8-Day Kansai Journey Starting with Afternoon Arrival in Osaka: Explore Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji & Kobe

Day 1: Afternoon Arrival & Osaka Intro

Osaka, Japan

2:00PM

Arrive at Kansai International Airport

Arrive in Osaka and clear customs. Take the Nankai or JR train to central Osaka (Namba or Osaka Station) in approximately 45-60 minutes.

¥920 - ¥1060, 45-60 minutes

4:00PM

Check into hotel

Check into your hotel in Osaka and freshen up for a relaxed afternoon.

Varies, 1 hour

5:00PM

Osaka Castle Park

Stroll the grounds of Osaka Castle Park to enjoy views of the castle and sunset (open until 6PM).

Free, 1 hour

6:30PM

Dinner at Dotonbori

Walk through the famous neon-lit Dotonbori district and sample takoyaki or okonomiyaki at a popular local eatery.

¥2000, 2 hours

8:30PM

Relax at hotel or explore nightlife

Return to hotel or discover Osaka’s nightlife with a local bar or karaoke.

Varies, Flexible

View Hotel Availability

Day 2: Full-Day Universal Studios

Osaka, Japan

8:30AM

Universal Studios Japan

Take JR train from Osaka Station to Universal City Station (15 minutes) and spend the full day enjoying rides and attractions open 8:30AM–9:00PM.

¥180 + ¥8200, 12 hours

9:00PM

Return to hotel

Take train back to Osaka after park closes.

¥180, 15 minutes

View Hotel Availability

Day 3: Osaka City Highlights

Osaka, Japan

8:00AM

Breakfast at local café

Start with breakfast at a local café offering Japanese or Western options.

¥1000, 1 hour

9:00AM

Osaka Castle

Explore the castle grounds and museum (9AM–5PM).

¥600, 2 hours

11:30AM

Lunch at Osaka Station City

Dine on sushi or ramen within Osaka Station City complex.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:00PM

Umeda Sky Building

Visit the Floating Garden Observatory for panoramic views (10AM–10PM).

¥1500, 1.5 hours

3:00PM

National Museum of Art

Explore contemporary art (10AM–5PM, closed Mondays).

¥430, 1.5 hours

5:00PM

Dotonbori District

Enjoy a walk through the bustling food and entertainment area.

Free, 2 hours

7:30PM

Dinner at Kushikatsu Daruma

Sample Osaka’s famous fried skewers in Shinsekai.

¥2000, 1.5 hours

View Hotel Availability

Day 4: Kyoto Cultural Day 1

Kyoto, Japan

8:00AM

Train Osaka to Kyoto

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

¥560, 30 minutes

9:00AM

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Walk through vibrant red torii gates (open 24 hours).

Free, 2 hours

11:30AM

Lunch at Kyoto Station

Savor Kyoto specialties near the station.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:00PM

Kiyomizu-dera Temple

Visit historical temple with city vistas (6AM–6PM).

¥400, 2 hours

3:15PM

Sannen-zaka & Ninen-zaka

Explore traditional streets lined with shops.

Free, 1 hour

4:30PM

Return to Osaka

Train back to Osaka (30 minutes).

¥560, 30 minutes

6:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Relish Osaka’s cuisine at a local izakaya.

¥2500, 2 hours

View Hotel Availability

Day 5: Kyoto Nature & Temples Day 2

Kyoto, Japan

8:00AM

Train Osaka to Kyoto

Travel by JR Special Rapid (30 minutes).

¥560, 30 minutes

9:00AM

Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion

Admire the shimmering gold temple and gardens (9AM–5PM).

¥400, 1.5 hours

11:00AM

Ryoanji Temple

Enjoy the Zen rock garden (8AM–5PM).

¥500, 1 hour

12:30PM

Lunch in Arashiyama

Eat by the river with scenic views.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji

Visit bamboo path and temple gardens (8AM–5PM).

¥500, 2 hours

4:00PM

Optional Hozugawa River Boat Ride

Enjoy scenic seasonal boat cruises (check season and availability).

¥620 - ¥4100, 1-2 hours

6:00PM

Return to Osaka

Train back (30 minutes).

¥560, 30 minutes

7:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Dinner at a local restaurant to relax.

¥2500, 2 hours

View Hotel Availability

Day 6: Nara Cultural Day Trip

Nara, Japan

8:00AM

Train Osaka to Nara

Take JR Yamatoji Rapid to Nara Station (45 minutes).

¥800, 45 minutes

9:00AM

Todai-ji Temple

See the Great Buddha Hall and grounds (7:30AM–5:30PM).

¥600, 2 hours

11:15AM

Nara Park

Walk among roaming deer in scenic park.

¥200 deer food optional, 1 hour

12:30PM

Lunch in Nara-machi

Try traditional foods in historic district.

¥1500, 1 hour

2:00PM

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Visit iconic lantern shrine (6:30AM–5PM).

¥500, 1.5 hours

3:45PM

Nara National Museum

See Buddhist art exhibitions (9:30AM–5PM, closed Mondays).

¥520, 1 hour

5:00PM

Return to Osaka

Train back to Osaka (45 minutes).

¥800, 45 minutes

6:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Have dinner close to hotel.

¥2500, 2 hours

View Hotel Availability

Day 7: Himeji Castle & Temples

Himeji, Japan

8:00AM

Train Osaka to Himeji

Take JR Special Rapid or Shinkansen (40 minutes).

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

9:00AM

Himeji Castle

Tour Japan’s best preserved castle (9AM–5PM).

¥1000, 2-3 hours

11:30AM

Koko-en Gardens

Visit beautiful traditional gardens (9AM–5PM).

¥300, 1 hour

12:45PM

Lunch near station

Enjoy local seafood dishes.

¥1500, 1 hour

2:00PM

Engyo-ji Temple at Mt. Shosha

Cable car and historic temple exploration (9AM–5:30PM).

¥700, 2 hours

4:30PM

Return to Osaka

Train back (40 minutes).

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

6:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Relax with a final dinner in the city.

¥2500, 2 hours

View Hotel Availability

Day 8: Final Shopping & Departure

Osaka, Japan

8:00AM

Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast near hotel.

¥1000, 1 hour

9:30AM

Last-minute shopping

Visit Shinsaibashi or Namba for final souvenirs and gifts.

Varies, 2 hours

12:00PM

Lunch

Early lunch near shopping area or station.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Travel to Kansai Airport

Take the Nankai or JR train to airport (45-60 minutes).

¥920 - ¥1060, 45-60 minutes

3:00PM

Airport check-in and departure

Arrive for flight check-in and security.

Varies, Varies

View Hotel Availability