Planning a trip around Western Japan? The Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass gives you 5 consecutive days of unlimited JR train travel across top destinations like Kyoto, Osaka, Takamatsu, and Hiroshima.
This JR Regional Pass doesn’t just cover the famous Sanyo Shinkansen — you can also take the Hello Kitty Shinkansen and Miyajima ferry.
With savings of almost 140 USD compared to individual ticket purchases, we’ve designed this itinerary to show you the best of the Kansai region. Make Osaka your home base, and explore the region by day before continuing west to Hiroshima.
Get the most out of your 5-day pass with a week in Kansai and Chugoku, and see historic castles, scenic lakes, and bustling cities. Two extra days allow for airport transfers so you can enjoy the sights without having to rush.
Table of Contents
Day 1: Arrive in Osaka
Once you land at Kansai International Airport, head into the city to rest and recover from your flight. Tomorrow, you’ll activate your rail pass. Pick up a one-way ticket and take the Haruka Express from the airport.
Get off at Shin-Osaka or Tennoji Station, depending on where your hotel is located. The ride takes around 50 minutes.
Take the rest of the day to explore Osaka and settle in. Wander through Dotonbori for spectacular neon lights and canal views. For dinner, try out some street food stalls that serve popular dishes like takoyaki and okonomiyaki.
Day 2: Visit Nara
Head to Osaka Station in the morning to activate your Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass. Board a JR Yamatoji Line rapid train, which will take you to Nara in around 45 minutes.
Visit the Todai-ji Temple, home to the giant Buddha statue, before heading to Nara Park, famous for its friendly deer inhabitants. Don’t miss the atmospheric Kasuga-taisha Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site surrounded by forest.
In the afternoon, take the train back to Osaka. For great views of the city after sunset, head to the Floating Garden Observatory.
Day 2 alternative: Day trip to Wakayama
Morning
Activate your JR pass at Osaka Station and take the JR Osaka Loop Line to Tennoji, then board the JR Hanwa Line Limited Express Kuroshio to Wakayama Station. The full journey takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Once you arrive, head to Wakayama Castle for panoramic views of the city
Afternoon
Visit the Kainan area, south of the city, which has natural hot springs. Take some time to relax in a traditional onsen and enjoy the peaceful coastal surroundings.
Evening
In the evening, return to Osaka by JR train and enjoy dinner among locals in Shinsekai. Try local speciality kushikatsu, deep-fried, kebab-like skewers with meat and vegetables.
Day 3: Explore Kyoto
Make the 30-minute journey from Osaka to Kyoto Station via the JR Kyoto Line.
Start your visit with a trip to Fushimi Inari Shrine, famous for its numerous rows of red torii gates. Next, head to Arashiyama to see Togetsukyo Bridge and take a walk through the bamboo grove.
Don’t miss Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion) and Gion, known as the Geisha district. Stay in Kyoto, or return to Osaka for the evening.
Day 4: Day trip to Himeji and Kobe
Take the Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station, or transfer there from Kyoto, to reach Himeji in around 30 minutes.
Head straight to Himeji Castle, Japan’s most iconic and best-preserved feudal fortress. Take a few hours to explore the castle grounds and enjoy views of the city from the top floor.
In the afternoon, continue by JR train for another 30 minutes to reach Kobe. The city’s Harborland has an impressive skyline, best admired from the water on a short cruise trip.
Make sure to try Kobe’s famous beef for dinner before returning to Osaka.
Day 4 alternative: Explore Hikone
For a slower-paced day with fewer crowds, visit Hikone, a small lakeside city known for its historic castle. From Osaka Station, take the JR Special Rapid Service to Maibara Station, then transfer to the JR Biwako Line to Hikone Station.
The total journey takes around 1 hour 40 minutes. Once you arrive, it’s a short walk to Hikone Castle which has impressive views over Lake Biwa.
Take a castle tour, then explore Yume Kyobashi Castle Road before heading back to Osaka. It’s lined with restored Edo-style buildings and is the perfect spot for souvenir shopping or grabbing a bite to eat.
Day 5: Osaka to Hiroshima
Morning
Board the Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station, which takes you to Hiroshima in around 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Start your day at the Peace Memorial Park, where you can visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Peace Museum, and the Children’s Peace Monument.
Afternoon
Take the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station (30 minutes) and hop on the Miyajima ferry, which is also included in your pass.
Once you arrive on Miyajima Island, visit its famous Itsukushima Shrine which has a floating torii gate. For spectacular views, head to the Mount Misen ropeway.
Evening
Return to Hiroshima by ferry and JR train in the late afternoon.
In the evening, take a walk through Shukkeien Garden. Keep an eye out for street vendors selling okonomiyaki, the city’s signature savory pancake.
Day 6: Osaka via Okayama
Take the Sanyo Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Okayama. The journey takes around 40 minutes. Drop your bags in a locker at Okayama Station and head out to explore.
Korakuen Garden, one of Japan’s top three landscape gardens, is just a 15-minute walk from the station. Then, visit Okayama’s castle, known as the ‘Crow Castle’ because of its black exterior.
Collect your bags and complete the return journey to Osaka in around 45 minutes with the Sanyo Shinkansen. Enjoy your final night in the city.
Day 7: Osaka to Kansai International Airport
Spend your final morning in Osaka at a relaxed pace. Visit Kuromon Ichiba Market to sample fresh sushi, or stop by the Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine.
When it’s time to head to the airport, take the Haruka Limited Express from Tennoji or Shin-Osaka Station to Kansai International Airport. The journey takes around 50 minutes, so plan ahead based on your flight time.