5 great day trip destinations from Osaka using the Kansai Wide Area Pass!

Published on : 18/02/2025
by : Joshua

Using the eclectic city of Osaka as a base point, the Kansai Wide Area Pass offers access to some of the Kansai Region's best daytrip destinations, such as Wakayama, Himeji, and Uji!

Kansai is arguably the most well-known region in all of Japan, often coming to mind for many even before the Kanto Region, where Tokyo is located. What makes Kansai such a venerable locale is the sheer diversity of destinations that comprise it, ranging from major cities to ancient capitals, nature-rich retreats, and gorgeous coastlines.

The most populated city within Kansai is that of Osaka, often cited as a must-visit destination for many travelers to Japan and the highly anticipated repeat host of the EXPO2025 World’s Fair. While the city itself is filled with exciting spots to check out, many who stay for an extended time in the city ought to take advantage of the amazing daytrip destinations that are easily accessible from here, and the Kansai Wide Area Pass is the best way to get around the greater Kansai region!

Indeed, the Kansai Wide Area Pass is one of the most popular and revered rail passes available for travelers to Japan, with access to a vast majority of JR’s public transportation network in the area, including the following:

Dotonbori in Osaka, Japan
@Pixabay/ djedj

The Sanyo Shinkansen (between Shin-Osaka Station<>Okayama Station)
JR Train Lines
JR Express Trains (reservations required)
The Kyoto Tango Railway
The Chizu Express
West JR Buses
The Wakayama Electric Railway

Using these trains, buses, and more, Kansai is ready to be explored by pass holders. Take a look at some of our favorite day trips to take from Osaka using the Kansai Wide Area Pass!

Check out these great day trip spots with the Kansai Wide Area Pass!

Enjoy the pristine beaches and warm baths of Shirahama, Wakayama

The name “Shirahama” translates directly to “white beach,” and it very much lives up to its name. Shirahama Beach, located in the city of the same name, is on the southern coast of Wakayama Prefecture, and its stunning white sands are a gorgeous sight, contrasting the pristine blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Spanning around 620 meters, Shirahama Beach is often cited as the most beautiful beach in all of Kansai! It’s only around a 20-minute bus ride from Shirahama Station!

Aside from the crisp and fresh waters off the coast, Shirahama is also known for its warm and rich onsen waters! Onsen, natural hot springs heated via volcanic activity, are a staple of Shirahama and great for relaxing, and in fact, Shirahama is listed as one of the three oldest established hot spring towns in all of Japan!

Shirahama, Nishimuro
©patrik671, pixabay

Shirahama Beach and 800 meters of white sand
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Visitors can experience what is called a “yumeguri,” in which different onsens and foot baths can be toured around the day, and many ryokans and hotels allow for daytrip visitors as well!

Shirahama Station is located around 2.5 hours away from Osaka, and using the Kansai Wide Area Pass, it can be accessed via the Kuroshio Limited Express Train departing from Osaka Station. While this train is included with the Kansai Wide Area Pass, it does require a reservation prior to boarding, but this is complimentary for pass holders!

Visit Himeji and Kobe to see the best that Hyogo Prefecture has to offer!

Two names visitors to Kansai will undoubtedly hear and be familiar with are Himeji and Kobe, both of which are located in Hyogo Prefecture that neighbors Osaka! Reaching these two destinations is super easy with the Kansai Wide Area Pass, as both are major stops on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line that is included.

Start the day by going out to Himeji, only around 30 minutes away from Shin-Osaka Station via Shinkansen bullet train. Himeji is home to the eponymous Himeji Castle, venerably located on a hilltop overlooking the greater area. Himeji Castle is said to be the best example of a protoypical Japanese castle that still survives today. The surrounding castle grounds are also a treat, with gorgeous foliage and trees. The castle is around 10 minutes away from Himeji Station and only about a 20-minute walk!

Going to Kobe from Himeji brings you back in the direction towards Osaka, making it a great second stop for a daytrip. Kobe is an elegant boutique city that is great for walking around and exploring. Its Chinatown is said to be one of the best in all of Japan, with shops specializing in fantastic dumplings and other delicacies.

Port of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture
@f11photo

Kobe Beef, the famous wagyu beef from Hyogo
@Nopadol Uengbunchoo

Fashion lovers ought to definitely visit the Kobe Fashion Museum that features historic apparel from many different cultures as well as archived designer pieces from the likes of Martin Margiela and Alexander McQueen. Into the evening, Kobe makes for a great spot to have a quality dinner featuring the city’s signature wagyu beef, internationally known as Kobe Beef!

Explore the traditional sights of Okayama Prefecture!

The same Sanyo Shinkansen can also take visitors to Okayama City! Okayama is a prefecture filled to the brim with great areas to explore, from the central capital city to smaller, more unique attractions nearby! Within Okayama City itself, two of Japan’s most beloved cultural treasures can be found: Okayama Castle and Kourakuen Garden! Okayama Castle, much like Himeji Castle, is located atop a tall hill overlooking the city. It’s notable for its bold, black coloration that adds to its impressive architecture. Kourakuen Garden is one of Japan’s three most revered gardens, alongside Kenrokuen in Ishikawa and Kairakuen in Ibaraki.

Around 40 minutes by local JR train from Okayama Station is Kurashiki, home to one of the most charming locales in all of Kansai.

Okayama Castle, Okayama City, Japan
@Wikimedia

Canal boat ride in Kurashiki Bikan Historic District, Okayama
@Wikimedia

Momotaro Jeans from Okayama, Japan
@flickr/ Chun Yip So

The Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is built around canals and served as a historic warehouse district. It is filled with culture-rich sites and art museums, and a boat ride through the canals is a cannot-miss experience! The trains out to here from Okayama Station are also rideable with the Kansai Wide Area Pass!

Also easily accessible from Okayama Station is the town of Kojima, a very unique destination in southern Okayama. This area has a rich history in indigo dyeing, which lives on into the modern day via world-renowned Okayama-made denim products. Kojima embraces this identity through their “Jean Street,” with flagship stores for major producers like Momotaro and Big John as well as vintage shops. The street is adorned with indigo products and there is even an indigo soft serve ice cream at the shop RIVETS

See the origins of Japanese green tea in Uji, Kyoto

There are few delicacies as synonymous with the Japanese archipelago as matcha green tea, and the most central location for such is Uji in Kyoto. Kyoto, more than just the central ancient city, is a greater prefecture with gorgeous panoramas and culture-rich locales.

Some of the highest quality matcha is cultivated in Uji and the nearby Wazuka, and here, the same world-class tea can be drunk around the town. In fact, the oldest tea house in Japan and the oldest still-standing tea house in the world, Tsuen, calls Uji home, operating since the year 1160 AD. Their tea is renowned for its use in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies.

Cutting through the town of Uji is the Uji River, which divides the town in two. Along the riverbanks, many tea houses and restaurants go up and down with gorgeous views to be seen as you drink and eat. On the river itself, during the warmer months, small boat cruises can be had, great for taking in the traditional, nature-rich surroundings. Reflective of this old-world environment, Byodo-in, a historic temple dating back to the Heian Period, calls Uji home! In true Uji fashion, there is a tea salon located within it to try the local delicacy.

Byodo-in in Uji, Kyoto
@Pixabay/ PublicDomainPictures

Uji is a town just outside of the main city of Kyoto, so to get there, a simple ride on the Sanyo Shinkansen out to Kyoto Station and then a ride on the local JR Nara Line can all be done with the Kansai Wide Area Pass! All the way to Uji from Shin-Osaka Station takes around only 1 hour!

Visit the largest freshwater lake in all of Japan, Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture!

The largest lake in all of Japan is Lake Biwa. It is located within Shiga Prefecture and actually takes up 1/6th of Shiga’s entire geography! Lake Biwa is reminiscent of a sea more than a lake at times, and it is a bastion for great water activities, beautiful views, and more! The lakeshore is most easily accessible from Otsu Station. From Shin-Osaka Station, use the Kansai Wide Area Pass and go to Kyoto Station. From Kyoto Station, the Tokaido-Sanyo Line can be taken to Otsu Station, and from Otsu Station, a bus only takes around 10 minutes to Lake Biwa. The largest lake in all of Japan is Lake Biwa. It is located within Shiga Prefecture and actually takes up 1/6th of Shiga’s entire geography!

Lake Biwa is reminiscent of a sea more than a lake at times, and it is a bastion for great water activities, beautiful views, and more! The lakeshore is most easily accessible from Otsu Station. From Shin-Osaka Station, use the Kansai Wide Area Pass and go to Kyoto Station. From Kyoto Station, the Tokaido-Sanyo Line can be taken to Otsu Station, and from Otsu Station, a bus only takes around 10 minutes to Lake Biwa.

Out on the water, kayaks and paddle boats can be rented, and, of course, swimming near the shores is a staple of the warmer months! The greater Lake Biwa area is blessed with gorgeous nature and wildlife. A hike around the lake is a great way to take it all in; however, the Biwa Lake Museum offers a great, condensed look at it all. There is even a tunnel aquarium that allows for an up-close look at the underwater life of the lake.