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. susan says:
    June 17, 2016 at 11:26 pm

    hi,

    where can we buy the ticket reflected on Hyperdia.com?
    http://www.hyperdia.com/en/cgi/en/search.html?dep_node=HAKATA&arv_node=HIROSHIMA%20STATION&via_node01=&via_node02=&via_node03=&year=2016&month=06&day=26&hour=13&minute=45&search_type=0&search_way=&transtime=undefined&sort=0&max_route=5&faretype=0&ship=off&lmlimit=null&search_target=route&facility=reserved&sum_target=7

  2. Jin says:
    June 11, 2016 at 6:36 am

    Hi Cherry,

    Pardon me asking, which hotel shall I book if I will be travelling according to your itinerary suggested above.

    Day 1, 2 & 3: Hotel around Kyoto?
    Day 4, 5 & 6: Hotel around Osaka?

    In other words, how many hotels would you recommend to stay in order to save the transportation journey?

    BR,
    Jin

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      June 11, 2016 at 8:03 am

      Hi Jin,

      Cheery is a reader who asked me the trip plan. I think you are asking about the sample itinerary that I made in the post above.
      In this sample, as you think, 3 night in Kyoto and 3 night in Osaka. It’s hard to say which place you should stay to save your cost. It depends on which part or Kyoto/Osaka or which station is nearest to the hotel.

      In most of case, some travelers want to have different atmosphere. They stay in both Kyoto and Osaka. The other want to stay in one place and make day trips without luggage. If you want to stay in one place and don’t want to move with luggage, you can stay in Osaka only and make day trips. Please see the link below and you will find another idea.
      https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html

      It’s hard to get convenience and cost. If you book hotel at very affordable cost, it’s not very convenient place. If you book a hotel at very convenient place, hotel rate is higher. The choice is yours.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Louie says:
    June 10, 2016 at 2:33 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I will be leaving for Osaka on Sunday and I am still confuse on what 1 day pass to buy. I want to visit for 1 day, this sightseeing places – Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Bldg, Tsutentaku Tower, Shitennoji Temple, Tombori River Cruise, and Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan.

    Which 1 day pass is applicable to me and which will give me a beneficial offer? Is it Enjoy Eco Card, is it Osaka Amazing Pass or Osaka Kaiyu Pass?

    Thanks

  4. yeni says:
    June 4, 2016 at 4:22 am

    hi takeshi
    kindly advise on sample itinerary from tokyo until osaka. its our first trip to japan. so excited. it would be in early november this year. we plan to buy jr pass in advance. is it can be used for visiting all the places along the route? and can anywhere we hire a portable wifi during stay in japan? doumo arigatou gozaimashita for your help.

  5. Zoe says:
    May 31, 2016 at 6:49 am

    Hi Takeshi,
    It is my first time travelling to Japan and I’m confused after reading all the different passes available in the kansai region. Would you suggest what are the most affordable passes that I should get for my itinerary? Thank you.

    Day 1 Arrive KIX Airport, Osaka. Travel to Kyoto.
    Day 2 Kyoto
    Day 3 Kyoto
    Day 4 Kyoto-Uji-Nara. Staying in Nara
    Day 5 Nara-Kobe-Himeji. Unsure if staying in kobe?
    Day 6 Osaka
    Day 7 Osaka
    Day 8 Osaka. Planning a day trip to Naoshima
    Day 9 Departure

  6. Apple says:
    May 27, 2016 at 12:07 am

    Hi, can u advise what train I should take from Nankai namba station to shisaibashi shopping area?

  7. Louie says:
    May 25, 2016 at 3:20 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    I want to visit Nijo Castle, Arashiyama, Kiyomizudera Temple, Kinkakuji Temple, Ginkakuji Temple, Gion, Nishiki Market, Fushimi-Inari, and Pontocho. I have allotted 2 days for Kyoto sightseeing. How do I divide this tourist spots in 2 days? Which areas go together? Which tourist spots should I do first if I will be staying at a hotel near Shiyakusho-mae Station?

    Thanks and regards,
    Louie

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      May 25, 2016 at 6:34 am

      Hi Louie,

      You should group Arashiyama, Nijo and Kinkakuji for day 1 and other places in day 2.
      For day 1, Nijo is the nearest and Ginakuji is the nearest on day 2. But you can start wherever you like.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Apple says:
    May 23, 2016 at 12:58 am

    Thanks Takeshi for the prompt response.

    Nara Kintensu to Nankai Namba station

    You advised to take Kintetsu railway to get Osaka-Namba from Kintetsunara.
    can you further advise how do I transfer from Osaka-Namba to Nankai Namba station?? cause our homestay place is near to Nankai-Namba station and the direction being instructed based at the Nankai- Namba station

  9. Elaine says:
    May 22, 2016 at 11:18 pm

    HI,

    Just wanna to check with you. Why do we need to buy a day pass for Kyoto and Nara since with have ICOCA. Can’t we use for all the buses for both places?

    Thank you

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      May 22, 2016 at 11:31 pm

      Hi Elaine,

      In this itinerary, I use ICOCA for trip to Nara and Fushimi. 1500 yen e-money covers only these places. You have to add single fare or pass for exploring in Kyoto.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  10. Cherry Grace says:
    April 24, 2016 at 10:16 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    This is our Itinerary for our trip this May. What pass should i use for our trips to kyoto and kyoto+nara? We will be based in Osaka Daikokucho area for the whole trip. We will just go on a 2-3day trip to kyoto & Nara. Also please include if we need a pass when we go to rinku premium outlet or the single journey trip (Icoca or Kansai one pass) would do. Thank you so much

    Day 1 – Arrrival Kix 2:30pm to hotel then go around dotonbori area – Buy Icoca (or kansai One pass?) + Haruka card.

    Day 2 – Osaka Castle, Osaka musem of history, Shitennoji Temple, Shinsekai area (Tsutenkaku Tower)

    Day 3 – Kyoto – Nishiki Market, Yasaka Shrine (Walk thru Higashiyama Preserved Shopping District), Kiyomizudera, Nishensaka & Sannenzaka area, Gion

    Day 4 – Kyoto – Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji, Arashimaya, Togetsukyu Bridge, Tenryuji Temple, Bamboo Groove

    Day 5 – Kyoto + Nara – Fushimi-Inari, Todaiji , Nara Park

    Day 6 – Osaka Kaiyukan & Giant Ferris wheel (take captain line ferry to) USJ

    Day 7 – Hankyu Umeda, Namba Park

    Day 8 – Rinku Town, Namba area

    Day 9 – Departure

    Thanks,
    Cherry Grace

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      April 24, 2016 at 10:28 pm

      Hi Cherry,

      Please see the link below. This sample itinerary meets your plan.
      https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7days/how-to-build-the-itinerary-and-choose-the-deals-for-osaka-stay-5-to-7-days.html

      As you read the link above, Nankai railway deal is better for arrival and departure days. Daikokucho is one station away from Namba by subway.

      Kansai thru pass is your primary deal. You may use ICOCA to take subway but when you use Kansai thru pass, subway is covered too. You may use 2 X 2 days Kansai thru pass and use Kyoto, Nara and trip to Rinku town too. Especially if you intend to take subway to get other places in Osaka after trip to Rinku town, Kansai thru pass covers subway trip. It’s easier and more convenient.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

      • Cherry Grace says:
        April 27, 2016 at 1:19 pm

        Hi Takeshi,
        Thank you for the fast response. I would like to clarify that for days 3 & 4 – 2 days Kansai thru pass and I’ll move the rinku town to day 6 so that would be Day 5 Kyoto + nara & day 6 Rinku outlet – another 2 day kansai thru pass. Would the Kansai thru pass cover for all the subway trains/trams and buses in Kyoto and nara?

        For Daikokucho to Osaka Kaiyukan & Giant Ferris wheel (+ captain line ferry) , should i purchase the Osaka Kaiyu ticket or Should i just buy the single tickets?

        And lastly for the osaka city sightseeing, should i also buy the osaka amazing 1-2 day pass or just buy the single journey trips to the attractions?

        Thank you so much,
        Cherry Grace

      • Cherry Grace says:
        April 27, 2016 at 1:36 pm

        Hi Takeshi,
        How about the kintetsu rail pass for the Kyoto+nara day trip from daikokucho? Is it worth it or too expensive?

        Thanks,
        Cherry Grace

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