The Kansai region including Osaka, Kyoto and Nara is the top choice for those who travel to Japan on their own for the first time. With a period of 4 days, you can completely experience the busy modernity, ancient spiritual beauty and peaceful natural space. Below are suggestions for detailed schedules and optimal travel time.
Morning: After landing at Kansai airport (KIX), you travel to central Osaka by Nankai Rapit train or JR train. The first destination is Osaka Castle, a historical symbol famous for its large grounds and unique architecture.
Afternoon: Visit the Shinsekai area with the Tsutenkaku tower with a nostalgic atmosphere of the 1980s. This is a good place to take retro photos.
Evening: Stroll around Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi. This is a bustling entertainment center where you can enjoy Takoyaki octopus cakes, Okonomiyaki pancakes and take photos with the famous Glico Man sign.
Morning: Take the train from Osaka to Kyoto (about 30 to 45 minutes). The first stop is Fushimi Inari Taisha, where thousands of orange-red Torii gates stretch along the path leading up the mountain.
Afternoon: Move to Thanh Thuy Pagoda (Kiyomizu-dera) to see the panoramic view of Kyoto city from the wooden platform. Then, walk through the old streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka to enjoy Matcha green tea and buy souvenirs.
Evening: Stroll around the Gion area, where traditional Geisha culture is preserved, before catching the train back to your hotel in Osaka.
Morning: Take the JR or Kintetsu train from Osaka to Nara (about 45 minutes). Walk to Nara Park to interact with the free-roaming deer and buy senbei cakes just for them.
Afternoon: Visit Todaiji Temple located right near the park, where a large bronze statue of the Great Buddha is located. Once you're done sightseeing, you return to Osaka mid-afternoon.
Evening: Spend time shopping for clothes, cosmetics or electronics at Shinsaibashi area or Umeda department store.
Morning: Enjoy a leisurely morning at Kuromon market, which is likened to Osaka's kitchen with lots of fresh seafood such as oysters, Wagyu beef and sushi.
Afternoon: Check your luggage, check out and go to Kansai airport to prepare for the flight back to Vietnam.
In order for the trip to go smoothly, you should carefully prepare two main factors: means of transportation and Internet connection.
Regarding transportation: Traveling between Osaka, Kyoto and Nara is very convenient by train. You can use an IC card (like ICOCA) to quickly swipe at train stations without having to buy individual tickets for each stop.
About the Internet: Mobile network is an indispensable factor to look up Google Maps, check train times and translate languages. Currently, eSIM solutions are very convenient for travelers. You keep the Vietnamese SIM in your device to receive calls or bank OTP codes, and use eSIM data to access the network. To be proactive for your trip, you can see Japanese eSIM package online, receive a QR code via email immediately after payment and quickly activate before flying.
Tip: Network capacity of about 1GB per day is enough for basic needs such as looking up maps, texting and finding restaurant information. You should also bring a backup charger because constantly checking the map will consume a lot of phone battery.
Wishing you a complete trip to discover Kansai and many interesting experiences.
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