Skip the usual touristy cities and check out these lesser-known day trips from Osaka instead!
When it comes to day trips from Osaka, cities like Kyoto or Nara usually come to mind. But since I’ve already explored both cities, it got me thinking about where else to go.
After digging a little deeper and venturing to new places myself, I found many more interesting cities that aren’t as touristy featuring hidden temples and anime theme parks.
So if you’re out of options like me, here are seven day trips from Osaka for your next holiday to Japan — all just under a 2.5-hour train ride away 🚄
Read also: 5 Underrated Day Trips Under 2hrs from Tokyo
1) Okayama — 1hr
An hour away by train from Osaka, Okayama is most famous for the Okayama Castle or Crow Castle — named after its all-black exterior. It was once destroyed during World War II and then reconstructed in 1966.
In 2023, it underwent renovations and now has new exhibits and multimedia projections showcasing its history across six levels!
From the castle, cross the bridge to Korakuen Garden. Built more than 300 years ago by the daimyo (feudal lord) during the Edo period, it was named one of Japan’s three best landscape gardens along with Kanazawa’s Kenrokuen and Mito’s Kairakuen due to its impressive design!
The garden is pretty big — featuring koi ponds, wooden bridges and tea houses, so you’ll need at least an hour to stroll leisurely here.
The Kibitsu Shrine is around 600 years old!
Kibitsu Shrine is another must-visit attraction in Okayama. According to locals, the shrine tells a different story of Momotaro (or Peach Boy), where the ogre he slayed wasn’t actually evil 👀. The most famous aspect of the shrine though, is this 400m-long corridor which is great for photos:
*Pro-tip: Get the Have Fun in Okayama Pass via Klook, where you can choose three items from a list of attractions and experiences in the city. Options include entry to Yumeji Art Museum, Okayama Castle (plus a free sundae), a ¥1,000 coupon to Cafe Lumiere at Hotel Granvia Okayama, and more.
As for local specialities, we recommend Chiya Beef — we tried some at Megu Shabu Shabu and ate the thinly sliced cuts sukiyaki-style. FYI, it was more tender than Kobe beef!
Another is kakurezushi at Kibizen Restaurant — it’s sushi on one side, and shredded omelette with rice on the other. Super innovative 🤤
2) Nagoya — 1hr
Photo credit: Visit Nagoya via Facebook
Nagoya is the fourth largest city in Japan, following Osaka in third place. And it has a really rich history — it’s home to Atsuta Shrine!
Established around 1,900 years ago, the shrine is famous for keeping the Kusanagi Sword, one of Japan’s three Imperial Regalia. While the sword isn’t on public display, you can still see other historical swords donated by worshippers at the temple museum within the grounds.
There’s also the Nagoya Castle, Japan’s first castle to be designated a National Treasure 🤯. Visit the Hommaru Palace inside, or explore the surrounding area during spring (Mar – Apr) with over 1,000 cherry trees in bloom.
Photo credit: リニア・鉄道館 via Facebook
Avid train lovers may also enjoy SCMAGLEV and Railway Park. From vintage steam locomotives to the modern shinkansens (bullet trains), you’ll be impressed with the life-sized displays of trains in Japan.
Photo credit: Ghibli Park
While Nagoya is one of the more popular day trips from Osaka, we suggest staying here for a day or two to explore its surrounding areas.
For instance, the new Ghibli Park (opened in 2022) is located in Nagakute, an hour by train from Nagoya 🤩. Get Spirited Away to recreations of Studio Ghibli’s iconic films like Princess Mononoke and my personal favourite, Howl’s Moving Castle.
*Pro-tip: Hop on a bus day tour via Klook from Nagoya to Ghibli Park. This covers round-trip transportation, entrance tickets, and lunch!
Redeem 5% OFF Klook activities for use later, up to 5x. Just enter code <THETRAVELINTERNKLOOK> at checkout. New users get 10% OFF their first booking. T&C’s apply!
Read also: Day Trips from Nagoya — Gateway to the Hidden Gems of Mie and Gifu Prefectures
3) Kurashiki — 1hr 30mins
Did you know that Kurashiki is sometimes referred to as “the Venice of Japan”? At the Bikan Historical Quarter area, you’ll see many storehouses lined along a canal stretch, filled with gondolas and surrounded by willow trees.
With plenty of beautiful photo-ops, you don’t need to take a longgg flight from Singapore to the actual Venetian city 😏
Besides admiring the scenery, check out some cool museums nearby too! One is the Ohara Museum of Art — Japan’s first museum of Western art. You’ll find sculptures and paintings by famous artists such as Picasso, El Greco and Pollock on display here.
But if you’re looking for something quirky, we highly recommend the Momotaro Karakuri Museum. There are a couple of interactive optical illusions to play with, based on the local tale of a boy born from a peach.
For animal lovers, don’t miss the Mameshiba cafe 🐕. With an entrance fee of ¥1,000 per pax, you’ll get 30 minutes with the kawaii (cute) shiba inus and a free drink.
*Note: Only walk-ins are allowed and there are limited slots per session.
4) Wakayama — 1hr 30mins
Photo credit: Wakayama Marina City
Trust us, Wakayama is one of the most underrated day trips from Osaka. Besides its delicious seafood and specialty ramen, it’s also home to a unique European theme park!
Start your day right at Kurioshio Market, where you can buy and eat fresh seafood like fish, lobsters and oysters. The highlight here is the tuna-cutting show (from 12:30PM daily), where a chef will skillfully slice and fillet a giant tuna right in front of you!
Photo credit: Wakayama Marina City
Then head to the nearby Porto Europa, which resembles towns in France, Italy and Spain. Entrance is free, but you’ll need to pay a separate fee for the rides such as a water coaster, a viking ship and a ferris wheel.
Photo credit: Wakayama Marina City
After a day of fun, take a nice relaxing soak at Kishu Kuroshio Onsen.
This hot spring attraction draws water from a 1,500m-deep seabed! There are various bath types here to choose from — an open-air bath, Daiyokujou (large bath) with a panoramic sea view of Wakaura Bay, a sauna and a bedrock bath.
Photo credit: @paskorn76 via Instagram
Before you head back to Osaka, get dinner at Ide Shoten.
This restaurant was once voted as having the best ramen in Japan back in 1998 and is still popular among locals today! Its specialty Wakayama ramen apparently has a distinct tonkotsu shoyu soup (pork bone and soy sauce broth), which compliments well with the thin noodles.
We haven’t had the honour of trying it yet, but let us know if it lived up to its reputation.
5) Hiroshima — 1hr 40mins
Yes, Hiroshima has a daunting past — it was once destroyed by an atomic bomb during World War II. But now, it stands as a symbol of world peace!
The most iconic landmark here would be the Atomic Bomb Dome, the only structure left standing during the attack on 6 August 1945. It’s been preserved since then, and designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Another site is the Peace Memorial Park, where a memorial service is held every year on 6 August to honour the people who died in the bombing.
We also learnt about the city’s history and road to recovery at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
Warning: Some images and relics are pretty upsetting but it’s still an important part of the city’s past.
Then, head up to the nearby Orizuru Tower (opened in 2016). It’s 50m-tall and offers a great view of the city from the top, including two World Heritage Sites — Atomic Bomb Dome and Miyajima Island.
On the 12th floor, fold origami orizuru (paper cranes) and drop them down the Orizuru Wall (a glass wall at the side of the building) — they say doing this makes your wishes come true.
Our favourite part of the tower though, was being able to slide down several floors to get to the bottom!
If you have more time, visit EDION Peace Wing Hiroshima. Completed in February 2024, it’s a soccer-only stadium in the city dedicated to the home team, Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Here, you can explore a mini museum and play interactive soccer-related games.
Read also: Hiroshima and San’in Guide — Going Beyond Tokyo/Osaka to Find Japan’s Best Hidden Gems
6) Takamatsu — 2hr 10mins
Located in Shikoku, Takamatsu is a city known for one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan — Ritsurin Garden. It was designated as a Japanese National Special Scenic Spot in 1953 and features six ponds, 13 landscaped hills, a traditional tea house and pine trees!
For a less-crowded attraction, head to Takamatsu Castle Tamamo Park. It’s a peaceful stroll through the park as it’s not as touristy as Ritsurin Garden. While the main castle building was demolished in 1884 due to its deterioration, visitors can still see other landmarks here.
The green Sayabashi Bridge links to the ruins of the main castle!
For instance, there are watch towers surrounding a moat, an observation deck overlooking the city, a Japanese rock garden (Naienoniwa Garden), and Sayabashi Bridge. While we were here, we even got to feed the sea breams in the water 🐟
If there’s one must-see on this day trip from Osaka, it’s Yashima Temple.
Around an hour’s journey from the city, the temple sits atop Mount Yashima and offers panoramic views of Takamatsu City and the Seto Inland Sea. Not to mention, it’s the 84th temple out of the Shikoku 88 pilgrimage (more on that later 😉)
Near the many viewpoints on the mountaintop, there are also shops selling kawara, or small clay discs. Throw these through tiny hoops off the mountain and you might just be lucky in love, wealth or even career-wise.
Before you leave Takamatsu City, you’d have to try their specialty — Chicken on a Bone. It’s one of the best chicken meats I’ve had, with super crispy skin yet tender meat.
7) Kanazawa — 2hr 15mins
Ever had ice cream covered in real gold 🍦? We have! While gold is apparently tasteless, the experience was priceless.
Kanazawa is well-known for producing 99% of Japan’s gold leaves — using them in jewellery, crafts and as mentioned, desserts. On our previous trip there, we tried the famed gold-leaf ice cream at a local shop along Kon-ya Zaka street!
Besides tasting gold, Kanazawa is also a great place to experience Edo-period Japan. Transport back in time at Kenrokuen Garden, featuring traditional landscaping, tea houses and beautiful streams.
Fun fact: It was once strictly exclusively for lords only, so I guess everyone’s royalty now 👑
Photo credit: Ishikawa Prefecture Tourism League
Come nightfall, take a stroll around Kazue-machi Chaya District — one of three geisha districts in the city. You might even hear these female entertainers playing Japanese instruments like the shamisen (a three-stringed musical instrument) and taiko drums!
Read also: 17 Things to Do in Hokuriku, Japan — First Timer’s Guide to Fukui, Ishikawa and Toyama
Bonus: Matsuyama — 4hrs
Matsuyama is the capital city of Ehime Prefecture on Japan’s Shikoku Island, with a ton of cool attractions to discover. It’s one of the longest day trips from Osaka (it’s a 4-hour train ride), so we recommend staying the night instead so you won’t need to rush.
The city is most famous for its Dogo Onsen Honkan bathhouse — one of Japan’s oldest hot springs with a history of around 3,000 years.
This bathhouse is also said to have been the inspiration for the popular Studio Ghibli film, Spirited Away! Featuring wooden architecture with intricate designs, and an interior consisting of a maze of stairways, passages and rooms, we can definitely see why.
Due to its popularity, waiting times for the public baths can be long, and they don’t take reservations. So head over earlier to secure your slot!
For those who want to try a short stint of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, you can do a quick 20-minute walk to the 51st Ishiteji Temple from Dogo Onsen.
The pilgrimage was started by a Buddhist monk named Kukai who went around 88 temples in Shikoku while seeking enlightenment. As per tradition for pilgrims, you can even wear the iconic straw hat, white robes and use walking sticks en-route.
Once you’re done, freshen up with Ehime Prefecture’s famed orange juices, sold in many shops in the area. There are so many different types of flavours to try — my favourite is the sweet Setoka, but there’s also the sour Hassaku and coffee-flavoured Unshu. So take your pick!
Matsuyama Castle is another attraction to visit here. Situated on a steep hilltop, the journey to the castle is an adventure itself. It was the first time I had to ride on a chairlift to enter a castle in Japan! Alternatively, you can also take a 5-minute cable car up.
As one of Japan’s 12 original castles, Matsuyama Castle has had its main keep and wings intact since the Edo period! This is also a popular spot during the cherry blossom season, with about 200 cherry trees planted on castle grounds.
Read also: 7D Japan Itinerary Under S$1.3k — Osaka and Other Epic Cities in the Kansai Region (incl Day Trips)
Pre-essentials for day trips from Osaka
We hope this list has inspired you to venture beyond the usual day trips from Osaka and try new experiences! But before you hop off on your next adventure, here’s a checklist of things to take note of.
Insurance: In the event of unexpected circumstances like flight delays or trip cancellations etc, it’s best to purchase insurance for your trip.
Connectivity: Get an eSIM when travelling, it’s pretty convenient as you just need to activate it once you arrive in Japan! It’s affordable too, with prices starting from ~S$10/pax for unlimited daily data via Klook (3 days).
Transport passes: With the right train passes, you can save money on travelling to these day trips from Osaka if you maximise it! It’s also much more fuss-free to purchase online rather than queuing up at the physical counter.
1) JR Haruka Express: From Kansai Airport to Osaka/Shin-Osaka Station
2) Single Shinkansen ticket: For travelling from city A to city B
3) JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass: Unlimited rides to areas like Osaka, Okayama, Kurashiki, Takamatsu, Wakayama, and more
4) JR Setouchi Area Pass: Unlimited rides to areas like Osaka, Okayama, Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Hiroshima, and more
5) JR Kansai Hokuriku Area Pass: Unlimited rides to areas like Osaka, Kanazawa, Wakayama, Okayama, Kurashiki, and more
Activities and accommodations: Remember to book your activities and hotels in advance as slots may be full during peak periods. We find it easy to book via Klook or Booking.com rather than official sites as it’s in English. Plus, they usually have discounted prices and promos too!
Redeem 5% OFF Klook transport passes, activities, and accommodations for use later, up to 5x. Just enter code <THETRAVELINTERNKLOOK> at checkout. New users get 10% OFF their first booking. T&Cs apply!
Read also: Osaka Transport Guide — Maximising Your Transport Passes for Travelling In And Around Osaka
Did we miss out on any other day trips from Osaka? Let us know in the comments below!