Kansai Wide Area Pass itinerary

Itinerary - 5 Days

1. Day 1

   Location

   Osaka

   Use your JR Pass on the convenient JR Limited Express Haruka to get straight from Kansai International Airport to Osaka city centre. You can also explore Osaka and travel conveniently using the JR Pass on the Osaka Loop Line.
   Osaka is jam-packed with excitement and charm you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding what to do! The city boasts great shopping, gourmet dining and entertainment activities as well as historical sights. Osaka is definitely the best place to experience Japan’s food culture! Osaka is famous for its superb local dishes, some of which have gained international popularity and fame. The great news for those budget travellers is that most of these dishes can be bought at rather economical prices. Famous dishes include Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki, Kushikatsu and Teppanyaki! Not only are the prices budget-friendly but restaurants in Osaka care deeply for the quality of their cuisine and have maintained very high standards to keep the locals satisfied. The top attractions in Osaka include (but are of course not limited to): Universal Studios Japan, Osaka Aquarium, Osaka Castle, Dotombori/Shinsaibashi area, Umeda Sky Building and Abeno Harukas - the tallest skyscraper in Japan!
   
   Kansai Airport to Shin-Osaka (approx. 50mins by JR Limited Express Haruka)

2. Day 2

   Location

   Nara

   Today we suggest visiting the ancient city of Nara – Japan’s first permanent capital! It is said that the history of Japan originated in Nara. Situated in the centre of Japan in the Kansai area, Nara is a place where old and new Japan exist side by side in harmony. For sightseeing there are historic sites and cityscapes as well as plenty of great places to dine and shop! We recommend visiting Todaiji Temple to see the “Great Buddha Hall”, which is one of the world’s largest wooden structures. You may also want to take a leisurely stroll through Nara Park where you can see the many freely roaming deer.
   
   (Shin Osaka to Nara approx. 60mins by Konotori & JR Yamatoji Rapid service)

3. Day 3

   Location

   Himeji

   Take a day-trip to Himeji Castle and stop off at Kobe city on the way back! This way, you’ll be able to see both Japan’s traditions and modern beauty. Himeji Castle, known as ‘White Heron’ Castle, has over 400 years of history and is indisputably one of Japan’s most famous castles. The beautiful structure is unlike anything else in the world and has even been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In contrast, Kobe is an elegant port city where you can enjoy modern architecture and cuisine. The port of Kobe served as a gateway of foreign culture and entertainment, giving the city life with an incredible mix of cultures. Kobe is of course famous for its internationally renowned beef for its intense marbling and deliciousness.
   
   Shin Osaka to Himeji (approx. 40mins by Hikari Shinkansen)
   Himeji to Shin-Kobe (approx. 15mins by Sakura Shinkansen )
   Shin-Kobe to Shin Osaka (approx. 15 mins by Sakura Shinkansen)

4. Day 4

   Location

   Kyoto

   Next stop, Kyoto! This city has an impressive 17 World Heritage sites and is full to the brim with so many other amazing temples, shrines and castles beyond even these! We would recommend you start West, with Kinkaku-ji, the golden pavilion, then Roan-ji, an amazing zen rock garden temple. Next, move through the centre and check out Nijo-jo, the home of the Shogun for many years. Finally, out East, you can head to the Kiyomizu-dera, a temple with a beautiful view of the city and its beautiful wooden stage. This route encapsulates many of the great sites of Kyoto. Kyoto is also a great base to explore anywhere in the Kansai Area.

5. Day 5

   Location

   Kinosaki

   Take a day-trip to the wonderfully relaxing Kinosaki Onsen. What Hakone is to Tokyo, Kinosaki is to Kyoto. Kinosaki is location in Toyooka city, to the northwest of Kyoto.
   An easy train-ride away (JR Limited Express takes 2.5hrs direct) and popular with locals, Kinosaki is a great choice for those wishing to have an authentic Japanese hot-spring experience and try-on traditional yukata. There is plenty of beautiful Japanese natural scenery and culture in the area, including the historic town of Izushi, home to a three hundred year old castle.
   
   We suggest starting the day with a dip in the relaxing foot-bath located right by Kinosaki Station!