Complete Kansai

📍 Kansai International Airport (KIX) to Central Kyoto: 2 h

Upon arrival at Kansai International Airport, our representatives will be waiting to provide assistance with transport (via shared shuttle) to the hotel in Kyoto.

The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Optional Evening Tour: A Taste of Gion Food Tour

Kyoto’s Gion district is often cited as many a visitor’s favourite part of the city. The historic cobblestone streets are lined with traditional, narrow wooden buildings known as machiya, teahouses known as ochaya, and traditional shops selling local specialities.  

The first stop is a lively standing bar, where guests can enjoy a drink and delicious local bar food as a prelude to the rest of the tour. After this, take a leisurely stroll around Gion. As most geisha start to entertain at 18:00, the chance of seeing elegantly attired geisha darting along the winding streets to their engagements is quite high.

Then, head to a cozy restaurant owned by a charming and amiable woman from Kyoto who prepares each meal herself. Enjoy an entertaining conversation with her, while sampling each dish, which is prepared with the utmost care and attention, using the finest seasonal ingredients.

The final stop of the tour is a sake bar with a location so clandestine even locals struggle to find it. Partake in different varieties of sake, chosen to complement the selection of nibbles.

After this delightful evening well spent, either return to the accommodation or continue to explore the city independently. 

Time:

Start: 17:00

Duration: approx. 3 h

Overnight in Kyoto

Inclusions:

📍 JR Kyoto Station to JR Uji Station: 28 min JR Uji Station to JR Horyuji Station: 52 min JR Horyuji Station to JR Kyoto Station: 64 min Time: Start (guided tour): 09:00 Duration: 8 h *including pick-up/drop-off and transfer times

This morning, meet the local guide at the hotel and make the trip to Uji and to Ikaruga in Nara.

The first stop is Uji, the tea capital of Japan. Visit the World Heritage-listed Byodo-in Temple, which is one of the most impressive Jodo sect temples in the country. The temple used to have many sub-temples and halls, but during the war many of these buildings were destroyed. What is left now is the Phoenix Hall, which is pictured on the back of the 10-yen coin.

Continue to Taiho-an, an ochaya (teahouse) located near the temple. Witness a Japanese tea ceremony and enjoy the authentic taste of Uji’s matcha (green tea). (Note: There might be long queues in the teahouse, especially during peak seasons).

At noon, take the train to Ikaruga in Nara. During the 8th century, Nara was Japan’s capital for 74 years, and most of the temples and shrines back then still exist today.

Visit Horyu-ji Temple, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site and one of Nara’s Seven Great Temples. What’s incredible about this temple is that it houses some of the world’s oldest surviving wooden structures – the main hall and the five-story pagoda, which are both located in the western wing of the temple.

After the tour, the guide will provide an escort back to the hotel.

Overnight in Kyoto

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast

📍 Distance and journey time (approximation): Kyoto Station to Kinosaki Onsen station: 2.5 h

Today is a self-guided day.

This morning, enjoy free time in Kyoto until the scheduled departure to Kinosaki Onsen. Upon arrival, discover this quintessential Japanese onsen (hot spring bath) town on the coast of the Sea of Japan that has preserved a charming mid-20th century atmosphere.

Suggested Self-Guide Itinerary:

After check-in at hotel, change to yukata (Japanese robes) and geta (wooden sandals) and stroll around town along the willow tree-lined canal, visiting some of the historic seven hot spring bath houses in town (onsen entry pass included in stay).

The circuit of the seven onsen is called Sotoyu Meguri Tour and is a dip in at least a few of these baths is a tradition amongst visitors to Kinosaki.

The hot spring baths usually open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 10:30 p.m. (please inquire at the reception about closing days). 

Overnight in Kinosaki Onsen
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

Today is a self-guided day.

Spend the day soaking up the steam and scenery of Kinosaki Onsen’s famous bath culture. Visit a few more of the town’s seven bath houses, relax in the hotel, or enjoy an exciting optional activity.

Optional Activity 1: Sustainable Storkwatching in Kinosaki
Today’s birding activity starts with a pickup by private car at the hotel at 9:00. A local bird guide will accompany guests on the tour to provide details of the fascinating story of the Oriental White Stork.

The first stop is Hachigoro Wetlands, a Ramsar Convention brackish marsh created from unused rice paddies at the edge of the Maruyama River. On most days, it’s easy to see storks in the wild here, as well as many other regional birds. Local stork volunteers will share their knowledge and lead guests on a short walk through the wetlands. With luck, seasonal nesting activity may be visible in the nest tower.

Proceed to the Oriental White Stork Museum to learn the full story of how these birds were reintroduced into Japan via a decades-long breeding program that placed special care on the conservation of local habitat and culture. The museum is highly informative and a nearby captivity area houses storks who are not quite ready to venture out into the wild. This is a perfect opportunity to see the birds up close.

See the organic rice fields that play a vital role in supporting the life cycle of storks. Pesticides are forbidden, and the paddy water is teaming with fish, frogs, and other life that the birds rely on for a healthy diet. This stork-friendly farming method produces high quality sustainable rice that will be served alongside regional organic vegetables in a delicious local lunch.

Say farewell to today’s new feathered friends and return to Kinosaki Onsen to part ways with the guide. (L) 

Time:
Start: 9:00 
Duration: 5 h

Optional Activity 2: Kinosaki Riverside Cycling Tour
Today’s cycling tour will begin at 09:00 or 13:00. Fall in love with breathtaking rural landscapes just a short pedal away from Kinosaki Onsen.

Along with a local guide, cycle through quaint rural homes and lush green rice paddies, along the stunning Maruyama River and the beautiful Japan Sea Coastline. Visit unique spots not many find without a bike, and enjoy some sightseeing locations featured in 8th century folktales.

Make a stop at Futakata Kamaboko, for some delicious Japanese fish cakes (kamaboko). This specialty shop makes kamaboko in every delicious way they can, ranging from shrimp, cheese, various vegetables, and many different kinds of fish caught from the nearby ocean. The guide will buy chikuwa-pan, a fish cake made from bread with cheese inside. 

Another fascinating stop along the tour will be the Tsuiyama Fishing Port, well known in the area for the fresh catches of fish and crab.

Cycle through the Toshima Wetlands for another quintessential view of the Japanese countryside and head back to Kinosaki Onsen.

Time:
Start: 09:00, 13:00
Duration: 3.5 h

Overnight in Kinosaki Onsen
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Distance and journey time (approximation): Kinosaki Onsen to Osaka : 3h

This morning, leave Kinosaki Onsen and dive into the colorful world of Osaka. Take the whole day to discover Japan’s 3rd largest city and its flamboyant inhabitants. Osaka is also famous for its amazing street food and unsurprisingly the city’s motto is kuidaore, which literally means “eat-till-you-drop”.

Suggested Self-Guide Itinerary:

Begin with a visit to Osaka Castle, one of the most celebrated sites in the city famous for its history and architectural design. In addition to the artifacts on display and the view of the city from its topmost floor, the surrounding greenery and moats make the castle one of the must-see places in the city.

Explore Umeda, a modern district near the main JR train station. Some of the notable buildings are HEP (Hankyu Entertainment Park), which features a ferris wheel and is perfect for some last-minute shopping, Kitashinchi District, showcasing some of the city’s culinary specialties, and the Umeda Sky Building, a pair of skyscrapers connected in mid-air, built in an unusual architectural form rarely seen anywhere in the world.

Today’s tour begins at 17:00 or 18:00 depending on whether it is shared or private. Osaka is an epicurean’s delight. Indeed, the motto that the city’s exuberant inhabitants live by is kuidaore – “to eat oneself bankrupt.”  

The first stop will be to try a new style of tempura in an eatery tucked away in a small alleyway. Old favourites such as shrimp tempura, and more experimental combinations such as asparagus tempura and cheese can be found on the menu.

Next, head to a restaurant specialising in wagyu beef dishes. Often referred to as the most expensive beef in the world, wagyu beef is of a superb quality, and is on many a gourmet’s wish list. Enjoy the melt-in-the-mouth textures with a refreshing cocktail.

After walking around the atmospheric backstreets, the final stop will be a small teppanyaki restaurant to try some delicious gyoza and negiyaki cooked on a metal plate right in front of guests.
Bid farewell to the affable guide, and either return to the hotel or go for a stroll around the neighbourhood to take in the sights. 
 
Overnight in Osaka
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🍗 Dinner

📍 Namba Station to Kansai International Airport: 45 min

The rest of the day is free at leisure until the included transfer by train to Kansai International Airport.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast