Best of Japan: Kobe, Kyoto, Mount Koya & Osaka - 8 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Osaka, Dinner in Dotonbori

Welcome to Japan's Kansai region! Upon your arrival at Osaka airport, meet your private driver for a transfer to your accommodation in the city. Take some time to settle into your room and refresh before heading out into the city for a fun evening in the culinary capital of Japan.  A good place to start your trip is Dotonbori, also called Osaka's Times Square, which offers an explosion of colorful neon signs. Explore the streets where you'll find plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants serving up local specialties. This is a stimulating and essential slice of Osaka nightlife and a great introduction to this lively city. 

Day 2: Kobe City Highlights Tour

Today, you'll take an exciting day trip from Osaka to Kobe, a port city to the west. Start with a walk across the Akashi Strait Bridge, once the world's longest suspension bridge, and enjoy the city views along the way. Continue to the Maiko Marine Promenade, a suspended walkway that offers sweeping views of the Akashi Strait.

Next, you'll visit an immersive experience in nature, at the Awaji Yumebutai hillside complex. Take your time and appreciate the natural elements of water, wind, light, shade, mountains, gardens, sky, and ocean at this stunningly designed, innovative complex. End your day at the Mount Rokko Observatory, one of the "Three Major Night Views of Japan." You can take a cable car to the summit and enjoy incredible panoramic views of Kobe and Osaka. Before heading back to Osaka, make sure to try the world-famous Kobe Wagyu beef or perhaps a seafood buffet for dinner.

Day 3: Kyoto's Northern Coastline Tour

The city of Kyoto with its temples and UNESCO-listed sites is famous among travelers, but few people visit the northern Sea of Japan coastline of Kyoto Prefecture. From Osaka, you'll venture an hour north to Kyoto, and then two hours further north to seaside Ine, a fishing village. Then join a cruise along the bay for a panoramic view of the village and its distinctive boathouses.

Back on dry land, take the cable car up to Kasamatsu Park Observatory for breathtaking views of Amanohashidate, a pine-covered sandbar renowned as one of "Japan's Three Scenic Views," and part of the Tango-Amanohashidate-Ōeyama Quasi-National Park. Depending on your interests and the weather conditions, you can check out the beautiful beaches on the sandbar and learn more about local culture at temples and shrines. Return to Kyoto for the night.

Day 4: Kyoto Traditional Crafts Tour

Travelers interested in local culture and traditions will especially enjoy today's tour, which will take you around some of Kyoto's creative hotspots. Get a hands-on experience with a few of the crafts that make Kyoto famous. First, visit the city's Pottery District where you'll have the chance to make a piece of your own. Don't worry about packing it in your suitcase, as it'll be sent to you at your home address. Next, visit the Kimono Museum and Yuzen Center where you'll learn about yuzen (a method of dyeing kimonos). Try your hand at this unique process and keep your finished product as a souvenir.

After a traditional lunch, visit Nijo Castle, the 17th-century, UNESCO-listed ornamental castle. Toward the end of the day, browse the stalls of the Nishiki Food Market, where you can buy all kinds of traditional Japanese foods, ingredients, and cooking equipment. Finally, visit Gion, the famous geisha district, one of Kyoto's most traditional and atmospheric neighborhoods.

Day 5: Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine & Arashiyama Tour

Today you'll visit some of Kyoto's most beautiful and culturally rich attractions on its outskirts. While Kyoto is a big modern city, it doesn't take long to reach more natural areas. Start at the Fushimi Inari Shrine, where you may recognize its elegant layout from the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha." The pathway up to the shrine is lined with thousands of red torii gates and is sure to leave you agog.

Next, head to the Arashiyama district, a historic neighborhood and mountain across the Ōi River. You can enjoy this area in a variety of ways, including from the Sagano train, on a cruise on the Hozugawa River, or a walk or cycle rickshaw ride through the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. 

You can also check out some important buildings in Arashiyama, too. Architecture enthusiasts will want to visit Okochi Mountain Villa, a spacious home and garden next to a bamboo forest that belonged to Danjiro Okochi, a well-known star of samurai movies. Next, continue to Nonomiya Shrine, amid the beautiful bamboo forests of Arashiyama. The shrine was formerly known as a temporary sanctuary for princesses, who were sent there as part of their training to become high priestesses. 

Day 6: Buddhist Experience at Mount Koya

Today you'll take a two-hour private transfer to Mount Koya, a significant temple settlement in Wakayama Prefecture, located south of Osaka and on the southern side of Osaka Bay. This is an important place in Japanese Buddhism, being the headquarters of the Kōyasan sect of Shingon Buddhism. After your arrival, learn more about Buddhism and the monastic life at Mount Koya. 

Be immersed in the peaceful and serene atmosphere of the temple while enjoying traditional vegetarian cuisine and taking part in or observing the monks' prayers. Take your time to explore the grounds and appreciate the tranquil surroundings. With no specific itinerary to follow, you have the freedom to relax and appreciate the environment at your own pace.

Day 7: Transfer to Osaka via Shirahama Beach

Today's transfer back to Osaka will take you past some beautiful scenic spots. Make your first stop at Senjojiki, a fascinating area of rock formations beside the sea. The next stop is Shirarahama Beach, considered Kansai's finest beach, where you can swim in the clear waters and take a walk on the white sands or hop aboard a glass-bottom boat for a close-up look at the vibrant marine life below the surface.

After some time at the beach, visit one of Japan's oldest hot spring resorts at Shirahama Onsen. Enjoy the relaxing open-air hot springs in a traditional setting. Some baths have ocean views, others are sheltered within rocky grottoes, so take your pick one (or more) that appeal to you. To end the perfect day, indulge in the delicacy of fugu ryori, a Japanese pufferfish dish that is a specialty of the area, before continuing the journey to Osaka.

Day 8: Depart Osaka

It's time to say goodbye to Japan today. Depending on your departure time, you may have time to do some last-minute souvenir shopping in the city or enjoy a final Japanese lunch. When it's time to head to the airport for your flight, get a private transfer to ensure a smooth departure. Safe travels!

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