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2025/ 2/ 3
The Osaka-Kansai Expo (EXPO 2025) will begin in the spring of 2025. There are many attractive tourist spots just in Osaka, where the event will be held, but the Kansai region was once the capital of Japan, and by touring the area around Osaka, you can get a deeper feel for Japanese history and culture. There are many places of interest within a three-hour train ride in the Osaka area, and the appeal is that there are plenty of spots that can be fully enjoyed on a day trip from Osaka. In this article, we will introduce recommended spots near Osaka that you can visit during your visit to the Osaka-Kansai Expo (EXPO 3).
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Osaka, where the Osaka-Kansai Expo (EXPO 2025) will be held, is a Shinkansen stop, so if you use Osaka as your base, it's convenient for day trips to the surrounding areas.
In the Osaka area, Kyoto, Hyogo, and Wakayama are all within an hour by train, while Tottori, Shiga, and Mie are all within three and a half hours from Osaka.
Additionally, if you take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station, you can reach Hiroshima and Okayama in less than an hour.
Thanks to its easy access, you can plan a trip to enjoy the spots near Osaka, then return to Osaka to savour Osaka cuisine.
If you are planning a trip that includes areas near Osaka, we recommend using train tickets or passes that cover a wide area around Osaka.
For example, the Keihan Railway, which runs from northeastern Osaka to southern Kyoto, has a special "Kyoto-Osaka Sightseeing Pass", which allows you to ride trains between Osaka and Kyoto as much as you like with a one-day or two-day pass.
In addition, JR is also offering a "Kansai WIDE Area Excursion Pass" This pass allows unlimited travel on Shinkansen, limited express, and local trains in a wide area, including the Osaka area, Okayama, Tottori, and Wakayama.
If you are planning to drive from Osaka,Kansai Area Tour Drive Pass", which allows unlimited use of expressways in two areas, including Osaka, for a fixed fee.
Below we will introduce some recommended areas near Osaka, so if there are any spots that interest you, be sure to also check out these convenient passes and tickets.
Kyoto, which is home to many famous tourist spots including World Heritage Sites, is a highly popular area for foreign tourists along with Osaka.
It's only about 30 minutes by train from Osaka city, making it a perfect day trip from Osaka.
You can get a deeper sense of Japanese history, tradition, and culture by visiting the world heritage sites of Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Kinkaku-ji Temple (Rokuon-ji Temple), as well as Kyoto's downtown Gion area.
If you visit Kyoto, why not visit the hidden gem, Kifune Shrine?
Kifune Shrine offers beautiful views all year round, with fresh greenery in the summer and autumn leaves in the fall.
You can visit it as a day trip from Osaka, but if you want to fully enjoy Kyoto, we recommend staying for one or two nights.
RETOUR KYOTO, located about a 20-minute drive from Kifune Shrine, is a glamping facility located on the banks of a clear stream, where you can spend a luxurious time in a private villa or lodge.
Shiga, home to Japan's largest lake, Lake Biwa, is also one of the most popular tourist spots in the Kansai area. It's a 2-3 hour train ride from Osaka, so it's a great place to visit if you want to explore the Osaka area.
Besides Lake Biwa, there are many other attractions, such as Omi Shrine, where you can see Japan's first clock (water clock), and Hikone Castle, a national treasure.
There are many ways to enjoy Lake Biwa.
For example, there is a ropeway to the top of the Biwako Valley ski resort, where you can enjoy beautiful views of Lake Biwa.
Additionally, visiting to see the large torii gate of Shirahige Shrine floating on Lake Biwa will be a special experience.
Lakeside Resort & Cafe AFUMI KITAKOMATSU, which overlooks Lake Biwa, is easily accessible, about 80 minutes from Osaka city, and is recommended if you are considering staying in Shiga Prefecture.
You can spend a relaxing time gazing out at Lake Biwa in a dome-shaped tent with a lake view or an open-air bath.
Speaking of areas near Osaka, Hyogo is also recommended.
The famous Arima Onsen is just an hour's drive from Osaka and is a great place to make a day trip, while Kobe is just a 1-minute train ride from Osaka.
Hyogo has many must-see spots, such as the Kirin Beer Kobe Factory, the Takeda Castle ruins with their mystical collaboration with the sea of clouds, and Himeji Castle.
If you want to enjoy sightseeing in Kobe, which is easily accessible from Osaka, start by visiting Meriken Park and Harborland, which are about a 15-minute walk from Kobe Station.
There are many photogenic spots around the area, including Kobe Port Tower, a symbol of Kobe, and the Kobe Brick Warehouse, which houses shops and restaurants.
If you want to fully enjoy sightseeing in Hyogo, we recommend that you don't just take a day trip, but also spend a few days relaxing in Kobe.
Grand Dome Kobe Tenku is about an hour by car or an hour and a half by train from Osaka, and offers a luxurious camping experience while taking in the night view of Kobe.
The facility also has a large open-air bath with natural hot spring water, where you can spend your time relaxing.
If you are traveling from Osaka to Hyogo, we recommend heading to Awaji Island.
It can be reached in an hour and a half by car from Osaka city via the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge.
You can also take a cruise to view the whirlpools, or enjoy local cuisine at a roadside station where you can see the whirlpools from land.
If you are traveling to Awaji Island, we recommend staying at Grand Mare Awaji.
All rooms are dome-shaped tents with ocean views and come with hot spring baths. The "Mort Dome" room type can accommodate up to 10 people and is ideal for trips with two or three families.
Wakayama, which can be reached from Osaka in about an hour by express train or just an hour and a half by local train, is also a perfect area for a day trip from Osaka.
Mount Koya, a registered World Heritage Site, is one of the highlights, and Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine and the Kumano Kodo trail that follows it are also visited by many tourists from both Japan and abroad.
The resort town of Shirahama in Wakayama is also one of the attractive areas.
"Kansai WIDE Area Excursion PassUsing this service, you can easily access the area from Osaka or visit other spots near Osaka.
In addition to relaxing in the hot springs, be sure to also see Senjojiki, a unique topography created by rocks eroded by the waves, and Engetsuto, a island with a distinctive hole in it.
If you are visiting the Shirahama area, we recommend the high-class glamping facility "AnEland - Grand Dome Wakayama Shirahama."
There are four types of rooms available in the facility, which can accommodate only nine groups per day. The meal plan includes a BBQ plan with luxurious ingredients, making for an even more special stay.
If you are going on a day trip from Osaka, you might also want to visit Mie. Ise Shrine, which is a must-see when sightseeing in Mie, can be reached from Osaka in 2 hours by car or 3 hours by train.
Not only are there many places to learn about culture and history, but there are also plenty of entertainment facilities, such as Toba Aquarium, the only place in Japan where you can see sea otters, and the amusement park Nagashima Spa Land.
If you are sightseeing mainly in the Ise-Shima area, Kashikojima is also a recommended tourist spot.
It is popular as a luxury resort area, and cruises overlooking the ria coast of Ago Bay are also popular.
It takes about three and a half hours to travel from Osaka to Tottori by car or train.
In addition to the famous tourist spot of Tottori Sand Dunes, there are also fun spots for children, such as Mizuki Shigeru Road, where you can enjoy searching for characters from the manga artist Shigeru Mizuki.
When it comes to Tottori, the highlight of the trip is undoubtedly the Tottori Sand Dunes.
At Japan's largest sand dune, you can experience unique sand dune experiences such as riding a camel and sandboarding, which is riding a board on the sand.
It takes about four hours to get to Tottori Sand Dunes from central Osaka, so you might want to consider staying overnight so you can fully explore the surrounding area.
If you want to get a good view of the Tottori Sand Dunes, including sightseeing in the surrounding area, we recommend staying at the glamping facility Grand Dome Sayu.
Located very close to the Tottori Sand Dunes, you can spend a luxurious time in a peaceful and comfortable space under the starry sky at night.
Hiroshima, an hour and a half by Shinkansen from Osaka, is also a great day trip destination.
The World Heritage Site, Itsukushima Shrine, is always popular with tourists, and the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park are places to pray for peace, attracting many tourists from overseas.
If you're looking for a slightly more unique travel experience, we recommend heading to Osakishimojima to see the cute, retro townscape.
Osaki Shimojima, about 45 minutes by high-speed boat from Takehara Port on the outskirts of Hiroshima, is home to the Mitarai Townscape Preservation District, which retains the townscape of the Edo period, and Rekishi No Mieru Oka Park, which offers a beautiful view overlooking the area.
Osaki Shimojima is also a little far from Osaka, so if you are thinking of visiting the island, we recommend that you also make accommodation plans.
If you are thinking of staying overnight while sightseeing on Osaki Shimojima, there is a glamping facility called "GLAMPISPA Setouchi."
There are three types of rooms available: dome type, cottage type, and villa type, all of which offer a luxurious stay while enjoying nature to the fullest.
Okayama is just 45 minutes away from Osaka by Shinkansen, making it an easy day trip from Osaka.
There are many spots where you can enjoy the atmospheric scenery that has remained since the Edo period, such as Okayama Korakuen, which has been designated a Special Place of Scenic Beauty, and Kurashiki's Bikan Historical Quarter.
If you want to enjoy sightseeing in Okayama on a deeper level, there is Kashira Island, which floats in the Seto Inland Sea.
If you cross the Bizen Nissho Bridge, which opened in 2015, you can also access the area from Osaka in about two hours by car.
Visit the Tanukiyama Observatory for panoramic views of the surrounding islands, and be sure to try the oyster-filled okonomiyaki known as "kakioko."
A recommended companion to your visit to Azuma Island is the Glamping Resort Setorini Bizen, which is modeled after the Greek island of Santorini.
All rooms have ocean views, and the relaxing and elegant time you spend there is sure to make your travel experience in Japan even more memorable.
So far we have introduced recommended accommodations in each area near Osaka, but finally, we will introduce recommended accommodations for those using Osaka as their base for traveling around the city.
Sky Dome Hannan, located one hour from Osaka city, is particularly conveniently located if you are considering a day trip to Wakayama.
Located in a green observation area known as the best spot for night views in the Senshu area of Osaka, you can enjoy a luxurious glamping experience while enjoying the beautiful scenery overlooking Osaka Bay.
Rinku no Yado MARUYA Izumisano is a "traveller's lodge where everyone can stay," and can accommodate up to 3 people in three Japanese-style rooms and three Western-style rooms.
With easy access to Nishi-Nishi International Airport, it is recommended not only as a base for your trip to Osaka, but also as a place to stay before heading home after touring the Osaka area.
We have compiled a list of areas near Osaka that are recommended for day trips from Osaka that can be enjoyed in conjunction with the Osaka-Kansai Expo (EXPO 2025).
There are many attractive tourist destinations near Osaka, and with easy access from Osaka, it's easy to plan your trip there.
Not only is it easy to travel from Osaka, but it's also convenient to travel between the neighboring areas introduced here, so if you travel smart, you'll be able to fully enjoy the charms of the Kansai area.
Use this article as a reference to incorporate the areas that interest you into your travel plans and enjoy a wonderful trip to Japan.
*This column was created based on information as of June 2025.Please check the official website for the latest information on each facility.
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