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
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.

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.

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. Kurt says:

    BIG THANKS! Part of our Day trip to Osaka is the Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Bldg, Ferris wheel and the river cruise. And the other day is walking around Dotonburi-Shinsaibashi area. Another question please, when should we start using the Kansai pass if in case we get the Osaka pass?

    • Hi Kurt,

      You can use Kansai thru pass 2 days for day 2 and 3. Because you will use Osaka amazing pass on day 1 and as I mentioned to you, you need to add only single fare on day 1 between Rinku and Namba.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  2. Kurt says:

    Hello Takeshi. How about the Osaka Amazing pass would you recommend it aside from the Kansai Pass? Thank you

    • Hi Kurt,

      If you intend to visit at least 3 attractions a day, Amazing Pass may be considerable. But don’t use both. If you use Amazing Pass, just add single fare to Namba. Because Amazing pass includes subway unlimited ride.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  3. Kurt says:

    Hi Takeshi. Your site is highly recommended. Will be staying at Izimisano, City the whole trip. Please give advice on our itinerary and which pass to purchase.

    DAY 0 – 5/19 KIX, 7:55 pm
    DAY 1 & DAY 2
    – OSAKA CASTLE
    – NAMBA-DOTONBURI-SHINSAIBASHI
    – Back to Rinku

    DAY 3 – KYOTO
    – TENRYU-JI TEMPLE
    – KINKAKU-JI
    – GINKAKU-JI temple
    – NANZEN-Ji temple
    – KIYOMIZU DERA TEMPLE
    – FUSHIMI INARI TAISHA SHRINE
    – OSAKA (Dinner)
    – Back to Rinku

    DAY 4 – USJ

    DAY 5 – RINKU
    a. RINKU PREMIUM OUTLET
    b. KIX

  4. Spencer Toh Kian Peng says:

    Dear Takeshi,

    Hope you are fine.

    I need your advise on which pass to purchase on my Osaka itinerary as below (7th to 11th Feb 2016) :-
    Day 01. Arrive Kansai airport. Take Nankai Railway’s to Namba. Transfer from Namba (M20) to my hotel (M14). Evening go to Umeda
    Day 02. Day trip to Kyoto. Evening back to Osaka
    Day 03. Full day at Osaka
    Day 04. Full day at Osaka
    Day 05. Transfer to Kansia airport by Nankai railway’s in early morning

    Thank you and cheers,
    Spencer Toh

  5. Sya says:

    Hi takeshi!
    Your information helps me a lot!i’m very appreciate your hard work.

    My husband and i are going to visit japan very soon(29.1.16-5.2.16). Hope you could give some advice based on my itinerary.

    Day 1:Kyoto
    -Arrive at KIX 0830am and collect all discounted tickets
    -KIX-Kyoto-Apartment using Icoca+Haruka round trip deal (i’m going to stay kyoto until end of trip)
    -Using Kyoto Sight seeing day pass to visit:
    *Arashiyama
    *Kinkakuji Temple
    *Gion
    * Kiyomizudera
    *any other places around kyoto that i could make it on the day

    Day 2:Osaka
    -using icoca from kyoto-osaka
    -spend a day in osaka using osaka enjoy card

    Day 3:Nara
    – Spend a day in Nara using kintetsu day pass kyoto-Nara

    Day 4: Himeji & Kobe
    -using JR kansai day pass
    -half day in himeji
    -half day in kobe

    P/s: is it i have to buy any city passes in that particular area in order for us to easily move around?

    Day 5 & 6:
    -i’m going to follow package private tour trip at takayama

    Day 7:
    -Countinue visit kyoto using kyoto day pass

    Day 8: Kyoto-KIX

    Thank you.Cheers

  6. YY Lim says:

    Hi Takashi,

    Need your advice on our Osaka/Kyoto for 5 days 4 nights as follows:

    1st day on arrival – Kansai Airport directly to Kyoto. Plan to travel by Haruka & Icoca one way

    1st and 2nd day we will access to major tourist spot by Keihan train and by bus, we will stay near to Keihan Line Tobaikaido station

    3rd day transfer to Osaka, planned to use Keihan line to Namba. We will stay at Nippombashi area (nearest station Nippombashi station)

    3rd – 5th day we will access to Osaka major tourist spot by subway. We plan to transfer to Kansai Airport by Nankai limited express.

    Do we need to get Kansai Thru pass for our entire trip or Icoca will be fine?

    Thanks

  7. shauny says:

    Hi Takeshi

    I will travel around kyoto for 2 days. But i not sure which is the best routes for each day. i will be using Kansai Thru Pass and im staying in osaka near Tennoji. My plans are like these:

    PLAN 1
    Day 1: Arashiyama > Kinkakuji > Kitano Tenmangu > Fushimi Inari Taisha > Uji River > Byodoin Temple
    Day 2: Nishiki Market > Gion > Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka Preserved District > Kiyomizudera

    OR

    PLAN 2
    (should i combine with trip to Nara which i will be visiting Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine and Nara Park)

    Day 1: Arashiyama > Kinkakuji > Kitano Tenmangu > Nishiki Market > Gion > Ninenzaka, Sannenzaka Preserved District > Kiyomizudera
    Day 2: Todaiji Temple > Kasuga Taisha Shrine > Nara Park > Uji > Byodoin Temple> Fushimi Inari Taisha

    May i know which plan is doable and better?

    Thanks

    • Hi Shauny,

      Both plan can be done. But as you think, plan 2 is tight. It depends on how much time you want to spend in each place. Especially in Arashiyama and Gion area, there are many place to see. You can spend half day pretty quickly. So Plan 1 is of course better. And if you intend to visit Nara before departure, you can do plan 1.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JPRail.com

  8. Swee says:

    Hello Takeshi San,
    First of all, thank you very much for all the info in this website! Very informative.

    I would like your advice/opinion on my travel plan. This will be our first time to Japan. We are a couple travelling with 2 young toddlers (below 4yrs old) to Osaka and Kyoto for abt 10days. Rough plan so far is we will be changing 3 hotels already and therefore we want to set Kyoto as base and travel to Osaka daily for sightseeing instead of move to Osaka hotel. Reason we choose Kyoto as base is because we will spend more days in Kyoto for sightseeing compared to Osaka. Any input on this idea?

    I have not booked any hotels and therefore would like your advice on which area in Kyoto to stay so that we can minimise travel time to Osaka and convenient for Kyoto sightseeing. Prefer to take Rapid Transit Service to Osaka, to save travel time.

    Below is my rough itinerary. Appreciate your patience and help to also advice if this is workable and what transport deal/pass that we can use for convenience and yet economical.

    15March
    Arrive Osaka Kansai Airport at 7.40pm
    Travel to Kyoto and check-in hotel

    16March to 18March (3days)
    Travel to Osaka daily for sightseeing
    -Universal Studios,
    -Dotombori,
    -Shinsaibashi ,
    -Den Den Town,
    -Hozenji Yokocho Alley ,
    -Open Air Museum,
    -Umeda Sky building

    19March to 22March (4days)
    Kyoto sightseeing
    -Kiyomizudera Shrine
    -Higashiyama
    -Gion
    -Nijo Castle
    -Kinkakuji Shrine
    -Nishiki Market
    -Fushimi Inari Shrine

    Arashiyama
    -Bamboo groves
    -Sagano Scenic Rail

    Nara
    Todaiji Shrine
    Deer park

    23 March
    Check out from Kyoto hotel and travel to Ohara

    24 March
    Check out from Ohara hotel and travel back to Kyoto/Osaka(haven’t decided)
    Overnight at hotel near airport

    25March
    Early morning fly out from Osaka Kansai Airport.

  9. Eileen says:

    Thanks, Takeshi for your advice.

    I am now counting down to my trip to Kyoto. 10 more days to go. Yeah.

  10. Eileen says:

    Dear Takeshi

    If I want to ride on reserved or green seats of limited express Haruka from Kansai airport to Kyoto, I just need to buy another ticket for it while I use the Icoca and haruka ticket for the base fare. Is my understanding correct?

    Or I should just simply buy Icoca card only and buy reserved or green seats on Haruka separately? Thanks

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