7-Day Kansai Adventure with Universal Studios: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji & Kobe

Day 1: Arrival & Universal Studios Japan

Osaka, Japan

9:00AM

Arrival at Kansai International Airport

Take the JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service or Nankai line to Namba or Osaka Station in about 45-60 minutes, then transfer to JR Sakurajima Line to Universal City Station.

Approx. ¥1060, 45-60 minutes plus transfer time

10:30AM

Hotel Check-in near Osaka Station or Namba

Drop off luggage and prepare for Universal Studios visit.

Varies, 1 hour

11:30AM

Universal Studios Japan

Enjoy a full day exploring popular attractions like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Minion Park, and Jurassic Park. Park open from 8:30AM to 9:00PM; spend the afternoon and evening immersed in themed rides and shows.

¥8200, 8 hours

9:30PM

Return to Hotel

Take JR train back from Universal City Station to Osaka Station or Namba. Approx 30 minutes.

¥180, 30 minutes

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Day 2: Osaka City Exploration

Osaka, Japan

8:30AM

Breakfast at hotel or local café

Start your day with a traditional Japanese breakfast or Western-style options available near your hotel.

¥1000, 1 hour

9:30AM

Osaka Castle & Park

Visit the landmark Osaka Castle, open 9AM–5PM, to explore the museum and enjoy panoramic views from the observation floor followed by a walk in the surrounding park.

¥600, 2.5 hours

12:00PM

Lunch at Osaka Station City

Choose from a variety of restaurants serving local and international cuisines within this large shopping complex.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden

Experience spectacular 360-degree city views from the observation deck, open 10AM–10PM.

¥1500, 1.5 hours

3:30PM

National Museum of Art, Osaka

Explore modern and contemporary artworks in an underground museum, open 10AM–5PM, closed Mondays.

¥430, 1.5 hours

5:30PM

Stroll through Nakanoshima Park

Enjoy a leisurely walk in the serene riverside park with rose gardens and relaxing spots.

Free, 1 hour

7:00PM

Dinner in Shinsekai

Try kushikatsu and other local specialties at one of the cozy restaurants in this nostalgic district.

¥2500, 2 hours

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Day 3: Day Trip to Kyoto

Kyoto, Japan

8:30AM

Train Osaka to Kyoto

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

¥560, 30 minutes

9:30AM

Fushimi Inari Shrine

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

Free, 2 hours

11:45AM

Lunch at Kyoto Station

Enjoy Kyoto specialties or bento boxes in the station-area restaurants.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:00PM

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Explore this historic temple known for its wooden stage with views, open 6AM–6PM.

¥400, 2 hours

3:15PM

Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka

Stroll through these picturesque traditional streets perfect for shopping and photos.

Free, 1 hour

4:30PM

Return to Osaka

Train back to Osaka Station via JR Special Rapid Service (~30 minutes).

¥560, 30 minutes

6:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Choose from a variety of dining options near your hotel to unwind after the day.

¥2500, 2 hours

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Day 4: Second Day in Kyoto

Kyoto, Japan

8:00AM

Train to Kyoto

Depart early from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station using JR Special Rapid (~30 minutes).

¥560, 30 minutes

9:00AM

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Visit the stunning golden temple and surrounding gardens, open 9AM–5PM.

¥400, 1.5 hours

11:00AM

Ryoanji Temple

See the famous rock garden next door, open 8AM–5PM.

¥500, 1 hour

12:30PM

Lunch in Arashiyama

Sample local cuisine at a restaurant near the bamboo grove.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Temple

Walk through the famous bamboo forest and visit the UNESCO-listed temple, Tenryu-ji open 8AM-5PM.

¥500, 2 hours

3:45PM

Sagano Scenic Railway or Hozugawa River Boat Ride (optional)

Experience either a scenic train ride or river boat trip (seasonal availability varies).

¥620 - ¥4100, 1-2 hours

5:30PM

Return to Osaka

Train back from Kyoto Station to Osaka Station (~30 minutes).

¥560, 30 minutes

7:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Enjoy dinner near your hotel featuring favorite Kansai cuisine.

¥2500, 2 hours

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Day 5: Day Trip to Nara

Nara, Japan

8:30AM

Train Osaka to Nara

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

¥800, 45 minutes

9:30AM

Todai-ji Temple

Visit the great Buddha and extensive temple grounds, open 7:30AM–5:30PM.

¥600, 2 hours

11:45AM

Nara Park

Feed and interact with friendly wild deer roaming the park freely.

¥200 for crackers, 1 hour

12:45PM

Lunch at Nara-machi

Enjoy traditional Japanese food in historic merchant district.

¥1500, 1 hour

2:00PM

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Explore the tranquil, lantern-lined paths of this famous Shinto shrine, open 6:30AM–5PM.

¥500, 1.5 hours

3:45PM

Nara National Museum

Discover Buddhist art collections, open 9:30AM–5PM, closed Mondays.

¥520, 1 hour

5:00PM

Return to Osaka

Take JR train back to Osaka (~45 minutes).

¥800, 45 minutes

6:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Relax with a comforting dinner close to your accommodation.

¥2500, 2 hours

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Day 6: Day Trip to Himeji

Himeji, Japan

8:00AM

Train Osaka to Himeji

Take the JR Special Rapid Service or Sanyo Shinkansen to Himeji Station (~40 minutes).

¥1500 (rapid), ¥3500 (Shinkansen), 40 minutes

8:45AM

Himeji Castle

Tour the majestic UNESCO World Heritage Castle, open 9AM–5PM.

¥1000, 2-3 hours

11:30AM

Koko-en Garden

Explore traditional Japanese gardens located next to the castle, open 9AM–5PM.

¥300, 1 hour

12:45PM

Lunch near Himeji Station

Enjoy a meal at one of the local eateries offering fresh seafood or set meals.

¥1500, 1 hour

2:00PM

Explore Himeji City or Mt. Shosha

Visit Engyo-ji Temple on Mt. Shosha by ropeway (9:00AM–5:30PM) or museums in town.

¥700 ropeway, 2 hours

4:30PM

Return to Osaka

Train back to Osaka Station (~40 minutes).

¥1500 (rapid), ¥3500 (Shinkansen), 40 minutes

6:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Sample final Kansai delights at a restaurant near your hotel.

¥2500, 2 hours

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Day 7: Day Trip to Kobe & Departure

Kobe, Japan

8:30AM

Train Osaka to Kobe

Take JR Special Rapid Service to Sannomiya Station, Kobe (~30 minutes).

¥410, 30 minutes

9:15AM

Kobe Harborland & Meriken Park

Walk the picturesque waterfront area with shops, art, and harbor views.

Free, 2 hours

11:30AM

Lunch at Nankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown)

Taste Chinese influenced dishes in Kobe’s vibrant Chinatown district.

¥1500, 1 hour

12:45PM

Nunobiki Herb Garden Ropeway

Ride the ropeway to beautiful herb gardens and enjoy panoramic city and mountain views, open 9:30AM–5PM.

¥1150, 2 hours

3:00PM

Kitano Ijinkan Western Houses

Explore historic western-style houses from the Meiji period, open 9AM–6PM.

¥300, 1.5 hours

4:30PM

Return to Osaka

Train back from Kobe to Osaka Station (~30 minutes).

¥410, 30 minutes

5:15PM

Collect luggage & travel to Kansai International Airport

Take Nankai Airport Express or JR train to the airport from Osaka Station or Namba, approximately 45-60 minutes.

Approx. ¥920 - ¥1060, 45-60 minutes

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