8-Day Kansai Tour: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji & Kobe Day Trip

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, spend around 45-60 minutes traveling.

¥920 - ¥1060, 45-60 minutes

4:00PM

Check-in & Refresh

Check into hotel and unwind after your trip.

Varies, 1 hour

5:30PM

Visit Osaka Castle Park

Evening stroll around Osaka Castle Park with illuminated views; park open until sunset.

Free, 1 hour

7:00PM

Dinner at Dotonbori

Experience Osaka’s street food favorites such as takoyaki and okonomiyaki in vibrant Dotonbori.

¥2000, 2 hours

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Day 2: Universal Studios Japan

Osaka, Japan

8:00AM

Breakfast Near Hotel

Enjoy a hearty breakfast preparing for a fun-filled day.

¥1000, 1 hour

9:00AM

Universal Studios Japan

Take JR train to Universal-City Station. Spend the day at the theme park, open 8:30AM to 9:00PM.

¥8200 + ¥180, 11 hours

8:30PM

Return to Hotel

Return to hotel by train to rest after the day’s excitement.

¥180, 15 minutes

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Day 3: Osaka Culture & Shopping

Osaka, Japan

8:00AM

Breakfast

Start with a traditional Japanese breakfast.

¥1000, 1 hour

9:00AM

Osaka Castle Museum

Visit the museum inside Osaka Castle to explore historical exhibits; open 9AM–5PM.

¥600, 2 hours

11:30AM

Lunch at Osaka Station City

Diverse dining options await at Osaka Station City's food court.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:00PM

Umeda Sky Building

Enjoy panoramic city views from the Floating Garden Observatory, open 10AM–10PM.

¥1500, 1.5 hours

3:00PM

National Museum of Art, Osaka

Discover contemporary artworks; open 10AM–5PM, closed Mondays.

¥430, 1.5 hours

5:00PM

Explore Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi

Shop and experience the lively atmosphere of these popular districts.

Free, 2 hours

7:30PM

Dinner at Kushikatsu Daruma

Taste Osaka’s famous deep-fried skewers in the Shinsekai area.

¥2000, 1.5 hours

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Day 4: Kyoto Eastern Highlights

Kyoto, Japan

7:30AM

Train Osaka to Kyoto

Travel by JR Special Rapid Service to Kyoto Station, approximately 30 minutes.

¥560, 30 minutes

8:00AM

Breakfast near Kyoto Station

Light breakfast at a café before starting sightseeing.

¥1000, 1 hour

9:30AM

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine

Walk through the iconic vermilion torii gates; open 24 hours.

Free, 2 hours

12:00PM

Lunch in Kyoto

Try traditional Kyoto cuisine at a local restaurant.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Kiyomizu-dera Temple & Higashiyama

Visit this historic temple and stroll through Higashiyama’s preserved streets; open 6AM–6PM.

¥400, 3 hours

5:00PM

Return to Osaka

Train back to Osaka Station, 30-minute journey.

¥560, 30 minutes

6:00PM

Dinner at Osaka Izakaya

Enjoy a casual meal with local sake and dishes.

¥2500, 2 hours

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Day 5: Kyoto Western Temples & Gardens

Kyoto, Japan

7:30AM

Train Osaka to Kyoto

Travel again by train from Osaka to Kyoto, about 30 minutes.

¥560, 30 minutes

8:30AM

Breakfast

Breakfast near Kyoto Station prepares you for a busy day.

¥1000, 1 hour

9:30AM

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Temple

Explore the bamboo grove and serene temple; temple open 8:30AM–5:30PM.

¥500, 3 hours

1:00PM

Lunch in Arashiyama

Savor tofu or noodle dishes at a riverside eatery.

¥1500, 1 hour

2:30PM

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Visit the iconic golden temple and its gardens; open 9AM–5PM.

¥400, 1.5 hours

4:30PM

Return to Osaka

Train ride back to Osaka city center.

¥560, 30 minutes

6:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Relish kushikatsu or other local specialities to end 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, about 45 minutes.

¥800, 45 minutes

9:00AM

Todai-ji Temple

See Japan’s largest wooden structure and giant Buddha; open 7:30AM–5:30PM.

¥600, 2 hours

11:30AM

Nara Park

Enjoy time feeding and observing the tame deer roaming freely.

¥200 optional for deer food, 1 hour

12:45PM

Lunch in Nara-machi

Traditional local dishes served in the charming old town area.

¥1500, 1 hour

2:00PM

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Visit the Shinto shrine famous for its lantern-lit pathways, open 6:30AM–5PM.

¥500, 1.5 hours

3:45PM

Nara National Museum

Explore Buddhist art and artifacts; 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 with dinner near your hotel.

¥2500, 2 hours

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Day 7: Kobe Day Trip

Kobe, Japan

7:30AM

Train Osaka to Kobe

Travel to Kobe via JR Special Rapid Service to Sannomiya Station in about 30 minutes.

¥410, 30 minutes

8:30AM

Breakfast in Kobe

Enjoy a café breakfast near Sannomiya Station.

¥1000, 1 hour

9:30AM

Kobe Harborland

Walk along the picturesque waterfront shopping and entertainment area.

Free, 2 hours

11:45AM

Kobe Maritime Museum & Kawasaki Good Times World

Explore maritime history and Kawasaki’s engineering heritage; open 10AM–5PM.

¥700, 1.5 hours

1:30PM

Lunch with Kobe Beef

Sample the world-famous Kobe beef at a reputable local restaurant.

¥4000, 1.5 hours

3:00PM

Kitano-cho District

Stroll through historic foreign residences and boutique shops.

Free, 2 hours

5:30PM

Return to Osaka

Train back to Osaka Station.

¥410, 30 minutes

6:30PM

Dinner at Osaka

Relax and dine at a favorite local spot to unwind.

¥2500, 2 hours

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Day 8: Departure & Last-minute Shopping

Osaka, Japan

8:00AM

Breakfast

Have a calm start with breakfast at your hotel or local café.

¥1000, 1 hour

9:30AM

Shinsaibashi / Namba Shopping

Shop for souvenirs and gifts at Osaka’s popular shopping districts.

Varies, 2 hours

12:00PM

Lunch

Final meal sampling Osaka specialties.

¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Travel to Kansai International Airport

Nankai or JR train service to Kansai Airport, allow 45–60 minutes for journey.

¥920 - ¥1060, 45-60 minutes

3:00PM

Depart Japan

Complete check-in and airport procedures for your departure.

Varies, Flexible

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