The 10 Best Day Trips from in Kinki, Japan

February 14, 2022 Janette Largent

The Kansai region (関西地方, Kansai-chihō) or the Kinki region (近畿地方, Kinki-chihō) lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo and Shiga, sometimes Fukui, Tokushima and Tottori. While the use of the terms "Kansai" and "Kinki" have changed over history, in most modern contexts the use of the two terms is interchangeable. The urban region of Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto (Keihanshin region) is the second-most populated in Japan after the Greater Tokyo Area.
Restaurants in Kinki

1. KOBE by Minivan Toyota HIACE 2019 Customize Your Itinerary

iSEKAI Travel
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Private VIP Tour in KOBE allows you to “Customize Your Itinerary” to fit your specific travel expectations. You have your own private Minivan Toyota HIACE 2019and English speaking driver for approximately 8 hours. Our team assists you to manage the tour, give recommendations, make reservations and check information. <<< You customize your own Day Trip in KOBE>>> STEP1: We propose list of famous destinations while you share with us your travel desires and special requests. STEP2: With careful communication and planning, we share and exchange our draft detailed itinerary. STEP3: We revise/finalize the itinerary. ***You can always change the itinerary even on the day while traveling on the van. Please feel free to reach our team and driver for recommendation at any time. ***Extra 1 ~ 2 hours will be given for free only in case of heavy traffic jam and unexpected delay(s). ***Extra charges will be applied for over time service.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, Private transportation

Exclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Reviewed By iamwillbar

We chose this experience so we could fit a number of sights into a single day as we could since we were only spending 3 full days in Kyoto. This allowed us to focus on seeing the things we wanted to rather than transportation between each sight. Marine-san worked with us over email to come up with an itinerary that was efficient and included the majority of the sights that we wanted to see. On the day Shenji-san sent us a message so we had his contact details and arrived promptly at our hotel. He drove us to each location, took photos of us (so we could all be in them!), and gave us additional facts about each location. He was a fantastic host for the day and we'd highly recommend this experience.

2. Kyoto Full-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide

Japan Guide Agency
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5.0 based on 3 reviews

Explore Kyoto, one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations, accompanied by one of our nationally-licensed, experienced multilingual guides, who will help you efficiently enjoy a six-hour tour, introducing both modern and traditional sides of this dynamic and ancient city. Your guide will pick you up at your hotel, or anywhere else at your convenience, and will take you to a number of Kyoto's famous spots. Let us know what you would like to experience and we will arrange a tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history.

Inclusions: Free Photos, Hotel Pick up and Drop-off, Licensed Local Guide

Exclusions: Other personal expenses, Lunch - Lunch (for yourself and your guide), Entrance fee (for yourself), Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide)

Reviewed By X4119CEgaryc

Had a pleasant tour of older Tokyo near Nezu Shrine. Our guide (Hiroyuki-san) spoke good English and shared much of the history related to sights we visited. He also took us to areas that local Japanese people visited and shopped frequently. Very nice tour - will do again.

3. The right way to know Kyoto

Kyoto Daily Tours
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5.0 based on 59 reviews

We are a small group of people who specializes in private and personalized tours in Kyoto. Our aim is to help our customers to utilize best their precious time in Kyoto by offering specially crafted tours covering Kyoto's top attractions. When it comes to a trip, we know that you have your goals and preferences. We would love to hear about them and help you have a unique an unforgettable Kyoto experience. Postgraduate students with Ph.D. or MA- level scholar graduated from Japanese universities, our guides have vast knowledge about Japanese history and culture because they have been living here for several years and are experts in their fields. Their high academic level makes them proficient not only on everything Kyoto but also on the way of life in Japan and its rich history.

Inclusions: Expert guide

Exclusions: Entrance tickets, Transportation

Reviewed By CBR-TKYO

Our guide Javier was superb. For both tours he covered the main attractions with insight, commanding knowledge of history, and with very good patience in relation to our easily distracted children. But then he also took us off the main tourist thoroughfares for some quiet, exclusive trips down pathways close by. So we saw all the main attractions, but also little shops and paths, and gardens and ponds we would not have discovered but for his knowledge and guidance. Highly recommend! And hope to see Javier again when we next go to Kyoto.

4. Osaka's Best and Brightest by Private Vehicle

Pinpoint Traveler
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4.9 based on 27 reviews

Looking for a full-day, private vehicle tour that covers top spots with a fun, knowledgeable, and truly fluent English speaker? You've found it. We show you Dotonbori, Osaka Castle, Shin-sekai, a view from high above, and more! Plus, get some local insight and interesting commentary at some of our other recommended stops. All of this at your pace, with your own personal driver/guide, and high quality vehicle service. Your guide is *guaranteed* to be a native English speaker or honest equivalent.

Inclusions: Private vehicle with all related fees., A likable guide that speaks English superbly.

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Admissions (which will range from zero to a few hundred yen or so, depending on if you change the plan), Pickup if you are outside of central Osaka (defined as within or along the JR Loop Line). Other locations will incur a surcharge for both pickup and drop off as follows: Port of Osaka pickups, 2,500 yen each way. Universal Studios area, 2,000 yen each way. Shin-Osaka Station area, 1,000 yen each way., Child seat: 1,000 yen payable on day of tour.

Reviewed By DaveLDelano

My wife and I booked a tour with Liran Levy on our first day in Osaka and couldn't have had a better experience. Not only was Liran extremely knowledgeable about the city's history, sites, food, and culture, he was genuinely enthusiastic about sharing it. He went out of his way to get to know us - where we were from, our interests, our plans for the rest of the trip - and from that point on treated us as he would friends or family whom he was taking around town. If you view travel as a learning experience and prefer a glimpse of real, daily life to a "canned" tour, I strongly recommend booking a tour with Liran. And tell him Dave and Laura said hi!

5. Kobe Full-Day Private Tour with Nationally-Licensed Guide

Japan Guide Agency
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3.0 based on 1 reviews

"This value-packed trip with a nationally-licensed and experienced multilingual tour guide is a fantastic and efficient way to explore Kobe! Perched on a hillside sloping down to the sea, Kobe is one of Japan's most attractive and cosmopolitan cities. Compact and designed for walking, it is easily visited as a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto. Immerse yourself in the city's distinct atmosphere and dining options! Let us know what you would like to experience and we will customize a six-hour tour that's best for you! Note*1: Please select your must-see spots from a list in the tour information to create your customized itinerary. Note*2: The Nationally-licensed Tour Guide-Interpreter certification is issued by the Japanese government requires a good knowledge and understanding of Japanese culture and history."

Inclusions: Free Photos, Hotel Pick up and Drop-off, Licensed Local Guide

Exclusions: Other personal expenses, Lunch - Lunch (for yourself and your guide), Entrance fee (for yourself), Private Vehicle, Transportation fee (for yourself and your guide)

Reviewed By Cwshaman

The flexibility to chose locations that suited our wants and abilities was great. Hiro San was very quick to put together an itinerary that accommodated a family with a stroller-baby (no monkey park due to long unpacked walking paths). Taking in the beautiful temples and view of the Kyoto from the west was breath taking and the guide was able to explain many things we as new Japanese learners could not read or know through cultural knowledge. Overall a great experience, a wonderful and lively guide, and some great memories.

6. Private Kobe Custom One Day Tour by Chartered Vehicle

Beauty of Japan

Kobe is the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and one of Japan's ten largest cities. Kobe has been an important port city for many centuries. Its port was among the first to be opened to foreign trade in the 19th century alongside the ports of Yokohama, Nagasaki, Hakodate and Niigata.

Inclusions: Local guide (if option selected), Driver, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points, Transport by private vehicle

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities

Reviewed By Glenn B

We cancelled the tour in advance and have NEVER been refunded the payment, my advice to anybody is to avoid at all costs this tour

7. Ninja Adventure

Ready Japan

Have you ever dreamed of being a ninja? In this round you will not only be able to attend a ninja show and discover a lot of things about the lifestyle of the ninjas, but also try for yourself some techniques they used! Shuriken throwing, ninja river crossing, obstacle clearance, and more!

Inclusions: Private transportation, All entrance tickets, Ninja outfit

Exclusions: Spare clothes, Lunch, Bottled water

Reviewed By 547fabij

This tour was amazing, our guide bring us to so many good spot in few hours. It was jumping from amazing place to place without to be worry to miss something important. I think this tour is very efficient in term of time and wow !

8. Osaka Castle & Dotonbori Lively One Day Tour

KAMNAVI Tours

In this tour, we offer you the most impressive and efficient itinerary so that you can make the best use of your stay in Osaka. Firstly you will experience the living history of the samurai warriors and the common people in Osaka by visiting museums and the castle. Secondly, you will explore Japan’s longest shopping street that is being loved by local people. Then you will visit and explore Dotonbori and find out why Osaka is called Japan’s food capital. Our guide will pick you up at your hotel in Osaka. Transportation and admission fees are all included and you don’t have to wait in a long queue at Osaka Castle on this tour.

Inclusions: Professional Guide Fare, Public Transportation Fare, Admission Fee

Exclusions: Food & Drink

Reviewed By MCJ62

Our tour guide was Kommy. He was very knowledgeable of the areas and we received good background information. It was a good way to spend the afternoon and see Osaka. I would recommend this tour.

9. Kyoto & Osaka Splendid Two Days Tour

KAMNAVI Tours

This two-day tour takes you to the famous tourist spots of the two cities representing Western Japan. In Kyoto, you will visit a temple and a castle built by shoguns from different eras, a summer resort area loved by nobles, and a geisha district. In Osaka, you will visit the castle, which was once built by an all-time samurai hero, and the entertainment district and shopping area, which are being frequented by common people. Through this tour, you can experience the culture and history different from Tokyo, and enjoy local specialties of these areas for lunch.

Inclusions: Guide Fare, Transportation fare, Admission Fee

Exclusions: Food & Drinks

Reviewed By MCJ62

Our tour guide was Kommy. He was very knowledgeable of the areas and we received good background information. It was a good way to spend the afternoon and see Osaka. I would recommend this tour.

10. Kyoto & Nara Fully-Satisfying Two Days Tour

KAMNAVI Tours

In this two-days tour, you will visit two cities that once prospered as the capital of Japan and have many attractions. As professional guides accompany you, you can manage your time efficiently and listening to explanations in detils enables you to understand Japanese culture and characteristics more deeply. Save your time and enhance the value of your travel with us!

Inclusions: Guide Fare, Transportation fare, Admission Fee

Exclusions: Food & Drinks, Accommodation

Reviewed By MCJ62

Our tour guide was Kommy. He was very knowledgeable of the areas and we received good background information. It was a good way to spend the afternoon and see Osaka. I would recommend this tour.

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