Basic itinerary of Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo in 7 days

Kyoto tenryuji7 to 9 days
The scene of Gion Festival in Kyoto. It is one of the biggest summer festivals in Japan.
The scene of Gion Festival in Kyoto. It is one of the biggest summer festivals in Japan.

I have received many inquiries about the deal for one way trip from Osaka to Tokyo with stopover at Kyoto. Unfortunately there is no deal to cover whole part of trip. But you can combine some local deals and single ticket.

In this post, I show you the basic 7 days itinerary and the deals that suit this itinerary. But you can extend the duration as many as you want. I also show you how to change or add days in this itinerary too.

Day 1 – Kansai airport to Osaka

There are many deals to get Osaka from Kansai airport. You can use one of those deals. But you have to find the location to stay before choosing deal. If you stay near subway station, Kanku Chikatoku Ticket or Rapi:t Tokuwari Ticket is recommended. If you stay near JR station, ICOCA and Haruka is recommended. Please find more information about the deals from Kansai airport to Osaka at the link below:

How to choose the deals for access to/from Kansai Airport

And also I show many photos in Kansai airport at the link below. You will find the location of stations, bus stops and other facilities.

Kansai airport transportation guide. Find info about station, ticket, airport bus and high speed ferry

If you arrive at Kansai airport in early morning and intend to explore in Osaka after arrival, Yokoso Osaka Ticket is recommended. This deal includes airport access to Namba by Nankai Railway and unlimited trip of Osaka subway. You may find the information about this deal at the link above too.

ICOCA and Haruka includes 1500 yen preload e-money in ICOCA beside airport access ticket. You may use this e-money to ride subway. ICOCA can be used for any trains in major cities, not only Osaka but also Kyoto and even Tokyo. If you stay near JR station and make some trips by subway in Osaka, you can use ICOCA.

If you arrive in late night, like after 22:00, you cannot purchase any deals because the windows are closed at 23:00. Train runs until 23:30. But you might not take even the last train to Osaka if custom and immigration are busy. There are some midnight bus service to Osaka. But the destination is very limited. Please find more information about late arrival in Kansai airport at the link below:

How to access to Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe from late arrival flight at Kansai Airport-KIX

Day 2 – Sightseeing in Osaka

Dotonbori is located near the biggest downtown core of Osaka, Namba.
Dotonbori is located near the biggest downtown core of Osaka, Namba.

The basic choice is Enjoy Eco Card that is one day subway unlimited ride pass. You may get most of places in downtown Osaka by this pass.

Enjoy Eco Card (Osaka subway official site)

If you want to visit many attractions, Osaka Amazing Pass gives you the great savings. It includes 28 attraction’s admission and unlimited subway ride. Please see the following link to get the details about this pass:

Osaka Amazing Pass

But if you use ICOCA and Haruka, you may use ICOCA e-money to take subway, JR trains and other trains. Especially if you want to visit the places outside downtown Osaka, such as Minoo, Momofuku Ramen Museum, subway pass does not cover these places. You need to pay single fare or using ICOCA.

If you want to extend to stay in Osaka

You may add another Eco Card or Amazing Pass. But you may visit other places, such as Kobe, Nara. In case of this, you may add another Kansai area deal, like Kansai Thru Pass or Kansai Area Pass.

The following link shows you the itinerary of stay in Osaka only. But you may get some idea about choosing deal for trip to outside Osaka.

Day 3 – Transfer to Kyoto from Osaka

Three railways, JR, Hankyu Railway and Keihan Railway run between Osaka and Kyoto. You have to find the location to stay in both Kyoto and Osaka. And then you may find which train is the best for your transfer from Osaka to Kyoto. You may find the route map at the link below:

If you use ICOCA and Haruka, you may have some fund left in your ICOCA. You can use it for this transfer.

Using long distance base fare ticket to Tokyo

If your ICOCA is empty and need to purchase a single ticket to Kyoto, you may use one base fare ticket to Tokyo with stopover at Kyoto. Please see the link below to find the rule and condition of JR base fare ticket.

Squeeze Nara or Kobe on the way to Kyoto from Osaka

If you just make a trip from JR Osaka to JR Kyoto, it takes 30 minutes. If you take other railway, you spend a little more minutes. But it never be more than one hour. You may enjoy some more in Osaka or Kyoto. But you may visit other places, such as Nara or Kobe. Nara is easier to squeeze because both Kyoto and Osaka are very accessible to Nara. You may find the access to Nara from Osaka and Kyoto at the link below:

Kintetsu Rail Pass one day is recommended for trip to Nara.

Kintetsu Rail Pass (Kintetsu Railway official site)

You may visit Kobe too. But Kobe is located at other side if you move from Osaka to Kyoto. Please find more information about trip to Kobe at the following link:

Hankyu Tourist Pass covers Osaka, Kobe and Kyoto. This is most affordable one day pass that covers these three cities.

Hankyu Tourist Pass (Hankyu Railway official site)

If you are okay with very tight schedule and want to visit as many as you want, you can do Kobe and Nara in one day. In this case, Kintetsu Rail Pass that I mentioned above and Hanshin Tourist Pass are recommended. Hanshin Tourist Pass covers Umeda, Namba and Kobe. Hanshin Railway connects with Kintetsu Railway at Osaka-Namba station. Many of both Hanshin and Kintetsu trains run each other. Some trains go directly from Kobe-Sannomiya to Nara. This is the easiest route to get Nara from Kobe. If you have these two passes, you can take this direct train.

Day 4 – Sightseeing in Kyoto

Fall foliage in Kiyomizu-dera temple. It is one of Must-See spots in Kyoto.
Fall foliage in Kiyomizu-dera temple. It is one of Must-See spots in Kyoto.

When you visit temples and shrines in Kyoto, you have to take city bus and/or subway. Kyoto city sightseeing card or all day bus pass is your choice. You may find more information at the link below:

Day 5 – Kyoto to Tokyo

Shinkansen is the high speed train service in Japan. Shinkansen stops at Maibara, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Shin-Kobe, Nishiakashi and Himeji in Kansai area.
Shinkansen is the high speed train service in Japan. It connects Tokyo and Kyoto in 2.5 hours.

There is no deals to cover this segment. Single fare and Shinkansen supplement charge is your choice.

If you have already started using the long distance base fare ticket at Osaka, you do not need to purchase a ticket at Kyoto.

If you use ICOCA on day 3 or purchase non JR lines single fare ticket to get Kyoto, you need to purchase single ticket for Tokyo. But if you purchase single base fare ticket and Shinkansen supplement ticket with reserved seat, you can purchase it in advance. You can purchase it even when you arrive in Kansai airport if you want. But if you want to take non reserved seat car, you cannot purchase it in advance. You have to purchase it on the spot.

You may use Platt Kodama for Tokyo to Kyoto instead. You can add single fare ticket for Kyoto to Osaka and other deal for Osaka to Kansai. This way is better if single fare ticket is too complicated for you. Please see the link below to find the detailed information about Platt Kodama:

I recommend you to use reserved seat car. Because many of non reserved seat are occupied when train leave at Shin-Osaka. Especially if you travel with someone, it is hard to find the seats side by side very often. The difference between non reserved seat and reserved seat is only 500 yen. I think it is worth paying extra 500 yen to secure your seat.

Day 6 – Sightseeing in Tokyo

Cinderella's castle is the icon of Disneyland.
Tokyo Disneyland is actually not located in Tokyo. It is located in Chiba prefecture. That is a reason why Tokyo subway does not go there.

Tokyo Metro/Subway deal is most popular. JR Tokunai Pass is also available. Subway covers most of spots in Tokyo but subway lines are so many and very hard to find the fastest route. JR train network is very simple. But you cannot get many places in Tokyo by JR trains, such as Asakusa, Tsukiji. Please see the links below to find more information of these deals:

Single fare is actually the best choice for access to outside Tokyo

Many popular attractions are located outside downtown Tokyo. For example, Tokyo Disney Resort, Ghibli Museum, Sanrio Puroland and many more places are located outside coverage area of both subway pass and Tokunai pass. Single fare is okay for access to these places. And also Yokohama is not in Tokyo and not covered by these Tokyo deals either. Single fare is okay for Yokohama too.

How to extend to stay in Tokyo

If you stay in Tokyo more, you may simply add subway pass, Tokunai Pass or single fare as you need. But if you want to travel to other places in Kanto area, like Nikko, Fuji, Hakone, you may have to get other passes. Please find more information at the links below:

If you travel both Fuji/Hakone and Nikko, Tokyo Wide Pass is a good choice.

Day 7 – Tokyo to Narita Airport or Haneda Airport

Haneda airport is very close to downtown Tokyo. You can take Keihin Kyuko railway from Shinagawa or Monorail from Hamamatsucho. Both stations are connected by JR Yamanote line with Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno and many other stations in Tokyo. Single fare is okay for access to Haneda. You may find some more information about access to Haneda at the following link:

Narita airport is one hour away from downtown Tokyo. There are many ways to get Narita from downtown Tokyo, like Narita Express, Skyliner, Limousine bus and budget access bus. But the deal is very limited. They welcome incoming traveller but not outgoing travellers. Please find more information about access to Narita at the link below:

I have many more sample itineraries. Please check the category, Sample Itinerary.

I hope this post helped you to build your trip plan.

Comments

  1. Carla says:

    Hi Takeshi!

    I’m visiting Tokyo on Feb 18, and would like to take 2 days for trip to Osaka & Kyoto. The plan is to buy 7 days- JRpass. Other than subways, the JRpass will also covers Osaka, Kyoto, and even Nara, right? Just want to make sure that I don’t need to buy extra train-pass again 🙂
    Thank you!

  2. emyrose says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Sorry to email you again,our flyt details arrive in tokyo 11am on 6 March then will stay overnyt here..
    we want to visit tokyo-osaka-nara if possible then kyoto– our daprture is on 10 March Osaka..

    Kindly do advise on the itinerary and the passes we need to purchase in each city.

    Thankyou so much again. i think this is my third email but this is the final flyt details.

    BestRagrds,
    Emyrose

  3. Anita Hong says:

    Dear Takeshi-san,

    I am going to visit Japan with my friends from 28 Mar (arrive at 15.50pm Narita Airport)and we go home on 03Apr (6pm flight).
    We plan to visit Osaka, Kyoto, Kawaguchi and perhaps to witness some sakura blooming at Tokyo.
    Can you please advise how should i start the tour?

    Looking forward to your kind advice.

    sincerely,
    Anita Hong

    • Hi Anita san,

      I recommend you to stay in Tokyo first because your flight arrives in late afternoon.

      Lake Kawaguchi can be visited as day trip from Tokyo. You can stay overnight there if you want.

      Kyoto and Osaka will be the last. You can stay in each cities or stay one of these cities and make day trip, day trip to Osaka from Kyoto or day trip from Osaka to Kyoto.

      You can go back to Narita on departure day from either Osaka or Kyoto.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  4. Marie says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    Based on your amazing website, I think I understand what I need to do, but since my Japanese is not very good, I want to ensure that my plan is correct, so I would be very grateful if you could confirm for me! Thank you!

    30/11- land at Kansai and travel to Osaka using shuttle bus as we are staying near JR Namba station.
    1/12- Osaka- use local ticket
    2/12- Osaka/ maybe Kobe- using local tickets
    3/12- travel to Kyoto (we will stay near Shijo station)
    4/12- Kyoto- local tickets
    5/12- travel to Tokyo via Shinkansen Nozomi. On arrival at Tokyo station, get a local ticket to Shinjuku-Seibu, which is where we will stay.
    6/12- Tokyo- local tickets
    7/12- travel to Narita airport

    According to your website, I was planning to buy a single ticket on 3/12 to cover me from Osaka to Kyoto and then onwards to Tokyo on 5/12. It’s about 500+ km, so the single ticket should be valid for 4 days. I will have to buy individual tickets to get me from Kansai to Osaka and from Tokyo to Narita.

    Can I just buy the ticket from any counter in Osaka? Does it have a special name? And I assume it will cover me for use of the JR line/ Hankyu line from Osaka to Kyoto and the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Tokyo?

    Have I got the right idea, or can you suggest something better for me?

    Thank you so much! Your website is so good. I have recommended it to several friends who are going to Japan next year!

    Best wishes.

  5. Xin Yan says:

    Dear Takeshi San,

    I’m so glad to chance upon this site! Would really like to have your advise or any feedback for my first trip to Japan especially if buying the 7 days JRail Pass would be worth or buying many different train passes.

    My BF and I have almost similar 7 days itinerary as this guide. 16/12: Arrive Kansai Airpot 0615. Hotel nearest station : Tanimachiyonchome.
    17/12: Leave Osaka to Kyoto at around 8~9pm. Hotel in Kyoto nearest station: Kyoto Station.
    18/12: Full day in Kyoto ( visit Arashiyama area)
    19/12: Full day in Kyoto too. But leave Kyoto at night 10/11pm. Take the long ride train to Gotemba (sleep on train ride).
    20/12: Arrive Gotenba early morning. Hotel nearest station: Gotemba Station. Shop Premium outlet mall.
    21/12: Morning leave for Tokyo. Tokyo hotel nearest station: Higashi Ginza Station.
    22/12: Full day in Tokyo ( Shinjuku, Shibuya..)
    23/12: 1035hr flight @ Narita Airport.

    What do you think? Would the JRail Pass be teh most economical way to travel for our trip?

    Looking forward to your reply 🙂 Thanks.

    Warm regards,
    Xinyan

  6. Suevyn says:

    Hi, i will travelling with family on next yr 29march to 5april. Arrive kansai airport at 3.25pm and depart at 11am from kansai
    We plan to go tokyo disney, shirakawago, osaka, nara, kobe and kyoto. Would you please advise on my how should start my tour? Should i purchase JR pass?
    p/s : bringing 3 kids (yr 6, 4 and 1)
    1) arrive kansai-tokyo (by shinkansen)-kyoto-nara-kobe-osaka
    2) or please advise.

  7. meeko says:

    we arrive to KIX 8pm on Nov 12 and plan to stay one night in Osaka. The next day we will go to Kyoto for two nights. and then transfer to Hakone for 1 night (can extend to 2 if needed) and Tokyo for 3 nights. Do you have advice on our itinerary and whether we should skip Hakone or spend more time in Kyoto etc? do you suggest the hakone free pass? thank you for your help!!

  8. Sally says:

    Hi Takeshi,

    My itinerary is also very similar to this but I would like some confirmation/help with some parts of it.

    25/11 – arrive in Osaka in afternoon. Purchase a Kanku Chikatoku ticket as my hotel is close to Juso Station. Buy Suica card etc.
    26/11 – stay in Osaka for one day. Buy Osaka Amazing Pass (one day).
    27/11 – Day trip to Nara – buy 2-day Kintetsu Railway Pass.
    28/11 – arrive in Kyoto (covered by Kintetsu Railway Pass).
    29/11 – Stay in Kyoto. Buy Kyoto Sightseeing two-day pass or use suica card.
    30/11 – Kyoto sightseeing covered. Late afternoon – travel to Hakone. I am not sure what ticket I buy but will buy Hakone Free pass.
    1/12 – at Hakone use free pass.
    2/12 – 4/12 – Tokyo. Not sure whether to use Suica card or pass…
    5/12 – Tokyo to Narita Airport

    Do you think it is better/cheaper to buy a prepaid card like Suica or get a day pass? Or do you think 7 day JR pass is better?

  9. Laitan says:

    Dear Takeshi-san,
    My family and I are visiting Japan from 1 Jan (arrive at 1030am Kansai Airport)and we go home on 10 Jan (9pm flight). We plan to visit Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Shirakawago and Takayama, Can you advise me if we should start our tour :
    1. From Kansai airport to Osaka, Shirakawago, HidaTakayama, Kyoto and back to Osaka
    OR
    2. From Kansai airport to Kyoto, Shirakawago, HidaTakaya and back to Osaka.
    Do you think I have enough time to cover all these places in 10 days?
    Please advise so that I can start to book my train tickets.

    • Hi Laitan san,

      I think you should go to Kyoto first (Plan 2). Because you will arrive in New Years day. Most of stores are closed. Osaka has more shopping district than Kyoto but you cannot enjoy it on arrival day. You should spend the time in Osaka later in your trip.

      10 days is way enough to cover these places. On Jan 3rd, train will be super busy because everybody come back from hometown after finishing New Years holiday. I recommend you to stay in the city on Jan 3rd. Jan 2 or 4 is better to make a trip to Shirakawago.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  10. Alice says:

    Dear Takeshi-san,

    Do we have to buy the regional kansai pass before we come to Japan?
    Our plan is to stay in Osaka for 7 days, but we are planning to book our accommodation shortly before arrival. Which of all these options is the most flexible and cheapest pass to do day trips?

    Looking forward to an answer

    Kind regards

    2 overwhelmed and confused girls from Vienna

    • Hi Alice san,

      Kansai thru pass is basically most recommended for sightseeing outside Osaka, such as Kyoto, Nara and Kobe. Please see the link below to find more info:
      https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html

      But if you plan to visit outside Kansai area, such as Tokyo, Kanazawa or Hiroshima, there are many more options. You have to make sure where you intend to visit before choosing plan. Otherwise you cannot find the best, most affordable and most suitable deal for your trip.

      If you let me know your detailed plan day by day, I can suggest you about the deal.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Alice says:

        Hi Takeshi,

        thank you for your answer!
        We’re going to stay in Kansai area (We’ll arrive at Kansai Airport) for about a week and want to see Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and if we have time some other cities.
        After that week, we are going to Tokyo.

        Is it necessary to book all the tickets in advance or is it also possible to purchase them in Japan? What is more recommendable?

        All the best,

        Alice and Claudia

        • Hi Alice and Claudia,

          You cannot book a train ticket before you come to Japan even if you want unfortunately. But you will take commute trains in Kansai area. You need to book a ticket from Kyoto to Tokyo only. You can book it at Kansai airport station or any other major JR stations.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JPRail.com

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