Osaka is out of this global!
This colourful, dazzling and futuristic mega town has an enormous quantity to provide guests, from its noted neon cityscape to its recognition for remarkable meals (incomes it the nickname of Japan’s kitchen), to tremendous cool neighborhoods, shrines, temples, castles, nightlife, theme parks, aquariums, and a lot more.
After all, it’s all the time excellent to take a destroy from town existence too and Osaka is a perfect base to discover the remainder of the Kansai area, whether or not you’re yearning the coast or nation-state or simply need to pattern a special town.
From sacred mountains and ancient rural villages to coastal retreats, noted shrines, and artwork islands, Osaka has the most productive of Japan on its doorstep, particularly if in case you have a JR Cross for limitless commute on Japan’s home rail community.
Japan’s railway device is super-fast, blank, secure, and comfy, and it’s the easiest technique to commute throughout this unforgettable nation.
Similar learn: An afternoon in Osaka, Japan
In a position to begin exploring? Listed here are the highest day journeys from Osaka.
8 of The Perfect Day Journeys From Osaka
As Japan’s second-largest town, Osaka is very neatly attached through delivery, making it the easiest base for day journeys to many different remarkable locations.
Due to its location (and the rate and potency of Jap trains), you’ll succeed in different primary towns, rural hideaways, shrines, temples, mountains, coastlines, and extra inside of an hour or two of Osaka.
Similar learn: L. a. Carmina’s Choice Osaka Commute Information
Get Your JR Cross
We extremely counsel getting the JR Cross for limitless teach commute in Japan. Right here’s why:
✔ Limitless Commute: Experience limitless get right of entry to to maximum JR railways, together with high-speed Shinkansen, native trains, and buses.
✔ Price Financial savings: Save considerably on commute prices, specifically advisable for long-distance and more than one trips.
✔ Simplicity: Keep away from the trouble of buying particular person tickets through the usage of your move to simply get right of entry to trains.
✔ Flexibility: Enjoy the liberty to discover spontaneously with out being concerned about further price ticket prices.
✔ Further Advantages: Get pleasure from extras like loose reserved seat bookings and reductions on different JR delivery products and services.
Listed here are 8 of the most productive day journeys from Osaka through teach:
Kyoto
An evident day day out from Osaka is every other of Japan’s most renowned and maximum visited towns – Kyoto, which is simply quarter-hour clear of Osaka at the Shinkansen.
Referred to as the cultural center of Japan, Kyoto is packed stuffed with unbelievable historical past. The one problem is that Kyoto is so noted for its ancient constructions, cultural treasures, shrines, and temples, that this can be very well-liked by world guests. It’s, on the other hand, 100% price it to look the sweetness and historical past of Kyoto with your individual eyes.
Kyoto used to be the capital of Japan from the eighth Century to 1868 and town embodies greater than 1,000 years of historical past.
Arguably town’s most renowned and ancient districts are Gion, which is known for its geisha district, and Pontocho, which used to be the birthplace of Kabuki.
Similar learn: Whole Kyoto Commute Information
Kyoto may be house to a few of Japan’s highest shrines and temples. Actually, it boasts greater than 1,600 temples which may make it arduous to understand the place to begin.
Fortunately, we’ve achieved the arduous be just right for you through hanging in combination an inventory of our highest temple suggestions when visiting Kyoto. Our record contains Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kiyomizudera Temple, Saiho-ji Temple, Kennin-ji Temple, Tofuku-ji Temple, Nanzen-ji Temple, Ginkaku-ji Temple, and Ryoan-ji Temple.
Most likely essentially the most iconic temple in Kyoto is the “Golden Pavilion” of Kinkaku-ji – this iconic construction has been the postcard of town for a few years. Whilst Kinkaku-ji used to be based in 1397, the temple needed to be rebuilt in 1955 after a devastating hearth. In spite of that, it’s one of the temples in this record that make up the Historical Monuments of Historic Kyoto recognised through UNESCO as a International Heritage Website.
Additionally vying for the highest spot amongst Kyoto’s temples is Kiyomizudera and its magnificent veranda. Kiyomizudera is located on Mt. Kiyomizu and overlooks town. The unique temple dates again to 798 despite the fact that what you’ll see now’s the model that used to be rebuilt in 1633. The temple’s title interprets as “Natural Water Temple” and is derived from the natural waters flowing over the Otowa Waterfall shut through. But it surely’s in reality the immense picket level, stated to were constructed and not using a unmarried nail, that’s the celebrity enchantment right here.
Kyoto may be noted for its Shinto shrines in fact. Essentially the most noted and maximum vital being Fushimi Inari Taisha, whose vermillion pink torii gates had been featured within the 2005 movie ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’.
Fushimi Inari Taisha used to be based in 711, which makes it some of the oldest shrines in Kyoto. It used to be at first positioned on Inariyama hill, within the southwest of town, earlier than being relocated to its gift and everlasting house through the Hata circle of relatives in 816. A century later, in 942, it used to be given the absolute best rank amongst Shinto shrines, and in 1499, after the pretty and ornate primary shrine construction used to be constructed, Japan designed Fushimi Inari Taisha as an Necessary Cultural Belongings.
The beginning of Fushimi Inari Taisha is steeped in legend. The tale is going {that a} rice cake used to be fired into the air and became a swan that flew to the height of Mt. Inari. Rice started to develop at the mountain best and the spot was the pinnacle shrine for Inari Okami, the Jap god of rice, sake, and prosperity, and the consumer of companies, traders and producers.
Lately, hundreds of folks from throughout Japan,and thousands and thousands of holiday makers from around the globe,come to hope for fruitful harvests, trade luck, and different blessings. It’s specifically fashionable for New Yr prayers in Japan – some of the vital dates within the calendar.
After all, many world guests come to look the noted Senbon Torii—the hundreds of vermilion pink gates in dense rows resulting in the Torii gate mountain climbing path. Every one bears the title of an individual or trade carved in black who donated the gate to obtain excellent good fortune and fortune.
Tips on how to get from Osaka to Kyoto through teach
The JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station takes simply quarter-hour and is totally lined through the JR Cross whilst travelling on Hikari and Kodama trains.
Nara
Every other very good day day out from Osaka, simply 40 mins away through teach, is Nara—a space full of historical past, natural world, scenic perspectives, temples, and shrines.
Maximum of Nara’s ancient points of interest, in addition to its noted free-roaming deer, are positioned inside the 660-hectare Nara Town Park, which is quite small and simple to navigate.
Get started with a consult with to the Heijo Palace website online, which is a remnant from the time when Nara used to be the Capital of Japan and is now a International Heritage website online.
From right here, pass to town centre for a consult with to Kohfukuji and its three-story pagoda. This is likely one of the most renowned pagodas in Japan.
Subsequent, the Nara Nationwide Museum is just a five-minute stroll away. It homes a powerful number of Buddhist artwork and ancient nationwide treasures.
After lunch head east during the deer park to the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, identified for the numerous stone lanterns donated through worshippers, a profound environment of calm will also be felt. After visiting the shrine, take a stroll during the wooded area and soak within the non violent environment surrounding where.
The closing and most renowned of our suggestions is Tōdai-ji – the crown jewel of Nara. This Buddhist temple complicated homes the Nice Buddha and its guardians. Even if it used to be finished in 752 A.D., it stays as some of the nationwide masterworks of Japan.
Tips on how to get from Osaka to Nara through teach
You’ll be able to use each the JR Yamatoji Line and the Kintetsu Nara Line to succeed in Nara through teach from Osaka, with a adventure time of round 40-50 mins.
Kobe
Simply 1.5 hours from Osaka and the house of the world-famous pork, Kobe is a fantastic coastal town and a really perfect day day out vacation spot.
What’s so particular about Kobe pork we pay attention you ask?
Kobe pork is likely one of the maximum mythical kinds of pork on the planet, each for its high quality and its value. After all, Kobe pork is extra than simply meals; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime culinary revel in, and there’s nowhere higher than Kobe itself to pattern this scrumptious meat. Whilst it may be served in many alternative tactics, arguably the most productive dishes to devour it are both in shabu shabu, which is a soup that has boiled meat, sukiyaki (scorching pot), or teppanyaki, which is the general public’s favourite. This is when the chef prepares, chefs, and serves the Kobe pork proper in entrance of you.
As we stated, this is a in reality particular revel in and Kobe is where to move for this culinary journey!
Kobe isn’t simply noted for meals too. If you wish to have to check out certainly one of Japan’s most renowned conventional beverages, then you’ll want to consult with town’s Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum.
If that’s not sufficient to persuade you to consult with Kobe, town additionally boasts a lot of buying groceries alternatives, scenic perspectives from the highest of the close by Mt. Rokko and its personal Onsen Scorching Springs Hotel (Arima Onsen) inside the town limits.
And in any case, Kobe (Ashiya district particularly) used to be additionally the adolescence house of noted Jap creator Haruki Murakami!
Similar learn: The Final Information to Boulevard Meals in Japan
Tips on how to get from Osaka to Kobe through teach
The use of a JR Cross, take both the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Shin-Kobe Station in simply quarter-hour or for a extra centrally positioned terminus, take the JR particular fast teach from Osaka Station to Kobe’s Sannomiya Station, which takes 20 mins. Both manner, it’s a snappy adventure and an ideal day day out.
Koyasan and Kumano
The 3 grand shrines of the Kumano area are jointly referred to as the Kumano Sanzan temples. They include the Kumano Hongū Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. Those Shinto shrines are extremely sacred and a not unusual pilgrimage vacation spot.
Hidden away within the forests close to the southern finish of the peninsula, the 3 shrines are attached through the traditional pilgrimage trails of the Kumano Kodo. Which means that visiting the Kumano Sanzan isn’t only for the ones fascinated by Japan’s religious aspect, it’s additionally best if you wish to have the rustic’s herbal aspect.
You also have the danger to witness certainly one of Japan’s maximum breath-taking waterfalls, Nachi-no-taki, whilst you forestall at Nachi Taisha shrine.
Similar learn: Eko Koyasan – A Mountaintop Buddhist Retreat with 100 Running Temples
Amazingly, the Kumano Sanzan Temples and Ise Grand Shrine aren’t the one ancient points of interest within the Kii Peninsula. You’ll additionally to find the ancient and lovely Buddhist monastery complicated at Mt. Koya. Referred to as Kōyasan Shingon and positioned 800 meters above sea degree, it is a distinctive and religious vacation spot.
One of the vital temples here’s Danjo Garan, which has been a middle of spiritual educating because the ninth century. Should you’re fortunate chances are you’ll even spot some present scholars strolling round of their yellow gowns. Attractions to look there come with the just lately renovated Chūmon gate and the brilliant pink Konpon Daitō pagoda.
Every other primary temple is the Oku-no-in sanctuary, house to a cemetery of 200,000 tombs and the mausoleum of Kōbō Daishi, the founding father of Shingon Buddhism. There within the wooded area, you’ll to find many stupas lined in moss and an air of tranquility and reverence.
Koya-san may be the start and finish of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, which options 88 temples and shrines and will take 3 months to finish on foot.
Although you don’t have time for all 88, you’ll guide a Shukubo (a ‘temple keep’) in Koya-san (which has greater than 100 temples to choose between, many with their very own onsen and zen gardens for optimum leisure).
Temples equivalent to Eko-in and Muryoko-in are 1,000 years previous and make allowance visitors to meditate, observe calligraphy, participate in morning chanting and different rituals, and a lot more. It’s imaginable to stick for weeks to completely immerse your self within the religious existence.
Tips on how to get from Osaka to Koyasan through teach
With a commute time of round two hours, this is likely one of the longer day-trip locations, however it’s undoubtedly price it. It is important to prompt from Nankai Namba Station in Osaka earlier than getting off Gokurakubashi Station on the foot of Mount Koya.
Himeji Fort
One in every of Japan’s most pretty and ancient castles and simply 50 mins from Osaka at the Shinkansen, Himeji Fort is definitely price a consult with. At the side of the fort lawn, it’s a UNESCO International Heritage Website and a countrywide treasure of the absolute best rank. On account of its good white external and resemblance to a heron backing out, the fort bears the title “White Heron Fort” (Shirasagi-jō).
The historical past and id of Himeji town had lengthy revolved round its fort, which originated in 1333 when the primary fortress on Mount Himeji used to be constructed. Somewhat over two centuries later, in 1581, the fortress used to be became a fort. Within the following a long time, Himeji fort used to be ceaselessly expanded, growing an intensive fort complicated with complex defensive programs, which ended up being the biggest fort in Japan.
Not like different castles in Japan, Himeji fort stood the check of time and used to be by no means destroyed through battle or herbal crisis, it survived firebombs throughout WWII and the good Hanshin earthquake in 1995. In 2010 Himeji fort underwent an enormous recovery venture that took over 5 years and re-opened to the general public in 2015.
Lately Himeji fort stays open to the general public on maximum days and is a wonderful instance of prototypical Jap fort structure, feudal protection works and total cultural importance.
Tips on how to get from Osaka to Himeji through teach
Take the Hiraki Shinkansen teach from Shin-Osaka to Himeji Station. It’s an instantaneous line and simply 50 mins away.
Naoshima Artwork Island
Well-known for each its fashionable indoor and out of doors artwork, sandy seashores, surprising panoramic perspectives and sunny climate, Naoshima Artwork Island makes for an excellent spot to unwind, and you’ll keep there too.
The island is house to the enduring Yellow Pumpkin through Yayoi Kusama. That is most effective the start of the number of open air-sculptures and installations, together with works through Dan Graham, Shinro Otake and Karel Appel.
What about lodging you ask? How about staying in a museum? Benesse Artwork Area is essentially the most well known and in all probability maximum intriguing museum on Naoshima. Created in 1992, Benesse Area isn’t just a museum however an upscale resort as neatly.
Staying visitors can wander the exhibitions at night time with out being distracted through others. The artwork assortment contains paintings through Tadao Ando, George Rickey, Alberto Giacometti, Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Andy Warhol and others.
Tips on how to get from Osaka to Naoshima Artwork Island through teach
Take the JR Sanyo Shinkansen Line to Okayama earlier than converting to the JR Uno Line to Uno Station. It’s then only a quick 20-minute ferry trip to the island) departing from reverse the teach station).
Ise Jingu
Referred to as the religious house of the Jap folks, Ise Grand Shrine (or Ise Jingu) dates again nearly 2,000 years and stays a very powerful and culturally important shrine in all of Japan. Should you’re occupied with Japan’s religious historical past and the wonderful thing about its shrines and temples, then Ise Grand Shrine must be on the very best of your record.
The shrine is the house of the solar goddess Amaterasu, Japan’s superb deity, and the site of the Sacred Reflect of the Emperor. One of the interesting info about Ise Grand Shrine is that each two decades, the internal and outer shrines in addition to the Uji Bridge, are taken down and entirely rebuilt consistent with Shinto ideals of rebirth and renewal.
Ise Grand Shrine isn’t just spiritually and culturally vital to Japan, it’s also some of the gorgeous shrines it’s essential to ever hope to consult with.
Ise Grand Shrine is referred to as Ise Jingu as a result of ‘Jingu’ is the absolute best classification of Shinto shrines. Shinto is likely one of the two primary religious trust programs in Japan, the opposite being Buddhism.
As a fundamental rule, shrines like Ise Grand Shrine are associated with Shinto, whilst temples belong to Buddhism. Not like Buddhism, Shinto originated in Japan and is deeply woven into the material of Jap tradition and historical past.
The Shinto faith comes to the worship of more than one gods or spirits referred to as kami, who’re stated to inhabit all issues. Purity is the large focal point of Shinto, and other rituals contain cleaning worshippers.
Since Shinto has developed organically and has no unmarried beginning or sacred textual content, practices range relying at the kami and the area of Japan by which they happen.
Tips on how to get from Osaka to Ise Jingu through teach
First, use the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to commute to Nagoya then switch to the “Mie” fast teach to Ise. The Speedy Mie teach is likely one of the few choices to get right of entry to the prefecture of Mie, noted for town of Toba, Ise Jingu temple, Ise Shima Nationwide Park and naturally, Mie itself.
The Japan Rail Cross is legitimate at the Speedy Mie teach, and as discussed above, seat reservations will also be made free of charge. There’s one catch despite the fact that, as between Kawarada Station and Tsu Station the teach travels on non-public railways operated through the Ise Railway. For this phase, a 540 yen further fare is needed, which isn’t incorporated within the move. The fare is amassed on board through the conductor however will also be paid forward of time on the price ticket workplace.
Uji
Osaka’s rail connections are a passport to smaller cities and villages you would possibly not have heard of or thought to be visiting earlier than. Uji is a main instance and will also be reached in round one hour from Osaka at the Shinkansen.
Uji is principally identified for 3 issues: its International Heritage websites, which include ancient temples and shrines, its tea and the Story of Genji.
Let’s get started with Uji’s temples and shrines.
Of the more than a few temples in Uji, one you gained’t need to pass over is the Byodo-in Temple. This ancient Buddhist temple dates again to 1053 and is certainly one of two International Heritage websites within the town. Byodo-in Temple is widely known for its chic Phoenix Corridor, an image of which in reality embellishes one aspect of the ten¥ coin. Inside of this deceptively tall corridor you’ll to find a stupendous three-metre-tall statue of Buddha Amida. With the exception of seeing the Phoenix Corridor, be sure to consult with the temple museum and notice its collection of artefacts.
Subsequent is Ujigami Shrine, a very powerful position of Shinto worship in Uji and every other of Japan’s monuments identified through UNESCO. The shrine isn’t specifically huge however is shrouded in a lot of imperial historical past and is claimed to were built through 1060. This makes it some of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan.
Subsequent is an superb literary truth that pertains to Uji. Do you know that the oldest novel on the planet is assumed to be a Jap story from the eleventh century? The radical is The Story of Genji written through Murasaki Shikibu, a Jap noblewoman, recounting a romance tale of a prince and his adventures.
Uji is the atmosphere for the overall ten chapters of the unconventional, a indisputable fact that town continues to be moderately pleased with. No wonder then that there are more than one landmarks round Uji that remember that connection. One is a statue celebrating the novelist Murasaki Shikibu, simply by the Uji Bridge around the river.
However the town additionally hosts the Story of Genji Museum devoted to the tale. Throughout the museum reveals display you what fresh existence used to be like throughout the duration when the unconventional used to be set.
Consuming inexperienced tea is ever-present in existence in Japan, being each the most well liked beverage and a part of many customs and traditions. Uji and its surrounding area has lengthy had a name for its awesome tea, and it used to be some of the first puts to correctly undertake this addiction from China.
Whilst within the town, one of the best ways to revel in tea in Uji is through visiting certainly one of its riverside tea homes. You’ll additionally to find Uji tea in maximum native eating places and retail outlets, whilst it’s not unusual to seek out matcha-flavoured meals like ice-cream on the market. There are even positive puts, just like the Taihoan tea space the place you’ll revel in a conventional Jap tea rite first-hand.
In the end, as a facet enchantment, the Uji River, working during the town, is likely one of the most pretty spots in Uji. As you glance alongside the river to the encompassing hills blanketed in wooded area, a lot of nature is on show, particularly lovely in spring or autumn.
To in reality calm down, take a ship trip on an area boat generally used for cormorant fishing.
Tips on how to get from Osaka to Uji through teach
The use of your Japan Rail Cross, commute at the JR Kyoto Line from Osaka to Kyoto earlier than switching to the JR Nara Line from Kyoto to Uji. The full adventure time is round an hour.
Day Journeys from Osaka through Educate
Osaka is the center of Japan, completely mixing ancient richness with city class. As a gateway to the Kansai area, it gives simple get right of entry to to close by cultural treasures and culinary delights, because of very good connectivity and the JR Cross, making each tour a singular glimpse into Japan’s various tapestry.
Should you’re enthusiastic about diving deep into Japan and overlaying lengthy distances, you must completely take into consideration getting the Japan Rail Cross (sometimes called JR Cross). Taking the teach in Japan is all about being environment friendly, cost-effective, and simple to get right of entry to – and the JR Cross delivers on all the ones perks.
