Recommended Drive Course

Osaka Castle exterior
Osaka Castle exteriorWikimedia Commons contributor / CC BY-SA 3.0

Kansai International Airport · Pickup / Return

Kansai Golden Route: 5 Days

From Kansai Airport through Nara, rural Kyoto, Lake Biwa and Kobe.

Suggested days
5
Total distance
520 km
Driving load
Easy
Best season
Please check the official website for the latest information.

About 520 km over 5 days, roughly 104 km a day. Actual time on the road depends on traffic and how often you stop.

holioo.com Japan Drive Editorial TeamLast updated2026.09.01

This route suits

  • Reaching outer areas such as Miyama or Amanohashidate
  • Groups or travelling with older family
  • Heavier luggage

Less suitable for

  • Staying inside central Kyoto or Osaka
  • Peak autumn weekends, when the city jams
  • Anyone who would rather not deal with city parking

Kansai International Airport

Departure

DAY 1

KIX → Osaka

About 1 hour from KIX

Osaka Castle Park

MapCode1 020 489
Osaka Castle exterior
Osaka Castle exteriorWikimedia Commons contributor / CC BY-SA 3.0

1-1 Osakajo, Chuo-ku, Osaka

Suggested stay: 2 hours

Parking: Morinomiya car park, JPY 350/hour

Recommended overnight area: Osaka city, hotel with parking

DAY 2

Osaka → Nara

About 1 hour from Osaka

Todaiji Temple

MapCode11 356 611
Great Buddha Hall at Todaiji, Nara
Great Buddha Hall at Todaiji, NaraBalon Greyjoy / CC0

406-1 Zoshicho, Nara

Suggested stay: 2 hours

Parking: Nearby paid parking, JPY 1,000

Google Maps
Recommended overnight area: Nara city

DAY 3

Nara → Uji → Lake Biwa

About 50 min from Nara

Byodo-in

MapCode7 613 048
Phoenix Hall at Byodoin, Uji
Phoenix Hall at Byodoin, UjiOilstreet / CC BY-SA 3.0

116 Renge, Uji, Kyoto

Suggested stay: 1.5 hours

Parking: Municipal parking JPY 700

Lake Biwa Bridge

Lake Biwa Bridge in Shiga
Lake Biwa Bridge in ShigaTakawata / CC BY-SA 4.0

Otsu, Shiga

Suggested stay: 1 hour

Parking: Free parking at Michi-no-Eki Biwako Ohashi

Recommended overnight area: Otsu or Hikone

DAY 4

Lake Biwa → Kobe

About 2 hours from Lake Biwa

Mt. Rokko viewpoint

MapCode12 493 679

Rokkosan-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe

Suggested stay: 1.5 hours

Parking: Viewpoint parking JPY 500

Recommended overnight area: Sannomiya, Kobe

DAY 5

Kobe → return at KIX

15 min to the airport

Rinku Premium Outlets

MapCode39 069 186

3-28 Rinku Orai Minami, Izumisano

Suggested stay: 2 hours

Parking: Large car park, validated with purchase

About 1.5–2.5 hours

Kansai International Airport

Arrival / Return

Driving this route together? Send the itinerary to the people coming with you.

holioo.com | Kansai Golden Route: 5 Days https://e-drive.holioo.com/en/routes/golden-route-kansai-5-days

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