Last reviewed: · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.
Aperçu Général
This moderate-paced 9-day itinerary uses 5 bases — Osaka (2 nights), Kyoto (2 nights), Tokushima (1 night), Kochi (2 nights), Takamatsu (2 nights) — to keep hotel changes low while covering Osaka, Kyoto, Tokushima, Kochi, Takamatsu. Daily spend for mid-range travelers is around ¥17,000 per person including accommodation.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Osaka
Arrive, pick up an IC card and settle in. Easy first afternoon: Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market and Dotonbori street food.
Osaka: Shinsekai kushikatsu
Shinsekai kushikatsu, Umeda Sky Building and Namba nightlife
Travel to Kyoto
Morning transfer to Kyoto (forward big luggage with takkyubin the day before). Afternoon: Fushimi Inari at dawn, then Higashiyama, Kiyomizu-dera and Gion.
Kyoto: Arashiyama bamboo grove
Arashiyama bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji and Kinkaku-ji
Travel to Tokushima
Morning transfer to Tokushima (forward big luggage with takkyubin the day before). Afternoon: Naruto whirlpools and Awa Odori Kaikan.
Travel to Kochi
Morning transfer to Kochi (forward big luggage with takkyubin the day before). Afternoon: Hirome Market katsuo tataki and Kochi Castle.
Flexible day in Kochi
Free day in Kochi: revisit favourites, shop, or rest at an onsen/sento. Ideas: Hirome Market katsuo tataki and Kochi Castle.
Travel to Takamatsu
Morning transfer to Takamatsu (forward big luggage with takkyubin the day before). Afternoon: Ritsurin Garden and sanuki udon crawl.
Flexible day in Takamatsu · depart
Free day in Takamatsu: revisit favourites, shop, or rest at an onsen/sento. Ideas: Ritsurin Garden and sanuki udon crawl. Head to the airport in the afternoon.
Accès & Transports
Use an IC card (Suica/ICOCA) for local trains and buses. Long-distance legs may justify a regional or national JR Pass — check with our JR Pass Calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is 9 days enough for Osaka, Kyoto, Tokushima?
Yes — this plan gives Osaka (2 nights), Kyoto (2 nights), Tokushima (1 night), Kochi (2 nights), Takamatsu (2 nights), which is enough for the main highlights at a moderate pace.
How much does this 9-day Japan trip cost?
Roughly ¥153,000 per person for 9 days (≈¥17,000/day) excluding international flights.
Do I need a JR Pass for this itinerary?
Enter your legs in our JR Pass Calculator; single tickets or regional passes are often cheaper.
When is the best time to do this route?
Late March–May and October–November for the best weather.