Nara

• <8.30 AM-10.00AM> Leave for Kyoto Station & ride to Nara
  • Miyakoji rapid trains operate every 30 minutes between Kyoto Station and JR Nara The one way trip takes 45 minutes, costs 720 yen and is covered by the Japan Rail Pass. For the same fare, the trip could also be made by twice-hourly local trains in 75 minutes.
• < 10.00 AM> Arrive at JR NARA Station
• <10.15 AM to 12.00 PM> Visit Kofuku-ji temple (Kōfuku-ji)
  • Kofuku-ji Temple is located only a few minutes from Kintetsu-Nara station. It’s a little bit further from JR Nara Station, but this gives you a chance to walk through some of Nara’s iconic streets. Kofuku-ji Temple is one of the eight UNESCO world heritage sites that can be found in Nara.
  • Visiting the temple grounds of Kofuku-ji is free. You do have to pay a few hundred yen for entering some of the buildings, including the Central Golden Hall, the Eastern Golden Hall and the National Treasure Museum.
  • The original Central Golden Hall at Kofuku-ji Temple was destroyed in a fire almost 300 years ago. It has been reconstructed to its original size and opened to the public in October 2018. Inside, you can find the Yakushi Buddha.
  • Take some time to explore the temple grounds, as there are many shrines and temples to admire. Moving towards the side, you can find the Southern Octagonal Halls. These buildings date back over a thousand years.
• <12.00 PM to 1.00 PM> Lunch
• <1.00 PM to 3.00 PM> Visit Todai-ji Temple
  • Todai-ji Temple is one of Nara’s most famous buildings. Also listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, Todai-ji is the world’s largest wooden structure. It houses the world’s largest Daibutsu-san, or Bronze Buddha Statue, in the Great Buddha Hall.
  • The temple was established in 752. If you’re planning your one day in Nara, make sure to stop by this temple – it was by far my favourite sight in the city.
  • It is almost impossible to grasp the size of Todai-ji. The fact that this building is entirely made out of wood is incredible.
  • To enter the building, you pay an entree fee for the museum or buy a combined ticket for the museum and the hall. Inside the hall, you can witness Japan’s largest Buddha statue in bronze.

Optional –  Visit Kasuga-Taisha –  Nara has quite a few shrines and temples to visit. So when you’re only in Nara for one day, you’ll have to pick and choose. That’s why I’d recommend visiting Kasuga-Taisha. It fits perfectly with the walking route of this one-day itinerary and gives you the chance to visit one of Nara’s most beautiful shrines. Kasuga-Taisha is famous for its 3,000 stone lanterns lining up the path towards the entrance. They are also known as “toro”. This shrine is another one of eight Nara UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It was built in 768 and has been rebuilt every 20 years until 1863. This was done because of the Shinto concept of purity.

Osaka

 Multiple train connections are available between Nara and Osaka. Once in Osaka head to Osaka Castle

• <3.00 PM> Osaka Castle stands majestically as a symbol of history and resilience, characterized by its striking white walls, expansive moats, and stunning multi-tiered architecture adorned with intricate gold accents, offering visitors a glimpse into Japan’s feudal past. The castle’s interior showcases a museum displaying artifacts and exhibits, narrating the rich history of the region and providing panoramic views of Osaka from its observation deck atop the main keep. 
  • The park is huge, getting from the edge of the 60,000 sq.ft park to the main building will take a lot of steps. 
  • Entry inside the castle requires a ticket Opening Hours: 9am to 5pm, Entrance Fee: ¥600 (free with Osaka Amazing Pass)
• <5.00 PM> Head to Osaka for food tour
  • Osaka is the neon capital of Japan. Walking through the streets of the central shopping area Dotonbori in central Osaka almost feels like being in a colorful theme park. Huge dazzling neon billboards sparkle with every color, while giant lively plastic crabs, octopus, and blowfish hang from the walls welcoming hungry passers-by into the many specialty restaurants. This area really comes to life after dark when its many restaurants, street food stalls, and shops open up, and the locals and tourists flock to the streets for an authentic Osaka gastronomical experience.
• <4.00 PM Onwards> Kuromon Ichibia Market (take the train from Osaka station)
  • Kuromon Ichiba Market, known as “The kitchen of Osaka”, is an energetic and fun food market. It is like a landmark in Osaka and has been going on for over a century. It is a must-visit if you come to Osaka and like food (who doesn’t?! 🙂 ).If you are a bit unfamiliar with Osaka’s specialties and food culture, it might be a good idea to join a food tour with a local guide (Get Your Guide). The guide will tell you all about the history of this market and will explain the food and give you different Osaka dishes to try out.
  • Here you can indulge in a 600 m long array of vendors selling all sorts of Japanese food delights, snacks, and odd specialties. The vendors sell fresh fish and meats of all kinds, some you eat raw as sushi/ sashimi or you can grill them on the grills set up on the street.
  • • Address: 2 Chome-4-1 Nipponbashi, Chuo Ward, Osaka
    • How To Get There: Take the Sakai-suji Subway Line to Nippombashi Station. Head out of exit 10 to get to the market.
    • Opening Hours: 09:00 am – 18:00/ 6 pm
    • Ticket Prices: Free to walk around at the market, but the food cost money of course 🙂
  • Dotonbori Street! (You can walk from Kuromon)
    • You are now in the middle of the famous neon-lit strip Dotonbori which is lined with restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars.
    • When you have seen photos of Osaka, they have most likely been of streets packed with extravagant 3D signs and colorful neon signs. Dotombori, or Dotonbori, is the neon heaven of Osaka and a must-visit area after dark just to watch the craziness and take urban and cool street photos.
    • The history of the Dotonbori area dates back to 1612 when the man Yasui Doton put all his money into this vast development project – make Umezu River into a new waterway connecting the network of local canals with the Kizugawa River. Then the war Siege of Osaka came in 1615, and Doton was unfortunately killed. His cousins completed his work and named the new canal Dotonbori (meaning Doton Canal) after its founder Yasui Doton. The new canal became a huge success, and the trade bloomed, making this area of Osaka into a famous entertainment district. Lots of theaters and playhouses popped up, as well as restaurants and teahouses. Sadly, during World War II, most of the theaters were bombed. You will only find one theater left – the Shochikuza, who still shows traditional Japanese kabuki plays, opera, dramas, and musicals.
    • Dotombori is the place to head to in the evenings to enjoy and check out Osaka’s famous food culture. Osaka’s main food specialties are:
      • Okonomiyaki – Pancakes/ pizza filled with cabbage and different meats, topped with a special sauce
      • Takoyaki – Dumpling balls with octopus (see picture below)
      • Kushikatsu – It is like Yakitori or skewered of grilled meat, seafood, and vegetables, although Kushikatsu is deep-fried. It is often enjoyed with a cold beer.
      • Kaiten-sushi – Conveyor-belt sushi/ sushi trains. This is an Osaka invention from the 1950s.
      • Kappo-ryori – Posh, high-end dining. The menu varies with the season and consists of different small dishes. It is kind of like Kaiseki (traditional Japanese Haute cuisine), although it is not that formal. You sit by the counter and are handed the dishes by the chef directly. The atmosphere is rather laid-back and casual, but the prices can be quite stiff. So ask for prices before ordering if you are on a budget