Kansai in 8 days
Japan’s old heart without Tokyo: temples, gardens and geisha streets in Kyoto, the deer of Nara, Himeji’s white castle and Kobe beef, then Osaka’s neon and street food. All by train, with two bases.
Day 1 · Kyoto
14:00
Kiyomizu-deraMUST-SEEVisit
15:30
Sannenzaka and NinenzakaVisit
18:00
Gion · Hanamikoji and dinnerFood & drink · Hanamikoji-dori
Day 2 · Kyoto
07:30
Fushimi Inari before the crowdsMUST-SEEVisit · Fushimi Inari Taisha
12:00
Nishiki MarketFood & drink
14:30
Kinkaku-ji, the Golden PavilionVisit
15:45
Ryoan-ji rock gardenVisit · Ryōan-ji
Day 3 · Kyoto
08:00
Arashiyama bamboo and Tenryu-jiMUST-SEEVisit
10:15
Monkey Park IwatayamaVisit · Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama
12:00
Soba lunch · Arashiyama YoshimuraFood & drink
15:30
Philosopher’s Path to Ginkaku-jiVisit
Day 4 · Kyoto
09:00
Train to NaraTransport
10:00
Todai-ji and the Great BuddhaMUST-SEEVisit · Tōdai-ji
11:30
Nara Park and the deerVisit
12:45
Fresh mochi · NakatanidouFood & drink
14:00
Kasuga Taisha lanternsVisit · Kasugataisha Shrine
Day 5 · Kyoto → Osaka
10:00
Train to OsakaTransport
12:00
Osaka CastleVisit
14:00
Kuromon MarketFood & drink
18:00
Dotonbori at nightMUST-SEEFood & drink
Day 6 · Osaka
08:30
Shinkansen to HimejiTransport
09:45
Himeji CastleMUST-SEEVisit
12:15
Koko-en gardenVisit · Koko-en Garden
15:00
Kobe harbour · Meriken ParkVisit
17:30
Kobe beef dinnerFood & drink · Steakland Kobe-kan
Day 7 · Osaka
11:00
Shinsekai and TsutenkakuVisit
12:30
Kushikatsu lunch · DarumaFood & drink · Kushikatsu Daruma
15:00
Osaka Aquarium KaiyukanMuseum
18:00
Umeda Sky Building at sunsetVisit
Day 8 · Osaka
10:00
Cafés and shops in NakazakichoVisit · Nakazakichō Station
If you have time
Uji · Byodo-in and matchaVisit
Universal Studios JapanVisit
Kyoto Railway MuseumMuseum
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