Kansai 5 Days Itinerary-A

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The mileage for the day varies greatly from 210-260km, depending on whether the departure point is Kansai Airport, Osaka, or Kyoto.
Especially in the case of departures from Kyoto or Osaka, the mileage will be longer. So it is recommended to depart by 9 o’clock at the latest.
If your departure time is late, please adjust your schedule by taking the expressway or skipping some spots.

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The first destination is today’s biggest highlight, Mt. Koya. There is not much to see on the way to Mt. Koya, so move quickly on the expressway (E26).

At Mt. Koya, you will visit Daimon, Danjo Garan, Kongobuji Temple, and Okunoin in that order. Among them, Danjo Garan and Okunoin are especially recommended, so even if you don’t have time, please take a look at these two places.

If you don’t have time, first go to [Danjo Garan], the core of the whole area of Mt. Koya. Mt. Koya is very large, so please park in the parking lot near the Danjo Garan indicated by the MAPCODE.

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Next, on Mt. Koya, head to the [Okunoin], where the mausoleum of Kobo Daishi is located. It is the largest sanctuary with a mysterious atmosphere. Please refer driving map for parking.

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After moving to Shirahama quickly, please go to [Sandanbeki Rocks Cliff & Cave]. First of all, please enjoy the view from the top of the cliffs. You can enjoy the dynamic scenery of the waves hitting the rock surface in a spectacular area with cliffs of about 50m in height extending 2km from north to south.

[Sandanbeki Cave] is located just below these cliffs and is said to have been a hiding place for the Kumano Pirates, which were proud of their power during the Heian period (710-1192). You can go down to the cave by elevator.

There is [Shirahama Olive & Gelato Kobo] just a short walk from Sandanbeki Cave, so if you get tired, stop by. The gelato you eat while sitting on the terrace and looking out at the sea is the best.

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Shirahama Onsen, where you will stay tonight, is a hot spring with a long history and is one of the three ancient hot springs in Japan. Here, it is recommended to make a reservation at a hot spring inn with a plan that includes two meals. Make sure you arrive at the inn by 6 pm at the latest.

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The mileage is relatively long, about 180km to 240km, and there are many attractions, so it is recommended that you leave the hotel by about 8 or 9 in the morning. Also, please use the Kisei Expressway (E42) to shorten your travel time.

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The first destination is [Umi Kongo]. There is not much to see on the way to Umi Kongo from Shirahama, so it is recommended to take the expressway(E42). It takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

This area is famous for “Ise Ebi(伊勢海老)” spiny lobster and you can find a little-known local restaurant on a day-by-day Driving Map.

１２：００

Next is sightseeing in Kumanosanzan. “Kumano sanzan” means Three shrines in Kumano in Japanese.

First is [Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine]. After climbing the long stairs and passing through the torii gate, you will arrive at Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine. You will be impressed by the mysterious and beautiful appearance. The photo of the three-storied pagoda with Nachi Falls in the background is famous.

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You can walk from Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine to [Nachi Water Falls] while enjoying the atmosphere of Kumano Kodo, but it is recommended to drive to save time. Nachi Water Falls is one of the three major waterfalls in Japan with a head of 133m.

Near the fall, there are “Kumano Kodo Daimonzaka“. Kumano Kodo is a pilgrimage route that consists of six paths, totaling more than 400 km in length, and this is one of the places where one can feel the atmosphere the most.

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The second shrine of Kumanosanzan is [Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine], which has a vermilion shrine that sits against the Kumano River. There is a distance here as well, so please move by car. It takes about 30 minutes (about 22km) to drive from Kumano Nachi Taisha to Kumano Hayatama Taisha.

１７：００

On this day, you will be staying Shingu area near [Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine] or [Nachi] where you can enjoy hot springs and gourmet food.

If you head to [Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine], there are also some accommodations with hot springs.

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Since the mileage is long, about 180km to 200km, it is recommended to leave the hotel by 9 o’clock at the latest in the morning. To save travel time, use the expressway if navigation recommends it.

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The first destination is the natural art [Onigajo]. A scenic spot on the coast that is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking along the coastal promenade is refreshing. If you go to the middle point of the promenade and return, it will take about 30 to 40 minutes.

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Many worshipers (about 8 million people a year) from all over Japan visit Ise Jingu.

There are [Oharaimachi Dori street] and [Okage Yokocho alley] nearby, so please walk. Have a late lunch there or eat some traditional sweets at Akafuku Main Store to take a break.

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The next place to visit is [Futami Okitama Shirine]. It is a shrine overlooking the sea and is famous for Meiotoiwa(Couple Rock). There are also various frog sculptures in the precincts.

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If you have time, stop by [Yokoyama Observatory]. You can enjoy a panoramic view of Ago Bay from the wooden observation terrace at an altitude of 140 meters. There is also a cafe, so you can enjoy the spectacular view while tasting soft serve ice cream and coffee.

１７：４０

For accommodation on this day, we recommend Ise City if you choose for convenience and around Ago Bay in Shima if you want to enjoy the spectacular scenery and hot springs created by the unique terrain. For reference, the distance between Ise city and Ago Bay is about 40 minutes (about 30km).

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The mileage is as long as 160km-180km, so it is recommended to leave the hotel around 8-9 am.

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First, if you haven’t done so yet, go to the Mikimoto Pearl Museum. Mikimoto Pearl Museum is a theme park on an island where the founder Kokichi Mikimoto succeeded in pearl farming for the first time in the world in 1893.

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The next recommendation is [Soni highland]. There is not much to see on the way to Soni Highland, so please move quickly for about 2 hours.

This is a grassland covered with Japanese pampas grass, which has a wonderful view and is visited by many tourists every year.

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Next, please stop by [Hasedera Temple] in Nara. It is a temple that has been regarded as a sacred place for Kannon worship since ancient times. You can enjoy various flowers throughout the year and it is nicknamed the “Flower Temple”.

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Nara, where you stay on this day, is a well-known ancient city. Experience the ancient culture and enjoy the romance. You can go around the city slowly tomorrow.

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The mileage is short and is about 80km to 120km, so you can relax and enjoy sightseeing, but if you need to return your rental car, we recommend that you leave the hotel early.

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First of all, you should go to [Todaiji Temple & Nara Park], which is the largest area for sightseeing in Nara. Free-range deer welcome you at [Nara Park]. Nara Park is a vast park with a total area of about 6.6 million square meters, which makes you feel like you are in the ancient city of Nara.

[Todaiji Temple] is a Buddhist temple built in the 8th century. The Great Buddha, which can be said to be the symbol of Nara, is about 18m high including the pedestal and has a masterpiece presence. The Great Buddha Hall is one of the largest wooden buildings in the world.

If time permits, please go to [Kasuga Taisha Shrine]. This is the head office of Kasuga Shrine, which has 3,000 shrines nationwide, and the main shrine with vermilion pillars is impressive.

In addition, there are Kofukuji Temple, Nara National Museum, Isuien, etc. in the vicinity, which are full of attractions. However, consider a time schedule that matches the time of your return flight or train.

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Not to be missed is [Horyuji Temple], which was built by Prince Shotoku and Empress Suiko in 607. The oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world are so famous that they are listed as World Heritage Sites. Actually, it’s 20km away from Todaiji Temple, so please drive.

If you get a little tired, stop by a cafe called [Fukokuen] near Horyuji Temple. A part of an old baron’s mansion is used as a cafe and it has a luxurious and calm atmosphere.

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Next, head to Osaka or Kyoto through [Shigiikoma Skyline road]. There are several free observatories along the way and you can enjoy the scenery of the Osaka Plain and the Nara Basin.

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This is the end of the drive trip.

①Returning a car in Osaka or Kyoto
When you return to Osaka or Kyoto, refuel and then return the car to the car rental branch. Use the MAPCODE on the driving map for the nearest rental car stores and 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 offers a wide variety of culinary delights! For dinner, try Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki and other local food.

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