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8-Day Kansai and Hiroshima JR Pass Itinerary: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Himeji & Hiroshima

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Day 1: Arrival & Osaka Intro

Osaka, Japan

2:00PM

Arrival at Kansai International Airport

Arrive at Kansai International Airport, activate JR Pass, and take JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service to Osaka Station (approx 65 minutes).
Covered by JR Pass, 65 minutes

4:00PM

Check-in and Rest

Check into your hotel and rest after your flight.
Varies, 1 hour

5:30PM

Explore Osaka Castle Park

Walk through Osaka Castle Park exploring the gardens; ideal for relaxing walk until sunset (free).
Free, 1 hour

7:00PM

Dinner at Dotonbori

Head to Dotonbori to enjoy iconic street food such as takoyaki and okonomiyaki in a vibrant setting.
Approx ¥2000, 2 hours
Find Hotels in Osaka

Day 2: Universal Studios Japan

Osaka, Japan

8:00AM

Breakfast nearby Hotel

Have a hearty breakfast to prepare for a full day.
Approx ¥1000, 1 hour

9:00AM

Universal Studios Japan

Ride JR Yumesaki Line to Universal City Station (15 minutes) and spend the day enjoying rides and shows at USJ open 8:30AM–9:00PM.
¥8200 (Park ticket), 11 hours

8:30PM

Return to Hotel

Take JR line back to hotel for rest.
Covered by JR Pass, 15 minutes
Find Hotels in Osaka

Day 3: Osaka Landmark Day

Osaka, Japan

8:00AM

Breakfast at Local Café

Enjoy a traditional Japanese breakfast nearby.
Approx ¥1000, 1 hour

9:00AM

Osaka Castle Museum

Explore inside Osaka Castle and climb to the observation deck (9AM–5PM).
¥600, 2 hours

11:30AM

Lunch at Osaka Station City

Try various dining options inside the station complex.
Approx ¥1500, 1 hour

1:00PM

Umeda Sky Building

Visit the Floating Garden Observatory; offers panoramic city views, open until 10PM.
¥1500, 1.5 hours

3:00PM

National Museum of Art

Discover modern art exhibitions; open 10AM–5PM, closed Mondays.
¥430, 1.5 hours

5:00PM

Stroll Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi

Explore bustling shopping streets and vibrant nightlife atmosphere.
Free, 2 hours

7:30PM

Dinner in Shinsekai

Try Kushikatsu, skewered deep-fried treats, at Daruma in the Shinsekai district.
Approx ¥2000, 1.5 hours
Find Hotels in Osaka

Day 4: Kyoto Eastern Highlights

Kyoto, Japan

7:30AM

Train Osaka to Kyoto

Take JR Special Rapid Service from Osaka Station to Kyoto Station (~30 minutes).
Covered by JR Pass, 30 minutes

8:15AM

Breakfast Near Kyoto Station

Enjoy breakfast at a café before setting out.
Approx ¥1000, 1 hour

9:30AM

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Explore famous torii gates path; open 24 hours, free entrance.
Free, 2 hours

12:00PM

Lunch in Fushimi Area

Taste local cuisine at a nearby eatery.
Approx ¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Kiyomizu-dera & Higashiyama Streets

Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple (6AM–6PM, ¥400) and stroll picturesque Higashiyama district. Use local buses or taxi (not JR).
¥400 + bus fares, 3 hours

5:00PM

Back to Osaka

Return by JR train from Kyoto Station to Osaka Station.
Covered by JR Pass, 30 minutes

6:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Relax with an izakaya dinner near the hotel.
Approx ¥2500, 2 hours
Find Hotels in Kyoto

Day 5: Kyoto Western Gems

Kyoto, Japan

7:30AM

Train Osaka to Kyoto

Take JR Special Rapid Service to Kyoto Station.
Covered by JR Pass, 30 minutes

8:30AM

Breakfast near Kyoto Station

Enjoy breakfast at a café nearby.
Approx ¥1000, 1 hour

9:30AM

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Tenryu-ji Temple

Take JR Sanin Line to Saga Arashiyama Station. Walk through bamboo forest and visit temple (8:30AM–5:30PM, ¥500).
¥500, 3 hours

1:00PM

Lunch in Arashiyama

Choose riverside restaurants to enjoy local specialties.
Approx ¥1500, 1 hour

2:30PM

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

Travel by bus (non-JR fare applies) to Kinkaku-ji open 9AM–5PM (¥400).
¥400 + bus fare, 1.5 hours

4:30PM

Return to Osaka

Bus to Kyoto Station then JR rapid train back to Osaka.
Covered by JR Pass (bus fare separate), 1 hour

6:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Enjoy dinner at local restaurant reflecting on Kyoto highlights.
Approx ¥2500, 2 hours
Find Hotels in Kyoto

Day 6: Himeji Castle Day Trip

Himeji, Japan

8:00AM

Train Osaka to Himeji

Take JR Special Rapid Service or Shinkansen from Osaka to Himeji Station (~1 hour).
Covered by JR Pass, 1 hour

9:15AM

Himeji Castle

Visit Japan’s most famous castle, open 9AM–5PM (last entry 4PM), explore grounds and interior (€¥1000).
¥1000, 3 hours

12:30PM

Lunch in Himeji

Sample local dishes near the castle or station area.
Approx ¥1500, 1 hour

1:30PM

Kokoen Garden

Stroll tranquil Japanese gardens adjacent to Himeji Castle, open 9AM–5PM, included in ¥300 combined ticket.
¥300, 1 hour

2:45PM

Return to Osaka

Take JR train back to Osaka Station.
Covered by JR Pass, 1 hour

4:00PM

Free Time & Dinner

Relax or explore neighborhoods near your hotel, enjoy dinner in Osaka.
Approx ¥2500, 2 hours
Find Hotels in Himeji

Day 7: Nara Day Trip

Nara, Japan

8:00AM

Train Osaka to Nara

Take JR Yamatoji Rapid Service to Nara Station (~45 minutes).
Covered by JR Pass, 45 minutes

9:00AM

Todai-ji Temple

Visit the iconic temple housing the Daibutsu or Great Buddha; open 7:30AM–5:30PM (¥600).
¥600, 2 hours

11:30AM

Nara Park

Enjoy visiting the friendly deer and park area surrounding the temple.
Free, 1 hour

12:45PM

Lunch in Naramachi

Dine in the historic Naramachi district with traditional architecture.
Approx ¥1500, 1 hour

2:00PM

Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Explore this beautifully lantern-filled shrine, open 6:30AM–5PM (¥500).
¥500, 1.5 hours

3:45PM

Nara National Museum

Visit the museum focusing on Buddhist art and history, open 9:30AM–5PM, closed Mondays (¥520).
¥520, 1 hour

5:00PM

Return to Osaka

Take JR train back to Osaka Station.
Covered by JR Pass, 45 minutes

6:00PM

Dinner in Osaka

Relax with dinner near your hotel.
Approx ¥2500, 2 hours
Find Hotels in Nara

Day 8: Hiroshima & Miyajima

Hiroshima, Japan

6:30AM

Shinkansen Osaka to Hiroshima

Take JR Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima Station (~1h30m).
Covered by JR Pass, 1h30m

8:00AM

Breakfast near Hiroshima Station

Quick breakfast at a café.
Approx ¥1000, 30 minutes

8:30AM

Peace Memorial Park and Museum

Visit the Peace Memorial Museum and its park, open 8:30AM–6PM, entry ¥200.
¥200, 2.5 hours

11:15AM

Atomic Bomb Dome

View the preserved historic building within the Peace Park grounds.
Free, 30 minutes

12:00PM

Lunch - Hiroshima Okonomiyaki

Try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki in Okonomimura or nearby.
Approx ¥1500, 1 hour

1:15PM

Miyajima Island

Travel via JR train to Miyajimaguchi (covered) and ferry to Miyajima Island (¥360 roundtrip). Visit Itsukushima Shrine (¥300), open 6:30AM–6PM.
¥660 total ferry + shrine, 3 hours

4:30PM

Return to Hiroshima

Ferry and train back to Hiroshima Station.
Covered by JR Pass except ferry fare, 1 hour

5:30PM

Shinkansen to Osaka

Return to Osaka via Shinkansen.
Covered by JR Pass, 1h30m

7:00PM

Final Dinner in Osaka

Enjoy a relaxing last dinner in Osaka to conclude your trip.
Approx ¥2500, 2 hours
Find Hotels in Hiroshima
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