12 days, 11 nights

The following is a suggested itinerary for first time travelers to Japan who spend 12 days, 11 nights in the Kansai Region around Kyoto.

Day 1 - Arrive at Kansai Airport

Arrive at Kansai Airport and take the train to Kyoto. Spend the remaining day exploring Kyoto.

Spend three full days in Kyoto. Consider our suggested Kyoto itineraries.

Travel from Kyoto to Nara, stopping on the way in Uji in order to visit Byodoin, and spend the rest of the day and the night in Nara.

Spend the full day in Nara and nearby Horyuji Temple. Overnight once more in Nara.

In the morning, take a train to Osaka, travel to Mount Koya (3 hours), and spend the night at a temple.

In the afternoon, return from Mount Koya to Osaka (2 hours) and spend the evening and night there.

In the morning, take the special rapid train to Himeji and spend a half day visiting Himeji Castle. Spend the rest of the day in Osaka.

Spend a full day in Osaka.

Spend a day in nearby Kobe.

Depart Japan from Kansai Airport.

A nationwide Japan Rail Pass does not pay off for this itinerary, but we recommend to use Haruka 1-Way Tickets for your transport to/from Kansai Airport, a 1-day Kansai Area Pass for your daytrip to Himeji and a Koyasan World Heritage Ticket for your trip to Mount Koya. Below are some sample budgets for the itinerary, excluding airfare. Find out more about the sample budgets and about the current yen exchange rates.

Questions? Ask in our forum.