1 / 5

Kansai · 7 days

A car-free Kansai rail journey linking Osaka's castle, markets and neon nights, Nara's deer and giant Buddha, Kyoto's shrines, tea and Arashiyama bamboo, then Arima's hot springs and Kobe's harbor.

7days
21stops
210km

The route

Tap a day or a town

You sleep in Osaka · Nara · Kyoto — start in Osaka, end in Kobe.

DAY01

Osaka → Dotonbori

4.3 km · 20m driving · Overnight in Dotonbori
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Osaka Castle· start
  2. 3.6 km · 10m
  3. 12:00
    Kuromon Ichiba Market
  4. 0.7 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Dotonbori· overnight
DAY02

Universal Studios Japan → Umeda Sky Building

23 km · 30m driving · Overnight in Umeda Sky Building
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Universal Studios Japan· start
  2. 8.3 km · 10m
  3. 12:00
    Shinsekai
  4. 7.3 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Umeda Sky Building· overnight
DAY03

Nara → Nakatanidou

41 km · 45m driving · Overnight in Nakatanidou
  1. 09:00
    Nara Park· start
  2. 0.6 km · 10m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Todai-ji
  4. 1.5 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Nakatanidou· overnight
DAY04

Fushimi Inari Taisha → Pontocho

54 km · 44m driving · Overnight in Pontocho
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Fushimi Inari Taisha· start
  2. 4.9 km · 10m
  3. 12:00
    Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum
  4. 9.8 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Pontocho· overnight
DAY05

Kiyomizu-dera → Nishiki Market

4.7 km · 30m driving · Overnight in Nishiki Market
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Kiyomizu-dera· start
  2. 0.6 km · 10m
  3. 12:00
    Camellia Tea Ceremony
  4. 2 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Nishiki Market· overnight
DAY06

Sagano Romantic Train → Togetsukyo Bridge

11 km · 30m driving · Overnight in Togetsukyo Bridge
  1. 09:00
    Sagano Romantic Train· start
  2. 1.1 km · 10m
  3. 12:00
    ⭐ Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
  4. 0.9 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Togetsukyo Bridge· overnight
DAY07

Arima Onsen Kin no Yu → Kobe

72 km · 55m driving
  1. 09:00
    ⭐ Arima Onsen Kin no Yu· start
  2. 16 km · 10m
  3. 12:00
    Nankinmachi
  4. 1.2 km · 10m
  5. 15:00
    Kobe Harborland
Heads Up
  • Book Universal Studios Japan tickets and any Express Passes in advance; arrive at opening to make time for Shinsekai and Umeda in the evening.
  • Reserve Sagano Romantic Train seats and the Camellia Tea Ceremony ahead, as both often sell out.
  • Use an ICOCA card for JR, subway, Kintetsu and bus rides; Arima Onsen is easiest by Kobe Electric Railway or direct bus from Sannomiya.
  • Visit Fushimi Inari and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove early in the morning to avoid heavy crowds.