Explored Osaka.. where to next? 👀 ✨
Konnichiwa lovelies! ଘ(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭*
If you’re going to Osaka and wanna explore beyond, here are some great day-trip spots we visited nearby: Awaji Island, Nara and Kobe — all easy to visit from the Osaka area!
🌊 AWAJI ISLAND
⏰ ~2 hours from Osaka
Getting there
Highly recommend taking the Ferry from Akashi Port into the island during the day for a more scenic ride, then heading back by train in the evening.
🚍 Free shuttle bus area highlights:
Nojima Scuola – A charming café and bakery with a small alpaca zoo.
Nijigen no Mori – Anime theme park featuring Naruto, Dragon Quest, Crayon Shin-chan, Godzilla, Monster Hunter, BLEACH, and more.
Awaji Hanasajiki – Beautiful flower park with open views.
Hello Kitty Show Box – A Guinness World Record–holding building shaped like an apple 🍎
🚗 Best reached with a rental car:
Greenarium – Strawberry-picking farm
Onion Museum – Everything is onion-related here 🧅
Water Temple by Tadao Ando
Car rental info online can be tricky to find, but trust me—Awaji Island is ten times better with a car because of the scenery.
What we did: after arriving at Awaji Port, we went to the service center, where there’s a counter to enquire about car rentals and book on the spot (see Pic 3).
⚠️ You’ll need an International Driver’s License.
Prices vary by car type and rental duration. We paid around $100 for 6 hours, which was totally worth it!
🌿 NARA
⏰ ~45 mins–1 hour from Osaka
Nakatanidou Mochi – Famous for its mochi-pounding show. Try to arrive slightly earlier than the showtime if you want a good view, as crowds build up fast 🥶 They put up a paper with the next showtime in front of the store so you can come back after feeding the deers
Nara Park – Feed the cheeky deers 🦌
Higashimuki Shopping Street – Food street with lots of local bites.
Todai-ji Temple – Home to the gigantic Buddha. The walk there from Nara Park is especially scenic.
♨️ KOBE / ARIMA ONSEN
⏰ ~1 hour from Osaka
Arima Onsen Street – Full of cute, traditional shops.
Onsen with open-air baths – We visited Taikounoyu (cheaper tickets if bought on Klook).
Kobe Herb Gardens – Lovely views and a relaxing stroll.
Nankin-machi – Kobe’s Chinese food street.
And of course, Kobe beef 🤤
Hope this helps anyone planning a trip to Osaka exploring beyond the city 🙆🏻♀️🤍
Happy travels!
If you're planning to explore beyond Osaka, I highly recommend setting aside at least a full day for each destination to fully soak in their unique vibes. On Awaji Island, besides the places mentioned, try exploring the Naruto Whirlpools by taking a boat tour—it's a natural spectacle not to be missed. Also, the island's cuisine, featuring fresh seafood and local produce, adds to the charm. Renting a car truly enhances your ability to explore remote spots like the Water Temple by Tadao Ando, which is a stunning example of contemporary architecture blending with nature. In Nara, spending some time wandering beyond Nara Park can lead you to hidden temples and quaint tea houses. The mochi-pounding show at Nakatanidou is quite popular, so arriving early is key to catch the action and avoid the crowd. Feeding the friendly deer is an unforgettable experience, but remember to buy deer crackers at an official stand to avoid upsetting them. As for Kobe, after indulging in the famous Kobe beef, take a leisurely hike in the Nunobiki Herb Gardens accessible via a scenic ropeway with city views. Arima Onsen is more than a hot spring; it’s a cultural experience — soaking in open-air baths relaxes both body and mind after a day of sightseeing. Overall, combining these destinations with Osaka ensures a well-rounded trip blending nature, culture, and gastronomy. Using a JR Pass or regional travel cards can make transport smoother and more cost-effective. Don’t forget your international driver’s license if you plan to rent a car on Awaji Island. Happy traveling and enjoy the diverse charms around Osaka!