Day trips

The 11 Best Day Trips from Wakayama

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

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There are 11 good day trips from Wakayama, Japan, led by Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto. The closest is Kobe, about 1 hr by car, and 1 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.

Day trips from Wakayama at a glance

DestinationDistanceDrive timeBest as
Osaka60 km NE1 hr 10 minFull-day trip
Kobe51 km N1 hrHalf-day trip
Kyoto103 km NE1 hr 35 minFull-day trip
Okayama122 km NW1 hr 55 minFull-day trip
Himeji78 km NW1 hr 30 minFull-day trip
Nishinomiya56 km N1 hr 5 minFull-day trip
Kurashiki134 km W2 hr 5 minFull-day trip
Takamatsu103 km W1 hr 35 minFull-day trip
Hirakata78 km NE1 hr 30 minFull-day trip
Nara-shi77 km NE1 hr 30 minFull-day trip
Takatsuki80 km NE1 hr 15 minFull-day trip

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

The best day trips from Wakayama

  1. 1

    Osaka, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 10 min by car60 km north-east of Wakayama2 hr 20 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, Amagasaki, Toyonaka, Suita.

    15 traveler itinerariesThings to do in Osaka
  2. 2

    Kobe, Japan

    Half-day trip
    About 1 hr by car51 km north of Wakayama2 hr round trip

    Known for BE KOBE.

  3. 3

    Kyoto, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 35 min by car103 km north-east of Wakayama3 hr 10 min 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
  4. 4

    Okayama, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 55 min by car122 km north-west of Wakayama3 hr 50 min round trip
  5. 5

    Himeji, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 30 min by car78 km north-west of Wakayama3 hr round trip
  6. 6

    Nishinomiya, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 5 min by car56 km north of Wakayama2 hr 10 min round trip
  7. 7

    Kurashiki, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 2 hr 5 min by car134 km west of Wakayama4 hr 10 min round trip
  8. 8

    Takamatsu, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 35 min by car103 km west of Wakayama3 hr 10 min round trip
  9. 9

    Hirakata, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 30 min by car78 km north-east of Wakayama3 hr round trip
  10. 10

    Nara-shi, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 30 min by car77 km north-east of Wakayama3 hr round trip
  11. 11

    Takatsuki, Japan

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 15 min by car80 km north-east of Wakayama2 hr 30 min round trip

A sample day trip: Wakayama to Osaka

A realistic pace for Osaka, 60 km from Wakayama. Packy AI builds this for any place on the list, with a route, opening hours and timings you can edit.

  1. 08:30Leave Wakayama
  2. 09:40Arrive in Osaka (1 hr 10 min drive)
  3. 09:55Osaka Castle
  4. 11:55Lunch
  5. 13:10Dotonbori
  6. 14:55Sumiyoshi Taisha
  7. 16:25Head back to Wakayama
  8. 17:35Home in Wakayama

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What are the best day trips from Wakayama?
The best day trips from Wakayama are Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Okayama, Himeji. The closest is Kobe, about 1 hr away by car.
What is the closest day trip from Wakayama?
Kobe is the closest, 51 km north of Wakayama, roughly 1 hr by car. Best as a half-day trip.
Where can I go within an hour of Wakayama?
One place is within about an hour's drive of Wakayama: Kobe (1 hr).
What is the biggest city near Wakayama for a day out?
Osaka is the largest city in day-trip range, 60 km north-east of Wakayama and about 1 hr 10 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
How far is too far for a day trip from Wakayama?
Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Kurashiki at 134 km, around 2 hr 5 min by car.

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