The Kansai region of Japan includes Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, and other areas. It’s not only a top choice for Taiwanese traveling to Japan independently, but it’s also very suitable for first-timers planning a self-guided tour of Japan.
Osaka is close to Kansai Airport, and it takes as little as half an hour to reach the city center from the airport. Due to its central location in Kansai, it’s convenient to visit nearby Kobe, and even areas like Kurashiki can be reached directly by Shinkansen.
Philos’s Travel Notes
Osaka and Kobe have a plethora of attractions. This article will mainly introduce Osaka and Kobe self-guided tourmust-visit attractions, based on the places Philos has actually visited, for friends planning or traveling to Osaka and Kobe to refer to. ♨ Suggested time allocation: At least two days or more.
Osaka-Kobe Itinerary Planning
When arranging Osaka and Kobe attractions, it is recommended to center around Osaka city and visit nearby areas like Kobe, Okayama, and Himeji. Unlike typical blog itinerary guides, this article will focus on using the「JR Kansai Area Pass」to arrange visits to accessible attractions, exploring the main attractions of Osaka and Kobe in the most smooth and cost-effective way, and planning an Osaka self-guided tour itinerary.
Osaka Castle, Tsutenkaku, Abeno Harukas, Umeda Sky Building
Kobe Attractions
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, Kobe Harbor Night View, Maya Mountain Night View
Okayama, Himeji
Himeji Castle、Okayama Castle, Kurashiki Bikan
Recommended Accommodation Locations in Osaka
When choosing accommodation in Osaka city, it is recommended to prioritize locations with convenient transportation, such as those with JR or subway stations, preferably multi-line interchange stations, which are more convenient for visiting attractions in Osaka and nearby cities. Below, Philos provides several recommendations and choices for accommodation in Osaka:
Accommodation Location
Description
Namba Station
Namba Station is close to Dotonbori、Shinsaibashi Shopping Streetand Kuromon Market, making it ideal for those who enjoy shopping in Osaka. Compared to accommodation at Shinsaibashi Station, accommodation at Namba Station is relatively more affordable.
Tennoji Station
Tennoji Station is only a 30-minute drive from Kansai Airport, and it’s also very convenient if you want to go to Kyoto and other places. The area around Tennoji Station is mostly hotels, and with nearby attractions like the Abeno Harukas Observatory, Tsutenkaku, and Tennoji Zoo, it’s a great choice for accommodation in Osaka.
Umeda Station
Umeda Station is one of Osaka’s major transportation hubs, with JR, subway lines intersecting here. If you want to go to Kobe, Himeji, and Okayama, it’s only one stop away from Shin-Osaka Station, where the Shinkansen is located, making it a good choice for accommodation in Osaka.
Osaka Transportation Guide
If you’re planning to visit attractions in Osaka city, the best transportation options are Osaka’s subway and the extensive JR rail network. If you also use specific transportation packages, you can save a lot on transportation costs! Below, Philos has compiled common transportation methods for getting around Osaka city and to and from the city center, for first-time visitors to Osaka or those planning to travel there.
Getting to Osaka City from Kansai Airport
There are three common modes of transportation from Kansai Airport, roughly divided into two types: JR and Nankai Electric Railway.
Haruka Express
Haruka Expressis Philos’ top recommendation for the fastest and most convenient transportation option between Kansai Airport and Osaka city center, with the quickest journey from Kansai Airport to Osaka city center taking just 30 minutes. The train stops at three important stations along the way: Tennoji, Shin-Osaka, and Kyoto. Although the fare is slightly higher than other transportation options, the time saved and convenience make it the best value for money.
The Haruka Express is the fastest way to travel from Kansai Airport to Osaka.
Kansai Airport Rapid
Kansai Airport Rapidis another JR line, taking about 65 minutes from Kansai Airport to JR Osaka Station. Although it’s more affordable than the Haruka Express, the commute time is significantly longer. If you’re traveling from Osaka city center to Kansai Airport on the Kansai Airport Rapid, be aware that only the first four carriages go to Kansai Airport. The last four carriages separate at “Hineno Station”, so make sure you’re in the right carriage!
Nankai Electric Railway
Another option, separate from JR, is to take the Nankai Electric Railway, which offers the Airport Express and Rapi:t Express. The main stops within Osaka city center are Namba and Shin-Imamiya.
Airport Express: The journey from Kansai Airport to Osaka city center takes about 43 minutes, with a fare of approximately 920 yen (to Namba Station).
Rapi:t Express: The journey from Kansai Airport to Osaka city center takes about 35 minutes, with a fare of approximately 1,270 yen (to Namba Station).
Transportation within Osaka city center
The main modes of transportation within Osaka city center are JR and the subway.
Travel within Osaka city center is mainly by JR and the Osaka subway. The JR mainly operates in a circular line, and if you want to get from one point to another as quickly as possible, it’s recommended to transfer via the Osaka Kujo subway line. However, if it’s your first time in Osaka, the subway map might seem a bit overwhelming. It’s helpful to use an app, such as the Japanese transit app or website, for easier navigation!
Transportation to Kobe, Akashi, Himeji, Okayama, Kurashiki
If you’re planning to visit nearby cities from Osaka, Philos highly recommends purchasing the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass. You can take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station to Kobe, Himeji, and Okayama, saving a significant amount of transportation costs and reaching your destination quickly. It’s a great value for money.
You can plan a day trip from Osaka to nearby attractions by taking the Shinkansen.
The Kansai Wide Area Rail Pass allows unlimited travel within the valid area shown in the image.
The following trains can be used:
The Sanyo Shinkansen (Shin-Osaka⇔Okayama) with reserved seats (you can also ride the Hello Kitty Shinkansen).
Super Express Trains (Limited Express) “HARUKA, KUROSHIO, THUNDERBIRD, KOUNOTORI, SUPER HAKUTO, SUPER INABA” with reserved seats
Limited Express Trains “KUROSHIO”, “KOUNOTORI”, “KINOSAKI”, “HASHIDATE”, “MAIZURU” all have reserved seats. There are no non-reserved seats (free seats). Please make sure to reserve a seat before boarding. If you board without reserving a seat, you will have to pay an additional fee for a reserved seat.
JR West’s New Rapid, Rapid, and Local Trains
The cost is 10,000 yen, and the ticket can be used continuously for five days.
You can make a reservation online (which is cheaper) or purchase through a Taiwanese travel agency, and then exchange your ticket at Kansai Airport. If you purchase a ticket that doesn’t require exchange, you simply need to present your ticket and passport at the JR gate at Kansai Airport for the service staff to stamp, and you can start using it.
Subsequent entries and exits require going through the manual gate, where you present your ticket to the service staff.
Recommended classic sightseeing itinerary for Osaka city, Kobe, and Okayama
Night view of Umeda Sky Building in Osaka
Located in Umeda, Osaka, the Umeda Sky Building is a skyscraper within the new Umeda City in the Kita ward of Osaka Prefecture, Japan. With 40 floors above ground and a height of about 173 meters, the building is connected by a circular sky garden observatory at the top, making it a must-visit night view spot near Osaka Station.
Visitor Information
Opening hours: 10:00 ~ 22:30 (last admission 22:00, extended hours on special holidays, click here for the link ) Address: 1-1-88 Oyodonaka, Kita-ku, Osaka
The night view of Umeda Sky Building in Osaka is a must-visit spot to enjoy the Osaka night view.
Akashi Kaikyo Bridge & Bridge Top Experience
Don’t miss the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Maiko, Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe. The Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, with a total length of 3,911 meters, is the longest suspension bridge in the world, connecting Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture with Awaji Island across the Akashi Strait. In addition to experiencing the awe of the bridge up close from the “Maiko Marine Promenade” in the Kobe Bridge pier, you can also book a bridge top experience at the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, experiencing the visual shock of looking down from a height of 98 floors.
Participating in the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge top experience allows you to challenge your fear of heights.
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle in Himeji City, not far from Kobe, is also one of the must-see spots for many people planning a free trip to Osaka and Kobe. Himeji Castle, with its snow-white walls and flying eaves, looks like a white heron spreading its wings, hence the nickname “White Heron Castle”. Its almost entirely white body is quite distinctive among the many ancient castles in Japan.
Himeji Castle Visitor Information
Opening hours: 9:00〜16:00 (closed at 17:00), summer: 9:00〜17:00 (closed at 18:00) Tickets: Adults 600 yen, children aged 5 to middle school 200 yen Transportation: JR Himeji Station, about 15 minutes walk from the north exit
Himeji Castle, also known as the White Heron Castle, is a must-visit spot when traveling to Kobe.
Night view of Mount Maya
The night views of Mount Maya and Mount Rokko in Kobe have always been famous must-visit spots in Japan, among which the night view of Mount Maya is the most famous, whether in the old or new list of Japan’s three major night views. Located at an altitude of 700 meters, the Kikuseidai on Mount Maya offers an excellent view. From Kikuseidai, you can see the night views of Kobe and Osaka, and on a clear day, you can even see as far as the Kii Peninsula! This time, braving the cold wind to visit Mount Maya and enjoy the million-dollar night view, the kind of emotion can probably only be expressed when you see it with your own eyes.
To get to Mount Maya, take the No. 18 bus from JR Sannomiya Station in Kobe to the Maya Cable Car Station, and then transfer to the Maya Cable Car. For detailed cable car and visitor information, please refer here 。
The night view of Mount Maya in Kobe City is one of Japan’s famous three major night views.
Night view of Kobe Port
Kobe Port in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, is another very suitable place for night photography and walks. The famous Kobe landmark “Kobe Port Tower” is the world’s only tubular structure sightseeing tower. The design concept of Kobe Port Tower comes from the Japanese drum, and the building is surrounded by 32 red steel branches, symbolizing the welcoming of ships back to the shore (reference from Wikipedia); after a minor renovation in 2010, LED lights were installed, making it the most eye-catching landmark in Kobe Port at night. To get to Kobe Port, it’s about a 20-minute walk from JR Kobe Station in Kobe.
Kobe Port offers an excellent view of the night view, and you can enjoy a great reflection from the opposite shore.
Okayama Castle, Okayama Korakuen
Thanks to the convenience of the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass, traveling from Osaka to Okayama is just a short one-hour journey. Built in 1597, Okayama Castle is one of Japan’s top 100 castles. It was rebuilt in 1966 and is often referred to as “Crow Castle” due to its black exterior, contrasting with the white exterior of Himeji Castle.
Adjacent to it is the “Okayama Korakuen”, one of Japan’s three most famous gardens, boasting a vast garden view. The total area of Okayama Korakuen is about 13 hectares, with the “Enyo-tei” serving as the main living room. It features a Noh stage, pond, mountain, plum grove, tea field, etc., and is a rare example of an open, spacious lawn style in Japanese gardens.
Okayama Castle is known as “Crow Castle” due to its large black lacquered exterior.
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
If you’re traveling to Okayama, it’s recommended to also visit the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. The Kurashiki Bikan features white-walled residences and streets formed by willow trees along the Kurashiki River, creating a very beautiful scenery. It is a nationally important traditional architectural preservation area in Japan. The Honmachi and Higashimachi areas, which retain the old-fashioned appearance, including the approach to the Achi Shrine, are famous old streets in the Kurashiki Bikan area. Don’t miss them when you visit. On a good day, you can also take a boat tour of the Kurashiki River and enjoy the scenery of the Kurashiki White Wall Street from different angles. If you’re going to the Kurashiki Bikan area, take the JR to Kurashiki Station and walk for about 10-15 minutes following the signs to reach it.
Kansai Airport is Japan’s second-largest airport and the first to operate 24 hours a day.
Due to the increasing number of tourists visiting the Kansai region, Kansai Airport has become insufficient to meet the demand.
Why do you have to visit Okaga Yokocho before going to Ise Grand Shrine? That’s because you’ll pass by Okaga Yokocho on your way to Naiku of Ise Grand Shrine. And, it just feels like something is missing if you don’t explore this street!
ICOCA, issued by JR West, can be used throughout Eastern Japan, Tokai, and Hokkaido. It is similar to Taipei’s EasyCard or Tokyo’s Suica card, allowing you to use it for transportation, shopping, and other expenses. It serves as an electronic wallet and a rechargeable card, not a never-ending travel pass!
