Best 5 Day Osaka Itinerary Including Visits to Kyoto and Nara City!
Osaka Castle is the most iconic landmark in Osaka
Aside from Tokyo, Osaka is one of the most famous cities in Japan to visit. Osaka’s chill and laid back vibe is in stark contrast to hustle and bustle of Tokyo. In this Osaka Itinerary, I’ll be bringing you around not only Osaka but also the neighboring city of Nara and Kyoto.
If you just want to explore the beautiful and historic city of Kyoto on it’s own, I also have a 3 Day Kyoto Itinerary for you!
For this Osaka, Japan Itinerary, I’ll assume your flight arrives at Osaka’s Kansai Airport in the early hours of the morning. So without further delay, let’s get going with this 5 Day Osaka Itinerary!
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Japanese Local Trains and Shinkansens
Ahh the Shinkansen, the price of Japanese engineering and efficiency
When getting around Osaka (and to be honest, everywhere in Japan), transportation via local trains, Shinkansen (Japanese bullet trains), or Metro is the most convenient.
For traveling between cities in Japan, say Tokyo to Osaka, no doubt the Shinkansens are the best and most comfortable way to go about it, riding on one of these trains is also like a tourist attraction in of itself, as the Shinkansen is the icon of Japanese efficiency.
I recommend purchasing a JR (Japan Railway) Pass which are tickets that includes unlimited rides across all of the JR’s transports (Shinkansen, local trains, airport rail, and even buses). The one I linked above covers the entirety of Japan, but if you are only traveling in the Kansai region (Kyoto, Osaka, Nara), there is a cheaper option which is the JR Kansai Pass.
As for inner city travel in Osaka, Osaka has a large metro system making getting to places a breeze, however, note that the metro system is not covered in the JR Passes.
Day 1: Nara Park and Deers
Hey there little guy
In this Osaka Itinerary, I’ll be saving the Osaka part last as there’ll be lots of shopping involved in Osaka so it’ll be easier for you to pack your bags near the end of the trip.
That said, first we’ll be heading over the the nearby city of Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital (from 710AD - 794AD) and famous for temples, shrines, and its large population of very friendly and polite deers.
Morning: Travel from Osaka to the nearby city of Nara
Nara City is like the national park of the Kansai region
Assuming your flight arrives in the morning, when you arrive at Kansai Airport in Osaka, Japan claim your JR Pass ticket at Kansai Airport. Once you got that we’ll be heading over to Nara City which is about 1.5 hours away by train from Kansai Airport.
From Kansai-Airport Station take the Airport Kansaikuko Line to
Tennoji Station, in the center of Osaka city. This part of the journey takes about an hour.
From there take the Yamatoji Line from Tennoji Station directly to Nara Station, this part of the journey will take approximately 30 minutes.
All of these trains are included in the JR Pass so there is no additional payments needed.
Afternoon: Exploring Nara Park and the Local Deer Population
These deers are so cute
Nara park is large public park within the city of Nara. Here is where you’ll spend the majority of your first day in this 5 Day Osaka Itinerary trip!
Nara Park is one of the must-see destinations within Nara City, spanning an extensive 660 hectares, the park is famous for its freely wandering (and very polite) deer and globally acclaimed temples.
Feeding the local deers is a popular activity, there are special crackers readily available throughout the park for you to purchase, when feeding the deers, they will bow in appreciation, how cute!
Evening: Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha
Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha are gorgeous pieces of architectural art
Continuing your Nara Park exploration, you’ll definitely want to check out Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha which are temples and shrines within Nara Park.
The Todai-ji Temple houses a 15m high Buddha statue and is the most prestigious of Nara's seven great temples.
On the opposite side of the park from Todai-ji is the Kasuga Taisha. The shrine is decorated with beautiful lanterns which are lit only twice a year during winter and summer.
If you want to do some more exploration there are also museums and tea houses scattered around Nara Park.
Day 2: Exploring Historical Kyoto
Foxes are an important image in Kyoto, especially at the Fushimi Inari Taisha
For day 2 (and 3) of our Osaka Itinerary, we will be spending some time exploring the historic capital of Japan, Kyoto.
Kyoto is famous for it’s many shrines and temples as well as being a great place to purchase some high quality green tea or matcha products. Yes, Kyoto is locally famous for their quality Matcha products.
As there is quite a lot more to explore in Kyoto compared to Nara, if you are looking for an easy way to travel then tours like the all inclusive Kyoto & Nara Day Tour is a convenient and very educational activity that you can take without worrying about planning.
Morning: Travel from Nara to Kyoto
Kyoto is a city of history and culture
Before we even start exploring Kyoto, you’ll need to head over to Kyoto City from Nara City. So say goodbye to the polite Nara deers.
We’ll be traveling by a local rapid train, not Shinkansen. You’ll want to hop on the Rapid Koyto Nara Line from Nara station to Kyoto station. The journey takes about 45 minutes and costs 720 JYP, of course if you have a JR Pass you won’t have to pay.
Afternoon: The Pure Water Temple of Kiyomizu Dera
Kiyomizu-dera is one of the most beautiful temples I have ever seen
First destination is the world famous Kiyomizu-dera temple, it’s THE Kyoto landmark and you’d be missing out big time if you don’t come here.
The temple complex is made up of multiple buildings but the main hall overlooks a vast ocean of cherry blossoms. These flowers bloom during late March and will only last for 2 weeks until mid April, if you get the chance to visit during these limited times, you’ll be greeted by a sea of red/pink as far as the eye can see.
Another amazing thing to note is the construction of the temple. The main hall is supported by large wooden logs, and the whole building is constructed without any nails, nuts, and bolts!
I wrote a blog post about exploring Kiyomizu-Dera which you can read if you would like more information about this absolutely gorgeous temple.
Evening: The 1000 Torii Gates of Fushimi Inari Taisha
Fushimi Inari Taisha’s hiking path feels almost surreal
Another famous Kyoto attraction is the Fushimi Inari Taisha, a shrine dedicated to the Inari Okami, the Japanese dieties of fertility, agriculture, industry, and foxes! There are approximately 30,000 Inari shrines throughout Japan but the Fushimi Inari Taisha in Kyoto is the most important.
The Fushimi Inari Taisha is spans from the base to the top of Mount Inari, doubling as a popular local hiking trail, you can hike through the roughly 10,000 Torii gates all the way up to the peak of the mountain.
If you are planning to hike, be sure to spare some time as the hike takes roughly 3 hours. However the good thing is that the shrine is open 24 hours, and some locals even hike late into the night to get a different (and spookier) atmosphere.
Much like Kiyomizu-Dera I also have a more in depth blog post about the Fushimi Inari Taisha if you would like to learn more.
Day 3: Kyoto Zen Gardens and Markets
Kyoto is also a city known for its zen-like atmosphere
Day 3 of our 5 day Osaka itinerary consists of a deeper exploration of Kyoto’s natural beauty through mainly the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Then in the evening we’ll be heading back to Osaka where the real fun of trip will be.
Morning: Exploring the Kinkaku-ji and Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Kinkaku-ji is one of the many temples in the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
In the morning I’ll be taking you to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, a park that feels almost like you’re in a Japanese fairy tale. It’s one of the most photogenic and instagram-able spots in Kyoto. There are a lot of things to see at the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove such as:
The Bamboo walkway
Monkey Park
Tenryuji Garden
Kimono Forest
Togetsukyo Bridge
Kinkaku-ji Temple
And many more…
The ones in bold are the attractions that I recommend you cannot miss.
Since the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is a huge place with many temples and points of interests, it would be a good idea to book a tour such as the Arashiyama Walking Tour, where an English speaking guide will bring you to all the major landmarks to make your hike a lot more enjoyable.
Afternoon: Shopping for local goods at the Nishiki Market
Come to Nishiki Market for the freshest street food in all of Kyoto
Remember when I mentioned that Kyoto is the best place in Japan to purchase Matcha products? well Nishiki Market is not known as the “central kitchen of Kyoto” for no reason.
Being over 400 years old, eating through this heaven for street food and fresh produce is like learning about ancient Kyoto history. You could seriously spend a good chunk of your day here just eating, I know I certainly did ;)
In addition to getting some quick bites to eat, Nishiki Market is also a good place to purchase some local snacks to take home, that includes green tea products.
Some things to look out for when you are strolling through Nishiki Market:
Tsukemono - Various pickled vegetables, eat this as a side dish or with rice for a simple yet satisfying meal.
Tamago-yaki - Japanese rolled omelette seasoned with a bit of dashi for sweetness.
Wagashi - Traditional Japanese sweets
Aritsugu Knives - For all you chefs out there, Aritsugu is famous for their high quality kitchen knives.
Evening: Travel Back to Osaka
Don’t worry, we’ll be visiting Dotonbori soon :)
After your shopping and eating spree at Nishiki Market, we’ll be heading back to Osaka. You’ll want to hop on a JR train at Kyoto Station from there it’s an approximately 25 minute journey to Shin-Osaka Station right in the center of Osaka City.
As for which railway lines to go on, there are 3 that you can choose that all go on the same route, with the same price of 580 JYP for a ticket, if you have a JR Pass, pricing won’t matter as it is FREE.
The 3 lines are:
JR Hida Line
JR Thunderbird Line (cool name by the way)
JR Tokaido-Sanyo Line
It doesn’t matter which one you pick.
Day 4: Universal Studios Japan
If you enjoy thrill rides, Universal Studios Japan is where you should be
Day 4 of our Osaka Itinerary is weirdly our first full day in Osaka and it’s going to be full of fun and excitement because we are going to Universal Studios Japan!!!
Before even entering Universal Studios Japan I recommend you purchase a Universal Studios Japan Express Pass, this will allow you to bypass the long queues at each of the rides, which can stretch from 120 to 230 minutes!.
Note that an Express Pass is separate to a Studio Pass, which grants you entry into the park. You can purchase a Studio Pass at the above link to also enjoy a 1000 Yen meal and shopping coupon, plus a “Have Fun in Kansai Pass” granting access to 3 of the Kansai Regions best experiences like the Umeda Sky Building Observatory.
Universal Studios Japan
I’m not a huge Harry Potter fan but if you are, this is right up your alley
If you’re into films, Universal Studios Japan brings to life beloved characters and stories from Universal Studios' iconic movies and franchises, such as Harry Potter’s Wizarding World, Minions, Pokémon, Jurassic Park and so much more…
Some of the rides that I highly recommend you go on are:
Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem - A 3D ride, good wholesome fun for the kids
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey - Meet iconic characters from the Harry Potter franchise
The Flying Dinosaur - A very very intense roller coaster ride complete with a Pterodactyl
JAWS - An exciting boat ride through an encounter with the terrifying shark. My favorite ride, just because I like water-based rides.
Super Nintendo World
I am a huge Nintendo fan tho, and Super Nintendo World is incredible
One thing you might’ve heard about Universal Studios Japan is the newly introduced Super Nintendo World! Here is where you can find rides and attractions from various Nintendo franchises (Mainly Mario). You’ll find rides and attractions like:
Mario Kart: Koopa’s Challenge
Yoshi’s Adventure
Power-Up Band Key Challenges
Kinopio's Cafe
Yoshi's Snack Island
Donkey Kong Mine-Cart Madness
Even if you are aren’t a huge Nintendo fan, I still recommend you check out Super Nintendo World just because everything is so vibrant and fun.
Day 5: Exploring Osaka
The moment you’ve all been waiting for, finally exploring Osaka!
The final day in this Osaka Itinerary is a bit more chill, starting off the day is a trip to Osaka Castle Park, the most iconic landmark in Osaka, and then the rest of the day is full of eating and shopping.
I’ll bring you to the largest fresh seafood market in Osaka as well as witnessing the neon filled nightlife of Osaka’s famous Dotonbori street.
Morning: Visiting the Iconic Osaka Castle Park
Time to explore Osaka Castle Park!
The mornings are often the best time to visit parks due to the weather being so nice. The most famous park in Osaka is of course, the Osaka Castle. Osaka Castle Park covers an area of about 2 square kilometers and contains more than just a castle.
The main castle tower is surrounded by secondary citadels, gates, turrets, impressive stone walls and moats. Here is where you can find other attractions within the park such as the Nishinomaru Garden, a lawn garden with 600 cherry blossom trees, a tea house, and the former Osaka Guest House.
You can also enter the actual Castle itself, though entry requires you to purchase a ticket for 600 JPY. Inside is basically a Museum about the history of the castle and the city.
I’ve written a blog post about my Explorations at Osaka Castle Park if you would like to learn more details.
Afternoon: Feasting at the Kuromon Ichibia Fish Market
Look at all of that delicious sushi
Being a huge foodie, Kuromon Ichiba Fish Market is definitely my favorite place in all of Osaka.
Here you’ll find hundreds of fresh, and ready to eat food from fatty tuna sushi to giant grilled king crab legs. Kuromon Ichiba fully opens around 12:00PM making it a perfect place to catch some lunch.
Even if you don’t typically like seafood, Kuromon Market still offers a bunch of other street foods like grilled Wagyu skewers, Taiyaki (pancakes in the shape of a fish), and mountains of sweet Japanese strawberries. Seriously the strawberries in Japan are divine.
I could go on and on about this market and I’ve already did with my Eating through Kuromon Ichiba blog post. As always feel free to check out the article if you would like more details about this foodie paradise.
Evening: Shopping and Eating at Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi
Shoes, clothes, cosmetics? Shinsaibashi has it all!
We’ve come to the end of our Osaka holiday and this is where you can do the bulk of your shopping!
The last location in this Osaka itinerary is a shopping spree in Osaka. The following areas are the best places to shop for goods in Osaka:
Shinsaibashi and Ebisubashi - The shopping street intersecting Dotonbori, full of cosmetics, clothing, shoes, and various other trendy and fashionable items.
DenDen Town - A street near the main Namba train station that is filled with Anime merchandise, modeling hobby stores, and video games. The Akihabara of Osaka if you will.
Shinsekai - a bustling and colorful district with many street food shops, and souvenir shops
Dotonbori - The street food epicenter of Osaka.
Be sure to snap a photo of the iconic Glico Running Man before you leave Osaka!
Discounts on Osaka Tours and Activities
Dotonbori is something straight out of a sci-fi neon Tokyo film
For finding great deals on tours or discounts on activities and experiences, I personally use services like Klook or Viator. Both work great but Klook is better for browsing activities in Asia.
You can use the widget below to browse for great prices on tours and activities throughout Japan.
Furthermore, here are some useful resources that you might need when you are traveling in Japan:
Tourism Information - All the information you need when traveling in Japan
4G eSim for Japan - 4G 5-15 day eSim for Japan (QR code sent via email)
JR Railway Pass - The most important train ticket to get you around Japan
Best Hotels and Accommodation
Imagine how comfy those beds are
We’ll be traveling to 3 different cities in this Osaka Itinerary so be sure to book hotels that cover the entire trip. Personally I usually pick the big brand chain business hotels like APA as these places are budget friendly, comes packed full of amenities, and most important of all, comfortable.
For the best hotels in Osaka I recommend:
DEL style Osaka Shin Umeda - Comfortable contemporary hotel with exquisite rooms and facilities
Hotel Forza Osaka Namba Dotonbori - Luxury hotel situated right in Dotonbori street
APA Hotel Namba Minami Ebisucho Eki Shinsekai - Big chain business hotel with excellent services, clean rooms, and affordable pricing
For the best hotels in Nara I recommend:
IROHA GRAND HOTEL Kintetsu-Nara - Nice, clean, quite luxury, all for an affordable price.
Henn na Hotel Nara - Popular hotel with a a nice cozy contemporary feel.
For the best hotels in Kyoto I recommend:
Nohga Hotel Kiyomizu Kyoto - An exceptionally comfortable and clean hotel, located near Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari Taisha.
APA Hotel Kyoto Ekihigashi - A famous chain hotel located in the center of Kyoto city
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