A tour of Japan doesn’t have to be all about neon lights and skyscrapers. Osaka day trips are packed with historic castles, natural hot springs and peaceful mountains.

1. Kyoto

Tucked away on the southwest edge of Lake Biwa and Lake Biwa Flower Fountain, Kyoto contains enough appeal to warrant a long getaway, but if you’re short on time, Kyoto’s most popular attractions can be seen in one day.

• Kiyomizu-dera temple: tour Buddhist temples, an ancient graveyard and the iconic Otowa Waterfall inside a scenic park with hilltop views.
• Nishiki Market: stop for lunch and grab edible Japanese souvenirs at this iconic market that has been in operation for more than 400 years.
• Higashiyama Jisho-ji: spend the afternoon in a 15th-century Zen temple, loved for its picturesque gardens, peaceful lake area and Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion).
• Kinkakuji temple: photograph a historic temple with a gold-leaf façade while catching a breath of fresh air in manicured gardens nestled around a reflecting pond.
• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: watch for monkeys while wandering through a towering forest of bamboo trees.
• Fushimi Inari Taisha: follow a path of torii gates in this mountainside Shinto shrine that dates to 711 A.D.

Quickest ways to get to Kyoto from Osaka

Osaka Station takes passengers to Kyoto Station on three different lines. The journey takes 30 to 45minutes.

Take the bullet train at Shin-Osaka Station and arrive in Kyoto in 15 minutes.

2. Nara

The most popular attraction in Nara is Nara Park. Visitors can photograph and feed dozens of deer roaming freely in the park and tour Todai-ji temple, famous for its 15-meter-tall bronze Buddha. The park also contains Manyo Botanical Gardens and Kasuga Taisha Shinto shrine, loved for its 8th-century architecture and lighted walkway featuring more than 3,000 lanterns.

Fastest way to get to Nara from Osaka

Passengers can board the train at Namba Station and arrive at Kintetsu-Nara Station in about 30 minutes.

The ride from Osaka Station to Nara Station takes 45 minutes.

3. Hiroshima

Historians should build into their itineraries a day trip from Osaka to Hiroshima. The historic experience includes a walk around Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Atomic Bomb Dome, where visitors can learn about the historic bomb that marked a new era in wartime. Also located on the grounds is the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and across the road, travelers can visit the Hiroshima Museum of Art and Hiroshima Castle.

Quickest way to travel from Osaka to Hiroshima

Passengers can board the Shinkansen bullet train at Shin-Osaka Station and arrive at Hiroshima Station in about 90 minutes.

4. Mount Koya (Koyasan)

Established as a monastery in the year 819, Mount Koya serves as the world headquarters of the Koyasan Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. The mountaintop temple was designated in 2004 a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visitors can reach the historic landmark by cable car. Attractions at Mount Koya, also known as Koya-san, include Okunoin, where a mausoleum is dedicated to Kukai, the monk who founded the monastery, and Okunoin Cemetery, the largest graveyard in Japan. Other can’t-miss landmarks in Koya-san are Danjo-garan complex, Muryokoin temple, and Bentendake mountain peak.

Fastest way to travel to Mount Koya (Koya-san)

Trains at both Namba Station and Osaka Station go to Gokurakubashi Station, where passengers can jump on the Koyasan Cable Line. The trip takes about 90 minutes and requires a platform switch at Hashimoto Station.

5. Kanazawa

This seaside city is sometimes referred to as “Little Kyoto” due to its traditional teahouses and charming gardens. Kanazawa Castle is the city’s most popular attraction. Stroll through Kanazawa Castle Park for a view of Ishikawa Gate and the Site of Tatsumi Yagura. Visitors also love a journey through the hidden room and secret passageways of Myouryuji (Ninja Temple).

Popular things to do in Kanazawa

• Higashi Chaya District: watch traditional geisha performances in Japanese teahouses and pick up souvenir gold-leaf handicrafts.
• Kenroku-en: this offshoot of Kanazawa Castle Park is considered one of only three “perfect gardens” in Japan, meaning that the park is designed to showcase its beauty during every season.
• Omicho Market: pick up fresh produce and Japanese street food at this sprawling market known for its fresh seafood dishes.
• 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art: admire the circular glass-walled architecture of the building as much as the Japanese and international art displayed inside.

Fastest train from Osaka to Kanazawa

Both Osaka Station and Shin-Osaka Station offer rides to Kanazawa. The journey takes about two and a half hours.

6. Kobe

Kobe is one of the easiest day trips from Osaka, and for foodies, a bite of authentic, mouth-watering Kobe beef is the best reason to go. Backpackers enjoy visiting the Earthquake Museum (The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Memorial Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution) and the hillside district of Kitanocho, which is on the way to Meriken Park. Photographers go crazy for the views from Mount Rokko, and Arima Onsen hot spring resort awaits weary hikers at the foot of the mountain. Other notable things to do in Kobe include Nankinmachi (Kobe Chinatown) and Kobe City Museum.

Quickest train to Kobe from Osaka

Take the train at Shin-Osaka Station and arrive at Shin-Kobe Station in 30 minutes. Alternately, passengers can go from Umeda Station to Sannomiya Station in about the same amount of time.