FUMI TOURSJAPAN JOURNEYS & RAILWAY GUIDES
Osaka Station platforms beneath the great roof at sunset

← Railway Discovery Journeys

12 days · 11 nights · Self-guided

Kansai to TokyoYour First Rail Adventure

Begin with a simple airport train, find your feet in Osaka, discover Kyoto and Nara, then follow the Shinkansen to the coast and Tokyo. Each day adds one useful skill to a wonderful Japanese holiday.

Follow the daily guideFind a station map

Alberge204 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped for display

The Fumi travel atlas

Your journey, on the map

View large map
Kansai to Tokyo Discovery — geographic route map1. Rinku Town, 1 night; 2. Osaka, 4 nights; 3. Atami, 2 nights; 4. Tokyo, 4 nights; 5. Haneda, Airport finish. North is up. Route connections are illustrative.F U M I T O U R S / T H E J A P A N A T L A SKansai to Tokyo Discovery11 NIGHTS · YOUR FIRST RAIL ADVENTURE4Tokyo5Haneda3Atami2Osaka1Rinku TownNT H E I T I N E R A R Y1Rinku Town1 night2Osaka4 nights3Atami2 nights4Tokyo4 nights5HanedaAirport finishRail & surface linksFlightsFerryGeographic coastlines · North upConnections shown schematically
Kansai to Tokyo Discovery — geographic route map1. Rinku Town, 1 night; 2. Osaka, 4 nights; 3. Atami, 2 nights; 4. Tokyo, 4 nights; 5. Haneda, Airport finish. North is up. Route connections are illustrative.F U M I T O U R S / T H E J A P A N A T L A SKansai to Tokyo Discovery11 NIGHTS · YOUR FIRST RAIL ADVENTURE4Tokyo5Haneda3Atami2Osaka1Rinku TownNT H E I T I N E R A R Y1Rinku Town1 night2Osaka4 nights3Atami2 nights4Tokyo4 nights5HanedaAirport finishRail & surface linksFlightsFerry
Follow the numbered stops in travel order. Geographic coastlines; transport connections shown schematically.

A clear plan, with room to breathe

A holiday that builds
your confidence.

A first visit to Japan, a manageable introduction to different operators, and time to learn without moving hotels every day.

Follow the suggested days in order, or add a rest night wherever you want more time.

Choose flights into Kansai and out of Haneda to follow this version. Reserve Rinku, Osaka, Atami and Tokyo accommodation, then the two Shinkansen legs. Hommachi and the Tokyo Station area are the suggested city bases.

These are detailed self-guided plans. You book and travel independently, using the written route, Fumi guides and operator information as your companions.

Choose your tickets

Start by pricing the exact journeys. An IC card helps with eligible city rides; it is not a rail pass and does not replace a Shinkansen reservation. Compare any pass against your dates, operators and train types before buying.

Open the ticket guide →

Make the transfers comfortable

Our planning margins are deliberately generous: about 20–30 minutes for an unfamiliar operator change and around 45 minutes before your first reserved Shinkansen. Add more for ticket collection, busy periods or assistance.

Use the station plans to find lifts. Arrange any boarding assistance with the operator before travelling.

Keep luggage manageable

Take a day bag on city outings. For the Tokaido–Sanyo–Kyushu Shinkansen, luggage over 160 cm and up to 250 cm in total dimensions needs the appropriate oversized-baggage seat reservation; larger items cannot travel under that rule.

Operator luggage guide

Your day-by-day travel companion

One good journey at a time.

Open a day for the route, ticket checks, station maps and a little inspiration. The day numbers are a suggested sequence, not fixed departure dates.

01DAY 1 · Rinku TownA soft landing beside Osaka BayArrival day · one short train

Kansai Airport → Rinku Town

Your steps today

  1. After immigration and baggage, follow Railway signs. From Terminal 2, use the free shuttle to the Terminal 1 / Aeroplaza area first.
  2. Choose the Nankai gates and a train whose stopping list includes Rinku Town. For this short first ride, an ordinary Airport Express keeps ticketing simple.
  3. Leave at Rinku Town, find your hotel’s lift exit on the map and settle in. Save tomorrow’s Namba route before sleeping.
Station maps for this dayKansai Airport Rinku Town
02DAY 2 · Osaka · Hommachi areaFind your Osaka rhythmA move day + a short city outing

Rinku Town → Nankai Namba → Metro Namba → Hommachi

Your steps today

  1. At Rinku Town, choose Nankai Airport Express toward Namba. Check the operator: a JR train will not take you to Nankai Namba.
  2. At Namba, exit Nankai and follow Osaka Metro / Midosuji Line signs. This is a walk between separate paid areas, not a platform change.
  3. Enter Metro Namba M20; ride north toward Umeda / Shin-Osaka to Hommachi M18. Find your hotel using its saved exit.
  4. After leaving bags, practise one stop south to Shinsaibashi M19. Wander the shopping streets and return from the same station.
Station maps for this dayRinku Town Nankai Namba Metro Namba Hommachi Shinsaibashi
03DAY 3 · Osaka · Hommachi areaCastle park, then the great station roofTwo easy outings · lunch break between them

Hommachi ↔ Morinomiya; Hommachi ↔ Umeda / Osaka

Your steps today

  1. Follow Chuo Line signs within Hommachi and take an eastbound train toward Nagata / Gakken-Nara-Tomigaoka to Morinomiya C19.
  2. Leave the station for Osaka Castle Park. Return to Morinomiya and take Chuo westbound toward Yumeshima to Hommachi.
  3. After a break, take Midosuji northbound from Hommachi to Umeda. Exit the Metro and follow signs toward JR Osaka Station.
  4. Enjoy the public station district without entering JR gates. Return from Metro Umeda southbound to Hommachi.
Station maps for this dayHommachi Morinomiya Umeda Osaka · JR
04DAY 4 · Osaka · Hommachi areaKyoto by two different railwaysFull day · leave large luggage in Osaka

Hommachi → Osaka → Kyoto → Higashiyama → Gion-shijo → Yodoyabashi → Hommachi

Your steps today

  1. Ride Midosuji north to Umeda, then follow JR Osaka signs. Take a JR Kyoto Line Special Rapid toward Kyoto; check Kyoto in its stops.
  2. At Kyoto, leave JR and enter the city subway. Ride Karasuma north toward Kokusaikaikan to Karasuma Oike; change to Tozai east toward Rokujizo and leave at Higashiyama.
  3. Walk south at your own pace toward Yasaka Shrine and Gion. Keep the afternoon flexible and pause for lunch.
  4. At Keihan Gion-shijo, choose a Yodoyabashi-bound Limited Express and an ordinary car. At Yodoyabashi exit Keihan, follow Metro Midosuji and ride south one stop to Hommachi.
Station maps for this dayHommachi Umeda Osaka · JR Kyoto · JR & subway Karasuma Oike Higashiyama Gion-shijo Yodoyabashi · Keihan Yodoyabashi
05DAY 5 · Osaka · Hommachi areaNara, with a simple returnA full day at your own pace

Hommachi → Osaka-Namba → Kintetsu-Nara → same route back

Your steps today

  1. Take Midosuji south to Metro Namba. Exit and follow Kintetsu / Hanshin signs to Osaka-Namba.
  2. Choose a direct Rapid Express showing Kintetsu-Nara. Read the destination as well as the train category; do not board a train simply because it says Express.
  3. Leave at Kintetsu-Nara for the park and temple area. Keep the return station pinned on your phone.
  4. Return on a through train that calls at Osaka-Namba. Change to Metro Midosuji northbound and leave at Hommachi. Prepare tomorrow’s Shinkansen ticket tonight.
Station maps for this dayHommachi Metro Namba Osaka-Namba · Kintetsu Kintetsu-Nara
06DAY 6 · AtamiYour first Shinkansen, then the seaA travel day · no timed sightseeing on arrival

Hommachi → Shin-Osaka → Atami

Your steps today

  1. Reserve Shin-Osaka → Atami in advance. Prefer a direct Tokyo-bound Kodama when offered; if the chosen service requires a change, book and save both legs together.
  2. From Hommachi take Midosuji north to Shin-Osaka. Exit the Metro and follow Shinkansen signs. Arrive roughly 45 minutes before your first reserved departure to find the gate, food and platform.
  3. Check the booked train number, time, car and seat. Make sure Atami is in that train’s stopping list. Nozomi does not stop at Atami.
  4. At Atami, exit for the town and use your hotel’s recommended bus, taxi or walking route. Keep the evening free after the long ride.
Station maps for this dayHommachi Shin-Osaka · Metro Shin-Osaka · Shinkansen Atami
07DAY 7 · AtamiTake a proper coastal pauseA pause day

Atami stay day · no required rail journey

Your steps today

  1. Use the morning for a slow breakfast and a beach or town walk suited to the weather.
  2. Notice the steep climb between the waterfront and station. Take a bus or taxi back if that makes the day more enjoyable.
  3. Confirm tomorrow’s Atami → Tokyo reservation and the exit nearest your Tokyo hotel. Save the hotel address in Japanese.
Station maps for this dayAtami
08DAY 8 · Tokyo · Tokyo Station areaArrive in Tokyo with a planA short intercity move + a free afternoon

Atami → Tokyo

Your steps today

  1. Use your reserved Kodama or a selected Hikari that stops at Atami. Check the current timetable and your booking before heading to the station.
  2. Board the exact train and car on your reservation. At Tokyo, follow signs to the side of the station nearest your hotel: Marunouchi or Yaesu.
  3. If your hotel needs a further train, follow the relevant transfer signs and check the onward fare. Leave the large suitcase before exploring.
  4. Take a gentle orientation walk and identify the JR entrance you will use tomorrow.
Station maps for this dayAtami Tokyo
09DAY 9 · Tokyo · Tokyo Station areaUeno and old TokyoTwo neighbourhoods · one simple transfer each way

Tokyo → Ueno → Asakusa → same route back

Your steps today

  1. At Tokyo, choose JR Yamanote toward Ueno and leave at Ueno. Keep today’s first ride on a familiar city service.
  2. Pause in Ueno before following Tokyo Metro Ginza Line signs. Exit JR, enter Metro and ride from Ueno G16 toward Asakusa G19.
  3. Visit the Senso-ji area and riverside at your own pace. Note the orange G symbol for your return station.
  4. Take Ginza Line back to Ueno, then JR Yamanote toward Tokyo. Keep Keisei, Tobu, Toei and Tsukuba Express stations separate from this plan.
Station maps for this dayTokyo Ueno · JR Ueno · Ginza Line Asakusa · Ginza Line
10DAY 10 · Tokyo · Tokyo Station areaShinjuku without the mazeA flexible half day or full day

Tokyo ↔ Shinjuku · JR Chuo Line Rapid

Your steps today

  1. Use the JR Chuo Line Rapid from Tokyo toward Shinjuku. Verify Shinjuku in the stops of the selected train.
  2. Before leaving the gate at Shinjuku, decide which side matches your chosen walk. Save that exit and the return entrance.
  3. Explore one part of the district rather than crossing the station repeatedly. Keep time for lunch and a café.
  4. For the return, follow JR Chuo Line Rapid toward Tokyo. You do not need to switch to a private railway or the subway.
Station maps for this dayTokyo Shinjuku · JR
11DAY 11 · Tokyo · Tokyo Station areaA free day, with tomorrow settledYour day · no compulsory outing

Tokyo stay day · airport preparation

Your steps today

  1. Revisit a favourite neighbourhood, shop locally or simply take the morning slowly.
  2. Check the airline’s actual Haneda terminal and required airport arrival time. Save the JR Tokyo → Hamamatsucho and Monorail connection.
  3. Check the first/last useful service for your flight, prepare your ticket or IC balance, charge your phone and pack.
  4. For an early departure, consider moving tonight to the appropriate airport-terminal hotel and adjusting the final night of this plan.
Station maps for this dayTokyo Hamamatsucho Haneda Terminal 1 Haneda Terminal 2 Haneda Terminal 3
12DAY 12 · DepartureFinish confidently at HanedaDeparture day · timed to your flight

Tokyo → Hamamatsucho → your Haneda terminal

Your steps today

  1. From Tokyo, take JR Yamanote toward Shinagawa and leave at Hamamatsucho. Build the day around your airline’s check-in deadline.
  2. Follow Tokyo Monorail signs and the current station map. Choose a Haneda-bound service; all three terminal stations are distinct.
  3. Leave at the terminal shown for your flight today. Follow Departures / your airline signs and check in.
  4. Keep a generous margin for luggage, lifts and walking. If your flight is too early for rail, use a prearranged alternative or an airport hotel.
Station maps for this dayTokyo Hamamatsucho Haneda Terminal 1 Haneda Terminal 2 Haneda Terminal 3

Use your actual reservation and the station departure board for times, platforms and stopping patterns. The suggested comfort margins above are Fumi planning allowances.

Understand the change before you arrive

The connections, made clear.

Read these as a sequence of actions. Use the linked operator plans below for the actual floors, gates and lift routes.

Namba: airport train → subway

  1. Nankai train
  2. Exit Nankai gates
  3. Follow Midosuji signs
  4. Enter Metro Namba
  5. Northbound to Hommachi

Separate operators, separate fares. Follow the line name rather than another station simply called Namba.

Shin-Osaka: Metro → Shinkansen

  1. Metro arrival
  2. Exit Metro gates
  3. Follow Shinkansen signs
  4. Use booked ticket
  5. Match train & car

Osaka and Shin-Osaka are different stations. Atami must appear in the selected train’s stops.

Haneda: JR → Monorail → terminal

  1. JR Hamamatsucho
  2. Follow Monorail signs
  3. Board Haneda-bound train
  4. Correct terminal stop
  5. Airline check-in

Check the flight’s current terminal before leaving the hotel. Include walking and lift time.

Get a feel for the railway

Stations worth looking up for.

Osaka Station platforms beneath the great roof at sunset
Osaka · the great station roof

The public station district is a rewarding stop in its own right.

Alberge204 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped for display
The soaring central concourse of Kyoto Station
Kyoto · the soaring concourse

Find your line first, then take a moment to enjoy the architecture.

MaedaAkihiko · CC0 1.0 · cropped for display
Tokyo Station Marunouchi building illuminated after dark
Tokyo · the Marunouchi frontage

Marunouchi and Yaesu are different sides: choose your exit before leaving.

MaedaAkihiko · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped for display

The station companion · 29 useful stops

Have the map before
you need the map.

Official plans for the stations where you board, change or leave the train. Some operator plans are in Japanese; match the station name below. Maps open in a new tab.

29 stations

Kansai · Nankai / JR

Kansai Airport 関西空港

The railway station serves Terminal 1 and Aeroplaza. From Terminal 2, take the airport shuttle first. Nankai and JR have separate gates: match the operator to your ticket.

Kansai · Nankai / JR

Rinku Town りんくうタウン

Choose a Nankai train for Namba. JR trains use a different route into Osaka. Open the station page for the premises map and VR view.

Osaka · Nankai

Nankai Namba なんば

Airport and Koya Line trains use this terminal. For the Metro, leave Nankai and follow Midosuji Line signs; for Nara, follow Kintetsu / Hanshin Osaka-Namba.

Osaka · Osaka Metro

Metro Namba なんば

Use the red Midosuji Line for Hommachi, Umeda and Shin-Osaka. Nankai Namba, Kintetsu Osaka-Namba and JR Namba are separate stations.

Osaka · Osaka Metro

Hommachi 本町

Our suggested Osaka base. The Midosuji, Chuo and Yotsubashi lines are spread across a large station. Save your hotel’s nearest lift exit.

Osaka · Osaka Metro

Shinsaibashi 心斎橋

One Midosuji stop south of Hommachi. Leave the gate for the shopping streets; return to the same line for an easy ride home.

Osaka · Osaka Metro

Morinomiya 森ノ宮

Use the Chuo Line for Hommachi. The Osaka Castle Park outing finishes back at this station, avoiding an extra interchange.

Osaka · Osaka Metro

Umeda 梅田

The Midosuji station serving the Osaka Station district. Follow JR Osaka signs after exiting the Metro; do not follow Shin-Osaka.

Kansai · JR

Osaka · JR 大阪

Use the JR Kyoto Line for Kyoto and JR Kobe Line for Himeji. Special Rapid is an ordinary train; avoid a paid A-seat car unless you hold its separate ticket.

Kansai · JR

Kyoto · JR & subway 京都

JR, Shinkansen, Kintetsu and subway gates are distinct. For our city outings follow Subway Karasuma Line; for the airport follow JR HARUKA.

Kyoto · Kyoto subway · K08 / T13

Karasuma Oike 烏丸御池

Change between the Karasuma and Tozai lines within the subway paid area. For Higashiyama choose Tozai toward Rokujizo; for Kyoto choose Karasuma toward Takeda. Map labels are Japanese.

Kyoto · Kyoto subway · T10

Higashiyama 東山

Our arrival for an unhurried walk toward Gion. Use the lift route shown on the official plan if needed. Map labels are Japanese.

Kyoto · Keihan

Gion-shijo 祇園四条

For the Osaka return choose a Yodoyabashi-bound train. Premium Car and Liner seats have extra conditions; use an ordinary car on the selected Limited Express.

Osaka · Keihan

Yodoyabashi · Keihan 淀屋橋

End of the Keihan ride from Kyoto. Exit Keihan, follow Osaka Metro Midosuji signs, then enter the Metro for Hommachi.

Osaka · Osaka Metro

Yodoyabashi 淀屋橋

Keihan and Metro have separate paid areas. To return to Hommachi take Midosuji southbound toward Nakamozu, one stop.

Osaka · Kintetsu / Hanshin

Osaka-Namba · Kintetsu 大阪難波

Choose a direct Rapid Express showing Kintetsu-Nara. Coming from Metro Midosuji or Nankai, leave time for the signed walk to the Kintetsu gates.

Kansai · Kintetsu

Kintetsu-Nara 近鉄奈良

This route uses Kintetsu-Nara, near the park approach. It does not use JR Nara. On the return, select a train that stops at Osaka-Namba.

Osaka · Osaka Metro

Shin-Osaka · Metro 新大阪

Exit the Metro paid area and follow Shinkansen signs. Your Shinkansen departure is at Shin-Osaka, not Osaka Station.

Kansai · JR

Shin-Osaka · Shinkansen 新大阪

Match the booked train name, number, departure, car and seat. Allow a generous margin when coming from the Metro; ask staff before a confusing gate.

Tokyo & coast · JR Central / JR East

Atami 熱海

Check that Atami appears in your booked train’s stopping list. Nozomi does not stop here. The town slopes down from the station; plan a bus or taxi if your accommodation is lower down.

Tokyo & coast · JR East

Ueno · JR 上野

Follow Tokyo Metro Ginza Line signs for Asakusa. JR and Metro have separate gates. Keisei-Ueno is another station and is not used on this outing.

Tokyo & coast · Tokyo Metro · G16

Ueno · Ginza Line 上野

Select Ginza Line toward Asakusa, not the Hibiya Line. The station page includes the layout and accessible routes.

Tokyo & coast · Tokyo Metro · G19

Asakusa · Ginza Line 浅草

Use the Ginza Line station for this route. Toei, Tobu and Tsukuba Express also use the name Asakusa; follow the orange G symbol when returning.

Tokyo & coast · JR East

Shinjuku · JR 新宿

Use the JR Chuo Line Rapid for the simple ride to and from Tokyo. Choose an exit before leaving the gate; follow current signs through the large station.

Tokyo & coast · JR / Tokyo Monorail

Hamamatsucho 浜松町

Follow Tokyo Monorail signs from JR. Station redevelopment can change the walking route; use this current operator map and lift signage.

Tokyo & coast · Tokyo Monorail

Haneda Terminal 1 羽田空港第1ターミナル

Use the terminal shown for your flight on the day. International flights can use Terminal 2 or Terminal 3; airline name alone is not enough.

Tokyo & coast · Tokyo Monorail

Haneda Terminal 2 羽田空港第2ターミナル

Use the terminal shown for your flight on the day. International flights can use Terminal 2 or Terminal 3; airline name alone is not enough.

Tokyo & coast · Tokyo Monorail

Haneda Terminal 3 羽田空港第3ターミナル

Use the terminal shown for your flight on the day. International flights can use Terminal 2 or Terminal 3; airline name alone is not enough.

The five checks

Ready for the next train?

Use this little routine before every new journey. Tick it off if it helps, then reset for the next ride.

Before boarding

0 of 5 ready

Your travelling companion

Keep the good guidance close.

Read the next day before you leave. Save your maps, carry your reservations and use the workbook for the little details that make tomorrow easier.

Official operators, maps & planning references

Route guidance reviewed 21 October 2026. Check these sources when choosing your actual travel date and again before a major journey.

Nankai airport trains & timetables Nankai Koya train & reservations Koyasan ticket validity JR West route finder & station maps JR Central Shinkansen timetables SmartEX booking & boarding Shinkansen luggage rules Kintetsu route & fare search Kyoto subway lines & transfers Keihan travel information Tokyo Monorail terminal guide JR Kyushu stations & travel Fukuoka City Subway route map Sakurajima Ferry · terminals & access Sakurajima Ferry · first-ride instructions HARUKA airport train & ticket

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