Day trips from Osaka: adventure beyond the city

Osaka treats visitors to unforgettable cuisine, a bouncing nightlife and a central location – yet, with so many destinations nearby, Japan waits to be discovered. From the culture of Kyoto to the history of Himeji, discover seven of the best day trips from Osaka, all reachable by public transport or car.

Kobe offers both contemporary and historical glimpses into Japan, making it perfect if you’re not entirely sure what vibe you want. Looking for a thrill paired with outstanding views? Take the Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway and soak in the sights of the Nunobiki Waterfall and Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens from above.

The herb garden is worth a visit in itself, featuring over 75,000 herbs and 200 flowers, you don’t have to be a self-proclaimed green thumb to enjoy the scents and sights that this natural haven has to offer. There’s plenty of other attractions to enjoy in the grounds, including footbaths, a fragrance museum and a greenhouse.

If you’re interested in Japan’s history, make sure to stop by the Kitano neighbourhood. Here, you’ll find Western-style buildings, known locally as Ijinkan, built from the late 19th century onward, which marked Kobe as an international trade hub. The area offers a look into Japan’s intertwined history and architecture from this period.

Getting there:

• Approximately 20 minutes by train
• Around 35 kilometres by car

For lovers of the outdoors, Nara is just the spot to reconnect with the best of nature. A tourist hotspot in this area includes Nara Park, where you can feed the beloved bowing deer. Admission to the park itself is free, so if you’re on a budget, you can explore on your own terms. Some optional costs are available after you enter – including food to feed the deer and admission to temples and museums within the park – however, no costs are necessary. 

Aside from the friendly deer, in the park you’ll find Todaiji, an ancient Buddhist temple that draws millions of tourists each year. One of the most popular features of this UNESCO World Heritage Site includes the Daibutsu (the Great Buddha statue), a 15-metre-tall, bronze figure. The temple is also home to the Daibutsuden Hall (Great Buddha Hall) and the Todaiji Museum. With so much on offer, you can spend the whole day here, if you so choose. 

Beyond the park, Sanjo Dori Street is a great place to end your day trip. This street boasts a variety of retail stores, hotels and restaurants. Not to mention, the authentic mochi shop, Nakatanido, is great for those with a sweet tooth.

Top tip: looking to make the most of your day trip to Nara? The Nara Half-Day Trip Walking Tour means you can explore the best of the city with a guide.

Getting there:

• Approximately one hour by train (with transfers)
• Around 35 kilometres by car

Uji offers the perfect mix of culture and shopping opportunities, making it an ideal day trip from Osaka for finding a memento or two. The street Byodo-in Omotesando offers a variety of stores including traditional teashops and matcha-based food stores, which sell unique items such as matcha cola and noodles. 

Beyond the shops, the city oozes with culture. Take a stop by the Byodoin Temple to soak up traditional Buddhist Pure Land architecture. Not only is it visually alluring, but the temple is so fundamental to Japanese culture that it even features on the back of the ¥10 coin. Nearby, you’ll find Uji River – a natural marvel that mirrors Japan’s seasonal changes in its reflection. Particularly popular in cherry blossom season, the pink hues that sprout from the branches make for vibrant pops of colour in the river. 

Getting there:

• Approximately one hour by train
• Around 50 kilometres by car

Kyoto is often described as the cultural epicenter of Japan, and for good reason too. Home to thousands of temples and shrines, gardens and various entertainment districts, here, you can explore Japan’s multifaceted personality. 

Perhaps the most popular shrine in Kyoto is Fuhimi Inari Taisha, which features the iconic vermilion torii (shrine gates) that wind through the mountain. There are plenty of gardens in Kyoto too, that offer a sense of serenity. Explore the many stroll gardens, including the Imperial Villa and Okochi Sanso Garden, which both have pristinely kept grounds, outstanding views and a general sense of calm. 

After more of an upbeat trip? Kyoto is also home to various entertainment districts such as Gion and Pontocho, which feature various food and drink spots along with some geiko (professional entertainers).

Getting there:

• Approximately 30 minutes by train
• Around 55 kilometres by car

If you’re looking for a quiet escape from the bustle of popular Japanese cities, Koyasan is an outstanding day trip from Osaka. The area has a strong spiritual presence, making the atmosphere outstandingly calm. It was even granted World Heritage status from UNESCO in 2004 under the ‘Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range’. So, be assured, there’s heaps of culture to dive into here.

For those interested in history and culture, the largest cemetery in Japan, Okunoin Cemetery on Mount Koya, can be found in the sacred mountain settlement. This revered site features over 200,000 graves and culminates at the Gobyo (mausoleum), the final resting place of Shingon Buddhism's founder, Kūkai. Budding with greenery and wildlife, if you’re lucky, you might spot a deer or two on your exploration. Other sites around the area include the Ichinohashi Bridge and the Torodo Hall (Lantern Hall) and Gobyo (the resting place of Kūkai).

Top tip: to truly immerse yourself in the spirituality of Koyasan, you can stay overnight in certain temples. The Koyasan Syukubo Ekoin Temple offers a profound overnight experience in a 1000-year-old Buddhist temple.

Getting there:

• Approximately two-and-a-half hours by transport
• Around 90 kilometres by car

For lovers of history and architecture, Himeji is well worth a visit. Make a stop by Himeji Castle (also known as ‘White Heron Castle’), a Japanese architectural marvel. Its whitewashed exterior and towering storeys are meant to resemble a bird soaring through the skies. Make sure to explore the surrounding gardens (Koko-en Garden) after admiring the castle, where you’ll find a serene pond with a waterfall. 

Looking to skip the crowds? Explore Himeji’s streetscape with its artistic maintenance hole covers. These unassuming fixtures have been spruced up with alluring artworks that are hand-painted. From the striking ‘White Heron Castle’ design to the stork design (kōnotori), each covering offers an unconventional, yet intriguing way to explore the city.

For those who prefer to explore on more conventional terms, Himeji City Museum of Art features around 5,000 pieces of both local and international art, three exhibition spaces and views of the nearby Himeji Castle. 

Getting there:

• Approximately one hour by train
• Around 100 kilometres by car

Okayama is one of Japan’s smaller cities, so if you’re looking for a peaceful day trip, this is just your spot. One of the area’s more popular spots includes the eponymously named Okayama Castle. Also known as the ‘Crow Castle’, the structure owes its nickname to its deep black facade, visually distinguishing it from Himeji’s ‘White Heron Castle.’ The current structure, which replaced the one destroyed in WWII, was rebuilt in the 1960s, adding to its enduring history.

For a serene, contrasting experience, the nearby Korakuen Garden is the perfect place to re-centre on your getaway. This green space has many features that are typical of a traditional Japanese garden, such as plum, cherry and maple trees, along with many ponds, waterfalls and bridges.

Getting there:

• Approximately one hour by train
• Around 185 kilometres by car

With these day trips from Osaka, you can discover beyond the city with ease. From the ancient peace of Koyasan to the majesty of Himeji Castle and the friendly deer of Nara, Japan is waiting to be discovered. Osaka doesn’t have to be the only destination on your travels: it’s time to immerse yourself in the world of Japanese culture, history and nature.