My husband and I are going to Japan for the first time mid-April. I would love to get some tips/feedback on our Kyoto portion! I particularly have some questions about certain days below.
Sunday
* Leave for Kyoto from Tokyo early morning (forward luggage the day before to our Kyoto hotel)
* Arrive around noon/early afternoon
* Check out Kyoto Station
* Visit Nishiki Market
* Check in to hotel (Cross Hotel Kyoto)
* Walk around Kyoto Imperial Palace
Monday
* Early morning, start at Kiyomizu-dera Temple
* Walk thru Higashiyama District
* Around noon: Visit Maruyama Park
* Visit Chionin Temple
* Evening: Explore Gion streets and have dinner in the area
Tuesday: (Is this day too much?)
* Around 9:30, arrive at Otagi Nenbutsuji. Walk to Arashiyama proper while exploring areas like Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street and Gioji Moss Garden. (I got this idea from a reddit post and would love to do it)
* Around 11:30, arrive at Arashiyama Park
* Walk through Bamboo Groves
* Visit Okochi Sanso Villa
* Lunch
* 2:00 pm: Tenruji Temple
* By 3:00 pm: Head to Iwatayama Monkey Park (closes at 4 pm). Would an hour be enough time here?
* Optional: Romantic Train – Sagano to Kameoka. Should I try to make this fit or just skip it?
* Evening in Pontocho Alley (close to hotel)
Wednesday: (I would love to do both during our stay in Kyoto but I think we’re going to need to choose between Ginkakuji or Kinkakuji)
* In the morning, visit either Ginkakuji (to include Philospher’s Path or Nanzenji Temple) or Kinkakuji.
* Afternoon to evening: Kurama to Kibune hike with dinner in Kibune. Maybe see the lanterns at night at Kurama-dera Temple.
Thursday: This day we leave Kyoto for Osaka. Will forward luggage day before.
* Get to Fushimi Inari early. Spend morning here. 3-4 hours?
* Head to Nara and spend late morning/afternoon.
* Check in to Osaka hotel and explore Namba in the evening.
by SpecaSlew