Kansai 3 Days Itinerary-C

９：３０

The mileage for the day varies greatly from 90 to 135km, depending on whether the departure point is Kansai Airport, or Osaka.
If you want to visit many spots in Kyoto, it is recommended to depart by 9 o’clock at the latest and skip the outlets we recommended as the first stop of the day. If your departure time is late, please adjust your schedule by skipping some spots.

１０：００

Your first destination for the day is [Mitsui Outlet Park Osaka Kadoma]. Huge factory outlet which open in 2023. Enjoy shopping, dining, and more at this huge facility.

１２：３０

Next, you will head to [Expo ’70 Commemorative Park]. This is the site of the Japan World Exposition held in 1970 and is a futuristic urban space with pavilions built using the cutting-edge technology of the time.

It is also well know for “Tower of the Sun(太陽の塔)” made by Taro Okamoto.

１４：００

The last stop of the day is [Byodoin Temple and Green Tea Street]. This is a famous temple with beautiful ponds, gardens, and buildings housing cultural relics. There are also tours of the interior. After visiting Byodoin Temple, take a walk down nearby Green Tea Street, which has some tea shops. How about buying Uji tea, which is famous in Japan, as a souvenir?

１６：４０

On this day, you will stay overnight in Kyoto, the ancient city. Please relax and enjoy your stay in Kyoto.

If you still have time, you can stroll Kyoto city! Especially, below area are not recommended to visit by car and better to visit by bus and trains.

９：００

The distance covered on this day is only about 40km, which is short, but the city is home to many cultural properties that have been registered as World Heritage Sites, so the time for sightseeing will be longer. Therefore, we recommend that you leave the inn early.

９：１５

Your first destination for the day is [Fushimi Inari Shrine], which is very popular among foreign tourists. In particular, the 1,000 torii gates (there are actually more than 10,000) are famous as photo spots, and many tourists take pictures here.

１１：００

Next, you will head to [Kiyomizudera Temple], a World Heritage Site. Your car will be parked at the Kyoto City Kiyomizuzaka sightseeing parking lot. The roads around the parking lot are narrow and there are many tourists, so please drive carefully. Kiyomizudera Temple is famous for its main hall with the stage of Kiyomizu, but there are other places of interest such as the Niomon gate, three-storied pagoda, and Otowa Falls.

Before returning to the parking lot from Kiyomizudera, please take a stroll through [Sannenzaka, Ninenzaka street]. From Kiyomizuzaka leading to Kiyomizudera Temple, turn north on a narrow road to enter Sannenzaka. If you go further down the slope, you will continue to Ninenzaka. The beautiful scenery of old souvenir shops is not only always crowded with tourists, but also designated as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. Also, this area is the most Kyoto-like area, so many people go sightseeing in kimonos. Of course, you can also rent kimonos.
It is recommended to eat lunch around here on this day.

１４：4０

After lunch, you will head to [Kinkakuji Temple], which is also a World Heritage Site. Kinkakuji Temple was built in 1397 and is a must-see for its three-storied pavilion that reflects against the garden pond.

１５：５０

Next, you will head to [Ryoanji Temple], which is also a World Heritage Site. The dry landscape garden of Ryoaji Temple is famous for its rock garden and is visited by many tourists.

１７：００

The final destination of the day is [Arashiyama Bamboo Forest]. This is a small path of about 400 meters from Nonomiya Shrine to Okochi Sanso through the north gate of Tenryuji Temple. This is one of Kyoto’s leading tourist attractions, with well-maintained bamboo groves lining both sides of the path. Enjoy the mysterious atmosphere of the bamboo grove.

１８：４０

On this day you will stay in Kyoto for the second consecutive night. Please spend a relaxing time at the inn.

１０：００

The mileage on this day is a little short, between 90 and 130 kilometers, depending on your final destination. However, traffic congestion is heavy around Kyoto and Osaka, so please use the expressway as much as possible to shorten the travel time.

１０：２５

The first stop of the day is [Byodoin Temple and Green Tea Street]. This is a famous temple with beautiful ponds, gardens, and buildings housing cultural relics. There are also tours of the interior. After visiting Byodoin Temple, take a walk down nearby Green Tea Street, which has some tea shops. How about buying Uji tea, which is famous in Japan, as a souvenir?

１２：４０

Next, you will head to [Expo ’70 Commemorative Park]. This is the site of the Japan World Exposition held in 1970 and is a futuristic urban space with pavilions built using the cutting-edge technology of the time.

１４：００

Next, you will head to [Mitsui Outlet Park Osaka Kadoma]. Enjoy shopping, dining, and more at this huge facility.

１６：３０
This is the end of the drive trip. Or Inn in Osaka.

①Returning a car in Osaka or Kyoto
When you return to Osaka or Kyoto, refuel the car and then return it to the car rental branch. Use the MAPCODE on the driving map to find the nearest gas stations near Osaka Station or Kyoto.
Traffic jams often occur in Osaka and Kyoto because they are both large cities. Be sure to return your car with plenty of time to spare.

Osaka and Kyoto offer a wide variety of culinary delights! For dinner, try takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and other local foods.

②Returning a car at Kansai Airport
When heading to Kansai airport, the distance from Osaka station is about 50 km, or about 1 hour by express way. Make sure you arrive at the branch of the car rental company two hours before your flight.

Additionally, there are no gas stations on the Kansai International Airport island. If you do not have enough time before your flight, we strongly recommend that you head to the airport and settle the missing gasoline bill at a rental car branch instead of trying to force yourself to refuel.

If you plan to stay overnight in Osaka on this day, we recommend that you book accommodations around Dotonbori. And after check-in, please enjoy walking around Dotonbori, Tsutenkaku Tower, Shinsekai, etc.