Kansai 8 Days Itinerary-D

１０：００

The mileage for the day varies greatly from 140 to 200 km, depending on whether the departure point is Kansai Airport, Osaka, or Kyoto.
Especially in the case of departures from Kyoto or Osaka, the mileage will be longer.
If your departure time is late, please adjust your schedule by taking the expressway or skipping some spots.

１１：３０

There is not much to see on the way to Mt. Koya, so move quickly on the expressway (E26).

The first destination is [Niutsuhime Shrine] at the foot of Mt. Koya. This shrine is registered as a World Cultural Heritage site, and it has been a long-standing tradition to worship before going to Mt. Koya.

１３：００

After that, you will follow the mountain road to today’s biggest highlight, Mt. Koya. At Mt. Koya, you will visit Daimon, Danjo Garan, Kongobuji Temple, and Okunoin in that order. Among them, Danjo Garan and Okunoin are especially recommended, so even if you don’t have time, please take a look at these two places.

If you don’t have time first go to [Danjo Garan], the core of the whole area of Mt. Koya. Mt. Koya is very large, so please refer driving map to check MAPCODE for parking.

１４：００

Next, on Mt. Koya, head to the Okunoin, where the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi is located. It is the largest sanctuary with a mysterious atmosphere. You need to move your car to the eastern edge and use the nearby parking lot.

On this day you will stay in Wakayama city or Mt. Koyasan. The distance from Mt. Koya to Wakayama is 50km, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. See below for detailed differences between the two locations

９：００

This day’s mileage is long at 170km, and there are many highlights, so please leave your accommodation as early as possible.

１０：１５

The first destination on this day is [Mt. Koya]. At Mt. Koya, you will visit Daimon, Danjo Garan, Kongobuji Temple, and Okunoin in that order. Among them, Danjo Garan and Okunoin are especially recommended, so even if you don’t have time, please take a look at these two places.

１１：３０

Next onto Mt. Koya! Head to the Okunoin, where the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi is located. It is the largest sanctuary with a mysterious atmosphere. You need to move your car to the eastern edge and use the nearby parking lot.

１４：３０

Next, you will head to [Horyuji Temple], which was built by Prince Shotoku and Empress Suiko in 607. The oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world are so famous that they are listed as World Heritage Sites.

１６：００

Next, you will head to [Todaiji Temple & Nara Park], which is the largest area for sightseeing in Nara. Free-range deer welcome you at [Nara Park]. Nara Park is a vast park with a total area of about 6.6 million square meters, which makes you feel like you are in the ancient city of Nara.

[Todaiji Temple] is a Buddhist temple built in the 8th century. The Great Buddha, which can be said to be the symbol of Nara, is about 18m high including the pedestal and has a masterpiece presence. The Great Buddha Hall is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world.

If time permits, please go to [Kasuga Taisha Shrine]. This is the head office of Kasuga Shrine, which has 3,000 shrines nationwide, and the main shrine with vermilion pillars is impressive.

In addition, there are Kofukuji Temple, Nara National Museum, Isuien, etc. in the vicinity, which are full of attractions.

１８：００

Nara, where you stay on this day, is a well-known ancient city. Experience the ancient culture and enjoy the romance.

９：００

The mileage on the day is short, about 120km. However, if you haven’t visited Todaiji Temple and Nara Park yet, it’s better to leave the hotel around 9 a.m.

９：１０

If you haven’t visited yet, your first destination on this day is [Todaiji Temple & Nara Park], which is the largest area for sightseeing in Nara. Free-range deer welcome you at [Nara Park]. Nara Park is a vast park with a total area of about 6.6 million square meters, which makes you feel like you are in the ancient city of Nara.

[Todaiji Temple] is a Buddhist temple built in the 8th century. The Great Buddha, which can be said to be the symbol of Nara, is about 18m high, including the pedestal, and has a masterpiece presence. The Great Buddha Hall is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world.

If time permits, please go to [Kasuga Taisha Shrine]. This is the head office of Kasuga Shrine, which has 3,000 shrines nationwide, and the main shrine with vermilion pillars is impressive.

In addition, there are Kofukuji Temple, Nara National Museum, Isuien, etc. in the vicinity, which are full of attractions.

１３：００

Next, you will head to [Byodoin Temple and Green Tea Street]. This is a famous temple with beautiful ponds, gardens, and buildings housing cultural relics. There are also tours of the interior. After visiting Byodoin Temple, take a walk down nearby Green Tea Street, which has some tea shops. How about buying Uji tea, which is famous in Japan, as a souvenir?

１５：３０

Next, please drive to [Omihachiman]. Hachimanbori is a tourist destination that is also known as a location for historical drama, and the season of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves is especially recommended. The cityscape, which retains the remnants of the old days, is lined with townhouses and warehouses and looks as if time has stopped for centuries. We recommend that you take a leisurely stroll here.

If you get tired, take a short break at a Japanese sweets shop called [La Collina Omihachiman]. You can replenish sweets in a calm atmosphere. You can also eat lunch on the 2nd floor.

１７：３０

It is known that there are many historical sightseeing spots around Hikone Castle, where you will stay on this day. After checking in at the hotel, it may be fun to explore these spots around Hikone Castle.

９：００

The mileage for the day is about 120km. But we recommend leaving the hotel around 9 a.m.

１０：２５

First, move to the west side of Lake Biwa and go to [Biwako Valley]. There is not much to see on the way to Biwako Valley, so please move quickly for about 1 hour and 25 minutes.

It is known for its [Biwako Terrace], a spectacular spot overlooking Lake Biwa, and is full of activities. You can also enjoy the nature of each season, such as cherry blossoms, daffodils, and autumn leaves.

１２：３０

Next, head to [Enryakuji Temple] through the Mt. Hiei Driveway.

The Mt. Hiei Driveway has many wonderful viewing spots along the way. Enryakuji Temple has a vast site that covers the entire area of Mt. Hiei and is registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Please worship mainly in the area where the main halls of Enryakuji, such as Konpon Chudo, the Grand Lecture Hall, and Amidado, are gathered.

１４：３０

After descending from Mt. Hiei, go to [Onjoji Temple (Miidera)], the general head temple of the Jimon School of the Tendai Sect. Not only are national treasures and important cultural properties such as the main hall here, but also the cherry blossoms in spring and colored leaves in autumn are full of highlights.

１７：００

On this day, you will stay overnight in Kyoto, the ancient city. Please relax and enjoy your stay in Kyoto.

９：００

The distance covered on this day is only about 40km, which is short, but the city is home to many cultural properties that have been registered as World Heritage Sites, so the time for sightseeing will be longer. Therefore, we recommend that you leave the inn early.

９：１５

Your first destination for the day is [Fushimi Inari Shrine], which is very popular among foreign tourists. In particular, the 1,000 torii gates (there are actually more than 10,000) are famous as photo spots, and many tourists take pictures here.

１１：００

Next, you will head to [Kiyomizudera Temple], a World Heritage Site. Your car will be parked at the Kyoto City Kiyomizuzaka sightseeing parking lot. The roads around the parking lot are narrow and there are many tourists, so please drive carefully. Kiyomizudera Temple is famous for its main hall with the stage of Kiyomizu, but there are other places of interest such as the Niomon gate, three-storied pagoda, and Otowa Falls.

Before returning to the parking lot from Kiyomizudera, please take a stroll through [Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka street]. From Kiyomizuzaka leading to Kiyomizudera Temple, turn north on a narrow road to enter Sannenzaka. If you go further down the slope, you will continue to Ninenzaka. The beautiful scenery of old souvenir shops is not only always crowded with tourists, but also designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Also, this area is the most Kyoto-like area, so many people go sightseeing in kimonos. Of course, you can also rent kimonos.
It is recommended to eat lunch around here on this day.

１４：4０

After lunch, you will head to [Kinkakuji Temple], which is also a World Heritage Site. Kinkakuji Temple was built in 1397 and is a must-see for its three-storied pavilion that reflects against the garden pond.

１５：５０

Next, you will head to [Ryoanji Temple], which is also a World Heritage Site. The dry landscape garden of Ryoaji Temple is famous for its rock garden and is visited by many tourists.

１７：００

The final destination of the day is [Arashiyama Bamboo Forest]. This is a small path of about 400 meters from Nonomiya Shrine to Okochi Sanso through the north gate of Tenryuji Temple. This is one of Kyoto’s leading tourist attractions, with well-maintained bamboo groves lining both sides of the path. Enjoy the mysterious atmosphere of the bamboo grove.

１８：４０

On this day you will stay in Kyoto for the second consecutive night. Please spend a relaxing time at the inn.

９：００

The distance covered on this day is only about 40km, which is short, but the city is home to many cultural properties that have been registered as World Heritage Sites, so the time for sightseeing will be longer. Therefore, we recommend that you leave the inn early.

９：１５

Your first destination for the day is [Fushimi Inari Shrine], which is very popular among foreign tourists. In particular, the 1,000 torii gates (there are actually more than 10,000) are famous as photo spots, and many tourists take pictures here.

１１：００

Next, you will head to [Kiyomizudera Temple], a World Heritage Site. Your car will be parked at the Kyoto City Kiyomizuzaka sightseeing parking lot. The roads around the parking lot are narrow and there are many tourists, so please drive carefully. Kiyomizudera Temple is famous for its main hall with the stage of Kiyomizu, but there are other places of interest such as the Niomon gate, three-storied pagoda, and Otowa Falls.

Before returning to the parking lot from Kiyomizudera, please take a stroll through [Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka street]. From Kiyomizuzaka leading to Kiyomizudera Temple, turn north on a narrow road to enter Sannenzaka. If you go further down the slope, you will continue to Ninenzaka. The beautiful scenery of old souvenir shops is not only always crowded with tourists, but also designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Also, this area is the most Kyoto-like area, so many people go sightseeing in kimonos. Of course, you can also rent kimonos.
It is recommended to eat lunch around here on this day.

１４：4０

After lunch, you will head to [Kinkakuji Temple], which is also a World Heritage Site. Kinkakuji Temple was built in 1397 and is a must-see for its three-storied pavilion that reflects against the garden pond.

１５：５０

Next, you will head to [Ryoanji Temple], which is also a World Heritage Site. The dry landscape garden of Ryoaji Temple is famous for its rock garden and is visited by many tourists.

１７：００

The final destination of the day is [Arashiyama Bamboo Forest]. This is a small path of about 400 meters from Nonomiya Shrine to Okochi Sanso through the north gate of Tenryuji Temple. This is one of Kyoto’s leading tourist attractions, with well-maintained bamboo groves lining both sides of the path. Enjoy the mysterious atmosphere of the bamboo grove.

１８：４０

On this day you will stay in Kyoto for the second consecutive night. Please spend a relaxing time at the inn.

９：００

The mileage on this day is 120km and short. However, traffic congestion is heavy around Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe, so please leave your hotel around 9:00 and use the expressway as much as possible to shorten the travel time.

９：４５

The first attraction of this day is the [Hozugawa River Cruise]. Although it takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes one way from the boarding point in Kameyama to Arashiyama, you will be fully enjoy the nature of Kyoto. After the cruise you will need to return to the starting point by train. Therefore, if you plan to visit many other sightseeing spots on this day, it might be better to skip this cruise.

１３：３０

Next, you will head to [Expo ’70 Commemorative Park]. This is the site of the Japan World Exposition held in 1970, and is a futuristic urban space with pavilions built using the cutting-edge technology of the time.

１５：２０

Next, you will head to [Mt.Rokko (Garden Terrace)]. This is one of the best night viewing spots in Japan, and you can enjoy a large panoramic view that extends from the Akashi Strait to the Osaka Plain and Kansai International Airport.

１７：００

On this day, you will stay in Kobe city, or Arima Onsen which is one of Japan’s leading hot springs. For those who want to enjoy Kobe’s night spots, we recommend Kobe City, and for those who want to enjoy hot springs, we recommend Arima Onsen.

１０：００

The mileage on this day is a little short at 120km. However, traffic congestion is heavy around Osaka, and Kobe, so please use the expressway as much as possible to shorten the travel time.

１０：４５

The first destination on this day is [Mt. Rokko (Garden Terrace)]. This is one of the best viewing spots in Japan, and you can enjoy a large panoramic view that extends from the Akashi Strait to the Osaka Plain and Kansai International Airport.

１２：３０

Next, you will head to [Kobe Meriken Park]. This is a reclaimed park between Meriken Wharf and Naka Wharf, and there are facilities such as Kobe Port Tower, Kobe Maritime Museum, a hotel, and an observatory plaza in the park, and many tourists visit.

１４：２０

Next, you will head to [Mitsui Outlet Park Osaka Kadoma]. Enjoy shopping, dining, and more at this huge facility.

16: 30
This is the end of the drive trip or Inn stay in Osaka.

①Returning a car in Osaka or Kyoto
When you return to Osaka or Kyoto, refuel and then return the car to the car rental branch. Use the MAPCODE on the driving map for the nearest gas stations near Osaka Station or Kyoto.
Traffic jams often occur in Osaka and Kyoto because they are both large cities. Be sure to return your car with plenty of time to spare.

Osaka and Kyoto offers a wide variety of culinary delights! For dinner, try Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki and other local food.

②Returning a car at Kansai Airport

When heading to Kansai airport, the distance from Osaka station is about 50 km, or about 1 hour by express way. Make sure you arrive at the branch of the car rental company two hours before your flight.

Additionally, there are no gas stations on the Kansai International Airport island. If you do not have enough time before your flight, we strongly recommend that you head to the airport and settle the missing gasoline bill at a rental car branch instead of trying to force yourself to refuel.