City break - Osaka tour
Japan reopens its borders on September 7:
- No longer need for PCR test for triple vaccinated people
- No longer need for a guide throughout the stay
But still :
- Need to organize your trip with a travel agency approved by Japan (like Japan Experience)
- Go to the embassy/consulate to get your tourist visa
More explanations below in the "frequently asked questions" (to carefully read before booking :-)
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)
- Departure city/airport : Osaka (Kansai international airport : KIX)
- Osaka (7 nights)
- End Return airport : Osaka (Kansai international airport : KIX)
Please find below the itinerary details.
Tour length : 7 nights / 8 days (+ 1 day at the beginning if you leave from Europe)
Indeed, the tour departure and end dates presented on this page relate to your stay in Japan. On departure, you will have to leave Europe on the day before. The return flight is on the same day due to the time difference.
Example :
- Departure from Europe : January 1st
- Arrival Osaka (date to be selected in the tour calendar while booking) : January 2nd
- Return flight from Osaka : January 9th
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 assistance from 8am to 10pm Japanese time, 7 days a week, in English or Japanese.
- Numerous discounts offered in tourist sites
- Benefit from the expertise of Japan Experience, European leading travel agency in Japan
Your trip in detail
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Day 1 : Wake up in Osaka 大阪
Arrival at Kansai airport (KIX).
Welcome to Japan! Yokoso 日本へようこそ!Our airport assistant will welcome you at the exit of the customs and will give you all your travel documents and your Pocket WiFi.
Unaccompanied transfer from the airport to Osaka (see details).Check-in at Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda or same category hotel 3* (rooms available from 3:00pm).
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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.
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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 districtGo 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.
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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-zakaFinish 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.
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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.
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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, North America, Australia.
Do not hesitate to extend your trip by one or more days in Kansai, or elsewhere… We will be able to advise you!







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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.
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Transport
- Transfer airport <> Osaka
- Prepaid public transport card
- Metro pass + Osaka bus pass 2 days
- 3-day unlimited transport pass (Kansai Thru Pass)
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Experiences
- Airport welcome
- Guided night tour of Dotonbori (1h30)
- Numerous discounts offered in Osaka tourist sites
Included in your self-guided tour
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Additional services
- Unlimited Wi-Fi access with pocket Wi-Fi
- Complete e-travel diary sent before your departure
- The helpline is available from 8am to 10pm Japanese time, 7 days a week, in English and Japanese. The number will be given to you in your travel pack. It is valid for telephone calls and Whatsapp.
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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
When you buy, Japan Experience offers you 2 types of protection:
Japan Experience Flex :
Cancellation insurance before departure under conditions.
Japan Experience Protect :
Pre-departure cancellation insurance under conditions and on-site assistance under conditions. COVID protection included.
Frequently asked questions
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- Assistance available in Japan throughout your trip
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