10 Best Day Trips from Osaka

1. Kobe

Those who adore Osaka will find Kobe equally captivating! This seaside metropolis, blending the charm of an international trade hub and culinary delights, is even shiner than Osaka!

Transit Time & Fare: 25min train ride, 420 yen
Suggested Route: Ikuta Shrine (30min) -Kitano Ijinkan Gai (2h)-Nankinmachi (2h, including lunchtime)-Meriken Park (1h)-Kobe Port Tower (30min for Kobe panorama & sunset viewing)

Getting There
Depart from: Osaka Station
Take Train: JR Kobe Line
Arrive at: Sannomiya Station

Highlights

Kitano Ijinkan-Gai is a street with well-preserved Western architectures from 19th century open for visitors to admire.

Nankinmachi boasts quaint pavilions, intricately carved stone lions, and iconic archways, reminiscent of ancient China. It's also known for authentic Chinese cuisines from Sichuan, Hunan, Guangdong, and Shandong.

Kobe beef, esteemed as the “Rolls-Royce” of beef for its unparalleled quality, stands as a prized delicacy in the realm of Japanese cuisine.

Nankinmachi

Kobe Port Tower

2. Himeji

Himeji, famous for its well-preserved castle and exquisite Japanese gardens, offers easy access from Osaka, perfect for time-crunched travelers eager to dive into Japan's vibrant culture! A Himeji + Kobe day trip from Osaka, in addition to the leisurely Osaka-Himeji trip, is a highly fulfilling and also recommended itinerary.

Transit Time & Fare: 1h train ride, 1520 yen
Suggested Route: Himeji Castle (2.5h)-Koko-en Garden (30min)-Hemeji Art Museum (1h)

Getting There
Depart from: Osaka Station
Take Train: JR Special Rapid Service(for HIMEJI)
Arrive at: Himeji Station

Highlights
Himeji Castle, a national treasure and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, remains well-preserved from 14th century. Its white walls and flowy design make it the “White Heron Castle”.
Koko-en, an exquisite Japanese garden, cleverly weaves Himeji Castle's views with koi ponds and verdant scenery, crafting a one-of-a-kind oasis.

Himeji Castle

Koko-en Garden Koi Pond

3. Kyoto

Unlike the modern metropolis Osaka, Kyoto is a millennial ancient capital, with temples, shrines, lively streets, and stunning nature. Though Osaka's just a hop away, Kyoto deserves 2-3 days– it's worth it! This quick guide is for time-pressed travelers.

Transit Time & Fare: 25min train ride, 580 yen
Suggested Route: Kiyomizu Temple (1.5h) -Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka (1.5h, including lunchtime)-Yasaka Shrine (30min)-Gion (1h)-Nijo Castle (1.5h)

Getting There
Depart from: Shin-Osaka Station
Take Train: JR Kyoto Line
Arrive at: Kyoto Station

Highlights

Kiyomizu Temple, one of Japan's oldest wooden structures, stands as a landmark in Kyoto. 

Gion is Kyoto's historic geisha district. Prepare to be swept away by the graceful movements and enchanting melodies of the geisha as they perform their timeless art. 

Nijo Castle, a symbol of Kyoto, boasts exquisite gardens, each embodying the essence of traditional Japanese and Chinese garden design.

Nijo Castle

Geisha in Gion

4. Nara

From Osaka to Nara, travelers can change from a bustling state to a leisure one. It beckons travelers to frolic with its gentle deer, explore its labyrinth of ancient temples and shrines, and savor wagashi (Japanese desserts).

Transit Time & Fare: 50min train ride, 820 yen
Suggested Route: Nara Park (2h) - Todai Temple (1.5h, including lunchtime)-Kasuga Taisha Shrine (1h) -Wakakusa Hill (1h)-Nakatanidou (30min for wagashi here)

Getting There

Depart from: Osaka Station

Take Train: JR Nara Line

Arrive at: Nara Station

Highlights

Nara Park is renowned for its serene ambiance and free-roaming deer. Here, visitors can engage intimately with deer, feeding them with deer crackers on the verdant grassland.

Todai Temple, a cornerstone of Nara, houses the world's largest bronze Buddha statue, the Lushena Daibutsu, a testament to ancient craftsmanship.

Nara Park

Todai Temple

5. Hiroshima

Hiroshima is a little far from Osaka but deserves a day trip of the significance of peace. AS the world's first city enduring the devastating nuclear atomic bomb, it is narrating a legend about catastrophe, renewal, and the enduring pursuit of peace.

Transit Time & Fare: 1h and 20min Shinkansen train ride, 10950 yen
Suggested Route: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (2h) - Itsuakushima Shrine (1.5h, including lunchtime)

Getting There

Depart from: Osaka Umeda Station

Take Train: Shinkansen

Arrive at: Hiroshima Station

Highlights

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park boasts the iconic dilapidated Atomic Bomb Dome, the sole surviving structure from the blast, serving as a historical reminder. The adjacent Peace Memorial Museum exhibits artifacts and stories of survivors, emphasizing the need to cherish peace.

Itsuakushima Shrine, encircled by the sea, presents a mesmerizing spectacle as its red torii gates seem to hover gracefully above the rising tide, earning it the enchanting title of "The Shrine Floating on the Sea”.

Atomic Bomb Dome

Itsukushima Shrine

6. Wakayama & Koyasan

The two places both boast well-preserved temples and historic monuments. Particularly, at Mount Koya summit, here is a vast religious metropolis. The natural landscapes of streams, waterfalls, and forests amidst the mountains offer visitors leisure and sightseeing experiences.

Transit Time & Fare: 1.5h train ride, 1280 yen
Suggested Route: Wakayama Castle (1h)-Kimiidera Temple (1h)-Kuroshio Market (1.5, including lunchtime)-Okuno Temple (30min)-Kongobu Temple (30min)-Kongobu-ji Danjo Garan (30min)-Koyasan Reihokan Museum (1h)

Getting There

Depart from: Osaka Station

Take Train: JR Wakayama Line

Arrive at: Wakayama Station

Highlights

Wakayama Castle is one of Japan top 100 castles. Visitors can climb up to its Main Tower to overlook Wakayama cityscape.

Kongobu Temple, with magnificent architecture and exquisite gardens, is the prestigious headquarter of Koyasan.

Wakayama Castle

7. Uji

Uji not only boasts famous Matchat curlinary culture but also elaborately engraved temple architectures. If you want a taste different from Osaka, turn to Uji!

Transit Time & Fare: 1h train ride, 990 yen
Suggested Route: Byodoin Temple (1h)-Asagiri Bridge and Tachibana Bridge (30min)-Fukujuen Uji Tea Factory (1.5h, including lunchtime)-Uji Shrine (1h)-The Tale of Genji Museum (1h)

Getting There

Depart from: Shin-Osaka Station

Take Train: JR Kusatsu Line & JR Nara Line

Arrive at: Uji Station

Highlights

Byodoin Temple is famous for its Phoenix Hall, one of the representatives of Japanese architecture.

Visitors to Fukujuen Uji Tea Factory will be treated to exquisite matcha delicacies as well as tea ceremony courses, which is an immersive tea culture experience.

Uji Matcha Delicacy

8. Ise

Ise is ideal for escaping from crowds in Osaka. An Ise tour is of holiness, all about the ancient allure and profound Shinto heritage of Japan.

Transit Time & Fare: 1h 40min train ride,2170yen
Suggested Route: Futamiokitama Shrine (1h)-Okage Yokocho (1.5h, including lunchtime)-Ise Shrine (2h)

Getting There

Depart from: Osaka-Namba Station

Take Train: Kintetsu Line

Arrive at: Ujiyamada Station

Highlights

At Futamiokitama Shrine, experience the distinctive purification ritual, where you can buy the seaweed from Wedded Rocks for 300 yen and accessorize it for cleansing of impurities and sins.

Ise Shrine, sparkling as the heart of Japanese spirituality and an oasis for prayers and soul-soothing, showcases a minimalist yet refined architectural flair that encapsulates the essence of ancient Japanese craftsmanship.

Ise Seascape

9. Sakai & Kishiwada

Both Sakai and Kishiwada are neighbored to Osaka closely and boast historic temples and other ancient remains, offering a portal for visitors to delve into Japanese history and culture during one day.

Transit Time & Fare: 30min train ride, 480 yen
Suggested Route: Sakai City Hall (30min)-Tomb of Emperor Nintoku (1h)-Daisen Park (1.5h)-Kishiwada Castle (1.5h)-Kishiwada Float Museum (1h)

Getting There

Depart from: Osaka-Namba Station

Take Train: Osaka Loop Line & Nankai Line

Arrive at: Sakai Station

Highlights

At the observatory at the 21st floor in Sakai City Hall, you can get a panoramic view of Sakai and learn about Sakai history from shown materials.

In Kishiwada Castle, you can not only discover its history and surrounding towns, but also try on helmets and armor worn by samurai in ancient battles.

10. Minoh Park

Situated near Osaka, Minoh Park is an ideal destination for a day trip with its incomparable waterfall and auspicious temples.

Transit Time & Fare: 25min train ride, 280 yen
Suggested Route: Minoh Waterfall (1h)-Ryuan Temple (1h)-Katsuo Temple (1h)

Getting There

Depart from: Umeda Station

Take Train: Hankyu Line

Arrive at: Minoh Station

Highlights

Minoh Waterfall, soaring 33m (110 ft.) high and 5m (16 ft.) wide, is in a winnowing basket shape. It's one of Japan's top waterfalls, drawing crowds year-round.

The Minoh speciality "Kakiage Momiji" (Maple Leaf Tempura) is recommended-a unique dish where edible maple leaves are marinated and then fried to perfection. 
Katsuo Temple, the “Temple of Winning Daruma”, is filled with colorful Daruma dolls. They're powerful symbols of dreams coming true, inspiring hope and determination in all who seek their blessings.