Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Highlights of Western Honshu Urban Buzz, Hilltop Temples and Coastal Cool
Japan – Osaka – Mount Koya – Kyoto – Amanohashidate – Kinosaki Onsen – Kobe – Onomichi
Immerse yourself in western Honshu’s urban big leagues with stays in Osaka and Kyoto. Then, sample spiritual calm in Mount Koya and the forested spa town of Kinosaki Onsen. Elsewhere, coastal cool wins out in Amanohashidate, Kobe (yes, as in the beef) and Onomichi.
In true local fashion, ride the rails between each of your destinations – even hopping on a bullet train at one point. To keep the immersion coming, you’ll also duck into temples, rub shoulders with locals and sample traditional cuisine. Of course, there will be plenty of time to kick back, relax and soak up the scenery along the way too – you are on holiday after all.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Bags packed and out-of-offices set – western Honshu awaits. Head to the airport, whizz through security and hit up the lounge for some complimentary nibbles before take-off. Flights to Osaka connect through another Asian transit city and take just over 16 hours. So, there’s nothing left to do but kick back and... relax.
You’ll land in Japan the following morning, ready to meet your private driver and transfer to your centrally located hotel. Check in for two nights, freshen up and hit the streets this afternoon for your first taste (sorry) of Osaka on a private food tour.
Accompanied by a friendly local, set your sights on the buzzing Shinsekai neighbourhood. Visit four food stores, each with their own distinct character, to kick off your adventure with full bellies and high spirits.
Wake up bright and early this morning to tuck into a tasty breakfast before venturing into the streets of Osaka. Japan’s second city is brimming with things to see and do, so prepare to let curiosity lead the way.
Start with a visit to Osaka Castle, a 16th-century fortress boasting beautiful gardens and panoramic views of the city. Then, duck inside to spend some time exploring the Osaka Aquarium, Namba Parks shopping complex and Umeda Sky Building, famous for its ‘floating garden.’
Following some downtime this afternoon, step back out to visit the canal-side Donbori district, where neon lights and bustling street food stalls provide the perfect atmosphere for your last night in Osaka (for now... ).
Say goodbye to the bright lights of Osaka this morning as you check out and hop on a train to Mount Koya, 50 miles south of Osaka. The journey takes an hour and a half, so keep your eyes on the windows as mountains and cedar forests roll by.
When you arrive, head to your next hotel to check in for an overnight stay. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the sacred spots dotted around the mountain. Home to hundreds of temples and monasteries, Mount Koya is often regarded as a religious sanctuary. So, lace up your walking shoes and delve in.
Once you’ve racked up some stellar step counts, return to your hotel this evening for a mouth-watering meal. Then, sink into bed to rest up for the adventures of tomorrow.
Swap mountain calm for buzzing streets today as you make your way to Kyoto. The journey involves another scenic train ride, giving you just under three hours to chill out to some tunes – check out our destination-specific playlist if you’re in need of inspiration.
You’ll arrive in Kyoto this afternoon, ready to head to your hotel and check in for the next three nights. Having taken some time to unpack and settle in, hit the streets this evening in search of dinner. Food comas pending...
Leap out of bed this morning to make the most of your first full day in Kyoto. After tucking into a tasty breakfast, meet up with a local guide for a private tour of the city.
Home to a whopping 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, Kyoto is one of the most culturally rich cities in Asia. Some of the big hitters you’ll see today include Nijo Castle, the Kiyomizu-dera temple and Gion, the city’s geisha district.
Having spent the morning strolling the streets, head to Cameillia Garden Tea House this afternoon for – you guessed it – tea. The Chanoyu tea ceremony harks back to the traditions of ancient Buddhist monks, who created it for calm and meditation.
Zen and zonked, reach out to our trusty Concierge this evening to nab yourselves a table at one of the city’s best restaurants. It’s time to dig in.
Pry yourselves away from your bed this morning to step into the hubbub of Kyoto for another captivating day in the city. You’re free to explore whatever takes your fancy today, so hit the ground running with some handy recommendations from our Concierge.
To see some more photogenic temples, set your sights on Kinaku-ji, Ginkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Fushimiri Inari and Sanjusangendo. Afterwards, enjoy a glimpse of traditional Japanese Buddhism in the temples of Nishi Hongan-ji and Higashi Hogan-ji.
Elsewhere, keen hikers can travel along the bamboo forest trails in Arashiyama, while those in search of souvenirs can head to the Higashiyama District. Here, you’ll find a series of narrow streets lined with quirky stalls. Let the retail therapy commence.
Indulge in one last breakfast in the busy streets of Kyoto today before grabbing your bags and checking out – it's time to hit the coast. Ride the rails once more to reach Miyazu Bay, two hours away.
After pulling into the station, slip away to your next hotel to check in for a two-night stay and indulge in some post-train-journey stretching. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to spend scoping out your new digs.
For dinner tonight, be sure to seek out a seafood-centric meal. Our local Concierge will be on hand to point you in the right (by which we mean most delicious) direction.
Rise and shine to stunning views over the water this morning, Then, feast on a bountiful breakfast, pack your day bags and head out. Make sure to bring your cameras because the sights are bound to be photo-wall worthy.
Take a short bus ride to visit the nearby village of Ine today. About an hour away from Amanohashidate, this remote coastal community is full of traditional fishermen’s houses known as funaya, which serve as both docks and family homes.
Having rubbed shoulders with the locals – and sampled some succulent seafood – return to your hotel to unwind before turning your thoughts towards dinner this evening.
Amp up the R&R today by checking out and hopping on another train to Kinosaki Onsen (with a transfer in Toyooka). The whole journey takes around two and a half hours, meaning plenty of window watching and mid-trip reminiscing.
Arrive in Kinosaki Onsen this afternoon, where you’ll check in for a one-night stay. After a lovely lunch, plunge into the relaxing atmosphere of this scenic spa town with an afternoon stroll.
There are not one, not two, but seven onsen baths here, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to pause for a dip between your wanderings. To fully immerse yourself in the experience, you could even don a yukata (a light kimono).
Then, round out your day with a locally brewed craft beer and a hearty meal. It doesn’t come much better than this.
It’s back on the tracks this morning as you catch a two-and-a-half-hour train to Kobe, known for its marbled (and eye-wateringly pricey) beef. Let’s crack open those holiday reads and kick back.
When you arrive, check into your hotel in the city centre for two nights. Then, take a beat to start settling into your new surroundings. This calls for a welcome drink and a hearty lunch.
Over the next few days, you’ll be free to delve into the cultural curiosities of Kobe. Delightfully compact, the city is ideal for walking. Hit up the Sannomiya and Shin-Kobe neighbourhoods, as well as Kobe-Sannomiya Station while you’re here.
There are also some museums worth visiting, including the Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum and the DRI – or, deep breath, the Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution. And, of course, don’t forget to splurge on some of that iconic beef before you leave.
After breakfast, bid Kobe a fond farewell as you check out, grab your bags and head to the station to journey to Onomichi, another hillside charmer that’s two-and-a-half hours away. You’ll have these train journeys down to an art by now, so hop on and enjoy.
Arrive in the early afternoon, ready to check in for two nights, grab lunch and venture out for an exploratory stroll. Onomichi overlooks the Seto Inland Sea and connects to a bunch of small islands via bridges, making it a delight to discover on foot.
Be sure to embark on the one-and-a-half-mile-long Temple Walk while you’re here, which weaves through 25 temples and a ‘literature path’, where rocks are inscribed with poems. The Onomichi City Museum of Art is also worth nipping into. And for the best view in the city, head to Senkoji Park. Cameras at the ready...
Another day, another scenic train journey. Tuck into a tasty breakfast this morning before heading to the station to ride the rails back to Osaka, via Fukuyama. This time, you’ll take a bullet train – prepare to tick off a bucket list experience.
Pull into Osaka an hour and a half later and head straight to your hotel to check in for a one-night stay. Then start drawing up a plan for your last afternoon in the city (and the country, for that matter).
If there was something you didn’t manage to see the first time around, now’s your chance. Our local Concierge can also give plenty of recommendations if you’re in need of inspiration. Of course, you could also simply indulge in some downtime – whatever takes your fancy.
No matter how you round out your time in Japan, top it all off with a delicious meal and a toast to a trip well spent. Kanpai (cheers)!
Like all great adventures, your highlights of western Honshu holiday sadly comes to an end today. Luxuriate in one last leisurely breakfast (you are on holiday, after all), before packing your things and hopping in a private transfer to the airport.
Your flight home connects through another Asian transit city and takes a total of 18 hours. This means plenty of time to kick back, relax, scroll through your photos and start dreaming up your next far-flung escape.
Suggestions
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
SWAP TRAINS FOR A SELF-DRIVE ADVENTURE
If you’d prefer to hop behind the wheel and make your own way between each destination, this trip also works as a self-drive adventure. After all, western Honshu is ripe for road trip fun.PRIVATE COOKING CLASSS IN KYOTO
To (literally) sink your teeth into Kyoto’s culinary culture, embark on this private cooking class led by an expert local. Here, you’ll learn about washoku, the UNESCO-listed dietary culture of Japan. Visit a traditional arts centre to try your hand at the basics before enjoying a well-earned tasting.A NIGHT IN THE FISHERMEN’S HOUSES OF INE
Tag an extra day onto your trip by spending the night in one of the fishermen’s houses in the village of Ine, near Amanohashidate. These traditional buildings (called funaya) are lined up along the bay, offering stellar views, cosy comforts and an immersion in local history. What more could you ask for?WITH A FEW EXTRA DAYS... VISIT NARA
For a green escape after Kyoto, catch a 40-minute train to Nara, an ancient city home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites. A few days here means strolling through tree-lined streets, admiring ancestral houses and exploring Nara Park, famed for its doe-eyed does. Besides the deer, this 1,500-acre park also boasts plenty of pagodas and monasteries – talk about scenic.
Why visit Japan with Original Travel ?
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
Enquire nowA few of the benefits of travelling with us to Japan
- Our local Concierges
- The Original Travel app
- Wi-Fi router and e-Sim
- Destination Dossier
- 24-hour helpline
- Expert guides
- 100% carbon absorption
