15 1-Day Tours in Osaka to Build a Day Around

Kyoto and Nara Day Trip from Osaka - Nijo Castle, where the shogun kept watch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 175 reviews · from $198Our pick

See Kyoto’s castles and temples, then Nara’s deer and Great Buddha on a fast, guided day trip from Osaka by train and coach.

“Excellent tour, however it was very difficult to understand the words due to the normal accent between Japanese and English. This could have been totally corrected if we had individual headsets so we could hear better. It is not ever possible for the guide to consistently hold a speaker directly in front of her/his mouth all the time. Also the constant and quick movement when a guide is talking while facing the other way with many followers makes it extremely hard to hear things. There are dozens/hundreds of people visiting the same sites. Something should be done to improve hearing, No matter how great the guide, without proper equipment it…”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Hiroshima & Miyajima Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Hiroshima & Miyajima 1 Day Bus Tour with Bullet Train Tickets

2.Hiroshima & Miyajima 1 Day Bus Tour with Bullet Train Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 105 reviews · from $270

Review of the Hiroshima and Miyajima day tour from Osaka, with Shinkansen tickets, Peace Museum, ferry, shrine, bus, and okonomiyaki lunch.

“This day tour was amazing. Being able to walk the area directly underneath the air burst was interesting. We were also able to see the museum but I caution that it can be crowded and the set up can feel rushed. After that we spent the afternoon seeing the sights on a small island. Takane our guide provided great information along the way.”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Hiroshima & Miyajima Day Trips, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

From Osaka: Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Trip by Bullet Train

3.Hiroshima and Miyajima Day Trip by Bullet Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 83 reviews · 8 hours - 690 minutes · from $104

Ride the Shinkansen from Osaka to Hiroshima and Miyajima for the Peace Memorial, floating torii gate, deer, oysters, and expert guidance.

“We had a fantastic time on this tour visiting Miyajima Island and the beautiful Itsukushima Shrine. We also saw wild deer and had free time to explore the island and enjoy lunch. It was also very moving visiting Hiroshima and the museum to learn more about its history. We highly recommend this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Amanohashidate & Ine Bay Trips, Full-Day, Kyoto Day Trips from Osaka, Tour Reviews

Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya Sightseeing Full Day Trip from Kyoto

4.Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya Sightseeing Full Day Trip from Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 62 reviews · from $64

Review of the Amanohashidate and Ine Funaya day trip from Kyoto or Osaka, with coastal views, boat houses, costs, timing, and practical tips.

“We had a fun tour with guide Steven exploring the coastal areas near Kyoto. The tour was given in Chinese and English, but he sent all the pertinent background info and meetup times/places in WhatsApp to avoid confusion. The tour was self guided at each location, although background was provided ahead of time. The scenery was beautiful and it was a lovely break from the heat and crowds of Kyoto.”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Kyoto Day Trips from Osaka, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kyoto 1 Day Tour from Osaka

5.Kyoto 1 Day Tour from Osaka

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 54 reviews · from $183

See Kyoto’s top temples, shrines, castle, and palace in one long day from Osaka, with rail transport, a guide, and optional lunch.

“The tour started well enough as we were staying in the hotel where the trip started from in Osaka. After a quick train ride to Kyoto we were ushered to the bus pick up area. Ended up waiting there abut 30 mins while the tour company seemeRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Private, Tour Reviews

Osaka Private Day Trip – Enjoy Your First-Time Visit to Osaka!

6.Osaka Private Day Trip – Enjoy Your First-Time Visit to Osaka!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $138Top rated

See Osaka’s top sights by train and on foot, from Umeda Sky Building to Dotonbori, Osaka Castle, Shitennoji, and Shinsekai.

“Ma-chan was very sweet. She took us to the famous spots. She gave us a history lesson of each location, she made sure we were enjoying the tour. We used the train and subway to get around. At the end of the tour she took us back to our train station. Thank you for being knowledgeable, caring and efficient.”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Himeji Castle Day Trips, Kobe Day Trips from Osaka, Osaka Onsen & Spa Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours

Himeji Castle, Arima Onsen & Mt. Rokko: 1-Day Bus Tour from Osaka

7.Himeji Castle, Arima Onsen & Mt. Rokko: 1-Day Bus Tour from Osaka

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 28 reviews · from $67

Review of a 1-day Osaka bus tour to Himeji Castle, Kokoen, Arima Onsen, and Mt. Rokko, with practical tips on timing, lunch, and value.

“Directions to meeting point incomplete and missed the trip. Directions not clear to meet at office 2 blocks away.”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Osaka Highlights & Hidden Gems Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Osaka Private Tour: One Day Highlights

8.Osaka Private Tour: One Day Highlights

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 27 reviews · from $184

Review of Osaka’s private one-day highlights tour, with Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market, Dotonbori, public transit, and local food advice.

“The guide: Michiko was on time and spoke very good English. She was very helpful in every way we can think of. However, the tour involved considerable walking and it is tiresome for elderly people who may have some issues. Even thRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Kyoto Day Trips from Osaka, Osaka Highlights & Hidden Gems Tours, Tour Reviews

Kyoto Top Four Highlights Day Trip from Osaka or Kyoto

9.Kyoto Top Four Highlights Day Trip from Osaka or Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $67

See Kyoto’s top sights in one day from Osaka or Kyoto, with Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji, Arashiyama, and Fushimi Inari.

“First of all big thanks to our guide Brian for an excellent tour. He was busy the whole day making sure we had all the information of how to get round each attraction, and how to find our way back to the bus on time. He was very warm and sincere and gave great insight. For me this was a well paced tour with a small group and we had plenty of time to see all 4 sights. We were free to explore each one at our own pace with enough information of what to focus on depending on how fast we wanted to go. Also really good recommendations for…”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Hiroshima & Miyajima Day Trips, Kyoto Day Trips from Osaka, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hiroshima and Miyajima 1 Day Private Tour from Kyoto or Osaka

10.Hiroshima and Miyajima 1 Day Private Tour from Kyoto or Osaka

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · from $543

Travel from Kyoto or Osaka to Miyajima and Hiroshima by bullet train, ferry, and private guide in one moving, tightly planned day.

“Amazing tour to Hiroshima with the visit of Miyajima island as well as Peace Memorial park with our fantastic guide Sachiko who did an excellent job. Very nice was also the ride with the Shinkansen train from Kyoto.”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Amanohashidate & Ine Bay Trips, Kyoto Day Trips from Osaka, Tour Reviews

Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya Kyoto coast day trip from Osaka/Kyoto

11.Amanohashidate & Ine Funaya Kyoto coast day trip from Osaka/Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 17 reviews · from $84

Review of the Amanohashidate and Ine Funaya day trip from Osaka or Kyoto, with scenic views, temple stops, costs, bus time, and booking advice.

“The tour ran efficiently, though the initial meetup was a little confusing as there are two pickup points, Osaka and Kyoto. I was in Kyoto, but received a message from the tour operator about the Osaka meetup. The sites were beautiful, but I had trouble understanding the guide’s English. He had an offbeat sense of humor, which was fun. Feeding the birds from the boat wasn’t appealing, and I would have liked to learn more about the local flora and fauna and history. Overall, however, it was a good outing.”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Kyoto Day Trips from Osaka, Osaka River Cruises, Osaka Walking Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Osaka 1 Day Walking Tour with River Cruise from Osaka or Kyoto

12.Osaka 1 Day Walking Tour with River Cruise from Osaka or Kyoto

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 16 reviews · from $119

See Osaka from the Umeda Sky Building, Osaka Castle, and an Aqua Liner cruise on a guided 9-hour day tour from Osaka or Kyoto.

“well organised, good tourist guide, big town but with very few things to see.”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Kobe Day Trips from Osaka, Osaka Onsen & Spa Experiences, Private, Private Car with Driver, Tour Reviews

Private Car Day Trip to the Kobe Mountains, Gardens and Hot Springs from Osaka

13.Private Car Day Trip to the Kobe Mountains, Gardens and Hot Springs from Osaka

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 16 reviews

Escape Osaka for Mount Rokko views, Kobe gardens, and a relaxing Arima Onsen soak on a private seven-hour day trip.

“Levi knowledge of the area and his involvement with his clients as guest made the trip interesting our guide even checked out the authentic Kobe beef place for lunch Wish more tour guides would follow the example of the Osaka guides”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Kyoto Day Trips from Osaka, Nara Day Trips from Osaka, Private, Tour Reviews

Osaka: Kyoto and Nara Private Day Trip

14.Kyoto and Nara Private Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 15 reviews · 10 hours

See Nara’s deer and Great Buddha, Kyoto’s torii gates, Golden Pavilion, bamboo forest, and old streets on a private Osaka day trip.

“Our driver was Nomi, he was fantastic. Very helpful and we were able to customise our day to suit. Nomi was informative and friendly, and took some beautiful photos for us. We are very happy with the tour! Thank you Nomi for a great day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

1-Day Tours, Kyoto Day Trips from Osaka, Osaka Shore Excursions, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours

Kyoto Day Trip from Osaka Port – Private Shore Excursion

15.Kyoto Day Trip from Osaka Port – Private Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $313

See Kyoto from Osaka Port with a private local host, flexible sightseeing, train travel, Gion, Fushimi Inari, Arashiyama, and more.

“Mayura was a great communicator and guide! She arranged for us to rent kimonos. Then she took my family and I to see the temples. She showed us some sights around Kyoto. We had a lovely day taking beautiful & memorable family photos. I would highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review