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
2014.08.26
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. Michelle says:
    June 18, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    Hi Takeshi-san

    Can you recommend which rail pass we should purchase based on our itinerant?

    We have 4 girls, 2 will only join us at Day 4.

    Day 1: 2.30pm Reach Kansai Airport. Osaka sightseeing
    Day 2: Osaka or Kobe sightseeing
    Day 3: Depart Osaka to Kyoto
    Day 4: Kyoto sightseeing
    Day 5: Kyoto sightseeing
    Day 6: Depart Kyoto to Osaka
    Day 7: Osaka sightseeing
    Day 7: 9.30am flight depart Kansai Airport.

    For the 2 girls who arrive Kansai Airport at 9.40pm, i think is very risk to take Haruka express to Kyoto because the last train is 10. 16pm. What is your recommendation for them? Overnight in airport and take the Day 4 earliest train and meet us at Kyoto?

  2. Sophia Sie says:
    June 16, 2017 at 8:20 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    So happy to have come to your page. It is so kind of you to share your knowledge and information with visitors like us.
    I will be visiting Osaka 23 Nov – 30th Nov staying at Nanbanaka, Naniwa-ku (near nankai namba station ). In between I have booked 2 nights at Kyoto Shi near to Kyoto station (26th – 28th Nov)

    We will be bringing 3 daughters.

    Pls advise which passess should I get starting from airport to osaka then to Kyoto. We plan to visit Kobe and Nara for day trip but not sure how we should get a round – should we do it in one day or separate days? Or combine with other activities?

    In Osaka, I m interested to visit Hozenji Yokocho Alleyway, Osaka castle n . aquarium, food and nice shopping streets. If we have time, a trip to the ramen museum and Nishiki market.

    In Kyoto, We like to visit the Kiyonizudera Temple, , Gion Geishas or nice streets and alleys, maybe teapot lanes

    In Nara, I like to bring the kids to see the the deers .

    As for Kobe, I am not sure if I should go as we probably interested to take at look at the port and visit chinatown and Kobe beef.

    Sorry my itinerary is not in order as I am not sure how I get around with the passes as I am quite confused what to do. Appreciate of you can give me some ideas so I can cover these places with the correct passes. Appreciate your reply very much.

    As we are bringing kids with us, we will only look at 1-2 best / renowned castles and temples. They would enjoy more on the nice streets , alleys, shops.

    Am interested to also try an onsen and cuisine if available / affordable.

  3. ink says:
    June 14, 2017 at 11:17 pm

    Hi Takeshi san,
    I have a plan to go to Osaka and Kyoto Oct, could you suggest to me the suitable ways please!
    Am travelling with my 2 year old and need advise on the more convenient/comfortable route.

    Day 1: Arriving KIX and straight to Kyoto. (ICOCA and Haruka). Stay downtown kyoto.
    Day 2: Osaka sightseeing,Kinkakuji temple (the Golden Pavilion),,Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kiyomizu-dera Temple , GION
    Day 3: Kyoto to Osaka- Namba. I have morning half to stay in Kyoto(maybe explore Ginkaku-ji temple area) or half day Nara before heading Osaka namba.
    Day 4: Aquarium / Tempozan
    Day 5 : Osaka (Instant Ramen Museum, Osaka Castle,Asahi Brewery Tour)
    Day 6: Night flight KIX 11pm with kids. Most prob will be at Seacle area so the ICOCA and Haruka will not work?

    Thank you

    1) ICOCA and Haruka 1 way trip ticket make more sense?
    2) Day 2 – what type of sighseeing pass should i get for Kyoto?
    3) Day 3 – If I go nara, what pass should I get? And If I do half day Kyoto and half day Osaka, what pass do I get?
    3) Day 4 to 5: any day pass?

  4. ink says:
    June 14, 2017 at 4:44 pm

    Hi Takeshi San

    For Day 4
    Visit Nara on the way to Namba, Osaka from Kyoto.
    Kyoto to Nara 710 yen
    Nara to JR-Namba 560 yen
    Total 1230 yen

    Which train should i take for this route ? Please advise.

  5. Nick says:
    May 23, 2017 at 3:07 am

    Hi Takeshi, great information!

    I’m travelling to Osaka, and have 10 days to check out the region.
    Planning on visiting Hiroshima/Miyajima, Nara, Kobe, Kyoto, and Universal Studios (maybe 2 days?). I have no particular order of visiting, had figured it would depend on the rail pass…

    Last time I only had 4 days and just used the Kansai Wide Area Pass (and paid the difference for the Shinkansen to Hiroshima) but research looks like the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass will be best to cover that now.

    Given we’re there for 10 days, I’m wondering your thoughts on getting a seperate pass to get in from KIX to Dotonbori area (Ibis Styles is the prospective hotel) and only using the JR Pass for the rest of the touring, or perhaps using the JR Pass to get in and starting 5 days from that, and paying a single trip to get back out at the end.

    Likewise for around Osaka I was considering using the JR Pass and supplementing with Suica we already have if needed, then when JR Pass runs out, getting something for Osaka only (as planned to do most out of city stuff in the 5 day pass).

    Sorry for the rambling, I’m a bit all over the shop as there are so many options!

  6. MoonTran says:
    May 23, 2017 at 1:24 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    I have a plan to go to Osaka and Kyoto next June, could you suggest to me the suitable ways please!
    Day 1: Arriving KIX at 8 a.m, then sightseeing in Osaka
    Day 2-3: Osaka sightseeing, visit some places such as osaka castle, Kuromon Ichiba Market, Instant Ramen Museum, Shinsaibashi and Universal studios Japan. Should i use Osaka visitor’s ticket first day and 2 day Osaka Amazing Pass.

    Day 4: Go to Kyoto and Kyoto sightseeing
    Day 5 : Kyoto sightseeing
    Day 6: Go to Nara and come back to Osaka
    Day 7: Go Kobe and may be Himeji and go to Airport at 8 p.m

    Thank you

  7. S,L.P'NG says:
    May 8, 2017 at 12:15 am

    I be going to Kansai for 6 days, plan to visit Kyoto, Nara, Osaka & Kobe. Should I plan to stay over night at Nara & Kobe?
    My plan is first day arrived Kansia AirPort, take a train to Kobe, 3 days 2 nights. Than to Nara for 1 night and back to Osaka.

    Lodging which area at Kyoto, Osaka & Nara if you can recommend good and cheap.
    Thanks

    P’NG

  8. Allen says:
    May 7, 2017 at 8:59 pm

    Hi takeshi ! Greetings from Malaysia. Just want to roughly tell you about my trips to Osaka, Nara, Kobe and Kyoto.

    Roughly I will be visiting this main 4 cities, including most of the famous sight seeing places. Can I ask that what’s the best pass (in term of price and convenient) I can get to visit all these places?

    I will be in Osaka in around 8pm in June 10th.. So I am not sure about will my pass will be count from that day or the next day.. because mostly I will just stay in my hotel on 10th, since is already night.. will start my trip on 11st to 17th.. and leaving by 18th..

    Please recommend the pass that suit best for me and how should I arrange my trip.. Thank you so much!

  9. NORAZIEMAH says:
    April 27, 2017 at 3:42 am

    Hi Takeshi San,

    We are visit Osaka,Kyoto and Kobe and the plan is roughly this:

    Day 1: arriving at KIX 4pm
    Train to Osaka /sightseeing

    Day 2: day trip to Kyoto, overnight in Osaka

    Day 3: day trip to Kyoto, overnight in Osaka

    Day 4: day trip to Kobe, overnight in Osaka

    Day 5: day trip to Universal Studio Japan

    Day 6: day trip to Osaka

    Day 7: day trip to Osaka

    Day 8: go back Kansai airport

    Can you tell me which pass/tickets train should we buy? Because i confused many name train in Japan.

    Thank you!
    Aziemah

  10. Ricardo says:
    April 24, 2017 at 9:06 pm

    Hi Takeshi San,

    We are visiting in the end of May and the plan is roughly this:

    Day 1: arriving at KIX 9am
    Train to Kyoto / Kyoto sightseeing

    Day 2: Kyoto sightseeing

    Day 3: day trip to Nara, overnight in Osaka

    Day 4: day trip to Kobe, overnight in Osaka (not sure if going to Kobe or take the day in Osaka, wdyt?)

    Day 5: Osaka sightseeing / train to KIX / flight at 22.20

    Can you tell me the best option for moving around? Which pass/tickets should we buy? I assume that for the first day we should get ICOCA+Haruka one way to Kyoto, right?

    Also, you think that both Nara and Kobe can be seen in +- half day trips, so we can have more time for Osaka?

    Thank you!
    Ricardo

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