There are a few interesting day trip options from Osaka and to fully utilize our JR pass, we chose to stay near Shin Osaka Station. Do note that Shin Osaka station is a massive multistorey complex with many exits on different levels. Because we arrived quite late from Takayama and hauling big and heavy luggage, it took us quite a while to find which lifts connects to which exit.
Osaka - Kyoto
Kyoto is quite touristy hence the accommodation is on the higher end. We chose to settle in Osaka for that reason and Kyoto Station is just 15 mins away from Shin-Osaka. Although Kyoto is not immense but because the attractions are scattered all over the place, it was tougher to plan than other cities. There are 3 main parts:
1. Central - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
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We spent quite a lot on transportation. There should be a better, more budget friendly option, something like the hop on-hop bus in Kawaguchiko? If anyone has any recommendations, feel free to drop me a note in the Comments section 😊
Osaka - Nara
Note that there are 2 stations near Nara Park, JR Nara and Kintetsu-Nara. JR Nara station is slightly further away from Nara Park, approximately 15 mins/1 km more. With the JR pass, you can take a train from Shin-Osaka, change at Tennoji Station and proceed with JR Nara Station. Google map has pretty accurate train time tables.
The park is enormous and there are many temples in between and some require entrance fees (cash only). You can easily spend half a day here :)
Don't get over excited at the first sight of the holy deer, there are many many more as you go further in. There are peddlers selling deer biscuits at ¥200. Once you buy them, hide them fast as many of them will swarm over when they catch sight of it! You can do your bowing and feeding them as you walk along. I loved it as much as my 8 year old, lol :)
We walked all the way to an udon shop called Mizuya Chaya, had lunch and took a bus back to JR Nara station.
Osaka - Himeji
Himeji Station is just 2 stations away from Shin-Osaka, roughly 30 mins via Shinkansen passing Shin-Kobe. If you have time/beef lover, you can even plan another half/full day in Kobe :)
You can catch a glimpse of Himeji castle when you exit the station. The castle is another 20-30 mins walk. Along the way, there are restaurants and eateries. We might have picked the wrong ones but the food is pretty average, edible but not exactly tasty.
This castle, also known as the White Heron, is a ginormous beautifully well preserved. We regretted not spending a bit more time here. We bought a ticket which covers the castle and a flower garden. Though we covered the main attraction which is the 6 storey castle, we missed the living quarters and the garden as we needed to rush back to Osaka to take a train back to Tokyo.
The castle is well organized, there are some places where you need to take off your shoes. You are provided a plastic bag to take your shoes along. When you reached the top floor, you have a full view of the city and from the bottom, the white castle seems like it's sitting on clouds because it's just so high up!
More information here: The World Cultural Heritage: The National Treasure of Himeji Castle
