Day trips

The 10 Best Day Trips from Hikone

Drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan for every place worth the trip.

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There are 10 good day trips from Hikone, Japan, led by Osaka, Nagoya, Kobe. The closest is Gifu, about 1 hr by car, and 2 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.

Day trips from Hikone at a glance

DestinationDistanceDrive timeBest as
Osaka92 km SW1 hr 25 minFull-day trip
Nagoya60 km E1 hr 10 minFull-day trip
Kobe115 km SW1 hr 50 minFull-day trip
Kyoto52 km SW1 hrHalf-day trip
Hamamatsu148 km SE2 hr 20 minLong day or overnight
Himeji149 km W2 hr 20 minLong day or overnight
Toyota84 km E1 hr 20 minFull-day trip
Hirakata73 km SW1 hr 25 minFull-day trip
Gifu50 km NE1 hrHalf-day trip
Okazaki90 km E1 hr 25 minFull-day trip

Drive times are estimates from the distance. Check live traffic before you leave.

The best day trips from Hikone

  1. 1

    Osaka, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 25 min by car92 km south-west of Hikone2 hr 50 min round trip

    What travelers see in Osaka

    • Osaka Castle - You'll be captivated by the majestic beauty of Osaka Castle, especially in the summer when the green surrounding parks are teeming with life.
    • Dotonbori - You'll find yourself enchanted by the dazzling neon lights of Dotonbori, where the vibrant atmosphere pulses with energy during the summer evenings.
    • Sumiyoshi Taisha - You'll be immersed in tranquility as you stroll through the lush grounds of Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Japan's oldest shrines.

    Also nearby: Higashiosaka, Nishinomiya, Amagasaki, Toyonaka, Suita.

    15 traveler itinerariesThings to do in Osaka
  2. 2

    Nagoya, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 10 min by car60 km east of Hikone2 hr 20 min round trip

    Known for Nana-chan Mannequin.

  3. 3

    Kobe, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 50 min by car115 km south-west of Hikone3 hr 40 min round trip

    Known for BE KOBE.

  4. 4

    Kyoto, Japan

    Half-day trip
    About 1 hr by car52 km south-west of Hikone2 hr round trip

    What travelers see in Kyoto

    • Fushimi Inari Taisha - You'll be mesmerized by the vibrant vermilion torii gates that create a stunning pathway up the sacred Mount Inari.
    • Kinkaku-ji - You'll be captivated by the shimmering gold leaf that covers the upper two floors of this Zen Buddhist temple, reflecting beautifully in the surrounding pond.
    • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - You'll find yourself enveloped by towering bamboo stalks that sway gently in the summer breeze, creating a soothing rustle that feels magical.
    14 traveler itinerariesThings to do in Kyoto
  5. 5

    Hamamatsu, Japan

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 20 min by car148 km south-east of Hikone4 hr 40 min round trip

    Known for 浜松市動物園.

  6. 6

    Himeji, Japan

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 20 min by car149 km west of Hikone4 hr 40 min round trip
  7. 7

    Toyota, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 20 min by car84 km east of Hikone2 hr 40 min round trip
  8. 8

    Hirakata, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 25 min by car73 km south-west of Hikone2 hr 50 min round trip
  9. 9

    Gifu, Japan

    Half-day trip
    About 1 hr by car50 km north-east of Hikone2 hr round trip
  10. 10

    Okazaki, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 25 min by car90 km east of Hikone2 hr 50 min round trip

A sample day trip: Hikone to Osaka

A realistic pace for Osaka, 92 km from Hikone. Packy AI builds this for any place on the list, with a route, opening hours and timings you can edit.

  1. 08:30Leave Hikone
  2. 09:55Arrive in Osaka (1 hr 25 min drive)
  3. 10:10Osaka Castle
  4. 12:10Lunch
  5. 13:25Dotonbori
  6. 15:10Sumiyoshi Taisha
  7. 16:40Head back to Hikone
  8. 18:05Home in Hikone

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What are the best day trips from Hikone?
The best day trips from Hikone are Osaka, Nagoya, Kobe, Kyoto, Hamamatsu. The closest is Gifu, about 1 hr away by car.
What is the closest day trip from Hikone?
Gifu is the closest, 50 km north-east of Hikone, roughly 1 hr by car. Best as a half-day trip.
Where can I go within an hour of Hikone?
2 places are within about an hour's drive of Hikone: Gifu (1 hr), Kyoto (1 hr).
What is the biggest city near Hikone for a day out?
Osaka is the largest city in day-trip range, 92 km south-west of Hikone and about 1 hr 25 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
How far is too far for a day trip from Hikone?
Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Himeji at 149 km, around 2 hr 20 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.

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