7-Day Itinerary in Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji with 4-Day JR Pass Plan

Day 1: Universal Studios Japan

Osaka, Japan

7:30AM

Travel to Universal Studios Japan

Take JR Yumesaki Line from Osaka Station to Universal City Station (15-20 minutes), paying with ICOCA card as JR Pass not yet activated.
¥180, 15 minutes

8:30AM

Universal Studios Japan Entrance

Enjoy a full day exploring the park’s attractions. Open 8:30AM to 9:00PM.
¥8200, 10.5 hours

12:30PM

Lunch at park

Eat at themed eateries inside the park offering a variety of cuisines.
¥1500–¥2500, 1 hour

6:00PM

Dinner at Universal Citywalk

Enjoy dinner outside the main park area in the bustling Citywalk district.
¥2000, 1.5 hours

8:30PM

Return to Osaka central

Take train back to Osaka Station, again paying with ICOCA card.
¥180, 15 minutes
View Hotel Availability

Day 2: Kyoto Day Trip (JR Pass Activated)

Kyoto, Japan

7:30AM

Activate 4-day JR Pass and travel to Kyoto

From Osaka Station take JR Special Rapid Service (covered by JR Pass) to Kyoto (30 minutes).
Included with JR Pass, 30 minutes

8:30AM

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Visit the iconic golden temple and surrounding gardens, open 9:00AM–5:00PM.
¥400, 1.5 hours

10:30AM

Ryoan-ji Temple

Explore the renowned Zen rock garden. Open 8:00AM–5:00PM.
¥500, 1 hour

12:00PM

Lunch at Nishiki Market

Taste local Kyoto specialties and street food treats.
¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Gion District Walking Tour

Enjoy the historic neighborhood with traditional shops and possible Geisha sightings.
Free, 1.5 hours

3:30PM

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Walk the famous thousands of Torii gates, open 24 hours.
Free, 2 hours

6:00PM

Return to Osaka

Return via JR Special Rapid Service, covered by JR Pass.
Included with JR Pass, 30 minutes

7:00PM

Dinner near Osaka Station

Try fresh sushi or izakaya dining close to the hotel.
¥3000, 2 hours
View Hotel Availability

Day 3: Kyoto Cultural Highlights (JR Pass Day 2)

Kyoto, Japan

7:00AM

Travel Osaka to Kyoto

Use JR pass on Special Rapid Service (30 minutes).
Included with JR Pass, 30 minutes

8:00AM

Nijo Castle

Tour the beautiful castle with historic architecture, open 8:45AM–5:00PM.
¥1000, 2 hours

10:30AM

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Free to explore the gardens, palace tours require reservation. Open 9:00AM–4:30PM.
Free, 1.5 hours

12:30PM

Lunch at Kyoto Station

Enjoy local cuisine at a station restaurant.
¥1500, 1 hour

2:00PM

Philosopher’s Path & Ginkaku-ji

Walk along the scenic path to Silver Pavilion temple, open 8:30AM–5:00PM.
¥500, 3 hours

5:30PM

Return to Osaka

JR special rapid train to Osaka (30 minutes).
Included with JR Pass, 30 minutes

6:30PM

Dinner at Dotonbori

Experience Osaka’s famous street food like okonomiyaki and takoyaki.
¥3000, 2 hours
View Hotel Availability

Day 4: Nara Day Trip (Last JR Pass Day)

Nara, Japan

8:00AM

Train Osaka to Nara

Use JR Yamatoji Rapid Service, covered by JR pass (45 minutes).
Included with JR Pass, 45 minutes

9:00AM

Todai-ji Temple

Visit the temple housing giant Buddha statue, open 7:30AM–5:30PM.
¥600, 2 hours

11:30AM

Nara Deer Park

Walk with freely roaming deer in expansive park grounds.
Free, 1 hour

12:30PM

Lunch in Nara-machi

Enjoy lunch at quaint local cafes or restaurants.
¥1500, 1 hour

2:00PM

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Explore the famous shrine with thousands of lanterns, open 6:30AM–5:00PM.
¥500, 1.5 hours

4:00PM

Return to Osaka

JR train back to Osaka, last use day of JR pass.
Included with JR Pass, 45 minutes

6:00PM

Dinner at Shinsekai

Try Osaka's specialty kushikatsu in the nostalgic neighborhood.
¥2500, 2 hours
View Hotel Availability

Day 5: Kobe Day Trip (Last JR Pass Day)

Kobe, Japan

8:00AM

Travel Osaka to Kobe

Use JR Special Rapid Service to Sannomiya Station, covered by JR pass (30 minutes).
Included with JR Pass, 30 minutes

9:00AM

Kobe Harborland

Enjoy shopping, harbor views, and cafes by the waterfront.
Free, 2 hours

11:30AM

Nunobiki Herb Gardens Ropeway

Ride the scenic ropeway to beautiful gardens. Open 9:30AM–5:00PM.
¥1150, 2 hours

1:30PM

Lunch at Chinatown Nankinmachi

Explore Kobe’s Chinatown and enjoy tasty Asian dishes.
¥1500, 1 hour

3:00PM

Kitano-cho District

Visit western-style historic homes and museums.
¥300, 2 hours

5:30PM

Return to Osaka

JR train back to Osaka (30 minutes), final JR pass usage.
Included with JR Pass, 30 minutes

6:30PM

Dinner in Osaka

Relish a local delicacy like teppanyaki or local seafood.
¥3000, 2 hours
View Hotel Availability

Day 6: Himeji Castle & Garden

Himeji, Japan

7:30AM

Travel to Himeji from Osaka

Take regular JR train with ICOCA card (not JR Pass), approx. 1 hour, ¥1500.
¥1500, 1 hour

8:30AM

Himeji Castle

Explore the iconic castle, open 9:00AM–5:00PM.
¥1000, 3 hours

12:00PM

Lunch near Castle

Casual lunch in Otemae street’s restaurants.
¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Kokoen Garden

Visit peaceful Japanese garden next to castle, open 9:00AM–5:00PM.
¥300, 1.5 hours

3:30PM

Himeji Shopping or Museum

Explore local art museum or shopping areas near station.
¥0–¥300, 2 hours

6:00PM

Return to Osaka

Train back with ICOCA card, pay regular fare.
¥1500, 1 hour

7:00PM

Dinner near hotel

Relax with dinner at a casual restaurant or izakaya.
¥2500, 2 hours
View Hotel Availability

Day 7: Osaka Highlights & Shopping

Osaka, Japan

9:00AM

Breakfast at local cafe

Start morning with coffee and pastries.
¥1000, 1 hour

10:30AM

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine

Visit traditional shrine with unique Taisha style architecture, open 6:00AM–5:00PM.
Free, 1.5 hours

12:30PM

Lunch in Tennoji District

Enjoy food court or local restaurants in Tennoji shopping area.
¥1500, 1 hour

2:00PM

Abeno Harukas Observatory

Take in panoramic city views from Japan’s tallest building, open 9:00AM–10:00PM.
¥1500, 2 hours

5:00PM

Shopping at Abeno Q's Mall or Namba Parks

Shop in stylish malls featuring international and Japanese brands.
Free, 2 hours

7:30PM

Farewell Kaiseki Dinner

Dine on exquisite kaiseki cuisine to celebrate your trip’s finale.
¥6000, 2 hours
View Hotel Availability