4-Day Cultural Exploration of Osaka, Nara, Kyoto, and Himeji

Day 1: Explore Osaka

Osaka, Japan on May 15, 2025

9:00am

Breakfast at Kuromon Ichiba Market

Start your day sampling fresh and delicious street food in this vibrant market, known for its fresh seafood and seasonal produce. Open from 9am, ideal for an early breakfast.

JPY1000-2000, 1h

10:30am

Visit Osaka Castle

Explore this iconic landmark, a historic castle with beautiful grounds and a museum narrating Osaka’s history. Open 9am-5pm.

JPY600, 2h

1:00pm

Lunch at Dotonbori Street

Enjoy local specialties like takoyaki and okonomiyaki at one of Dotonbori’s famous street-side restaurants, open throughout the afternoon.

JPY1000-1500, 1h30m

3:00pm

Explore Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade

Walk through Osaka’s premier shopping district, perfect for souvenir shopping and people watching.

Free, 2h

6:30pm

Dinner at a Kushikatsu Restaurant in Shinsekai

Experience Osaka’s famous deep-fried skewers in the retro neighborhood of Shinsekai. Many restaurants open until 10pm.

JPY2000-3000, 1h30m

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Day 2: Temples and Deer Park

Nara, Japan on May 16, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at a local café

Enjoy a light Japanese-style breakfast near Nara Station, open from 7am.

JPY700-1200, 1h

9:30am

Visit Todai-ji Temple

See the Great Buddha hall and explore one of Japan’s most famous temples. The park and temple open from 7:30am-5:30pm.

JPY600, 2h

12:00pm

Lunch near Nara Park

Opt for traditional Japanese cuisine near Nara Park, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and views of the deer.

JPY1500-2000, 1h

1:30pm

Walk through Nara Park and Deer Feeding

Spend time among the friendly free-roaming deer in the expansive park, a unique Nara experience.

JPY150 for deer crackers, 1h30m

3:30pm

Visit Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Explore the picturesque shrine known for its hundreds of stone and bronze lanterns. Open 6am-6pm.

JPY500, 1h

6:00pm

Return to Osaka and dinner at Umeda Sky Building

Dine with a view at one of the restaurants in Umeda Sky Building’s Floating Garden Observatory area. Restaurants usually open till 9pm.

JPY3000-4000, 1h30m

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Day 3: Historic Kyoto

Kyoto, Japan on May 17, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at a Kyoto bakery

Try traditional Japanese pastries and coffee at a local bakery near Kyoto Station, open from 7am.

JPY800-1200, 1h

8:30am

Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine

Walk through thousands of iconic red torii gates at one of the most famous shrines in Kyoto. Open 24 hours, best to visit early to avoid crowds.

Free, 2h

11:00am

Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Experience stunning views and historic architecture at this UNESCO World Heritage site. Open 6am-6pm.

JPY400, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch at Gion District

Enjoy traditional Kyoto cuisine in the atmospheric Gion area, known for its tea houses and geisha culture.

JPY2000-3000, 1h30m

3:00pm

Stroll through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Walk amid towering bamboo stalks and visit nearby Tenryu-ji Temple. Bamboo Grove is open all day and free to enter.

Temples may have entry fees around JPY500, 2h

6:30pm

Dinner in Pontocho Alley

Dine at a riverside restaurant offering local specialties and a charming ambiance; most restaurants open until 10pm.

JPY3500-5000, 1h30m

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Day 4: Castle and Return

Himeji and Osaka, Japan on May 18, 2025

7:00am

Early breakfast near Himeji Station

Fuel up with a quick breakfast at a convenient café open from 7am before visiting the castle.

JPY600-1000, 45m

8:00am

Visit Himeji Castle

Explore Japan’s best-preserved and most spectacular castle, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The castle opens at 9am, but surrounding park areas can be enjoyed earlier.

JPY1000, 3h