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There are so many things to do in the Land of the Rising Sun. In our opinion, the ideal Japan visit MUST include a day trip or THREE out of the sprawling cities. Here are FOUR essential day trips out of Osaka that CANNOT be missed, Kurashiki, Kobe, Nara and Himeiji. The ONE MUST TRY hidden gem on this list is KURASHIKI which is a little further out in Okayama but absolutely WORTH IT. It is known for the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter which is lined with white-walled warehouses and classic architecture situated along a canal, with shops, eateries & galleries.
GETTING THERE
Tieing together all of these unique and amazing places is of course, the Japan rail system. We used the JR Kansai Wide pass (which includes as far as Okayama) which we booked through Klook and allows unlimited rides on special rapid services, rapid services, and local trains on JR West lines, including express trains for up to 5 days. To activate the JR Pass is a simple matter of utilising the redemption machines at JR Pass ticket offices – dont forget to bring your passport!
Kurashiki
Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter
倉敷美観地区
Central, Kurashiki, Okayama 〒710-0054, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/u7SzfuQfuQw9DvgZ7
Kurashiki Denim Street
倉敷デニムストリート
1 Chome−10−11, ﾋﾙﾄｯﾌﾟﾋﾞﾙ 1F, Kurashiki, Okayama 〒710-0046, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/V7UXKDcgNXFMkP97A
Cafe Miyake Shouten
三宅商店
3-11 Honmachi, Kurashiki, Okayama 〒710-0054, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/rTrtNgdu3j4i812p8
Curry with rice, handmade cakes & seasonal parfaits in a vintage building with a traditional feel.
Kobe
átoa
アトア
7-2 Shinkocho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 〒650-0041, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vpNdR7vGgijxenL18
Sanpomen
三豊麺
1 Chome−8−1 B1, Sannomiyacho, Chuo Ward, Kobe, Hyogo 〒650-0021, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/W9edJDF9CkZu4nQJ9
Nara
Nara Park
奈良公園
Kasugano-cho, Nara 〒630-8212, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jPtQjoLYFQimQdqbA
Rokumei Coffee
ロクメイコーヒー
31 Nishimikadocho, Nara 〒630-8225, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/SMhHMw3vbuHFrZ5g9
Daibutsu Ichigo
大仏いちご
4-1 Kamisanjocho, Nara 〒630-8228, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fmdp6ZDfirigtc749
Nagadaya Ramen
長田屋
5 Konishicho, Nara 〒630-8226, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XCqh6G4MDQ2Z1X1G6
Himeji
Himeji Castle
姫路城
68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 〒670-0012, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oq1tRqSgn2PaSZMN9
Kokoen Garden
好古園
68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 〒670-0012, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5mm4Whtj9dR23AzH9
Hamamoto Coffee
はまもとコーヒー
49 Nikaimachi, Himeji, Hyogo 〒670-0922, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/G4Ska23yTmC8X41y9
Mentetsu
姫路麺哲
18 Gofukumachi, Himeji, Hyogo 〒670-0923, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/XuFWuN4Pfupqm44p8
Crepe Betsubara
クレープは別腹
68 Honmachi, Himeji, Hyogo 〒670-0012, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qLhoXY7syroasmS9A
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Feeling blue because you need to see more of Japan? We have the solution for YOU. 4 must-do day trips out of Osaka that are guaranteed to leave sweet memories. Try local specialties. Experience the mysterious & wonderful. And meet some cute locals.
You’ll also get to see history IRL and step back into the last century to see the Japan of yesteryear. Japan’s train system is the only way to travel! We chose the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass. This pass gives unlimited travel over 5 days and is the only pass which includes Kurashiki.
Preselect the days that you travel. We recommend that you reserve your seats on the train. Kurashiki is located near Okayama, 183km south of Osaka. If you catch the Shinkansen, the travel time is only 45mins!
After arriving at Okayama, switch to the JR Sanyo line to Kurashiki station. It’s only a 15-min journey. After disembarking, it’s a 15-min stroll to the Kurashiki Bikan Historical quarter. Kurashiki is the hidden gem of day trips from Osaka.
It’s often overlooked by tourists, in favour of places like Nara. We think this is one day trip from Osaka you should NOT miss. This area is known for its historical architecture, craft shops, eateries & galleries.
What a beautiful place to saunter around, see the sights, have a bite and do some shopping! Kurashiki is also well known for its denim products. So much so that part of the area is referred to as Denim Street.
The range was so good, I couldn’t resist and bought a pair of jeans. This is my “first purchase of the day” expression. The jean products aren’t the only things that are blue. The food is all Smurf-blue as well. The ice cream had a mild blueberry taste. LIKE! 👍🏼
Dissection. Avert your eyes if you are squeamish. The bao was quite dry. Also, the blue didn’t add anything to the taste unfortunately! Next time we’ll try the Indigo beer. Honestly, so much to see here. Artisanal goods absolutely everywhere. Always love the Japanese prints and aesthetic.
The quality is high and unfortunately, so are the prices, tbh. These washi tape shops were quite common as well. Super cute. Time for more food. The restaurant also sold gorgeous washi tape! The other diners were mostly having the lunch sets… but we wanted something sweet. 😋
The cake board of the day. We chose the chocolate gateaux set, which comes with a coffee. The cake was slightly floury, but nice. Okayama prefecture is known for its summer fruit parfaits. We wanted to try one. The layers to this parfait were impressive AF.
In it was pistachio, strawberries, raspberry chocolate, mousse, green tea jelly and more. This video does not do it justice. This parfait has a memory apartment in my mind. I always think of it. SO GOOD! Back to Okayama station. The parfait whet our appetites for a bigger meal.
We chose hotplate omu rice at a Japanese Western diner at Okayama Station. Oh and beer and wine. Always a great combination. Kobe is a city on Osaka Bay, only 15 mins away by shinkansen! It is known for its signature marbled beef and scenic harbor setting.
This is átoa. A theatrical aquarium combining stage and digital art. átoa is not just about our fishy friends. There are many representatives of the animal kingdom. Some rather friendly. 😍 Even digital animals that you can chat with (in Japanese, if you can).
There were many rooms that have eye catching exhibits using light and sound to work with the animals to create works of art It’s definitely an immersive trip. átoa is a half day visit with many interactive exhibits. Make it to the top and you’ll be granted an audience with the A-listers.
Definitely more of a zoo than an aquarium. There is also an adjoining food court on the ground floor which has a wide variety of food. We opted to forage further afield and found ourselves a 15 min walk away at San Plaza Kobe.
There were many locals here with alot of stores and heaps of restaurants in the basement. We decided on Tsukemen, noodles dipped in a rich, creamy broth. Like a lot of tsukemen places in Japan, you can ask for noodle refills at no extra charge.
Nara is an essential day trip, just 40mins away from Osaka. Though it has a plethora of historical temples and palaces, it is known, through the power of social media, mostly for the free-roaming deer in Nara Park. This adorable troupe were braving the sun.
We think they were using a hyoshigi – where two pieces of hardwood, when clapped, make for that iconic sound. You can brisk walk 20 mins from the train station to Nara Park where the deer chill, though catching a bus is also an option.
Amazing to see the deer everywhere. You can buy crackers from the vendors to feed the deer. Make sure you have your manners intact when you meet these gentle creatures, though. Etiquette is to nod first and then feed the deer after they nod back to you.
Sometimes the deer can horde, so be wary! Also, keep all your belongings in your bag as the deer may try to inspect your pockets! Coffee and croissant time. Minimalist vibes… aside from the mucky pups who didn’t return their plates. Croissant with honey always hits the sweet spot.
These are Daifuku – a mochi or rice cake stuffed usually with anko (a sweetened red bean paste). In Nara’s local version, a strawberry has been shunted in as well, making for a flavour explosion. We could not walk past without trying, and we didn’t regret.
Check out the deer-shaped biscuit on the side! In search of a proper lunch. We found our way into a quiet arcade off the main shotengai (shopping street). This chicken ramen restaurant was nourishing times ten. Definitely 5 stars.
The broth was rich but not too viscous as to be cloying. Loved it. 👍🏼 For our last day trip, we visit the castle town of Himeji, in the Hyogo prefecture. The trip from Osaka only takes 45 mins via shinkansen.
It’s a pleasant 20-min walk from the station to the castle, with lots of food and shopping on the way. Himeji is famous for having one of Japan’s best castles.
Built in the early 17th century, Himeji Castle was the first in Japan to be registered as a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site in 1993. The castle grounds are splendid and situated next to two museums, a zoo and the Kokoen Garden.
There are no reservations, so it is easiest to buy your tickets at the Castle front gate by ticket machine. Once you enter the Castle grounds, the only way is up. 👆🏼 And up… and up… It’s a visit which definitely requires a bit of fitness and stability.
I don’t think my parents or in-laws could do this! Alot of steep stairs in the castle as well, so be prepared to climb barefoot! Officials will give you a plastic bag to carry your shoes in. I enjoyed the castle architecture, including the defenses.
The view from the top is very cool. If you’re a history buff, I recommend a visit. The route back out of the castle takes you through some exhibits about feudal Japan. We had heaps of time, so we decided to visit the neighbouring Kokoen Garden.
Again, purchase the tickets at the entrance. We thought the Castle grounds were splendid, but the Kokoen Garden was so beautiful, we were at a loss for words. Tummies were rumbling so we decided to fast track it to the nearest Shotengai.
This cafe follows the Nagoyan tradition of the “breakfast set”. A breakfast is served free with any beverage you order during breakfast hours. Before our castle trek, we got a thick toast with 2 types of preserves and a boiled egg as our breakfast set with our coffee.
We also ordered the local morning specialty: Himeji almond toast. Heavily buttered, there is an irresistibly sweet nutty aroma. Warm, toasty, crunchy & sweet. Creamy almond butter slathered on thick, fluffy toast, finished off with crunchy toasted almond flakes. Scrumptious! For lunch after the Castle and Garden visit, we had tsukemen.
Just a couple of choices on the menu, but boy were they good! Top notch meat and flavourful dipping noodles is my idea of a great day trip.
The soup version had a springy texture, superb broth and the characteristic Japanese care that makes the heart long for the next visit to Japan. And of course, the way to the heart is through the stomach. But what is a day trip without a dessert to top things off?
It’s easy to say how good this crepe was. But this chocolate crepe was SO GOOD. Thank you Himeji, for these toppings on some sweet memories.
1 Comment
Wow this is awesome!!!