Summary
The Kansai region of Japan mainly includes Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe… and other major places. It is also one of the most popular choices for Taiwanese people to travel freely in Japan, and it is also very suitable for novices to plan a free trip to Japan. Osaka is located near Kansai Airport, and it takes about half an hour to travel from the airport to downtown Osaka.
In downtown Osaka, there are well-known attractions such as Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, and Shinsaibashi. Because of its central location in Kansai, it is convenient to go to nearby Kyoto, Kobe, and Nara, and even areas such as Himeji, Okayama, and Kurashiki can be reached directly by Shinkansen. This article mainly introduces the must-visit attractions for a free trip to Osaka and Kobe, providing reference for those who plan a free trip to Osaka and Kobe or a one-day trip to Osaka and Kobe.
Itinerary Planning for a Free Trip to Osaka and Kobe
When planning the attractions for a free trip to Osaka and Kobe, it is recommended to start from downtown Osaka and visit nearby areas such as Kobe, Okayama, and Himeji. Unlike general travel itineraries, this article focuses on arranging and explaining attractions that can be reached using the “JR Kansai Wide Area Pass”, providing a smooth and cost-effective way to visit the main attractions in Osaka, Kobe, and Okayama, and planning a 6-day, 5-night free trip to Osaka.
Recommended Itinerary for a One-day Trip to Osaka and Kobe
| Highlights | Recommended Itinerary |
|---|---|
| Shopping spots in downtown Osaka | Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi Shopping Street, Kuromon Market |
| Attractions in downtown Osaka | Osaka Castle, Tsutenkaku Tower, Abeno Harukas Observatory, Umeda Sky Building |
| Attractions in Kobe | Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Kobe Port Night View, Mount Maya Night View |
| Okayama, Himeji | Himeji Castle, Okayama Castle, Kurashiki Bikan |
Recommended Accommodation Locations in Downtown Osaka
If you are planning a trip to Osaka and Kobe, Philos recommends staying in the city center of Osaka, such as near Shinsaibashi or Dotonbori, where you can also arrange shopping and shopping itineraries if you have spare time in the evening. Here are a few recommended Osaka accommodation locations provided by Philos:
| Accommodation Location | Description |
|---|---|
| Namba Station | Namba Station is very close to Dotonbori, Shinsaibashi Shopping Street, and Kuromon Market. It is the most suitable for friends who like shopping itineraries in Osaka. Compared to accommodation near Shinsaibashi Station, accommodation near Namba Station is relatively affordable. |
| Tennoji Station | Tennoji Station is only a 30-minute drive from Kansai Airport, and it is also very convenient to go to places like Kyoto. There are many hotels near Tennoji Station, and because it is close to famous landmarks such as Abeno Observatory and Tsutenkaku, as well as Tennoji Zoo, it is also a good choice for accommodation in Osaka. |
| Umeda Station | Umeda Station is one of the important transportation hubs in Osaka, including JR and subway lines. If you want to go to Kobe, Himeji, and Okayama, it is only one stop away from Shin-Osaka Station where the Shinkansen is located. It is also a good choice for accommodation in Osaka. |
Osaka Transportation Guide
If you want to arrange attractions in downtown Osaka, the most convenient way is to take the subway in Osaka and the extensive JR railway. If you combine it with specific transportation passes, you can save a lot of transportation costs! Here, Philos has organized the common transportation methods in downtown Osaka and to and from downtown Osaka, providing reference for beginners who are going to Osaka for the first time or friends who want to travel to Osaka.
From Kansai Airport to Downtown Osaka
There are three common transportation methods from Kansai Airport to downtown Osaka, roughly divided into JR and Nankai Electric Railway:
Haruka Limited Express
The Haruka Limited Express is Philos’ top recommendation for the fastest and most convenient transportation option between Kansai Airport and downtown Osaka. It only takes 30 minutes from Kansai Airport to downtown Osaka, and it stops at important stations such as Tennoji, Shin-Osaka, and Kyoto along the way. Although the ticket price is slightly higher than other transportation options, the time saved and convenience make it the most cost-effective choice.
Kanku Rapid
The Kanku Rapid is also one of the JR routes. It takes about 65 minutes from Kansai Airport to JR Osaka Station. Compared to the Haruka Limited Express, although it is more affordable, the commuting time is also longer. Also, if you take the Kanku Rapid from downtown Osaka to Kansai Airport, you need to pay special attention that only the first four cars will arrive at Kansai Airport, and the last four cars will be separated at “Hineno Station”. Be sure not to take the wrong car!
Nankai Electric Railway
Another option different from JR is to take the Nankai Electric Railway, which is divided into the Airport Express and Rapi:t Limited Express. The main stops in downtown Osaka are Namba and Shin-Imamiya stations.
- Airport Express: It takes about 43 minutes from Kansai Airport to downtown Osaka, and the ticket price is about 920 yen (Namba Station).
- Rapi:t Limited Express: It takes about 35 minutes from Kansai Airport to downtown Osaka, and the ticket price is about 1,270 yen (Namba Station).
Transportation Methods in Downtown Osaka
In downtown Osaka, the main modes of transportation are JR and Osaka subway. JR mainly operates in a circular line. If you want to reach two points in the fastest way, it is recommended to transfer to the Osaka Loop Line. However, if you are visiting Osaka for the first time and find the subway map overwhelming, you can use auxiliary apps such as Japan’s 乘換案內 or websites for convenient inquiries!
Transportation Methods to Kobe, Akashi, Himeji, Okayama, Kurashiki
If you want to travel from Osaka to nearby cities, Philos highly recommends purchasing the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass, which allows you to take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to places like Kobe, Himeji, and Okayama, and plan a one-day trip to nearby cities in Osaka.
(Source: JR West Japan Railway Co., Ltd.)
Usage rules for the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass:
- The Kansai Wide Area Pass allows unlimited rides within the valid area shown in the above map.
- You can use the following trains:
- Designated seats on the Sanyo Shinkansen (between Shin-Osaka and Okayama) (including the Hello Kitty Shinkansen).
- Designated seats on limited express trains (express trains) such as “HARUKA, KUROSHIO, THUNDERBIRD, KOUNOTORI, SUPER HAKUTO, SUPER INABA”, etc.
- Designated seats on limited express trains “KUROSHIO”, “KOUNOTORI”, “KINOSAKI”, “HASHIDATE”, “MAIZURU”. There are no non-reserved seats (free seats). Be sure to reserve a designated seat before boarding. If you board without reserving a designated seat, you must pay an additional fee for the designated seat.
- Local trains (ordinary trains) on the JR West conventional lines
- The cost is 10,000 yen, and this ticket can be used continuously within five days.
- You can directly make a reservation online (cheaper) or purchase it through travel agencies in Taiwan, and then exchange the ticket at Kansai Airport.(If you purchase a ticket that does not require exchange, you only need to show the ticket and passport to the staff at the JR gate at Kansai Airport to start using it.)
- Subsequent entry and exit must go through manned gates and show the ticket to the staff.
Recommended Classic Attractions in Downtown Osaka, Kobe, and Okayama
Umeda Sky Building Night View in Osaka
The Umeda Sky Building in Umeda, Osaka, is a skyscraper in Osaka City, Kita Ward, Osaka Prefecture. It has 40 floors above ground and a height of about 173 meters. It connects the two buildings with a circular sky garden observatory at the top, and it is a must-visit place near Osaka Station to enjoy the night view.
Visiting Information
Address: 1-1-88 Oyodonaka, Kita-ku, Osaka City
Opening hours: 10:00-22:30 (last entry at 22:00, extended hours on special holidays, click here for details)
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge & Climbing Experience
When you come to Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, don’t miss the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Maiko. The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge is 3,911 meters long and is the world’s longest suspension bridge that spans the Akashi Strait, connecting Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, and Awaji Island. You can experience the bridge’s magnificence up close on the “Maiko Marine Promenade” located in the bridge pier of the Kobe Bridge. You can also make a separate reservation for the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge climbing experience, where you can enjoy the visual impact of looking down from a height of 98 floors.
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle in Himeji City, not far from Kobe, is one of the must-visit attractions for those planning a free trip to Osaka and Kobe. Himeji Castle was built in 1597 and is one of Japan’s top 100 castles. It was rebuilt in 1966 and is known as the “White Heron Castle” due to its snow-white walls and flying eaves, which looks like a white heron spreading its wings. It is one of the few castles in Japan that is almost completely white.
Visiting Information for Himeji Castle
Opening hours: 9:00-16:00 (closing at 17:00), summer: 9:00-17:00 (closing at 18:00)
Tickets: Adults 600 yen, 5-15 years old and middle school students 200 yen
Transportation: JR Himeji Station, about a 15-minute walk from the north exit
Mount Maya Night View
Mount Maya in Kobe and Mount Rokko have always been famous must-visit attractions in Japan, and Mount Maya is particularly famous. Regardless of the old and new “Three Major Night Views of Japan,” Mount Maya is always on the list. The Maya Cable Car takes you to the “Kikuseidai” on Mount Maya, which is 700 meters above sea level and offers excellent views. From Kikuseidai, you can see the night views of Kobe and Osaka, and on clear days, you can even see the Kii Peninsula! This time, take advantage of the good weather and brave the cold wind to go to Mount Maya to enjoy the night view, which is an experience that can only be described after seeing it with your own eyes.
If you want to go to Mount Maya, take the No. 18 bus from JR Omiya Station to the Maya Cable Car Station, and then transfer to the Maya Cable Car. For detailed cable car and visiting information, please refer to this.
Kobe Port Night View
Kobe Port in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, is another place suitable for taking night view photos and strolling in the evening. The famous Kobe landmark “Kobe Port Tower” is the world’s only cylindrical structure observation tower. The design concept of Kobe Port Tower is derived from the Japanese drum, and the building is surrounded by 32 red steel branches, symbolizing the welcome of ships returning to the shore (reference from Wikipedia). After a small renovation in 2010, LED lights were installed, making it the most eye-catching landmark in Kobe at night. If you want to go to Kobe Port, it is about a 20-minute walk from JR Kobe Station.
Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen Garden
Relying on the convenience of the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass, it only takes a short one-hour train ride from Osaka to Okayama. Okayama Castle was built in 1597 and is one of Japan’s top 100 castles. It was rebuilt in 1966. It is called the “Crow Castle” because of its large black exterior walls, which contrasts with Himeji Castle’s white exterior walls. Okayama Korakuen Garden is one of Japan’s three famous gardens, with a wide view. The total area of Okayama Korakuen Garden is about 13 hectares, with the “Enyotei” as the main building for living. It has Noh stages, ponds, mountains, plum forests, tea fields, etc., and is a rare open and spacious lawn-style garden in Japan.
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
If you are traveling to Okayama, it is recommended to visit the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. Kurashiki Bikan has white-walled houses and streets along the Kurashiki River, which is very beautiful. It is a nationally designated important preservation district for groups of traditional buildings. The Honmachi and Higashimachi areas, which retain the appearance of the past, such as the approach to Achi Shrine, are famous old streets in the Kurashiki Bikan area. When visiting here, don’t miss it. When the weather is good, you can also take a boat tour of the Kurashiki River to enjoy the view of the Kurashiki Bikan area from a different perspective. If you are going to the Kurashiki Bikan area, take the JR to Kurashiki Station and walk about 10-15 minutes according to the signs to reach it.
