Day Trips from Osaka
Neighboring cities you can reach by train, with Osaka as your base.
- KyotoPlaceholder imageabout 30 min
Kyoto
About 30 minutes from Osaka by train — the classic day trip for temples and old streets.
- NaraPlaceholder imageabout 36 min
Nara
Deer in Nara Park and the Great Buddha of Todai-ji — no transfer from Namba on Kintetsu.
- KobePlaceholder imageabout 21 min
Kobe
Harbor views, old Western-style houses and Chinatown — 20 to 30 minutes from Osaka by train.
- AshiyaPlaceholder imageabout 13 min
Ashiya
A calm residential town between Osaka and Kobe, known for architecture and literature.
- AmagasakiPlaceholder image
Amagasaki
Right next to Osaka: the rebuilt Amagasaki Castle, a temple quarter and lively shopping arcades.
- WakayamaPlaceholder imageabout 60 min
Wakayama
Wakayama Castle and seaside views — about an hour from Namba by Nankai limited express.
- Shiga & OtsuPlaceholder image
Shiga & Otsu
Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, plus Mt. Hiei and old temples — past Kyoto with no transfer on JR.
Stay in Osaka and head out
- Namba & ShinsaibashiStay in the heart of Minami, steps from Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi.
- Umeda & Osaka StationA transport hub around JR Osaka Station, handy for Kyoto, Kobe and the Shinkansen.
- Shin-OsakaThe Shinkansen station area — handy for trips to and from Tokyo or Hiroshima, and for early departures or late arrivals.
- Tennoji & AbenoClose to Abeno Harukas and Tennoji Zoo, with good access to Kansai Airport and Nara.
- Uehommachi, Tanimachi 9-chome & TsuruhashiA calm temple-dotted neighborhood on the Uemachi Plateau, close to Tsuruhashi's market and yakiniku.
- Osaka Castle & Tanimachi 4-chomeClose to Osaka Castle Park — great for morning walks and history trips.
- USJ & Osaka Bay AreaA waterfront area suited to trips centered on Universal Studios Japan or the Kaiyukan aquarium.