Osaka

Its location makes Osaka a perfect base for doing one-day trips to nearby cities like Kyoto 30 minutes, Kobe 20 minutes, Nara 40 minutes or Himeji 1 hour. Typical times shown on JR Trains available without extra express charges starting from Osaka Station.

The Expo Park in Suita, the huge commemorial park of the Japan World Expo '70, with its interesting Japanese Garden and Museum of National Ethnology. It's a very large park, and a good place for a picnic.

Hirakata - Home to the child-friendly Hirakata Park and Kansai Gaidai University.

Church of Light

茨木春日丘教会 Ibaraki Kasuga-oka KyoukaiIbaraki, one of the masterpiece architecture by Tadao Ando.

Minō, a popular maple watching spot in autumn and nature escape all year round. From Hankyu Umeda station take the train to Minō station. It is a pleasant walk to the waterfall ~30 minutes one way through shady forest, with wild monkeys and deer . Try the local Minoh beer or maple leaves in sweet tempura batter.

The temples and lush greenery of Mount Koya, 90 minutes away by train, are an entirely different world and the perfect getaway when all the concrete starts to get to you.

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, the world's longest single-span suspension bridge is located near Kobe, about 40 minutes away by train.

Tokimeki Beach

is a good get away if you want to spend the day at the seaside. Take the Nankia line from Namba station to Tannowa Station. The trip costs around ¥720 and takes about 45 minutes. The bag and shower service closes at 5 p.m.