Itinerary
New Year's Kansai: Hatsumode, Kobe Beef & Mountain Temples
7 days · 19 stops · ¥250,000–¥350,000
Tue, Dec 29 – Mon, Jan 4
Seven days tracing a quiet arc through Kobe's harbour, Nara's lantern-lit shrines, and Koyasan's snowy cemetery — built around New Year's traditions and the best beef of your life.
Days
Ka23 13 / CC BY-SA 4.0
Kobe Chinatown
Hyogo
Schedule
Day 01 of 07🛬
Arrive 15:00 · first activity from 17:30
2.5h customs + airport transit buffer
Land at KIX · Tue, Dec 29 · from JFK · 2 travelers
Renting a car? Check the license rules
Some licenses (FR/DE/CH/BE/TW) need a JAF translation, not an IDP — 5-min guide.
Stay
Kobe · 1 night
Tue, Dec 29 → Wed, Dec 30 · 2 guests
17:30
EXPLORE
南京町
Stay ~1h
Motomachi Station
A warm, lantern-lit welcome after landing — grab steamed buns and wander the colourful food stalls of Nankinmachi.
~17 min on foot
18:47
EXPLORE
メリケンパーク
Stay ~45 min
Motomachi Station
Evening harbour walk past the red Port Tower and Kobe Maritime Museum — the bay lights shimmer on the water.
Getting around
🏮
Koyasan World Heritage Ticket
Round-trip from Osaka + cable car + Koyasan buses — ¥3,140 / 2 days.
View Koyasan World Heritage Ticket →🚄
JR West Kansai Area Pass
Matched to your route — one pass instead of point-to-point tickets on the rail legs.
View JR West Kansai Area Pass →🚗
Rental car recommended
Several stops on this route are in rural areas with limited rail access. A rental car from the nearest city hub gives you the freedom to reach places no bus serves.
Browse rental cars on Klook →01 / 07
Journey map
Trip budget · お見積り
¥8,500–¥16,000 / person / day
¥120,000–¥225,000 total for 2 travellers
💴 Carry ~¥10,000/day in cash — many hidden spots are cash-only.
Estimated from 18 travel legs and 6 hotel nights. International flights not included. Typical prices, not quotes.
Before you go
Passes for this trip
✓ Matched to your route
JR West Kansai Area Pass
Covers the rail legs on this route — one pass instead of point-to-point tickets.
View this pass
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Get Around
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Stay Hidden
Sleep in a centuries-old ryokan. Tatami floors, onsen, and a 7-course kaiseki.
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Ship luggage ahead on the shinkansen route. Explore every day completely hands-free.
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