The biggest decision you must make is which city to visit first: Osaka or Kyoto? Here, we'll suggest visiting Osaka first, but you could easily switch them around. Note that the two Osaka days here are a summary version of our Osaka 2-Day Itinerary.
People Also Ask
How many days should I spend in Osaka? I recommend at least 5 days to see the must-see of the Kansai region, namely Osaka and Kyoto. But it would be better if you could stay for at least 8 days, which will allow you to visit all the best highlights of Kansai: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, and Hiroshima.
How many days should I spend in Osaka? I recommend at least 5 days to see the must-see of the Kansai region, namely Osaka and Kyoto. But it would be better if you could stay for at least 8 days, which will allow you to visit all the best highlights of Kansai: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, and Hiroshima.
How long to spend in Osaka? Known for illuminated signboards, endless shopping arcades, its impressive castle and “the Kitchen of Japan,” spending 3 days in Osaka is the ideal amount of time to see most of the sights and eat most of the culinary delights this city has to offer.
If you're looking for information about a one day trip to Kyoto from Osaka, you're in the right place. Kyoto is a great place to go on a day trip since it's only about 15 - 30 minutes away by train. There's a lot to see but since it's so close, it's almost as if it's in the same city.
Shinkansen or bullet trainIt takes only 14 minutes to run between Kyoto Station and Shin-Osaka Station. If you want to use this option to get from Kyoto to Osaka, you need to buy a one-way ticket that costs 1,420 yen (unreserved seat) or 3,220 yen (reserved seat).
If you want to be at the heart of everything, Tokyo can be your best bet. But, if you want to enjoy a lower cost of living and friendlier neighbors, Osaka can be the better choice. Both cities have something unique to offer, and living in either city can be a fantastic experience.
$5000 is more than enough for one person for at comfortable two-week trip after an economy airfare from the USA and economy to mid-range hotel reservations are arranged in advance.
You can visit Osaka at any time of year because the weather is temperate. The best times to visit Osaka are the fall (October/November) and spring (March/April/May). Summer (June/July/August) in Osaka is hot and humid. Winter (December/January/February) in Osaka is cold but not too cold for traveling.
We recommend spending 3 days in Kyoto, Japan. You can take the first day to visit the temples and shrines. The second day is good for visiting the bamboo grove, while the third day is an excellent time to shop and eat. If you want to have an immersive experience in Japan, a trip of 10 days (or more) is ideal.
The quickest way to travel from Kyoto to Osaka is via the Shinkansen. At Kyoto Station, Japan Rail Pass holders can board the Hikari and Kodama trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line for free, and arrive to Shin-Osaka Station after only a 15-minute ride.
If you've only got one full day in Kyoto, you'll have to work fast and efficiently. This itinerary allows you to get a good sampling of what the city has to offer in just one day.