City break - Osaka tour
- 8 days
This city break tour takes you to Osaka, the food capital of the land of the rising sun.
Capital of the Kansai region, it offers quick access to Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Koyasan...
Take advantage of transport passes, an included culinary tour and many optional activities, such as admission to Universal Studios Park or the world-famous aquarium.
This city break tour takes you to Osaka, the food capital of the land of the rising sun.
Capital of the Kansai region, it offers quick access to Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Koyasan...
Take advantage of transport passes, an included culinary tour and many optional activities, such as admission to Universal Studios Park or the world-famous aquarium.
1 week itinerary in Osaka (8 days)
Our suggestion for the trip :
- visit Osaka in 2 days
- 2 day excursion to Kyoto
- 1 day in Nara
- 1 day in Himeji and Kobe
The first and last day are reserved for your arrival and departure from Japan (and for the last bit of souvenir shopping!).
Why this trip to Japan ?
- Welcomed at the airport by our team, you will be taken to your hotel in Osaka by shuttle bus
- Settle in the heart of Osaka in your 3* hotel chosen for its comfort and location
- Take advantage of 6 days of transport to visit Osaka
- A culinary tour of the lively Dotonbori district will await you at nightfall
- Recommendations available in your travel diary
- Enjoy unlimited internet access thanks to your pocket Wi-Fi
- If necessary, contact our Japanese bilingual English-speaking assistance 24/7
- Numerous discounts offered in tourist sites
- Benefit from the expertise of Japan Experience, European leading travel agency in Japan
Your trip in detail
Itinerary
Day 1 : Wake up in Osaka 大阪
Arrival at Kansai airport (KIX). Welcome to Japan! Yokoso 日本へようこそ!
Reception at the exit from Customs in English by our airport assistant, who will give you all your travel documents.
Unaccompanied transfer from the airport to Osaka (see details).
Check-in at Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda or equivalent 3* (rooms available from 15:00)
You can pick up your pocket Wi-Fi at the hotel reception desk.Dinner and evening at your leisure.
Day 2 : First steps in the capital of Kansai
What is there to do in Osaka in 2 days ?
We advise you to start out slowly visiting Osaka from the northern and eastern districts:
- the medieval castle of Osaka, with its park full of plum and cherry trees
- the city centre and its Nakanoshima Island, with its rose park in the middle of the buildings
- Utsubo Park, an oasis of freshness in the business district
- Rendezvous in Umeda, temple of Japanese style shopping
- End up at the Umeda Sky building at dusk for a 360° view of Kansai (including Kyoto on a clear day!)As an option, you can book a river cruise between the different parts of the day.
Day 3 : Gastronomic introduction
We recommend the following itinerary for this second day's visit to Osaka:
- the Osaka Kaiyûkan aquarium, the largest aquarium in the world in terms of volume.
- the Tennoji district and its Shitenno-ji Buddhist temple, one of the oldest in Japan
- Spa World, Japan's largest spa (onsen)
- Shinseikai, with retro charm
- DenDen machi, the technologeek village
- end with Dotonbori, the liveliest district!Go out in the evening and meet our guide in Dotonbori for a small culinary tour that will awaken your taste buds (included in your tour)! You can sample Osaka's specialities: takoyaki, okonomiyaki and many others.
Day 4 : Heading for the old capital
Travel to Kyoto, 40 minutes from Osaka (journey included in your package, details in your travel diary).
Increasingly touristy, Kyoto is still a must!
Do not hesitate to book an English-speaking guide for the day (optional) to visit Kyoto.In 1 day, visit Kyoto's "classics":
- the Kinkakuji Golden Pavilion, one of the symbols of Kyoto
- the silver pavilion in the famous zen garden
- the bewitching path of philosophy
- Kiyomizu-Dera, the great water temple
- the historical district of Gion and its narrow streets Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka.Finish off seeing the sunset in Gion. As an option, we can arrange a night time guided tour of Gion. You will undoubtedly cross paths with a geisha!
Return to Osaka in the evening. Trains every 10 minutes until 23.30. 45 minute journey.
Day 5 : Treasures and luxury
Return to Kyoto, the southern and western districts:
- Fushimi-Inari, Kyoto's huge 10.000 torii santuary.
- the Nijo castle, former residence of the shogun
- Arashiyama, its bamboo grove and monkey mountainReach Osaka at the end of the day.
Day 6 : On the trail of the Samurai
On this last day before departure, we recommend a visit to Himeji Castle, ending with a stop in Kobe.
Himeji, 1 hour 30 by train from Osaka (a journey with 1 small change included in your offer) presents the best preserved castle in Japan: the White Heron Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In the afternoon, take a detour on the way back to Kobe to visit the Kitano merchant district, Chinatown or the harbour. Return to Osaka for your last evening.Also:
- Universal Studios with its world-renowned Harry Potter park (tickets optional)
- Guided day trip to KoyaSan, the mountain full of Buddhist temples (1 hour 30 by train)
- the Minoh waterfalls, at the outskirts of Osaka
- Lake Biwa and its beaches in summer (1 hour by train)Day 7 : Sayonara, and see you next time!
Transfer to Kansai airport (included but not accompanied).
Return flight to Europe.
Do not hesitate to extend your trip by one or more days in Kansai, or elsewhere... we can advise you.
Accommodation
- 7 nights in a 3* hotel in the heart of the city, close to the metro.
The basic rate includes a twin room for two people.
Transport
- Transfer airport <> Osaka
- Prepaid public transport card
- Metro pass + Osaka bus pass 2 days
- 3-day unlimited transport pass (Kansai Thru Pass)
Experiences
- Airport welcome
- Guided night tour of Dotonbori (1h30)
- Numerous discounts offered in Osaka tourist sites
Additional services
- Unlimited Wi-Fi access with pocket wifi
- Complete travel diary sent 20 days before your departure
- 24/7 telephone assistance in English and bilingual Japanese
Not included in the price of your trip
- Flights Europe <> Japan
- Optional insurance policies
- Personal expenses including meals (breakfasts optional)
- Public transport when all 3 cards are exhausted (see details)
- Anything not included in the "included in your tour" section
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