The Kansai Region is the perfect destination if it’s your first time in Japan. It is rich in cultural heritage, evident in the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites that dot its map, yet its biggest city, Osaka, also feels undoubtedly modern and futuristic. It also prepares you for the craziness and fast pace of Tokyo, if you also plan on paying the capital a visit.
The itineraries below will take you to four of Kansai’s biggest tourist destinations: Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara. All these involve spending your nights in Osaka and visiting the other destinations only on a day trip.
Note that the indicated costs and times are just rough estimates that are meant to give you a ballpark figure. The actual prices and schedules may be different in reality so always double check with official sources. The estimates also have big margins. Better overestimate than under. Please make the necessary adjustments to match your conditions.
If you need more help planning your trip, you may check out these guides:
✅ Osaka Travel Guide
✅ Kyoto Travel Guide
If you’re only interested in Osaka and Kyoto and not Kobe or Nara, we have a dedicated post for that too:
Tip! Rent a pocket wi-fi for hassle-free travels!
The language barrier in Osaka is real, so you can save a lot of time and avoid stress if you’re connected to the Internet, which you can use to translate and navigate. You can reserve one in advance online. The best part, if you’re a group, you can connect multiple devices hassle-free. You can then split the cost with your friends. You can pick up the device at the airport. No deposit is required.
Osaka-Nara-Kyoto: 4 Days, 3 nights
Duration: 4 days, 3 nights
Hotel stop: 3 nights in Osaka
PASSES YOU NEED:
- 1-day Osaka Amazing Pass, ¥2500, to be used on Day 2, Reserve Here!
- 1-day JR West Kansai Pass, ¥2200, to be used on Day 4, Reserve Here!
Day 1: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN
12:30pm – Arrival at Kansai Airport
01:00pm – Collect Passes at Arrival Hall
01:30pm – Train to Universal City, ¥1190
02:30pm – Universal Studios Japan, ¥7900, Reserve Here!
08:00pm – Train to Namba, ¥410
08:40pm – Hotel check in
09:00pm – Late dinner, ¥1000
10:30pm – Back to hotel, lights out
Day 2: OSAKA CITY TOUR
05:00am – Wake up
06:00am – Subway to Tamagawa Station (Endo Sushi), FREE (OA Pass)
07:00am – Breakfast at Endo Sushi, ¥1242
08:30am – Subway to Tanimachiyonchome Station (Osaka Castle), FREE (OA Pass)
09:00am – Osaka Castle, FREE (OA Pass)
12:00nn – Subway to Nakatsu Station (Ramen Yashichi), FREE (OA Pass)
12:30nn – Lunch at Ramen Yashichi, ¥730
02:30pm – Subway to from Nakatsu to Umeda, FREE (OA Pass)
03:00pm – Umeda Sky Building Observatory, FREE (OA Pass)
04:30pm – Subway from Umeda to Namba, FREE (OA Pass)
05:00pm – Tombori River Cruise, FREE, (OA Pass)
06:00pm – Dotonbori Night Tour, FREE (OA Pass)
07:30pm – Early dinner at Tokisushi, ¥1134
10:30pm – Back to hotel, lights out
Day 3: NARA DAY TOUR
06:30am – Wake up call
08:00am – Walk to Osaka-Namba Station
08:06am – Osaka-Namba Station to KintetsuNara, ¥560
09:00am – Sarusawa-ike Pond
10:00am – Kofuku-ji Temple, museum, eastern hall, ¥800
12:00nn – Lunch, ¥1000
01:30pm – Gango-ji Temple, ¥500
03:00pm – Kasuga Taisha Shrine, ¥500
04:30pm – Nara Park, FREE
06:00pm – Dinner, ¥1500
07:08pm – Train to Osaka-Namba, ¥560
Day 4: KYOTO DAY TOUR
07:00am – Wake up, hotel check out
08:00am – JR Trains to Kyoto Station, FREE (JR West Pass)
09:00am – Leave bags in locker, ¥700
09:50am – Train to Saga-Arashiyama, FREE (JR West Pass)
10:10am – Explore Arashiyama, Tenryuji Fee: ¥500
12:00pm – Train to Kyoto Station, FREE
12:30pm – Lunch, ¥1000
01:40pm – Train to Inari Station, FREE (JR West Pass)
02:00pm – Fushimi Inari Shrine, FREE
04:00pm – Train to Kyoto Station, FREE
04:30pm – JR Ltd. Exp. Haruka train, FREE (JR West Pass)
06:00pm – Dinner, ¥1500
07:00pm – Flight check in
09:15pm – Flight out
Cost Estimate: JPY 29,000 (USD259, SGD355, PHP14000, EUR222), excluding airfare and hotel.
Osaka-Kyoto-Nara: 4 Days, 4 nights
Duration: 4 days, 4 nights
Hotel stop: 4 nights in Osaka
This one assumes you’re landing at Kansai Airport at night, so we added a Day 0 (Night 1). Another difference between this and the previous 4D itinerary is that you will also have a full day and night in Kyoto, but you will be visiting Kiyomizu-dera instead of Fushimi Inari Shrine. You will be visiting Nara on your last day.
PASSES YOU NEED:
- 1-day Osaka Amazing Pass, ¥2500, to be used on Day 3, Reserve Here!
- 2-day Kansai Thru Pass,, ¥3900, to be used on Days 3 and 4, Reserve here!
Day 0
08:10pm – Arrival at Kansai Airport
09:10pm – Collect passes at Arrival Hall
09:54pm – Board Nankai Airport Express to Namba, ¥920
10:30pm – Check-in at the hotel
Day 1: OSAKA
07:00am – Wake up call
08:30am – Subway to Tanimachiyonchome Station (Osaka Castle), FREE (OA Pass)
09:00am – Osaka Castle, FREE (OA Pass)
12:00nn – Subway to Nakatsu Station (Ramen Yashichi), FREE (OA Pass)
12:30nn – Lunch at Ramen Yashichi, ¥730
02:30pm – Subway to from Nakatsu to Umeda, FREE (OA Pass)
03:00pm – Umeda Sky Building Observatory, FREE (OA Pass)
04:30pm – Subway from Umeda to Namba, FREE (OA Pass)
05:00pm – Walk around Dotonbori
06:00pm – Japan Night Walk Tour, FREE (OA Pass)
08:00pm – Dinner at Tokisushi or Menya Jorouku Ramen, ¥1200
09:00pm – Back to hotel, sleep
Day 2: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
05:00am – Wake up call
06:00am – Subway to Tamagawa Station, ¥230
07:00am – Breakfast at Endo Sushi, ¥1242
09:00am – Train from Noda Station to Universal City, ¥160
09:15am – Universal Studios Japan, ¥7900 + ¥1500 lunch
08:00pm – Train to Osaka-Namba Station, ¥360
09:00pm – Dinner, ¥1000
Day 3: KYOTO
07:00am – Wake up call
08:00am – Subway to Umeda Station, FREE (KT Pass)
08:30am – Hankyu train to Arashiyama, FREE (KT Pass)
09:30am – Explore Arashiyama, Tenryuji Fee: ¥500
12:00pm – Train to Kawaramachi Station, FREE (KT Pass)
12:30pm – Lunch at Butaya ton Ichi Teramachi, ¥1200
01:30pm – Walk to Gion District
02:00pm – Yasaka Shrine, FREE
03:00pm – Walk to Higashiyama District
04:00pm – Kiyomizu-dera Temple, ¥400
06:00pm – Walk to Kiyomizu-michi Bus Stop
06:30pm – Bus 207 to Shijo Kawaramachi Bus Stop, ¥230
07:30pm – Hankyu Train to Umeda Station, FREE (KT Pass)
08:30pm – Subway to Namba Station, FREE (KT Pass)
09:00pm – Dinner, ¥1000
Day 4: NARA, DEPARTURE
06:30am – Check out, walk to Osaka-Namba Station
07:30am – Store luggage in locker, ¥700
08:06am – Train to Kintetsu-Nara Station, FREE (KT Pass)
09:00am – Explore 2 temples, entrance fee budget: ¥1300
12:00nn – Lunch, ¥1000
01:30pm – Nara Park
02:30pm – Kintetsu Train to Osaka-Namba, FREE (KT Pass)
04:00pm – Nankai Train to Airport, FREE (KT Pass)
05:30pm – Check in
08:30pm – Flight out
Cost Estimate: JPY 30,000 (USD279, SGD378, PHP14300, EUR247), excluding plane tickets and accommodations.
Osaka-Nara-Kyoto: 5 Days, 4 nights
Duration: 5 days, 4 nights
Hotel stop: 4 nights in Osaka
PASSES YOU NEED:
- 1-day Osaka Amazing Pass, ¥2500, to be used on Day 3, Reserve Here!
- 1-day JR West Kansai Pass, ¥2200, to be used on Day 5, Reserve Here!
Day 1: DOTONBORI
12:30pm – Arrival at Kansai Airport
01:00pm – Collect Passes at Arrival Hall
01:39pm – Nankai Airport Express to Namba, ¥920
02:15pm – Walk to hotel
02:40pm – Hotel check in, freshen up
04:30pm – Kuromon Market, Budget: ¥1500
06:00pm – Dotonbori
08:00pm – Dinner at Tokisushi, ¥1134
10:00pm – Back to hotel, lights out
Day 2: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN
07:00am – Wake up call
08:20am – Walk to JR-Namba Station
09:00am – Train to UniversalCity Station, ¥180
09:30am – Universal Studios Japan, ¥7900, Reserve Here!
Food expenses: ¥2500
08:00pm – Train to Namba, ¥410
09:00pm – Late dinner, ¥1000
10:30pm – Back to hotel, lights out
Day 3: OSAKA CITY TOUR
05:00am – Wake up
06:00am – Subway to Tamagawa Station (Endo Sushi), FREE (OA Pass)
07:00am – Breakfast at Endo Sushi, ¥1242
08:30am – Subway to Tanimachiyonchome Station (Osaka Castle), FREE (OA Pass)
09:00am – Osaka Castle, FREE (OA Pass)
12:00nn – Subway to Nakatsu Station (Ramen Yashichi), FREE (OA Pass)
12:30nn – Lunch at Ramen Yashichi, ¥730
02:30pm – Subway to from Nakatsu to Umeda, FREE (OA Pass)
03:00pm – Umeda Sky Building Observatory, FREE (OA Pass)
04:30pm – Subway from Umeda to Namba, FREE (OA Pass)
05:00pm – Tombori River Cruise, FREE, (OA Pass)
06:00pm – Dotonbori Night Tour, FREE (OA Pass)
07:30pm – Early dinner at Tokisushi, ¥1134
10:30pm – Back to hotel, lights out
Day 4: NARA DAY TOUR
06:30am – Wake up call
08:00am – Walk to Osaka-Namba Station
08:06am – Osaka-Namba Station to KintetsuNara, ¥560
09:00am – Sarusawa-ike Pond
10:00am – Kofuku-ji Temple, museum, eastern hall, ¥800
12:00nn – Lunch, ¥1000
01:30pm – Gango-ji Temple, ¥500
03:00pm – Kasuga Taisha Shrine, ¥500
04:30pm – Nara Park, FREE
06:00pm – Dinner, ¥1500
07:08pm – Train to Osaka-Namba, ¥560
Day 5: KYOTO DAY TOUR
07:00am – Wake up, hotel check out
08:00am – JR Trains to Kyoto Station, FREE (JR West Pass)
09:00am – Leave bags in locker, ¥700
09:50am – Train to Saga-Arashiyama, FREE (JR West Pass)
10:10am – Explore Arashiyama, Tenryuji Fee: ¥500
12:00pm – Train to Kyoto Station, FREE
12:30pm – Lunch, ¥1000
01:40pm – Train to Inari Station, FREE (JR West Pass)
02:00pm – Fushimi Inari Shrine, FREE
04:00pm – Train to Kyoto Station, FREE
04:30pm – JR Ltd. Exp. Haruka train, FREE (JR West Pass)
06:00pm – Dinner, ¥1500
07:00pm – Flight check in
09:15pm – Flight out
Cost Estimate: JPY 35,000 (USD313, SGD429, PHP17000, EUR268), excluding plane tickets and accommodations.
Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe-Nara: 5 Days, 5 nights
Duration: 5 days, 5 nights
Hotel stop: 5 nights in Osaka
This one assumes you’re landing at Kansai Airport at night, so we added a Day 0 (Night 1). Another difference between this and the previous 4D itinerary is that you will also have a full day and night in Kyoto, but you will be visiting Kiyomizu-dera instead of Fushimi Inari Shrine. You will be visiting Nara on your last day.
PASSES YOU NEED:
- 1-day Hanshin Tourist Pass, ¥700, to be used on Day 1, Reserve here!
- 1-day Rokkosan Tourist Pass, ¥1000, to be used on Day 1, Reserve here!
- 1-day Osaka Amazing Pass, ¥2500, to be used on Day 2, Reserve Here!
- 2-day Kansai Thru Pass,, ¥3900, to be used on Days 4 and 5, Reserve here!
Day 0
08:10pm – Arrival at Kansai Airport
09:10pm – Collect passes at Arrival Hall
09:54pm – Board Nankai Airport Express to Namba, ¥920
10:30pm – Check-in at the hotel
Day 1: KOBE DAY TOUR
07:00am – Wake up call
08:00am – Subway to Umeda Station, ¥230
08:20am – Hanshin train to Mikage Station, FREE (Hanshin Pass)
09:20am – Kobe City Bus 16 to Rokko Cable Shita, FREE (Hanshin Pass)
10:00am – Cable Car to Rokko Cable Sanjo Station, FREE (Rokkosan Pass)
10:30am – Rokko Sanjo Bus to Rokko Snow Park, FREE (Rokkosan Pass)
10:45am – Rokko Snow Park, ¥2100
11:00am – Lunch, Restaurant Alpen Rose, ¥1200
12:00pm – Snow Activities
03:00pm – Sanjo Bus to Rokko Cable Sanjo Station, FREE (Rokkosan Pass)
03:15pm – Cable Car to Rokko Cable Shita Station, FREE (Rokkosan Pass)
03:45pm – Kobe City Bus 16 to Mikage Station, FREE (Hanshin Pass)
04:15pm – Hanshin train to Motomachi Station, FREE (Hanshin Pass)
04:45pm – Kobe Harborland. FREE.
07:30pm – Hanshin Train to Umeda Station, FREE (Hanshin Pass)
08:10pm – Dinner: Hanshin Department Store Snack Park, ¥1500
09:00pm – HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel, ¥600.
10:30pm – Subway to Namba Station, ¥230
Day 2: OSAKA TOUR
07:00am – Wake up call
08:30am – Subway to Tanimachiyonchome Station (Osaka Castle), FREE (OA Pass)
09:00am – Osaka Castle, FREE (OA Pass)
12:00nn – Subway to Nakatsu Station (Ramen Yashichi), FREE (OA Pass)
12:30nn – Lunch at Ramen Yashichi, ¥730
02:30pm – Subway to from Nakatsu to Umeda, FREE (OA Pass)
03:00pm – Umeda Sky Building Observatory, FREE (OA Pass)
04:30pm – Subway from Umeda to Namba, FREE (OA Pass)
05:00pm – Walk around Dotonbori
06:00pm – Japan Night Walk Tour, FREE (OA Pass)
08:00pm – Dinner at Tokisushi or Menya Jorouku Ramen, ¥1200
09:00pm – Back to hotel, sleep
Day 3: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
05:00am – Wake up call
06:00am – Subway to Tamagawa Station, ¥230
07:00am – Breakfast at Endo Sushi, ¥1242
09:00am – Train from Noda Station to Universal City, ¥160
09:15am – Universal Studios Japan, ¥7900 + ¥1500 lunch
08:00pm – Train to Osaka-Namba Station, ¥360
09:00pm – Dinner, ¥1000
Day 4: KYOTO DAY TOUR
07:00am – Wake up call
08:00am – Subway to Umeda Station, FREE (KT Pass)
08:30am – Hankyu train to Arashiyama, FREE (KT Pass)
09:30am – Explore Arashiyama, Tenryuji Fee: ¥500
12:00pm – Train to Kawaramachi Station, FREE (KT Pass)
12:30pm – Lunch at Butaya ton Ichi Teramachi, ¥1200
01:30pm – Walk to Gion District
02:00pm – Yasaka Shrine, FREE
03:00pm – Walk to Higashiyama District
04:00pm – Kiyomizu-dera Temple, ¥400
06:00pm – Walk to Kiyomizu-michi Bus Stop
06:30pm – Bus 207 to Shijo Kawaramachi Bus Stop, ¥230
07:30pm – Hankyu Train to Umeda Station, FREE (KT Pass)
08:30pm – Subway to Namba Station, FREE (KT Pass)
09:00pm – Dinner, ¥1000
Day 5: NARA DAY TOUR
06:30am – Check out, walk to Osaka-Namba Station
07:30am – Store luggage in locker, ¥700
08:06am – Train to Kintetsu-Nara Station, FREE (KT Pass)
09:00am – Explore 2 temples, entrance fee budget: ¥1300
12:00nn – Lunch, ¥1000
01:30pm – Nara Park
02:30pm – Kintetsu Train to Osaka-Namba, FREE (KT Pass)
04:00pm – Nankai Train to Airport, FREE (KT Pass)
05:30pm – Check in
08:30pm – Flight out
Cost Estimate: JPY 39,000 (USD362, SGD490, PHP18500, EUR320), excluding plane tickets, accommodations, and snow activities at Rokko Snow Park.
Osaka-Nara-Kobe-Kyoto: 6 Days, 5 nights
Duration: 6 days, 5 nights
Hotel stop: 5 nights in Osaka
PASSES YOU NEED:
- 1-day Hanshin Tourist Pass, ¥700, to be used on Day 2, Reserve here!
- 1-day Rokkosan Tourist Pass, ¥1000, to be used on Day 2, Reserve here!
- 1-day Osaka Amazing Pass, ¥2500, to be used on Day 4, Reserve Here!
- 1-day JR West Kansai Pass, ¥2200, to be used on Day 6, Reserve Here!
Day 1: DOTONBORI
12:30pm – Arrival at Kansai Airport
01:00pm – Collect Passes at Arrival Hall
01:39pm – Nankai Airport Express to Namba, ¥920
02:15pm – Walk to hotel
02:40pm – Hotel check in, freshen up
04:30pm – Kuromon Market, Budget: ¥1500
06:00pm – Dotonbori
08:00pm – Dinner at Tokisushi, ¥1134
10:00pm – Back to hotel, lights out
Day 2: KOBE DAY TOUR
07:00am – Wake up call
08:00am – Subway to Umeda Station, ¥230
08:20am – Hanshin train to Mikage Station, FREE (Hanshin Pass)
09:20am – Kobe City Bus 16 to Rokko Cable Shita, FREE (Hanshin Pass)
10:00am – Cable Car to Rokko Cable Sanjo Station, FREE (Rokkosan Pass)
10:30am – Rokko Sanjo Bus to Rokko Snow Park, FREE (Rokkosan Pass)
10:45am – Rokko Snow Park, ¥2100
11:00am – Lunch, Restaurant Alpen Rose, ¥1200
12:00pm – Snow Activities
03:00pm – Sanjo Bus to Rokko Cable Sanjo Station, FREE (Rokkosan Pass)
03:15pm – Cable Car to Rokko Cable Shita Station, FREE (Rokkosan Pass)
03:45pm – Kobe City Bus 16 to Mikage Station, FREE (Hanshin Pass)
04:15pm – Hanshin train to Motomachi Station, FREE (Hanshin Pass)
04:45pm – Kobe Harborland. FREE.
07:30pm – Hanshin Train to Umeda Station, FREE (Hanshin Pass)
08:10pm – Dinner: Hanshin Department Store Snack Park, ¥1500
09:00pm – HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel, ¥600.
10:30pm – Subway to Namba Station, ¥230
Day 3: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN
07:00am – Wake up call
08:20am – Walk to JR-Namba Station
09:00am – Train to UniversalCity Station, ¥180
09:30am – Universal Studios Japan, ¥7900, Reserve Here!
Food expenses: ¥2500
08:00pm – Train to Namba, ¥410
09:00pm – Late dinner, ¥1000
10:30pm – Back to hotel, lights out
Day 4: OSAKA CITY TOUR
05:00am – Wake up
06:00am – Subway to Tamagawa Station (Endo Sushi), FREE (OA Pass)
07:00am – Breakfast at Endo Sushi, ¥1242
08:30am – Subway to Tanimachiyonchome Station (Osaka Castle), FREE (OA Pass)
09:00am – Osaka Castle, FREE (OA Pass)
12:00nn – Subway to Nakatsu Station (Ramen Yashichi), FREE (OA Pass)
12:30nn – Lunch at Ramen Yashichi, ¥730
02:30pm – Subway to from Nakatsu to Umeda, FREE (OA Pass)
03:00pm – Umeda Sky Building Observatory, FREE (OA Pass)
04:30pm – Subway from Umeda to Namba, FREE (OA Pass)
05:00pm – Tombori River Cruise, FREE, (OA Pass)
06:00pm – Dotonbori Night Tour, FREE (OA Pass)
07:30pm – Early dinner at Tokisushi, ¥1134
10:30pm – Back to hotel, lights out
Day 5: NARA DAY TOUR
06:30am – Wake up call
08:00am – Walk to Osaka-Namba Station
08:06am – Osaka-Namba Station to KintetsuNara, ¥560
09:00am – Sarusawa-ike Pond
10:00am – Kofuku-ji Temple, museum, eastern hall, ¥800
12:00nn – Lunch, ¥1000
01:30pm – Gango-ji Temple, ¥500
03:00pm – Kasuga Taisha Shrine, ¥500
04:30pm – Nara Park, FREE
06:00pm – Dinner, ¥1500
07:08pm – Train to Osaka-Namba, ¥560
Day 6: KYOTO DAY TOUR
07:00am – Wake up, hotel check out
08:00am – JR Trains to Kyoto Station, FREE (JR West Pass)
09:00am – Leave bags in locker, ¥700
09:50am – Train to Saga-Arashiyama, FREE (JR West Pass)
10:10am – Explore Arashiyama, Tenryuji Fee: ¥500
12:00pm – Train to Kyoto Station, FREE
12:30pm – Lunch, ¥1000
01:40pm – Train to Inari Station, FREE (JR West Pass)
02:00pm – Fushimi Inari Shrine, FREE
04:00pm – Train to Kyoto Station, FREE
04:30pm – JR Ltd. Exp. Haruka train, FREE (JR West Pass)
06:00pm – Dinner, ¥1500
07:00pm – Flight check in
09:15pm – Flight out
Cost Estimate: JPY 43,000 (USD384, SGD527, PHP20800, EUR329), not counting hotels and plane tickets.
Budget Tips
If you’re on a tight budget, here are some ways to bring down the cost.
- Avoid eating out. All the itineraries above assume you’re eating out for every meal. Staying in a place with a kitchen or go to the grocery/supermarket for food instead of restaurants.
- If you must eat out, do so for lunch. I know, I know. You’re in Japan. It would be a shame to not experience its dining scene. If you really have to eat out, do so for lunch when you’re already out. For dinner, you can just buy something from the supermarket. This way, you have a perfect balance of supermarket and restaurant food.
- Skip Universal Studios Japan. You’ll be able to save 7900 yen if you replace it with something much cheaper.
- Drop the other destinations. The biggest fraction of the cost is spent on transportation. Visiting multiple destinations push the total expenses much higher. If budget is a concern, drop the other cities and focus on just one or two. To be honest, Osaka and Kyoto alone can fill a full week’s itinerary. You don’t have to see everything. You can have more fun if you don’t feel like you’re not on the season finale of the Amazing Race. Choose one or two destinations and stick to them.
Where to Book Tours
The budget estimate above is based on DIY. But if you want to join day tours instead, you can too. This way you have a travel guide so you could appreciate the significance and history of the sites better and some transfers/transportation too.
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Is this post helpful to you?
hi. would like to know if you used a jr west pass?or an osaka amazing pass? what do you recommend? thanks
Hi Marian. We have updated the post just now, so hopefully our update answers your question. :D
Hi whats the best pass to use? We will be staying in Osaka Nov 27-Dec3. We will be heading to nearby cities like Nara and Kyoto.
Hi Zhiara, depende kasi talaga sya sa itinerary mo eh. This post might be able to help: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/10/kansai-thru-pass-jr-osaka-amazing-icoca-best-difference/
Hi! we are planning a trip to Osaka for 6days. Planning to do your IT guide for Osaka-Kyoto-Nara/Kobe. My 70 yr old Mom will be joining us, do you think di sya mahihirapan if we follow your itinerary? if not, any suggestion? Thanks in advance!
Hi Dine, in general, these itineraries involve a lot of walking that can’t be helped if DIY. Example, the Osaka Castle grounds, it’s vast. It really requires a lot of walking.
So di ko sure if appropriate sa mom mo. Depende rin kasi sa current fitness nya. I know my mom, who is also a senior citizen, can do this itinerary with no problem. But my aunt na halos ka-age nya, hindi na kaya.
Hi!
I patterned my trip to one of your itineraries when I went to Hong Kong-Macau last year and it was very useful.
Will be in Osaka spring this year and I’m planning to do the 6-day itinerary.
Would you recommend I get an ICOCA IC card for this itinerary?
Thanks!
Hi Russell,
We’re currently in Kansai exploring Osaka/Kobe/Kyoto etc. We’ll be updating this very soon so baka mas ok ung updated na.
But to answer your question, yep. For the 6-day itinerary, the ICOCA card will be useful.
Great!
Will wait for your updates then.
Thanks Yoshke.
On the days that you did not use a pass (e.g. days 4 and 5 on your 6-day sample itinerary), did you just use an ICOCA card? If so, hindi ba sya more expensive, since regular fare sya? Thanks!
Hi Jing,
We’re actually currently writing a new set of itineraries to replace these dahil kakagaling lang namin from Kansai ulit.
You can use the itinerary in this post instead: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/03/what-to-do-in-osaka/#SAMPLE_OSAKA_ITINERARY
The sample there is only 1 5-Day itinerary so if you want to add Kobe, you can insert this 1-day itinerary to it: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2019/02/diy-kobe-days-trip-itinerary-osaka/
Hi
Other days with Yen amount, what train or pass need to buy so that it save money?
If i have extra days which is 7days in total, what do you do for extra days? do you go for kyoto for the extra days? or somewhere else in osaka?
Personally, I’d spend another day in Kyoto and visit other sites.
Hi good day,
We need your suggestion please, as we have a family trip coming this May 25 to 29 arrival in Osaka then exit in Nagoya. Its too hard for us to decide which pass we will avail Kintetsu Pass and amazing pass? do we still need to
avail the hankyu for Kyoto day tour? thanks much and God bless. jean
Hi Jean, can you share the details of your itinerary?
Hi! Your posts have been extremely helpful, thank you so much.
We’re planning on an Osaka-Kyoto-Nara trip in 8 days for our honeymoon. 1 day for Nara, 5 days to explore Osaka (incl Universal Studios and Minoo Park). Our IT is not set in stone yet, but having read your posts related to Kyoto, I feel like Kyoto should be 2 days if we want to do Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama Bamboo Groves, Tenryu-ji and a leisurely stroll around Gion in kimonos.
Would you recommend staying the night in Kyoto instead of going back and forth from Osaka? I can’t tell if switching hotels with luggage is less of a hassle and less costly than having to travel ‘balikan’ to/from Osaka…
Additionally, if we have a JR West pass, do we still need a Hankyu Tourist Pass? Appreciate your guidance.
Hi Chenyl,
I would definitely recommend staying longer in Kyoto if you have more time. I always spend at least 3 days in Kyoto because I love the vibe of the city.
Actually this post is a bit outdated. We would recommend using Kansai Thru Pass instead. It covers Hankyu network too. We just haven’t found the time to update this post, but basically, Kansai Thru Pass will be more cost-efficient.
Hi
I will be going to Osaka 3 – 15 Nov 19. I intend to cover Osaka, Kyoto & Kobe during this trip but if my time allows & worth going, I would love to cover Nara too. I will be arriving in the morning around 9am on 3 Nov and I’m wondering where I should start exploring 1st – Osaka or Kyoto? Also I have heard about the different passes available but i’m still a bit confuse. If my itinerary covers these places – Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe & Nara, is Kansai Thru Pass sufficient? Or should I also get a JR pass ? Also I dont see many people talk about Kobe – is a day trip gd enough or should I at least spend 1 night there? Sorry, It’s my 1st trip to the Kansai area and there is so much to read. & check..I’m feeling a bit giddy already.. haha… Thanks!
Hi Kimi, no need for JR Pass if you’re staying within Kansai region. A Kansai Thru Pass in combination with city passes are often enough. You just need to build your itinerary well.
Since you have plenty of time, you can stay overnight in Kobe if you want. :)
Hi! We’ll be travelling to Kansai region some time this month with Osaka as our base city. Our itinerary is as follows:
Day 1 – Arrive Osaka
Day 2 – Universal Studios Japan
Day 3 – Osaka
Day 4 – Osaka
Day 5 – Kyoto
Day 6 – Kyoto
Day 7 – Kobe
Day 8 – Nara park; flight back to Manila
We already purchased the ICOCA IC Card and Osaka Amazing Pass; however, I’m still not sure which passes we should use, specifically for Days 5-7. I have read in some of your blog posts that you recommend buying separate passes (Hankyu and/or Hanshin w/ Rokkosan). But I think those are outdated since I have also seen in the comments that you think the Kansai Thru Pass would be cost-efficient. As of now, which passes should we use given our itinerary?
Looking forward to your reply. Thanks!
Hi Vashtie Uy. I have 8 days din. Is the itinerary you mentioned okay?
Hi Vashtie,
Yung nirerecommend ko is depende talaga sa itinerary. If kunyari, Kobe lang, I would recommend just Hanshin Pass. Pero if may ibang cities involved, mas okay ang KTP.
In your case, I recommend a combination of 3-day Kansai Thru Pass, Hanshin Pass, Hankyu Pass, and Osaka Amazing Pass.
Day 1 – KTP (Day 1)
Day 2 – No pass
Day 3-4 – Osaka Amazing Pass
Day 5 – Hankyu Pass — visit Kyoto attractions along Hankyu line
Day 6 – KTP (Day 2) — visit other Kyoto attractions na wala sa Hankyu line
Day 7 – Hanshin Pass
Day 8 – KTP (Day 3)
:)
Your reply is very much appreciated! Thank you so much. :)
Hi – thank you for all the information you’ve been sharing. Such a huge help esp to those who are going there for the first time :)
Question! If Day 0 we’ll be arriving 8:00 PM at Osaka, Day 1 will be in Kyoto (We’ll use JR West Pass as I saw on your blog), Day 2 will be in Nara (Just Sarusawa-ike Pond, Kofuku-ji Temple, Nara Park), Day 3 USJ, Day 4 Osaka Castle then fly out at 3:00 PM. Which pass will you recommend to go around and for the airport transfers?
Hi Ella,
Don’t book the JR West Pass if you’re going to use it for Osaka-Kyoto only. For me, it only makes sense to use it for Kyoto if you’re airport-bound on the same day and you’re taking the Haruka train.
Otherwise, get a cheaper pass for Kyoto like Hankyu Pass or Osaka-Kyoto Keihan Pass.
Given your itinerary, other than the Kyoto day, it might be better to not use passes for other days. Just use ICOCA instead. I could be wrong but that’s what I would do.
Hi Yoshke,
Thank you so much for replying. After our Osaka-Kyoto-Nara, we’ll be flying to Sapporo then fly to Tokyo. One more question please, does this mean we’ll need ICOCA, Kitaca and Suica cards? There’s no card for all the destinations?
Hi Ella, no, you need just one card. All of them works JR/subways with IC readers.
You can use ICOCA in Hokkaido and Tokyo.
Likewise, you can use SUICA in Kansai and Hokkaido.
Will the hankyu and rokkosan pass cover my one day trip to kobe if I follow your itinerary for kobe (sake brewery museum+Mt.Rokko)?
Hi Rea!
Yep! We have a more detailed version of that 1-day Kobe itinerary here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2019/02/diy-kobe-days-trip-itinerary-osaka/
Hi Yoshke! Thank you for sharing the information. This is my IT
Day 1: arrived at kansai airport (9 am) then strolling aroud osaka
Day 2: strolling around osaka
Day 3: shopping around namba/dotonburi
Day 4: usj
Day 5: kyoto (fushimi inari, gion, kiyomizudera)
Day 6: kyoto (arashiyama) then nara (half days)
My question;
On day 1 and 2 im going to use osaka amazing pass 2 days. But this pass wont cover my trip from kansai. What pass should i use?
Day 3 and 4 i will use icoca
And can you suggest what pass should i take for day 5 and 6?
Thank you very much
Hi Michelle,
For Day 1, you can use Yokoso Osaka ticket instead. It covers the journey from airport to city center. You can also use it to explore Osaka.
For Day 5-6, where is your hotel? Osaka or Kyoto? And will u be going back to the airport after Nara? What time is your flight?
Hi Yoshke,
For transport from kansai, is it easier to take train or bus? And what kind of train/bus? My family will bring lots of luggages. I’m afraid if we take train, we cant have seat and need to carry the luggages
For day 5-6 i will stay at osaka.
Day 7 will go to tokyo by shinkansen in the morning (9 am)
Thank you
Re BUS vs TRAIN from airport, check the location of your hotel. If it’s closer to a Nankai Airport Express Station (Nankai Namba, etc) or JR KANSAI AIRPORT Rapid Line Station (Tennoji, Osaka St.), then okay lang ang train kasi direct and walang transfer along that line. Marami namang trains so if puno na ung isa, wait for the next para makaupo.
If mas malapit sa OCAT or other bus stops, then bus.
For Day 5, you can use Osaka-Kyoto Sightseeing Pass by Keihan.
For Day 6, parang better if i-ICOCA mo na lang din.
Thank you so much!! Really appreciate your kindnes
Hello,
Will be visiting Osaka this coming October. Currently looking at the “Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe-Nara: 5 Days, 5 nights” itenerary. Ask ko lang sana if same pa din ba ang mga “Passes” na needed to maximize our tour.
Thanks in Advance!
yep.
Thanks! Your post is very helpful sir!
Hi. Visiting Osaka this November for 7 days and will try this – Osaka-Nara-Kobe-Kyoto_6_Days_5_nights
Should we buy the passes now or on November na before going to Japan?
It seems Rokko Snow Park is closed (opening late November) but is is till worth to go there? Can’t find other Kobe itinerary as details as yours. It is our first time in Japan (2 adults) Thanks.
Hi Elena,
Marami naman pwedeng gawin sa Mt. Rokko, pero depende pa rin yun sa taste nyo kung ano ma-eenjoy nyo. Visit na lang this site, tapos check nyo if merong nag-aappeal sa inyo: https://www.rokkosan.com/en/
:)
Hello,
I hope you can reply. Appreciate your help in advance.
What if our place is near IZUMISANO and we will be using your helpful itinerary which is Osaka-Kyoto-Kobe-Nara: 5 Days, 5 nights ?
Can you add the IZUMISANO as our start? Do we need another Train ticket? Please let me know.
Thank you so much.
I haven’t been to the Izumisano area so I can’t be sure. But upon checking, it looks like it’s close to the airport and is a bit too far from the city center of Osaka. If you make this your base, it can be quite challenging. Going from Izumisano to Kyoto or Kobe can take much longer than if you’re coming from the city center.
If you have no choice but to stay in Izumisano, then I suggest that you get a 3-DAY KANSAI THRU PASS and use it on the days that you will explore Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. These are Days 1, 2 and 4 of your itinerary.
If you have the Kansai Thru Pass, you won’t need the Hanshin Pass.
You can still use an Osaka Amazing pass for Day 1 for the FREE entry to the attractions. If you’re not interested in the attractions and you only need to take the Osaka Metro, no need for the Osaka Amazing pass because the Kansai Thru Pass also comes with unlimited Osaka Metro rides.
Hello Sir, good day! My family and I will be visiting Osaka this coming December. While reading at your itinerary, Osaka-Nara-Kyoto: 5 Days, 4 nights to use as reference for our trip, I’m wondering if this passes will be possible if our hotel is near Osaka Ue Honmachi Station? And what card should we use if this is the direction going to the hotel?
from Kansai Airpot,
Nankai Kuko Line
Kansai Kuko Station
↓
Namba (Transfer to Kintetsu Nara Line)
↓
Osaka Ue Honmachi Station
↓
Walk (6min)
I am really hoping for your positive response. Thank you and God bless!
Hi Gail, parang better yung 5D-5N sample for you kasi ung station near your place ay covered by Kansai Thru Pass. Remove Day 0 and i-adjust mo na lang yung Day 1. :)
Hi there! First, thanks so much for this blog as I get to have an idea how to plan out travel accordingly.
Have a question on the best Rail Pass.
Will be flying via Kansai airport for Osaka-Kyoto-Nara-Nagoya trip within all within 6days and Tokyo for 7days flying out from Narita airport. Except for the theme parks, will follow your itinerary most days.
Is JR Pass worth it just to navigate from Kansai Airport-Namba-Nagoya-Shinjuku-Narita? Im thinking of Kintetsu pass then just get a Tokyo Suica? Thanks.
Hi Harriette,
Yep, Kintetsu Rail Pass might be the better choice for you. Then use additional city passes like Osaka Amazing Pass for Osaka, Meguru Pass for Nagoya, and IC cards (SUICA/PASMO) for Tokyo. :)
Super thanks!
Hi, we will be having our 5-day family trip to Osaka-Kyoto-Nara this coming December. And I really don’t know what passess to avail. But I am trying to follow your 4days, 4 night itinerary.
Hi! I’m traveling to KIX in December and we arrive midday, 3pm. Our itinerary is flexible in the first 2.5 days and it’s tied down in the remaining 3 days
Day 1: Osaka Downtown
Day 2: Cup noodles, asahi, and anywhere from here (suggestions pls)
Day 3: Kobe day tour (sake museum, mt. rokko)
Day 4: Osaka City Tour (Castle, Umeda, Dotonbori) – OA Pass
Day 5: USJ
Day 6: Kyoto-Nara – Private Tour
For the first 3 days, should I just get the Kansai Thru Pass or a mixture of the different passes. Let me know. Would greatly appreciate it. Thanks
Hi Alex,
I’d just get Hanshin Pass for Kobe day and probably ICOCA for Days 1-2.
Hi Yoshke,
A bit of help please with the pass to use.
Day 0 – Arrival at night time at Osaka Airport – ICOCA
Day 1 – Osaka Castle then Mie Prefecture for Nabano No Sato
Day 2 – Kyoto – Arashiyama + Inari then Nara for Deer Park
Day 3 – USJ
Day 4 – Flight to Hokkaido in the afternoon
Which passes should I get?
—Will the Kintetsu Rail Pass Plus (5 days) be enough? Then ICOCA for the rest?
Thank you so much for your time and effort.
Hi Sarah,
Yes, I think Kintetsu Rail Pass is the best pass for this. Just mind your timings on Day 1 because Nabano No Sato is far from Osaka.
hi, Merry Christmas!
Me and my family is going to Japan/Osaka Jan12-18, all DiY.
I would really want to experience going to a Ski Resort.
One of your IT in Kobe includes Rokko Park, but i am considering
Hakodateyama too. what is your recommendation on this?
Hi Jong,
I haven’t been to Hakodateyama so I can’t make any recommendation. But from what I have heard, Hakodateyama is bigger and has slopes for intermediate and advanced skiers.
Rokko Snow Park is mainly for beginners. It’s pretty small and has only one slope for skiers, and it’s a gentle slope.
thanks for the prompt reply!
follow up question, if we will just go to Kyoto for 1 day from Osaka,
what would you recommend??
KTpass?
JRwest pass?
day tours from Osaka? (klook)
we are a family of 6, (4kids+parents).
Depends on your itinerary for that day.
If you follow this itinerary, you’ll need a Hankyu Pass: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2019/02/kyoto-day-trip-diy-itinerary/
Re: Osaka-Nara-Kyoto: 5 Days, 4 nights
Dear Yoshke,
For Day 2 – Universsl Studios, pls advise if you really mean 930PM or 930AM to Universal Studios. I am quite confused by the following:
Day 2: UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN
07:00am – Wake up call
08:20am – Walk to JR-Namba Station
09:00am – Train to UniversalCity Station, ¥180
09:30pm – Universal Studios Japan, ¥7900, Reserve Here!
Food expenses: ¥2500
08:00pm – Train to Namba, ¥410
08:40pm – Hotel check in
09:00pm – Late dinner, ¥1000
10:30pm – Back to hotel, lights out
Pls advise also if there is a change in hotel room here as I noticed that there is Hotel check-in at 8:40pm.
I would appreciate your feedback as I am planning my itinerary to these llaces.
Thanks so much in advance.
LD
Hi Leona,
That should be 9:30am. Then the “hotel check in” should not be there at all.
Thanks for spotting! Great catch. Will update these.
i hope you can help me with this, my daughter , my mom (75yrs old ) and hubby will be going to osaka this month, they will be staying in ikuno ward , namba area, can you suggest any SENIOR friendly (less walk) spots? best to use ICOCA right since they want to go to Kyoto and Nara for a day tour.
they will arrive around 12 noon might the Korean Town since the BNB is around that area.
thank you po i hope you can answer my inquiry
What is the nearest station to their hotel?
Hi,
I’m looking at your 5D5N itinerary. So I will be coming from Tokyo to Umeda through night bus and I’m not going through KIX, where can I buy or pickup the passes (Hanshin Tourist, Rokkosan Tourist, Osaka Amazing, Kansai Thru) in person if not through Klook or KIX?
The restriction of the passes says short stay visa, my visa is student and valid for one year. I’m from the Philippines but I’m here in Japan for exchange for only 4 months. Would there be issues on purchasing the passes?
Looking forward to your kind response. Thank you.
Hi Aisha,
I have no idea about the student visa.
regarding where to pick up, the place where all the passes you mentioned are available is Hankyu Tourist Center Osaka-Umeda. There are many others, but that’s what’s in common to all of them. For other places, you can check out each card’s official pages. They usually have a list.
Hi update. I was able to buy OA pass at the station with no problem. However, I was refused the Hanshin and Rokkosan at ic Camera Namba due to my student visa status. If I fail to obtain the passes, how do you suppose I go about going to Rokko snow park and Kobe in general?
Good day, hope you can help me which PASS/icoca to purchase with below IT please, we’lll be travelling in Kansai region together with our 3 kids. See below for reference.
Day 1 – Arrival KIX Airport (Night) Can I just purchase Nankai Line Airport Express Ticket? Hotel is in Namba walking distance from Kintetsu-Nippombashi Station)
Day 2 – Osaka (Osaka Castle, Osaka Aquarium, Tonbori River Cruise, Dotonbori, Tempozan Ferris Wheel, Kuromun Market & Dotonbori -walking distance from our hotel)
Day 3 – Kyoto (Arashiyama, Tenryuji/Kinkaku-ji/Fushimi Inari Shrine/ Gion District/ Kiyomizu-dera Temple)
Day 4 – USJ (icoca?)
Day 5 – USJ (icoca?)
Day 6 – Kobe (Mt. Rokko, snowpark, Kobe Harborland) go to Umeda
Day 7 – Nara then flight back to Manila (Explore 2temples & Nara Park) go back to namba for luggage, flight back to manila (Nankai Line express ticket to airport?)
May I know what passes will be applicable to our IT based on the updated Passes available on the market right now?
Grateful if you can help us please. TIA.
Hi, would you have an itinerary that’s 9 days for Osaka, Kyoto and nearby regions? Thanks
Hi! You can combine the 6 day itinerary in this post with the Nagoya itinerary here: https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2017/05/nagoya-japan-travel-guide/#Sample_Nagoya_Itinerary
hi, want to ask for the pass for my trip.
1st day > arrive 8pm osaka > stay kyoto
2nd day > arashiyama > golden pavilion > Philosopher’s Path
3rd day > kyoto – osaka (checkout) > toei movie studio > osaka check in + hep five feris + roaming around
4th day > osaka osaka amazing pass > endo sushi > osaka aquarium + mall roaming + food trip > dotonburi food tour
5th day > osaka – kobe > kobe day tour + steakland > Hanshin Tourist Pass + Rokkosan Tourist Pass > kuromon market
6th day > osaka free > shopping and food trip > 6pm to airport osaka
that’s my plan? is it good already ? or maybe you can suggest better plan and better pass..
i still not sure using what pass for 2nd, 3rd and 5th day.
TIA
hi, could you please help me to choose which plan better from my itineraries and which pass better ?
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZNXk2aM4trdwi18K_v0Jol7Q4Cd01jRlelyMK2mR_48/edit#gid=194546077