Hi! We’re heading to Kansai are in mid September for 12 days (14 Sep – 25 Sep). It’s our 2nd time to Japan this year. We went during April for sakura season and did Fuji/Kyoto/Osaka/Tokyo (9 days).
Due to typhoon risk, we will be using Osaka (Shin-Osaka) as a base and do multiple day trips in the region. We will be booking a 5 day Kansai-Hiroshima JR pass which will cover most of the long distances day trips.
Day 1 – Flight into KIX, bus or train to Shin-Osaka, check in
Day 2 (Kansai Pass D1) – Kobe day trip – Kobe Nunobiki Ropeway, Herb garden, Kitano, Ikuta Shrine, Kobe Harbour, Nankinmachi and other shopping streets, try Kobe beef
Day 3 (Kansai Pass D2) – Himeji day trip – Himeji Castle, Kokoen, Bus and ropeway to Mount Shosha Engyoji Temple, try Himeji oden
Day 4 (Kansai Pass D3) – ?Kyoto or Lake Biwa day trip
Day 5 (Kansai Pass D4) – Hiroshima/Miyajima via Shinkansen – Peace Memorial Park, Atomic Bomb Dome, some shopping, stay overnight in Hiroshima
Day 6 (Kansai Pass D5) – Hiroshima/Miyajima, JR Ferry to Miyajima, Itsukushima Jinja, Nagahama Shrine, Daishoin, Omotesando Shotengai, Miyajima ropeway if there’s time, try osyters and anago and Momiji Manju, back to Osaka
Day 7 – Minoo Park day trip- Minoh-san Ryuan-ji Temple, Minoo Falls, Hisakunikosendo, Momiji Tempura
Day 8 – Akame 48 (is this recommended? the route there seems sketchy)
Day 9-12 – Osaka free and easy – Den Den Town, Shinsaibashi, Tenjinbashi, Cup Noodle Museum, Shinsekai, Dotonburi, Osaka Aquarium, Nambayasaka Shrine, Sumiyoshi Taisha
Flight out from KIX on Day 12.
As you can see, we have may days in Osaka itself which we added as buffer for bad weather. We’re flexible with all the activities within Osaka depending on the weather.
The main highlight of the trip will be the day trips to Kobe, Himeji, Hiroshima/Miyajima but we are worried about typhoon risk affecting our plan. How should we go about using the 5 day Kansai-Hiroshima Pass? Do I do a check on the week’s weather then activate if it’s favorable?
Is there any other passes that is more suitable for our activities?
Any other short day trips that you guys recommend?
1 comment
That is the cheapest pass that include Hiroshima.
If you want to maximize the use of the pass, Kobe is not really far, so that day could be used for something that would cost more otherwise.
But in general it looks good.
Yes, it can make sense to check the weather forecast and move the strait date, especially the 3 first day can easily be moved around.