The Kansai Area Pass is ideal if you’re planning to explore Japan’s historical heartland. Covering top destinations like Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Himeji, and Kobe, this regional pass lets you travel quickly and affordably across the region.
The pass is available for up to 4 consecutive days. In this 7-day itinerary, we’ll show you how to plan your trip and some ideas for using local transport on city days.
This way, you get the most value out of your regional pass without needing to buy the national JR Pass.
Keep reading to get a day by day plan for your trip in the beautiful Kansai region.
Table of Contents
Day 1: Airport to Kyoto
After landing at Kansai Airport, make your way to Kyoto; this will be your base for the first part of the trip.
To get to Kyoto from the airport, you can take the JR Haruka Limited Express from Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station. The trip should take around an hour and 15 minutes.
Afternoon in Kyoto
Once you’ve checked in at your hotel, spend your afternoon getting to know the city.
Here are several ideas for relaxing activities to help you start your sightseeing in Kyoto:
- Take a peaceful stroll around Gion, Kyoto’s traditional geisha district
- Visit Yasaka Shrine which is just a short walk from Gion
- Explore Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka streets for souvenirs and street snacks
Day 2: Kyoto to Nara
If you haven’t done so already, start the day by activating your Kansai Area Pass at Kyoto Station. You’ll use it today to travel to and from Nara, which is one of Japan’s oldest and most charming cities.
To get to Nara from Kyoto using the Kansai Area Pass, you can take the JR Nara Line, which is a rapid service, from Kyoto Station to Nara Station.
You should arrive in just 45 minutes from Kyoto.
Morning in Nara
Once you arrive, walk from the station to Nara Park. At the park, you’ll find:
- Hundreds of freely roaming sika deer
- Todai-ji Temple and the Great Buddha (Daibutsu)
- Kasuga Taisha shrine
You can take your time feeding the deer, then explore the massive bronze Buddha inside Todai-ji.
Afternoon in Nara
If you’re interested in Japanese art and history, the nearby Nara National Museum is worth a visit.
From there, you can enjoy a local lunch, such as kakinoha-zushi, a sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves, or even a bento box from the station.
Evening in Kyoto
Take the JR Nara Line back to Kyoto and choose from a number of different dinner options in the city.
You can try a kaiseki meal at Pontocho Alley or stay around the Kyoto Station area for ramen or izakaya dishes.
Day 3: Explore Kyoto
You can use day 3 to discover the best of Kyoto’s temples and cultural sights.
With your Kansai Area Pass already activated, you can use the Sagano Line to reach attractions on the western side of the city.
Morning: Arashiyama and the bamboo grove
From Kyoto Station, take the Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station, which should just take around 20 minutes to get there.
Once you’re there, you can do the following activities:
- Walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Visit Tenryu-ji Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Cross the Togetsukyo Bridge and relax by the riverside
It’s also not a bad idea to take a short trip to Iwatayama Monkey Park for city views.
Afternoon: Golden Pavilion and northern temples
After lunch, head to Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, which is one of Kyoto’s most iconic spots.
From Saga-Arashiyama, take a short bus or taxi to reach Kinkaku-ji. From there, you can:
- Visit Ryoan-ji, known for its Zen rock garden
- Stop by Ninna-ji, another UNESCO site
Evening: Beach back to Central Kyoto
Return to your hotel and enjoy a quiet evening. You can take in some sights, strolling along the Kamogawa River or checking out the shops along Teramachi Street.
Use your pass for any JR trains if you’re moving between neighborhoods like Kyoto Station, Tambaguchi, or Nijo.
Discover the Kansai region, the cultural heart of Japan, and enjoy seamless connectivity for between 1-4 days between the major cities of Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, and Himeji.
Day 4: Kyoto to Himeji and Kobe
On day 4 you can visit 2 of Japan’s most iconic cities. You can head to Himeji for its famous castle and Kobe for its harbor views and food scene.
Start early to make the most of both destinations.
Morning: Kyoto to Himeji
From Kyoto Station, take the JR Kyoto Line to Himeji Station. Going from Kyoto should take you around 90-120 minutes to get there.
Walk straight from the station to Himeji Castle, Japan’s most impressive original castle. You’ll see its white walls rising above the city skyline.
Afternoon: Himeji to Kobe
At lunch, you can try Himeji oden near the station before heading to Kobe. Once you’re at the station, you can take the JR rapid train from Himeji to Sannomiya Station on Kobe.
Once you’re in Kobe, you can explore some or all of the following if you have time:
- Harborland for waterfront shopping and views
- Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden
- Kitano district, known for its Western-style houses
Evening: Dinner in Kobe or return to Kyoto
Before you leave Kobe, you should try the world-famous Kobe beef. After dinner, you can take the JR train back to Kyoto, which should take 70 minutes on the rapid service line.
Day 5: Kyoto to Osaka
On day 5 you can explore the last city of your trip with the Kansai Area Pass: Osaka.
Morning: Kyoto to Osaka
From Kyoto Station, take the JR Rapid Service to Osaka Station.
Once you arrive at Osaka, there are plenty of things for you to see and do, such as:
- Explore Osaka Castle
- Visit the Osaka Museum of History
- Go to Nishinomaru Garden and see the cherry blossoms if you’re there in spring
Our recommendation is to start at Osaka Castle, one of the city’s major landmarks. The castle grounds are open, with a moat and gardens perfect for a morning walk.
Afternoon: Dotonbori and street food
Make your way to Dotonbori, Osaka’s most famous district for food and entertainment.
In this area of Osaka, you can:
- Take a photo at the Glico running man sign
- Try street food like takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and kushikatsu
- Walk along the canal
Evening options
At the end of the day in Osaka there are several interesting things you can do during the evening, for example:
- Head up to the Umeda Sky Building for night views
- Explore the quirky Shinsekai neighborhood
- Visit Spa World if you want to relax Japanese-style
Day 6: Explore Osaka
Even if your Kansai Area Pass has already expired, but you still have plenty to see in Osaka. Use an ICOCA card or buy individual tickets for today’s local transport.
Morning: Choose your plan
During the morning in Osaka, you have a couple of different options for how you can spend your day. Go over the following options to see what works best for you.
Option 1: Universal Studios Japan
Take the JR Yumesaki Line from Osaka Station to Universal City Station to enjoy the day at Universal Studios in Osaka.
Spend the day at Japan’s top theme park which is home to Super Nintendo World, Harry Potter World, and more.
We recommend getting there early to avoid the long lines.
Option 2: Osaka Aquarium and the Bay Area
The second option you have, you can take the Osaka Metro to Osakako Station. From there, you can visit the Kaiyukan Aquarium. This is one of the world’s largest aquariums.
Afterward, you can explore the Tempozan Marketplace or take a ride on the Tempozan Ferris Wheel
Afternoon: Shinsekai and Shopping
In the afternoon, you should visit the Shinsekai area. This is a retro neighborhood built in the early 1900s. Here you can:
- Visit Tsutenkaku Tower
- Try classic local food like kushikatsu
There are also plenty of cool shops and arcades to have fun in.
Evening: Final night in Osaka
Since this is your last night in Osaka, you should make the most of it! Here’s how:
- Enjoy dinner at Hozenji Yokocho, a narrow alley with traditional restaurants
- Walk along Dotonbori for a lively nighttime atmosphere
- Stop by a game center or karaoke spot
Day 7: Osaka to Kansai International Airport
It’s time to end your trip and return to the airport. If your flight is in the evening, you can try to squeeze in one last walk or breakfast in Osaka.
To go to the airport, from Tennoji or Shin-Osaka Station you can take the JR Limited Express Haruka Line to Kansai Airport Station
You’ll get to the airport in about 50 minutes.
Ready to start your trip?