17 days in Kansai Itinerary

Considered a holy space where the gods once lived, the city of Tanabe teems with spiritual, cultural, and natural beauty.

Your inner history buff will appreciate Kumano Kodo Trail and Oyunohara - Original Kumano Hongu Taisha Site. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes and Engetsuto. Go for a jaunt from Tanabe to Shirahama-cho to see Shirarahama Beach about 32 minutes away. There's lots more to do: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, look for gifts at Toretore Market Nanki Shirahama, see the interesting displays at Kishu Museum, and indulge in Japan's hot spring tradition at some of the top local onsens.

To see more things to do, traveler tips, where to stay, and more tourist information, read our Tanabe travel planning site.

Brussels, Belgium to Tanabe is an approximately 19.5-hour combination of flight and car. The time zone changes from Central European Standard Time (CET) to Japan Standard Time (JST), which is usually an 8 hour difference. Plan for somewhat warmer temperatures traveling from Brussels in October, with highs in Tanabe at 27°C and lows at 22°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 29th (Sun) so you can go by car to Nachikatsura-cho.

The town of Nachikatsuura-cho wows visitors with its superlative landscape and impressive cultural attractions.

Start off your visit on the 30th (Mon): don't miss a visit to Daimonzaka, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Seiganto-ji Temple, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Kumano Nachi Taisha, then admire the sheer force of Nachi Mitaki Falls, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Hirou Shrine. On the 31st (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: examine the collection at Sato Haruo Memoria Museum, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Kumano Hayatama Taisha, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Kamikura Shrine, and finally stroll through Hashigui Rock.

Plan my day in Nachikatsura-cho using traveler tips and tourist information provided by Inspirock.

You can drive from Tanabe to Nachikatsura-cho in 2 hours. Another option is to take a train. October in Nachikatsura-cho sees daily highs of 27°C and lows of 22°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 31st (Tue) early enough to go by car to Koya-cho.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Wed): take in the awesome beauty at Mt. Koya, see the interesting displays at Koyasan Reihokan Museum, then steep yourself in history at Koyasan Danjo Garan, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Koyasan Okunoin, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Shinno-in Temple.

Take the guesswork out of planning a Koya-cho vacation by using our trip itinerary maker.

Traveling by car from Nachikatsura-cho to Koya-cho takes 4 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. In October, daily temperatures in Koya-cho can reach 26°C, while at night they dip to 20°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 1st (Wed) early enough to catch the flight to Toyooka.

A vacation in Toyooka lets you explore the UNESCO Global Geopark that completely surrounds the small town, notable for its scenic islands, rock formations, caves, and sand dunes.

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Takeda Castle Ruins and Street of Kinosaki Onsen. Get in touch with nature at Hyogo Park of the Oriental White Stork and Amanohashidate. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Toyooka: Kaya Tsubaki Cultural Museum (in Yosano-cho), Amanohashidate View Land (in Miyazu) and Ine no Funaya (in Ine-cho). Next up on the itinerary: indulge in Japan's hot spring tradition at some of the top local onsens, see the interesting displays at Kinosaki Literary Museum, observe the fascinating underwater world at Kinosaki Marine World, and explore the world behind art at Maruyamagawa Garden Art Museum.

For ratings, reviews, photos, and tourist information, read our Toyooka attractions planning site.

Fly from Koya-cho to Toyooka in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a train. Plan for slightly colder nights when traveling from Koya-cho in November since evenings lows in Toyooka dip to 10°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) so you can drive to Kobe.

Walkable, small, and aesthetically charming, Kobe has served as Japan's first and premier international trading outpost since opening to trade with China in the mid-19th century.

Kick off your visit on the 5th (Sun): see the interesting displays at Kawasaki Good Times World, take a stroll through Kobe Harborland, see the interesting displays at UCC Coffee Museum, then examine the collection at Cup Noodle Museum Osaka Ikeda, and finally buy something for everyone on your list at Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens. Keep things going the next day: get great views at Awajihanasajiki, contemplate the long history of Izanagi Shrine, then snap pictures at Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, then take in nature's colorful creations at Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens, and finally indulge in Japan's hot spring tradition at some of the top local onsens.

For ratings, traveler tips, photos, and tourist information, use the Kobe trip itinerary maker website.

You can drive from Toyooka to Kobe in 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or do a combination of flight and bus. In November in Kobe, expect temperatures between 19°C during the day and 13°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 6th (Mon) to allow time to take a train to Kyoto.

The national capital for over a thousand years, Kyoto retains much of the charm of old Japan, boasting numerous temples and shrines that seem completely untouched by the modern world.

Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Tenryuji Temple and Tofuku-ji Temple. Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Kasuga Grand Shrine and Eikando Zenrinji Temple. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Kyoto: Nara (Kofuku-ji Temple & Nigatsu-do Temple), Miho Museum (in Koka) and Hikone (Hikone Castle & Haiyukan). And it doesn't end there: contemplate the long history of Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, explore the world behind art at Byodo-in Temple Museum Hoshokan, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Shoren-in Temple (Shoren-in Monzeki), and wander the streets of Pontocho District.

To find traveler tips, reviews, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read Kyoto trip maker app.

You can take a train from Kobe to Kyoto in 1.5 hours. Another option is to drive. In November in Kyoto, expect temperatures between 19°C during the day and 10°C at night. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 11th (Sat) to allow time for travel back home.