Hi all!
I am going to be in Osaka for over a week in the near future, and want to take a day trip from it. I have already been to Nara, so Im looking at Himeji and Kobe. I have heard that some people do them both in a day, but have not seen a thorough itinerary, which is why Im asking for more clarity from you all!
The things I really want too see/do in the locations:
\- Himeji Castle (of course)
\- Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway
\- Nunobiki Herb Garden (maybe?)
\- Nunobiki Falls
\- Eat some good Kobe Beef (looking at Wakkoqu for their lunch sets!)
Also, is Kobe’s Chinatown worth a visit?
Any advice or tips on how to formulate this into a concrete plan, or if its even possible would be great! Also if there are any other places that might be better than Kobe/Hijemi, Im willing to compromise as well. Mainly looking for cool sights/views for photography, some temples/history, and good food opportunities. I’ll be posting my full 2-week trip here soon once I finalize this part of the trip as well. 🙂 I appreciate all of the support from this sub! Cheers!
10 comments
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Maybe this isn’t what you’re looking for but if you want a really cool hike, my favorite is the one along the Takedao abandoned railway. Very few people (literally, I’ve maybe met 10 people in 3 hours) when I went in the spring on a nice weather weekend, dark scary tunnels ( you NEED a flashlight, the phone flashlight isn’t bright enough, but the cheap ones from the drugstore or supermarket work well), along a beautiful river, I even met a muskrat (? or the like) walking next to me for a few hundred meters. A truly therapeutic hike. I didn’t find any one I like better yet.
Obviously, as was mentioned, definitely see Kyoto if you didn’t already! Kyoto is worth at least a month long visit!
Right next to Himeji castle there is a Japanese garden – Koko-en. Worth a visit if that is your thing.
I think only one city is doable among the 2 in a day, I prefer Kobe.
Meriken park, Umie mosaic at Kobe harborland is beautiful too.. worth checking out in the evening.
Nankinmachi China town is good too if you like Chinese food and culture.
Nunobiki garden and falls are beautiful, if you want to save time use ropeway.
Visit Ikuta shrine too if you can it’s beautiful and such a nice place to walk.
Sannomiya area for food and entertainment in late evening and you are set.
Definitely check out the Kobe day pass too.
Himeji castle looks awesome from the outside. The inside is – empty, walk up, look out the window, done. Unless you are interested in the actual architecture, Id say its quite boring.
the garden koko-en next to himeji castle is awesome though, if you like gardens. and who doesnt…
kobe Ive not been yet. Kyoto is close, if youve never been.
if the weather is good (and youve done kyoto and osaka already and look for something else which is awesome), I would recommend amanohashidate… you’re welcome
Minoo falls is really nice too.
Himeji has also Mt. Shosha (Engyo-ji) of *The Last Samurai* fame, so it’s perfectly reasonable to spend a whole day there.
Generally a typical trip to Himeji/Kobe would consist of visiting Himeji-jo and Koko-en in the morning and then some combination of Shin-Kobe Ropeway (Nunobiki Herb Garden/Falls), Chinatown, Harborland or Mt. Maya Ropeway area (one of the three iconic night views of Japan).
There are a lot of other perfectly reasonable day trips from Osaka:
* Okayama (Korakuen) and Kurashiki (canal district) or for garden lovers Ritsurin in Takamatsu.
* Iga-Ueno or Koka for ninja-related castles/schools
* Awaji Island via bus
Some cool stuff I saw in Kobe:
* Ikuta Shrine
* Sorakuen Garden
* Venus Bridge (awesome view of the bay)
* Harborland
* Suma Beach
Hey! Some tips from a guy in Hyogo. I would recommend Kobe’s China town as you said. They have all types of Chinese cuisine. Their Mapo Doufu is 👌🏼
If you have a car, I would definitely checkout Awaji Island too! They have beautiful nature and relaxed atmosphere.
Lastly, checkout Akashi city. They have Akashi Yaki, which is similar to Takoyaki. Have a good trip!
step 1: plot out everything you’re interested in between Kansai and Hiroshima
step 2: avail of the JR West Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass
step 3: ?
step 4: profit
Srsly – that pass is golden in terms of bang-for-buck. Hiroshima highlights are doable with a 2D1N trip especially if you leave Osaka on the first shinkansen out, then go back on the last. At that point you have three days of shinkansen travel for anything your heart desires
* Himeji castle-Kobe two-fer (Himeji first thing in the morning until before lunch, Kobe lunch until dinner)
* Oyamazumi shrine (thank me later for this)
* anything on the Sea of Japan coast near Kyoto
* Some of the islands in the Seto Inland sea
* Hikone – a castle town near Kyoto with an original castle, a banger of a museum beside it, and the cutest mascot. Definitely a whole day affair for me, especially since you’d be taking local trains for this. Bonus points if visited during ume season, the place has a small grove of ume trees