Best of Kansai Japan: Kobe, Osaka & Kyoto Itinerary

Best Kobe, Kyoto & Osaka Itinerary

The Kansai Region of Japan, Japan’s popular tourist region, includes three main cities in Japan: Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe. It is officially called the Kansai Region. This is one of the eight regions that make up a general regional map of the country. It is located in the southern part of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, and is considered to be the most popular region from a tourist perspective.

Map of Japan Kansai Region: Kyoto vs Osaka & Kobe Japan

Important Cities of Kansai Japan: Osaka and Kyoto Itinerary, Himeji and Kobe, Japan

As the third most populous city in Japan, Osaka is the business heart of the region, while Kyoto, as the former Capital of Japan, is the tourist heart. In addition to Kyoto vs Osaka, Kobe and Himeji are also worth a visit. Both Osaka and Kobe are located on Osaka Bay and are easily reached by either the Bullet  Express Train on the Kyoto to Tokyo Train, or by cruise ship. We made multiple trips to this region and have traveled by both means of transport. Kyoto is roughly a 90 minute driving journey from either of the cities on the bay, faster if you go by the Bullet Train.

Kobe & Kyoto vs Osaka: Best Main Cities in Japan to Visit, But Failed Visit to Himeji

We were expected to visit Himeji on our final 2025 cruise around Japan, but it was cancelled from our itinerary. Nevertheless, we had read up about Himeji and its famous castle. Himeji Castle, often called the White Heron Castle due to its elegant white exterior. It is a popular tourist destination, and is one of Japan’s most spectacular and well-preserved feudal castles. Located in Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, it is one of Japan’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a National Treasure of Japan.

Key Highlights:

• Historical Significance – Originally built in 1333, the castle was expanded in 1609 and remains one of the few castles in Japan that has never been destroyed by war, earthquakes, or fire.
• Architectural Beauty – The castle features a complex network of 83 buildings, winding paths, and advanced defensive systems designed to slow down attackers.
• Cherry Blossom Viewing – The Sannomaru area offers breathtaking cherry blossom views in early April.
• Night Illumination – The castle is beautifully lit up at night, with special seasonal performances held daily at 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM

 

Getting around the Kansai Region: Kyoto to Tokyo Train

In addition to visiting three of the four cities as part of our cruise-based 2025 “Whispers of the Orient Tour,” we had visited Kyoto vs Osaka on a previous land based trip in 2023. On that previous trip we took the Shinkansen Bullet Train to Kyoto from Tokyo, and a local train from Kyoto vs Osaka. it was part of a 7-day Itinerary to visit the main cities in Japan. The JR Trains are very efficient and can easily get you to all the main Kansai cities including the following stations: Kyoto Station, Inari Station, Shi-Kobe Station, and Shi-Osaki Station.  If you plan on using the JR Line and the Shinkansen Express Train, then you might wanrt to consider getting the JR Pass before you leave for Japan.

Please visit our separate post, Tips to Japan for the First Time, to read more about that visit.

Entire Day in Kobe Japan

In 2025, Kobe was the first stop on our visit from Osaka to Kyoto. Kobe is the least known city that comprises the Kyoto vs Osaka region with each of the three Best Cities to Stay in Japan being in easy short range of the other two.

Why Visit : Kobe, Japan?

Kobe is one of the Important Cities of Japan, a fantastic city with a unique blend of history, natural beauty, and modern attractions. Here are some great reasons to visit Kobe Japan:

• Kobe Steakhouse Beef: One of the world’s most famous delicacies! Sink your teeth into tender, perfectly marbled wagyu beef that originated here. A must-try for meat lovers.
• Arima Onsen: Known as one of Japan’s oldest and most famous hot spring resorts. Relax and rejuvenate in its natural thermal baths.
• Mount Rokko: Offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and Osaka Bay. It’s a great spot for hiking and nature lovers.
• Kobe Harborland: A vibrant waterfront area with plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The Kobe Port Tower and Meriken Park are highlights.
• Cultural Vibes: From the historic Kitano ljinkan area with its Western-style houses to the bustling Chinatown called Nankinmachi, the city offers a mix of global and local culture.
•  Earthquake Memorial: The Great Hanshin Earthquake Memorial showcases Kobe’s resilience and commemorates the 1995 disaster with meaningful exhibits.

Kobe’s unique charm lies in its harmonious mix of urban energy and tranquil escapes.

Our Visit to Kobe Japan in 2025

We visited Kobe, Japan on March 17, 2025, St. Patrick’s Day, although they weren’t drinking Guinness that day. Instead, we visited a Sake Museum where we learned how Sake was manufactured in the old days. Clearly, getting rice to the distillery was an important first step.

At the museum we were able to taste a very nice sake, and we learned a lot about the manufacturing process. However, to be perfectly honest, the trip to the sake museum was not the highlight of our day.

Riding the Gondola to the Top of Mount Rokko

What we enjoyed much more was visiting the top of Mount Rokko by riding the Gondola up to the Herb Gardens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The top of Mount Rokko and the Herb Gardens provides a wonderful place to get a great view of the important cities of Kobe Japan and Osaka Bay.

 

If you would like to see more of the great places we have visited in the world that specialize in gardens please see our Gardens Post. However, what made the Herb Gardens unique was the building where you good go in and smell all the wonderful herb fragrances.

Also, the Kitchen Garden was a great place for growing local vegetables.

Half way down the hill, the Glass House was the centerpiece of the Garden.

The flowers inside the glass houses were incredibly beautiful.

Street Art in Kobe, Japan

Back in Kobe we found some interesting street art. While Japan is a very tidy country, and graffiti is not popular, we did find some unique street art, including this wall hanging puppet.

Best Places to Visit in Japan: Arimo Onsen Near Kobe, Japan

Japan is known for the hot springs that are located in many of the Japanese cities and are often connected to Japanese hotels. However, in Arimo Onsen, which is one of the best places to visit Japan and one of Japan’s most famous hot spring cities located on the western side of Mt. Rokko, it is possible to see people soaking their feet in a 104 degree hot spring running water bath. Not a bad way to warm up on a day when the temperature was less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit during our tour.

A beautiful river runs through the downtown area of Arimo Onsen and young people love to take a leisurely stroll near the river.

Main Cities in Japan: Kyoto Itinerary

If you decide to go to Japan, you must go to Kyoto. As the former capital of Japan, it has all the posh of being one of the main cities in Japan, has a rich history, a number of incredible beautiful sights, and a lot less commotion than Tokyo. We made our second visit as part of our “Whispers of the Orient” 2025 Cruise tour with a day visit from Kobe Japan and the port of Osaka, Kyoto vs Osaka.

Since our previous visit, was land-based, and we stayed a number of days, I must say that visiting Kyoto from the cruise ports in either Osaka or Kobe Japan on an entire day tour is enjoyable, but not the best way to really enjoy and experience Kyoto, which is one of the main cities in Japan. You should plan on spending a few days there.

On that first land-based three day visit we hired two tour guides to take us around the city.  One to show us the night life and the second to take us to the Shrines and Temples.  We used Get Your Guide for both of our trips and we recommend you check out Get your Guide.

Kyoto Things to Do: Golden Temple

That said, we did experience some fun events on our one-day twelve hour visit. We revisited ancient temples, including the famous and beautiful Golden Pavilion for a second time. It is one of the main attractions in Kyoto, and also contains some beautiful gardens.

Kyoto Things to Do: Dye Painting

And we learned about the practice of dye painting. Here are some photos of our beautiful designs.

Kyoto Things to Do: Fushimi Inari Shrine

We saw a few more historic temples and the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Japan. Located in the Fushimi ward of Kyoto, this beautiful shrine is one of the oldest in the city and is steeped in history and tradition. The shrine is dedicated to the patron deity of sake brewers, making it a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. We found it to be much larger than we expected as you can see from the map below. It is a great money raising concept as there are thousands of gates paid for by various businesses and believers.

Kyoto Things to Do: Arashiyama Forest Bamboo Grove

Kyoto Things to Do: Shabu Shabu Dinner

We also had a wonderful Shabu Shabu dinner with a performance from a young Geisha apprentice who was lovely.

She was only sixteen years old and appeared to be much more mature than her age.

   

The life of a Geisha is very controlled as they must appear beautiful at all times. For example, they must sleep in a way that doesn’t mess up their hair bun. Not something either Robin or I could easily do.
If you want to learn more about Kyoto, please visit our original post on Japan.

Important Cities of Japan: Kyoto Vs Osaka

The trip from Kyoto to Osaka is less that an hour if you by the express train.  If you go by the local train or by car it will take a little longer. In any case, a trip to Osaka is worth a full day of travel.

Osaka Itinerary, One of the Main Cities in Japan

Osaka is the third biggest city in Japan after Tokyo and Yokohama and is one of the Main Cities of Japan. Osaka is a vibrant and exciting city. It offers visitors a unique blend of traditional Japanese culture and modern city living. The city is known for its delicious food, lively streets, and friendly locals. From the famous Osaka Castle to the bustling Dotonbori shopping district, there is something for everyone in this dynamic city.

Is Osaka Worth Visiting?

People ask if they need to tighten their Japan travel Itinerary, “Is Osaka Worth Visiting?” Osaka is a vibrant city with a unique blend of modernity and tradition, making it a must-visit destination in Japan. Here are some highlights:

• Culinary Delights: Known as the “Nation’s Kitchen,” Osaka is famous for its street food, including takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes). It’s a paradise for food lovers!
• Cultural Landmarks: Visit the iconic Osaka Castle, a historic symbol of the city, and explore the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines.
• Entertainment: Universal Studios Japan offers thrilling rides and attractions, while the Osaka Aquarium (Kaiyukan) is one of the largest and most impressive aquariums in the world.
• Shopping and Nightlife: The bustling Dōtonbori area is perfect for shopping, dining, and experiencing Osaka’s lively nightlife.
• Friendly Atmosphere: Osaka is known for its warm and welcoming locals, making it a great place to immerse yourself in Japanese culture.

Whether you’re a foodie, history enthusiast, or adventure seeker, Osaka has something for everyone.

Osaka Ferris Wheel

One thing that you will find in almost every Japanese Port City is a Ferris Wheel. Osaka is no different. Here is a picture of one of the many Ferris wheels we spotted in Japan.

Best Places to Visit in Japan: Osaka Castle

On this trip we decided that we definitely needed to see one of the Best Places to Visit in Japan, the Osaka Castle.

Despite being one of the most popular castles, the Osaka Castle was rebuilt and is not one of the twelve original castles that still exist in Japan. In fact, the inside is more like a museum today, than what it was like when it was the home of the local Shogun. However, the Osaka Castle grounds are still very authentic, and was built around a moat like most of the other castles.

Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of Japan and explained how Osaka Castle was the place where Japan was finally united under one leader. this made Osaka one of the Main Cities in Japan. Before that each of the major regions in the country was led by a separate Shogun who would lead the wars against the other regional leaders.

In the museum there are many original artifacts that were part of the original castle. Here is a picture of the three objects we found most impressive. The fish on the left was actually part of the roof, and the object on the lower right is like a logo or “coat of arms” for the Shogun’s family. The tiger is just awesome.

Conclusion

There is a movement today in Japan, like in many popular tourist destinations, to attempt to reduce the number of tourists visiting the most popular cities, like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. The attempt is to try to get people to visit the less crowded places. While that may make sense from the local government’s perspective to provide their constituents with more peace and quiet, it shouldn’t stop you from visiting this part of Japan. Kyoto vs Osaka, Kobe and Himeji are all well worth the visit. We are still upset that we missed Himeji.