Greatest Day Journeys From Osaka

Osaka is out of this world!

This vibrant, dazzling and futuristic mega metropolis has an enormous quantity to supply guests, from its well-known neon cityscape to its popularity for excellent meals (incomes it the nickname of Japan’s kitchen), to tremendous cool neighborhoods, shrines, temples, castles, nightlife, theme parks, aquariums, and way more.

In fact, it’s all the time good to take a break from metropolis life too and Osaka is a perfect base to discover the remainder of the Kansai area, whether or not you’re craving the coast or countryside or simply wish to pattern a special metropolis.

From sacred mountains and historic rural villages to coastal retreats, well-known shrines, and artwork islands, Osaka has one of the best of Japan on its doorstep, particularly if in case you have a JR Cross for limitless journey on Japan’s home rail community.

Japan’s railway system is super-fast, clear, protected, and comfy, and it’s the good approach to journey throughout this unforgettable nation.

Associated learn: A day in Osaka, Japan

Prepared to start out exploring? Listed below are the highest day journeys from Osaka.

8 of The Greatest Day Journeys From Osaka

As Japan’s second-largest metropolis, Osaka is extraordinarily nicely related by transport, making it the right base for day journeys to many different excellent locations.

Because of its location (and the velocity and effectivity of Japanese trains), you’ll be able to attain different main cities, rural hideaways, shrines, temples, mountains, coastlines, and extra inside an hour or two of Osaka.

Associated learn: La Carmina’s Various Osaka Journey Information

Listed below are eight of one of the best day journeys from Osaka by prepare:

Kyoto

An apparent day journey from Osaka is one other of Japan’s most well-known and most visited cities – Kyoto, which is simply quarter-hour away from Osaka on the Shinkansen.

Often called the cultural coronary heart of Japan, Kyoto is packed filled with unbelievable historical past. The one draw back is that Kyoto is so well-known for its historic buildings, cultural treasures, shrines, and temples, that this can be very standard with worldwide guests. It’s, nevertheless, 100% value it to see the sweetness and historical past of Kyoto with your personal eyes.

Kyoto was the capital of Japan from the eighth Century to 1868 and the town embodies greater than 1,000 years of historical past.

Arguably the town’s most well-known and historic districts are Gion, which is known for its geisha district, and Pontocho, which was the birthplace of Kabuki.

Associated learn: Full Kyoto Journey Information

Kyoto can also be house to a few of Japan’s greatest shrines and temples. In truth, it boasts greater than 1,600 temples which might make it exhausting to know the place to start out.

Fortunately, we’ve achieved the exhausting give you the results you want by placing collectively an inventory of our greatest temple suggestions when visiting Kyoto. Our checklist consists of Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kiyomizudera Temple, Saiho-ji Temple, Kennin-ji Temple, Tofuku-ji Temple, Nanzen-ji Temple, Ginkaku-ji Temple, and Ryoan-ji Temple.

Maybe essentially the most iconic temple in Kyoto is the “Golden Pavilion” of Kinkaku-ji – this iconic constructing has been the postcard of the town for a few years. Whereas Kinkaku-ji was based in 1397, the temple needed to be rebuilt in 1955 after a devastating fireplace. Regardless of that, it’s one in all many temples on this checklist that make up the Historic Monuments of Historical Kyoto recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Website.

Additionally vying for the highest spot amongst Kyoto’s temples is Kiyomizudera and its magnificent veranda. Kiyomizudera is discovered on Mt. Kiyomizu and overlooks the town. The unique temple dates again to 798 though what you’ll see now could be the model that was rebuilt in 1633. The temple’s identify interprets as “Pure Water Temple” and comes from the pure waters flowing over the Otowa Waterfall shut by. Nevertheless it’s actually the immense wood stage, stated to have been constructed with no single nail, that’s the star attraction right here.

Kyoto can also be well-known for its Shinto shrines in fact. Probably the most well-known and most essential being Fushimi Inari Taisha, whose vermillion crimson torii gates have been featured within the 2005 movie ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’.

Fushimi Inari Taisha was based in 711, which makes it one of many oldest shrines in Kyoto. It was initially situated on Inariyama hill, within the southwest of the town, earlier than being relocated to its current and everlasting house by the Hata household in 816. A century later, in 942, it was given the very best rank amongst Shinto shrines, and in 1499, after the attractive and ornate foremost shrine construction was constructed, Japan designed Fushimi Inari Taisha as an Necessary Cultural Property.

The origin of Fushimi Inari Taisha is steeped in legend. The story goes {that a} rice cake was fired into the air and was a swan that flew to the height of Mt. Inari. Rice started to develop on the mountain prime and the spot grew to become the top shrine for Inari Okami, the Japanese god of rice, sake, and prosperity, and the patron of companies, retailers and producers.

At the moment, hundreds of individuals from throughout Japan,and tens of millions of tourists from world wide,come to hope for fruitful harvests, enterprise success, and different blessings. It’s significantly standard for New 12 months prayers in Japan – some of the essential dates within the calendar.

In fact, many worldwide guests come to see the well-known Senbon Torii—the hundreds of vermilion crimson gates in dense rows resulting in the Torii gate climbing path. Every one bears the identify of an individual or enterprise carved in black who donated the gate to obtain good luck and fortune.

The right way to get from Osaka to Kyoto by prepare

The JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station takes simply quarter-hour and is totally lined by the JR Cross whereas travelling on Hikari and Kodama trains.

Nara

One other wonderful day journey from Osaka, simply 40 minutes away by prepare, is Nara—an space full of historical past, wildlife, scenic views, temples, and shrines.

Most of Nara’s historic points of interest, in addition to its well-known free-roaming deer, are situated inside the 660-hectare Nara Metropolis Park, which is comparatively small and simple to navigate.

Begin with a go to to the Heijo Palace web site, which is a remnant from the time when Nara was the Capital of Japan and is now a World Heritage web site.

From right here, go to the town centre for a go to to Kohfukuji and its three-story pagoda. This is likely one of the most well-known pagodas in Japan.

Subsequent, the Nara Nationwide Museum is barely a five-minute stroll away. It homes an impressive assortment of Buddhist artwork and historic nationwide treasures.

After lunch head east via the deer park to the Kasuga Taisha Shrine, identified for the numerous stone lanterns donated by worshippers, a profound ambiance of calm will be felt. After visiting the shrine, take a stroll via the forest and soak within the peaceable ambiance surrounding the place.

The final and most well-known of our suggestions is Tōdai-ji – the crown jewel of Nara. This Buddhist temple complicated homes the Nice Buddha and its guardians. Although it was accomplished in 752 A.D., it stays as one of many nationwide masterworks of Japan.

The right way to get from Osaka to Nara by prepare

You should use each the JR Yamatoji Line and the Kintetsu Nara Line to succeed in Nara by prepare from Osaka, with a journey time of round 40-50 minutes.

Kobe

Simply 1.5 hours from Osaka and the house of the world-famous beef, Kobe is a gorgeous coastal metropolis and an amazing day journey vacation spot.

What’s so particular about Kobe beef we hear you ask?

Kobe beef is likely one of the most legendary varieties of beef on the earth, each for its high quality and its worth. In fact, Kobe beef is extra than simply meals; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime culinary expertise, and there’s nowhere higher than Kobe itself to pattern this scrumptious meat. Whereas it may be served in many alternative methods, arguably one of the best dishes to eat it are both in shabu shabu, which is a soup that has boiled meat, sukiyaki (sizzling pot), or teppanyaki, which is most individuals’s favourite. That’s when the chef prepares, cooks, and serves the Kobe beef proper in entrance of you.

As we stated, it’s a really particular expertise and Kobe is the place to go for this culinary journey!

Kobe isn’t simply well-known for meals too. If you wish to attempt one in all Japan’s most well-known conventional drinks, then be sure you go to the town’s Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum.

If that’s not sufficient to persuade you to go to Kobe, the town additionally boasts loads of purchasing alternatives, scenic views from the highest of the close by Mt. Rokko and its personal Onsen Sizzling Springs Resort (Arima Onsen) inside the metropolis limits.

And at last, Kobe (Ashiya district specifically) was additionally the childhood house of well-known Japanese creator Haruki Murakami! 

Associated learn: The Final Information to Avenue Meals in Japan

The right way to get from Osaka to Kobe by prepare

Utilizing a JR Cross, take both the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Shin-Kobe Station in simply quarter-hour or for a extra centrally situated terminus, take the JR particular speedy prepare from Osaka Station to Kobe’s Sannomiya Station, which takes 20 minutes. Both method, it’s a fast journey and an ideal day journey.

Koyasan and Kumano

The three grand shrines of the Kumano area are collectively often known as the Kumano Sanzan temples. They encompass the Kumano Hongū Taisha, Kumano Nachi Taisha, and Kumano Hayatama Taisha. These Shinto shrines are extremely sacred and a standard pilgrimage vacation spot.

Hidden away within the forests close to the southern finish of the peninsula, the three shrines are related by the traditional pilgrimage trails of the Kumano Kodo. Which means that visiting the Kumano Sanzan isn’t only for these occupied with Japan’s non secular facet, it’s additionally good if you’d like the nation’s pure facet.

You even have the prospect to witness one in all Japan’s most breath-taking waterfalls, Nachi-no-taki, while you cease at Nachi Taisha shrine.

Associated learn: Eko Koyasan – A Mountaintop Buddhist Retreat with 100 Working Temples

Amazingly, the Kumano Sanzan Temples and Ise Grand Shrine will not be the one historic points of interest within the Kii Peninsula. You’ll additionally discover the historic and exquisite Buddhist monastery complicated at Mt. Koya. Often called Kōyasan Shingon and situated 800 meters above sea degree, this can be a distinctive and non secular vacation spot.

One of the essential temples right here is Danjo Garan, which has been a middle of non secular educating because the ninth century. Should you’re fortunate you would possibly even spot some present college students strolling round of their yellow robes. Sights to see there embody the lately renovated Chūmon gate and the intense crimson Konpon Daitō pagoda.

One other main 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 forest, you’ll discover many stupas lined in moss and an air of tranquility and reverence.

Koya-san can also be the start and finish of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, which options 88 temples and shrines and might take three months to finish on foot.

Even for those who don’t have time for all 88, you’ll be able to e book a Shukubo (a ‘temple keep’) in Koya-san (which has greater than 100 temples to select from, many with their very own onsen and zen gardens for optimum rest).

Temples reminiscent of Eko-in and Muryoko-in are 1,000 years previous and permit visitors to meditate, apply calligraphy, participate in morning chanting and different rituals, and way more. It’s attainable to remain for weeks to completely immerse your self within the non secular life.

The right way to get from Osaka to Koyasan by prepare

With a journey time of round two hours, this is likely one of the longer day-trip locations, nevertheless it’s positively value it. You will have to set off from Nankai Namba Station in Osaka earlier than getting off Gokurakubashi Station on the foot of Mount Koya.

Himeji Citadel

Considered one of Japan’s most lovely and historic castles and simply 50 minutes from Osaka on the Shinkansen, Himeji Citadel is nicely value a go to. Along with the fortress backyard, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Website and a nationwide treasure of the very best rank. Due to its good white exterior and resemblance to a heron chickening out, the fortress bears the identify “White Heron Citadel” (Shirasagi-jō).

The historical past and id of Himeji metropolis had lengthy revolved round its fortress, which originated in 1333 when the primary fort on Mount Himeji was constructed. Somewhat over two centuries later, in 1581, the fort was was a fortress. Within the following many years, Himeji fortress was steadily expanded, creating an in depth fortress complicated with superior defensive techniques, which ended up being the biggest fortress in Japan.

In contrast to different castles in Japan, Himeji fortress stood the take a look at of time and was by no means destroyed by battle or pure catastrophe, it survived firebombs throughout WWII and the nice Hanshin earthquake in 1995. In 2010 Himeji fortress underwent a large restoration undertaking that took over 5 years and re-opened to the general public in 2015.

At the moment Himeji fortress stays open to the general public on most days and is a wonderful instance of prototypical Japanese fortress structure, feudal protection works and general cultural significance.

The right way to get from Osaka to Himeji by prepare

Take the Hiraki Shinkansen prepare from Shin-Osaka to Himeji Station. It’s a direct line and simply 50 minutes away.

Naoshima Artwork Island

Well-known for each its fashionable indoor and outside artwork, sandy seashores, gorgeous panoramic views and sunny climate, Naoshima Artwork Island makes for an amazing place to unwind, and you may keep there too.

The island is house to the enduring Yellow Pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama. That is solely the start of the gathering of open air-sculptures and installations, together with works by Dan Graham, Shinro Otake and Karel Appel.

What about lodging you ask? How about staying in a museum? Benesse Artwork Home is essentially the most well-known and maybe most intriguing museum on Naoshima. Created in 1992, Benesse Home isn’t just a museum however an upscale resort as nicely.

Staying visitors can wander the exhibitions at evening with out being distracted by others. The artwork assortment consists of work by Tadao Ando, George Rickey, Alberto Giacometti, Yasuo Kuniyoshi, Andy Warhol and others.

The right way to get from Osaka to Naoshima Artwork Island by prepare

Take the JR Sanyo Shinkansen Line to Okayama earlier than altering 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 prepare station).

Ise Jingu

Often called the non secular house of the Japanese folks, Ise Grand Shrine (or Ise Jingu) dates again nearly 2,000 years and stays a very powerful and culturally vital shrine in all of Japan. Should you’re fascinated by Japan’s non secular historical past and the fantastic thing about its shrines and temples, then Ise Grand Shrine must be on the very prime of your checklist.

The shrine is the house of the solar goddess Amaterasu, Japan’s supreme deity, and the placement of the Sacred Mirror of the Emperor. One of the fascinating info about Ise Grand Shrine is that each 20 years, the inside and outer shrines in addition to the Uji Bridge, are taken down and utterly rebuilt in line with Shinto beliefs of rebirth and renewal.

Ise Grand Shrine isn’t just spiritually and culturally essential to Japan, additionally it is some of the lovely shrines you would ever hope to go to. 

Ise Grand Shrine is named Ise Jingu as a result of ‘Jingu’ is the very best classification of Shinto shrines. Shinto is likely one of the two foremost non secular perception techniques in Japan, the opposite being Buddhism.

As a fundamental rule, shrines like Ise Grand Shrine are associated to Shinto, whereas temples belong to Buddhism. In contrast to Buddhism, Shinto originated in Japan and is deeply woven into the material of Japanese tradition and historical past.

The Shinto faith entails the worship of a number of gods or spirits often known as kami, who’re stated to inhabit all issues. Purity is the large focus of Shinto, and totally different rituals contain cleaning worshippers.

Since Shinto has developed organically and has no single origin or sacred textual content, practices range relying on the kami and the area of Japan through which they happen.

The right way to get from Osaka to Ise Jingu by prepare

First, use the JR Tokaido Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to journey to Nagoya then switch to the “Mie” speedy prepare to Ise. The Fast Mie prepare is likely one of the few choices to entry the prefecture of Mie, well-known for the town of Toba, Ise Jingu temple, Ise Shima Nationwide Park and naturally, Mie itself.

The Japan Rail Cross is legitimate on the Fast Mie prepare, and as talked about above, seat reservations will be made without spending a dime. There’s one catch although, as between Kawarada Station and Tsu Station the prepare travels on non-public railways operated by the Ise Railway. For this half, a 540 yen additional fare is required, which isn’t included within the move. The fare is collected on board by the conductor however will also be paid forward of time on the ticket workplace.

Uji

Osaka’s rail connections are a passport to smaller cities and villages it’s possible you’ll not have heard of or thought of visiting earlier than. Uji is a first-rate instance and will be reached in round one hour from Osaka on the Shinkansen.

Uji is principally identified for 3 issues: its World Heritage websites, which encompass historic temples and shrines, its tea and the Story of Genji.

Let’s begin with Uji’s temples and shrines.

Of the assorted temples in Uji, one you gained’t wish to miss is the Byodo-in Temple. This historic Buddhist temple dates again to 1053 and is one in all two World Heritage websites within the metropolis. Byodo-in Temple is well known for its elegant Phoenix Corridor, an image of which truly adorns one facet of the ten¥ coin. Inside this deceptively tall corridor you’ll discover a good looking three-metre-tall statue of Buddha Amida. Other than seeing the Phoenix Corridor, make sure that to go to the temple museum and see its assortment of artefacts.

Subsequent is Ujigami Shrine, a very powerful place of Shinto worship in Uji and one other of Japan’s monuments acknowledged by UNESCO. The shrine isn’t significantly giant however is shrouded in loads of imperial historical past and is claimed to have been constructed by 1060. This makes it one of many oldest Shinto shrines in Japan.

Subsequent is an wonderful literary reality that pertains to Uji. Do you know that the oldest novel on the earth is believed to be a Japanese story from the eleventh century? The novel is The Story of Genji written by Murasaki Shikibu, a Japanese noblewoman, recounting a romance story of a prince and his adventures.

Uji is the setting for the ultimate ten chapters of the novel, a proven fact that the town remains to be fairly pleased with. No shock then that there are a number of landmarks round Uji that commemorate that connection. One is a statue celebrating the novelist Murasaki Shikibu, simply by the Uji Bridge throughout the river.

However the metropolis additionally hosts the Story of Genji Museum devoted to the story. Contained in the museum displays present you what modern life was like through the interval when the novel was set.

Ingesting inexperienced tea is ever-present in life 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 popularity for its superior tea, and it was one of many first locations to correctly undertake this behavior from China.

Whereas within the metropolis, one of the simplest ways to expertise tea in Uji is by visiting one in all its riverside tea homes. You’ll additionally discover Uji tea in most native eating places and shops, whereas it’s widespread to seek out matcha-flavoured meals like ice-cream on the market. There are even sure locations, just like the Taihoan tea home the place you’ll be able to expertise a standard Japanese tea ceremony first-hand.

Lastly, as a facet attraction, the Uji River, working via the town, is likely one of the most lovely spots in Uji. As you look alongside the river to the encompassing hills blanketed in forest, loads of nature is on show, particularly fairly in spring or autumn.

To essentially chill out, take a ship trip on a neighborhood boat often used for cormorant fishing.

The right way to get from Osaka to Uji by prepare

Utilizing your Japan Rail Cross, journey on the JR Kyoto Line from Osaka to Kyoto earlier than switching to the JR Nara Line from Kyoto to Uji. The full journey time is round an hour.

Day Journeys from Osaka by Practice

Osaka is the center of Japan, completely mixing historic richness with city class. As a gateway to the Kansai area, it provides easy accessibility to close by cultural treasures and culinary delights, due to wonderful connectivity and the JR Cross, making each tour a singular glimpse into Japan’s numerous tapestry.

Ebook the Japan Rail Cross On-line

Should you’re fascinated by diving deep into Japan and protecting lengthy distances, you need to completely take into consideration getting the Japan Rail Cross (also called JR Cross). Taking the prepare in Japan is all about being environment friendly, cost-effective, and simple to entry – and the JR Cross delivers on all these perks.