Last updated: Nov 9, 2025
Quick Answer:
Tokyo is best for big museums, modern neighborhoods, and varied day trips to Nikko, Kamakura, Hakone, and the Fuji area. Osaka is best for street food, lively nights, and easy classic side trips to Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Himeji. Choose the base that matches your interests and confirm times on official timetables.
At a glance
- Tokyo for art and modern areas. The city’s official guide, GoTokyo, explains neighborhoods and seasonal ideas. Ueno’s museums, Roppongi’s art triangle, teamLab, and Toyosu/Odaiba fit well together.
- Osaka for food and theme parks. The DMO site, OSAKA-INFO, has neighborhood pages and model courses in Dotonbori/Minami, Umeda, and the bay area near Universal Studios Japan and the aquarium.
- Airport links are simple. From Haneda to central Tokyo, use the Tokyo Monorail or Keikyu. From KIX to Osaka, ride JR-West’s Haruka or Nankai’s Rapi:t.
- Bullet train is fast between bases. The Tokaido Shinkansen connects Tokyo and Shin-Osaka in about 2 hours 21 minutes at best; see JR Central timetables.
- Beware holiday weeks. Golden Week runs Apr 29–May 6, 2026. Obon is Aug 13–16, 2026. Trains and hotels sell out early in these periods.
If the base is Tokyo
Tokyo fits travelers who enjoy museums and varied neighborhoods.
- Where to stay: Tokyo Station/Marunouchi for quick Shinkansen access. Shinjuku for Odakyu’s Hakone routes and many JR/Metro lines. Shibuya for a walkable base with dining and nightlife.
- Nearby highlights: Ueno’s museum cluster, including the Tokyo National Museum (check hours and last entry). Asakusa and the Sumida riverside walk. Toyosu Market’s visitor areas (calendar on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government site). teamLab Planets (timed entry) in Toyosu.
- Day trips that work well:
- Hakone: The Hakone Freepass from Odakyu (Shinjuku) covers the loop. The Romancecar offers reserved seats as a paid supplement.
- Mt. Fuji/Kawaguchiko: Direct FUJI EXCURSION trains run on select departures from Shinjuku. See Fujikyu Railway for schedules and seat booking.
- Kamakura by JR Yokosuka Line or via Odakyu for Enoshima access. Nikko by JR or Tobu (choose one system to keep transfers simple).
Local transport: Use Welcome Suica for local trains and buses. JR East explains purchase and use here: Welcome Suica. For limited express or Green Car on JR, buy the required supplement or reserved seat in addition to the base fare.
Accessibility notes (Tokyo): Major museums in Ueno have elevators and step-free entries. Some galleries close sections early for events, so check the museum page on the day you go. Toyosu Market visitor areas include elevators and wide corridors. Mornings are busiest.
If the base is Osaka
Osaka fits travelers who enjoy food, evening energy, and easy access to Kyoto and Nara.
- Where to stay: Umeda/Osaka Station for fast links to Kobe, Kyoto, and Himeji. Namba/Minami (Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi) for dining and nightlife. Shin-Osaka for the quickest Shinkansen access.
- Nearby highlights: Dotonbori’s canal walk and street food in the evening. Osaka Castle for the museum and grounds; check hours and seasonal evening events on the DMO pages. The bay area hosts Universal Studios Japan (park calendars on the USJ site) and Kaiyukan aquarium (see Kaiyukan hours).
- Day trips that work well:
- Kyoto: Frequent JR services from Osaka Station or the JR Kyoto Line from Shin-Osaka.
- Nara: Kintetsu Railway to Kintetsu-Nara (short walk to Nara Park) or JR to JR Nara (longer walk).
- Himeji: JR Special Rapid or Shinkansen to Himeji. Himeji Castle lists official hours (09:00–17:00, last entry 16:00; closed Dec 29–30): Himeji Castle.
Local transport: Use ICOCA across JR, Osaka Metro, and most buses. See JR-West’s guide: ICOCA. For the airport run, the Haruka connects KIX with Tennoji, Shin-Osaka, and Kyoto with reserved seats. Nankai’s Rapi:t links KIX and Namba.
Accessibility notes (Osaka): USJ is busy at opening and closing times. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome; allow extra time to move through crowds. Kaiyukan changes hours by season and posts guidance for step-free access.
Airport to city and key routes
USD shown at ≈ 1 USD = ¥150; check live rates.
| Route | Typical time (one-way) | Ticket type | Cost notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haneda → central Tokyo (Monorail to Hamamatsucho; Keikyu to Shinagawa) | ~15–30 min | Regular ticket / IC (Welcome Suica) | Fares vary by route; check live fare | Tokyo Monorail, Keikyu |
| KIX → Namba (Osaka) (Nankai Rapi:t) | ~34–40 min | Reserved limited express | Date-based pricing; check timetable and fares | Nankai Railway |
| KIX → Shin-Osaka / Kyoto (JR-West Haruka) | ~35–50–75 min (to Tennoji/Shin-Osaka/Kyoto) | Reserved limited express | Check current offers or WEST-QR | JR-West |
| Tokyo ↔ Shin-Osaka (Tokaido Shinkansen) | fastest ~2 h 21 m | Nozomi/Hikari/Kodama | Seat classes and prices on operator site | JR Central |
Last trains: Most subways and many private rail lines finish around midnight. Exact times vary by line. Confirm on Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, and Osaka Metro. If crossing a city late, aim to be on your platform by around 23:30.
Passes and simple tools
- City IC cards: Welcome Suica in Tokyo and ICOCA in Osaka make local rides easy. These cards do not include limited express supplements or Shinkansen seats. Buy those separately on operator sites.
- Regional passes for day trips:
- Hakone Freepass for the loop from Shinjuku: Odakyu.
- FUJI EXCURSION direct trains to Kawaguchiko on select departures: Fujikyu Railway.
- JR-West regional options for Kansai trips and Haruka offers: JR-West.
Choose by interests
| Interest | Choose Tokyo if… | Choose Osaka if… |
|---|---|---|
| Art and museums | You want Ueno’s museum mile, Roppongi art, and timed exhibitions. | You prefer some museums but enjoy evenings out and food-led days. |
| Food and nightlife | You like variety from sushi counters to department store food halls. | You want casual snacking, late nights, and street food around Dotonbori. |
| Family parks and aquariums | teamLab and other city attractions fit your plan. | You want a full day at USJ and time at Kaiyukan in the bay area. |
| Classic temples and shrines | Kamakura and Nikko are easy by rail for day trips. | Kyoto and Nara are closer and simpler for half-day or full-day trips. |
| Easy airport access | Haneda trains reach central areas quickly. | KIX links split neatly to Namba or Shin-Osaka/Kyoto. |
Practical planning notes
- Holiday dates are fixed. Golden Week is Apr 29–May 6, 2026. Obon concentrates Aug 13–16, 2026. Book seats and rooms well in advance if traveling in these windows.
- Timed entries save time. Reserve teamLab, Shibuya Sky, and other timed attractions as early as you can.
- Lockers and luggage: Most large JR and Metro stations have coin lockers in several sizes. During busy periods, consider sending large suitcases ahead with a courier so transfers stay easy.
- Accessibility: Museums usually show barrier-free access on their pages. USJ and Kaiyukan post seasonal hours and guidance for strollers and wheelchairs. Check the official page on the day you visit.
FAQs
Which base works best for an art-focused first trip?
Tokyo is stronger for art and museum density. Start in Ueno and Roppongi and add a modern stop like teamLab. The GoTokyo site helps pair neighborhoods in one day.
How late do subways run on weekends?
Times differ by line. Expect last trains near midnight and confirm details on Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, and Osaka Metro.
Which base makes Kyoto and Nara easiest?
Osaka. From Osaka or Shin-Osaka, frequent JR trains reach Kyoto in around half an hour. Kintetsu to Kintetsu-Nara puts you very close to Nara Park.
Where should families stay for a USJ day?
Consider Osaka’s bay area or Namba/Umeda. Check USJ park hours and arrive near opening to reduce waits.
What is the simplest way from Haneda or KIX to the city center?
From Haneda, ride the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho or Keikyu to Shinagawa and transfer. From KIX, take JR-West Haruka to Tennoji/Shin-Osaka/Kyoto or Nankai Rapi:t to Namba.
Do IC cards replace all tickets?
They do not. Welcome Suica and ICOCA cover base fares on local transport. Limited express and Shinkansen rides need supplements or reserved seats.
Are there lockers at stations for day trips?
Yes. Most large stations have coin lockers near ticket gates and main concourses. Signs are clear and in English.
Key Takeaways
- Pick the base by interests. Tokyo is best for museums and varied day trips. Osaka is best for food-first evenings and easy access to Kyoto and Nara.
- Check official timetables and park calendars so hours and last trains do not surprise you.
- Use Welcome Suica or ICOCA in cities, and buy supplements or reserved seats for limited express and Shinkansen travel.
- Plan early if traveling during Apr 29–May 6, 2026 or Aug 13–16, 2026.
Sources used
- GoTokyo (Tokyo DMO): https://www.gotokyo.org/en/
- OSAKA-INFO (Osaka DMO): https://osaka-info.jp/en/
- JR Central — Tokaido Shinkansen timetable: https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/info/timetable/
- JR East — Welcome Suica: https://www.jreast.co.jp/en/multi/welcomesuica/welcomesuica.html
- JR-West — ICOCA and Haruka: https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/
- Nankai Electric Railway — Rapi:t: https://www.nankai.co.jp/global/en/
- Tokyo Monorail: https://www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/english/
- Keikyu Railway: https://www.keikyu.co.jp/en/
- Tokyo National Museum (hours): https://www.tnm.jp/?lang=en
- Universal Studios Japan (hours/tickets): https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us
- Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (hours): https://www.kaiyukan.com/language/eng/
- Himeji Castle (hours/closures): https://www.city.himeji.lg.jp/castle/
- Odakyu — Hakone Freepass: https://www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/hakone/
- Fujikyu Railway — Fuji access and FUJI EXCURSION: https://www.fujikyu-railway.jp/en/
- Tokyo Metro: https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/index.html
- Toei Subway: https://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/
- Osaka Metro: https://subway.osakametro.co.jp/en/
