Hidden Gems in Kansai: 5 Day Japan Travel Itinerary

[@anahinata28]

This video is so informative! I’ve been searching for places to go to with more nature and less people and these are gems! Thank you so much 🙏

[@japanunravelled]

Glad it was helpful! Have fun!

[@ritzbuckley3919]

Amazing video! Thanks.

[@japanunravelled]

Glad you liked it! Thank you!

[@tasingp]

Thank you again for this video! We went to Hasedera today and it was so quiet with a few cherry blossoms! It was lovely to be out of Osaka away from the hustle and bustle!

[@japanunravelled]

Thanks, great to hear!

[@skychiller2]

I like your style! Thanks for so much information in just 10min.

[@japanunravelled]

Thanks for watching! Tried to keep it to the essentials here - much more detail on the itinerary I linked to. Enjoy!

[@ericafors6039]

Your videos are amazing! Exactly what I have been searching for to make our Japan holiday authentic and magical! Shush, you deserve hundreds of thousands of subscribers! 😅

[@japanunravelled]

Thankyou, you're very kind. Hope you have an extraordinary trip!

[@mapamundream]

Last stop is now on My list!

[@japanunravelled]

Enjoy!

[@ayjaygame]

I just came back from a 2 week trip and can't wait to go back to explore some non-touristy areas! Your videos are great for finding real hidden gems :). I wonder what season I should go visit during next!

[@japanunravelled]

Glad you like them! Unless you're obsessed with sakura, winter is a great time to visit IMO.

[@geromyre]

Another fantastic video! Ugh, with all the cool videos you make I think I need to spend a whole month in Kansai.... I actually got to take the Sunrise Seto Sleeper train all the way to Takamatsu and spent 1/2 the day there, but I was unsure if I should do Ritsurin Garden or Yashima Shrine. Yashima shrine won, and while I don't regret it, I know I have to go back to see Ritsurin Garden, too. My friends laughed when they found out I had taken the train to the JR Yashima stop and sprinted across the river and up the hill to explore the shrine, and then ran back down to catch the train back to Takamatsu station.

[@japanunravelled]

Good idea, though I'm sure you could easily fill up a month and still have places to see! Yes, with the Sunrise it's easy to come back to Takamatsu. The art islands are highly recommended, and you could spend a week on those alone.

[@PeteBoxster]

Hello hello!! Nice clip, really good options that are way less advertised. I may go to Amanohashidate instead of Hiroshima on my itinerary to be honest. Keep the good work 😁

[@japanunravelled]

Thank you! I love both of those places - you can't go wrong with either. I've got another itinerary video in the works for next year so stay tuned.

[@ThePrimest1]

This helped me soo much planning me and my families guide, especially also the kyoto hidden gems video, as a lover of japan, i must say to you to keep helping out like this. Gambare!

[@ThePrimest1]

By the way, do make a koyasan video, its so lovely!

[@japanunravelled]

Glad I could help! Thanks for stopping by with some kind words.

[@japanunravelled]

When I get a chance!

[@richardchapman4456]

Yet again another inspiring video. We are coming back to Japan in November 2024. Planning on travelling around Kyushu for the first 5 days. Would love to hear your suggestions for travelling around Kyushu. Keep up the fantastic work Andrew we love your videos.

[@japanunravelled]

Thanks! Sounds great! I always recommend Nagasaki. Gunkanjima and its museum are must-sees I think. Beppu and Kurokawa Onsen are also fantastic. Probably won't be able to get down there for video making but hope these suggestions help.

[@richardchapman4456]

Thanks for your quick reply we we’ll check out these spots

[@Eldiran1]

@@richardchapman4456 If i may add, i'm also going to Kyushu in the next february for 9 days so i humbly suggest to go to Yufuin for 2 reasons. First, it's near Beppu and as it was previously suggested , it's a must. Second, you can travel to here (or from here) with an awesome train, the Yufuin no mori. It look awesome, and you will see the landscape with the beautiful view it provide. It doesn't cost much because if you take a kyushu pass , you can go for free , you just have to register in advance. (the train arrive at Fukuoka btw) For Yufuin itself, it look like a picturesque town in the mountain, with onsen and ryokan. You also have a museum about the showa era, which is one of the reason i will go here (not the biggest museum but it look interesting from what i've see) Anyways if you have so suggestion, feel free to tell. I will gladly see that : )

[@BryanHays]

Phenomenal work 💯👏

[@japanunravelled]

Thank you so much 😀

[@nekokuro8796]

The ICOCA plushie is adorable ❤❤

[@japanunravelled]

Couldn't agree more!

[@cocoarecords]

Awesome as always

[@japanunravelled]

Thank you!

[@FlareOfLegacy]

On my first trip I missed quite a lot of the touristy areas, so had been thinking to fill in those missed spots on a future trip...but maybe doing something like this instead is better, although I'd probably do Hasedera outside of the pass duration as part of Osaka.

[@japanunravelled]

I'm happy to give you some recommendations! I thought about including Nachi falls in this one instead of Hasedera, but the round trip for that is long, even for me. Tomogashima and Shodoshima are other spots I considered, but have fun!

[@GenericConsultant]

Happy New Year and many thanks for you wonderful videos, which I all enjoyed. We (family of 4) are going to Japan for the first time End March/Beginning of April 24 and I am worried about the crowds on the one hand but missing out on the "must sees" on the other hand. I loved your "less is more" statement in one of your videos. Do you have a tip which "must sees" are really worth the hustle and how to avoid massive crowds and which "must sees" are real tourist traps and unenjoyable especially during cherry blossom. Thanks in advance.

[@japanunravelled]

Good to hear! That's definitely a tough time if you don't enjoy crowds. Depends on where you're visiting. I can't speak much for Tokyo, but elsewhere, I can. Let me know and I'll give you my thoughts.

[@GenericConsultant]

I was wondering whether Hakone on a weekend end of march might be a complete overkill (which is currently part of our itinerary). And whether there is a nice and convenient alternative on the route from Tokyo to Kyoto which offers a comparable package (Onsen & nature) to relax and enjoy the countryside for 1-2 nights. @@japanunravelled

[@japanunravelled]

On that route the most convenient alternative I can think of is Izu, but like with Hakone, it will be relatively busy in March. Further afield you have more options of course, but of course with longer travel times. If anyone has any other options, please tell us.

[@RositaRosita-i5q]

Hello andrew thanks for your video its so awesome. I have a question its possible to straigt to tottori from kansai airport?thanks before

[@japanunravelled]

I did a quick search and there are highway buses between Tottori station and Kansai airport. Not quick but direct! Trains you'd need to change at Shin Osaka.

[@RositaRosita-i5q]

@@japanunravelled waaah oke noted, i ll follow your advice. Thanks so much andrew its really help me♥️

[@rutherfordmylerang5278]

Any thoughts on kinosaki onsen? It is on the map of JR wide pass as well

[@japanunravelled]

Yeah, good point. Very simple really - if you love onsens give it a go, but if you don't care, skip it.

[@SuperHeleneb]

Can I just start by thanking you for your research and the fantastic way you explain everything. I have actually changed my itinerary after your suggestions. :) May I ask if you can recommend where to stay over night so we can enjoy Amanohashidate and Takeda castle?

[@japanunravelled]

Glad it was helpful! My recommendations are on over here: japanunravelled.substack.com/p/kansai-and-beyond-a-5-day-itinerary

[@SuperHeleneb]

@@japanunravelled Thank you very much.

[@hoccmich5474]

Regarding Takeda Castle Ruins and Asago City - how is the eSIM coverage in that area (for taxi app), and availability of taxis at 5am in the morning? I'm thinking of viewing the castle from Ritsuunkyo, but worried about how to get there and back from the station/hotel.

[@japanunravelled]

As long as your e-sim uses the docomo network, you'll be fine. Most hotels there offer a special group taxi service to the viewpoint that gets you there and back. Just check on the hotel's booling page to see or contact them directly. It makes visiting very easy. Also: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6Pcl559pc6pmZo

[@hoccmich5474]

Thank you for the reply! Did not know about group taxi service to and from the viewpoint. Seems very useful.

[@karthikbhat3433]

This is super informative! If Osaka is my base and I stay there for 8 days but take different day trips to Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima, realistically speaking, can I cover any of these places as well? I guess I'd want to spend at least 2 or 3 days in Kyoto, 1 day for Nara and 1 day for Hiroshima. I'll just probably be left with 1 or 2 days to go to any of the places mentioned in the video. Can I take the bullet train from Osaka to any of these cities?

[@japanunravelled]

You can visit each of these places as day trips. They don't all have bullet train access, but definitely doable. I recommend Himeji, Amanohashidate, and Takamatsu.

[@karthikbhat3433]

@@japanunravelled Thank you so much! 🙂

[@agondokusumo-111]

Would this itinerary work during winter season, early Feb?

[@japanunravelled]

Yes!

[@hollyc3838]

Does it usually snow in Amanohashidate in October?

[@japanunravelled]

Not usually - December to early March it's more likely.

[@Eldiran1]

They are a lot of place i wanted to visit here and also i didn't even know the last one was a thing, especialy so close to osaka. The kiyomizu-dera wasn't that enjoyable because it was full of people. Maybe this one could have the same wibe without all of these people around. I'm especialy eager to see Amanohashidate cover in snow, i hope it will be the case. (i'm traveling during february). I'm also going to see some restaurant you have recommend (especily the one in tokyo about tonkatsu). After all, what would be a trip to japan without the awesome meal it can provide?

[@japanunravelled]

I hope you're lucky and get to visit in the snow. I saw only one other person walking across that day. I have another Kyoto video coming next year, so watch out for that. You might find you have more places your want to visit.

[@Eldiran1]

@@japanunravelled I'm going 13 days in Osaka so i've time even if it will pass fast. I will see what you video will recommand : ) Also i'm begining my trip with 5 days of kumano kodo so, i will see some part of japan that only a few tourist will encounter.

[@japanunravelled]

Yes, that area's very underrated and under-visited too. Nachi Falls is well worth the visit down there.

[@Pvemaster2]

Woooooooooooooooooo

[@MeLsReview]

Hii!! I am going for this next april but alittle worry about luggage. Is there lockers all along the stations? Any tips for it? So many to explore but my luggage is being a burden. Thx!

[@MeLsReview]

Sorry additional question.. do you know any luggage storage in kyoto so that i can leave my luggage for 4 days?

[@japanunravelled]

Everywhere I covered has plenty of lockers, even Hasedera station. Takeda station is the only exception. Only a couple there, but I think nearby Wadayama has more.

[@japanunravelled]

I don't know if normal lockers can be used over 4 days but there are offices for this underground at the main entrance and also at the rear of the station.

[@KyokoYasuda-f6f]

Hello

[@japanunravelled]

Hallo!

[@japanunravelled]

Get my ebook full of handpicked, utterly unique, off the beaten path destinations in the Kansai region. Japan Out There: Kansai Edition - japanunravelled.com/JOT-K Itinerary with tips and recommendations: japanunravelled.substack.com/p/kansai-and-beyond-a-5-day-itinerary JR Kansai Wide Area Pass: japanunravelled.com/rec/Kansai-Wide-Pass