Osaka has a ton of different tourist-friendly venues worth discussing, including Dotonburi, the Cup Noodles Museum, as well as the Takoyaki Theme Park. Nicknamed “Japan’s Kitchen,” it’s possible to get a foodie-friendly vacation by simply visiting Osaka and exploring the city for a while.

But, let’s face it. Staying in one city can get old.

Both locals and visitors tend to adore the idea of spending most nights in Osaka, then using the public transit system for a day trip. The big problem you might have is figuring out how to actually find the right day trip destination for you. To make things easier, we created a list of the best day trips from Osaka, complete with attraction details.

Are you ready to take a break from Osaka? We got the best day trips from Osaka on this list.

Kyoto: The City Next Door

Kyoto is one of the closest cities to Osaka, and it also happens to be a hot tourist destination. Unlike Osaka and Tokyo, Kyoto isn’t all about neon lights and crazy amounts of tech. It’s a city noted for having tons of traditional Japanese elements to enjoy.

This beautiful city is the perfect place to go if you want to snap aesthetic photos of Japanese architecture lit up by the warm glow of traditional lanterns. Gorgeous views of boathouse, sandbars, and statue-filled gardens await you on the city’s outskirts.

Kyoto’s attractions include the Kinkaku-ji shrine, the Sagano Bamboo Grove, and Nijo Castle. Once you’re done taking a day trip through the more historic sites, you can head over to Nishiki Market. Kyoto’s only 15 minutes away from Osaka via bullet train, so travel is truly a cinch.

Hakone: The Spa City

If you are traveling from Tokyo (read best day trips from Tokyo) or Osaka, you can always book a stay at a Hakone onsen as a day trip…or a weekend trip. Hakone is a town that became famous for its many, many hot springs. (Those are also known as onsens, for those not in the know.)

Hakone features tons of Japanese inns, ryokans, that you can book. Each ryokan comes with full access to a hot spring as well as hot meals. In other words, Hakone is the place city folks go to get away from all the craziness.

This nature-heavy area is perfect for people who want to hike, see “green art,” and also unwind. You will feel like a new person once you take a dip in the onsens here. Best of all? They are open year-round.

Nara: The Ancient Capital

History buffs have a lot of different day trips they can take in Japan, but only one of them will give them a real deep-dive into the world of ancient Japan. Prior to Kyoto being the capital of Japan, Nara was the political centerpoint of this country.

Walking through Nara will give you a chance to see beautiful buildings spanning back to the 8th century, including the Kasuga Taisha Shrine. The Kasuga Taisha Shrine remains one of the most elegant and ornate shrines in all of Japan.

If you’re not a “shrine person,” don’t worry. Nara also has another major tourist attraction: almost entirely tamed deer. If you’ve ever wanted to come up close to a friendly deer, now would be the time to unleash your inner Disney princess.

Koyasan: Quiet Trails And Temples

Taking a day trip from Osaka means you have tons of options for temple and hiking visits. Koyasan, also known as Mount Koya, is a petite village on the outskirts of Osaka that is filled with beautiful nature trails and ancient temples.

Unlike Nara and Kyoto, Koyasan is a lot more low-key. It also happens to be home to the largest graveyard in Japan. Visitors who come here love going to the temples for a traditional meal and stay.

Himeji: A Castle Unlike Any Other

Japan is famous for its many old castles, each with their own splendor. Few, however, are as highly regarded as Himeji Castle. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features 83 different rooms and one of the most advanced defense systems of feudal Japan.

Surrounding the castle are gorgeous cherry trees and natural floral displays that will take your breath away. You can relax and walk through the Sannomaru, a cherry tree-lined lawn that is perfect for photo ops.

Himeji Castle is also one of the more popular film destinations for movies. You might recognize it from You Only Live Twice and Shogun.

Kobe: A Culinary Wonderland By The Sea

Is it possible to be a foodie and not know what a Kobe steak is? This city might be famous for its highly marbled beef, but that’s far from the only treat you can snag in town. It’s also a great place for fresh vegetables and home to several traditional breweries.

Foodies flock to this city because of the incredible meals and culinary experts that call it home. However, you don’t have to be big on food to love a trip to Kobe. Tourists also adore the stunning city views of Kobe Harborland or walking through the area’s nature trails.

Fans of fragrant herbs might also want to check out the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens. These gardens literally fill the air with the fresh smell of flowers and herbs from around the world!

Awaji Island: Puppetry And Naruto

Awaji Island is actually just a quick drive away form Kobe, which means it can be a great day trip from Osaka, too. This beautiful and surprisingly accessible island is a nature-filled wonderland.

This island is one of the best places to go if you’re a fan of the smash hit anime series, Naruto. It’s home to the Naruto Whirlpools, a natural phenomenon that’s just as dramatic as you would expect it to be. There’s also a Naruto statue, too.

Awaji Island is also home to the Awa Odori Kaikan Museum, where you can uncover hidden secrets about traditional Japanese dancing. When you’re not traveling there, you’ll be happy to hear that it also has the largest anime theme park in Japan.

Oh, and if you want to have a different type of show, you’ll be happy to know that Awaji Island also is famous for its traditional Japanese puppetry.

Iga: The Birthplace Of Ninjas

There are few things as famous related to Japanese culture as ninjas. They are the stuff of song, dance, and even TV shows. Ninjas are a revered part of Japanese history, so it comes as no surprise that people want to take day trips to locations associated with them.

One of the best places to get your ninja on is the city of Iga, just a short trip away from Osaka. Iga is most famous for being one of two locations credited with being the birthplace of the ninja.

Iga is a castle town, with a real fortification that featured ninja defenses. You can bet your shuriken that you’ll have a blast here!

Uji: Green Tea Heaven

Are you a fan of green tea? If you are, then you might already know about Japan’s Uji village. This picturesque city is right between Kyoto and Nara, and it treats green tea like a lifestyle rather than a drink.

Uji’s lush tea fields and teahouses are the stuff of legend. You can smell the tea in the air, and more importantly, you can learn the city’s tea-filled history dating back to the 11th century.

Once you’re done with that, you can check out the gorgeous riverside or go to Ujigami, the oldest Japanese temple in existence. If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, this could be the best day trip you can take.

Takeda Castle Ruins: A Castle In The Sky

If nothing else, Japan earned its title as being one of the best places to go when you want to see visually stunning, surreal views. That’s why one of the most highly recommended day trips for visitors from Osaka is Takeda.

The Takeda Castle Ruins were built in 1411, but remained abandoned for centuries. Their unique location at the top of Mount Kojo means that there’s almost always a slight layer of fog, making it appear like it’s floating in the clouds.

This day trip offers great hiking and dreamlike scenery. Oh, and it also happens to be a historian’s dream venue. It’s just a two hour car drive away from Osaka.

Naoshima Island: Art Galleries Galore!

Most tourists will want to check out a historic site (like a temple) or give hiking a go. But, what if you’re the type of adventurer who simply wants to enjoy some handcrafted eye candy in the form of modern art?

That’s when you go to Naoshima Island.

Naoshima Island is a petite island that is a treasure trove of art galleries. More specifically, this island has a ton of contemporary art gallies. Top names include the Art House Project, the Benessee House, and the Chichu Museum.

While you’re here, you can also check out one of the most famous art installations in Japan: Yayoi Kusama’s pumpkin!

Nagoya: Castles, Dining, And Shopping

Nagoya is a quick bullet train ride from Osaka, which makes it a perfect day trip choice. Unlike other cities on this list, Nagoya is often viewed by locals as a “dull” type of city. This isn’t really warranted, though.

This city is home to Nagoya Castle, the Osa Kannon Temple, as well as the Toyota Museum. (Yes, your favorite car brand has its own dedicated museum in this city. Gearheads, you can soak in all you JDM funtimes here!)

Of course, shrine fans also have their own options. The most popular one here is Atsuta Shrine, which is famous for its striking architecture.

Hiroshima: The Place Of Peace

Finally, wrapping up our list of the best day trips from Osaka is a city that’s world-famous: Hiroshima. This city gained its notoriety as being the site of the first nuclear attack in world history.

History buffs will be happy to know that some of the buildings survived the blast…along with the shadowy figures of those unfortunate people who were caught in the bomb’s attack.

Today, Hiroshima is more famous for its museums that advocate for peace and a banning of nuclear arms. The Hiroshima Museum of Peace and Hiroshima Castle are two must-see attractions if you want to go here.