Osaka and Kyoto are so close that it’s really tempting to pick one city, stay there for the whole trip and just commute backwards and forwards.

We wouldn’t.

Yes, you can travel between them really easily, but they feel completely different and constantly backtracking means you lose some of the best hours of the day, especially in Kyoto.

HOW MANY NIGHTS IN OSAKA & KYOTO?

It really depends on how much time you have. Here’s how we’d split it for a first trip:

5 NIGHTS
OSAKA – 2 nights
KYOTO – 3 nights

6 NIGHTS
OSAKA – 3 nights
KYOTO – 3 nights

7 NIGHTS – OUR SWEET SPOT
OSAKA – 3 nights
KYOTO – 4 nights

The longer you have, the more time we’d give Kyoto, especially if you’re planning day trips. And whichever split you choose, we’d recommend staying in both cities rather than constantly travelling between them.

GETTING THERE

If you’re flying from Australia, China Airlines is one option for reaching Osaka via Taipei, with onward connections to Kansai.

You can check current fares and flight options with China Airlines here.

OSAKA – 3 NIGHTS

Osaka is loud, colourful, chaotic and ridiculously fun.

This is the city for neon lights, giant signs, incredible food, late-night wandering and those streets that somehow get even better after dark.

WHERE TO STAY

NAMBA / SHINSAIBASHI – OUR PICK FOR FIRST-TIMERS

If you want to step outside your hotel and immediately feel like you’re in Osaka, stay here.

You’ll be close to:

• Dotonbori
• Shinsaibashi
• Kuromon Market
• Hozenji Yokocho
• Namba Station
• endless restaurants and street food

It’s also really convenient if you’re arriving from Kansai International Airport.

UMEDA / OSAKA STATION

If transport is your priority, Umeda is brilliant.

You’ve got loads of train connections on your doorstep, which makes it especially handy if you’re planning day trips or heading on to Kyoto.

Our pick: Namba for atmosphere. Umeda for convenience.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN OSAKA

DOTONBORI

Yes, it’s busy. Yes, it’s touristy.

And yes, you should absolutely go.

We’d visit once during the day and then come back after dark when all the neon lights switch on.

Don’t miss the Glico running man, the canal and all those enormous restaurant signs hanging over the streets.

KUROMON ICHIBA MARKET

Come hungry.

You’ll find seafood, wagyu skewers, fruit, sweets and plenty of little things to snack on as you walk.

It’s really easy to combine with Namba and Dotonbori.

OSAKA CASTLE

One of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.

Even if you don’t go inside, the grounds are huge and worth walking through.

SHINSEKAI

One of our favourite areas for that old-school Osaka feel.

Think giant signs, retro streets, kushikatsu restaurants and Tsutenkaku Tower looming above everything.

UMEDA SKY BUILDING

Go late afternoon and stay for sunset if you can.

The views over Osaka are incredible.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN

If USJ is on your list, don’t try to squeeze it into half a day.

Give it the whole day.

If you’re doing Universal Studios Japan, we’d probably make Osaka 4 nights instead of 3.

KYOTO – 4 NIGHTS

Kyoto is where staying in the city itself really pays off.

This is one place where being able to head out early before the day-trippers arrive can completely change the experience.

You can wander through temple streets in the morning, slow down, come back to your hotel, then head out again later once the crowds start thinning.

That’s why we wouldn’t base ourselves in Osaka and commute in every day.

WHERE TO STAY

KAWARAMACHI / GION – OUR FAVOURITE

If this is your first trip and you want atmosphere, this is where we’d stay.

You’re close to:

• Gion
• Pontocho
• Nishiki Market
• Yasaka Shrine
• Kamo River
• Higashiyama

KYOTO STATION

Stay here if transport matters more than atmosphere.

It’s really handy for day trips and onward travel, especially if you’ll be using the Shinkansen.

Our pick: Kawaramachi/Gion for atmosphere. Kyoto Station if you’re doing lots of day trips.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN KYOTO

FUSHIMI INARI TAISHA

The famous thousands of red torii gates.

Go early.

Seriously.

The difference between arriving early and arriving mid-morning can be enormous.

KIYOMIZU-DERA + HIGASHIYAMA

One of our favourite Kyoto areas to simply wander.

A great route is:

Kiyomizu-dera → Sannenzaka → Ninenzaka → Yasaka Pagoda → Gion

Give yourself at least half a day.

GION

Come in the late afternoon and stay into the evening.

Walk Hanamikoji Street, Shirakawa and Yasaka Shrine, then continue towards Pontocho.

NISHIKI MARKET

A really easy stop in central Kyoto for food, snacks and local ingredients.

Combine it with Kawaramachi and Pontocho.

ARASHIYAMA

Most people come for the Bamboo Grove, but there’s much more here.

Don’t miss:

• Bamboo Grove
• Tenryu-ji
• Togetsukyo Bridge
• Arashiyama streets
• optional Monkey Park
• Randen trams

KINKAKU-JI

Kyoto’s famous Golden Pavilion.

It’s not the easiest attraction to reach, so this is one of those times where a bus or taxi can save you a lot of mucking around.

PHILOSOPHER’S PATH + EASTERN KYOTO

A lovely slower day.

Combine the Philosopher’s Path with Nanzen-ji and other temples around eastern Kyoto.

SIGHTSEEING TRAINS WORTH RIDING

Japan does trains ridiculously well, and these are the ones we’d actually try to work into this trip.

KYO-TRAIN GARAKU

Osaka-Umeda → Kyoto-Kawaramachi

A beautifully designed Kyoto-themed train that costs the same as a normal Hankyu service.

There’s no additional sightseeing-train charge, and it currently runs on weekend and holiday timetables.

AONIYOSHI

Osaka-Namba → Nara → Kyoto

A gorgeous purple sightseeing train with reserved seating.

This is a brilliant one if you want to turn the journey between Osaka and Kyoto into part of the experience, with Nara in the middle.

SAGANO ROMANTIC TRAIN

Arashiyama → Kameoka

A short scenic ride through the Hozugawa River gorge.

It’s especially popular in cherry blossom and autumn seasons, so book ahead if this one is important to you.

HIEI

Demachiyanagi → Yase-Hieizanguchi

You’ll know this one when you see it — those huge oval windows make it look completely different to a normal commuter train.

It heads towards the Mount Hiei area and is a fun way to make the journey itself part of the day.

BEST DAY TRIPS FROM OSAKA + KYOTO

If you have a little longer, this is where you can start adding some really good extras.

You don’t need to keep changing hotels — just choose the ones that sound most like you.

NARA

One of the easiest day trips from either city and absolutely worth doing on a first trip.

Come for Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, Naramachi and Nara Park, then wander rather than trying to cram everything in.

Best from: Osaka or Kyoto
Travel time: Around 35–50 minutes depending on where you’re staying.

If the timetable works, take the AONIYOSHI sightseeing train and make the journey part of the experience.

KATSUO-JI TEMPLE

If you’ve seen photos of a temple covered in thousands of tiny red daruma dolls, this is it.

The grounds are beautiful, the daruma are everywhere and it feels completely different from central Osaka.

Best from: Osaka
Travel time: Around an hour depending on where you start.
Allow: Half a day.

IKOMA

This one is quirky, retro and completely different.

Start with the ridiculously cute Ikoma Cable Car, hop off halfway up for Hozan-ji Temple, then wander the little stone-paved mountain streets around it.

From there, jump back on the cable car and continue all the way to Ikoma Sanjo Amusement Park at the top.

The park sits high above the city with huge views across both Osaka and Nara.

Best from: Osaka
Travel time: Around 20 minutes from Osaka-Namba to Ikoma, then continue up the mountain by cable car.
Allow: Half to full day.

Check the amusement park’s operating calendar before you go.

UJI

If you love matcha, this is an easy yes.

Visit Byodo-in, wander beside the Uji River, then eat your way through the tea shops and matcha cafés.

Best from: Kyoto
Travel time: Around 20–30 minutes.
Allow: Half a day.

MOUNT HIEI

A brilliant option if you want a break from busy central Kyoto.

Head into the mountains for Enryaku-ji, forest, huge views and the HIEI sightseeing train on the way.

Best from: Kyoto
Allow: Most of a day.

Just check current mountain transport before you go because the cable car and ropeway don’t operate year-round.

KYOTO BY THE SEA

This is the Kyoto most first-time visitors don’t realise exists.

Head north to Amanohashidate for the famous sandbar views, then continue to Ine, where traditional funaya boathouses line the water.

It feels like a completely different side of Kyoto.

Best from: Kyoto
Travel time: Around two hours to Amanohashidate from Kyoto, then allow extra time to continue to Ine.
Allow: A full day — or stay one night if you have the time.

OUR RECOMMENDED 7-DAY ITINERARY

DAYS 1-3: OSAKA

DAY 1

Arrive
Namba
Dotonbori
Hozenji Yokocho

DAY 2

Osaka Castle
Kuromon Market
Shinsekai
Umeda around sunset

DAY 3

More Osaka or Universal Studios Japan

DAY 4: OSAKA → NARA → KYOTO

If the timetable works, this is where we’d use the AONIYOSHI sightseeing train.

Travel from Osaka to Nara, spend the day exploring, then continue to Kyoto.

You’ve moved hotels and seen another city without wasting a day.

That is our kind of travel planning.

DAYS 5-7: KYOTO

DAY 5

Fushimi Inari early
Higashiyama
Kiyomizu-dera
Gion

DAY 6

Arashiyama
Sagano Romantic Train if it fits
Nishiki Market
Pontocho

DAY 7

Choose one:

• Uji
• Mount Hiei
• another Kyoto neighbourhood
• or simply slow down and enjoy Kyoto properly

ONE LAST TIP

Don’t overcomplicate this trip.

You don’t need to change hotels every second night and you definitely don’t need to spend your entire holiday hauling suitcases on and off trains.

Pick Osaka.

Pick Kyoto.

Use them as your two bases.

Then add the day trips that genuinely excite you.

And whenever Japan gives you the option of taking a boring train or a ridiculously beautiful sightseeing train for a journey you already need to make…

you already know which one we’re choosing.