The Perfect Osaka and Kyoto Itinerary – Kansai Travel Guide (2022 Update)
One of Japan’s most iconic touristic areas is Kansai the place the cities of Osaka and Kyoto are positioned. In distinction to different areas equivalent to Tokyo or Central Japan, the Kansai area affords each the ultramodern comforts that Japanese huge cities are identified for in addition to charming previous cities relationship again from the time of the geishas and samurai warriors. Another good factor is that touring between Osaka and Kyoto takes lower than an hour by prepare which makes combining these two cities in a single journey extremely advisable. Whether you like buying, consuming or exploring cultural sights, take a look at this itinerary to your journey to Kyoto and Osaka.
Day 1 – From Osaka Castle to Shinsaibashi
Beat the crowds and head to Osaka Castle very first thing within the morning. Your closest prepare station could be Koen on the JR Osaka Loop. Though you’ll be able to simply discover comparable buildings in lots of Japanese cities, the Osaka Castle continues to be price a go to and is a well-liked cease amongst guests. It’s particularly charming throughout spring when there are cherry blossoms on the grounds surrounding the fortress. For a singular hen’s eye view, you’ll be able to climb up on one of many greater flooring of the Osaka History Museum (admission: 600 yen).
Tip: If you might be planning to go to numerous vacationer sights in Osaka, contemplate buying the Osaka Amazing Pass. It offers you entry to over 30 locations over 2 days together with Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building Floating Garden Observatory, Osaka Science Museum in addition to limitless subway/bus rides inside Osaka.
By late morning, the cafes and specialty outlets at Nakazakicho shall be open. This is Osaka’s model of the hipster district with loads of quirky objects in addition to specialty meals objects on sale. You can go cafe hopping right here or simply soak within the various vibe. The district is accessible from Nakazakicho station or if you happen to’re on the primary line, you’ll be able to stroll round 10 to fifteen minutes from Umeda station.
cup noodles museum
Head to the suburb of Ikeda to take a look at the Cup Noodles Museum (8-25 Masumicho, Ikeda; open 9:30AM to 4:30PM every day). This well-liked Asian staple is claimed to originate right here within the Kansai Region and the museum is a homage to the common-or-garden origins of right this moment’s prompt noodles. The museum itself is free however for a nominal price, you’ll be able to take part in a DIY cup noodle making session.
gorgeous curves at namba parks
By the afternoon, you’ll be able to head again to the town to take a look at the full of life Shinsaibashi and Namba areas. I counsel you begin in Namba and preserve Shinsaibashi for the night when it’s particularly atmospheric. While at Namba, you shouldn’t miss a go to to Namba Parks, a shopping center with its attention-grabbing curved partitions and rooftop backyard. From right here, stroll north to America-mura, the middle of youth tradition in Osaka. You’ll discover lots in the way in which of big-name youth manufacturers right here if buying is your factor. Head additional west and also you’ll come throughout one other charming space in Osaka full of specialty cafes and distinctive meals outlets. My to-go cafe right here is Granknot (1 Chome 23-4 Kitahorie, Nishi Ward, Osaka; open from 9AM to 6PM Monday to Wednesday and Friday, from 11AM to 6PM Saturday and Sunday) the place I had one of many frothiest lattes I’ve ever tasted.
glico man advert
Make your approach again to Shinsaibashi in late afternoon to do extra buying. While right here, be sure to take a look at the takoyaki (octopus balls) which Osaka is understood for. As evening falls, head to Dotonbori for a glimpse of the well-known Glico commercial. It has turn out to be one thing of an icon through the years. It is finest considered from the Ebisu Bridge.
Check out my Osaka and Kyoto meals information right here
Day 2 – Traveling From Osaka to Kyoto
Unless you intend to go indepth or have an curiosity in Universal Studios, sooner or later might be sufficient for Osaka and your finest guess is to catch a prepare to Kyoto. From Osaka, the most cost effective prepare to Kyoto is one on the Hankyu Kyoto Line. It’s simply 43 minutes from Umeda to Kawaramachi (Kyoto’s major avenue). The quickest methodology is the shinkansen or bullet prepare from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station that takes solely quarter-hour. Rides on the bullet prepare are lined by the JR Pass.
There are lodges throughout Kyoto however for the ambiance, I like to recommend staying someplace within the previous city of Gion. I personally stayed at Hotel Celestine Kyoto Gion throughout my final go to to the town and completely loved the zen vibe at an inexpensive value. It shall be late morning by this time and you might have considered trying a caffeine repair. %Arabica is undoubtedly the cafe of selection right here. In Kyoto, particularly within the previous city of Gion, many vacationers stroll round city carrying rented kimonos whereas taking selfies. You can lease a kimono there at an inexpensive value.
entoku-in
Kyoto has so many temples that it’s futile to attempt to go to all of them. There are just a few I might advocate for his or her various types. Since you might be already in Gion anyway, take a look at the Entoku-in (530 Shimokawara-cho, Kodai-ji, Higashiyama-ku; open every day 9AM to five:30PM), an unassuming temple whose gate you’ll simply miss except you make a aware effort to find it.
tenjuan gardens
Afterwards, make your approach up north for the breathtaking Tenjuan Gardens (admission: 400 Yen) positioned throughout the Nanzenji advanced. The grounds boasts of a powerful rock backyard and a bigger backyard on the again surrounded by a pond. If you go to throughout November, the backyard is illuminated at evening to focus on autumn colours. As a ultimate sightseeing cease, take a look at the less-visited Shisendo Temple. This is one other place with a pleasant zen backyard that appears particularly scenic when considered from the terrace.
As evening falls, head again to Gion and stroll round Hanamikoji-dori. This is the perfect place to identify geishas in Kyoto, particularly in the course of the weekend. While the geisha tradition is generally misplaced in most of Japan, right here, girls who work in workplaces by day fulfill their geisha inclinations by dressing up at evening. A pleasant place to have dinner close by is the Michelin-starred Uokeya-U (605-0074 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, open every day 11:30AM to 2PM, 5PM to 8PM) which serves unagi rice bowls.
Day 3 – Arashiyama, Kinkakuji, Nishiki Market
arashiyama bamboo forest
Head out early within the morning to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. This is considered one of Kyoto’s most instagrammable spots with tall bamboo groves swaying with the wind as you stroll previous the well-trodden path. Admission’s free and the place is open 24 hours however the place can get actually busy by noon. While in Arashiyama, make your approach as effectively to Gio-Ji’s moss-covered grounds. The greenery is a sight to behold and is a tempting place for a brief nap (although you’ll be able to’t really lie on the grounds). While in Arashiyama, you may also need to go for a cruise down the river to totally admire the surroundings. Just go in direction of the course of the river and also you’ll simply discover boats for rent. Do test on the size of the boat trip earlier than boarding.
scrumptious steak at otsuka
For lunch, take a look at the scrumptious steaks at Otsuka. (open every day besides Thursday 11AM to 2:30PM) I can’t advocate this place sufficient for its succulent steaks.
kinkakuji
From Arashiyama, all it takes is a bus trip (take #11 then change to #59) to the trio of temples – the Kinkakuji, Ryoan-ji and Ninna-ji. By now, temple fatigue would in all probability set in and if you happen to’re to decide on just one, I might counsel you take a look at the golden Kinkakuji. The place is extra a spectacle than something. Visitors are prohibited from coming into the constructing and there’s only a walkway which permits guests to understand it from afar. This is considered one of Kyoto’s hottest sights and it may possibly get crowded simply. However, since everybody’s restricted to the walkway, it’s very straightforward to get a good shot of the Kinkakuji from virtually any vantage level.
fast bites at nishiki market
By late afternoon, head again to downtown Kyoto and take a look at the bustling Nishiki Market. This is one place the place you’ll be able to pattern a wide range of avenue meals, from scrumptious mochi to sushi and even grilled seafood. But don’t eat an excessive amount of. You’ll need to save abdomen area for dinner. The small alley of Pontocho to the east (strolling distance from Nishiki Market) affords a plethora of eating choices. My private favourite is Iroha which serves glorious sukiyaki.
Day 4 – Fushimi Inari & Kiyomizu Dera
fushimi inari taisha
Head out early within the day for Fushimi Inari-taisha. The shrine is understood for for its multitude of torii gates that lead as much as the summit – Mt Inari at 233 meters excessive. There are mentioned to be over 1,000 torii gates in Fushimi Inari and a number of other shrines throughout the advanced. Although it has been a preferred shrine to go to amongst Japanese, it grew to become well-liked amongst international vacationers in the course of the social media age, particularly because the rows of torii gates make for good picture taking spots. Because of this, and as a result of free admission, the shrine is without doubt one of the busiest vacationer sights in Tokyo. If you’d like to return right here with out the crowds, attempt to arrive earlier than 8AM or after 8PM (it’s open 24 hours). From Kyoto Station, you’ll be able to take the JR Nara line to Inari Station which is correct in entrance of the shrine. If you will have any of the JR passes, you don’t must pay further for this prepare trip.
Allow for about 2 hours (inclusive of picture stops) to finish the loop and make it again down. Just reverse the street resulting in the doorway of the shrine, there’s a retailer promoting glorious daifuku (glutinous rice ball) filled with contemporary fruit.
kiyomizudera
Another spot to not be missed – particularly if you’re in Kyoto throughout cherry blossom or autumn season – is Kiyomizudera. Perched on the foothills of Mt Otowa, the large temple is probably finest surveyed from the viewing deck simply subsequent to it. You’ll see a flood of colours – whether or not or not it’s pink throughout cherry blossom season or purple and yellow throughout autumn. This makes for a quintessential picture spot in Kyoto. The surrounding gardens are additionally a pleasure to stroll round in throughout these intervals.
If you will have an additional day to spare, you can too take a look at Wakayama which is round a 1 hour journey from Osaka / 1 hour 45 minutes journey from Kyoto
Getting From Kansai Airport to Kyoto (& Vice Versa)
If you might be heading again to Kansai International Airport after visiting Kyoto, I might counsel buying a JR West Kansai Area Pass legitimate for 1 day fairly than shopping for a one-off prepare ticket. This will prevent 680 Yen in your prepare trip (780 Yen if you happen to purchase the realm move on-line). You should buy the realm move on-line HERE for an additional 100 Yen low cost on high of the 680 Yen financial savings.
Getting From Kansai Airport to Osaka (& Vice Versa)
If you might be heading again to Kansai International Airport from Osaka, hop aboard the Nankai Line Airport Express for a easy 34-minute journey to the airport from Namba (or vice versa). You should buy the ticket HERE.
Where to Stay in Kyoto and Osaka
Osaka: Few different lodges are as handy as Hotel Hankyu Respire Osaka which affords direct trains to Kansai Airport or Kyoto. Room costs are additionally affordable, rendering it a superb mid-tier choice. You also can test for essentially the most aggressive costs for lodges in Osaka by way of this aggregator right here.
Kyoto: In Kyoto, I stayed at Hotel The Celestine Kyoto Gion, an awesome discover within the coronary heart of Kyoto’s tranquil Gion previous city. The zen vibe right here is extra in tune with luxurious lodges however the price ticket is surprisingly mid-tier. Many of the town’s vacationer sights are a brief stroll away. Among funds or midrange choices, you’ll be able to take a look at the comparatively new Hotel The M’s Kyoto which is located inside strolling distance from Kyoto Station within the metropolis’s business district. If you like to remain close to the buying space (Kawaramachi), Cross Hotel Kyoto is extremely rated for its good-sized rooms and shut proximity to bus strains and the primary buying avenue.
You also can test for lodges in Kyoto by way of this aggregator right here.
Train Passes – Which One to Get?
If you might be intending to incorporate Tokyo to your journey to Osaka and Kyoto, it could be worthwhile to get the JR Pass. A one-way journey from Osaka to Tokyo on the shinkansen (bullet prepare) prices about 14,720 yen or barely greater than half the value of the JR Pass. Assuming you’re taking it spherical journey and trip native JR trains as effectively, you’ll find yourself saving more cash with the JR Pass than shopping for tickets ala carte. You should buy the JR Pass right here.
Alternatively, if you’re simply staying throughout the Kansai space (i.e. Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Himeji), you’ll be able to take a look at the cheaper JR Kansai Pass which you should use for shinkansen, restricted categorical trains and JR buses. You can get the JR Kansai Pass right here.
Other Practicalities
- While in Japan, I sometimes pre-purchase my pay as you go knowledge sim card as it’s cheaper in comparison with shopping for it on the spot upon arrival. The sim comes with limitless knowledge and you should buy right here and choose up once you arrive on the airports of Osaka or Tokyo.
- Given how costly Japan is, I sometimes buy journey medical insurance coverage at any time when I’m coming right here in case I have to see the physician or miss my flight/s unexpectedly. You can take a look at SafetyWing which gives journey medical insurance coverage on a subscription foundation for as little as US$37/4 weeks of protection. The benefit of going with them is that one baby as much as 10 years of age is routinely included with each grownup possessing the journey medical insurance coverage coverage and you should buy a plan whilst you’re already in your journey.
- Osaka and Kyoto are year-round locations however do observe that it may possibly guess unbearably scorching in the summertime which is from July to September. I’d advocate coming right here in May (after the cherry blossom and after the Japanese golden week) or October (earlier than the height autumn interval) in the course of the shoulder season with the intention to escape peak costs with fairly first rate climate.
