6 – Himeji Castle + Kobe
    Day 7 – Nara (AM) and then explore Osaka (Osaka Castle Park etc…)
    Day 8 – Explore rest of Osaka and last minute shopping
    Day 9 – Departure

    Please do make corrections if necessary. and also can you suggest what railway pass I should use on the trips to kyoto, Himeji and Nara. I will be based in Osaka the the duration of this trip so we will only make day trips to Kyoto, Himeji and Nara. I am planning to get Icoca and Haruka for Kansai airport – Osaka – Kansai airport. I think the Icoca can be used when we go sightseeing in osaka. Do you think the Icoca card is enough for those out of town trips or do I have to get the railway passes to save money?

    Thanks,
    Cherry

  4. cherry says:

    Hi Takeshi!

    thanks for the informative post.
    I was wondering if the kyoto sightseeing pass covers train/bus to kibune/kurama?

    Thanks!

  5. Patrick says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Can i check with you

    1) I cannot use Osaka Amazing Pass for Hankyu Takarazuka line right?

    2)Kyoto sightseeing card, does it cover train to Keifuku Arashiyama Station? I notice is private train.

    3) For Kansai Area pass, does it cover local subway or JR? Like train to Shijo Subway Station

    4) My last day is in Kyoto, if i’m planning to go Osaka again, I can store my luggage at Osaka JR Station, but what pass should I get? i order for me to travel from Kyoto to Osaka then to Kansai ?

  6. Lay Khim Soo says:

    I am going to Kyoto and osaka on April 8 – 14. We are arriving April 8 morning and leaving 10 to Osaka.

    Can you pls advice the itinerary ?

    Many thanks.

  7. Hani says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I planning to visit Kyoto Osaka Nara Kobe for 6 days full day.
    its better to stay at osaka or kyoto or both?
    can you help me to arrange the itinerary?
    and please list down what pass should i use.

    ps. day 1 will arrived in the morning by overnight bus from tokyo and back again to tokyo at late night by overnight bus at day 6. (using JR bus Pass)

    Thanks

  8. Triet says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    I’ll be staying near Kyoto station and I intend to buy Kyoto 2 day pass. But the pass didn’t state it clearly so I would like to confirm: does it include some JR lines, such as from Kyoto station to Inari?

    I built my itineraries as follows:
    Day 1: Fushimi Inari – Nijo castle – Kinkakuji – Gion by night
    Day 2: Arashiyama – Kiyomizudera
    Is it a good plan? Am I wasting any travel time or money? Is there any better way you can suggest me, such as re-grouping Nijo castle with another thing, and Arashiyama with another place?

  9. Patrick says:

    Hi,

    Fri 22 Apr Day 1
    Singapore to Osaka
    9:30pm reach Osaka
    Stay at Best Western Hotel Fino Osaka Shinsaibashi
    it’s near to Nagahoribashi station

    I wasn’t sure how to get there, should i take airport limousine or train?

    I’m planning to get the Osaka Amazing day pass but is it useable at Nagahoribashi station ?

    • Hi Patrick,

      You can take Nankai railway to Namba and transfer to subway to get Nagahoribashi. Actually you have to take two subways, Namba-Shinsaibashi and Shinsaibashi-Nagahoribashi.
      http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/library/english/img/guide_english2.pdf

      You can use amazing pass from Nagahoribashi.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Patrick says:

        So it’s cheaper to take Nankai railway to Namba than airport limousine?

        Would it be better i take a cab from Namba to Nagahoribashi than taking a train?

        • Hi Patrick,

          If you want to have cheaper deal, the following link shows you it.
          http://www.howto-osaka.com/en/ticket/ticket/chikatoku.html

          Taxi is easy but not cheap.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

          • Patrick says:

            Hi Takeshi

            I finally compiled after few days of research

            Day 1
            9:30pm reach Osaka
            Hotel near to Nagahoribashi station (Nankai Railway-Namba–Shinsabashi-Nagahoribashi
            Look for food around if times permit

            Day 2 Osaka
            Using Osaka Amazing Pass
            Kuromon Market
            Shitennoji Temple
            Osaka Museum of History
            Osaka Castle
            Nishinomaru Garden
            Tenjimbashisuji Shopping Street
            Osaka Museum of Housing and Living
            HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel
            Tonbori River Cruise

            Day 3 Osaka
            Using Osaka Amazing Pass + single trip to Minoh?
            Minoh Park
            Shinsekai / Tsutenkaku Tower
            Tempozan Ferris Wheel
            Osaka Bay Cruise Santa Maria
            Dotobori

            Day 4 Kyoto
            take train to Kyoto?
            Kyoto Hotel Tower
            Kiyomizu-dera Temple
            Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka
            Chion-in Temple
            Shoren-in Temple
            Nishiki Market
            Fushimi-Inari Taisha Shrine
            Shimbashi Geisha District (Gion)

            Day 5 Kyoto
            Tenryu-ji Temple
            Bamboo Forest
            Okochi-Sanso Villa
            Lunch around central Arashimya
            Kinkaku-ji Temple
            Daitoku-ji Temple
            Shijo Station
            Pontocho Alley or on Kiyamachi-dori south of Shijo-dori.

            Day 6
            Use JR Kansai Area Pass one day at 2060 yen.
            Kobe
            Himeiji Castle

            Day 7
            Nara
            Todai-ji
            Nara Park

            Day 8
            Day time ???
            Nite flight back to Singapore

            Question:
            For my Day 4 Kyoto and Day 5 Kyoto, should i buy any day pass?

            Any recommendation what should i do on my last day?

            Feel free comment anything else you don’t feel right ?

  10. Su says:

    Hi ,

    I would like to know for the suggested itinerary above, do you suggest that we stay at hotel around JR Kyoto station for all the 7 days ?

    Thanks

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