Early starts, quiet gardens and where to be at opening time.
3 nights from Osaka to Osaka
Before you fly, five things matter most: check your passport and visa, book your stays and tickets, buy an eSIM and travel insurance, and decide on a rail pass. Open the list for every step, with links.
1 nightsOsaka · Tenma and TemmabashiPrice level ¥Find stays
About Tenma and Temmabashi Stays link to partner sites. See the note under Find stays.
A local area with the longest covered shopping street and many small izakaya.
When to stay here. Stay here for a trip about food and local life.
Stay here if: You want to eat and drink like a local. You want low prices near the centre.
Skip it if: You want fast access to big sights.
Day 1: steps for your landing time
Midday, 11:00 to 16:00
- Get an IC card. Get an IC card such as Suica or ICOCA at the airport, or add one to your phone. It pays for trains and many shops. First-day guide
- Get online. Pick up your SIM or switch on your eSIM before you leave the airport, so you have maps at once. First-day guide
- Send big bags ahead. If you have a big bag, send it from the airport to your hotel with luggage forwarding, and travel light. First-day guide
- Go to your hotel. Keep the hotel address in Japanese on your phone. If you arrive before check-in, ask if the hotel can hold your bags. First-day guide
- Drugstore run. Buy small things for the first days: wet wipes, bandages, snacks and anything that you forgot. What to buy
- A light meal or an easy walk. Keep the first day easy. Eat close to the hotel and walk around your area.
EveningHozenji Yokocho lane
Why it fits you. You like temples. A stone lane with a moss-covered statue that people splash with water. A calm corner next to the noise.
Other options
1 nightsKyoto · Kita: Kinkaku-ji and KitanoPrice level ¥Find stays
About Kita: Kinkaku-ji and Kitano Stays link to partner sites. See the note under Find stays.
A quiet north side with the Golden Pavilion, small shops and local food.
When to stay here. Stay here for a long trip, or when you want low prices.
Stay here if: You want a local, quiet area with low prices. You like to take buses.
Skip it if: You want rail links at your door.
Moving to Kyoto today? You can send big bags ahead. Luggage forwarding guide
EveningEvening temple light-up
Why it fits you. You like temples. In some seasons temples open at night with lights on the trees. Check the dates.
Other options
1 nightsOsaka · Tenma and TemmabashiPrice level ¥Find stays
About Tenma and Temmabashi Stays link to partner sites. See the note under Find stays.
A local area with the longest covered shopping street and many small izakaya.
When to stay here. Stay here for a trip about food and local life.
Stay here if: You want to eat and drink like a local. You want low prices near the centre.
Skip it if: You want fast access to big sights.
Moving to Osaka today? You can send big bags ahead. Luggage forwarding guide
EveningOkawa river walk
Why it fits you. A river path between two bridges with evening lights.
Other options
MorningOsaka Tenmangu shrine
Why it fits you. You like temples. A shrine for study and luck, with a big festival in summer.
Other options
What this trip costs, in levels. Stay price levels for your budget: ¥. These levels are relative (one yen sign is low, three is high). Live prices come from the partner sites.