Road Trips in Kansai

Mar 15, 2021

Road Trips in Kansai

The Kansai region is a great part of Japan to discover by car. Beyond the big cities Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe, many great destinations don’t take too long to reach. Plus, you’ll be able to take in some great scenery and cultural attractions along the way. Whether you’re looking for a single-day excursion or lengthy road trips lasting 10 to 12 days, the following selection will give you some ideas.

Osaka to Himeji

If you’re looking to take a short trip within a day as a round trip, Osaka to Himeji is perfect. Himeji is one of Japan’s most popular tourist attractions, mainly due to its beautiful feudal castle, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Himeji Castle is a beautiful white fortress built between the 15th and 17th centuries. Unlike many Japanese castles, it has never been destroyed by wars or earthquakes.

You can reach Himeji from Osaka in around 80 minutes by car. Take the Sanyo Expressway that stretches along the Osaka Bay, where you will pass Kobe, Akashi, and Kakogawa as well as the eye-catching Awaji Island (on your left). Tourists can also reach the city from Kyoto in around 90 minutes.

Other attractions once you reach Himeji include Kokoen Garden (a peaceful spot next to the castle) and Mount Shosha — this is a temple mountain on the outskirts of the city that was featured in the Last Samurai.

Kyoto, Nara and Ise

A great way to explore the east coast of Kansai is by journeying out to Mie prefecture. You can make the trip in one to two days, depending on how much time you want to spend taking in the sites. The trip from Kyoto to Nara takes only around an hour (you’ll travel along the E89, the E1A, and the E24 highways). Nara is one of Japan’s oldest cities and was an ancient capital. This means the city boasts an abundance of tourist attractions, including Nara Park (where you can see free-roaming deer) and the Todaiji Temple (which contains the largest Buddha statue in Japan).

You can then continue onwards east through the central mountains to Ise. This journey is via Route 25 to Kameyama and then Route 23 to finish up in Ise within two hours. Ise is a pretty coastal city, most famous for its many sacred Shinto shrines, including the Ise Grand Shrine. Other attractions include the meoto-iwa (wedded rocks) — which are believed to be enshrined with holy powers — and the Edo Wonderland feudal theme park. You can then travel back from Ise to Kyoto or Osaka in around three hours.

Kyoto, Amanohashidate and Kinosaki

This excursion is best as a two to three-day round trip to see the multitude of sights along the way. Setting off north from Kyoto, travel along National Route 162, where the two-hour drive will take you through the mountains to the agricultural town of Miyama, the city of Maizuru (where you can stop to admire the panoramic ocean view from the Goro Sky Tower), and then onto Amanohashidate in northern Kyoto prefecture. This spectacular sandbar surrounded by mountains is considered one of Japan’s three scenic views.

It might be worth seeking out overnight accommodation in Miyazu before continuing the 90-minute drive to the onsen town of Kinosaki. If you have the time, consider building in an additional 90 minutes to drive around the Tango Peninsula on the way. If you want to stretch this into a three-day mini-break before journeying back to either Kyoto or Osaka, note that Kinosaki has onsens and attractions, such as temples, a quaint town center, and a stork sanctuary.

Osaka, Mount Koya and Kumano

This is another trip best for a three-day break or split into least two parts. It takes you down into southern Kansai to the Kii peninsula’s tip, around 100 kilometers from central Osaka. It’s best to allow around two hours to reach Mount Koya from Osaka by car, as the journey involves three routes (36, 216, and 480). Mount Koya is the Japanese center for Shingon Buddhism and is home to many monks. It’s worth experiencing the fantastic temple lodging, where you will be able to sample a monk’s lifestyle, including tasting vegetarian cuisine and attending morning prayers.

On day two, continue south through the Kii mountains via Ryujin Onsen to Kumano. This small city is famed for its sacred shrines and UNESCO pilgrimage routes. Pilgrims have traveled along the Kumano Kodo walking trails for over 1,000 years. Today, these paths are popular with hikers across the globe.

Kyoto and Shiga

From Osaka, it’s only an hour and a half drive to Shiga prefecture. It’s worth spending at least two days there — perhaps even three. Plus, the route takes you right through Kyoto, meaning you’ll have the chance explore everything in that city as well (provided you have the time).

After visiting Kyoto, take the scenic route down Kosei Road along Lake Biwa. Make sure to stop by the Tendai monastery Enryaku-ji, taking the ropeway to the top of the mountain. To cross the lake to see the other side of Shiga, use the Biwako Ohashi Bridge. At the end of the bridge is Nagisa Park, which is an ideal place to stretch your legs and enjoy the views of the lake from close up.

From here, keep heading north to see one of the highlights of Shiga: Hikone Castle. Its three-story main keep is designated as a National Treasure and is picturesque year round — with snow in the winter, cherry blossoms in the spring, and foliage in the fall. If you have time to go a bit farther still, the Avenue of Metasequoia trees is worth the drive. Depending on when you visit, the foliage may be vibrant green or fiery orange.

Samchan91, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons