Day Trips from Osaka

The Kansai region, also known as Kinki, is located in the southern-central part of Japan's main island, Honshu. It is one of Japan's most important cultural and historical regions, encompassing cities that have played key roles in the country’s development over centuries. Kansai is known for its rich cultural heritage, including historical landmarks, temples, castles, and scenic spots, along with vibrant urban centers. Major Cities in the Kansai region include Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, Wakayama, and Shiga. Osaka is a great choice for a hub in the Kansai region for it is well connected to the above-mentioned cities by public transit. Here are the top 10 Day trips you can take from Osaka. 

Kobe

Often bypassed in favor of Kyoto or Osaka, for those with limited time, Kobe is a fantastic city and perfect for a day trip. There are lots of things to do in Kobe that cater to a variety of tastes. As one of Japan’s most important port cities, there is a real mix of cultures, with one of the largest Chinatowns in the Kansai region. Dating back to 1868, the area has grown and was named Nankimichi after the city Nanjing. This is a great place to grab lunch, be it street food like steamed buns or the traditional cut-price lunch set. The city of Kobe was heavily damaged in the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake and over 5,000 people died. Today the city has been rebuilt, but you can visit the dedicated museum to learn more about it. 

While it may not quite be in your budget, for dedicated foodies this is of course a great opportunity to try the world-famous Kobe beef, or head to the Nada District for some locally brewed sake. Sorakuen Garden is perfect for a peaceful stroll and the culture vultures can head to the Hyogo Museum of Art for a mixture of modern works by Japanese and international artists, all housed in the creation of Skytree-designer Ando Tadao. Locals and visitors will agree, however, that Kobe comes into its own at night, with spectacular night views counted as some of the best in Japan. View the city from the Shin-Kobe Ropeway (which also passes the Nunobiki Waterfall) where you can hike from the top station to Mount Maya, which has 10-million dollar views of Kobe and Osaka.

Awaji Island

This small island is perched between Honshu and Shikoku and is attached to Akashi City by the world’s longest suspension bridge: the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge. As a sightseeing spot in itself, with its own exhibition center, the bridge also helps with accessing the island. Although, a ferry is easier if relying on public transport. Sumoto is the main city and has plenty for a day’s worth of sightseeing, including natural hot springs and Sumoto Castle, which was destroyed in the early 17th century but rebuilt just after the Edo period in 1928. You can also explore the Awaji Yumebutai, which is a mixture of gardens, walking trails and the largest greenhouse in Japan, all built on the excavation sites for the Kansai International Airport.

 If you head down south to the town of Fukura, you can catch a ferry to see the (sorta-famous) Naruto whirlpools and Naruto Bridge. You can pair this with a trip to the Awaji Joruri Puppet Theater, which displays the island’s tradition of ningyo joruri puppet theater (note it is closed on Wednesdays). Take a train from Osaka to Akashi (40 minutes, US$6.53 *). Then catch a ferry from Akashi Port, which is a few minutes’ walk from JR Akashi Station. It takes 13 minutes to cross and costs adults US$3.68 * each way, plus a US$1.67 * charge if you take your bike or small animals. The ferries are very regular, especially around commuter times but still pretty decent on weekends, continuing until around 11 pm; you can check the timetable here.

Wakayama City

Wakayama is usually a stop-off for people on the way to hike the Kumano Kodo or view Nachi Falls, but the city deserves a day of exploration in its own right. If you begin in the heart of the city, head to see the castle tower before strolling through Oda Park, which has plenty of temples and shrines to explore during your strolls. For an early lunch and some unusual entertainment, don’t miss the tuna filleting displays that take place three times a day (11 am, 12:30 pm and 3 pm) at Kuroshio Market. You can try out the freshest of fish at the indoor restaurants or purchase something to take home if the tuna is looking too delicious to leave behind.

The town is famed for onsen, and there are plenty of bathhouses to try dotted around city, mainly based in hotels. If you want to head out of town for the afternoon, you can choose one of the onsen towns a short train ride away. Some of the top options include the baths at the national park in Kada. Just catch the train from Wakayamashi Station to Kada (25 minutes) and hop on a free shuttle bus to enjoy the onsen with views to die for. Alternatively, you could catch a train to Kishi to meet the world-famous train station cat Nitama (replacement of the much-loved Tama the cat who served until 2015). The journey takes 35 minutes from Wakayama Station and has some lovely views on the way. Catch the JR Kansai Airport Rapid Service for Wakayama, change trains at Hineno Station and continue to Wakayama Station. The journey takes 50 minutes and costs US$6.25 *.

Takeda Castle Ruins

An unusual and very outdoorsy option for your day trip is a hike into the mystical remains of Takeda Castle. Often wrapped in mist and known as the “castle in the sky”, Takeda is a pretty magical spot, but you have to work for it. Originally built in 1411, it was abandoned during the battle of Sekigahara in 1600 and eventually fell into disrepair before being opened to tourists after restoration in the 1980s. While there are no buildings remaining, you can see the layout of the fortress and surrounding wings thanks to the foundations. If you stay overnight nearby, the best time to view the castle is at sunrise in October or November, as this is when the famous mist appears. If you head to the Ritsuunkyo viewpoint on the slopes of the mountain opposite the castle, there are viewpoints just over half an hour up the trail which leads from the car park.

On a regular day, there are two steep trails from the back of the train station that will take you up to the castle in a pretty intense 40 minutes of trekking. From March to November, you can catch a bus that will take you to a point 20 minutes from the castle, so have a glance at the times when you arrive to see which suits you better! To reach the Ritsuunkyo viewpoint without a car, it is a 45-minute hike from the town or a 10-minute taxi journey. From Osaka Station, catch the JR Special Rapid Service for Himeji, then jump on the Bantan Line for Teramae where you’ll change to the Bantan Line for Wadayama and get off at Takeda Station.

Iga

A small town with two big claims to fame, Iga is a fun day trip for those fresh to Japan and old hands too. The most obvious selling factor is of course the ninjas, from sneaky figures perched on train luggage racks to a fully dedicated museum and performing troupe. The Iga School of Ninjutsu was one of the country’s leading schools in the feudal ages and produced many high-quality warriors. The city has since kept a firm grip on its history. The museum has a selection of tools, weapons and costumes used by ninjas of the past as well as a very entertaining session in a ninja house with demonstrations of revolving walls and trap doors used long ago. 

At the end you can see the ninja performance, which is an entertaining show of shuriken (ninja stars) and sword fights with some comedic falls thrown in for good measure. In town, you can visit a ninja café with resident cats (ninjas would use the dilation of their feline friends’ eyes to tell the time) to sample the black sesame ice cream and even try shuriken yourself. The second claim to fame is that Iga is the birthplace of famed haiku poet Matsuo Basho—there is a small museum dedicated to him in the grounds of Ueno Castle as well as a hat-shaped memorial called Haseiden Hall, which was built to commemorate the 300th year since his birth. Catch the Yamatoji Rapid Service from Osaka to Kamo, and then switch to the Kansai Line for Iga Ueno Station. This should take just under 2 hours and provide some pretty stunning views.

Himeji

Painfully popular during cherry blossom season and only a little less so during the rest of the year, Himeji Castle is a must-see if you’re in the Kansai area. Considered to be the country’s most impressive castle, it is also called the White Heron Castle and is known for its complex grounds and elegant appearance. The castle avoided damage during fires, wars and earthquakes and is one of Japan’s 12 original castles, although it underwent significant restoration before re-opening in 2015. There are over 80 buildings spread across the grounds, and the area is free to explore up to the Sannomaru (third bailey). Entry to the castle will set you back US$6.95 *. If you would also like to visit the nearby Kokoen gardens you can get a combination ticket for US$7.22 * — so probably best even if you’re not sure you’ll visit both.

The walled paths and twisting routes up to the castle are really unusual and add to the sense of occasion, along with steep staircases as you approach the castle itself. The inside is mainly empty and has some displays and a shrine, but it’s best for the views across the countryside surrounding it. Again, this is a pretty easy journey as you simply hop on the JR Special Rapid Service for Himeji and settle in for the hour-long journey. This would be covered on the JR Pass if you’re lucky enough to have one, otherwise it will set you back US$10.56 * each way.

Arima Onsen Town

Although technically in Kobe, this picturesque onsen town is on the opposite side of Mount Rokko from the city center, and is well worth a trip. Although Arima has become a bit of a concrete town (the fate of many an onsen town in Japan), you can still enjoy a town-like feel with some narrow shopping streets remaining. As one of the oldest hot spring resorts in Japan, Arima is a popular spot due to its ‘gold’ and ‘silver’ water—the former offering iron deposits to aid muscle pain and the latter offering carbonate, which is good for joint ailments. 

There are picturesque onsen sources dotted throughout the town with steam shooting from them, as well as two public bath houses with prices starting from US$3.82 * to US$5.90 * per person. The many hotels and private onsen houses also allow day visitors and are generally fancier, although the costs are also a bit higher reaching into the thousands-of-yen range for improved soaking facilities and better views. There are also plenty of shrines and temples to see in the town and pleasant strolls so you can cool off between soaks. The train is a little tricky from Osaka: It takes three trains to reach Arima Onsen (changing at Sannomiya and Tanigami) at a cost of US$6.95 * for the 70-minute journey.

Kinosaki Onsen

Kinosaki Onsen town is one of the most magical spots in Japan, with too many hot springs to choose from and a quaint traditional setting. Unlike most onsen towns, which are filled with concrete eyesores as soon as they become popular, this place has a Venetian-vibe with narrow twisting streets and impossibly photogenic bridges. The 3-hour travel time might make this look like more of a weekend getaway option, but it could be done as a day trip if you arrive at 10:47 am and head home on the final bus at 5:40 pm. Traveling by train requires a minimum of three transfers, which may seem a lot of hassle since it only saves you about US$2.43 * compared to the bus option. You can catch a highway bus from Osaka Hankyu-Umeda to Kinosaki Onsen.

The town center has a steady flow of yukata-clad visitors enjoying locals treats and onsen-hopping between the public baths. Ryokan (traditional inns) encourage guests to explore the town rather than stay at the restaurants at their own establishments. They even provide free entry to the public baths as an incentive. There are literary monuments and a ropeway to the mountain summit for panoramic views. The ropeway is close to Onsenji Temple, with a stop-off point at the main hall farther up the mountain. Traditionally, guests would pray at the temple before being admitted to bathe in the town.

Why take day trips from Osaka

Taking day trips from Osaka offers a number of advantages that make it an ideal base for exploring the Kansai region and beyond.  Osaka is centrally located in the Kansai region, making it easy to access other major cities like Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji by train. The city is served by both JR (Japan Rail) and private rail lines, providing excellent connectivity. Many of the top destinations in Kansai are within 30–60 minutes by train from Osaka, allowing you to maximize your sightseeing time without the need for overnight stays. Osaka’s location offers access to a wide range of day trip experiences, including historical cities (Kyoto, Nara), cultural and religious sites (Koyasan, temples in Kyoto), coastal cities (Kobe), and natural attractions (Arashiyama, Lake Biwa).

Staying in Osaka often provides more affordable accommodation options compared to nearby tourist-heavy cities like Kyoto. You can base yourself in Osaka and save money while enjoying easy access to other destinations. Kansai offers regional travel passes like the Kansai Thru Pass or JR Kansai Area Pass, which allow unlimited travel on trains and buses, making it cost-efficient to explore the area. By staying in Osaka, you don’t have to pack up and change hotels every day. This gives you more flexibility and a "home base" from which you can explore different parts of the region at your own pace. No Need to Pack and Move: By staying in Osaka, you don’t have to pack up and change hotels every day. This gives you more flexibility and a "home base" from which you can explore different parts of the historic Kansai region at your own pace.