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. June Low says:
    July 20, 2015 at 5:45 am

    Hi Takeshi-San

    Thank you for the detailed itineraries. I find it very useful for my coming Dec trip plan. Just want to ask if I can use the JR rail pass in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Yokohama? Thanks

  2. Anne says:
    June 15, 2015 at 6:58 am

    Hello,

    Love your website! It has really inspired me.

    We are planning to spend about 3 weeks in Japan in October 2015. My brother lives in Kobe, and after reading your blog we decided to skip Tokyo and spend the time in the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto-Nara area, flying into Kansai. Would it make more sense to book one hotel in Osaka and use that as a base for the entire visit?

    Thanks for your thoughts!

  3. Alvin Ku says:
    May 7, 2015 at 12:13 am

    Dear Takeshi san,

    Thanks for your valuable itinerary. I am planning to visit Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto & Nara in early November this year for the autumn scene with my family of 6 (4 adults and 1 kid + 1 infant). Based on your advise on the fares;

    ICOCA and Haruka round trip ticket 4060 yen
    Kyoto City Sightseeing Card 2 days 2000 yen
    Additional charge 10 yen
    Refund for returning ICOCA -500 yen
    Kansai Area Pass one day 2060 yen
    Enjoy Eco Card 800 yen (or Amazing Pass 2300 yen)

    Can ICOCA be used to all JR line + subway?

    Thanks in advance..

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      May 7, 2015 at 12:50 pm

      Hi Alvin,

      Yes. You can use ICOCA for both JR and subway.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Alvin Ku says:
        May 10, 2015 at 12:54 am

        Hi Takeshi san,

        Thanks for your kind advise. I am still considering the two options from you;

        Option1

        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)

        Option2

        1 Day 1 / KIX (Kansai airport) to Osaka

        1.1 Shin-Osaka
        1.2 Namba
        1.3 JR Osaka / Umeda
        1.4 Other places near subway stations
        1.5 Other places near JR stations

        2 Day 2 / Day trip to Kyoto
        3 Day 3 / Day trip to Nara
        4 Day 4 / Day trip to Kobe or Kobe and Himeji
        5 Day 5 / Sightseeing in Osaka
        6 Day 6 / Trip to Mt. Koya
        7 Day 7 / Back to KIX

        Which on is more suitable for kids?

        Thanks,
        Alvin

        • Takeshi / JPRail says:
          May 10, 2015 at 9:04 am

          Hi Alvin,

          I think option 2 is easier because staying in same place. But Mt. Koya may not be suitable to kids. It looks same for kids as Kyoto. If you don’t care to cut Koya and stay in Osaka, it’s much better for kids.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi

          • Alvin Ku says:
            May 11, 2015 at 1:20 am

            Dear Takeshi san,

            Many thanks again. Last but not least, i’ve put up my plan as below;

            DAY 1 – 20th Nov –Kyoto (Arriving KIX ard. 0640hrs)
            – Kansai airport (KIX) to Kyoto, Central exit of Kyoto station. (C) JP Rail.

            NOTE: ICOCA and Haruka round trip ticket at 4060 yen & use Kyoto City Sightseeing Card 2 days pass at 2000 yen.
            – Stay at hotel around JR Kyoto station, drop luggage at hotel.
            – Visit Fushimi Inari or Uji, Kiyomizu-dera temple and Gion-Shijo area.

            DAY 2 – 21st Nov – Kyoto
            – Visit Kinkaku-ji temple (Golden Pavilion), Arashiyama and Sagano railway.
            NOTE: Use Kyoto City Sightseeing Card 2 days pass at 2000 yen.

            DAY 3 – 22nd Nov – Trip to Nara and transfer to Namba, Osaka
            – Check in hotel around Namba area, Osaka
            – Visit Todai-ji temple, Nara Park and Naramachi.

            NOTE: Kyoto to Nara 710 yen
            Nara to JR-Namba 560 yen
            Total 1230 yen
            You have to pay 10 yen to exit station because you have only 1220 yen in your ICOCA. There is a fare adjustment vending machine near ticket gate. You can slot your ICOCA and add 10 yen, you will receive a ticket to exit station. You will receive empty ICOCA. If you return this empty ICOCA, you will receive 500 yen deposit.

            DAY 4 – 23rd Nov – Trip to Kobe and Himeji from Osaka

            – Day trip to Kobe and World Heritage Himeji castle.
            – Kobe – Kobe harborland & Nankinmachi

            NOTE: Use JR Kansai Area Pass one day at 2060 yen.
            You can purchase this pass at JR-Namba station. 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.
            If you intend to visit Kobe only, single fare by Hanshi Railway to Sannomiya is 410 yen for one way. This is the cheapest option.

            DAY 5 – 24th Nov – Sightseeing in Osaka

            – Visit Osaka castle, Umeda Sky Building, Tonbori River Cruise, Dotonbori
            NOTE: Use Eco Card (Osaka subway and bus unlimited ride pass) at 800yen

            DAY 6 – 25th Nov – Sightseeing in Osaka

            – Visit Osaka Osaka bay, Hotspring & Aquarium or USJ / Universal Studio

            NOTE: Use Eco Card (Osaka subway and bus unlimited ride pass) at 800yen

            Day 7 – 26th Nov – Namba, Osaka to Kansai airport (KIX)

            – Depart to KIX at 0730hrs

            Hope you would correct me in terms of the time and fares..Thanks

            Alvin

  4. Alice.C says:
    April 26, 2015 at 11:14 am

    Hi Takashi San,

    Our arriving time to Kansai airport is 22:25pm. We are group of 4 and booked the hotel Chisun Inn osaka hommachi. Can you guide me how can I go to the hotel via the airport bus? Because i afraid the train is off operation due to late hour. Hope to hear from you. Thanks!

  5. Jan says:
    April 17, 2015 at 2:01 pm

    Dear Takeshi San,
    me and my parents will be in Osaka and suroundings for 7 days. I will have 5 days JW west pass, because we want to visit Hiroshima. So I need other 2 days to have some “pass”. First ride from airport I can use the west pass (I hope I am right) and so my question is whether is have ICOCA & Haruka optimal for me? Because I will use only 1 ride with it.

    thank you,
    Jan

  6. Luz Mendoza says:
    April 6, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    Hi Takeshi san,
    I’ve been reading lots of info regarding itineraries and your tips is the one most helpful.

    Me and my husband will be travelling to Kyoto on May 9-15 and will be staying in Kyoto area in our 7days stay. Will come from KIX airport. I will get round trip haruka/ icoca pass.My itineraries below:
    Day 1-3 kyoto temple and other place of interest. Question is will i use the icoca/haruka card or should i buy another card for the train? Initial plan is to get bus day pass unlimited 500 but will rely on your post that it will faster by train because it will
    Gonna be a busy month on our stay.
    Day 4- Visit Osaka places of interests like temples and dotonburi (which pass will we use? Are going to buy another ticket?)
    Day 5- Nara and Kobe (i dont know if this will be ok due to travel distance but will prefer nara only if not possible) what pass will we use?
    Day 6- visit Kyoto other areas near our hotel
    Day 7 – back to our our homebased via KIX airport ( will we get another card or we will use the ICOCA/ haruka card that we purchased from day1?

    Is our planned itinerary ok or do you have any other better suggestion?

    Thanks in advance for the help and assistance that you will give

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      April 6, 2015 at 9:47 pm

      Hi Luz,

      First of all, you can use ICOCA and Haruka round trip ticket for both arrival and departure day.
      Mid May is not very busy period because in Japan, there are lots of holiday from late April to 1st week of May that is called Golden Week. After this period, it’s getting slower. It’s not super slow season but not very busy.
      In Kyoto, traffic is always busy. If you can invest some more fund, you can go for Kyoto city sightseeing card for both bus and subway. Subway may help you to move in Kyoto smoothly.

      Before you can pick the deal for Osaka, Kobe and Nara, you have to find where you will stay in Kyoto. If you stay near JR Kyoto station, JR line is the best. But if you stay in other area, such as Gion, Shijo, you may take Keihan Railway or Hankyu Railway. If you take JR, JR deal is better and on the other hand, if you take Keihan or Hankyu, Non JR deal is better.

      Kansai thru pass (non JR deal) or JR Kansai Area Pass may be suitable for your trip in Osaka, Kobe and Nara. But single fare may be cheaper than these deals. You need to make the detailed itinerary and find out how many times you will take a train. If you get Kobe and Nara in one day, I’m sure these deals are worth using. But for the trip to Osaka, it’s tough to make a decision at this point. Because you can use ICOCA money to get Osaka too.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/how-to-choose-discount-railway-ticket-and-pass-in-kansai-area.html

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  7. Lim says:
    March 29, 2015 at 7:26 am

    Hi Takeshi San

    If I plan to travel between osaka, Kanazawa, Kobe and Nara for my 4 days there, should I invest In the rail pass. My base will be in Osaka.

    Thanks!

    lean poh

  8. PeiJy says:
    March 22, 2015 at 8:02 am

    こんにちは Takeshi-san,

    I’m planning for a trip from Nov 22-Dec 1, 2015. We are a family of 9 adults and 1-kid (4-yr old) and a 1-yr old toddler.

    First of all, thanks for the info posted in this website. It is very helpful. I have did some research but would also like to seek you opinion on my tentative itinerary just to be sure.

    Option 1:
    Nov 22nd – Touch down KIX @ 9pm, planning to stay nearby
    Nov 23rd – KIX area ➡Kanazawa ➡Shirakawago (Ogimachi Village/Gokayama)➡Takayama, overnight @ Takayama
    Nov 24th – Takayama (Old town/Morning Market/Hida Folk Village) ➡Kyoto (Fushimi Inari), planning to stay @ Gion area/Kyoto Station area
    Nov 25th – In Kyoto (Nijo Castle/Kinkakuji/Arashiyama/Sagano Railway)
    Nov 26th – In Kyoto (Kiyomizudera/Higashiyama/Ginkakuji/Nishiki Market)
    Nov 27th – Kyoto ➡Nara (Nara Park/Naramachi/Todaiji Temple) ➡Osaka, planning to stay @ Namba area
    Nov 28th – In Osaka (Osaka Castle/Umeda Sky Building/Tonbori River Cruise)
    Nov 29th – Osaka ➡ Kobe (Shin-Kobe Ropeway/Nunobiki Waterfall & Herb Garden/Kobe Harborland/Nankinmachi) ➡ Osaka
    Nov 30th – In Osaka (Osaka Bay/Hotspring/Aquarium or USJ)
    Dec 1st – 8am depart to KIX

    Option 2:
    Same destinations as above, but just wondering if we should do Kyoto first before Shirakawago?
    KIX ➡Kyoto➡Nara➡Kyoto➡Kanazawa/Takayama➡Shirakawago➡Takayama/Kanazawa➡Osaka➡Kobe➡Osaka➡KIX

    Will like your opinion which works better?

    As for the transportation, I’d need the following or is there any better savings option?
    – ICOCA & Haruka Pass round trip @ JPY4,060
    – Osaka Amazing Pass 2-day @ JPY 3,000
    – Kyoto Sightseeing Card 2-day @ JPY 2,000 (or should I opt for 1-day bus card or 1-day subway card)
    – Kyoto to Nara to Osaka by 1-Day Kintetsu Rail Pass @ JPY 1,500 (also cover around Nara destinations)
    – Osaka to Kobe return trip by Kobe Meguri 1-Day Coupon Hanshin version @ JPY 1,580
    – KIX/Kyoto to Kanazawa to Shirakawago to Takayama to Kyoto/Osaka – Nohi buses? Since the Takayama Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass only available till June.

    Looking forward for your reply.

    Arigatou gozaimashita 🙂

    Best regards,
    PeiJy

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      March 22, 2015 at 12:12 pm

      Hi PeiJy san,

      What a job! You’ve done a great planning. I don’t have many things to tell you but I answer your inquiries.

      First of all, I suggest you to stay Kyoto before going to Takayama. Because you and your family members, especially kids may be tired. This will be the longest trip in your plan. So stay in Kyoto and do easy plan for the first few days.

      When you go to Takayama, I recommend you to take other route to go back to Osaka. You can take a train to Nagoya and take Shinkansen to get back to Osaka. The cost will be higher. But it’s only train trip. Even though it’s only one trip, there is a direct service to Osaka from Takayama.
      https://jprail.com/trains/sort-by-type/limited-express/limited-express-wide-view-hida.html

      The schedule may be different in this coming October because JR will make a revise timetable in March and October annually. But even if you change the train in Nagoya, it’s still easier. You can take the fastest train, Shinkansen if you want.
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/tips-for-japan-rail-pass/how-to-access-to-takayama-by-trains-and-buses.html

      You may not use Kintetsu Pass because most of spots in Nara can be accessed by walk. Especially if you take Kintetsu train, Kintetsu Nara station is very close to Nara temples and parks. Single ticket is cheaper if you don’t use a bus.

      That’s all I want to tell you!

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • PeiJy says:
        March 23, 2015 at 4:44 am

        Thank you for the suggestion, and I will review my itinerary based on this. Thanks again 🙂

        • Takeshi / JPRail says:
          March 23, 2015 at 12:59 pm

          No problem. Peijy.
          Enjoy your trip.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JP Rail

          • PeiJy says:
            June 1, 2015 at 12:53 am

            Hello Takeshi-san,

            O-genki?

            Just saw your recent post on Takayama-Hokuriku Area Pass. I’ve chose and heed your advice to visit Shirakawago later. Now my itinerary from Kyoto – Takayama – Shirakawago & surrounding – Takayama – Osaka. This will be a 2-day trip, overnight @ Takayama.

            Wondering if I should be considering this Pass @ JPY13,500? Initially my plan is:
            – Kyoto to Takayama via Nohi Bus @ JPY4,200
            – Takayama to Shirakawago via Nohi Bus @ JPY4,420 (return)
            – Takayama to Osaka via Nohi Bus @ JPY4,700
            This will give me a total of JPY13,320/person.

            But, I am also considering Nohi Bus Full-day tour from Takayama, JPY6,690 (round trip + lunch). Budget concerned 🙂

            I’m in dilemma which to choose… Can you help?

            Thanks a lot!

            • Takeshi / JPRail says:
              June 1, 2015 at 6:48 am

              Hi PeiJy,

              This pass is designed for the tourist who visit Takayama and Hokuriku. But you are not interested in Kanazawa. So you can take a bus. However this pass covers trains in Osaka. You also can use this pass to get KIX. Don’t you have any plans to take a train after/before trip to Takayama? If you use a train in Osaka, this pass may be cheaper.

              Cheers,

              Takeshi / JP Rail

  9. Jack says:
    March 2, 2015 at 6:09 am

    Hello Takeshi san,

    Thanks for sharing the itinerary.

    Regarding to Kyoto sightseeing card & Kansai area pass, may i know where can i get it?

    Can i use ICOCA card to replace 2 cards above? Will it cost more expensive?

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      March 2, 2015 at 3:51 pm

      Hi Jack,

      Kyoto sightseeing card can be purchased at information center in front of Kyoto station north side.
      Kansai Area Pass can be purchased at major JR stations, like Osaka, Kyoto, Kansai airport, Shin-Osaka, Nara, Wakayama, Sannomiya.

      It’s hard to say which one is better. It depends on your itinerary. But ICOCA and Haruka does not give you unlimited ride. If you travel lots, ICOCA and Haruka is not a right choice.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  10. Vincent says:
    January 26, 2015 at 5:00 pm

    Hi Takeshi San,

    we will be visiting Kansai area from 16 – 23 Feb. We will stay at Osaka throughout our journey.Our itineraries is as follows.

    Day 1 – reach Osaka in the morning 6.30am, going to check in hotel at Shinsaibashi, we will purchase ICOCA card and Nankai railway to Nankai Namba and transfer subway to Shinsaibashi(if I am right)

    Day 1 (16 feb) – sightseeing around Osaka

    Day 2 (17 Feb) – plan to visit Kobe (day visit, can we use ICOCA card travel from Osaka to Kobe by train, can we use the card for Kobe subway), which pass would you recommend.

    Day 3 (18 Feb) – Universal Studio

    Day 4 (19 Feb) – Kyoto (day visit, would you recommend Kyoto one day city pass )

    Day 5 (20 Feb) – Kyoto (day visit)

    Day 6 (21 Feb) – Nara (day visit)

    Day 7 (22 Feb) – Mt Koya (day visit), which card should I purchase

    Day 8 (23 Feb) – Osaka, our flight is around 1.00am (24 Feb)

    Is the above arrangement ok, not sure which pass or card is worthwhile.

    Vincent

    Regards

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