Tired of the same Kyoto and Nara spots everyone visits? Here are 3 peaceful autumn escapes you can easily reach from Osaka — perfect for a short day trip or overnight stay. ⸻ 🏯 1. Higashi Hongan-ji Temple, Kyoto 📍 5-min walk from Kyoto Station ⏰ Best time: late November for peak red leaves 💡 Stay nearby: Kyoto Century Hotel or Hotel Granvia (right by the station) Built in 1602, this Buddhist temple is often missed even by locals. From its gardens, you can capture Kyoto Tower framed by crimson trees — a blend of ancient and modern Kyoto in one frame. ⸻ 🐾 2. Heijō Palace Site Historical Park, Nara 📍 Near Yamato-Saidaiji Station (Kintetsu Line) — about 40 min from Osaka-Namba ⏰ Best time: early–mid November 💡 Stay nearby: Nara Hotel or Onyado Nono Nara Once Japan’s imperial palace 1,300 years ago, now a vast open park with a reconstructed palace gate. In autumn, the Kintetsu train glides through golden grass — peaceful, photogenic, and never crowded. ⸻ 🏔️ 3. Engyō-ji Temple, Himeji 📍 Mount Shosha, Himeji — take the Shinki Bus + ropeway from Himeji Station (~20 min) ⏰ Best time: mid- to late November 💡 Stay nearby: Dormy Inn Himeji or Hotel Monterey Himeji A 1,000-year-old temple where The Last Samurai was filmed. Surrounded by fiery maple leaves and deep forest silence, it feels like stepping into another world. ⸻ ✨ All three are within 1–1.5 hours from Osaka, easy to reach by train. Save this post for your next autumn trip 🍂 Which hidden gem would you visit first? #osakatravel #kyototravel #naratravel #himejitravel #japantravel #visitjapan #kansaitravel #hiddenjapan #japanhiddenplaces #hiddengems #undiscoveredjapan #secretjapan #autumninjapan #autumnjapan #japanfallvibes #travelvibesjapan #cozyjapan #japanserenity #beautifuljapan #japanitinerary #osakadaytrip #japanlikealocal #koyamastravel #autumnspotsinjapan #japanautumn