【Osaka – Kyoto 1-Day Model Course】Easy, Wallet-Friendly Travel with the KINTETSU RAIL PASS~ Visit Trending Spots and Savor Kyoto’s Delicacies in One Day ~

The KINTETSU RAIL PASS 1day is a pass and complete key to all the saving perks needed to easily travel around Osaka, Nara and Kyoto. With this special pass global visitors to Japan can enjoy not only unlimited travel on Kintetsu trains, but also specified sections of Nara Kotsu buses!
Travel smoothly without having to stop and buy tickets along the way, all while enjoying discounts and other perks at participating shops.

There are four different pass options, including the KINTETSU RAIL PASS 2day, valid for 2 days in Osaka, Nara, and Kyoto, the KINTETSU RAIL PASS 5day and KINTETSU RAIL PASS 5day plus, which includes the expanded area of Mie Prefecture (e.g. spots like Ise-Shima) and Nagoya. To start, just pick according to where you want to go and enjoy the ride.

Your journey begins at Kintetsu Osaka-Namba Station. Board the Nara Line Rapid Express and head to Yamato-Saidaiji Station. From there, transfer to the Kyoto Line to Ōkubo Station, and then switch to the Kyoto Line Semi-Express. In about 1 hour and 10 minutes, you'll arrive at Ogura Station in Kyoto’s Uji area.

A 5-minute walk from Ogura Station brings you to the highly anticipated Nintendo Museum, which opened in October 2024.

This museum is dedicated to showcasing the history and evolution of Nintendo, a company that has been entertaining people worldwide for generations.
Step inside to find exhibits featuring Hanafuda cards that Nintendo has been making since the company was founded, iconic gaming consoles like the Family Computer (Called the Nintendo Entertainment System in Western countries ) and Nintendo Switch, as well as classic and modern games. There’s also an interactive exhibition floor, where visitors can play with 10 coins provided to their play cardupon entry.
The museum also has an on-site café and an exclusive shop filled with limited-edition Nintendo merchandise—perfect for collectors and fans.

Entry to the Nintendo Museum requires a 3 month advance reservation through the official website. Tickets are available only via a lottery system, so make sure to secure your reservation before planning your visit!

Next up is a stop in Kyoto’s famous sake district, Fushimi. From Ogura Station, take the Kintetsu Kyoto Line for about 10 minutes and get off at Momoyamagoryomae Station. From there, it’s an 8-minute walk to Kizakura Kappa Country, a facility operated by the well-known sake and beer brewery, Kizakura.

This multi-purpose facility includes a museum, a restaurant, and a shop, meaning there’s plenty of mouthwatering chances to learn about Kizakura’s brewing history while sampling its products. At the on-site restaurant Kizakura Sakaba, a delicious lunch awaits. A popular choice is the Ryoma Gozen, a beautifully arranged set meal featuring local flavors.
For beer lovers, the Kyoto Beer Tasting Set is a must-try. Brewed right at the facility, these fresh, locally made craft beers provide a unique taste of Kyoto. Whether you opt for a satisfying meal or a refreshing beer, this stop is the perfect place to relax and experience Kyoto’s brewing culture.

After lunch, take a leisurely stroll through the charming streets of Fushimi, lined with the scenic Horikawa River and elegant willow trees, before arriving at the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum.

The museum itself sits inside a 100-year-old sake brewery, offering visitors a glimpse into the art of traditional sake-making. Walk through varied exhibits of some 200 different brewing tools, including wooden barrels and sake casks, which have been designated as Kyoto City Tangible Folk Cultural Properties. Here, you can learn about Fushimi’s rich sake-making heritage and the legacy of Gekkeikan, a brand that continues to innovate while preserving its traditions.
The tour ends with a swing by the sake tasting corner, complete with three labels from a selection of premium sake to sample. If you find a favorite, don’t forget to visit the on-site shop to pick up a bottle as a souvenir!

The final stop on the Fushimi sake district tour is a leisurely boat ride through the town’s scenic waterways! Departing from the Jukkokubune boarding dock, located behind the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, this sightseeing cruise offers a unique perspective of Fushimi’s historic charm.

Fushimi has long been known for its abundant water sources, and its canals were developed into a river port by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1594. The specific waterway on this tour became a key transportation hub, fostering the growth of the local sake brewing industry. Along the riverbanks, traditional white-walled sake breweries line the shore, creating a picturesque townscape that reflects Fushimi’s rich history.
The Jukkokubune sightseeing cruise offers a tranquil 50-minute journey through this historic sake district. Each season brings its own beauty—cherry blossoms in spring, lush hydrangeas planted by locals in summer, and vibrant autumn foliage in the fall—making it a delightful experience year-round.

Returning to Momoyamagoryomae Station, take the Kintetsu Kyoto Line Express for about 15 minutes and get off at Kyoto Station. The final stop of the journey is Gion Ramen Miyako, a renowned Kyoto ramen shop located on the 10th floor of Kyoto Station Building in Kyoto Ramen Koji street.

The original shop is in Gion and is famous for its signature Gion Paitan Soup, an all-original chicken broth that hails specifically from Gion. The rich soup combines the deep umami of chicken and the natural sweetness of carefully selected vegetables, creating a well-balanced, flavorful broth. The shop owner takes pride in crafting a soup that customers will want to savor to the last drop.
The noodles used are "low-temperature aged thin noodles”, perfected over years of refinement. Their firm texture pairs perfectly with the broth, making for an exceptional bowl of ramen.

Got enough spots for a fabulous food journey through Kyoto?

After having a great time at the much-anticipated Nintendo Museum in Uji, take a step into history by visiting Fushimi, one of Japan’s top three sake-producing regions, where you can learn about traditional sake brewing and sample some of Kyoto’s finest. Finally, wrap up the day with a bowl of ramen at a renowned local favorite, making for a truly fulfilling one-day trip.

In addition to the above, the KINTETSU RAIL PASS 1day can also be used in Osaka, meaning more fun ways for you to design your personal travels.

Why not check out the official social media, which introduces photo-worthy spots along the Kintetsu Line, the latest information, and events, and use it as a reference for planning your trip?