The best excursions around Osaka 大阪からの最高の遠足
Day trip from Osaka
If you spend a few days in Osaka, you may want to venture out of the city. There are many sites easily accessible from Osaka, the city being perfectly connected to the entire rail network in the region. Unmissable villages or well-kept sites, here is our top of the best excursions to do from Osaka.
1. Nara
The city of Nara and its many cultural riches is an essential day trip (or two!) from Osaka. Nara deserves more than a whirlwind visit: no fewer than eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the sublime Todai-ji temple and its huge bronze Buddha.
Nara is also known throughout the world thanks to the "Shika" or deer and hinds which evolve in perfect freedom in the city park. It is possible to caress them but also to feed them, which makes the happiness of young and old alike.
How to get there?
Leave Osaka from JR Namba station: take the JR Yamatoji line, 48 min to JR Nara station (included in the JR Pass, otherwise 570 yen, or $4.75/4.25€).
2. Mount Koya
Koya-san is another major site in Kansai, extremely important to Japanese Buddhism. It is dedicated to the Shingon sect and was founded by the monk Kobo Daish i. This sacred mountain, its many temples, and its forests are imbued with spirituality and calm that is difficult to describe. Mount Koya and the cemetery it houses, the Okuno-in, exude an aura of mystery and inimitable magic. The walk between the tombs and the centuries-old cedars is an experience in itself.
We can only recommend giving at least one day to this unique site in the world, or even two if you choose to spend the night in one of the temple inns run by the monks.
Read also: Sleeping in a temple, the habits, and customs of shukubo
How to get there?
We recommend renting a car to get there, as the road is beautiful.
If you choose to get there by train from Osaka, you will need to take the Nankai Line from Shin-Imamiya or Namba station. Then count 1h15 journey. Arrived at Gokurakubashi, you will have to climb in a funicular which will make you go up in the heights and will lead you to your destination at the station of Koya-San. To reach the village, then take a bus. Allow a minimum of 2 hrs for the journey (if you take a fast Limited Express train), for a total of around 2000 yen ($16.75/15.25€).
3. Himeji
Himeji has the advantage of being very quickly accessible from Osaka: it is an opportunity to visit another Japanese city, especially its magnificent white castle. Built in the 14th century, the latter is one of the rare Japanese castles not to be a modern replica, and to be so well preserved.
We also recommend a visit to the Koko-en garden located nearby.
How to get there?
Himeji can be reached in just 30 min from Shin-Osaka station (3810 yen or $32/29€, or JR Pass), thanks to the shinkansen.
Himeji Castle in Spring
Wikimedia Commons, 663highland, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en
4. Kurashiki
The small town of Kurashiki is famous for its canals and its feudal quarter, Bikan. Kurashiki benefits from a largely preserved atmosphere, that of the time when it was one of the main exporting cities of rice and sugar, before giving way to a flourishing textile market.
Read also: The feudal district of Bikan
The many 17th century warehouses have been converted into museums, cafés, and galleries, which gives the town a very special character. Kurashiki is often referred to as the "Venice of Japan".
How to get there?
From Shin-Osaka Station, take the Nozomi shinkansen to Okayama Station (45 min). Then, take your choice of the local San-yo Itozaki line, or a Limited Express train on the Yakumo line, and get off at Kurashiki station. Including the change, the journey takes 1h15 in all.
Bikan area of Kurashiki
Wikimedia Commons, Aimaimyi, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en
5. Mount Shigi
Much less known than Mount Koya, Mount Shigi is home to a collection of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. Culminating at 437 meters, this small mountain can be visited in a few hours, ideal for a stroll outside the city.
At the top is the Chogosonshi-ji temple, popularly called "Shigisan" and founded in the 7th century. The main building is accompanied by two pagodas as well as a staircase lined with torii leading to a small Shinto shrine at the top of the mountain.
How to get there?
Take the JR Yamatoji Line from Tennoji Station in Osaka. Get off at Sango station, then take the Nara Kotsu bus to Mount Shigi. You can also take the Kintetsu-Shigi line from Uehommachi Station in Osaka.
The Chogosonshi-ji
Wikimedia Commons
One of the gates of Chogosonshi-ji in the spring
Wikimedia Commons
6. Mount Yoshino
Mount Yoshino is another beautiful excursion that makes sense, especially in the spring during the hanami. Indeed, more than 30,000 cherry trees of different varieties are scattered all over the mountain, which is completely pink in March and April... The mountain is classified as a sacred site as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Read also: Top 4 places to see cherry trees in Osaka
Thus Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, small shopping streets dotted with shops and cafes, and hiking trails line the mountain. Yoshino is a perfect day out, not to be missed to admire the sakuras in bloom as well as magnificent panoramas.
How to get there?
From Abenobashi station, you will have to take a train from the Kintetsu company, either 1h17 by Limited Express train (1510 yen, approximately $12.50/11.45€) or 1h33 by Classic Express (990 yen, approximately $8.25/7.50 €) to Yoshino Station. Once there, you can continue on foot or take a small funicular.
7. Minoh Park
Another nature excursion just 30 min from the heart of the city, Minoh Park is a veritable green lung. In addition to the walk on small paths in the middle of the forest, the Minoh Taki waterfall is the highlight of the show. The places are also perfect for admiring the glowing foliage of the maple trees at the end of autumn.
How to get there?
From Osaka- Umeda Station, take a Hankyu Company Takarazuka Line train. Get off at Ishibashi handai-mae stop, and board a Hankyu-Minoh line train for three stops to Minoh (or Mino-o depending on the spellings) station.
The Minoo Taki waterfall and its observation benches.
かがみ～
Finally, for those who still have a little time, we also recommend a visit to the city of Kobe (just over 30 min by train), especially for its picturesque Chinatown and its gastronomy (who does not know the famous beef of Kobe?).
