Beyond Osaka Expo 2025: 4 Lesser-Known Day Trips From Osaka You Should Know

Come for the Osaka Expo 2025. Stay for everything else. 

 

Next year is going to be an exciting year for Osaka, as it’s hosting the Osaka Expo 2025—a huge 184-day-long world fair organized and sanctioned by the Bureau International des Expositions. 161 countries, 9 international organizations, and a whole host of companies, NGOs, NPOs, and other groups will have booths, exhibits, and dozens of other exciting, future-forward initiatives.

 

Osaka will be hosting the Osaka Expo 2025 from April 13 to October 13.

 

Whether you’re planning to attend Osaka Expo 2025 for work or pleasure, know that you don’t have to spend the entire time in the city. If you want to build in some time to get away from the urban hustle and bustle, consider a few quick day trips outside of Osaka. The surrounding region has many fantastic little towns to explore. Not only do these destinations offer beautiful surroundings and fascinating cultural experiences, they’re also easily accessible from Osaka city center in three hours or less by public transport. 

 

Read on for some suggestions for lesser-known day trips from Osaka. 

 

1. Amanohashidate, Kyoto

Amanohashidate’s natural land bridge is one of the most popular natural scenic views in Japan.

 

If your idea of a holiday is spending time in beautiful nature, then Amanohashidate is the ideal day trip for you!

 

Nestled in Miyazu Bay in northern Kyoto, Amanohashidate—literally, “Heaven’s Bridge”—is a 3.6 km-long sand bar connecting two sides of Miyazu Bay. Covered with around 6,700 pine trees, this snaking, meandering natural land bridge is one of the three most famous scenic views in Japan. You can cross the bay by walking or cycling across; and there are many benches and areas to rest en route.

 

Local legend says that Amanohashidate was created by Izanagi-no-mikoto as a path from the heavens. That’s certainly believable when viewing this verdant strip of land from the observatory at the top of Mt. Monju! Visitors will also notice other people at Amanohashidate View Land bending over to look between their legs. Upside down, this land bridge resembles a green dragon soaring through the sky.

 

2. Uji, Kyoto

Nestled between Kyoto City and Nara Prefectures, Uji is a must-visit for tea and nature lovers.

 

Are you interested in Japan’s traditions? Is learning about culture a crucial component of your travels? In that case, the small beautiful town of Uji should be on your bucket list. Most first-time visitors to Japan will travel to Kyoto and Nara, two of the country’s most famous cultural centers. Uji is situated right between both of these cities, and is also only an hour away from downtown Osaka. 

 

Craving for matcha? Uji is the place to be. Photo Credit: Kido / PIXTA

 

Uji occupies a special place in Japanese culture for several reasons. One, the quality of its tea is second to none—in fact, most of the matcha consumed in Kyoto is grown in Uji. Two, its lovely environs are the setting for the last ten chapters of Murasaki Shikibu’s "The Tale of Genji", a literary masterpiece and arguably the world’s first novel. Three, the town is home to a number of historically significant sacred sites and museums that are sure to delight any culture vulture.

 

A day in Uji can take many different forms. Consider sampling all the tea and tea-flavored snacks along Byodo-in Omotesando Street. Follow this with a visit to Ujigami Shrine (the oldest extant shrine in Japan) or the World Heritage Site Byodoin Temple, home to the elegant Phoenix Hall (the same one that appears on the 10-yen coin!) Video game lovers can’t miss the newly opened Nintendo Museum! Or, you can simply drink tea and admire the view along the Uji River.

 

3. Arima Onsen, Hyogo

Relax in the warm waters of Arima Onsen. Photo Credit: KOBE TOURISM BUREAU

 

A day trip out to the serene hot spring town of Arima Onsen is ideal for those who prefer to relax and take things slow. Nestled in the shadows of Mt. Rokko, this small mountain town feels secluded, but is easily accessible from Kobe or Osaka, making it an easy day trip for anyone needing a quick break from the big city.

 

The hot steam rising from Arima Onsen’s waters. Photo Credit: KOBE TOURISM BUREAU

 

Arima Onsen has a long history of over 1,000 years, making it one of Japan’s oldest hot spring resorts. It’s certainly well-loved, and regularly tops the rankings for onsen in West Japan! Visitors can try bathing in two kinds of hot spring water: “Kinsen,” or “gold water,” which has iron and salt deposits that are said to be good for sensitivity to cold, joint pain, skin disorders; and “Ginsen,” or “silver water,” which contains carbonic acid and radon.

 

The town is relatively compact, making it easy to explore entirely on foot and cover everything in a single day. While some of the town is built up, pockets of Arima Onsen still contain winding, narrow lanes and wooden buildings, giving it a delightfully old-fashioned atmosphere. Those who aren’t keen on a full hot spring bath can still enjoy the waters at the onsen complex called Taiko no Yu that’s located a mere five-minute walk from Arima Onsen. 

 

 

4. Awaji Island, Hyogo

 

The Godzilla ride at Nijigen-no-mori. Photo Credit: TM & © TOHO CO., LTD.

 

Travelers who prefer an active and varied itinerary will find that there’s something for everyone at Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture. This large island in the Seto Inland Sea is home to a diverse range of attractions, from theme parks and botanic gardens to whirlpools and hiking trails.

 

Awaji Island is fabulous for those who love thrilling theme parks. It’s home to Nijigen-no-Mori, a sprawling amusement park featuring the world’s only “life-sized” Godzilla attraction. The zipline here is not to be missed — you can ride it straight into the kaiju’s gaping maw! Nijigen-no-Mori also includes smaller theme parks, such as Dragon Quest Island, a real-life outdoor RPG based on the popular Square Enix game of the same name; and Naruto & Boruto Shinobizato, based on the world-famous anime series. You could very easily spend a whole day (or several) in this amusement park alone — never mind the three other Hello Kitty attractions in Awaji Hello Kitty Apple Land, along the west coast of Awaji Island. 

 

Naruto Strait’s tidal whirlpools are a must-see.

 

If theme parks aren’t your cup of tea, there are other sights and attractions to enjoy. One option is to head over to the Naruto Strait to see impressive tidal whirlpools that occur every six hours or so. For architecture lovers, Awaji Yumebutai is a very cool green architectural complex designed by Tadao Ando, one of Japan’s most famous architects. If you’d rather be out in nature, Awaji Hanasajiki is the place to head to—a vast plateau blanketed by fields of flowers, different kinds blooming all year round. Best of all, it’s free to enter.  

 

Perhaps a complete reset is what’s needed. In this case, wellness facility Zenbo Seinei is an ideal retreat, offering total rest and rejuvenation through their one-day and overnight packages. In this spacious and beautiful facility surrounded by greenery, guests can participate in Zen-focused experiences that include seated meditation, yoga, and gorgeously healthy gourmet meals.

 

 

Conclusion

As you can see, West Japan has a wealth of lesser-known towns and areas just waiting to be explored. Whether you're interested in traditional culture, nature-focused sightseeing, or high-energy theme parks, there's a destination and activity for every traveler. When you're in town for Osaka Expo 2025 and need a break from the big city, do consider adding these places to your itinerary!

 

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