City break - Osaka tour

This city break tour takes you to Osaka, the food capital of the land of the rising sun.

Capital of the Kansai region, it offers quick access to Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Mount Koya...

Take advantage of transport passes, an included culinary tour, Universal Studio Japan entry tickets and many optional activities, such as admission to the world-famous aquarium.


1 week itinerary in Osaka (8 days) 

  • Departure city/Airport : Osaka (Kansai International Airport : KIX)
  • Osaka (7 nights)
  • Return city/Airport : Osaka (Kansai International Airport : KIX)

Please find below the itinerary details.

Tour length : 7 nights / 8 days (+ 1 day at the beginning if you leave from Europe)

PLEASE NOTE: The departure and end dates shown on this page only apply to your stay in Japan. You must therefore leave Europe the day before the first day of your tour. The date of your return flight and that of your return to Europe are identical due to the time difference.

Example : 

  • Departure from Europe : January 1st
  • Arrival in Tokyo (= the date to be selected in the calendar when booking) : January 2nd
  • Return flight from NRT or HND airport / Return to Europe : January 9th

Please note that flights are not included in the price of your tour.

This tour information was last updated on May 14, 2024.


Why this trip to Japan ?

  1. Welcomed at the airport by our team, you will be taken to your hotel in Osaka by shuttle bus
  2. Settle in the heart of Osaka  in your 3* hotel chosen for its comfort and location
  3. Take advantage of 6 days of transport to visit Osaka
  4. A culinary tour of the lively Dôtonbori district will await you at nightfall
  5. Enjoy unlimited internet access thanks to your pocket Wi-Fi
  6. If needed, contact our bilingual Japanese/English-speaking assistance team available 7/7
  7. Numerous discounts offered in tourist sites
  8. Benefit from the expertise of Japan Experience, European leading travel agency in Japan

Your trip in detail

  • Day 1 : Wake up in Osaka 大阪

    Arrival at Kansai airport (Kansai International Airport KIX).
    Welcome to Japan! Yokoso 日本へようこそ!

    Welcome through customs by our airport assistant, who will give you all your travel documents and your Pocket WiFi.
    Unaccompanied transfer from the airport to Osaka (see details).

    The transfer is done in a shared shuttle or bus, with other guests departing for the same hotel or a hotel close to yours. These transfers depart between 1.5 and 3 hours after your scheduled flight arrival, and stops may be made before your hotel.

    If you would like a private, non-stop transfer directly after the arrival of your flight, feel free to take the "Private Taxi from the Airport" option.

    Check-in at Hotel Intergate Osaka Umeda or same category hotel 3* (rooms available from 3:00pm).

  • Day 2 : First steps in the capital of Kansai

    We recommend that you start your visit to Osaka slowly, in the northern and eastern districts :

    - Osaka's medieval castle, with its park full of plum and cherry trees ;
    - The city centre and Nakanoshima Island, with its rose park surrounded by buildings ;
    - Utsubo Park, a cool oasis in the business district ;
    - Visit Umeda, the temple of Japanese shopping ;
    - Finish off with the Umeda Sky building at dusk for a 360° view of Kansai (including Kyoto on a clear day!).

    One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can also accompany you to visit the classic sights of Osaka (optional, from 9am to 5pm). 

  • Day 3 : Gastronomic introduction

    For your second day in Osaka, we recommend the following itinerary :

    - Osaka Kaiyûkan Aquarium, the world's largest aquarium in terms of volume ;
    - The Tennôji district and its Shitennô-ji Buddhist temple, one of the oldest in Japan ;
    - Spa World, Japan's largest thermal baths (onsen) ;
    - Shinseikai, with its retro charm ;
    - DenDen machi, the technologeek village ;
    - Finish off with Dôtonbori, the liveliest district in Japan.

    In the evening, join our guide for your Dôtonbori food tour and savor Osaka's specialties like takoyaki and okonomiyaki, among many others! 

  • Day 4 : Heading for the old capital

    For the third day, make your way to Kyoto. Though tourist crowds are a growing presence, this ancient city remains a must-see.

    Whisking you from Osaka to Kyoto in just 40 minutes – perfect for maximizing your one-day exploration of Kyoto's classic sights. We recommend the following itinerary:
    - Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) ;
    - The enchanting Philosopher's Path ;
    -  Kiyomizu-Dera, the impressive water temple ;
    -  The historical district of Gion and its narrow streets : Sannen-zaka & Ninnen-zaka.

    One of our many experienced English-speaking guides can accompany you on a tour of these iconic sites (available as an option, from 9am to 5pm).

    Finish your day with a stroll through the Gion district and enjoy the sunset. Return to Osaka in the evening. Trains depart frequently - every 10 minutes - until 11:30 pm, ensuring a comfortable return journey (approx. 45min).

  • Day 5 : Treasures and luxury

    Spend a day at Universal Studios Japan!

    Get ready for a day of blockbuster thrills included in your tour! Dive into the heart-pounding rides and exciting worlds of Universal Studios Japan, conveniently located near central Osaka. Explore immersive themed zones based on your favorite movies and experience exhilarating shows and attractions.

  • Day 6 : On the trail of the Samurai

    For your final day before departure, we recommend a captivating journey that combines historical wonder and vibrant nightlife.

    Immerse yourself in history with a visit to Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Revered as Japan's most perfectly preserved castle, its elegant white facade earns it the nickname "White Heron Castle" (approx. 1h30 by train from Osaka, included in your package). 

    In the afternoon, hop back on the train for a quick 15min ride to the heart of Kobe. This city offers a delightful contrast to the historical serenity of Himeji :
    - Explore the bustling downtown area, with its modern architecture and lively shopping districts.
    - Then, step back in time and wander through Nankin-machi, the largest Chinatown in Japan. 

    If you have more time and are interested in exploring further, consider these additional destinations: 
    - Guided day trip at Mount Koya, which boasts over 100 temples nestled amidst a serene forest (1h30min by train).
    - Take a refreshing hike to Minoh Falls, a cascading waterfall surrounded by lush greenery (30min by train).
    - Explore Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan and enjoy swimming, boating or cycling (1h by train).

    Return to Osaka in the evening.

  • Day 7 : Sayonara, and see you next time!

    Take a direct transfer to Kansai International Airport (included but not accompanied).

    Return flight to your home country.

    Don't hesitate to extend your trip by a few days, in Kansai or elsewhere... Get in touch and we would be happy to advise you!

    Included in your self-guided tour

  • Accommodation

    - 7 nights in a 3* hotel in the heart of the city, close to the metro.

    The basic rate includes a twin room for two people.

  • Transport

    - Return airport transfers <> Osaka (KIX)

    - Prepaid public transport card

    - Kansai Area Pass 4 days 

  • Experiences

    - Airport welcome

    - Night guided tour of Dôtonbori, Osaka

    - Universal Studio Japan entry tickets 

  • Additional services

    - Unlimited internet access with Pocket WiFi

    - Complete digital travel guide sent before your departure

    - Telephone assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in English and Japanese bilingual. The number will be given to you in your travel pack. This phone number is valid for telephone calls and also for WhatsApp.

  • Not included in the price of your trip

    - Flights Europe <> Japan

    - Optional insurance

    - Personal expenses, including meals (breakfasts can sometimes be added as an option at your hotel reception, see details). For other meals, you will find addresses selected by us in your travel pack.

    - Public transport once your transport cards have run out (see details)

    - Everything not mentioned in the section "Included in your tour".

More about your trip

Your tour :

  • The prices displayed on this page may vary according to the exchange rate of the Japanese ¥.
  • Unfortunately, this tour is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.
  • Children and babies accepted. From 3 to 11 years old a child rate is offered. In each accommodation, a standard adult bed will be offered to them, and a standard seat will be allocated to them in transport. From 0 to 2 years old inclusive, a "baby" rate is offered. This price corresponds to the allocation of a cot in the majority of the accommodation of the chosen circuit. However, we cannot guarantee a baby cot in each accommodation.
  • Pets are not allowed.
  • This programme is subject to change due to circumstances such as weather conditions or any other case of force majeure. Please note that due to the current circumstances, any information mentioned is subject to change or modification.
  • Your travel documents will be given to you as follows:
    • Travel diary by email 3 weeks before departure
    • Paper documents (airport transfer ticket, transportation card, Kansai Area Pass voucher) and Pocket WiFi upon arrival at the airport by our airport assistant.

Your accommodation :

  • Some hotels may ask you to pay a tourist tax on arrival. This depends on the city and even the hotel, as some do not include it in the booking price. Normally, it is 200¥/night/person (about £1.37/1.93$) but can be slightly higher in 4* hotels. It must be paid in cash at the hotel reception. For traditional Japan Experience accommodations, it is included in the initial tour price.
  • Room size: in Japan, a densely populated country where everything is compact, 3-star luxury hotels are of very good quality but the rooms are often quite narrow (12 to 20m2/129 sq ft to 215 sq ft) depending on the hotel. Please note the size of the single room, between 10 and 16m2 (107sq ft and 172 fq ft). For more comfort, you can choose our luxury 4* accommodation upgrade option. 
  • Double room: Rooms for two people in western hotels have 2 single beds (twin rooms) by default, which can usually be joined together. As an option, you can select a double room instead of a twin if you prefer a double bed.
  • Single room: People travelling alone and wishing to book a single room must pay a supplement at the time of booking. The single room supplement is compulsory for orders with an odd number of participants.
  • 3-person room: If there are 3, 5 or more of you and you do not select the single supplement, a triple room will be allocated to you.
  • In the case of a group order (> 5 people), it is possible, depending on hotel availability, that not all members of the group will be accommodated in the same hotel. Nevertheless, we aim to keep you close.
  • Names of the hotels : The names given on the site are for information only. In the event of unavailability, an establishment of equivalent standing will be scheduled. Hotels, corresponding to local standards, are given as an indication and may be changed on site for hotels of a similar category.

Your transport :

  • Flights are not included in this tour. Do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to include flights in your order: Flights in economy class with stopovers or direct flights, eco-premium or business air upgrades, provincial departures or abroad: we will be able to advise you.
  • The departure and end dates shown on this page are for your stay in Japan. You will arrive in Japan via Kansai International Airport KIX (not Itami ITM) and will also depart from KIX. You will have to leave Europe the day before and land at 6:00pm at the latest to make the most of the airport services of your tour (welcome and transfer to Osaka). The return flight is on the same day due to the time difference, with a departure time of 9am at the earliest. Please do not hesitate to consult us for any uncertainty or need for precision in the choice of international flights.
  • If the flights have been purchased by your care without the intervention of Japan Experience, it is necessary to send us by mail 1 month before your departure your flight information (flight number, airport, date and time of arrival) to allow us 'Organize your welcome and airport transfer.
  • Airport transfers: The shared shuttle bus leaves from the airport and stops either in front of your hotel or at a stop located between 1 and 15 min walk from your hotel. Our airport assistant in Kansai airport will drive you to the platform to take the airport transfer. Afterwards, this hotel transfer is unassisted. If you would like to be accompanied from the airport to your hotel reception please choose the option "Accompanied Airport Transfer".
  • Included in your tour is a pre-paid transport card with 1500¥ loaded in advance (about £10.30 / 14.54$) (Suica or Pasmo brand) and a 4-day Kansai Area Pass. These 2 cards should cover the vast majority of your journeys in this tour of Osaka and its region, Kansai. Please note that apart from the prepaid transport card, where the journey is charged to you, the other 2 cards are not usable on the JR network but rather on the private network (about 2/3 of the total network in Kansai). The 4-day Kansai Area Pass is valid for 4 consecutive or non-consecutive days. When the passes and the 1,500¥ prepaid transport card expire, you will have to pay for all your journeys by reloading your prepaid transport card (in the ticket machines at all stations and metro stations. A metro ticket in Osaka costs around  £1.71 / 2.42$, depending on the length of the journey).

Your activities 

  • Airport reception is in English. Your airport assistant will be waiting for you at the customs exit holding a sign with the name of the reservation. They will give you your travel documents and take you to your airport transfer. They will not accompany you to Kyoto (this is possible, but optional).
  • The guided tour of Dôtonbori lasts around 3 hours. Please note that the tour will be conducted in English. The walk will take you through the narrow streets of Kuromon market, where you will see a wide range of seafood, then you will walk through Namba and Dôtonbori, looking for the best gastronomic specialities, both on the main streets and in the hidden corners. More details on the meeting point in your travel pack. 

Your meals :

  • No meals are included in your package. Breakfasts which are not included in your package can be added at the reception when you arrive at the hotel. However, you will find many cafés near your hotel serving copious breakfasts, often tastier than those in the hotels, which sometimes have tight schedules and are predominantly savoury. However, if you would like to add breakfast to your offer when you make your reservation, you can select it as an option.

Your additional services:

  • A pocket wifi is included in your tour. It allows unlimited high-speed internet access. Your Pocket WiFi will be given to you at the airport of arrival.
  • It comes with a small booklet to operate your device (don't panic: simple operation) and a prepaid envelope to return your device at the end of your stay. Your pocket wifi will work naturally until the last day of your trip to Japan.
  • A maximum of 5 devices can be connected to a pocket wifi (phone, tablet, computer).
  • A single pocket wifi is provided for a circuit order of 1 to 5 people. For an order of 6 people or more, a second pocket wifi will be added automatically and at no extra cost to your reservation.

When you buy, Japan Experience offers you 2 types of protection:

Japan Experience Flex : 
Cancellation insurance before departure under conditions.

Japan Experience Protect :
Pre-departure cancellation insurance under conditions and on-site assistance under conditions. COVID protection included.

 

Frequently asked questions

Our commitments as Japan Experience, Europe No. 1 travel in Japan

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  • Assistance available in Japan throughout your trip
  • specialised team is available 7 days a week by phone or email
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City break - Osaka tour

From
$910 / pers - 8 days

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