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
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
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:
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
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:
Day 5 – Trip to Kobe and Himeji from Osaka
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.
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
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
Hi Takeshi san, I would like to seek your advice in my itinerary,
Day 1 (Osaka) Arrive around 8pm, stay in chuo-ku (hostel mitsuwaya)
Day 2 (Osaka) Osaka Castle & Umeda & Kuromon Ichiba Market; Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi (Night)
Day 3 (Osaka) Mt koya day trip use heritage pass
Day 4 (Osaka) Day trip to Eastern Kyoto (Ginkaku-ji, Nanzen-ji, Higashiyama, Kiyomizudera, Daigoji), sagano bamboo (Arashiyama) if time permits I’ve missed seeing it before then maybe Tenzan-no-yu Onsen?
Day 5 (Osaka) Day trip to Southern Kyoto (Fushimi Inari Shrine, Tofuku-ji, Uji) + NARA (go todaiji see Buddha)
Day 6 (Osaka) Flight will be at 845pm evening, check out in the morning then will decide to do last minute shopping in Osaka or Universal Studios? Or maybe Himeiji Castle in the morning? (if time permits)
• Can you recommend which pass I should purchase? I am open to re-arranging schedule to save on travel expense
• I would like to have dinner when I visit Kyoto, are the trains from Kyoto to Osaka available up to what time?
• Can you recommend a good onsen near Kyoto? That will be in Day 4 most likely
• Any other recommendations will be welcomed :))
Arigato gozaimasu!
Thank you so much in advance, your website is a blessing 🙂
Arnold
Hi Arnold san,
You may find all info about the pass which you need in the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
Train runs until around 1:00 am in Osaka/Kyoto area. It’s completely no problem to eat dinner in Kyoto.
Fufunoyu is located in Arashiyama. I have never been there actually but this one looks nice.
http://kyoto-syoutengai.com/en/store-article/store104028/
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Sir I am visiting Tokyo on 14th April 2018, will be staying there for 3 Nights. Please suggest rail pass to visit city area and MtFuji. then I will be going to Kyoto /Osaka for 3 nights. please suggest rail pass for that also to visit local sight seeing.
Regards
Hi DD,
If you leave from Osaka after visiting Osaka/Kyoto, please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/basic-itinerary-of-tokyo-kyoto-and-osaka-in-7-days.html
You can add other deal or ticket to get Fuji. Please see the link below:
https://jprail.com/destinations/chubu-area/fuji-hakone-access-guide-by-train-and-bus-from-both-tokyo-and-osaka-kyoto-nagoya.html
If you go back to Tokyo after visiting Osaka/Kyoto, you may use JR pass.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Thanks for all the amazing information on this website!
We will be staying in Osaka Namba area for the first 4 nights then Tokyo shinjuku area last 4 nights. As we are flying into Osaka and out of Tokyo we’ve decided not to get a JR pass. Below is our itinerary and we would like to have your input on the itinerary and the best passes to buy.
Day 1 – Land in osaka – itami airport 9am, check into hotel visit osaka castle, tenmangu shrine, umeda sky building, explore area nearby hotel
Day 2 – 3 Kyoto
Hoping to visit these places in Kyoto over 2 days
What’s the best way to order the places to save on travel time between them?
Fushima Inari, Arayshima, Kinkaku ji, Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizu-dera, gion, Ninenzaka, Yasaka shrine, Nijo castle,
Day 4 – Nara until we’ve done everything then explore osaka in the evening
Day 5 – Osaka –> head to Tokyo maybe afternoon flexible depending on if we still have things we want to do in osaka
Day 5 – 8 Explore Tokyo
Day 9 – Explore tokyo –> head to Narita airport in the evening
Any advice/suggestions would be the most helpful.
Thanks in advance!
A
Hi A,
You may follow my sample in the link below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-make-the-itinerary-of-tokyo-osaka-one-way-trip.html
You will arrive in Itami. Only limousine bus is the choice. There are several routes to Osaka and please see the link below:
http://www.okkbus.co.jp/en/index2.html
You may use Osaka amazing pass for Osaka and Kansai thru pass in Kyoto.
https://www.osaka-info.jp/osp/en/
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
And follow my sample for the rest of your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks for your response!
For the Osaka Amazing pass should I get a 1 day pass or 2 day pass? If I get the passes should I still get an icoca card? Whats the difference between Kansai One pass and the normal icoca card?
So I will get a 2 day Kansai thru pass for day 2-3.
While in Kyoto we was hoping to visit the following places. What’s the best way to order the places to save on travel time between them?
Fushima Inari, Arayshima, Kinkaku ji, Sanjusangendo, Kiyomizu-dera, gion, Ninenzaka, Yasaka shrine, Nijo castle
Thanks so much!
A
Hi A,
You need 1 days Osaka amazing pass for day 1 only. I don’t think you need either ICOCA and Kansai one pass. By the way, Kansai one pass is same type of card as ICOCA. But it’s designed for foreign tourist. It offers discount at many attractions.
You may visit Nijo, Arashiyama and Kinkakuji on day 1. Fushimi, Kiyomizudera, Ninezaka, Yasaka and Gion for day 2.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
What will my best options be?
Day 1 arrive KIX 8.35am
I want to go to Kobe directly
Day 2 Kobe
Day 3 Kobe – Osaka
Day 4 Osaka
Day 5 Osaka – Kyoto
Day 6 Kyoto
Day 7 Kyoto
Day 8 Kyoto
Day 9 Kyoto – Osaka – KIX 9.20pm flight
Many thanks!
Hi Ed,
Only limousine bus takes you to Kobe directly. There is no deals available.
http://www.kate.co.jp/en/timetable/detail/KB
Single ticket for city to city and local deals are your choice. Please see the links below to find the deals in Kobe, Osaka and Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/osaka-kyoto-kobe-and-nara/guide-to-take-trains-in-kobe-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
You may use Kansai one pass instead of single ticket.
https://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
If you purchase Kansai one pass, you can purchase Haruka discount ticket for the last day trip. You can take direct train to KIX, “Haruka” by this discount ticket.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/icoca-and-haruka-ticket-very-flexible-and-good-deal-for-tourist-who-stay-in-kansai.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Sir Tekeshi,
Thanks for the reply…
Can I conclude…
ICOCA & Haruka discount ticket….
travel from KIX to Kyoto.
Kansai thru pass (3days) + Kyoto Sightseeing Card (2 days)…
travel around Kyoto, Nara, USJ, and Kobe.
Osaka Amazing Pass….
travel around Osaka.
Question:
– can Kansai thru pass valid for boat trip from USJ to Osaka
Kaiyukan Aquarium ?
– And what is different between Kansai Thru Pass and Kasai
Area Pass ?
Many Thanks
SS
Hi SS,
I think you have inquired by the name of Susian and I have replied already. I just explain about Kansai thru pass and Kansai area pass. Kansai area pass covers JR trains only. Kansai thru pass covers subway, city bus and non JR trains, such as Hankyu, Keihan, Kintetsu and many other non JR.
If you are sure visit both Kobe and Nara, you can use Kansai thru pass. Boat from USJ to Kaiyukan is not covered by any passes.
You may not see your comment after you submit. But it will come up after I approve. Please do not use two handle names. I will reply to you as soon as I can.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Sir Takeshita,
Sorry for the 2 separate submissions, that is due to…
I thought I doesn’t meet the basic rules as mention in the website…so I resubmit my question again.
So sorry if I have caused any inconvenience to you.
I really appreciate your advice and thank you.
SS
No worries, SS.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Sir Takeshi,
Your advice and help is very appreciated for my first trip to Kyoto & Osaka. I will travel together with my husband and 11 & 3 years old daughter.
Please do help advice on:
– type of pass should we used with the below itinerary and
– where should I slot in Kobe trip?
Dec 1 – KIX to Kyoto and will stay at hotel near Kyoto JR station.
Day 1 – 4 will stay at Kyoto.
Planning to visit: Kyoto and Nara
Kyoto – Nijo castle, Imperail Palace, Kinkaku-ji temple, Arashiyama, Yasaka shrine,
Kiyomizu-dera temple, Gion-Shio area, Kyoto down-town, Fushimi Inari Taisha,
Nara – deer feeding
Dec 5 – transfer to Universal Station and stay at Universal Tower Hotel.
Day 5 – 8 will stay at USJ area
Planning to visit: USJ, Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium, Universal Studio (spend a day), Temposan Ferries Wheel.
Dec 8 – transfer to Osaka Namba and stay at Airbnb
Day 8 – 10 will stay at Osaka
Planning to visit: Osaka Castle, Nakanoshima, Floating Garden Observatory, Shintennoji Temple, Sumiyoshi Taisha, Osaka Science Museum, Tennoji Zoo, Kuromon Ichiba Market
Dec 11 – back to KIX taking the early flight back.
Many Thanks
Regards,
Susian
Hi Susian,
You can follow my sample in the post above. You just need to change to use ICOCA for day trip to Nara. And remove Kobe portion in my sample. Other part of trips are almost same as my sample.
But you don’t need any deals when you stay in USJ area. Just purchase a single ticket. And when you stay in Namba area, you can use Osaka amazing pass or other deals.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-osaka.html
If you use Osaka amazing pass, Tempozan wheel is included. You can get discount at Kaiyukan. You may visit these places from Namba. Osaka amazing pass is too expensive to use when you are in USJ. You may go to Nakanoshima or Umeda area for just shopping if you have extra time.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Sir Takeshi,
I need your help, this is my first trip to OSAKA & KYOTO and planning to travel 10 days .
Day 1 – KIX arrived at 5:45am to Kyoto
Day 2 – Day 3 – visit Uji, Inari, Nijo Castle, Golden Pavillion,
Arashiyama, Yasaka Shrine, Kinkaku-ji temple.
Day 4 – visit Nara
Day 5 – travel from Kyoto to USJ (stay at USJ for 3 night)
– visit USJ and Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium
Day 6 – visit Kobe.
Day 7 – Universal Studio
Day 8 – travel from USJ to Osaka Namba.
Day 9 – 10 – Explore Osaka
Day 11 – Leave Osaka Japan
Need your advice on the travel pass and is the itinerary above idea to travel with 2 young kids ( 3 and 11 years old) ?
Many Thanks
Cheer,
SS
Hi SS,
Basically you can follow my sample in the post above. But you may use Kansai thru pass for one of day 2 (or day 3), day 4 and day 6.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
But Kansai thru pass does not cover JR trains. So when you go to Kobe from USJ, you need to pay single fare for Universal city to Nishikujo. After Nishikujo, you can take Hanshin railway to Kobe by Kansai thru pass. You can take subway in Kobe and Osaka. If you have a time after trip to Kobe, you can explore Osaka by this pass.
Just follow my sample for the rest of your trip plan. At last, 3 year old is free of charge. The ticket is not required. 11 year old applies child rate which is half amount of adult fare. Child price is available for most of deals.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Dear Sir Tekeshi,
Many Thanks for your advice.
Regards,
SS
No worries, SS.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will be travelling to Japan with the following itinerary :
1) 4/11 : Arrival at KIX late
2) 5/11 : KIX to Kyoto
3) 5/11 – 9/11 : Kyoto (staying near Saiin St) covering these areas : Nijo castle, Imperail Palace, Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion) and Arashiyama (including sagano train), Yasaka shrine, Kiyomizu-dera temple, Gion-Shijo area, Kyoto downtown, Fushimi Inari Taisha,
4) 9/11 : Kyoto to Nara and later to Osaka (to stop half a day in Nara)
5) 10/11 : Osaka (staying near Sakaisuji Hommachi St) to Kobe – day trip
6) 11/11 -12/11 : Osaka city shopping and interesting places including Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium
7) Osaka to KIX
I was thinking of getting a one way ICOCA and Haruka pass when I land in KIX on 4/11 as my return trip to KIX is from Osaka but looking at your posting it seems to me it may be possible and cheaper to buy a return pass. Correct me if I am wrong.
On the other hand, please help me with the other type of travel pass(es) required for the rest of the itinerary
Cheers
Jason
Hi Jason,
You can purchase ICOCA and Haruka. But as you think, you can purchase KIX to Kyoto and Osaka to KIX separately. And also Haruka is not the best way to get KIX from Sakaisuji Hommachi. Please see the subway map below.
http://www.kotsu.city.osaka.lg.jp/library/english/img/guide_english2.pdf
You can take subway to Tengachaya. And then take Nankai railway. Tengachaya is the easiest transfer point. After arrival at Tegachaya, just go up and find Nankai railway station.
You may use Kansai thru pass 3 days for Kyoto-Nara-Osaka, day trip to Kobe and then Sakaisuji Hommachi-Tengachaya-KIX. You can take all subways, non JR trains (such as Hankyu, Keihan, Kintetsu, Nankai), city bus in Kyoto.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-use-kansai-thru-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
You can follow the sample itinerary above for other part of your trip.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
hello sir Takeshi. Can u please help me.. my first time to visit japan with my wife. we plan to make it fun and memorable. we will be staying from nov 3-9. arrival will be 7pm and departure 2pm. we plan to go to osaka-kyoto and nara. cant decide where to go first and stay.
Hi Calvin,
You can go either Kyoto or Osaka on arrival day. Train and bus run until 23:00 to Kyoto. So it’s no problem to get Kyoto on arrival day after 19:00 arrival. Osaka is much closer than Kyoto. If you want to make easier, stay in Osaka first.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-from-kansai-airport-to-downtown-osaka-kyoto-and-kobe.html
You can stay in Osaka only and make day trips surrounding areas, such as Kyoto and Nara.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
If you stay in Kyoto and Osaka, you can feel different atmosphere. But if you stay in Osaka only, you don’t need to move from Kyoto to Osaka with luggage.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Can you help me please… This is my first time visitng Japan. Please help me with the type of travel pass and estimated fare and time.
Day 1 (9 Nov) 6.30am– arrived at KIX airport to Kyoto (JR Sagano Line Enmati Station). As I can only check in at 2pm, I might need to store my luggage in the locker at the station.
While waiting to check in, I would like to visit the following,
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Sannen-zaka and Ninnen-zaka
Maruyama-koen Park
Chion-in Temple
Nishiki Market
Daimaru Basement Food Floor (Lunch)
Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine
Collect luggage & Check in at airbnb
Gion Shimbashi(Dinner)
Return to rest
Day 2 (10 Nov) – Kyoto
Tenryu-ji Temple
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Okochi-Sanso Villa
Arashiyama(Lunch)
Kinkaku-ji Temple
Daitoku-ji Temple
Downtown Kyoto(Dinner)
Pontocho Alley
Back to rest
Day 3 (11 Nov) – Check out @ 8am & proceed to Nara(Deer feeding) before heading to Osaka Namba station (Dotonburi airbnb) with early check in
Osaka Bay Area & Kita
Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan)Osaka Castle Area
Tempozan Marketplace(Lunch)
Central Osaka Area(Dinner)
Dotonburi
Day 4 (12 Nov) – Kobe and Himeji
Day 5 (13 Nov) – Shiragawago
Day 6 (14 Nov) – Minami and Tennoji
Day 7 (15 Nov) – Check out @ 2pm, head to KIX airport depart at 6pm
Cheers
Linda
Hi Linda,
You may use Takayama Hokuriku area pass for day 1 to 5.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/takayama-hokuriku-area-pass-perfect-deal-to-get-takayama-kanazawa-toyama-shirakawago-from-nagoya-or-osaka.html
You need to add bus pass and Kansai one pass because Takayama Hokuriku area pass does not cover any local transportation and trip to Nara.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-residents/how-to-choose-the-best-train-pass-for-sightseeing-in-kyoto.html
https://kansaionepass.com/en/about.html?info=1
You can use bus pass to take city bus in Kyoto and use Kansai one pass when you need to take trains in Kyoto and Kyoto-Nara-Osaka. You also can use it to Kansai airport from Namba.
And also you need to switch day 4 and 6. Takayama Hokuriku area pass covers JR local trains in Osaka but does not cover Kobe and Himeji. You can use Kansai one pass to get Kobe and Himeji on day 6.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-use-jr-west-kansai-area-pass-compare-pass-and-single-fare.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com