Kansai Attractions with Kintetsu Railway

Overview

The best of Kansai and the thrills of Universal Studios Japan

Home to Osaka, Kyoto, and many other destinations, the Kansai region offers various exciting attractions. This tour allows you to experience such attractions by utilising Kintetsu railway trains: Shimakaze & Kintetsu Ise-Shima Liner.
Explore the vibrant city of Osaka, discover Kansai’s hidden treasures such as ninja town and the natural beauty of Ise-Shima, and immerse yourself in the historic sceneries of Kyoto and Nara while enjoying the train journeys.

The tour also includes a day at the world-famous Universal Studios Japan. Embark on a super-real experience with movie-themed attractions and the latest addition of “Super Nintendo World™”, bringing the world of Mario and the gangs to life.

“Let’s-a go!” Take a ride through fun attractions Kansai offers with our fully-escorted tour.

Highlights

Shimakaze – an express journey through incredible sights

Take the premium limited express train Shimakaze on the way back from Ise. This will be a scenic journey full of luxury and comfort after a bliss trip in Ise-Shima. The train offers high quality comfort with deluxe seating complete with extra-large windows, plus access to a café car.

Learn about Shimakaze

Dine like a world leader at Michelin star restaurant in Ise-shima

Indulge in the ocean’s rich blessings; beautiful dishes of abalone, Ise lobster and more when dining at Shima Kanko Hotel’s French restaurant. This restaurant served the world leaders at the G7 Summit in 2016 and is experienced in luxury dining.

Photo: sample image

Stand-off with a Ninja!

It’s time to head to Iga and learn all the secrets of the ninja – discover this unique side of Japanese history. Iga is the birthplace of the legendary ninja. Tour around the ninja trick house and be entertained by their hilarious performance.

Fun and excitement await you at Universal Studios Japan!

Each distinct world holds new and unique adventures at every turn.　With attractions inspired by Hollywood’s greatest hits, as well as exciting seasonal events and endless entertainment, there’s fun for every kind of adventurer!

Visit the Ama women of Ise

The Ama are professional skin-divers in Japan who have been trading for 2,000 years. There are about 500 Ama live and dive for a living in the region. You can visit their hut to have some locally-caught fresh seafood, grilled in the traditional Irori fireplace for you. The perfect opportunity to learn from them about their way of life – a one of a kind experience.

Dinner with a maiko

A rare opportunity to spend an evening enjoying performances by maiko (apprentice geisha) and savour Kyoto’s famed ‘kaiseki‘ multi-course dinner with drinks. Take part in traditional geisha games for a true Japanese experience.

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Itinerary

DAY 1Osaka

A welcome in true Osaka style

Meals: Dinner
Stay: Sheraton Miyako Osaka (Premium Twin / Premium King)

Welcome to Osaka, the second-largest city in Japan!

Your tour escort will greet you at the Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka*.
The welcome-dinner in the evening features ‘Okonomiyaki’ – Osaka’s favourite dish, as well as seafood and steak in Teppanyaki style.
Watch the chefs prepare your order on the grill right in front of you!

*Please arrive at the hotel by 6 pm.
*Alternatively, you can also meet up with the tour escort to assist you with getting to the hotel if you are arriving at Osaka-Itami airport between 9 am to 11 am.

DAY 2Osaka > Iga > Osaka

A day trip to Iga’s ninja town

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay: Sheraton Miyako Osaka (Premium Twin / Premium King)

Let’s begin this rail journey with the Ninja city, Iga.
Visit Iga Ueno Castle constructed in the 17th century, feel the power of samurai lords who employed ninjas for convert missions. At Iga-Ryu Ninja Museum, be guided to a ninja house and discover all about their traps: fake hallways, hidden doors and escape routes. You will be amazed by the authentic ninja performance featuring actual weapons. You can even test your shuriken-weapon throwing skill!
Returning to Osaka, immerse yourself into the panorama of the city from the observatory deck of Abeno Harukas, the tallest building in Japan.

DAY 3Osaka

Thrilling rides and fun attractions at Universal Studios Japan

Meals: Breakfast
Stay: Sheraton Miyako Osaka (Premium Twin / Premium King)

Experience the fun in Universal Studios Japan!
Fill your day with plenty of fun attractions and activities in this exciting theme park.
We will arrive just before the opening so you can try the most popular attractions and rides before they get busy!
Universal Studios Japan currently has ten sections: Hollywood, New York, San Francisco, Jurassic Park, Waterworld, Amity Village, Universal Wonderland, Minion Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and newly introduced Super Nintendo World™. You’ll enjoy many amusement rides as well as unforgettable character encounters, unique restaurants, and live entertainment around every corner. Enjoy the full day of action-packed entertainment all in one place at Universal Studios Japan!

DAY 4Osaka > Ise-Shima

Express train journey to Ise

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Shima Kanko Hotel (Comfort Twin)

Pack an overnight bag for an Ise-Shima trip! Sit back and enjoy the comfort of Kintetsu Ise-Shima Liner while viewing the stunning landscapes along the way. Stepping off the train in Ise-Shima, you will explore the Okage Yokocho district, with its traditional Japanese townscapes offering lots to see and eat! After a visit to the sacred Ise Grand Shrine, indulge yourself at a Michelin star French restaurant for dinner at the hotel, the host of 2016 G7 summit with impeccable hospitality.

DAY 5Ise-Shima > Osaka

Discover Ise-Shima

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Stay: Sheraton Miyako Osaka (Premium Twin / Premium King)

Wake up to a spectacular view of Ago Bay. Enjoy a 50-minute, fully immersive sightseeing cruise with a short stop-over at a pearl factory, before heading to a scenic drive to visit the Ama hut, where professional skin-divers live and dive for a living. On arrival, the Ama women will serve you a fresh seafood barbecue. During your visit, you have the unique opportunity of speaking to the Ama women and getting to know their stories. At the Mikimoto Pearl Island, you will get to witness the Ama’s diving performance and lean all about pearl products.
Travel back to Osaka in comfort by Shimakaze, a sightseeing limited express with deluxe seatings, extra-large windows, and a café car. As we return to Osaka, we will take you to Dotonbori, one of Osaka’s most iconic areas. Dotonbori is an energetic, chaotic blur of neon lights, people, outrageous oversized restaurant signs with food, food and more food! Please enjoy Osaka street food like takoyaki (octopus balls), kushi katsu (deep-fried skewers) as you like.

DAY 6Osaka > Nara > Kyoto

Ancient Nara

Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Stay: Westin Miyako Kyoto (Deluxe Twin / Deluxe King)

Hassle-free luggage transfer from Osaka to Kyoto!

After checking out of the hotel, we will head to Nara. The city is home to UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Todai-Ji Temple that houses a 15-meter tall bronze Buddha and has one of the world’s largest wooden buildings, and Kasuga Taisha Shrine with a calm forest path lined with stone lanterns. Take a lovely stroll among many deer in Nara Park.
On arrival at Kyoto by train, check in to the hotel and enjoy the rest of your day exploring the streets or relaxing at the hotel. Complimentary shuttle-bus service from the hotel to downtown Kyoto is also available.

DAY 7Kyoto

Kyoto’s highlights

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Stay: Westin Miyako Kyoto (Deluxe Twin / Deluxe King)

A private coach will take you on a sightseeing tour through Kyoto’s most iconic sights.
We will visit UNESCO World Heritage sites: Kinkakuji Temple and Kiyomizu-dera Temple, as well as Fushimi Inari Taisha with its iconic thousands of vermilliion torii gates across the narrow pathway to the mountain top.
Also, in Arashiyama, hop on a rickshaw and glide through stunning bamboo forests and the picture perfect “Moon crossing” bridge with your friendly driver-guide.
At the last dinner, spend the evening at an elegant restaurant surrounded by beautifully landscaped Japanese gardens and enjoy a Kaiseki meal. And as a truly rare experience, be entertained over dinner by a maiko – a geisha apprentice – with a performance featuring games and music.

DAY 8Kyoto

Last day of the tour – See you again!

Meals: Breakfast

The tour concludes after the final breakfast.
Enjoy reminiscing and making plans on what to explore next time!

Accommodation

Osaka

Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka

Premium Twin / Premium King

Directly connected to Uehonmachi train station, Sheraton Miyako Hotel Osaka operated by Kintetsu Miyako Hotels provides a hassle-free travel experience. Quality contemporary room has all the essentials for a comfortable stay.

Ise-Shima

Shima Kanko Hotel The Classic

Comfort Twin

Shima Kanko Hotel The Classic, also operated by Kintetsu Miyako Hotels, was the venue for G7 Summit in 2016. Its stunning view overlooking beautiful Ago Bay and impeccable hospitality is beyond description. Get the celebrity treatment with world-class service.

Kyoto

The Westin Miyako Kyoto

Deluxe Twin / Deluxe King

Founded in 1890, Westin Miyako Kyoto is renowned for its tradition and high-quality hospitality. They offer complimentary shuttle-bus service to downtown Kyoto. The nearby subway station is just a 3-minute walk away. It is also operated by Kintetsu Miyako Hotels.

Inclusions

7 nights accommodation
Meals: Daily breakfast, 3 x lunches, 3 x dinners
English-speaking tour escort throughout the tour
Transportation: Kintetsu limited express trains, local train, chartered coach, ferry tickets, and private taxi between the dinner restaurant and hotel on Day 7
All admission tickets as per the itinerary including Universal Studios Japan 1 day Studio Pass
Luggage transfer from Osaka to Kyoto on Day 6

Exclusions

Flights
Transfers outside the tour itinerary
Hotel incidental charges
Drinks during meals (Exception: Soft drinks and alcoholic beverage are included on the Day 1 dinner and Day 7 dinner.)
Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry, shopping
Entrance fees to museums, temples and other attractions or places of personal interests not detailed in the itinerary
Travel Insurance
Visa not included if required (note: Visa to enter Japan is not required for Australian citizens for trips less than 90 days)

About Kintetsu

In Australia

Kintetsu International Express (Oceania) is an ATAS accredited travel agent in Australia, a member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents. In Australia, we specialise in arranging Corporate and Group Travel for businesses, schools, religious groups and cultural organisations. We have Travel Centres in Sydney and Melbourne serving our Australian customers and offices in Cairns, Gold Coast and Auckland handling Japanese inbound tours. We are also an authorised travel agent to sell Japan Rail Pass and Kintetsu Rail Pass in Australia

In Japan and Worldwide

Kintetsu International belongs to the travel arm of the Kintetsu Group, a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate which operates a major Japanese rail system, bus & freight forwarding companies, department stores, restaurants & hotel chains. We have more than 150 offices in Japan and more than 40 overseas offices worldwide. Utilising our global network, we guide our customers to every location around the globe with quality and dependable services.