8-Day Tour: Exploring Osaka-Kyoto-Nara
3 cities |
21 attraction(s) |
total distance 169
km
TIPS
Day1
Day2
Day3
Day4
Day5
Day6
Day7
Day8
Day1: Osaka
3 attraction(s) ·
4 km
1
Osaka Castle Park is a large green space park in Chuo Ward, Osaka City. The park has multiple public facilities including Osaka Castle International Cultural Sports Hall, Sun Plaza, Softball Field, Open-air Music Hall, and Rugby/Football Field. In the center of the park stands Osaka Castle Tower, where visitors can go to the observation deck for a fee and visit the historical museum. From the top floor, you can overlook the beautiful scenery from Mt. Ikoma to Osaka Bay. Every Sunday during the day, there are amateur bands playing street music in the park. Various trees are planted in the park, and the cherry blossom and plum blossom seasons are good times to enjoy the flowers. The observation deck offers a view of wild birds feeding on the riverbank, making it a suitable place for family outings.
3
km
2
どうとんぼり
Dotonbori is Osaka's most bustling district and also the local food center. It is the birthplace of Osaka's food culture and attracts many travelers who come to taste the cuisine. From takoyaki, teppanyaki, yakiniku, kushikatsu, revolving sushi to fugu cuisine, it covers almost all of Osaka's characteristic cuisine, even inconspicuous small shops can serve delicious food. This longing food culture fully demonstrates the appetite of the people of Osaka, and it's not uncommon to eat until bankrupt.
If you want to recommend a few stores, it is recommended to try the “Kinryu Ramen” with always-long queues in front of the store, the teppanyaki original “Botechu” and the famous store “Konamon Museum”, where you can experience the experience of tasting and making takoyaki. In addition, “Osaka Ohsho” and “Kani Douraku” are also worth trying. The most authentic taste of these two nationally known chains is in their main stores.
In addition to food, you can also visit Hozenji Temple, go to the Matsuzakaza to enjoy Kabuki performances, take a walk along Dotonbori River at night, enjoy the colorful neon lights, and experience the feel of the Edo period.
1
km
3
Urban arcade with a wide variety of stores amid bright advertising signage & pedestrian crowds.
Day2: Osaka
4 attraction(s) ·
6 km
2
Translated to English:
The Tennoji Zoo, located near the south gate of Osaka, occupies a large portion of the western side of Tennoji Park, covering an area of over 100,000 square meters. The zoo is home to over 900 animals, representing approximately 230 species, including koalas, raccoons, elephants, and the only known quokka in Japan. In order to promote a better understanding of the relationship between animal habitats and the environment and to enhance environmental awareness, the zoo added the Reptile House
3
km
3
Urban arcade with a wide variety of stores amid bright advertising signage & pedestrian crowds.
3
km
4
Tsutenkaku is a high-rise building that leads to the sky, inspired by the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It was the tallest building in Japan at the time of its completion and is one of Osaka's iconic buildings, like Osaka Castle. On the top floor's observation deck, visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding area. On the fifth floor, there is a statue called "Fukusenzo" that is believed to bring good luck when you touch the soles of its feet. The neon lights on the top indicate the weather forecast, with white for sunny, orange for cloudy, blue for rain, and pink for snow.
The area near Tsutenkaku, called Shinsekai, is a paradise for local food in Osaka. Here, you can find a variety of specialty foods, including takoyaki, kushikatsu, motsunabe, and the more expensive fugu cuisine. These foods are all must-tries.
Day3: Kyoto
2 attraction(s) ·
2 km
1
Kiyomizu-dera is a historical temple located on Mount Otowa in the eastern part of Kyoto. It was first built in 778 and has been rebuilt several times, with the current structures mostly dating back to the period between 1631 and 1633. The temple's main hall, Niomon Gate, Western Gate, Three-story Pagoda, and Bell Tower have been designated as national treasures and important cultural properties. The most famous feature of the temple is the Kiyomizu stage, a platform that was built without using a single nail and is located on a cliff, offering a panoramic view of the city of Kyoto. The temple also features the Otowa Waterfall, where three separate streams represent longevity, academic success, and finding love. In addition to the main temple, there are other buildings located throughout the grounds, such as the Three-story Pagoda and Zuigu-do Hall. Visitors can purchase tickets to participate in the "Womb World Walk," a prayer experience that symbolizes being inside the womb of a Bodhisattva. The upcoming "Kanji of the Year" event will take place at Kiyomizu-dera, and the Kyoto Kanji Association considers it a typical representative of Japanese temples. Kiyomizu-dera is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered one of the iconic landmarks of Kyoto due to its lush scenery and long history.
2
km
2
Yasaka Shrine is a shrine located in the Higashiyama ward of Kyoto, Japan. It is one of the 22 shrines that are collectively known as the Twenty-Two Shrines, and serves as the head shrine for approximately 3000 Yasaka Shrines across Japan. It is also commonly referred to as "Gion-san." The shrine is known for its annual festival called the "Gion Matsuri," which is one of the three major festivals in Japan along with the "Kanda Matsuri" in Tokyo and the "Tenjin Matsuri" in Osaka. The shrine was originally known by various names such as "Gion Shrine," "Gionsha," "Gionsanjin," and "Gion Tenjin." However, in 1868, due to the enforcement of the Separation of Shinto and Buddhism, the shrine was renamed to "Yasaka Shrine."
Day4: Kyoto
4 attraction(s) ·
7 km
1
Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, was originally built as a retirement villa for the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in 1397. It later became a Zen temple. The name "Golden Pavilion" comes from the gold leaf that covers its exterior. In 1950, the temple was unfortunately set on fire and the golden building was burned down, but it has since been rebuilt to its former glory. Kinkaku-ji is a three-story building with the first floor called Hojo, the second floor housing a shrine dedicated to Kannon, and the third floor as a square-shaped Buddhist hall with three statues of Buddha. The temple's golden reflection shimmering in the surrounding Mirror Pond is a beautiful sight and one of the iconic landmarks of Kyoto.
Unlike other attractions, visitors of Kinkaku-ji do not enter with a ticket, but instead receive a stamp with a blessing. Within the temple grounds, visitors can use Chinese and Korean fortune slips for divination and purchase the famous matcha ice cream.
2
km
3
Arashiyama is a famous scenic spot in Kyoto, known for its cherry blossoms and maple trees along the Katsura River. The iconic Bamboo Grove is also a popular attraction for visitors. Whether it's admiring cherry blossoms, autumn foliage, or strolling through the bamboo forest, Arashiyama exudes the unique beauty of Kyoto. The area is also home to many temples and shrines, often featured in historical tales and classical literature. Don't miss the hot springs in Arashiyama, where you can fully enjoy the pleasure of bathing in onsen.
1
km
4
Tenryuji Temple is located in Sagano, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto City, Japan. It is one of the head temples of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism. The temple is also known as "Ryoan-ji" and its mountain name is "Ryugei-san". The main statue enshrined in the temple is Shakyamuni Buddha, and it was founded by Ashikaga Takauji. The temple was originally built to console the spirit of Emperor Go-Daigo. With its grand scale, Tenryuji Temple is considered the foremost of the Kyoto's Five Mountains and is designated as a Special Historic Site and a Special Place of Scenic Beauty in Japan. In 1994, Tenryuji Temple was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto".
Day5: Kyoto
3 attraction(s) ·
5 km
1
Gion Corner is a theater that showcases traditional Kyoto performing arts. The performances usually last around an hour and include Kyoto-style dance, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, koto music, Noh theater, and Bunraku puppetry. Visitors can experience the rich cultural heritage of Kyoto through these performances. Additionally, the Kabuki Gallery displays stage videos and Kabuki-related items such as hairpins.
4
km
2
Philosopher's Path, located in the Sakyo ward of Kyoto, is a 2-kilometer long pathway that follows a stream and is lined with numerous cherry trees. It is a symbol of the beauty of cherry blossoms in Kyoto. The name of this pathway, "Philosopher's Path," comes from the famous Kyoto University philosopher, Nishida Kitaro, who used to walk and contemplate along this path. Along the Philosopher's Path, you can visit several historic temples and shrines, including Ginkakuji, Jisho-ji, Hōnen-in, Eikando Zenrinji, Nanzenji, and Kumano Nyakuoji Shrine. Here, you can appreciate the natural scenery, the fragrance of cherry blossoms, as well as the cultural and historical significance of the area.
2
km
3
In 1895, Heian Shrine was built to commemorate the 1100th anniversary of the capital being moved to Heian (present-day Kyoto). Located in the historic city of Kyoto, it enshrines the first and last emperors. The shrine gardens, centered around four ponds behind the main hall, incorporate various styles from different eras, showcasing the Meiji architectural style known as "pond, spring, and meandering stream." Heian Shrine is a national treasure and serves as the venue for the "Jidai Matsuri," one of Kyoto's three major festivals. On October 22nd each year, people dress in traditional costumes and participate in a grand procession, reviving the atmosphere of the ancient capital in a truly awe-inspiring way.
Day6: Nara
3 attraction(s) ·
2 km
1
Encounter a fairy tale of deer and cherry blossoms, Nara Park is famous for its approximately 1,200 free-roaming deer. On the vast land area of 660 hectares, various cherry blossom trees, mainly including Yae-zakura, are planted.
1
km
2
Todai-ji Temple is a famous temple of the Hua-yen Sect in Japan, also known as Da Hua-yen Temple, the Four Heavenly Kings Hall of the Golden Light Guard Temple, and so on. It is located in the eastern part of Heijo-kyo (now Nara), and is one of the seven great temples of the southern capital, with a long history of about 1200 years. In 1998, Todai-ji Temple was listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site as a part of the historical relics of ancient Nara. The Great Buddha Hall of Todai-ji is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world, with a frontage of 57 meters and a depth of 50 meters. Within the Great Buddha Hall stands the 15-meter-high Rushana Buddha. In addition, there are other famous buildings in the Todai-ji Temple complex such as the South Gate, the February Hall, the March Hall, and the Shoso-in Repository, all having extremely high historical, cultural, and artistic value.
2
km
3
The headquarters of Kasuga Shrine in Japan, the shrine is not very big, but it includes facilities such as Manyo Botanical Garden and Treasure Hall; it is a very charming shrine, with stone lanterns from various eras on both sides of the approach, creating a unique landscape. The presence of small deer adds to the lively atmosphere.
Day7: Osaka
2 attraction(s) ·
1 km
1
One of the world's biggest aquariums, with exhibits ranging from Arctic to tropical marine life.
1
km
2
The Tempozan Ferris Wheel is located on Mount Tempozan, known as the lowest mountain in Japan. It takes approximately 15 minutes to complete one rotation and is a large observation wheel. From the Ferris wheel, you can overlook the nearby Kaiyukan aquarium and the surrounding seascape, as well as enjoy panoramic views of the distant Rokko Mountains, Kansai International Airport, Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, and Mount Rokko in Kobe. Before boarding, passengers can choose between a regular cabin with large Disney plush toys or a special cabin with fewer seats but transparent walls for better viewing. However, the waiting time for the transparent cabins is usually longer. It is recommended to purchase a combination ticket with the Santa Maria cruise for admission.
Day8: Osaka
1 attraction(s) ·
0 km
1
On the site of the former Osaka Stadium, a garden and shopping center have been constructed. Here, in addition to brand stores, there are also movie theaters, rooftop gardens, and memorials, commemorating the home plate and pitching mound of the former Osaka Stadium.
