Kansai is a charming region with unique traditional cultures of the cherry blossom country of Japan. Let’s explore a super useful 7-day 6-night Kansai travel itinerary with Living Nomads!
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Located among historical heritages, beautiful nature, and unique entertainment spots, Kansai is an ideal destination for you to enjoy the unique beauty of Japan. Most visitors choose Osaka as a stopover and easily explore surrounding cities such as Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe.
If you’re wondering where to start, don’t worry! We have suggested a 7-day itinerary in Kansai, perfect for those new to this wonderful land.
Day 1: Landing in Osaka – Check in Hotel – Visit Osaka
To start your Kansai tour, you should choose Osaka as your first destination because although this place is bustling and convenient, it is not too crowded. We suggest that you should choose a night flight and sleep on the plane so that you can start exploring Osaka right from the moment you land in Japan. Travel time from Vietnam to Osaka takes about 5 hours – 6 hours 20 minutes depending on your departure point.
Osaka Castle – Cultural and Historical Symbol of the Kansai Region
Start your Osaka exploration journey by heading straight to the historical symbol – Osaka Castle. With 5 and 8 floors, the castle is nestled within impressive stone walls, a beautiful garden, canals and large gates, all creating a work of art that will leave you in awe. The castle grounds (Osaka Castle Park) are especially brilliant in spring, when the cherry blossoms are extremely beautiful!
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
If you love aquariums, don’t miss it. Kaiyukan is not only one of the best aquariums in Japan, but is also famous worldwide for its vivid and creative recreation of the Pacific Ocean. In addition to the large themed tanks, the centerpiece of the aquarium is a large artificial cone-shaped ceiling tank, which is home to the whale shark, the world’s largest fish. You will meet 30,000 sea creatures here including sea urchins, seals, penguins, dolphins, sharks, rays and jellyfish.
Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan E-ticket
Right next to Kaiyukan Aquarium is the massive Tempozan Ferris Wheel. With a diameter of 100 meters, a height of 112.5 meters and a capacity of 60 cabins, Tempozan Ferris Wheel is one of the largest Ferris wheels in the world. If you are up for a challenge, choose a transparent cabin with a transparent floor to enjoy the whole view from above! And to see the city from a new angle, the Tempozan Roundabout will excite you.
Explore Local Cuisine
Don’t forget to take a unique photo with the Glico symbol and fill your stomach with Japanese street food specialties such as takoyaki, melon pan, gyoza and okonomiyaki! If you’re planning to spend the evening in Dotonbori, here are some highly rated restaurants you can consider:
- Kani Doraku (crab specialty)
- Ichiran Ramen
- Mizuno (Osaka-style okonomiyaki)
- Kani Doraku (grilled crab legs)
- Takoyaki Juhachiban
- Matsusakagyu Yakiniku M
- Kinryu Ramen
- Kushikatsu Daruma
Umeda Sky Building with a Panoramic View
There’s no better place to end your first night in Osaka than taking in the captivating beauty of the night view. After dinner, head to the Umeda Sky Building, one of Osaka’s tallest and most iconic skyscrapers. From the Sky Garden observation deck at the top, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the city skyline – the best time to visit is at sunset or after the city lights have lit up at night.
Umeda Sky Building & Kuchu Teien Observatory Ticket in Osaka
Kansai region itinerary 7 days — Day 2: Get Lost in Universal Studios Japan
On your second day, head to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka for some of the most immersive rides in the world! From the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to the newly opened Super Nintendo World, this is a must-visit for theme park lovers. Explore areas like Harry Potter, Jurassic Park and Minions. Don’t miss the iconic Japanese areas, where you’ll get to see your childhood anime!
Universal Studios Japan Studio Pass
After a long day at Universal Studios Japan, take the subway for about half an hour to Shinsekai, a classic neighborhood in southern Osaka. Shinsekai is loved for its charm and unique spots like the Tsutenkaku Tower (formerly known as the Eiffel Tower of Osaka).
Many people come here to enjoy the old-fashioned atmosphere with classic eateries and cheap Japanese-style bars. The area is also famous for its restaurants serving kushikatsu, a famous local specialty of Osaka! Enjoy a warm dinner or a delicious dinner of deep-fried kushikatsu (skewered and fried meat and vegetables) in a unique restaurant full of locals.
Day 3: Getting to Kyoto – Walking Around Kyoto
Kyoto, Japan’s top tourist destination, is often combined with Osaka due to the convenience of traveling between the two cities. You should use the Kintetsu Rail Pass, Kansai Thru Pass or JR Pass if you want to visit other areas in Kansai.
Fushimi Inari Taisha – The Legendary Torii Gate Path
Without color correction, the red scenery at Fushimi Inari Taisha is enough to make any photo impressive. This place is famous for more than 10,000 torii gates stretching into a tunnel leading to the top of Mount Inari – a journey that is not only beautiful but also full of Zen.
This is the most sacred shrine in Japan, associated with fox worship and prosperity in business. Whether you walk the entire route or just check-in at the beginning, Fushimi Inari is still the place to feel the most clearly the intersection between nature and religion in Japanese culture.
Arashiyama – Bamboo Forest & Wooden Bridge in the Mountains
If Kyoto is a watercolor painting, then Arashiyama is the cool green space on the western edge of the city. Walking through the Sagano bamboo forest, where tall bamboo stalks sway gently in the wind, you will feel strangely light-hearted. Don’t forget to visit Togetsukyo Bridge – a wooden bridge across the Hozugawa River with mountain scenery that changes with the seasons.
Kyoto Nara day tour with Kobe beef or pork hotpot lunch
Kiyomizudera Temple
When the afternoon falls, take the time to visit Kiyomizudera – a temple over 1,200 years old, precariously located on the side of Otowa Mountain. The unique feature of the temple is the large wooden balcony, built entirely with wooden joints without using nails, extending out into the middle of the cliff and offering a panoramic view of Kyoto city in the distance.
This is the best place to watch the Kyoto sunset, especially during cherry blossom or red leaf season. The Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka paths leading up to the temple are also charming with craft shops, tea houses and traditional wagashi confectioneries.
In addition to the three highlights above, you can also consider visiting other special places such as the Gion old town where you can catch a glimpse of geisha, the golden Kinkaku-ji Temple standing out in the middle of the lake, the Philosopher’s Path cherry blossom road, the bustling Nishiki Market with a variety of local delicacies, or the peaceful Kurama – Kibune mountain village, ideal for a relaxing afternoon in the middle of Kyoto nature.
Day 4: Leave Kyoto to Explore Nara
If you have seen videos of polite deer bowing to exchange cookies from tourists, then you definitely cannot miss a day trip to Nara. Less than an hour from Osaka and Kyoto, Nara is the ideal destination if you love cute deer and exquisite traditional temples.
Although the city is small, Nara is packed with cultural heritage, including some of the largest and oldest temples in Japan. Here are some must-sees when you visit Nara:
- Nara Deer Park: A wonderful park where you can interact with friendly deer.
- Todaiji Temple: The temple is famous for the largest Buddha statue in Japan and is an important historical site.
- Horyuji Temple: One of the oldest and largest temples in Japan.
- Isuien Garden: A traditional garden with fresh and beautiful landscapes.
- Yoshikien Garden: Another garden with harmonious architecture and natural design.
If you are back in Osaka in the evening, visit teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka, a romantic outdoor exhibition that you should not miss if you are passionate about interactive art. During the day, teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka is like a botanical garden, but at night, it transforms into a unique art space. This space changes dynamically, reflecting the wind, rain, and interactions between people and the surrounding environment.
teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka Ticket
Kansai itinerary 7 days — Day 5: Spend a Night in Kinosaki Hot Springs Town
If you are visiting Kansai in the fall or winter, you definitely cannot miss the onsen experience. Few people know that there is a romantic onsen town less than 3 hours drive from Osaka and Kyoto. Kinosaki Onsen is a beautiful small town nestled in the lush mountain valleys of Hyogo Prefecture, where traditional wooden buildings house natural hot springs along a long river lined with winding willow trees.
To get the most out of your time in Kinosaki, book a room at a ryokan (traditional Japanese-style hotel), stroll around the town in a yukata, and relax in the public onsen around town. Individual onsen tickets cost just 700 yen, and you can also enjoy unlimited use of all seven public onsen in town with the yumepa ticket.
Day 6: Stop in Kobe and Enjoy Premium Beef
On your way back to Osaka, visit Kobe! Located on a port with a majestic view, Kobe is not only famous for its famous Kobe beef, but also offers many other unique and interesting experiences. If you are interested in sake, there are many sake breweries and sake museums that you can visit and take guided tours.
For those who love hiking, you can take a cable car ride or climb the mountain to admire the wonderful sunset. In addition, Kobe also has unique attractions such as the 1995 earthquake memorial park, the fruit park with 10,000 tulips blooming every spring, and a zoo with over 800 animals, including pandas and koalas!
End your Kobe exploration by enjoying the famous Kobe beef for lunch or dinner – although Kobe beef is often expensive, there are still small restaurants in Kobe where you can enjoy a delicious meal at a reasonable price. One of the most recommended places is Steakland Kobekan, where you can enjoy melt-in-your-mouth Kobe beef, cooked fresh on a teppanyaki stove. In particular, the set meals are often cheaper at lunch!
Day 7: Last Day in Osaka
Kuromon Food Market
Start your last day in Osaka with a unique experience at Kuromon Market, also known as Kuromon Ichiba. This is a bustling market with over 100 stalls, where you can explore and shop for fresh seafood, juicy fruits, fresh vegetables, unique souvenirs, and delicious street food. Visit this market to buy souvenirs and enjoy popular street foods such as grilled crab legs, yakitori, fresh sushi, fresh oysters, takoyaki, onigiri rice, and meat skewers.
Visit Pokemon Cafe
The next leg of your journey takes you to the Pokemon Center Osaka, a paradise for Pokemon lovers. Located on the 9th floor of Daimaru Shinsaibashi, Pokemon Center Osaka DX is not only a place where you can find a wide variety of Pokemon products, but also an ideal destination for fans to enjoy shopping.
In addition, the official Pokemon Cafe here offers a special dining space, with dishes and desserts designed based on the adorable Pokemon characters. From Pikachu hamburgers to Poke-shaped chocolate cakes and coffee decorated with Pokemon latte art, each one is beautiful and unique.
You need more suggestions on other interesting places to explore in Osaka? Here is a list of unique and interesting destinations if you have extra time during your trip:
- HARUKAS 300 Observatory: Enjoy the great view from the HARUKAS 300 Observatory.
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center Osaka: Explore the world of LEGO with many exciting activities for the whole family.
- Arima Onsen Taikou-no-yu: Experience relaxation at the Arima Onsen Taikou-no-yu hot spring resort.
- HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel: Enjoy the beautiful view from the HEP FIVE Ferris Wheel.
- Maidreamin Osaka (Maid Cafe Experience): Discover the unique and interesting maid cafe culture at Maidreamin Osaka.
Kansai 7 Days 6 Nights Travel Cost Reference
| Category | Estimate (JPY) |
|---|---|
| Round trip airfare | 35,000 |
| Stay 6 nights (3- 4 star hotel) | 84,000 (14,000×6) |
| Transportation + 4-day JR Pass | 25,000 |
| USJ + Express Pass | 30,000 |
| Food (7 days) | 21,000 |
| Sightseeing tickets (Osaka, Nara…) | 6,000 |
| Additional expenses (coffee, sim) | 5,000 |
| Shopping/gifts | 15,000 |
| Total | ≈ 221,000 JPY |
With deep memories and wonderful pictures of Japanese culture, we hope that you have found joy and surprise in this journey. Kansai is definitely a destination not to be missed for those who love Japanese culture.
Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Osaka you can refer to
- Osaka Amazing Pass (Osaka Pick Up & HK/TW Delivery)
- OSAKA Unlimited Travel Pass (1 or 2 Days)
- Osaka Amazing Pass (HK/TW/ICN/Osaka Pick Up & MY Delivery)
- Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass (1 Day/2 Days, Kyoto Pick Up)
- JR West Kansai Pass (1, 2, 3 and 4 Day Rail Pass)
- Kyoto Temples & Shrines Day Tour from Osaka: Fushimi Inari-taisha, Arashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera & More
- Limousine Bus Transfers between Kansai International Airport (KIX) and Osaka or Kyoto
- 4G Prepaid Sim Card (JP Airports Pick Up) for Japan
- 4G WiFi (Japan Pick Up) for Japan
- JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)
- Osaka One-Day Walking Tour
- Arashiyama, Nara & Yasaka Shrine & Hanakomiji OneDay Tour from Osaka
- Osaka Amazing Pass & Osaka e-Pass
- teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka Ticket
- Kyoto and Nara Day Tour from Osaka/Kyoto
- Arashiyama & Nara Todai-ji Day Tour from Osaka
- Solaniwa Onsen Ticket in Osaka
- Nara, Todaiji Temple & Kuroshio Market One Day Tour from Osaka
- Sanda Outlet Market, Nara Park & Todaiji Temple Day Tour from Osaka
- ICOCA IC Card
- The Osaka Museum of Housing and Living Ticket
Are you looking for more Osaka travel guide and top things to do in Osaka: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Osaka travel blog — The fullest Osaka city guide for a wonderful trip to Osaka for the first-timers.
