10-Day Ultimate Kansai JR Pass Itinerary: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe & Himeji

Day 1: Arrival & Osaka Intro

Osaka, Japan

9:00AM

Arrival at Kansai International Airport

Take the JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service to Osaka Station (50 minutes), covered by JR Pass.
Included with JR Pass, 50 minutes

11:00AM

Check-in and refresh

Settle into your accommodation in central Osaka near Umeda/Osaka Station.
Varies, 1 hour

12:00PM

Lunch at Kuromon Ichiba Market

Sample fresh seafood and street foods at one of Osaka’s most famous food markets.
¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Explore Dotonbori

Stroll vibrant shopping and entertainment district famous for neon lights and Takoyaki stands.
Free, 2.5 hours

4:00PM

Visit Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade

Shop and explore Osaka’s premier shopping street.
Free, 2 hours

6:30PM

Dinner at an Izakaya

Enjoy traditional Japanese pub dining with local specialties.
¥3000, 2 hours
View Hotel Availability

Day 2: Kyoto Temples – East Side

Kyoto, Japan

7:30AM

Travel Osaka to Kyoto

Take JR Special Rapid Service to Kyoto Station, 30 min ride.
Included with JR Pass, 30 minutes

8:30AM

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Early visit to this UNESCO site, to avoid crowds, open 6AM–6PM.
¥400, 1.5 hours

10:15AM

Walk through Higashiyama District

Traditional streets, perfect for culture and shopping souvenirs.
Free, 1.5 hours

12:00PM

Lunch at a local soba restaurant

Fresh handmade soba noodles in a quaint setting.
¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Gion District

Explore historic geisha district with tea houses, open access.
Free, 1.5 hours

3:15PM

Maruyama Park

Relax at Kyoto’s popular cherry blossom park.
Free, 1 hour

4:30PM

Yasaka Shrine

Visit famous city shrine, open 6AM–9PM.
Free, 1 hour

6:00PM

Check-in accommodation in Kyoto

Rest and freshen up near Kyoto Station.
Varies, 1.5 hours

7:30PM

Dinner near Kyoto Station

Explore modern dining options in Station Building such as Izakaya or Kaiseki.
¥3000, 2 hours
View Hotel Availability

Day 3: Northern Kyoto & Arashiyama

Kyoto, Japan

8:00AM

Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Spend morning admiring one of Kyoto’s most iconic temples, open 9AM–5PM.
¥400, 1.5 hours

10:00AM

Ryoan-ji Zen Garden

Famous rock garden, a must-see for tranquil reflection, 8AM–5PM.
¥500, 1 hour

11:30AM

Travel to Arashiyama by train

Take JR Sagano Line from Kyoto Station to Saga-Arashiyama Station, ~20 min.
Included with JR Pass, 20 minutes

12:00PM

Lunch in Arashiyama

Enjoy river-view dining with seasonal Japanese cuisine.
¥2000, 1 hour

1:00PM

Explore Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Temple

Walk through serene bamboo pathways and visit famous temple; open 8AM–5PM.
Temple ¥500, Bamboo Grove free, 2.5 hours

3:30PM

Boat Ride on Katsura River

Relaxing boat cruise (seasonal) for scenic views.
¥1500, 1 hour

5:00PM

Return to central Kyoto

Train back to Kyoto Station.
Included with JR Pass, 20 minutes

7:00PM

Dinner in Kyoto

Try local yuba or tofu specialties at a recommended restaurant.
¥2500, 2 hours
View Hotel Availability

Day 4: Southern Kyoto & Philosopher’s Walk

Kyoto, Japan

8:00AM

Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha

Hike early along famous torii gate tunnels, open 24 hours.
Free, 2 hours

10:30AM

Visit Tofuku-ji Temple

Beautiful Zen temple known for gardens and autumn leaves, open 9AM–4PM.
¥400, 1.5 hours

12:00PM

Lunch near Kyoto Station

Enjoy fast yet authentic Japanese bento or noodle shops.
¥1000, 1 hour

1:30PM

Philosopher’s Walk

Leisurely 2 km path linking Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji.
Free, 2 hours

3:30PM

Visit Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)

Quiet temple with beautiful gardens, open 8:30AM–5PM.
¥500, 1 hour

5:00PM

Return to hotel

Rest and prepare for next day.
Varies, 1.5 hours

7:00PM

Dinner at Pontocho Alley

Atmospheric alley famous for dining and possibly Geisha sightings.
¥4000, 2 hours
View Hotel Availability

Day 5: Day Trip to Uji & Southern Kyoto

Uji & Kyoto, Japan

8:00AM

Train Kyoto to Uji

JR Nara Line rapid, about 20 minutes.
Included with JR Pass, 20 minutes

8:30AM

Byodo-in Temple

Visit this UNESCO Buddhist temple known for the Phoenix Hall, open 8:30AM–5PM.
¥600, 1.5 hours

10:15AM

Uji Tea Experience

Visit tea houses and try famous Uji matcha green tea.
¥1000, 1 hour

11:30AM

Walk Uji River & Local sights

Enjoy the scenic riverside and local shops.
Free, 1 hour

12:30PM

Lunch in Uji

Taste special green tea flavored cuisine or noodles.
¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Return to Kyoto

JR train back to Kyoto Station.
Included with JR Pass, 20 minutes

2:00PM

Nijo Castle

Explore historic castle, open 8:45AM–5PM.
¥1000, 1.5 hours

3:45PM

Kyoto Railway Museum

Interactive exhibits on Japan’s rail history, open 10AM–5PM (Closed Wednesday).
¥1200, 2 hours

6:00PM

Return to accommodation

Relax after a full day.
Varies, 1 hour

7:00PM

Dinner near hotel

Local eateries providing comforting Japanese meals.
¥2500, 2 hours
View Hotel Availability

Day 6: Nara Cultural Day

Nara, Japan

8:00AM

Travel Osaka to Nara

JR Yamatoji Rapid Service (45 minutes).
Included with JR Pass, 45 minutes

9:00AM

Todai-ji Temple

Explore the Giant Buddha and large temple grounds, open 7:30AM–5:30PM.
¥600, 2 hours

11:30AM

Nara Deer Park

Walk among the friendly free-roaming deer.
Free, 1 hour

12:30PM

Lunch in Nara-machi District

Try traditional Japanese home-style cooking.
¥1500, 1 hour

2:00PM

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Ancient Shinto shrine famous for its lanterns; open 6:30AM–5:00PM.
¥500, 1.5 hours

4:00PM

Nara National Museum

View Buddhist art and history, open 9:30AM–5:00PM.
¥520, 1.5 hours

6:00PM

Return to Osaka

JR Yamatoji Rapid to Osaka Station.
Included with JR Pass, 45 minutes

7:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Enjoy ramen or kushi katsu at local eateries.
¥2000, 2 hours
View Hotel Availability

Day 7: Kobe Day Excursion

Kobe, Japan

8:00AM

Travel Osaka to Kobe

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

9:00AM

Kobe Harborland

Visit the scenic waterfront shopping and entertainment area.
Free, 2 hours

11:30AM

Nunobiki Herb Gardens Cable Car

Ride the ropeway for panoramic city views and explore gardens; 9:30AM–5PM.
¥1150, 2 hours

1:30PM

Lunch at Nankinmachi (Chinatown)

Try assorted Chinese and fusion dishes in vibrant Chinatown.
¥1500, 1 hour

3:00PM

Explore Kitano District

Tour Western-style houses and museums in this historic foreign settlement.
¥300, 2 hours

5:30PM

Return to Osaka

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

6:30PM

Dinner in Osaka

Indulge in Osaka-style sushi or seafood near the station.
¥3000, 2 hours
View Hotel Availability

Day 8: Himeji Castle & Surroundings

Himeji, Japan

7:30AM

Train Osaka to Himeji

JR Special Rapid (1 hour).
Included with JR Pass, 1 hour

8:30AM

Visit Himeji Castle

Explore Japan’s finest surviving feudal castle open 9:00AM–5:00PM.
¥1000, 3 hours

12:00PM

Lunch near Castle

Try local specialty bento or traditional fare.
¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Kokoen Garden

Visit tranquil garden adjacent to castle open 9:00AM–5:00PM.
¥300, 1.5 hours

3:30PM

Himeji City Museum of Art or Local shopping

Cultural exploration of modern art or souvenir shopping.
¥300–¥500, 2 hours

6:00PM

Return to Osaka

JR Special Rapid back to Osaka.
Included with JR Pass, 1 hour

7:00PM

Dinner near hotel

Relax with favorite comfort foods or sushi.
¥2500, 2 hours
View Hotel Availability

Day 9: Osaka Cultural & Shopping Highlights

Osaka, Japan

9:00AM

Breakfast at local café

Start with a Japanese-style breakfast or cafe set.
¥1000, 1 hour

10:30AM

Visit Osaka Castle & Park

Tour the historic castle museum and surrounding parkland, open 9AM–5PM.
¥600, 2 hours

12:30PM

Lunch at Osaka Station City

Modern dining options with variety of cuisines.
¥1500, 1 hour

2:00PM

Umeda Sky Building

Visit the Floating Garden Observatory for panoramic views, open 10AM–10PM.
¥1500, 1.5 hours

4:00PM

Shopping at Grand Front Osaka

Browse luxury and local shops near Osaka Station.
Free, 2 hours

6:30PM

Dinner at Dotonbori

Enjoy iconic Osaka street food specialties to cap the day.
¥3000, 2 hours
View Hotel Availability

Day 10: Departure & Farewell

Osaka, Japan

8:00AM

Breakfast near hotel

Light breakfast before departure, try pastries or Japanese style.
¥1000, 1 hour

9:30AM

Last-minute souvenir shopping

Quick stop at local markets or department stores near station.
Varies, 1 hour

11:00AM

Travel to Kansai Airport

JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service from Osaka Station to Airport, approx 50 min.
Included with JR Pass, 50 minutes

12:00PM

Arrival at Kansai Airport

Prepare for departure with enough time for check-in and security.
Varies, Varies
View Hotel Availability