5DAYS Experience the Best of Areas Around Osaka Course

The tallest building in Japan at a towering 300m, Abeno Harukas is a symbol of urban Osaka. This multi-purpose facility features Japan's largest department store, an observation deck offering stunning views of the city, an art museum, a hotel and more, making it a can't-miss destination for any traveler.

Travel back in time and see how the people of Osaka lived during olden times at this delightful museum that features a recreation of townscapes from the Edo period (around 1830) and beyond. Hands-on exhibits allow visitors to experience traditional Japanese life today.

One of Osaka's downtowns, the Minami (South) district⁠—centered around the areas of Namba, Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi⁠—is a spectacular neon-lit center of food, shopping, and nightlife. Feast on delicacies such as Takoyaki from Osaka street vendors, shop till you drop at modern shopping malls and old-school shops, then go izakaya-hopping for a distinctly Osaka experience.

Stroll around and treat your tastebuds to freshly caught fruits of the sea and a host of other Osaka delicacies at one of the city's most lively markets. A true center of Osaka food culture, Kuromon Market boasts 150 shops catering to professional chefs and gourmet travelers alike!

A World Heritage site and one of Kyoto's most important Zen temples, Tenryuji in the Arashiyama district is a scenic destination for the traveler looking to attain inner peace. Take part in one of the regularly-scheduled Zen meditation sessions, or make an appointment to experience sutra-copying, another authentic Zen experience. The lush gardens have stood intact through the centuries.

Gion is Kyoto's traditional entertainment district, home to geisha (known as "geiko" here), tea houses, and haute cuisine. Go for a stroll down stone streets lined with traditional merchant houses, willow trees, and lanterns, and be transported to another time. Visit Yasaka Shrine, home to the famous Gion Matsuri festival, and Maruyama Park, famous for its weeping cherry blossoms. Fortunate travelers may catch sight of a geiko or maiko (apprentice geiko) in their elegant kimono along the way.

Offering some of the most attractive streetscapes in all of Kyoto, these three gently sloping alleys approaching Kiyomizu-dera Temple are lined with traditional Japanese sweet shops, craft shops and more, and bustle with activity at all hours of the day. If you work up an appetite climbing the stairs, take a break with a cup of tea and traditional Japanese sweets (wagashi), a Kyoto specialty.

Virtually synonymous with Kyoto, this World Heritage site boasts a 1,200-year history. Of its many striking sights, most famous is its massive wooden stage, looming 13 meters above the hillside and offering spectacular views of the trees below. Come in fall and you'll be treated to brilliant foliage, illuminated at night to create a stunningly otherworldly scene.

The Fushimi district of Kyoto is famous as one of Japan's historic sake brewing districts. Walk along the willow tree-lined canals and admire stately wooden storehouses, then stop by at breweries like Gekkeikan, Kizakura, or at the Fushimi Sake Village to learn all about the history and production of sake, and—best of all—to enjoy a tasting of Japan's sublime national beverage.

76 Noborioji-cho, Nara-shi, Nara

While there's no rule against exploring Japan's ancient capital in your everyday clothes, why not truly get into the mood by dressing yourself in traditional Japanese attire? Rent a kimono at one of Nara's many shops, and you'll be outfitted with everything you need to enjoy a transcendent stroll about town. If you'd like, have a professional photographer take photos for you to treasure for a lifetime.

One of Japan's most famous and historically significant temples, Todaiji houses the majestic Great Buddha, said to be one of the world's largest gilt bronze Buddha statues, along with a host of other National Treasures from mighty gates to striking guardian statues. Explore the temple's vast grounds and transport yourself back to the days when Nara was Japan's ancient capital.

Located in Nara City, Nara Park is a must-see tourist spot and takes pride in its many historical and cultural national treasures. The deer are said to be the gods’ messengers and roam freely around the city. This remarkable and charming sight awaits you.

6 Kunodo-cho, Nara-shi, Nara

There are few experiences more quintessentially Japanese than taking part in the time-honored ritual of savoring whisked matcha tea as prepared by a tea master. And there's no better place to do this than Nara, Japan's ancient capital and home to multiple elegant tea houses and artistic Japanese confections. Don't be intimidated—your hosts will be happy to explain tea etiquette in English.

The city of Nara's historic central area is sure to charm visitors with the meticulously-preserved traditional townhouses and their charming tiled roofs found throughout the narrow lanes. Many of the former residences have been converted into museums, giving visitors a window into the lives of the Japanese in the Edo and Meiji Eras (17th- to 19th-century), alongside modern coffee shops, galleries, and boutiques.

Marvel at the castle walls, often used in dramas and movies as they are some of the highest in Japan, as you make your way in. The castle keep was destroyed by a natural disaster while being constructed and remained unrepaired for years, but was finally completed by a local political representative in 1935.

Authentic ninja and kunoichi (female ninja) will guide you through a traditional ninja house filled with tricks and traps designed by the ninja to protect their secrets from being stolen. After that, you can view an exhibition featuring a variety of ninja tools and weapons, as well as look into ninja techniques and the life of a ninja. Don't miss the ninja show featuring actual ninja weapons! (A separate fee is required and please check the home page for show times)

Wash your worries away in the soothing open-air hot springs at this luxurious hotel in Iga, near the Ninja Museum. Let the clear water heal your body and mind as you listen to the sound of the birds singing in the forests around you. You can even enjoy starry skies after sundown. With opulent Japanese- and Western-style rooms and a restaurant serving local Iga delicacies, Hotel Rosa Blanca is sure to cater to your every need.

Experience hands-on a piece of traditional Japanese culture with a visit to Ama Hut Hachiman, where women divers known as ama still ply their trade today. Sample a meal made with fresh seafood broiled right in front of you. Listen to the ama talk about their unique culture and lifestyle, then try on one of their outfits and join them for a traditional folk dance. It's a trip back in time you won't soon forget!

The Wedded Rocks rise up by the shore along the main approach to Futami Okitama Shrine, a torii gate that greets the sunrise. Once a year around the summer equinox, the sun rises from between Wedded Rocks, making for a true sight to behold. Elsewhere within the grounds of this coastal shrine you'll find several statues of frogs, the auspicious animal said to be a messenger of the gods.

Inhabited by over 1,200 species and 30,000 animals, this vast aquarium is the only one in Japan where you can see a dugong. Aside from gazing at the wondrous marine life in the tanks, you can also take in some of their shows where you can watch penguins waddle or even pet a walrus!