Osaka and Beyond – KYOTO -UJI – NARA – KOBE – HIMEJI – OSAKA
Starting in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, this 6-day tour explores some of the nation’s most compelling sites; Survey the harbour city of Kobe, visit incredible sights like Himeji Castle, one of the most striking castles in Japan, and conclude the journey in Osaka, the third largest city in Japan and one of its most friendly and vibrant hubs.
Osaka and Beyond – DAY 1 – ARRIVAL IN KYOTO
After arriving at the impressive Kansai International Airport (KIX), our local guide will introduce themselves and a shared shuttle van will be awaiting to handle transfers to Kyoto’s hotels.
The rest of the day is spent at leisure.

Suggested Self-Guide Itinerary:
In the evening, we suggest going to Gion for a walk through the so-called “geisha district.” This area is one of Kyoto’s hanamachi (flower town), the place where Geisha’s live and work and where visitors can find shops, restaurants, and ochaya (teahouses) inside well-preserved machiya (old houses). Don’t miss Hanami-koji, known to be the most popular street in Gion because of its lavish ochaya lining up the old street. Stop by one of the restaurants to sample kyo-ryori (traditional Kyoto multi-course cuisine). While in Gion, more observant travellers may see a maiko (apprentice geisha) as she tries to catch her next appointment.
Overnight in Kyoto

Distances and journey time:
Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Central Kyoto (101km): 90mins

Osaka and Beyond – DAY 2 – DAY TRIPS TO UJI AND NARA (B)
The first full day of discoveries begins with paying guided visits to Uji in Kyoto and to Ikaruga in Nara.
Beginning in Uji, the tea capital of Japan, the World Heritage-listed Byodo-in, one of the most impressive Jodo sect temples in the country, is the first sight to be unveiled. The temple used to have many sub-temples and halls, but during the war many of these buildings were destroyed. What remains is the Phoenix Hall, which can be found pictured on the back of the 10-yen coin.
Next on the list is Taiho-an, an ochaya (teahouse) located near the temple. Witness a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and enjoy the authentic taste of Uji’s matcha (green tea).
At noon, a train will be boarded, destined for Ikaruga in Nara. During the 8th century, Nara was Japan’s capital for 74 years, and most of the period’s temples and shrines are still standing today.
In this small town, a visit will be made to Horyu-ji, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Nara’s Seven Great Temples. What’s incredible about this temple is that it houses some of the world’s oldest surviving wooden structures – the main hall and the five-story pagoda, which are both located in the western wing of the temple.
After the tour, return back to the hotel.
Note: Taiho-an is open from January 10th to December 20th. On the days when it’s closed, we can offer alternative visits to Nara Park and Todaiji Temple in Nara.
Overnight in Kyoto

Distances and journey time:
JR Kyoto Station to JR Uji Station (15km): 28mins
Uji Station to Byodoin (950m): approx. 10mins (on foot)
Byodoin to Taiho-an (100m): 1min (on foot)
JR Uji Station to JR Horyuji Station (39km): 52mins
Horyuji Station to Horyuji (gate) (2km): 8mins (by bus)
JR Horyuji Station to JR Kyoto Station (54km): 64mins

Time:
Start (guided tour): 09:00
Duration: 8hrs
*including pick-up/drop-off and transfer times

Osaka and Beyond – DAY 3 – KYOTO TO KOBE (B)
Today is the last day in Kyoto before leaving on an early afternoon train to the nearby harbour city of Kobe. Below is our recommended morning walk tour, which takes visitors slightly off the beaten path through the districts of Higashiyama and Yoshida.

Suggested Self-Guide Itinerary:
Visit Nanzen-ji, one of the largest and the most important Zen temples in Japan. It’s vast grounds are free to the public and can be especially beautiful during spring and autumn.
Just a short walk from Nanzen-ji is Zenrin-ji, the temple more commonly known as “Eikando.” It was named after the popular head priest, Eikan, who discovered the unique statue of Amida Buddha, the main object of worship in the temple. According to the legend, priest Eikan was walking around the temple grounds when he saw the statue, which turned its head on its side to talk to him. Aside from this intriguing story, Zenrin-ji is also famous for its foliage during the autumn season. The vibrant colours of the leaves in the temple are indeed one of the reasons it joins the most popular in Kyoto.
Located north of Zenrin-ji is the infamous Philosopher’s Path (Tetsugaku-no-michi), which is lined with sakura (cherry) trees on both sides and follows a tranquil canal. A couple of cafes and local shops can be found along this 2-kilometer path, and some of Kyoto’s popular shrines and temples are also located nearby.
After a short stroll, head west to Yoshida-yama, a hill that is home to two of the loveliest and least visited temples in Kyoto – Kurodani Temple and Shinnyodo Temple. After exploring these temples and their atmospheric graveyards, climbing the top of Yoshida-yama, and wandering through the greenery to admire the views from Yoshida Park is truly rewarding. Afterwards, descend the hillside to Yoshida Shrine, a fascinating complex of shrines surrounded by a lovely forest.
Note: The total distance covered in this itinerary is approx. 5km.
Kobe lies just a one-hour train ride from Kyoto, and during the Meiji period, the city was established as one of the 2 major trading ports for foreign commerce in Japan, serving as the import and export base for wool, cotton, and other raw materials. Because of this, foreign culture has flourished in Kobe, making the city the home to one of the first foreign settlements in the country.
After arriving in the city, the remainder of the day is spent at leisure.

Suggested Self-Guide Itinerary:
Head to Kobe’s Chinatown (Nankin-machi), the centre of the Chinese community in the Kansai region and one of only 3 Chinatowns in Japan. Explore the wide array of Chinese dishes, sweets, and other merchandise spread across its one hundred or so restaurants and shops. The atmosphere and the streets in Nankin-machi differ to those in Yokohama and Nagasaki, giving the feeling of really being in China!
Less than a kilometre from Nankin-machi is Meriken Park, a waterfront park that houses two famous landmarks embodying the local modern architecture – the Kobe Port Tower and the Kobe Maritime Museum. Existing alongside these remarkable man-made creations is a small section of a damaged waterfront that remains untouched. This memorial commemorates the many victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake and reminds us of the immense power of nature.
Overnight in Kobe

Distances and journey time:
JR Kyoto Station to JR Sannomiya Station (73km): 50mins
JR Kyoto Station to JR Shin-Kobe Station (76km): 28mins *via shinkansen

Osaka and Beyond – DAY 4 – HIMEJI AND KOBE (B)
After a meet and greet with our expert local guide at the hotel, the excitement begins and a full day of sightseeing awaits.
Traveling by train to Himeji, one of the most frequented cities in the Hyogo Prefecture, offers a relaxing start to the day before visiting Himeji Castle, one of Japan’s most famed landmarks. It is one of the top 3 castles in Japan because of its architectural design and history. Also known as “Shirasagi-jo” (the White Heron Castle) or “Hakuro-jo” (the White Egret Castle) by some locals. Himeji Castle resembles a white bird in flight due to its white exterior and distinctive roof design.
Next up is Koko Garden, built in 1992 as a commemoration for the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Himeji municipality. Deriving it’s name from the provincial school founded by the last lord of Himeji from the Sakai Family.
Returning back to Kobe the tour continues to the Ikuta Shrine, a quiet Shinto shrine in the heart of Kobe City. Believed to be built around 3rd century AD and probably one of the oldest shrines in the world, this shrine has indeed witnessed a number of unforgettable events in the history of Japan such as the Genpei War, WWII air raids on Kobe, and the Great Hanshin Earthquake.
Just a short walk from the shrine is Kitano-cho, where it is possible to see the architecture of some of the so-called ijinkan houses, where Kobe’s first foreign residents had lived.
Afterwards, a short train journey leads to Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in Japan. 50m above sea level is the Maiko Marine Promenade, a set of observatory hallways beneath the bridge’s platform.
Overnight in Kobe

Distances and journey time:
JR Sannomiya Station to JR Himeji Station (57km): 41mins / JR Shin-Kobe to JR Himeji (55km): 16mins *via shinkansen
Himeji Station to Himeji Otemon-mae bus stop (1km): 7mins (by bus)
Himeji Castle to Koko Garden (500m): 6mins (on foot)
Sannomiya Station to Ikuta Shrine (600m): 7mins (on foot)
Ikuta Shrine to Kitano-cho (850m): 10mins (on foot)
JR Sannomiya Station to JR Maiko Station (18km): 19mins
Maiko Station to Maiko Marine Promenade (400m): 5mins (on foot)

Time:
Start (guided tour): 09:00
Duration: 8hrs
*including pick-up/drop-off and transfer times

Osaka and Beyond – DAY 5 – KOBE – OSAKA (B)
Departing Kobe, the final destination approaches, and today’s adventures start with a visit to Osaka. Japan’s third largest city, Osaka’s flamboyance, fun-loving people, and amazing food make up for what it lacks in tourist spots.
Led by a knowledgeable tour guide, a cycling excursion in the afternoon is bursting with fresh discoveries. The tour will start at the JR Fukushima Station, located at the centre of Osaka (transfer to/from the meeting place at own expense), and just one stop away from the central Hankyu Umeda and JR Osaka stations.
Meeting outside the ticket gate of the station, the bikes and equipment will be fitted before embarking on the 3-hour tour.
Passing through the backstreets of Fukushima eventually emerges at Nakanoshima Park, a waterfront park nestled between 2 rivers. Only 1.5 km in length, this park is an urban oasis and its beautiful scenery against a background of many neighbouring classical buildings is a treat to behold.
Afterwards, the excursion will follow the Ogawa River in Sakuranomiya. This area is famous for Kema-Sakuranomiya Park, a park that stretches over 4 kilometres and has more than 5,000 sakura (cherry blossom) trees. It is indeed one of the best spots in Osaka during hanami (cherry blossom viewing) but doesn’t get as crowded as Osaka Castle.
Following this, discover the home of the Japan Mint, where Japanese Yen coins are produced. Even without going inside the museum, the building itself provides a fascinating history – a brick construction refurbished from a thermal power plant! The one-way street that stretches from the north gate to the south is also a famous hanami spot in Osaka, featuring around 300 trees of over 100 varieties.
Continuing on, the circuit leads to the quintessential Osaka Castle, arguably Osaka’s most famous landmark and a popular sightseeing spot. The castle has been painstakingly rebuilt after falling into disrepair, but the steep, 30-meter high walls are the originals, standing since the 1600’s. These walls and the grand gates and turrets along the outer moat, surrounding the illuminated main tower, make for a grand sight that can be matched by no other castle in Japan.
Returning to Fukushima Station, the outing will continue through Utsubo Park in Osaka’s office district. This park is well-visited for its rose garden, the oldest in the city. It is also known to be the former airbase of the United States Army, which explains why it’s shaped like a runway. During the Edo period, well until the 1930s, Utsubo Park became one of the busiest fish markets in Osaka.
The day will come to an end outside Fukushima Station, and the evening may be spent at leisure.
Overnight in Osaka

Distances and journey time:
JR Sannomiya Station to JR Osaka Station (31km): 20mins
JR Shin-Kobe Station to JR Shin-Osaka Station (37km): 12mins
*subway tickets to the nearest station to hotel is at own expense
JR Osaka Station to JR Fukushima Station (1km): 2mins

Time:
Start (cycling tour): 14:00
Duration: approx. 3hrs
DAY 6 – DEPARTURE FROM OSAKA (B)
The day is spent at leisure until the time of departure for the included transfer by shared shuttle bus to Kansai Airport.

Distances and journey time:
Namba OCAT Bus Terminal to Kansai Airport
Osaka and Beyond – TOUR DURATION: 6 Days/5 Nights
Osaka and Beyond – TOUR OPERATES: Year Round/ On Demand
Osaka and Beyond – TOUR PRICE: Available upon request
Rates vary frequently. Please contact us to get the best possible price based upon your travel period and specific touring needs.

Osaka and Beyond – Our Services Include:
Hotel accommodation in twin room with daily breakfast.
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
Meet and greet at the airport and return transfers to the airport.
Train tickets in ordinary class on Days 3 (Kyoto to Kobe) and 5 (Kobe to Osaka).
English-speaking local guides in Kyoto (Day 2) and Kobe-Himeji (Day 4).
All entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary on Days 2 and 4.
All public transportation fees as mentioned in the itinerary on Days 2 and 4.
Cycling tour in Osaka on Day 5.
Information Pack.

Osaka and Beyond – Our Services Do Not Include:
International and domestic flights (quoted separately).
Some local transport (e.g. some local city buses, taxi transfers, etc.).
Meals other than mentioned above.
Personal expenses (e.g. drinks, laundry, telephone, and other expenditures of a personal nature).
Travel insurance (please see below).
Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above.

Osaka and Beyond – Creating Unique Touring Experiences
All the touring itineraries on this website have been carefully crafted by our in-country management teams and represent a series of experiences we can certainly recommend. However, we understand that every travel experience should be as unique and individual as each traveler. Our consultants are waiting to hear from you so that we can tailor or custom design a Multi-country tour to your individual specifications.