8-Day Kansai Explorer: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Himeji Immersive Tour

Day 1: Arrival & Osaka Evening

Osaka, Japan

2:00PM

Arrive Kansai International Airport

Arrive at Kansai International Airport and take the Nankai or JR train to Osaka city center, approximately 45-60 minutes.

¥920 - ¥1060, 45-60 minutes

4:00PM

Check-in & Refresh

Check into your hotel and relax after your trip.

Varies, 1 hour

5:30PM

Visit Osaka Castle Park

Walk around Osaka Castle Park and view the castle illuminated in the evening; park open until sunset.

Free, 1 hour

7:00PM

Dinner at Dotonbori

Savor Osaka’s famous street foods like takoyaki and okonomiyaki in lively Dotonbori.

¥2000, 2 hours

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Day 2: Universal Studios Japan

Osaka, Japan

8:00AM

Breakfast Near Hotel

Enjoy breakfast at a nearby café preparing for a full day of fun.

¥1000, 1 hour

9:00AM

Universal Studios Japan

Take the JR train to Universal-City Station and spend the day enjoying thrilling rides and shows; park is open from 8:30AM to 9:00PM.

¥8200 + ¥180, 11 hours

8:30PM

Return to Hotel

Head back to your hotel to rest after an exhilarating day.

¥180, 15 minutes

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Day 3: Osaka Culture & Shopping

Osaka, Japan

8:00AM

Breakfast

Start your day with a Japanese-style breakfast.

¥1000, 1 hour

9:00AM

Osaka Castle Museum

Visit the museum inside Osaka Castle to learn about its history; open 9AM–5PM.

¥600, 2 hours

11:30AM

Lunch at Osaka Station City

Enjoy a variety of cuisines at Osaka Station City food court.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:00PM

Umeda Sky Building

Experience panoramic views from the Floating Garden Observatory; open 10AM–10PM.

¥1500, 1.5 hours

3:00PM

National Museum of Art, Osaka

Explore contemporary art exhibits; open 10AM–5PM (closed Mondays).

¥430, 1.5 hours

5:00PM

Explore Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi

Shop and explore this vibrant entertainment district.

Free, 2 hours

7:30PM

Dinner at Kushikatsu Daruma

Try deep-fried skewers at this iconic Shinsekai restaurant.

¥2000, 1.5 hours

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Day 4: Kyoto Eastern Highlights

Kyoto, Japan

7:30AM

Train Osaka to Kyoto

Take the JR Special Rapid Service train to Kyoto Station (approx. 30 minutes).

¥560, 30 minutes

8:00AM

Breakfast near Kyoto Station

Have a light breakfast in a café near Kyoto Station before sightseeing.

¥1000, 1 hour

9:30AM

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

Explore the famous thousands of vermilion torii gates, open 24 hours.

Free, 2 hours

12:00PM

Lunch in Kyoto

Enjoy traditional Kyoto cuisine at a restaurant nearby.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Higashiyama

Visit the historic temple and walk the preserved streets of Higashiyama; temple open 6AM–6PM.

¥400, 3 hours

5:00PM

Return to Osaka

Take train back to Osaka Station (approx. 30 minutes).

¥560, 30 minutes

6:00PM

Dinner at Osaka Izakaya

Enjoy casual dining with local sake and small dishes.

¥2500, 2 hours

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Day 5: Kyoto Western Temples & Gardens

Kyoto, Japan

7:30AM

Train to Kyoto

Travel from Osaka to Kyoto (30 minutes).

¥560, 30 minutes

8:30AM

Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at a café near Kyoto Station.

¥1000, 1 hour

9:30AM

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Temple

Walk through bamboo grove and visit UNESCO temple; temples open around 8:30AM–5:30PM.

Tenryu-ji ¥500, 3 hours

1:00PM

Lunch in Arashiyama

Dine at a riverside restaurant specializing in tofu or noodles.

¥1500, 1 hour

2:30PM

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

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

¥400, 1.5 hours

4:30PM

Return to Osaka

Train back from Kyoto to Osaka.

¥560, 30 minutes

6:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Try kushikatsu or other local delicacies to end your Kyoto day trips.

¥2500, 2 hours

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Day 6: Nara Tranquil Day

Nara, Japan

8:00AM

Train Osaka to Nara

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

¥800, 45 minutes

9:00AM

Todai-ji Temple

Visit Japan’s largest wooden building and giant Buddha, open 7:30AM–5:30PM.

¥600, 2 hours

11:30AM

Nara Park

Feed and interact with freely roaming deer in scenic park.

Optional ¥200 for deer food, 1 hour

12:45PM

Lunch in Nara-machi

Enjoy local cuisine in the historical neighborhood.

¥1500, 1 hour

2:00PM

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Visit this beautiful lantern-lit shrine, open 6:30AM–5PM.

¥500, 1.5 hours

3:45PM

Nara National Museum

View Buddhist art collection; open 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

Relax and have dinner near your hotel.

¥2500, 2 hours

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Day 7: Himeji Castle & Gardens

Himeji, Japan

7:30AM

Train Osaka to Himeji

Take the Shinkansen or Special Rapid train to Himeji Station (approx. 40 minutes).

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

8:30AM

Breakfast near Himeji Station

Have breakfast at a nearby café before touring.

¥1000, 1 hour

9:30AM

Himeji Castle

Explore Japan’s best-preserved castle, open 9AM–5PM.

¥1000, 3 hours

12:30PM

Lunch

Enjoy regional specialties like Himeji oden close to the castle.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:45PM

Koko-en Garden

Experience a beautiful traditional garden adjacent to the castle, open 9AM–5PM.

¥300, 1 hour

3:00PM

Return to Osaka

Train back to Osaka Station.

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

4:00PM

Free time in Osaka

Rest or explore nearby neighborhoods at your own pace.

Free, Flexible

7:00PM

Final Dinner in Osaka

Celebrate your trip with a memorable dinner at a top local restaurant.

¥3000, 2 hours

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Day 8: Departure & Last-minute Shopping

Osaka, Japan

8:00AM

Breakfast

Have a relaxing breakfast at your hotel or nearby café.

¥1000, 1 hour

9:30AM

Shopping in Shinsaibashi or Namba

Use your remaining time for shopping souvenirs and gifts.

Varies, 2 hours

12:00PM

Lunch

Enjoy a final taste of Osaka cuisine before departure.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Travel to Kansai International Airport

Take the Nankai or JR train to Kansai International Airport, allowing ample time for airport procedures.

¥920 - ¥1060, 45-60 minutes

3:00PM

Depart Japan

Check in for your flight and prepare for departure.

Varies, Flexible

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