5 Day Trips in Osaka That Earn the Train Fare

1.From Kyoto/Osaka: Kyoto Top Highlights 1-Day Guided Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 714 reviews · 9 hours - 570 minutes · from $51Our pick

Spend nine hours visiting Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama by air-conditioned coach from Kyoto or Osaka. Your English-speaking guide explains the temples, shrines, and customs along the way. Admissions are included, while a traditional Japanese lunch is optional.

“yuki was a great guide! knowledge and had some silly jokes as well :) wish there was more time at fushimi but overall everything was great and was able to see the main spots in kyoto in a day! thanks!”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

2.Osaka Private Tour with a Local Guide (Must See Places in 1 Day)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · from $118Top rated

Spend about eight hours exploring Osaka with a private English and Japanese guide. You’ll visit Shitennoji, Shinsekai, Kuromon Market, Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building, Dotonbori, Hozenji Yokocho, and Namba. The route can match your pace, with optional accommodation pickup, edited photos, and help finding Halal or vegetarian food.

“Enjoyed this tour. Travelled by train, taxi and walking. Ryutaro our guide did a good job taking us around Osaka and adjusted to our pace of sightseeing and walking.”

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3.Kyoto 1 Day Tour from Osaka

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 54 reviews · from $183

Start at Hotel Granvia Osaka at 7:15 am and ride with an assistant by JR rapid train to Kyoto. A guide then leads you to Nijo Castle, Kinkakuji, the Imperial Palace, Fushimi Inari, Sanjusangendo, and Kiyomizu Temple. Expect a packed 11-hour day, walking, shared transport, and a group of up to 40 people.

“In one day I saw a lot! The guide was good. What I really appreciated was the guiding to get to the station and the bus in Kyoto. And even at the end of the tour there was a lovely girl/guide to bring me back to Osaka!! That was really fantastic. I really liked the Japanese lunch!!”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →

4.Osaka Private Day Trip – Enjoy Your First-Time Visit to Osaka!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $138

Explore Osaka by public transport on a private seven-hour walking tour with an English-speaking guide. You’ll visit Umeda Sky Building, Osaka Castle, Dotonbori, Shitennoji, and Shinsekai, with room to adjust the plan if you choose the customizable option. Expect lots of walking, extra costs for fares, food, and admission.

“We had a wonderful tour guide! He was very caring and responsive to all the questions we had. He was a pleasure to deal with all throughout the day and took us to many wonderful sights. We definitely recommend the experience if you enjoy walking!”

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5.Himeji Castle, Arima Onsen & Mt. Rokko: 1-Day Bus Tour from Osaka

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 28 reviews · from $67

Travel from Osaka to Himeji Castle, Kokoen Garden, Arima Onsen, and Mt. Rokko in about 9 to 10 hours. Expect an air-conditioned bus, English or Chinese commentary, castle and garden admission on tours through February 28, and an optional Japanese lunch. Guides such as Harry and Gary have earned strong praise for their clear history talks.

“Had a great day with Harry our guide who was super knowledgeable and a great character . Loved the castle and gardens , arima was a nice to explore and my rokko views of osaka were fantastic. The pick up point VIP villa namba is not hard to find , bus was clean and comfortable.”

Dates, prices, availability →Our full review →