7-Day Day Trip Itinerary from Osaka to Kyoto, Nara, and Himeji

Day 1: Osaka City Tour

Osaka, Japan

8:00AM

Breakfast at Kuromon Ichiba Market

Start your day with fresh seafood and local street food at Kuromon Ichiba Market, open from 9:00AM to 6:00PM.

Approx. ¥1500, 1 hour

9:30AM

Osaka Castle

Explore Osaka Castle, a historic icon with beautiful grounds and panoramic views from the top. Open 9:00AM–5:00PM.

¥600, 2 hours

12:00PM

Lunch at Dotonbori

Enjoy lunch at Dotonbori, famous for takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Plenty of restaurants open throughout the day.

¥1500, 1.5 hours

2:00PM

Shinsaibashi Shopping

Shop along Shinsaibashi Shopping Street with a variety of stores and boutiques, open until 9:00PM.

Free entry, 2 hours

5:00PM

Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden Observatory

Visit this observatory for sunset views over Osaka. Open from 10:00AM to 10:30PM.

¥1500, 1 hour

7:00PM

Dinner in Umeda

Dine at a local Izakaya or sushi restaurant around Umeda Station.

¥3000, 2 hours

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Day 2: Kyoto Day Trip

Kyoto, Japan

7:30AM

Travel Osaka to Kyoto

Take JR Special Rapid Service from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station (about 30 minutes).

¥570, 30 minutes

8:30AM

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Visit the iconic Golden Pavilion, open from 9:00AM to 5:00PM.

¥400, 1.5 hours

10:30AM

Ryoan-ji Temple

Walk to Ryoan-ji to experience Japan’s famous rock garden, open 8:00AM–5:00PM.

¥500, 1 hour

12:00PM

Lunch at Nishiki Market

Return to central Kyoto for diverse food options and traditional snacks at Nishiki Market.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Gion District Walk

Explore historic streets of Gion, spotting traditional machiya houses and possibly Geisha. Free open access.

Free, 1.5 hours

3:30PM

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Visit the famous shrine with thousands of torii gates, open 24 hours.

Free, 2 hours

6:00PM

Travel Kyoto to Osaka

Return to Osaka via JR Special Rapid Service (30 minutes).

¥570, 30 minutes

7:00PM

Dinner near Osaka Station

Choose from restaurants around Osaka Station for a variety of cuisines to end your day.

¥2500, 1.5 hours

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Day 3: Kyoto Cultural Day

Kyoto, Japan

7:00AM

Travel Osaka to Kyoto

Ride JR Special Rapid Service to Kyoto (30 minutes).

¥570, 30 minutes

8:00AM

Nijo Castle

Explore Nijo Castle, famous for its nightingale floors, open 8:45AM–5:00PM.

¥1000, 2 hours

10:30AM

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Visit the former residence of the Imperial family; free admission, tours require prior registration, garden open 9:00AM–4:30PM.

Free, 1.5 hours

12:30PM

Lunch at Kyoto Station

Enjoy Kyoto regional cuisine at the station’s dining areas before heading to the afternoon activities.

¥1500, 1 hour

2:00PM

Philosopher’s Path and Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji)

Walk the scenic Philosopher’s Path ending at Ginkaku-ji Temple, open 8:30AM–5:00PM.

¥500, 3 hours

5:30PM

Travel Kyoto to Osaka

Return to Osaka by train (30 minutes).

¥570, 30 minutes

6:30PM

Dinner at Dotombori

Relax with dinner in the Dotombori area with lively atmosphere.

¥3000, 2 hours

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Day 4: Nara Day Trip

Nara, Japan

8:00AM

Travel Osaka to Nara

Take JR Yamatoji Rapid Service from Osaka Station to Nara Station (about 45 minutes).

¥800, 45 minutes

9:00AM

Todai-ji Temple

Visit Todai-ji, home of the Daibutsu (Great Buddha), open 7:30AM–5:30PM.

¥600, 2 hours

11:30AM

Nara Deer Park

Walk through the park with freely roaming deer, adjacent to Todai-ji.

Free, 1 hour

12:30PM

Lunch at Nara-machi

Enjoy lunch in the historic Nara-machi district with traditional eateries.

¥1500, 1 hour

2:00PM

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Visit Kasuga Taisha, famous for its stone and bronze lanterns, open 6:30AM–5:00PM.

¥500, 1.5 hours

4:00PM

Travel Nara to Osaka

Return by JR rapid service to Osaka (45 minutes).

¥800, 45 minutes

6:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Eat near your accommodation or try Osaka specialties like kushikatsu in Shinsekai.

¥2500, 2 hours

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Day 5: Himeji Castle Day Trip

Himeji, Japan

7:30AM

Travel Osaka to Himeji

Take the JR Shinkansen or Special Rapid Service from Osaka Station to Himeji Station (approximately 1 hour).

¥1500 (Rapid), ¥3,500 (Shinkansen), 1 hour

8:30AM

Himeji Castle

Tour Japan’s most well-preserved castle, open 9:00AM–5:00PM.

¥1000, 3 hours

12:00PM

Lunch on Otemae Street

Relax and enjoy local cuisine nearby the castle.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Kokoen Garden

Visit this beautiful Japanese garden next to the castle. Open 9:00AM–5:00PM.

¥300, 1.5 hours

3:30PM

Himeji City Museum of Art or shopping

Explore local culture or shop around Himeji Station area.

¥300–Free, 2 hours

6:00PM

Travel Himeji to Osaka

Return via train to Osaka Station (about 1 hour).

¥1500, 1 hour

7:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Enjoy dinner close to Osaka Station.

¥2500, 2 hours

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Day 6: Additional Himeji and Local Exploration

Himeji, Japan

8:00AM

Travel Osaka to Himeji

Morning train to Himeji (1 hour).

¥1500, 1 hour

9:30AM

Shoshazan Engyo-ji Temple

Visit this mountain temple complex accessed via ropeway, open 8:40AM–5:00PM.

¥1500 including Ropeway, 3 hours

1:00PM

Lunch near Mount Shosha Ropeway Station

Enjoy lunch with scenic views nearby.

¥1500, 1 hour

2:30PM

Himeji City Zoo

Explore the local zoo featuring various animals, open 9:00AM–5:00PM.

¥800, 2 hours

5:00PM

Travel Himeji to Osaka

Return train to Osaka.

¥1500, 1 hour

6:30PM

Dinner in Osaka

Conclude your day with dinner at an Osaka restaurant, perhaps trying yakiniku (grilled meat).

¥3000, 2 hours

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Day 7: Relax & Local Exploration

Osaka, Japan

9:00AM

Breakfast at hotel or nearby cafe

Start the day leisurely with breakfast close to your accommodation.

¥1000, 1 hour

10:30AM

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

Visit this unique Shinto shrine with classical architecture in Osaka, open 6:00AM–5:00PM.

Free, 1.5 hours

12:30PM

Lunch at Tennoji

Enjoy lunch in Tennoji area, with various food halls and restaurants.

¥1500, 1 hour

2:00PM

Abeno Harukas Observatory

Visit Japan’s tallest skyscraper with a great city view, open 9:00AM–10:00PM.

¥1500, 2 hours

5:00PM

Shopping at Abeno Q's Mall or Namba Parks

Spend your afternoon shopping in these popular malls.

Free, 2 hours

7:30PM

Farewell Dinner

Celebrate your trip’s end with a memorable dinner at a high-end Osaka restaurant specializing in traditional Kaiseki cuisine or sushi.

¥6000, 2 hours

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