Visit Osaka and Kyoto for 5 to 7 days sample itinerary

4 to 6 days
Shinsho-Gokuraku-ji temple in Kyoto. This temple is as known as Shinnyodo and it is getting popular to see fall foliage lately. (C) Yasufumi Nishi / JNTO
2015.11.12
Shinsho-Gokuraku-ji temple in Kyoto. This temple is as known as Shinnyodo and it is getting popular to see fall foliage lately. (C) Yasufumi Nishi / JNTO

Shinsho-Gokuraku-ji temple in Kyoto. This temple is as known as Shinnyodo and it is getting popular to see fall foliage lately. (C) Yasufumi Nishi / JNTO

I have made the sample itinerary that is Kyoto and Osaka stay for 5 to 7 days before.
Visit Kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Kobe for 5 to 7 days sample itinerary

In this itinerary, staying in Kyoto is first and then move to Osaka. But I have received many inquiries that is staying in Osaka first and then move to Kyoto. Those itineraries are very similar but when we choose the deals, it is different.

In this post, I will show you Osaka and Kyoto 5 days sample itinerary. But I will also tell you how to extend this itinerary and how to add other spots. And of course, I will show you how to choose the deals.

Day 1 – Kansai airport to Osaka

There are many deals to get Osaka from Kansai airport. You can find the deals at the link below:

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

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 may be available in your country. This deal includes airport access to Namba by Nankai Railway’s limited express train “Rapi:t” and unlimited trip of Osaka subway. You may find the information about this deal at the link above too.

If you cannot use Yokoso Osaka ticket but you want a deal to sightsee in Osaka, please see the link below to find the deals.
How to choose the best train pass for sightseeing in Osaka

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

Umeda Sky Building is very popular in these days. (C) JNTO

Umeda Sky Building is very popular in these days. (C) JNTO

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

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.

If you intend to visit Osaka Kaiyukan Aquarium, Osaka Kaiyu Ticket is recommended. If you stay in Osaka but you may take not only subway but also other trains, like JR, Hankyu railway, Kintetsu railway, Keihan railway, Nankai railway, you may use Kansai one pass.

You can find the information about these deals in the link below:

How to choose the best train pass for sightseeing in Osaka

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.

How to build the itinerary and choose the deals for Osaka stay 5 to 7 days.

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:

How to transfer among Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Wakayama. Compare Japan Railway and private railways.

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

If you intend to make a day trip to Nara, Kobe or other places around Kansai area when you are in Osaka, you will use Kansai Thru Pass for these trips and trip to Kyoto on this day. You will make some trips in either Osaka or Kyoto. Kansai Thru Pass covers subway and bus in both Osaka and Kyoto. And it covers Hankyu Railway and Keihan Railway. This pass gives you transfer from Osaka to Kyoto and sightseeing in both cities.

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:

How to access to Nara by Japan Rail Pass. If you don’t use JR Pass, Kintetsu Railway is more convenient.

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:

How to access to Himeji and Kobe from Osaka

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.

And also if you intend to use Kansai Thru Pass when you are in Osaka, you can use Kansai Thru Pass for this day too.

Day 4 – Sightseeing in Kyoto

Kiyomizu-dera temple is ne of most famous spots in Kyoto.

Kiyomizu-dera temple is ne of most famous spots in Kyoto. (C) Sue Ann Simon / JNTO

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:

Inside Kyoto – Special Kyoto Bus, Train and Subway Passes

If you want to extend to stay in Kyoto

You may add another All Day Bus Pass or purchasing Kyoto City Sightseeing Card 2 days. 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.

How to build the itinerary and choose the deals for Osaka stay 5 to 7 days.

Day 5 – Kyoto to Kansai airport

If you use ICOCA and Haruka on arrival day, you can use Haruka discount ticket from Kyoto to Kansai airport at 1,600 yen. Please see the link below to find more information:

ICOCA and Haruka, Kansai One Pass and Haruka, and Haruka discount ticket. Very flexible and good deal for tourist who stay in Kansai.
Kansai One Pass and Haruka, ICOCA and Haruka and Haruka discount ticket are the special discount deals which is designed for the overseas passengers only. If you buy Kansai One Pass and Haruka or ICOCA and Haruka, you can take the limited express Haruka at the discount rate and IC card. This post explains you how to choose this deal and how to use this deal.
jprail.com
2013.05.27

This deal is only available for the passenger who has ICOCA or Kansai one pass. You cannot get this deal without these IC card. If you do not have ICOCA or Kansai one pass, you can use Kansai area pass.

How to use JR West Kansai Area Pass. Compare pass and single fare.
This posts explains you how to use Kansai Area Pass. It is one of JR West rail passes and it covers whole part of Kansai area.
jprail.com
2012.10.19

It is cheaper than base fare ticket and limited express surcharge with non reserved seat on Haruka.

You also can take Limousine bus service. It is a direct service from Kyoto to Kansai airport too. Please see the link below:

Limousine bus between Kansai airport and Kyoto

I hope this sample itinerary helps you to build your trip plan!

Comments

  1. Manish Chandak says:
    September 28, 2020 at 7:44 pm

    Hello. I am Manish and planning a week trip from tokyo to kyoto, Osaka, Nara and Kobe starting October 24th. Can you please advise an itinerary for 7 or 8 daytrip with family (wife and 2.5 year old son). We also plan to cover Universal Studios one day if possible.

    Many thanks in advance

  2. Siska says:
    December 24, 2019 at 7:05 am

    Dear Takeshi San,

    I’m planning to go to Osaka – Kyoto – Nara (1-day trip) – Tokyo – Shizuoka (1-day trip),
    My total days is 10 days, I would like to know your suggestion if I need a JR pass which is only valid for 7 days, the 14 days is so expensive for me >.<

    or are there any cheaper alternatives?

    Thank you so much ! <3

    • Takeshi (JPRail.com administrator) says:
      December 24, 2019 at 8:42 am

      Hi Siska san,

      Can you tell more about your trip? I would like to know the following:

      1. The locatiion to stay (if possible, tell the nearest station of your stay in each places)
      2. How many days are you going to spend at each places?
      3. Which part of Shizuoka are you going?

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Ati Putri says:
    October 9, 2019 at 6:54 pm

    Hi Takeshi San,

    Hope you are well.
    My friend and I will be visiting Osaka, Kyoto and Nara on November 2019. Can you please advise whether we need to buy JR ticket or it will be fine using Pasmo, below is our itinerary :
    Day 1 : Arrive in Osaka at Mid-night and will be staying at Kishinosatohigashi, Nishinari-ku,Osaka
    Day 2 : Castle, Nishinomaru Garden, KuromonIchiba Market
    Day 3 : Universal Studio
    Day 4 : Kiyomizudera Temple, Maruyama Park, Gion. Staying at Kyoto at Misasagitentokuco, Yamashina-ku, Osaka
    Day 5 : Arashiyama, Golden Pavilion, and strolling around
    Day 6 : Rinku Premium Outlet at Osaka. Will be staying at Naniwashi-2 Chome Naniwa Ward
    Day 7 : Minoo Park
    Day 8 : Strolling around Osaka (Kuromon Ichiba Market, Dotonburi, Aquarium)
    Day 9 : Morning flight

    Thank you.

    Cheers,
    Ati Putri

  4. Ema says:
    June 16, 2019 at 2:34 am

    Hi Takeshi,

    Hope is well with you. Will be travelling with my family on June 28 to July 4.
    Narita airport to iue hotel, hotel sunroute osaka namba.(to be honest, no idea of how we can get to our hotel ;( )
    Places planning to go, Explore Namba area, Dotonburi, Shinsaibashi, Universal Studios and Nara.
    Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

    Emma foem Guam

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      June 16, 2019 at 7:39 pm

      Hi Ema,

      I just want to make sure what “iue hotel” is. Is this hotel in Tokyo?
      And also are you visiting Osaka only from Narita? And are you leaving Japan from Narita as well? Please give me more information about your trip.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  5. Andrea Wong says:
    October 7, 2018 at 10:31 pm

    Dear Takeshi San
    My friends and I are going for the Kumano Nakahechi pilgrimage trek .
    We land in KIX at 4 pm on Saturday, 3 November and intend to visit Kyoto on Sunday for a day .
    We have to travel to kii tanabe and meet the rest of the trekking group on Monday 5 November.
    Can you please advise which JR pass to buy ?
    At the end of the trek on 10 November,we will take the jr train back to Osaka . We will buy a separate JR ticket from Kii Katsuura to Osaka .

    Thank you
    Andrea

  6. Yeni says:
    August 21, 2018 at 6:08 am

    Hi takeshi san

    Hope you are well.
    Need your sugestion.
    I will visit japan 5 days 4 night to and from narita airport.
    I want to visit kanazawa shirakawa go and kyoto before back to narita
    Is there any advise you can share and places recommendation, i love nature and temples

    Hearing from you

    Cheers yeni

  7. Elly says:
    May 13, 2018 at 11:52 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    Hope all well with you. I wanted to post this message by replying the last message i sent you but unsuccessful (https://jprail.com/sample-itineraries/7to9-days/sample-itinerary-of-tokyo-hakone-kyoto-and-osaka-classic-route-in-7-days.html). I twisted my itinerary as below. Can you please assist to advise if i can stay to the pass you suggested or to buy additional pass or to buy JR? Many thanks.
    Day 1: Reach Kansei Airport at 920am. Will stay at Osaka and hotel near Nippombashi Subway Station (160 meters) and Osaka Namba Train Station (520 meters). Osaka –Shitennoji Temple, Shinsekai, Dotonbori, Hozenji Temple and Shinsaibashi.
    Day 2: Osaka -Will go Osaka Castle, KuromonIchiba Market, Sumiyoshi Taisha and Umeda Sky Building and Shinsaibashi.
    Day 3: Head out to Kyoto in morning. Hotel in Kyoto is near to Shijo Subway Station (190 meters) and Karasuma Train Station (210 meters). Kyoto –Fushimi Inari Taisha (伏見稲荷大社),Kiyomizu Temple (清水寺),Nishiki Market(錦市場), Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社) and Gion District (祇園)
    Day 4: Kyoto –Kinkaku-ji temple (金閣寺),Nijō Castle (二条城),Arashiyama（嵐山）
    Day 5: Day trip in NARA – Todai-ji Temple (東大寺), Sika Deer in Nara Park, Kofuku-ji Temple (興福寺), Kasuga Taisha Grand Shrine (春日大社) and Higashimuki Shopping Street (東向き商店街)
    Day 6: Kyoto –. Head to Hakone. Stay near to Ohiradai Train Station (230meters). Hakone- Owakudani, Togendai port, Hakone Sekisho, Hakone Shrine and lake Ashi.
    Day 7: Hakone- Open Air Museum, Gotemba outlet.
    Day 8: Head to Tokyo. Stay near to Nakano Sakaue Subway Station (810 meters)
    Day 9: Tokyo sightseeing
    Day 10: Tokyo sightseeing
    Day 11: Tokyo to Haneda airport. Night flight at 11pm.

    • Takeshi / JPRail.com says:
      May 14, 2018 at 6:06 am

      Hi Elly,

      You can use same deals as I suggested in the previous reply.

      P.S. Your message is not shown until I approve it. I have received your post in other post which you have tried.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Jasmine says:
    May 7, 2018 at 9:05 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    I am going to Kyoto-Osaka for a 5D4N trip.

    intending to stay in Kyoto for 2D1N and then travel to Osaka (and squeeze Nara in for day trip if possible) for the rest of the trip.

    Probably landing in Kansai airport in the morning, about 9am?

    I really have no idea about Japan and pretty confused.
    Any suggestion if I should get any rail passes or something..?

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