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6 best day trips from Osaka or Kyoto for easy Kansai escapes
If you’re staying in Osaka or Kyoto, you’re in one of the best bases in Japan.
Thanks to the train network, you can explore temples, nature, onsen towns, and historic cities without changing hotels.
Here are 6 day trips you can easily do from Osaka or Kyoto, each with a very different vibe.
1. Kobe
Only about 30 minutes from Osaka, Kobe mixes city life, nature, and history.
What to see:
Kobe Harborland for a walk by the sea
Nunobiki Herb Garden, accessible by ropeway, for views over the city
Ikuta Shrine, one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines
If you enjoy food, this is also the place to try Kobe beef.
2. Nara
A classic Kansai day trip, and still worth it.
What to see:
Todai-ji Temple and its giant Buddha
Nara Park with its free-roaming deer
Kasuga Taisha, famous for its stone and bronze lanterns
Horyu-ji, home to some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world
Easy access from both Kyoto and Osaka.
3. Omihachiman
Less touristy and very atmospheric, Omihachiman sits near Lake Biwa.
What to see:
Hachiman-bori Canal, best explored by boat
Mount Hachiman Ropeway for views over Lake Biwa
La Collina Omihachiman, a unique bakery and design space
Preserved old streets with Edo-period architecture
A calm and scenic day trip.
4. Kurama
If Kyoto feels crowded, Kurama is a perfect escape into nature.
What to see:
Kurama-dera Temple, reached via forest paths or funicular
Kurama Onsen, with outdoor baths surrounded by trees
Yuki Shrine, small but full of local spirit
Only about 30 minutes from central Kyoto.
5. Mount Koya (Koyasan)
A deeper cultural experience, about 2 hours from Osaka.
What to see:
Okunoin Cemetery, a forest of ancient graves and cedar trees
Kongobu-ji Temple, head temple of Shingon Buddhism
Danjo Garan, a quiet sacred area with pagodas
If possible, staying overnight in a temple lodging adds a unique dimension to the visit.
6. Arima Onsen
One of Japan’s oldest hot spring towns, close to Kobe.
What to see:
Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu, public baths with mineral-rich waters
Traditional streets with small shops and local snacks
This trip works well all year and is easy to combine with Kobe.
Why Kansai is perfect for day trips
Osaka and Kyoto are well connected, compact, and surrounded by variety.
You can move from modern cities to sacred mountains or onsen towns in under two hours.
If you want to explore Kansai without rushing, day trips like these are the easiest way to add depth to your itinerary.
Plan Your Japan Trip More Easily
If you're going to Jpaan you're probably facing :
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Planning a trip to Japan usually breaks at the same point: you save a lot of places, but don’t know how to turn them into a realistic route. Cities are large, distances are not intuitive, and it’s hard to know what actually fits in one day.
This guide was created to solve that. It helps you understand how places connect, how many days make sense per area, and how to build an itinerary that flows.
With the interactive map, you can explore curated spots across Japan, follow ready-made itineraries and day trips, mix my routes with your own, and adapt everything to your pac
I created my Japan Travel Guide to help you organize your trip in a clear, realistic way.
Details on what you'll have
Best of both world : touristy & off the beaten path places
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Kanto (Tokyo & surroundings) Day by Day customizable Itinerary (10 to 15 days)
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Tokyo Guide by Neighborhood (23 special ward)
15+ additional day trips detailed for exploring nearby destinations from Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto.
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Benefit from in-depth practical advice (navigation, accomodation, restaurants, cultural experiences)
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What it looks like on the app :
If you prefer something fully tailored, I also offer a 100% custom travel planning service.
I design a day-by-day itinerary based on your dates, interests, budget, travel pace, and priorities. You simply follow the plan and enjoy your trip.
And if you like flexible, editable itineraries, you can also find my ready-made itineraries on Holicay.
They’re ideal if you want a solid base you can customize with your travel companions.
Marie creator behind @Tabimawari
Hi, I’m Marie, the creator behind @tabimawari.
I lived in Kyoto, learned Japanese, and keep returning to explore Japan beyond the obvious.
Planning a trip to Japan usually breaks at the same point: you save a lot of places, but don’t know how to turn them into a realistic route. Cities are large, distances are not intuitive, and it’s hard to know what actually fits in one day.
This guide was created to solve that. It helps you understand how places connect, how many days make sense per area, and how to build an itinerary that flows.
With the interactive map, you can explore curated spots across Japan, follow ready-made itineraries and day trips, mix my routes with your own, and adapt everything to your pace.
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Marie creator behind @Tabimawari
Hi, I’m Marie.
French islander from Reunion island, Japan lover, and travel planner behind Tabimawari.
I spent a year living in Kyoto, learning Japanese and falling in love with the culture. Since then, I’ve kept going back, exploring every corner from Tokyo to the tiniest hidden towns.
I created these guides after spending months planning, testing, and fine-tuning every detail so you don’t have to. Inside, you’ll find:
✅ Interactive maps
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Each guide is made with care, based on real-life travel, not generic blog advice.
This is what I wish I had on my first trip to Japan and now it’s yours.
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