Best Day Trips From Osaka – 8 EPIC Osaka Day Trips!

Looking for the best day trips from Osaka? You’ve come to the right place! 

These places to visit near Osaka are all easy to visit on a day trip, and they offer a mixture of city destinations and world-famous heritage sites.

In this article, I have outlined everything you need to know about doing these Osaka day trips, including why you should visit each destination, how to get there, travel times and more!

Visit the stunning temples in the temple town of Koya-San then venture to the grand Himeji Castle. Spend a day in Hiroshima learning about the devastating impact of the nuclear bomb that was dropped here in 1945. 

Get up close to the bowing deer in Nara, sample Kobe Beef and the finest sake in Kobe, or spend a day in the ancient city of Kyoto.

Each of these day trips from Osaka has something unique to offer!

Best Day Trips From Osaka

Universal Studios

Amongst the most visited theme parks in Japan, Universal Studios was the studio’s first theme park in Asia. It was opened in 2001 and has been slowly growing ever since. 

Worried you won’t like it? Incredibly, there are ten sections to the theme park, so there’s bound to be a section you love. 

Some parts of the theme park replicate famous US cities, like New York and San Francisco, whilst others replicate the sets of famous movies like Harry Potter and Minions.

Expect to see mascots of popular movies like Shrek wandering around the park. You can stop and snap a selfie with them if you want! 

Click here to book your Universal Studios Japan Entrance Ticket and Express Pass!

There are countless rides throughout the park, as well as different shows put on throughout the day. At night there’s a parade involving illuminated floats. 

This is by far the best day trip from Osaka if you are travelling with kids. Don’t worry about packing food, there are food courts dotted around the park (although they’re a little pricey).

You can get from Osaka Station to the Universal-City Station by one of the park’s entrances by metro in 20 minutes. You’ll need to hop on the Osaka Loop Line and JR Yumesaki Line. 

If you want to skip the hassle of figuring out the local public transport or hiring a car, take this tour that includes a private transfer to Universal Studios and a studio pass. 

Click here to book your USJ Entrance Ticket with private transfer from Osaka!

Nara

Nara is thought to be the ancient capital of Japan, making it even older than Kyoto. It’s riddled with stunning temples and historical buildings, but the main reason travelers come to Nara are the deer. 

Wandering around the city’s Nara Deer Park there are a thousand little bowing deer that are so tame they’ll come right up to you and say hello.

Said to be sacred, the deer are thought to be messengers of the gods in Shinto beliefs. Throughout the park there are vendors selling shika senbei.

These deer crackers are the best way to get up close to the adorable deer that can’t resist a snack. Next head to the Todai-ji Temple within the park that is home to one of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world.

Fancy doing something a little different? Head to Nakatanidou, a small but fairly well-known shop where you can watch mochi being made! Sample a few of these sweet treats before you leave. 

Doing a Nara day trip from Osaka is very easy. You can get there by train and there are two lines that run between the cities.

The first is the JR Yamatoji Line, which takes about 45 minutes and runs from the Osaka Station to the JR Nara Station. 

The other is the Kintetsu Nara Line which takes around 35 minutes and runs between the Osaka-Namba Station and Kintetsu Nara Station.

If you don’t want to worry about figuring out public transport, you can opt for a guided tour like this one.

Besides having a local guide that will share with you lots of interesting information, I like it because it’s an early bird tour, which means you’ll be able to beat the crowds in Nara!

Click here to book your Nara early bird tour from Osaka!

Kyoto

Serving as Japan’s capital from 794 to 1868, Kyoto is home to some of the country’s most important historical buildings and oldest neighbourhoods. 

Wander through a tunnel of torii gates at the Fushimi Inari Shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice.

The shrine is home to thousands of vermilion torii gates that take you through the wooded forest to the entrance of the shrine. It’s a popular spot to take photos!

There are more temples than you could visit in a week in Kyoto, let alone in a day. You’ll have to be selective about which to go to.

Some of the most famous are the Toji Temple,  the Tofukuji Temple which is especially beautiful in autumn, and the Kiyomizudera Temple which is famous for its large wooden terrace. 

Take a stroll through Higashiyama, the well-preserved historic district that surrounds the temple of Kiyomidureza. 

Another highlight of Kyoto is the Arashiyama bamboo forest and the lively Nishiki Market that has amazing street food stalls. 

It’s easy to get from Osaka to Kyoto, just hop on the Tokaido-Sanyo Line from Shin-Osaka Station and you’ll arrive at the Kyoto Station in less than 30 minutes.

That said, there’s so much to do in Kyoto a day doesn’t seem like enough time, you need at least 3 days in Kyoto in my opinion.

To make the most of your time in the city book on this Instagram-highlights guided tour that will wizz you around all the city’s most notable attractions and landmarks.

Click here to book your Kyoto highlights tour from Osaka!

Himeji

Amongst the best things to do around Osaka is a trip to the beautiful Himeji castle.

Also known as the White Heron Castle, this grand and elegant white castle is larger than life. The complex was built gradually between the 1400s and 1609. 

Incredibly, it is one of just 12 castles that haven’t been burnt down, bombed, or destroyed over the centuries. What you see today is the original complex in all its glory.

The castle is made up of more than eighty buildings spread around the grounds and connected by a network of gates and winding paths. 

There are lots of cherry blossom trees around the castle, making it an especially popular day trip in spring.

Parts of the complex are free, but there is a section that is paid for. You can also decide whether or not you want to go inside the castle.

Most of the rooms are unfurnished, but there is some interesting information about the castle’s architectural features and history, and the views from the top are great.

Getting to the castle is a bit of a pain if you’re using public transport as you’ll have to get two trains, one from Osaka-Umeda Station to Shinkaichi Station and another from there to Sanyo-Himeji Station.

From there you’ll either have to walk for 20 minutes or get a bus. 

If you rent a car you can get to Himeji Castle in just over an hour and 15 minutes. Rather take a tour? Then book this hassle-free tour that will also take you to the historic Arima Onsen and Mount Rokko.

Click here to book your Osaka to Himeji Castle day trip!

Kobe

Nestled between the sea and Rokko mountain range is the city of Kobe. It has been an important port city since the 19th century, but sadly the city was devastated by the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.

Since, much of the city has been rebuilt and there are few traces of the earthquake’s devastation. If you want to find out more about the impact of the earthquake head to the Earthquake Museum. 

History aside, most people come to Kobe to sample Kobe Beef. The meat of this regional breed of Wagyu, or Japanese cattle, is flavourful and tender.

Not a dish for the vegetarians out there, the beef is usually served as steaks boiled in broth, known as shabu shabu, or as a sukiyaki where it is simmered in a hot pan.

After an extravagant lunch, head to the neighbourhood of Nada. It’s known as Japan’s top sake-producing region. There are stores and sake breweries where you can sample this famous drink. If you want to learn more, head to the Sawanotsuru Sake Museum. 

Whilst you’re in Kobe check out the city’s Chinatown, known as Nankinmachi. Colorful and bright, the neighbourhood has endless food stalls and quirky shops. 

Kobe is just half an hour away from Osaka by car. If you decide to drive to Kobe, take yourself for a drive over the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.

The largest suspension bridge in the world, it spans 4 kilometers over the water and connects Kobe and Awaki Island.

You can get there in less than half an hour by train too. Jump on at the Osaka Station and hop off at Sannomiya Station. 

This tour of Kobe and the surroundings takes you to all the highlights you’d struggle to reach by public transport, like Mount Rokko and Arima Onsen. 

Click here to book your tour from Osaka to Kobe and surroundings!

Hiroshima

In 1945 the first atomic bomb was dropped over the city of Hiroshima. It destroyed everything within a 2-kilometer radius.

Whilst you might think of Hiroshima as a flattened city, the truth is it has bounced back since the atomic bomb attack.

Many of the destroyed historical sites, like Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden, were reconstructed.

Where once there was nothing but tumbled buildings, there is now a grand park in the centre of the city called the Peace Memorial Park. 

Though it’s a heavy topic and it was tough learning about the full impact of the nuclear bomb, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is a must-visit. 

After, wander round the city’s downtown area and grab a bite to eat, you could even take the ferry over to Miyajima Island.

There are lots of modern shops in the neighbourhood if you want to do some shopping.

The only viable way to get to Hiroshima from Osaka is by taking the bullet train. If you drive it takes around 4 hours to reach Hiroshima, but on the bullet train it takes just an hour and 20 minutes.

It is a bit pricey, but if you have a JR Pass the journey is included. If you don’t want to worry about public transport, you can also join a guided tour like this one, which includes the train journey and local guide once in Hiroshima.

Click here to book your Osaka to Hiroshima guided tour with bullet train!

Lake Biwa

Lake Biwa is Japan’s largest freshwater lake. It’s also thought to be one of the world’s oldest lakes, formed more than 400 years ago. 

You can go on cruises into the lake, or rent a kayak and paddle yourself. There is also the opportunity to go island-hopping along Lake Biwa.

Top island attractions include Chikubu Island which is home to many shrines and temples that date as far back as the 1500s. 

This tour from Osaka will take you to Lake Biwa as well as Ukimido and the Shirahige Shrine!

Click here to book your Osaka to Lake Biwa day trip!

Koya-San

The famous Koya-San, or Mount Koya, is a religious site of the Shingon Buddhist sect that was built atop a small, wooded mountain top.

There is a temple town hidden between the trees, which is the start and end point of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. 

Construction of the first temple began in 826. Now, there are more than a hundred temples in the temple town of Koya-San.

The most important amongst them are Kongobuji and Okunoin. The latter houses the Daishi’s mausoleum. 

Koya-San is probably the most inconvenient destination to visit on a day trip, as the travel times are quite long, and with public transport you have to change quite a few times.

Plus, in Koya-San you can actually experience staying overnight in a Buddhist temple!

Around half the temples open their doors to overnight guests, who can come and experience the lifestyle of the monk’s that live there.

It’s such a unique experience that I highly recommend you spend a night in Koya-San, not just visit on a day trip. The town is so quiet at night, it reminded me of our Mt Fuji glamping experience.

From only eating vegetarian meals to attending prayers, a night at one of these temples is a great way to gain insight into the life of a monk. 

Travelling to Koya-San using public transport is complicated. It takes ages and involves a lot of changes. I’d suggest hiring a car for the day, as the temple town is only an hour and a half drive away. 

Driving in Japan isn’t hard, we drove from Tokyo to Osaka and all over. But if you don’t feel comfortable driving in Japan, then look into this private tour to Koya-San from Osaka.

Click here to book your private tour from Osaka to Koya-San!

Where to stay for these Osaka day trips

There are loads of cool places to stay in Osaka, and you’ll find they’re all fairly affordable compared to other Japanese destinations, as well as each neighbourhood having its own distinctive vibe. Here are some great places to stay for all budgets.

Budget: If you don’t want to break the bank, the APA Hotel & Resort is a great option. This tower-style hotel even has a swimming pool and a spa center, and is located right by the JR Namba Station. 

Click here to book your stay at the APA Hotel & Resort in Osaka!

Midrange: If you’re travelling as a group of friends or a family, then the cute and simple hotel apartments at Apartment Hotel 11 Namba are perfect for you! Affordable, cozy, and you even get your own kitchen!

Click here to see prices & availability at the Apartment Hotel 11 Namba in Osaka!

Luxury: Known internationally for its elegant hotels, DoubleTree by Hilton is a go-to for luxury. As well as exquisite rooms, there’s a swimming pool, fitness center, and room service! 

Check out prices & availability for your stay at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Osaka Castle here!

Final Thoughts On The Best Day Trips Near Osaka

There are so many things to do around Osaka that the hardest bit will be deciding which day trips to go on. From stunning castles to hidden temple towns, the region around Osaka is a haven of culture.

Don’t miss out on the chance to visit the nearby cities of Kobe, Nara, and Kyoto. Each is different from the next, and they’re all easy to get to from Osaka.

Osaka is a popular stop on all Japan itineraries, but few people realise just how good of a base it is to explore on day trips and tick off other sights from their Japan bucket lists.

Obviously, you won’t see all of Japan from Osaka, you should travel further out to Tokyo, Mt Fuji and Shiraito Falls, the Nakasendo Highway, Kamakura, and beyond, but while in Osaka you can definitely branch out of the city and explore other sights.

Have you been to Osaka before? Are you planning to go? Let me know in the comments below!

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