7-Day JR Pass Itinerary for Western Japan
2026/03/11
If you're planning a trip to Japan and wondering how to get the most out of a 7-day JR Pass, Western Japan is the perfect region to explore.
In just one week, you can visit ancient temples, walk through historic castle towns, pay respects at a powerful peace memorial, see one of Japan's most iconic floating torii gates, and eat your way through some of the country's best food cities.
The 7-day JR Pass covers unlimited travel on most JR trains, including the Shinkansen (except Nozomi and Mizuho trains), making it ideal for a Western Japan loop. The pass pays for itself quickly when you're traveling between cities like Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Himeji.
Before diving into the day-by-day plan, here's what the JR Pass gets you on this route:
Shinkansen (Hikari and Kodama) between Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Himeji, and Shin-Kobe
JR Local and Rapid trains within each city's JR network
JR ferry to Miyajima Island from Miyajimaguchi
Haruka Airport Express from Kansai Airport to Osaka or Kyoto
The Nozomi Shinkansen (fastest trains) are NOT covered. Always board Hikari or Kodama trains with your JR Pass. They're only slightly slower and stop at the same main stations.
Also read, How to Activate Your JR Pass
Base city: Osaka
Start your JR Pass itinerary in Osaka — Japan's most energetic city and the food capital of the country. If you're flying into Kansai International Airport (KIX), your JR Pass already covers the Haruka Express directly to Osaka Station or Shin-Osaka.
Check into your hotel and head straight to Dotonbori, the canal-side entertainment district that never seems to sleep. The giant Glico running man sign, the crab claw over the Kani Doraku restaurant, the wall of ramen shops — it's an assault on the senses in the best way. This is where to try takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory Japanese pancakes).
Spend the evening walking through the covered arcades of Shinsaibashi and Namba. Don't plan too much on Day 1 — let the city's energy carry you.
What to eat today: Takoyaki at Aizuya, okonomiyaki at Fukutaro, and fresh ramen anywhere that has a queue outside.
Base city: Osaka
JR trains used today: JR Osaka Loop Line to Morinomiya (for Osaka Castle)
Day 2 gives you a fuller picture of Osaka beyond the tourist center. Start at Osaka Castle first thing in the morning, before the crowds arrive. The castle grounds are beautiful and free to walk through — the main keep has an admission fee and a museum inside, plus rooftop views of the city.
In the afternoon, head to Shinsekai, one of Osaka's oldest and most characterful neighborhoods. It was built in the early 1900s to resemble Paris and New York — a bold vision that didn't quite go to plan, but left behind a wonderfully gritty, old-school atmosphere.
Eat kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers) here — it's the local specialty and the rule is never double-dip your skewer in the communal sauce. Finish the day at Tennoji, where you'll find a free-to-enter garden and the modern Abeno Harukas skyscraper with an observation deck.
If you'd rather let someone else handle the navigation and stories, an Osaka city highlights tour covers the castle, Dotonbori, and local food culture with a guide who knows the city well.
Base city: Kyoto
JR train: Osaka to Kyoto — about 15 minutes on the JR Kyoto Line (Rapid)
Move to Kyoto in the morning. The train journey takes just 15 minutes, so there's no reason to rush checkout.
Drop your bags at the hotel and go straight to Fushimi Inari Taisha — one of Japan's most photographed sights. Thousands of vermillion torii gates wind up a mountain in continuous tunnels. You can walk the full trail (about 2–3 hours up and back) or just go partway for the best photo sections. Get there before 9 am if possible — it gets very busy by mid-morning.
In the afternoon, walk through Gion, Kyoto's most famous geisha district. The main street of Hanamikoji is lined with traditional wooden machiya townhouses. Early evening is the best time to be here — it's atmospheric, beautiful, and if you're lucky, you might spot a geiko or maiko on their way to an appointment.
End the evening at Pontocho, a narrow alley running alongside the Kamo River packed with restaurants and bars. Book dinner in advance for anything upscale.
What to see: Nishiki Market (Kyoto's "Kitchen") is a short walk from Gion and great for snacks and food browsing.
Base city: Kyoto
JR trains used today: JR Sagano Line to Saga-Arashiyama for Arashiyama
Kyoto has 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines — you can't see them all, but today covers the best. Start early at Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), which is genuinely as beautiful as every photo suggests. Go at opening time (9 am) for the smallest crowds.
From there, head to Arashiyama on the western edge of the city. The Bamboo Grove is a quick but striking walk through towering bamboo that blocks out the sky. Nearby, Tenryu-ji Temple has one of the finest garden views in all of Japan — the mountains frame the pond perfectly in every season. Rent a rowboat on the Oi River for a relaxed afternoon break.
In the late afternoon, take the city bus to the Philosopher's Path — a canal-side walkway lined with cherry trees connecting Nanzen-ji and Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion). It's one of Kyoto's most pleasant walks, especially in the golden hour light.
Base city: Hiroshima (move today)
JR trains: Kyoto to Nara (45 min, JR Nara Line), Nara to Kyoto (45 min), Kyoto to Hiroshima (1h 20min, Hikari Shinkansen)
This is a transition day — you'll visit Nara in the morning, then travel to Hiroshima in the afternoon. It works well if you're up early.
Nara is home to over 1,000 free-roaming deer that wander through Nara Park like they own the place (because historically, they did — they were considered sacred messengers of the gods). Buy deer crackers from a vendor and you'll have friends for life, briefly.
The big sight in Nara is Todai-ji Temple, home to Japan's largest bronze Buddha. It's housed inside one of the world's largest wooden buildings. The scale of it is genuinely surprising — photos don't fully prepare you. Kasuga Taisha Shrine, deep in the forest with hundreds of bronze lanterns, is worth the short walk too.
Be back at Kyoto Station by early afternoon for the Shinkansen to Hiroshima. Check into your hotel and take a gentle evening walk through Hiroshima's Hondori shopping arcade and along the riverfront.
Base city: Hiroshima
JR Pass coverage: JR trains to Miyajimaguchi + JR ferry to Miyajima Island
This is one of the most important days of the entire JR Pass itinerary. Hiroshima and Miyajima together make for a full, deeply memorable day.
Start at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which sits at the epicenter of the 1945 atomic bombing. Walk through the park, visit the A-Bomb Dome — the only structure left standing near the hypocenter, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and spend time in the Peace Memorial Museum. The museum is honest, detailed, and moving. Allow at least 90 minutes inside.
After the museum, take the JR train and ferry to Miyajima Island. The JR ferry from Miyajimaguchi is covered by your JR Pass. On the island, the floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine is one of Japan's most iconic images. At high tide, it appears to float on the water. At low tide, you can walk out to it. Both are special in different ways.
Miyajima also has free-roaming deer (friendlier and smaller than Nara's), the atmospheric shrine complex built over the sea, and excellent momiji manju (maple leaf-shaped cakes filled with red bean paste) — the island's famous snack.
Return to Hiroshima for dinner. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki is different from Osaka's — it's layered rather than mixed, with noodles inside, and it's absolutely worth trying at the Okonomimura building (a multi-floor food hall dedicated to the dish).
Base city: Osaka (final night) via Himeji stopover
JR trains: Hiroshima to Himeji (Hikari Shinkansen, ~50 min), Himeji to Shin-Osaka (~40 min)
End your 7-day JR Pass itinerary with a brilliant stopover at Himeji. Check out of your Hiroshima hotel in the morning, take the Shinkansen east, and stop in Himeji before continuing to Osaka.
Himeji Castle is Japan's finest surviving feudal castle and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unlike most Japanese castles that were rebuilt after wartime destruction, Himeji is the real thing — original 17th-century construction, never bombed, still standing exactly as it was built for the Tokugawa shogunate.
The castle looks stunning from every angle. The main keep rises in five dramatic tiers of white plaster walls and sweeping curved roofs. Inside, you can walk through the original wooden floors, narrow staircases, and defensive features. The views from the top floor over the city are excellent.
Next to the castle is Koko-en Garden, a collection of nine distinct Edo-period garden styles. It's beautiful and rarely crowded compared to Kyoto's gardens.
After Himeji, take the Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka (about 40 minutes). If you're flying home the next morning from KIX, your JR Pass covers the Haruka Express back to the airport.
The 7-day JR Pass currently costs around ¥50,000 for adults. Here's a rough breakdown of what individual tickets would cost on this itinerary:
Osaka to Kyoto: ~¥560 (×2 trips) = ~¥1,120
Kyoto to Nara: ~¥720 (×2 trips) = ~¥1,440
Kyoto to Hiroshima (Shinkansen): ~¥10,440
Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi + JR Ferry: ~¥680
Hiroshima to Himeji (Shinkansen): ~¥5,720
Himeji to Shin-Osaka (Shinkansen): ~¥5,440
Haruka Airport Express (arrival + departure): ~¥3,600
JR local trains within cities: ~¥2,000 estimated
Estimated total without JR Pass: ~¥30,440
The 7-day pass doesn't always save money on Western Japan alone unless you're making a lot of moves. To maximize value, add a side trip to Kanazawa (¥13,000+ from Osaka return) or extend your trip toward Tokyo.
