Daytrips out of Osaka?

Suggested daytrips out of Osaka:

Kyoto

(My visits to Kyoto here)

1 of the most popular destinations of Japan. 

Actually, it would be even better to stay overnight at Kyoto and spend at least 2 days there. 

But if you don't have much time to spend in Japan, and you happen to stay in Osaka, then I would strongly recommend a visit to Kyoto for at least a daytrip.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Kiyomizudera during autumn

Old street at Higashiyama district near Kiyomizudera.

Nishiki Market

More info on Kyoto:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2158.html & http://www.kyoto.travel/

Suggested itinerary:

0800-0830 Osaka to Kyoto

0830-0845 Go to Tourist info office at Kyoto station to collect maps of Kyoto and bus routes.

0845-0900 Kyoto to Inari

0900-1030 Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine

1030-1100 Inari to Kiyomizu-gojo station 

1130-1300 Visit Kiyomizudera

1300-1430 Have lunch at Higashiyama district, and explore the old shopping street at Higashiyama.

1500-1530 Walk through Hanami-koji street in Gion district.

1530-1600 Walk from Gion to Nishiki market.

1600-1700 Visit Nishiki Market.

How to go Kyoto from Osaka?

(If you have the nationwide JR Pass)

Shin-Osaka station to Kyoto station via Shinkansen (14mins)

(If you don't have any railpass, or if you are using either JR West Kansai Area Pass or JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass)

Osaka station to Kyoto station via JR Special Rapid Service on Kyoto line (30mins, 540yen)

(If you are using Kansai Thru Pass)

From Osaka station, walk to nearby Umeda (Hankyu) station.

Umeda (Hankyu) station to Karasuma station via Hankyu Kyoto Line Ltd Exp (45mins, 390yen)

From Karasuma station, walk over to nearby Shijo station.

Shijo station to Kyoto station via Kyoto City Subway Karasuma line (4mins, 210yen)

Nara

(My visits to Nara here)

In some parts of Nara, you can see deers roaming about freely. 

More info on Nara:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2165.html

Suggested Itinerary:

0900-1000 Osaka to Nara

1030-1130 Visit Kofukuji

1130-1200 Walk to Todaiji. Along the way you can see deers roaming around. You can consider buying deer biscuits to feed them if you want. 

1200-1300 Visit Todaiji

1300-1430 Have lunch and then go to Kasuga Taisha

1430-1600 Visit Kasuga Taisha

1600 onwards, return back to Osaka.

How to go Nara from Osaka:

(If you have the nationwide JR Pass, JR West Kansai Area Pass, or JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass)

Osaka to JR Nara station via JR Yamatoji Rapid Service (55mins, 780yen).

(This is a slightly cheaper method, and also for those with Kintetsu Railpass or Kansai Thru Pass)

Osaka Station to Tsuruhashi station via JR Osaka Loop line (16mins, 170yen)

Tsuruhashi station to KintetsuNara station via Kintetsu Nara Line Rapid Exp or Semi Exp
(32mins for Rapid Exp, 45mins for Semi Exp, 480yen)

Kobe
(My visit to Kobe here)

Kobe Chinatown

Kobe Harborland

More info on Kobe:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2159.html

http://feel-kobe.jp/_en/

http://www.rokkosan.com/en/

Suggested Itinerary:

0900-1100 Visit Kitano area

1130-1230 Lunch at Nankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown)

1300-1500 Visit Kobe Harborland

1500-1600 Kobe Harborland to Mt Rokko

1600 onwards (until sun sets) Visit Mt Rokko Observation deck (Mid Jan-End Mar closes at 1700hr, Rest of the year at 2100hr)

Return back to Osaka after viewing the evening view of Kobe from Mt Rokko.

How to go Kobe from Osaka?

(If you have nationwide JR Pass or JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass, or JR West Sanyo Area Pass)

Shin-Osaka station to Shin-Kobe station via Shinkansen
(13mins, 1450yen for unreserved seat, or 2810yen for reserved seat)

(If you don't have any railpass, or have the JR West Kansai Area Pass)

Osaka station to JR Sannomiya station via JR Special Rapid Service train (22mins, 390yen)

(If you have Kansai Thru pass)

Umeda (Hankyu) station to Kobe-Sannomiya station via Hankyu Kobe Line
(29mins for Ltd Exp train, 45mins for Local trains, 310yen)

Kurashiki + Okayama

(My visit to Okayama here, and Kurashiki here)

If you have the nationwide JR Pass, or JR Kansai Area Wide Pass, or JR West Sanyo Area Pass, you can consider making a daytrip to Kurashiki and Okayama. 

If you don't have any of the railpasses mentioned above, it would be pretty expensive to visit this area from Osaka due to the transport costs.

Kurashiki's Canal Area

Okayama castle

Korakuen

More info on Okayama:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5700.html, http://www.okayama-japan.jp/en/

More info on Kurashiki:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5750.html, http://www.city.kurashiki.okayama.jp/

Suggested Itinerary:
0730-0900 Travel to Kurashiki

0900-1200 Explore Kurashiki Canal Area

1200-1300 Kurashiki to Okayama, then go to Okayama castle

1300-1400 Visit Okayama Castle

1430-1600 Visit Korakuen Garden

How to go Kurashiki from Osaka?
If you don't have any railpass, yet would like to visit Kurashiki/Okayama, I would strongly recommend that you get the JR Kansai Area Wide Pass. That railpass costs 7000yen and it covers the journey between Shin-Osaka to Kurashiki.
Considering that a 1 way journey without any railpass would already cost 5670yen (5350yen + 320yen), thus a return trip would cost 11,340yen. Therefore just spending 7000yen on that railpass is worth it.

(For those with nationwide JR Pass, JR West Sanyo Area Pass, or JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass, this journey is covered)

Shin-Osaka station to Okayama station via Shinkansen
(50mins for Shinkansen Sakura, 60-80mins for Shinkansen Hikari, 5350yen for unreserved seat, 5860yen for reserved seat)
Okayama station to Kurashiki station via JR Sanyo line or JR Hakubi line (17mins, 320yen).

Ise
(My visit to Ise here)

Okage Yokocho

Oharaimachi

Ise Inner Shrine

More info on Ise:

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4310.html & http://www.city.shima.mie.jp/kanko-e/index.html
More info on Oharaimachi:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e4302.html & http://www.ise-kanko.jp/oise/oharai.html
More info on Okage Yokocho:
http://www.okageyokocho.co.jp/

Suggested itinerary:

0800-1000 Osaka to Ise

1030-1400 Visit Okage Yokocho, Oharaimachi and lunch

1400-1530 Visit Ise Inner Shrine

1600-1800 Ise to Osaka.

How to go Tsuruhashi station from Osaka station?
Osaka station to Tsuruhashi station via JR Osaka Loop line (15mins, 170yen)

How to go Okage Yokocho/Oharaimachi/Inner Shrine?
(If you have Kintetsu Rail Pass or Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide)
Tsuruhashi station to Isuzugawa station via Kintetsu Ltd Exp train
(110mins, 3040yen for reserved seat, 1 Ltd Exp train departure every 40mins-hourly)
Ideally, take the 0813hr Kintetsu Ltd Exp train from Tsuruhashi, and arrive Isuzugawa at 1001hr.
(train timing correct as of 7/3/14, pls check hyperdia website to double check train timing for your visit)

Remember to go the the Ltd Exp counter at the train platform at Tsuruhashi to get your Ltd Exp Reserved seat tickets using your Kintetsu Rail Pass before you take the train. Remember, you can only use the Kintetsu Rail Pass to take up to 3 Ltd Exp train journeys within the 5 day period.

(If you don't have Kintetsu Rail Pass nor Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide)
Tsuruhashi station to Isuzugawa station via Kintetsu Exp train
(135mins, 1760yen, 1 train departure every hourly)
Ideally, take the 0818hr Kintetsu Exp direct train from Tsuruhashi, and arrive Isuzugawa at 1032hr.
(train timing correct as of 7/3/14, pls check hyperdia website to double check train timing for your visit)

How to go Okage Yokocho/Oharaimachi/Inner Shrine from Isuzugawa station? 
(Choose 1 of these 3 methods)
1) By bus (about 15mins bus ride)
2) By taxi (about 10 mins journey, it cost me about 1000yen for the taxi ride during my visit there)
3) Walk (about 30mins walk to reach Okage Yokocho and Oharaimachi from Isuzugawa station)


- Map of Okage Yokocho. Oharaimachi is located just next to Okage Yokocho.
And Ise Inner Shrine is located at the end of Oharaimachi.

Hikone + Nagahama

(My visit to Nagahama here)

Kurokabe square at Nagahama

More info on Hikone:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7000.html
More info on Nagahama:
http://kitabiwako.jp/nagahama/

Suggested Itinerary:
0815-1000 Osaka to Nagahama
1000-1200 Visit Nagahama
1200-1230 Nagahama to Hikone
1230-1600 Visit Hikone (Castle Road and Hikone castle)
1600 onwards, Hikone back to Osaka.

How to go Nagahama from Osaka? 
*Only covered by nationwide JR Pass or JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass
Osaka station to Nagahama station via JR Special Rapid Service Kyoto/Biwako line train
(100mins, 1890yen, about 1 train departure every 30mins for the direct train)

How to go Hikone from Osaka?
*Only covered by nationwide JR Pass or JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass
Osaka station to Hikone station via JR Special Rapid Service Kyoto/Biwako line train
(80mins, 1890yen)

How to go Hikone from Nagahama?
*Only covered by nationwide JR Pass or JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass
Nagahama station to Hikone station via JR Special Rapid Service train
(18-25mins, 230yen, about 1 train departure every 30mins)

Ski areas in Kansai region
(during winter season, usually from end dec to early march)

Hakodateyama ski area (no overnight accommodation)

(My visit to Hakodateyama ski area here)

How to go Hakodateyama ski area from Osaka?

Osaka station to Omiimazu station via JR Special Rapid Service Kyoto/Kosei line train 

(75-85mins, 1890yen, about 1 direct train departure every hourly)

Alternatively, you can go to Kyoto station and transfer to JR Kosei line local train (more trains per hour, but train journey duration will increase by additional 20mins) to reach Omiimazu station.

Omiimazu station to Hakodateyama's gondola station by bus 

(about 35mins bus journey, 220yen, you can find bus timings from Hakodateyama ski area's website)

Take gondola (cable car) ride up to Hakodateyama ski area 

(about 8mins, 1800yen for return trip on gondola)

Biwako Valley Ski area (no overnight accommodation)

How to go Biwako Valley ski area from Osaka?

Osaka station to Kyoto station via JR Special Rapid Service Kyoto line train (30mins)

Kyoto station to Shiga station via JR Kosei Line train (45mins)

Overall train fare from Osaka station to Shiga station is 1280yen.

From Shiga station, take a short 10mins bus ride to Biwako Valley ski area's gondola station. (320yen)

Take gondola (cable car) ride up to Biwako Valley ski area (1800yen for a return trip on gondola I think)

---information correct as of 7/3/2014

Transportation and Railpasses within Kansai region.

*Note: prices listed on this article are before the tax increase in Japan in April 2014. Therefore prices/fares quoted here will probably be slightly different if your trip to Japan is from April 2014 onwards.  
Occasionally, the train operators might amend or discontinue the railpasses listed here, so please double-check the details with the railpass's websites for the details for the most current information. 

Kansai region is probably 1 of my favourite areas to visit in Japan (that, and Hokkaido during winter that is).

Basically, the Kansai region is located somewhere in the middle of Japan, and it consists of 7 prefectures:
- Osaka (City area, also where Universal Studios is located at)
- Kyoto (Temples, shrines, and geisha. Kyoto also used to be Japan's capital until 1868)
- Nara (Where there are deers roaming about freely in some parts of the town)
- Mie (Where 1 of my fav old towns Oharaimachi is located at)
- Wakayama (Where I took the Cat train to visit the Cat Stationmaster)
- Hyogo (Where Kobe, Himeji and Kinosaki onsen is located at)
- Shiga (Where you can find a few ski slopes that are near Kyoto, as well as where Lake Biwa is located at)

Kansai region is highlighted in red.

Kansai region

Getting to Kansai region

To get to Kansai region, taking a flight to Osaka's Kansai Airport is usually the best option.

Or if you are getting to Kansai region from Tokyo, you could either:
- Take a domestic flight from Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airport to Osaka's Kansai Airport.
- Take a 3hr journey onboard the Shinkansen (bullet train) (Costs 13,240yen for a 1way from Tokyo to Shin-Osaka station)
- Take a bus.

Public Transport from Kansai Airport

From Kansai Airport, you could take either 1 of these methods to reach Osaka downtown.
- JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service train (costs 1160yen, takes 70mins to reach Osaka station).
This train also stops at other popular stations like Rinkutown, Tennoji, ShinImamiya, Bentencho. Since there is no reserved seat carriage for this train, so seats are on a first-come-first-served basis and you might have to stand throughout the journey. Not too sure whether there's toilet onboard this train since I've never taken this train before.

- JR Haruka Express train (takes about 50mins and costs 2260yen for unreserved seat or 2770yen for reserved seat to Shin-Osaka, or takes 75mins and costs 2770yen for unreserved seat or 3280yen for reserved seat to Kyoto).
This Ltd Exp train stops at only Tennoji, Shin-Osaka (not Osaka station), and Kyoto station. It is also the only train which goes direct from Kansai airport all the way to Kyoto.
There are areas in each cabin for you to place your luggage and there are toilets onboard this train. For those with reserved seat tickets, you will have your seat number printed on your ticket and you will have a confirmed seat throughout your journey.
Special package: 1 way or 2 way Haruka Express + ICOCA card package

- Nankai Ltd Exp Rapi:t (takes about 37mins and costs 1390yen to reach Nankai's Namba station in Osaka for a reserved seat)
This is a Ltd Exp train stops at a few stations like Rinkutown, Izumisano, Kishiwada, Sakai, Tengachaya, ShinImamiya, and Nankai's Namba station in Osaka. It doesn't go further up north to Osaka station nor Shin-Osaka station area though. Like the Haruka Express, this train has an area in each cabin for you to place your luggage as well as toilets onboard the train. There are no unreserved seats on this train so you will have to purchase a reserved seat ticket.
Nankai company's discount tickets: See here. 
More info: See here.

- Nankai Airport Express (takes about 48mins and costs 890yen to reach Nankai's Namba station in Osaka)
This is a regular express train and runs on the same route as the Nankai Ltd Exp Rapi:t train, just that this train stops at more stations along the way as well as the same stops as the Nankai Ltd Exp Rapi:t train. There are no reserved seats on this train and seats are on a first-come-first-serve basis...kinda like taking subway. Not too sure if there's a toilet on this train or not though.
Nankai company's discount tickets: See here
More info: See here.

- Bus. More info: See this website

Railpasses (for use in Kansai region):

Well, there are a few railpass options for this region. It really depends on where you will be going and then decide for yourself which is more suitable for you.

I strongly recommend using Hyperdia website to calculate your train fares/schedule to compare and see whether it's worth getting a railpass for your trip. Note that there are many railway companies in Japan, so if you are getting a railpass offered by a certain company (for example, JR company), then that railpass is only valid on that company's train lines.

Meaning, even though you have a JR Kansai Area Wide pass, you can only use it to take JR train lines.
If you were to take subways in Osaka, then the JR railpass will not cover for the subway since the subway lines are not operated by the JR company.


4 days JR Kansai Area Wide Pass (7000yen)
Additional info: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_08.html
This is 1 of my favourite railpass which I've already used on a few trips.
If you plan on visiting places like Kinosaki onsen (which is about 3hrs train ride from Kyoto/Osaka), or planning to take a Shinkansen to Okayama or Himeji from Shin-Osaka, then this railpass is really worth getting. Bear in mind that this railpass doesn't cover the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Shin-Osaka, although you could use this pass to take regular JR trains between Osaka and Kyoto areas.

To put things into perspective (normal train fares if not using railpass):
1 way journey onboard the Ltd Exp train from Osaka to Kinosaki onsen would normally cost 4940yen (unreserved seat).
1 way journey onboard Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Okayama would normally cost 5350yen (unreserved seat).

But, if you are just visiting within Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe areas, then this railpass might not be worth getting. A regular JR train (not Shinkansen) from Osaka station to Kyoto station would only cost 540yen for 1 way journey if you are not using railpass.


1/2/3/4 days JR Kansai Area Pass (2000 to 6000yen)
Additional info: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_03.html
This railpass has flexibility since you can choose whether you need 1/2/3/4 days of coverage. It doesn't cover as large an area as compared to the Kansai Area Wide pass though, but it's a cheaper alternative.
You can use this pass to go up to Himeji via local and rapid trains from Osaka/Kyoto. But you cannot use this to take Shinkansen nor Ltd Exp trains. 1 exception is that you can use this railpass to take the Haruka Exp train.

To put things into perspective (normal train fares if not using railpass):
1 way journey onboard a regular JR rapid train from Osaka station to Himeji station will normally cost 1450yen.


4 or 8 days JR Sanyo Area Pass (20,000yen or 30,000yen)
Additional info: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361_04.html
This is a more expensive railpass with a wider coverage. You can use this railpass take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to not only Himeji and Okayama, but also to Hiroshima and up to Hakata station in Fukuoka on Kyushu.

To put things into perspective (normal train fares if not using railpass):
1 way journey onboard Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka station to Hakata station in Fukuoka will cost 14,080yen (unreserved seat).
1 way journey onboard Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka station to Hiroshima will cost 9440yen (unreserved seat)


7/14/21 days Nationwide Japan Rail Pass (28,300yen to 57,700yen)
This is my absolute favourite pass, although it is the most expensive railpass.
This is because you can use this pass to travel all across Japan on JR train lines. This includes Shinkansen and Ltd Exp trains too. You could use this railpass to travel from Hokkaido in the north, all the way to Kyushu in the south.
This particular railpass can only be purchased from OUTSIDE of Japan. You will have to bring the voucher which you bought to 1 of the JR offices in Japan to exchange for the actual railpass.

If you are planning to make a return journey between Osaka/Kyoto and Tokyo within 7 days, then the 7days version of this railpass is recommended. Because a 1 way Shinkansen ride from Shin-Osaka to Tokyo would cost 14,050yen (reserved seat). Therefore a 2 way journey (eg. Shin-Osaka to Tokyo, then a few days later, Tokyo back to Shin-Osaka) would cost 28,100yen if you are not using any railpass. On top of that, you could also use this pass for the airport express trains like Haruka Express (for access to Osaka's Kansai Airport) and Narita Express (for access to Tokyo's Narita Airport) and the regular JR train lines.

But if you are only visiting Kansai region and not venturing beyond Osaka/Kyoto/Nara/Mie/Wakayama/Kobe/Himeji....then this pass is not really worth getting.


5 days Kintetsu Railpass (3700yen for regular version, 5700yen for Wide version).
Additional info: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357_006.html
This railpass is recommended for those who are planning to visit the Mie prefecture, or going to Nagoya.
Since this railpass is offered by the Kintetsu company, so you cannot use this for trains on the JR lines.
1 limitation for this railpass is that you can only take 3 times Ltd Exp trains within those 5 days. But you can take unlimited trips using their local, rapid and express trains.

To put things into perspective (normal train fares if not using railpass):
1 way journey from Osaka-Namba station in Osaka to KintetsuNagoya station in Nagoya would cost 4150yen (reserved seat) onboard the Ltd Exp Kintetsu train.


2 or 3 days Kansai Thru Pass (3800yen or 5000yen)
Additional info: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357_005.html
This railpass covers the non-JR train lines within parts of Kansai region (Osaka/Kyoto/Nara/Kobe/Himeji/Wakayama/Koyasan)


2 or 3 days Kansai Wakayama Pass (3500yen or 5500yen) 
*To be discontinued from Apr 2014 onwards
Additional info: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357_wpass.html
This railpass is for those who are planning to visit Wakayama, Koyasan and Kumano regions.


2 days Koyasan World Heritage Ticket (2780yen for regular version, 3310yen for Ltd Exp version)
Additional info: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2358_012.html
This is for those who are visiting just Koyasan within 2 days.



More info on some other various passes for use within Osaka:
http://www.osaka-info.jp/en/access/other_card.html

More info on various bus and subway passes for use within Kyoto:
http://www.city.kyoto.jp/koho/eng/access/transport.html

More info on the Wakayama Dentetsu Railway (Cat train and Cat stationmaster):
http://www.wakayama-dentetsu.co.jp/

More info on various discount tickets for travel within Kobe and Arima Onsen:
http://feel-kobe.jp/_en/profile/traffic_service/



(Note that taxes in Japan will increase from April 2014 onwards, so there will be an adjustments to the prices listed here from April onwards)

-posted on 3/3/14

Japan (Oct2013): Day 3 Ise *Part 2

Day 3 (28/10/13): Daytrip to Ise. Stay at Osaka *Part 2

Entering the grounds of Ise's Inner Shrine

People washing hands in the river before entering the shrine

Inner shrine. No photography allowed beyond this point.

After my visit to Inner Shrine, I went back to Oharaimachi and Okage Yokocho in search of lunch. 

Wanted to try Ise Udon since it's a specialty food of Ise area.

There are quite a number of shops selling chopsticks

Went back to this shop at Okage Yokocho, which sells Ise Udon. 

Their menu

Their menu. You have to queue up to place your order first, then they will give you a number tag, after which then you go find a seat and wait for them to call out your number (in japanese).

Inside seating

Outside seating. I chose to sit outside since the weather was nice and cool, and it was interesting sitting under such a rustic shelter while having lunch.

My number tage and receipt.

My seat.

My order arrives. Ise Udon with Tempura. 840yen

 After lunch, I continued to stroll around Okage Yokocho.

Then I headed for the bus stop to wait for the bus to get to the nearby Isuzugawa station. The bus was a tad late so I nearly missed my train.

Took this Ltd Exp Ise Liner train back to Tsuruhashi station in Osaka.

For dinner, I went to Kani Doraku (Dotonbori outlet) for my first crab meal of this trip.

Sunset

Bought the little rabbit coin pouch from Oharaimachi.

Go to previous entry (Oct 13) Day 3 Ise (Part 1)

/ Go to next entry (Oct 13) Day 4 Osaka to Sapporo