Best Day Trips From Osaka

Osaka is out of this world!

This vibrant, dazzling and futuristic mega metropolis has an enormous quantity to supply guests, from its well-known neon cityscape to its popularity for excellent meals (incomes it the nickname of Japan’s kitchen), to tremendous cool neighborhoods, shrines, temples, castles, nightlife, theme parks, aquariums, and far more.

In fact, it’s at all times good to take a break from metropolis life too and Osaka is a perfect base to discover the remainder of the Kansai area, whether or not you’re craving the coast or countryside or simply need to pattern a special metropolis.

From sacred mountains and historic rural villages to coastal retreats, well-known shrines, and artwork islands, Osaka has the very best of Japan on its doorstep, particularly you probably have a JR Pass for limitless journey on Japan’s home rail community.

Japan’s railway system is super-fast, clear, protected, and comfy, and it’s the good technique to journey throughout this unforgettable nation.

Associated learn: A day in Osaka, Japan

Prepared to begin exploring? Listed below are the highest day journeys from Osaka.

8 of The Finest Day Journeys From Osaka

As Japan’s second-largest metropolis, Osaka is extraordinarily nicely linked by transport, making it the proper base for day journeys to many different excellent locations.

Due to its location (and the velocity and effectivity of Japanese trains), you may attain different main cities, rural hideaways, shrines, temples, mountains, coastlines, and extra inside an hour or two of Osaka.

Associated learn: La Carmina’s Alternative Osaka Travel Guide

Listed below are eight of the very best day journeys from Osaka by practice:

Kyoto

An apparent day journey from Osaka is one other of Japan’s most well-known and most visited cities – Kyoto, which is simply quarter-hour away from Osaka on the Shinkansen.

Often known as the cultural coronary heart of Japan, Kyoto is packed filled with unbelievable historical past. The one draw back is that Kyoto is so well-known for its historic buildings, cultural treasures, shrines, and temples, that this can be very standard with worldwide guests. It’s, nevertheless, 100% price it to see the sweetness and historical past of Kyoto with your personal eyes.

Kyoto was the capital of Japan from the eighth Century to 1868 and town embodies greater than 1,000 years of historical past.

Arguably town’s most well-known and historic districts are Gion, which is legendary for its geisha district, and Pontocho, which was the birthplace of Kabuki.

Associated learn: Complete Kyoto Travel Guide

Kyoto can be residence to a few of Japan’s greatest shrines and temples. The truth is, it boasts greater than 1,600 temples which might make it arduous to know the place to begin.

Fortunately, we’ve accomplished the arduous be just right for you by placing collectively a listing of our greatest temple suggestions when visiting Kyoto. Our checklist contains Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kiyomizudera Temple, Saiho-ji Temple, Kennin-ji Temple, Tofuku-ji Temple, Nanzen-ji Temple, Ginkaku-ji Temple, and Ryoan-ji Temple.

Maybe essentially the most iconic temple in Kyoto is the “Golden Pavilion” of Kinkaku-ji – this iconic constructing has been the postcard of town for a few years. Whereas Kinkaku-ji was based in 1397, the temple needed to be rebuilt in 1955 after a devastating fireplace. Regardless of that, it’s one in every of many temples on this checklist that make up the Historic Monuments of Historic Kyoto recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Web site.

Additionally vying for the highest spot amongst Kyoto’s temples is Kiyomizudera and its magnificent veranda. Kiyomizudera is discovered on Mt. Kiyomizu and overlooks town. The unique temple dates again to 798 though what you’ll see now could be the model that was rebuilt in 1633. The temple’s identify interprets as “Pure Water Temple” and comes from the pure waters flowing over the Otowa Waterfall shut by. However it’s actually the immense picket stage, mentioned to have been constructed with out a single nail, that’s the star attraction right here.

Kyoto can be well-known for its Shinto shrines in fact. Essentially the most well-known and most necessary being Fushimi Inari Taisha, whose vermillion crimson torii gates had been featured within the 2005 movie ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’.

Fushimi Inari Taisha was based in 711, which makes it one of many oldest shrines in Kyoto. It was initially situated on Inariyama hill, within the southwest of town, earlier than being relocated to its current and everlasting residence by the Hata household in 816. A century later, in 942, it was given the very best rank amongst Shinto shrines, and in 1499, after the gorgeous and ornate foremost shrine construction was constructed, Japan designed Fushimi Inari Taisha as an Vital Cultural Property.

The origin of Fushimi Inari Taisha is steeped in legend. The story goes {that a} rice cake was fired into the air and was a swan that flew to the height of Mt. Inari. Rice started to develop on the mountain prime and the spot turned the pinnacle shrine for Inari Okami, the Japanese god of rice, sake, and prosperity, and the patron of companies, retailers and producers.

In the present day, 1000’s of individuals from throughout Japan,and tens of millions of holiday makers from all over the world,come to hope for fruitful harvests, enterprise success, and different blessings. It’s significantly standard for New 12 months prayers in Japan – probably the most necessary dates within the calendar.

In fact, many worldwide guests come to see the well-known Senbon Torii—the 1000’s of vermilion crimson gates in dense rows resulting in the Torii gate mountaineering path. Each bears the identify of an individual or enterprise carved in black who donated the gate to obtain good luck and fortune.

Learn how to get from Osaka to Kyoto by practice

The JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station takes simply quarter-hour and is absolutely lined by the JR Pass whereas travelling on Hikari and Kodama trains.

Nara

One other wonderful day journey from Osaka, simply 40 minutes away by practice, is Nara—an space filled with historical past, wildlife, scenic views, temples, and shrines.

Most of Nara’s historic points of interest, in addition to its well-known free-roaming deer, are situated throughout the 660-hectare Nara Metropolis Park, which is comparatively small and simple to navigate.

Begin with a go to to the Heijo Palace web site, which is a remnant from the time when Nara was the Capital of Japan and is now a World Heritage web site.

From right here, go to town centre for a go to to Kohfukuji and its three-story pagoda. This is likely one of the most well-known pagodas in Japan.

Subsequent, the Nara Nationwide Museum is just a five-minute stroll away. It homes a powerful assortment of Buddhist artwork and historic nationwide treasures.

After lunch head east by means of the deer park to the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, identified for the various stone lanterns donated by worshippers, a profound ambiance of calm might be felt. After visiting the shrine, take a stroll by means of the forest and soak within the peaceable ambiance surrounding the place.

The final and most well-known of our suggestions is Tōdai-ji – the crown jewel of Nara. This Buddhist temple advanced homes the Nice Buddha and its guardians. Though it was accomplished in 752 A.D., it stays as one of many nationwide masterworks of Japan.

Learn how to get from Osaka to Nara by practice

You need to use each the JR Yamatoji Line and the Kintetsu Nara Line to achieve Nara by practice from Osaka, with a journey time of round 40-50 minutes.

Kobe

Simply 1.5 hours from Osaka and the house of the world-famous beef, Kobe is a beautiful coastal metropolis and an amazing day journey vacation spot.

What’s so particular about Kobe beef we hear you ask?

Kobe beef is likely one of the most legendary varieties of beef on the earth, each for its high quality and its value. In fact, Kobe beef is extra than simply meals; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime culinary expertise, and there’s nowhere higher than Kobe itself to pattern this scrumptious meat. Whereas it may be served in many alternative methods, arguably the very best dishes to eat it are both in shabu shabu, which is a soup that has boiled meat, sukiyaki (sizzling pot), or teppanyaki, which is most individuals’s favourite. That’s when the chef prepares, cooks, and serves the Kobe beef proper in entrance of you.

As we mentioned, it’s a actually particular expertise and Kobe is the place to go for this culinary journey!

Kobe isn’t simply well-known for meals too. If you wish to strive one in every of Japan’s most well-known conventional drinks, then make sure you go to town’s Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum.

If that isn’t sufficient to persuade you to go to Kobe, town additionally boasts loads of purchasing alternatives, scenic views from the highest of the close by Mt. Rokko and its personal Onsen Scorching Springs Resort (Arima Onsen) throughout the metropolis limits.

And eventually, Kobe (Ashiya district specifically) was additionally the childhood residence of well-known Japanese creator Haruki Murakami! 

Associated learn: The Ultimate Guide to Street Food in Japan

Learn how to get from Osaka to Kobe by practice

Utilizing a JR Cross, take both the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Shin-Kobe Station in simply quarter-hour or for a extra centrally situated terminus, take the JR particular speedy practice from Osaka Station to Kobe’s Sannomiya Station, which takes 20 minutes. Both means, it’s a fast journey and an ideal day journey.

Koyasan and Kumano

The three grand shrines of the Kumano area are collectively often known as the Kumano Sanzan temples. They include the Kumano Hongū Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. These Shinto shrines are extremely sacred and a typical pilgrimage vacation spot.

Hidden away within the forests close to the southern finish of the peninsula, the three shrines are linked by the traditional pilgrimage trails of the Kumano Kodo. Which means visiting the Kumano Sanzan isn’t only for these excited by Japan’s non secular facet, it’s additionally good if you would like the nation’s pure facet.

You even have the prospect to witness one in every of Japan’s most breath-taking waterfalls, Nachi-no-taki, whenever you cease at Nachi Taisha shrine.

Associated learn: Eko Koyasan – A Mountaintop Buddhist Retreat with 100 Working Temples

Amazingly, the Kumano Sanzan Temples and Ise Grand Shrine should not the one historic points of interest within the Kii Peninsula. You’ll additionally discover the historic and exquisite Buddhist monastery advanced at Mt. Koya. Often known as Kōyasan Shingon and situated 800 meters above sea stage, this can be a distinctive and non secular vacation spot.

Some of the necessary temples right here is Danjo Garan, which has been a middle of non secular instructing because the ninth century. Should you’re fortunate you would possibly even spot some present college students strolling round of their yellow robes. Sights to see there embrace the lately renovated Chūmon gate and the brilliant crimson Konpon Daitō pagoda.

One other main temple is the Oku-no-in sanctuary, residence to a cemetery of 200,000 tombs and the mausoleum of Kōbō Daishi, the founding father of Shingon Buddhism. There within the forest, you’ll discover many stupas lined in moss and an air of tranquility and reverence.

Koya-san can be the start and finish of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, which options 88 temples and shrines and might take three months to finish on foot.

Even when you don’t have time for all 88, you may e-book a Shukubo (a ‘temple keep’) in Koya-san (which has greater than 100 temples to select from, many with their very own onsen and zen gardens for max leisure).

Temples comparable to Eko-in and Muryoko-in are 1,000 years previous and permit friends to meditate, follow calligraphy, participate in morning chanting and different rituals, and far more. It’s attainable to remain for weeks to completely immerse your self within the non secular life.

Learn how to get from Osaka to Koyasan by practice

With a journey time of round two hours, this is likely one of the longer day-trip locations, but it surely’s positively price it. You have to to set off from Nankai Namba Station in Osaka earlier than getting off Gokurakubashi Station on the foot of Mount Koya.

Himeji Fort

Certainly one of Japan’s most stunning and historic castles and simply 50 minutes from Osaka on the Shinkansen, Himeji Castle is nicely price a go to. Along with the fort backyard, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and a nationwide treasure of the very best rank. Due to its sensible white exterior and resemblance to a heron retreating, the fort bears the identify “White Heron Fort” (Shirasagi-jō).

The historical past and id of Himeji metropolis had lengthy revolved round its fort, which originated in 1333 when the primary fort on Mount Himeji was constructed. A bit of over two centuries later, in 1581, the fort was was a fort. Within the following a long time, Himeji fort was steadily expanded, creating an in depth fort advanced with superior defensive methods, which ended up being the biggest fort in Japan.

In contrast to different castles in Japan, Himeji fort stood the take a look at of time and was by no means destroyed by conflict or pure catastrophe, it survived firebombs throughout WWII and the nice Hanshin earthquake in 1995. In 2010 Himeji fort underwent a large restoration mission that took over 5 years and re-opened to the general public in 2015.

In the present day Himeji fort stays open to the general public on most days and is a superb instance of prototypical Japanese fort structure, feudal protection works and total cultural significance.

Learn how to get from Osaka to Himeji by practice

Take the Hiraki Shinkansen practice from Shin-Osaka to Himeji Station. It’s a direct line and simply 50 minutes away.

Naoshima Artwork Island

Well-known for each its fashionable indoor and out of doors artwork, sandy seashores, gorgeous panoramic views and sunny climate, Naoshima Artwork Island makes for an amazing place to unwind, and you may keep there too.

The island is residence to the enduring Yellow Pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama. That is solely the start of the gathering of open air-sculptures and installations, together with works by Dan Graham, Shinro Otake and Karel Appel.

What about lodging you ask? How about staying in a museum? Benesse Artwork Home is essentially the most well-known and maybe most intriguing museum on Naoshima. Created in 1992, Benesse Home is not only a museum however an upscale lodge as nicely.

Staying friends can wander the exhibitions at night time with out being distracted by others. The artwork assortment contains work by Tadao Ando, George Rickey, Alberto Giacometti, Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Andy Warhol and others.

Learn how to get from Osaka to Naoshima Artwork Island by practice

Take the JR Sanyo Shinkansen Line to Okayama earlier than altering to the JR Uno Line to Uno Station. It’s then only a quick 20-minute ferry journey to the island) departing from reverse the practice station).

Ise Jingu

Often known as the non secular residence of the Japanese folks, Ise Grand Shrine (or Ise Jingu) dates again nearly 2,000 years and stays crucial and culturally important shrine in all of Japan. Should you’re fascinated by Japan’s non secular historical past and the fantastic thing about its shrines and temples, then Ise Grand Shrine ought to be on the very prime of your checklist.

The shrine is the house of the solar goddess Amaterasu, Japan’s supreme deity, and the situation of the Sacred Mirror of the Emperor. Some of the fascinating information about Ise Grand Shrine is that each 20 years, the inside and outer shrines in addition to the Uji Bridge, are taken down and utterly rebuilt consistent with Shinto beliefs of rebirth and renewal.

Ise Grand Shrine is not only spiritually and culturally necessary to Japan, additionally it is probably the most stunning shrines you can ever hope to go to. 

Ise Grand Shrine is named Ise Jingu as a result of ‘Jingu’ is the very best classification of Shinto shrines. Shinto is likely one of the two foremost non secular perception methods in Japan, the opposite being Buddhism.

As a fundamental rule, shrines like Ise Grand Shrine are associated to Shinto, whereas temples belong to Buddhism. In contrast to Buddhism, Shinto originated in Japan and is deeply woven into the material of Japanese tradition and historical past.

The Shinto faith includes the worship of a number of gods or spirits often known as kami, who’re mentioned to inhabit all issues. Purity is the massive focus of Shinto, and completely different rituals contain cleaning worshippers.

Since Shinto has advanced organically and has no single origin or sacred textual content, practices differ relying on the kami and the area of Japan during which they happen.

Learn how to get from Osaka to Ise Jingu by practice

First, use the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to journey to Nagoya then switch to the “Mie” speedy practice to Ise. The Fast Mie practice is likely one of the few choices to entry the prefecture of Mie, well-known for town of Toba, Ise Jingu temple, Ise Shima Nationwide Park and naturally, Mie itself.

The Japan Rail Pass is legitimate on the Fast Mie practice, and as talked about above, seat reservations might be made without spending a dime. There’s one catch although, as between Kawarada Station and Tsu Station the practice travels on personal railways operated by the Ise Railway. For this half, a 540 yen further fare is required, which isn’t included within the move. The fare is collected on board by the conductor however may also be paid forward of time on the ticket workplace.

Uji

Osaka’s rail connections are a passport to smaller cities and villages you might not have heard of or thought-about visiting earlier than. Uji is a main instance and might be reached in round one hour from Osaka on the Shinkansen.

Uji is especially identified for 3 issues: its World Heritage websites, which include historic temples and shrines, its tea and the Story of Genji.

Let’s begin with Uji’s temples and shrines.

Of the varied temples in Uji, one you gained’t need to miss is the Byodo-in Temple. This historic Buddhist temple dates again to 1053 and is one in every of two World Heritage websites within the metropolis. Byodo-in Temple is well known for its elegant Phoenix Corridor, an image of which really adorns one facet of the ten¥ coin. Inside this deceptively tall corridor you’ll discover a ravishing three-metre-tall statue of Buddha Amida. Apart from seeing the Phoenix Corridor, be certain to go to the temple museum and see its assortment of artefacts.

Subsequent is Ujigami Shrine, crucial place of Shinto worship in Uji and one other of Japan’s monuments acknowledged by UNESCO. The shrine isn’t significantly giant however is shrouded in loads of imperial historical past and is alleged to have been constructed by 1060. This makes it one of many oldest Shinto shrines in Japan.

Subsequent is an wonderful literary truth that pertains to Uji. Do you know that the oldest novel on the earth is believed to be a Japanese story from the eleventh century? The novel is The Story of Genji written by Murasaki Shikibu, a Japanese noblewoman, recounting a romance story of a prince and his adventures.

Uji is the setting for the ultimate ten chapters of the novel, a incontrovertible fact that town remains to be fairly happy with. No shock then that there are a number of landmarks round Uji that commemorate that connection. One is a statue celebrating the novelist Murasaki Shikibu, simply by the Uji Bridge throughout the river.

However the metropolis additionally hosts the Story of Genji Museum devoted to the story. Contained in the museum displays present you what modern life was like through the interval when the novel was set.

Consuming inexperienced tea is ever-present in life in Japan, being each the most well-liked beverage and a part of many customs and traditions. Uji and its surrounding area has lengthy had a popularity for its superior tea, and it was one of many first locations to correctly undertake this behavior from China.

Whereas within the metropolis, one of the best ways to expertise tea in Uji is by visiting one in every of its riverside tea homes. You’ll additionally discover Uji tea in most native eating places and shops, whereas it’s widespread to seek out matcha-flavoured meals like ice-cream on the market. There are even sure locations, just like the Taihoan tea home the place you may expertise a standard Japanese tea ceremony first-hand.

Lastly, as a facet attraction, the Uji River, working by means of town, is likely one of the most stunning spots in Uji. As you look alongside the river to the encircling hills blanketed in forest, loads of nature is on show, particularly fairly in spring or autumn.

To essentially calm down, take a ship journey on a neighborhood boat normally used for cormorant fishing.

Learn how to get from Osaka to Uji by practice

Utilizing your Japan Rail Cross, journey on the JR Kyoto Line from Osaka to Kyoto earlier than switching to the JR Nara Line from Kyoto to Uji. The overall journey time is round an hour.

Day Journeys from Osaka by Prepare

Osaka is the guts of Japan, completely mixing historic richness with city class. As a gateway to the Kansai area, it gives easy accessibility to close by cultural treasures and culinary delights, because of wonderful connectivity and the JR Cross, making each tour a singular glimpse into Japan’s numerous tapestry.

Book the Japan Rail Pass Online

Should you’re occupied with diving deep into Japan and overlaying lengthy distances, it is best to completely take into consideration getting the Japan Rail Cross (also referred to as JR Cross). Taking the practice in Japan is all about being environment friendly, cost-effective, and simple to entry – and the JR Cross delivers on all these perks.