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,
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
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
Hi Sindhu,
It’s hard to say. I would say yes and no.
There is elevators and escalators in the station. So you can go up and down without any problems. But commute trains in the city are always busy. Sometimes you may be hesitate to go in the train with strollers. Some trains have stroller place so you don’t need to be hesitate. But trains are packed in peak period. Just keep it in your mind.
When you go outside city, you will take express trains. Most of trains do not have any luggage space. So you have to take care of the stroller in your space. Please see the link to find the info about luggage in the train.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/baggage/managing-luggage-how-to-carry-your-baggage-on-board-and-how-to-store-your-baggage-at-the-station.html
It’s hard to say to bring stroller or not. If you intend to walk lots, you need stroller. But you may have an issue on board. So choose which one is more important, in the train with extra luggage or walking without stroller.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
thank you . Will surely have a look at the link you have shared and decide
No problem, Sindhu.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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
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
Hi Cherry,
Please see the link below. You will find all info that you need.
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thanks Takeshi! I will check on the link you provided.
No problem, Cherry.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi!
thanks for the informative post.
I was wondering if the kyoto sightseeing pass covers train/bus to kibune/kurama?
Thanks!
Hi Cherry,
Unfortunately train is not covered by this pass. The bus route to Kifune and Kurama are outside coverage area. Please see the link at the below:
http://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/koho/eng/access/img/pdf/ENG150321(map)0309.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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 ?
Hi Patrick,
1) No, you can’t.
2) No. It covers only Kyoto city subway and bus. Keifuku is not.
3) No. Kansai area pass covers only JR.
4) Kansai area pass is recommended.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Thanks for the prompt reply.
2) so from Kyoto station, how to I utilize kyoto sight seeing pass to Arashiyama ? or the best way is to take JR?
Hi Patrick,
You can take subway and bus. Please see the map in the link below:
http://www2.city.kyoto.lg.jp/koho/eng/access/img/pdf/ENG150321(map)0309.pdf
If you want to take easy route, pay extra to take JR.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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.
Hi Lay,
What about the itinerary in this post above?
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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
Hi Hani,
I recommend to stay in both Kyoto and Osaka because you can feel different atmosphere. But many travelers don’t want to move with luggage and stay at one place to make day trips. In this case, Osaka is more convenient than Kyoto because it’s located among the cities.
You may use the sample itinerary above. And also you can find another some sample itineraries at the links below:
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html
https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/visit-osaka-and-kyoto-for-5-to-7-days-sample-itinerary.html
You cannot find the deal before you fix your plan. You have to decide where you stay and where you visit.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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?
Hi Triet,
Kyoto city sightseeing card does not cover any JR trains. Please see the following post to see the coverage of many kinds of pass.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kansai-area/guide-to-take-trains-in-kyoto-how-to-choose-the-best-route-by-train-to-get-the-major-spots.html
Arashiyama and Fushimi can be accessed by JR trains. So if I were you, I visit Arashiyama and Fushimi by JR with single fare. And use one day Kyoto city sightseeing card to visit the rest of places.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you so much for your quick reply. I am willing to pay some single fares for JR if it’s worth the money. As I just researched, in some cases, JR has some benefits like non-transfer and time-saving when we travel from Kyoto station to Fushimi and Arashiyama.
*the access to Arashiyama is just a bit complicated for me. Is the Saga-Arashiyama station of JR near to Arashiyama? I want to see Togetsukyo bridge, Tenryu-ji and the Bamboo road. From my imagination, we get off at Saga-Arashiyama station, see the bridge first, then walk into Bamboo road and Tenryu-ji will be on the road, is it right?
Hi Triet,
Please see the following link:
https://goo.gl/maps/C9mKvR4wDRS2
If you google “Arashiyama Map”, you will find many of them online.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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
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
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 ?
Hi Patrick,
Before I answer your inquiries, I want to make sure the location of stay from day 4 to 8. Please tell where you stay.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Day 4 to 6. All same place. Kyoto station. Day 7 I haven’t book yet. Thinking to stay at ryokan style.
Hi Patrick,
You can use Kyoto sightseeing card 2 days for day 4 and 5.
http://www.insidekyoto.com/special-kyoto-bus-train-subway-passes
If you stay in Kyoto for day 7 as well, you can use Kansai area pass 3 days for day 6, 7 and 8. And also Fushimi Inari can be dropped by on the way to Nara. You can visit there by bus from Kyoto station. But JR train is easier and faster. You can spend more time at Gion area on day 4.
Kansai area pass covers limited express Haruka. If you stay in Kyoto for day 7, you can take Haruka from Kyoto to KIX directly.
Hikone is a nice town. Hikone Castle is not very well know but it’s National Treasure.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7000.html
You can access there by Kansai area pass too.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
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
Hi Su,
In my itinerary, Kyoto station and Namba station are recommended to stay. But you can make some changes if you want.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com