Japan Rail Pass Now - Japan Travel Guide

14 Day Pass - Summer
adventure Itinerary
Day 5 – Explore Shirahama
There is also a variety of non-beach activities to keep you busy while in Shirahama.
For instance, the area has an abundance of stunning landscapes and rock formations, such as Engetsu Island and the Senjioki. It is also home
to two amusement parks, Adventure World and Energy Land, and several museums, such as the Kishu Museum, the Onsen Shiryokan, and the
Minakata Kumagusu Museum. Most importantly, it offers a unique hot spring experience through its two onsen by the beach, the Shirasuna
and the Sakinoyu, both of which have large outdoor baths that provide a relaxing soak in high quality hot spring waters while enjoying
unobstructed views of the sea.
Day 6 – Shirahama to Kyoto (Spend 3 nights)
Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri is Japan’s most famous festival so consider scheduling your trip to Japan in July, as the event is held over the whole
month.
From Shirahama Station, take the Ltd Exp Kuroshio 22 line to Shin-Osaka Station, and then transfer to the JR Special Rapid Service line to
Kyoto Station. The trip is fully covered by your JR Pass and takes about three hours.
Throughout the Gion Matsuri festival month, there are various events all over Kyoto’s Gion district, at Yasaka shrine, and the surroundings.
There are processions and parades of beautifully adorned floats, food and snack stands set up on streets, and more.
Gion – Kyoto
Daigo-ji temple
Day 7 – Explore Kyoto, day trip to Nara
On your second day in Kyoto, you can spend the morning in the city and then head out to Nara in the afternoon.
Start your day in Kyoto at around six in the morning to climb Fushima Inari Taisha, a mesmerising Shinto Shrine comprised of thousands of
orange torii gates that lead you through a dense forest to the main shrine at the top of Mount Inari. The round trip takes about two to three
hours. Spend a few hours at the base to check out the food stalls and markets.
Around lunchtime, walk back to JR Inari Station and take the JR Nara Line Local to Nara Station. The journey takes about an hour and ten
minutes.
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