-Day 4-Night Kansai Itinerary: Stress-Free Travel Guide to Top Attractions in Osaka & Kyoto

A whirlwind five-day adventure in Japan! My action-packed itinerary covered Osaka, Universal Studios, Kyoto, and Nara ✔️ Pro travel tip: I stayed in the same Osaka hotel throughout for maximum convenience.

🧩Day 1 Osaka – Shinsaibashi & Dotonbori 🦀️
Touched down in Osaka by late afternoon – makeup done mid-flight for instant exploration mode! First stop: the iconic Glico Running Man at Shinsaibashi.
With my hotel just steps away, I embarked on a delightful 2km urban stroll. Evening brought mouthwatering street food and charming boutique browsing – the perfect wind-down after travel.

🧩Day 2 Osaka – Universal Studios 🌍
Skipped the morning rush and arrived at 9 AM with my Class D ticket. Pro move: snagged a Super Nintendo World time slot (noon to evening availability was wide open!).
The Mario Café eluded me initially, but a ¥20 resale ticket from the secondary market saved the day – absolute game-changer!

🧩Day 3 Kyoto – Kiyomizu-dera, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, Fushimi Inari Taisha ⛩️
The scenic train ride from Osaka took about an hour. Kimono enthusiasts take note: start early! My late morning transformation meant only Kiyomizu-dera made the daytime cut.
After scoring GOKAGO treats in the picturesque Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka alleys, I returned my kimono for a magical nighttime visit to Fushimi Inari – the glowing torii gates straight from an *Inuyasha* fantasy!

🧩Day 4 Nara – Kasuga Taisha, Nara Park 🦌
Half a day proved perfect for Nara’s highlights. Wakakusayama’s closure saved me from the 3km hike – no regrets about skipping that workout!
Early afternoon brought me back to Osaka for serious shopping therapy in Umeda’s retail paradise.

🧩Day 5 ✈️ Osaka – Homeward bound to Chengdu