Budget Travel Tips

1. Use the JR Kansai Area Pass for unlimited JR train travel, maximizing savings.

2. Eat at local chains and street food markets to save money while enjoying authentic flavors.

3. Visit free attractions like shrines, parks, and shopping streets to balance sightseeing costs.

4. Use convenience stores for snacks and light meals—Japan’s convenience store food is high quality and cheap.

5. Book accommodations near train stations to save time and avoid extra transportation costs.

4-Day Kansai Itinerary on a Budget

Day 1: Arrival → Kyoto

Morning: Arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX) & Travel to Kyoto

• Take Kansai-Airport Express HARUKA (included in the pass) to Kyoto Station (~75 min)

• Store luggage at Kyoto Station lockers if needed

Afternoon: Southern Kyoto - Fushimi Inari & Nishiki Market

• Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine (Famous red torii gates, ~1.5 hours)

• Explore Nishiki Market for affordable street food:

  • Croquettes from Konnamonja (~150 yen)

  • Yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) (~200-300 yen each)

  • Taiyaki (fish-shaped pancake with sweet filling) (~250 yen)

Evening: Gion & Pontocho

• Walk through Gion & Hanamikoji Street

• Visit Kiyomizu-dera Temple for sunset views

Budget Dinner:

• Sukiya (Gyudon beef bowl chain, meals from ~500 yen)

• Tenkaippin (Kyoto-style thick ramen, bowls from ~800 yen)

• Omen (Affordable udon noodles, starting at ~900 yen)

Day 2: Kyoto & Nara

Morning: Arashiyama & Bamboo Grove

• Take JR Sagano Line (Kyoto → Saga-Arashiyama, ~15 min)

• Walk through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove & Togetsukyo Bridge

• Visit Tenryu-ji Temple & Gardens

Budget Breakfast/Snack:

• % Arabica Kyoto (Affordable high-quality coffee, ~500 yen)

• Japanese-style egg sandwich from a convenience store (~300 yen)

Lunch: Budget-Friendly Options in Kyoto

• Arashiyama Yoshimura (Affordable soba noodle sets, ~1,000 yen)

• Marugame Seimen (Udon chain with self-serve toppings, meals from ~500 yen)

Afternoon: Nara - Deer Park & Temples

• Take JR Nara Line (Kyoto → Nara, ~45 min)

• Visit Nara Park and feed the deer (Deer crackers ~200 yen)

• Explore Todaiji Temple & Giant Buddha

• Walk through Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Snack Stop:

• Nakatanidou (Famous mochi-pounding shop, fresh mochi ~150 yen per piece)

Evening: Return to Kyoto & Budget Dinner

• Take JR Nara Line (Nara → Kyoto, ~45 min)

• Ootoya (Affordable teishoku set meals, ~900 yen)

• Coco Ichibanya (Japanese curry rice, ~800 yen)

Day 3: Kobe & Himeji, then Back to Osaka

Morning: Himeji Castle

• Take JR Sanyo Line (Kyoto → Himeji, ~1 hr 30 min)

• Visit Himeji Castle (~1,000 yen entry fee, free to walk around)

• Stroll through Koko-en Garden (300 yen entry)

Budget Breakfast/Snack in Himeji:

• A bakery near Himeji Station (Japanese bread and pastries, ~200-400 yen)

• Onigiri from a convenience store (~150-200 yen per rice ball)

Lunch: Budget-Friendly Himeji Eats

• Anago-meshi Ueno (Affordable grilled eel rice bowls, ~1,000 yen)

• Himeji Oden Set Meal (~800 yen at a local izakaya or station restaurant)

Afternoon: Kobe - Port City Vibes

• Take JR Sanyo Line (Himeji → Kobe, ~40 min)

• Explore Kobe Harborland & Meriken Park

• Walk through Kobe Chinatown (Nankinmachi)

Budget Chinatown Street Food:

• Kobe beef croquettes (~300 yen at a Chinatown stall)

• Pork buns at Roushouki (~450 yen each)

Evening: Budget Kobe Beef Experience

• Mouriya Dining Kobe (Affordable Kobe beef lunch sets from ~1,500 yen)

• Kobe Beef McDonald’s Burger (Limited menu, under ~500 yen)

• Yoshinoya or Matsuya for budget-friendly beef bowls (~500 yen)

Night: Travel to Osaka & Explore Dotonbori

• Take JR Kobe Line (Kobe → Osaka, ~25 min)

Day 4: Osaka Free Time

Morning: Breakfast at Kuromon Market

• Try budget-friendly street food like:

  • Takoyaki (octopus balls, ~500 yen for 6 pieces)

  • Grilled scallops (~400 yen per skewer)

  • Fresh sushi (starting at ~100 yen per piece)

Late Morning: Explore Osaka

• Visit Osaka Castle & Park (entry ~600 yen, free park area)

• Go up Umeda Sky Building (entry ~1,500 yen)

Budget Lunch Recommendations:

• Ichiran Ramen (Single-serving ramen bowls, ~980 yen)

• Okonomiyaki Chibo (Osaka-style savory pancakes, ~1,000 yen)

• McDonald’s Japan (Teriyaki burger set, ~700 yen)

Afternoon: Free time options

• Shopping in Namba & Shinsaibashi (window shopping is free!)

• Explore TeamLab Botanical Garden Osaka (~1,600 yen)

• Visit Tsutenkaku & Shinsekai for kushikatsu skewers (~100-200 yen per skewer)

Evening: Budget Dinner Before Departure

• Tenjinbashi Udon (Affordable Kansai-style udon, ~500 yen)

• Gyoza Ohsho (Japanese dumplings, ~300 yen per plate)

Want to learn more about the JR Regional Pass? Visit jrpass.com for detailed information!