Kyoto Travel Forum

I'm planning a trip to the Kansai area and wondering where should I pick my base. All things considered like accomodation and transpo costs, should I pick Osaka or Kyoto for my base of operations? I plan to visit Nara, Himeji and Kobe as well (other than Osaka and Kyoto itself).

Thanks!

I would say choose Osaka as your base. Osaka's about 15-20 mins from Kobe, about an hr from Himeji, and about 30 mins from Kyoto. Osaka's in-between Kyoto and Himeji on the JR line.

Stay around Shinsaibashi/Namba area of Osaka. Lots of shops & restaurants around there, and they stay open later than other areas of Osaka. Have fun! :)

It depends on which day you plan for which city. IF you look at my travel page for kyoto, I was based in Kyoto for 11 days. for the first 2 days, I bought the JR west pass and used it to go from the airport to kyoto and from kyoto to himeji and kobe, which were further. Rest of the trip, I conc on osaka, kyoto, nara and shiga, which were nearer. Hence I saved on tspt cost.

Kyoto has more budget accomodation too i think. Shopping wise, costs are definitely lower than that of Osaka (the second biggest city in Japan) and the crowd's smaller.

Personally I prefer Kyoto to Osaka for sure. Osaka is nowhere as pretty as Kyoto! Accommodation in Kyoto is not too bad too. Check out either Toyoko Inn (http://www.toyoko-inn.com/eng/) or this Ryokan I stayed in - Kyo No Yado Shimaya (https://www.itcj.jp/hdb/526089.html). While in Kyoto, do visit Arashiyama and The Philosopher's Path. So pretty...